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Prologue

New characters in this story: Okii-san(1), the personal and most trusted adviser of the shogun(2) (who secretly supports Lord Hikiji) and the shogun. Furthermore, we'll meet the bounty hunter Gennosuke (usually called only Gen) and one of his "colleagues", the bounty hunter Stray Dog.

Battles Inside and Outside

In the evening, the lords and their advisers sat together and united their wisdom. Lord Noriyukis advisers presented their thoughts about the possible battlegrounds and afterwards, their different plans of battle. At that time, spies had delivered information about troop strengths and their composition.

With role plays, different strategies were examined. Each time, one group would play the role of the enemy. On the maps, symbols for the different units were placed and moved around and the results of the decisions were discussed lively.

A few days later, they arrived at the battleground on which Lord Tenekka would probably expect them. As usual, they made camp. Scouts reported that Lord Tenekka had crossed the border and was making his way to them. When Lord Tenekka was two days away, they broke camp and moved unexpectedly to the battleground which Pau had proposed.

Lord Tenekka was outraged. Almost, he beheaded one of his advisers when he received the news. Pau observed him unmoved and unnoticed. There were various things Lord Tenekka could not stand but he really hated to be taken by surprise.

Now he would have to adjust his strategy. 'Whereto was this worm Noriyuki heading?' Nervously, his advisers searched the maps. Meanwhile, his army followed the united forces like a lindworm.

Two days later, the united army had reached its chosen battlefield. The advisers of Lord Tenekka tried their best to calm their master down so they could make the necessary changes to their strategy in the three remaining days.

That turned out to be more complicated as expected. Lord Tenekka just would not calm down, the new battlefield looked completely different to the one they had expected and, worst of all, they had to realize that they were at the mercy of Lord Noriyuki.

The capital was well within their reach but if they had chosen to go for it, Lord Noriyuki could have cut them from their supplies any time he wanted. If he dispatched some men, now, then the supplies which they carried with them would be all they would have until the battle. One day delay and their soldiers would have to fight hungry with the usual results to morale.

They chose one amongst themselves to relate this news to Lord Tenekka. He didn't return. Neither came any more supplies. All they did get was a messenger from Lord Hirano who told them that their supplies had been confiscated by the united army.

Lord Tenekka accepted this unmoved. Cold fury raged in him. Calmly to the outside, he sat with his advisers and in a very short time, they came up with a battle-plan that would at least offer them some of the advantages they had originally planned with. But now, everything depended on Lord Mono.

The news that Lord Tenekka had now arrived was reported to the united lords by a soldier. They stepped outside and watched their opponent to take his positions. Inwardly, Lord Noriyuki had to respect Pau. His information about the numbers and composition of the enemy troops were so precise that Lord Noriyuki suspected Pau had known the exact head counts somehow and had told them these as estimates.

Uneasily, he thought about what Usagi had reported him and the others a few days ago. That Pau had foretold how many deaths this battle would cause. For a repeated time, he asked himself what Paus role in this war was. And theirs.

Outwardly, only his Panda-smile could be seen that was etched in his face. Only a very keen observer could have seen the dark thoughts which moved him in his eyes.

In the evening, a courier from Lord Tenekka arrived. With great regret, the lord let tell them, he had noticed that Lord Noriyuki had fallen for the lies and deceptions of Lord Hirano and that he had no other choice now than to attack the next day.

Lord Hirano let answer that they would expect him.

During the night, another courier of Lord Tenekka sneaked into the camp and the tent of Lord Mono to deliver the latest orders from Lord Tenekka. In return, Mono explained important details of their plan for battle and the spy disappeared again. Unnoticed, he left the camp and vanished in the darkness that swallowed him.

Lord Mono was uneasy. Of course, he had taken precautions should Lord Tenekka try to double-cross him. Still, he was restless. For a moment, he went outside to walk a short distance. Tomorrow, a large battle would take place and surely, it was not unusual to be nervous.

When he returned in his tent, he found another reason to be. Unnoticed by his personal bodyguard, someone had rammed a spear into the ground in the middle of his tent. On its tip was the head of the spy, whom he had met earlier.

Cold terror engulfed him when the head suddenly looked at him and a dead mouth noiselessly formed a word: Pau.

Battle of Fear

The next morning, the lords met on a hill where they would oversee the battle. Disciplined, their men moved into their positions. On the other side, the same happened. Lord Mono looked seriously ill. Concerned, the others made inquiries about his well-being but only the terror in his eyes replied.

Somehow, Monos gaze was glued on the shape of Pau who ignored the lord. Paus full concentration seemed to be focused on the battleground. Lord Noriyuki admired Paus ability to focus his consciousness on a single thing. One could almost feel how he sucked the information in his senses offered to him.

As it was proper, Pau bowed before the lords but at the same time, he seemed to be absorbed by something else.

The silent quietness that Pau radiated was almost more than Lord Mono could take. Pau knew he was a traitor. 'How could he be so at ease? Why had he not told the other lords?' These thoughts filled his self.

When the armies were ready, Pau turned towards the lords. "If you wish, then I can achieve a victory for you which will only cost the lives of 70 men," he offered seriously.

They noticed that he was back. Completely here and now. His words were not meant to boast, he was utterly serious. The lords discussed his offer quickly. Lord Noriyuki had to support Paus words. He really believed that Pau could do what he promised. Lord Fujitako decided he would accept anything Lord Hirano would do. Lord Mono remained silent.

Lord Hirano turned to Pau again. "Will whatever you're planning to do ban the danger which Lord Tenekka poses, as surely as if we would refuse your offer and commence as planned?"

Pau shook his head: "You could still loose." After a short pause, he added: "I cannot."

"Before all things, a lord serves his subjects," Lord Hirano spoke seriously. "If you can really save thousands of lives, then I ask you to help."

Pau accepted this: "So be it." Composed, he went down to the battleground.

In silence, Tomoe, Usagi and Konuri had followed the discussions. Now, they followed Pau with their looks as he moved through the rows of the soldiers. ""It will be the living that will hate me"," Konuri repeated and they shared their uneasiness. From bushido, they had learned that there are things that are worse than death.

When Pau had reached the battleground, somehow all looks were on him. Usagi could not explain it. For some reason, Pau seemed to be the only thing that was worth his attention.

So 5300 men saw one man walking to the monolith that rose from the ground in the middle of the battlefield. Without haste, he went once around it.

Then he stopped next to one side so almost everyone could see him. A battle cry yelled over the field and a fist went deeply into the rock with loud sounds of cracking and crunching. Deadly silence followed. Slowly, Pau pulled his arm back out of the rock.

He put both hands in the hole and with another battle cry, the rock burst into three pieces with a loud bang.

Skilled, Pau caught one of the pieces which was much larger then himself and threw it upwards with a strangely slow motion. Thousands of wide open eyes followed the path of the rock which rose high in the sky. Pau jumped after it and smashed it back into the ground. Everyone could feel the ground shuddering under the force of the impact.

With a mixture of fascination and terror, the men saw Pau working on the stone. Crushing smaller chunks with his bare hands, shattering larger ones with blows and kicks.

Eventually, he stopped. Around him, a couple of larger boulders lay in a rough circle around him with him in the center. Still, his breath seemed to be going easily.

With an all-embracing gesture, he raised his arms and the boulders obediently responded. Noiselessly, they rose in a complicated dance. Not in regular movements but with curved paths. Strangely light and sickening.

Above Pau, a bigger accumulation quickly assembled that got more dense every moment. Eventually, a huge rock floated there, held in place by unseen forces.

There was a pause as if nature itself would hold its breath. Fear about what might follow sneaked through the ranks, invisibly.

Then, they felt enormous energies beginning to flow. They tore at their souls like rapids at an unprepared swimmer. Glaring light engulfed Pau and suddenly, a flash of lightning shot upwards.

Dazzled, everyone closed their eyes. Even if they held their arms before their faces, the light would still bite hot into their brains. Thunder roared and their ears rang. Almost mocking, the quiet rattle and murmur of the rock splinters that rained down up to the last rows of the armies, followed.

Stunned, Lord Noriyuki and the other lords stared at the impossible picture. When they had arrived a few days ago, they had found the rock as Pau had predicted. They had decided to remove it so it would not obstruct their men.

Fifty men had started digging and tried to move the monolith. Without success. Smiling, Pau had watched their efforts.

The hole in which the rock had been hidden, was enormous. The three ken(3) of rock which they had seen above the surface had only been a very little part of the whole, Noriyuki realized. He refused to think about the powers that must have been at work down there.

Terrified, everyone was fixed at his place. "That is something, which I usually do in the morning to warm me up," Paus voice echoed across the battlefield in a relaxed, chatty tone. His voice was rough and dark as ever. No trace of exhaustion or even effort could be heard in it.

"And with that, we arrive at the more serious part of the day," he went on happily which only deepened the horror of the soldiers.

Pau went for the middle of the field. He walked over the empty space of the newly created hole in the ground as if it was sound earth. He walked slowly to ensure that the fear in the heads of those present could fully develop. Heads who asked themselves: 'What might happen next? Will I have to endure something even more dreadful?'

They had to realize that Paus repertoire of terror was by no means at an end. Somewhere above the hole, he stopped, in the middle of the air.

Again, he moved into his basic stance. Not as formally as in a duel. More relaxed. More aggressive. His right hand went up, behind his head as if he wanted to pull an arrow out of a quiver or a sword. But there was nothing.

Until his hand stopped. Suddenly, there was ... something. Everyone felt the weapon. An ancient weapon. Deadly. Terrifying. It looked like a sword but it also looked at them. Dug in their thoughts. Nourished their fears.

Usagi felt his mind clear. As if he was just observing himself and the situation. That must have been the weapon which Pau had used in the forest about two weeks ago. That had forced them into a blind flight.

Usagi trembled with fear. A murmur sounded. Above his own chattering of teeth, it took a while for him to recognize the sound. Fear. 5000 men trembling with fear. It was loud. Dreadful.

The scent of fear poured over him. Cold sweat of 5000 bodies. Captured in a real nightmare. Unable to make a move. To turn to flee.

Just like the weapon noticed them, they could feel it. It's strange thoughts, incomprehensible and alien. Tremendous. Involuntary, Usagi felt like an ant that sees a tsunami(4) coming towards it.

Motionless, they awaited their fate, banned by their own fear.

"Well?" Paus voice sounded, "I'm waiting!"

Someone on the other side seemed to have at least a little bit control left. A few, isolated arrows arched in the sky. They came down again in some distance to Pau, who didn't move.

Another salvo was fired and another. Soon, all archers of the other side were firing. Their arrows created a ugly, black swarm on the sky. They hissed and whistled on their way. Pau watched them unmoved.

Soon, they rained down near and unto Pau. Usagi could not see what he did. He didn't seem to do anything at all. Also, the arrows didn't seem to do anything at all to him.

'There is nothing below,' Usagi thought his thoughts unexpected clear, 'now, he can shield himself without suffering any drawbacks.' He hoped that Lord Hirano would not order an attack. That the captain who lead their archers would not try something high-handedly. That it would be over, soon.

Right then, Pau jumped with a cry. He followed the paths of the arrows to their source. Flew through the deadly swarm like through a cloud of feathers.

When he impacted, hell opened another gate. They couldn't see what he did but they heard the screams. They felt how the weapon tormented the souls of the poor beings on the other side. Felt the promise to do this to anyone that would risk to attack Pau.

Worried, Usagi asked himself how long he would be able to stand this. How long it would take the panic that raged in him to kill him. With unprecedented clarity, he realized he was dying of fear. And with him, all others. Soon. That made him relax a bit.

"Anyone else?" Paus voice thundered. If he would have been able to, Usagi would have shaken his head. If he had been able to tear away his gaze for a moment.

Nothing followed. Then it was over so suddenly as it had stared. The pressure of the weapon on their minds disappeared and Usagi collapsed on his horse. His heart raced and his muscles were so tense, he could hardly breathe.

He didn't realize that everyone else had the same problems. By the dozen, soldiers collapsed, let go of their weapons and hung on to dear life with the tiny bit of strength they had left.

Pau had defeated them.

On the other side, Pau walked calmly through the rows up the hill where Lord Tenekka had his tent. Despite their exhaustion, the soldiers moved out of his way like sheep seeing a wolf.

Pau ignored them. When he passed an unit of spear-men, he collected seven spears. With these under his arm, he arrived at the tent of Lord Tenekka. He and his advisers sat on their horses on the top of hill where they could oversee the battlefield.

He went to six of the advisers and handed one spear to each. The last one, he put into the earth. Then he took the sword from a guard and went to the horse of Lord Tenekka. He pulled the lord who struggled only slightly, from the horse. He ripped the helmet from the lords head and grabbed his hairs. Beheaded him with a elegant strike.

Silently, the others watched. They were beyond terror. Pau held the head up and brought it to one of the advisers who he had given a spear earlier and pushed the head into his hands.

Wordlessly, he beheaded five more advisers and waved the survivors to follow him. Without feeling anything, the six advisers directed their horses after him. Pau returned the sword, pulled the seventh spear from the ground and they were on their long way back.

Calmly, Pau walked through the rows of the army of the enemy. Still, all soldiers were frozen by what they had just experienced. The horses with the living and the dead followed him. Oddly enough, men seemed to be affected much more by what had happened than the horses. While the eyes of the men spoke of terror and exhaustion, the animals seemed to be untouched.

Adviser Nirai, who carried the head of Lord Tenekka, rode at the front and followed Pau. He did not think about his fate. Somehow, he seemed to have lost the ability to think at all. He saw his army. The looks of his men. But it meant nothing to him, anymore.

Pau had defeated them. Defeated in a way which they could not have imagined. Nirai was beyond despair. He didn't have to turn to know that the others felt the same way.

On the other side, it went uphill. Just like in Tenekkas army, the soldiers avoided Pau. Through a wide aisle, they rode towards the tent of Lord Hirano.

Before the tent, the lords were assembled, protected by their bodyguards. Those, too, were in a state of shock after what had happened. As if from a distance, they observed Paus arrival.

Pau held a careful distance to the bodyguards. He rammed his spear into the ground deeply, shaft first. Then he walked over to Adviser Nirai, took his spear and head. Wordlessly, he did stick the head on the tip of the first spear and rammed the second into the ground, nearby. After that, he went to the next adviser to fetch another spear and head.

In the end, there were six heads on six spears and one spear empty. Pau stood besides the last spear and looked over to the lords. Wordlessly, Lord Mono dismounted, handed the reigns of his horse to his adjutant and went to Pau.

Lord Mono was beyond terror, too. Unmoved, he took his helmet off and the rest of the headguard. One moment, he looked soullessly at Pau. Then he drew his sword and committed seppuku. After he had inflicted the deadly injury on himself, Pau took his sword, beheaded him and did stick his head on the last spear.

Pau put the sword next to the dead body in the grass, bowed before the lords, turned and went away. The battle was over.

Slowly, life returned to the battlefield. From sheer force of habit, the soldiers moved back into their positions. Only a few of them had seen what Pau had done in the end but in their hearts, all shared the hope that there would be no battle anymore.

The leaders of the units looked at the signals and the people who operated them looked at the lords in this unreal situation and waited for orders. Leaden silence covered the field.

Pau sat down below a tree and waited for what would happen, now. The lords could now end the battle in any way they liked. His attention moved over the battlefield. He counted 63 casualties.

Some had died by accident, injured through their own arrows or weapons dropped by their comrades in their panic. To their number came the dead lord, five of his advisers and the traitor.

But the real price for this victory was still to be paid.

Meanwhile, the surviving advisers around Nirai had dismounted and knelt before their horses. It took Nirai some time, to collect himself, in order to speak.

"I hereby declare," he started with a monotonous voice, "that we surrender unconditionally." Motionless and without any emotions left, he and his companions sat there and awaited their fate.

Lord Hirano struggled to get a grip on his own thoughts but what had just happened, took its toll. Eventually, he gave up. "We ask," he started, "that you return to your men and dissolve their ranks."

For a moment, he remained silent. Then he went on. "Major Konuri, please give orders to hand out the confiscated supplies. I do not wish any more casualties."

After clearing his throat, Konuri said: "Yes, my lord."

"Tomorrow morning, I will send a courier with more orders. You may go now."

Orders were given to send signals to their own army to dissolve their ranks after the other army had retreated to their camp.

Lord Hirano turned his horse around and rode the small distance to his tent. Shortly afterwards, the other lords followed him.

"Mono?" Fujitako asked flatly.

"Was a traitor," Noriyuki answered in the same voice. He tried to pour some sake(5) for himself but his hand shook too much. Eventually, he drank directly from the bottle. Some of the liquid actually ended up in his mouth.

He dropped into a chair and waited until he had recovered at least a bit. For quite some time, silence filled the tent while the lords recovered.

"What can you tell us of Pau Tai?" Hirano asked finally.

Noriyuki shook his head slowly. He rose from his chair and went for the exit. Outside, he could see Tomoe, Usagi and Konuri watching the dissolving of the formations. He waved them over.

Inside he gestured them to take a seat and sat down in his own chair again. Pensive, he began to tell.

"For the first time, I heard of him about two months ago. A group of my men had left under the lead of Tomoe Ame to search for Usagi. During their journey, they met Pau Tai. He saved them from an attack by a group of ninjas."

He frowned. "If I remember correctly, he created an illusion of sound ground and the ninjas fell to their deaths."

"Shortly after that, he conquered some kind of castle of the Taja ninjas. During this, he made 300 ninjas ... vanish. He laid waste to the castle itself by breaking off the overhang under which it had been erected."

"Usagi reported that Pau had enabled him to fly for a short amount of time."

Usagi nodded reaffirming. 'That had been only two months ago?'

"The ninjas had inflicted severe injuries on Usagi. Pau had been able to heal all these wounds. Among them, there was a missing tongue and a destroyed eye. He brought Tomoe back near my castle and vanished with Usagi for about two weeks. Usagi?"

Usagi sorted his memories. "Brother Pau brought me to my old teacher Katsuichi, who was dying. That allowed me to say goodbye to him. At that time, Master Katsuichi had two pupils which he entrusted to Pau."

"I asked Pau to accept me as his pupil but he refused. He said that I wasn't able to make such a decision, yet. Instead, he offered me to give me three tasks. If I could complete them, I would be ready."

"My first task was to ask for the forgiveness of an old friend of mine, Magistrate Kenichi. In order to enable me to fulfill my task, Pau brought me into my home village that is administered by Magistrate Kenichi. There, I met Lord Hikiji and Brother Pau thwarted a plan of Lord Hikiji to devastate my home village."

"I had fulfilled my first task and Brother Pau returned us to White Heron Castle. There, we were told that there had been an attempt for the life of Lord Noriyuki."

"How did Pau thwart the plans of Lord Hikiji?" Hirano asked.

Usagi thought for a moment. "I cannot tell for certain. Brother Pau himself told me, that he had simply shown an alternative to Lord Hikiji but I've been told by someone else that hundreds of ninjas were ready just in case Lord Hikiji would strike nonetheless."

"Ninjas?"

Usagi made a face. "They were probably members of the Taja ninjas which Brother Pau had forced to obey his orders."

"Can you tell us how he did that?"

Usagi shook his head. "At that time, I suspected a trick of the ninjas. All what I could see was that Pau stepped inside of their castle, talked to some of them and fought four. Shortly after that, they followed his orders."

"What do you think how he could make such a terrible mess of the monolith?"

"His body can exert enormous powers," Usagi reported. "In the castle of the ninjas, he forced doors open which were secured by thick bolts." With his hands, Usagi showed the cross-section of the bolts.

Lord Noriyuki added: "Furthermore, he is a master of deception. While I recovered from the results of the attempt on my life, Pau impersonated me and could deceive my personal servants and my bodyguard."

"Could the attack have been an illusion?"

Without humor, Fujitako laughed. "And the stone splinters that rained down on us?"

"I would guess that Pau had really destroyed the rock." Usagi shivered. "And we all remember that horrible ... thing, with which he made us afraid. I think, he simply has a lot of ways to reach his goals and from the fact that he sometimes uses mere illusions, we should not conclude that his powers are less than real."

Lord Hirano nodded. "I must agree. But all this doesn't lead us anywhere. The main question still remains: What do we do now? Should we thank Pau for what he did? Or should we tell him to go?"

"If we order him to go and he refuses the order, what do we do? Can we force him? Should we? Or should we simply go on as if nothing had happened?"

"Why don't we ask him?" Tomoe proposed simply.

"Will he answer?"

Usagi cleared his throat. ""You will have to measure me with my deeds", he once said. I think we all agree that he can do whatever he pleases. And we agree that he doesn't actually do that. He could have put much more spears into the ground. No one could have stopped him to take over the five provinces which are assembled here with a single strike."

"In their state, the soldiers surely wouldn't have put up much resistance against him," Lord Noriyuki continued the train of thought. "We live and Lord Tenekka is dead because he chose it to be that way. To me, he was always willing to share his thoughts. Sure, we will only have his words but what else could we hope for?"

Openly, he looked at the other lords. Eventually, they nodded their agreement.

"Would you please ask Pau to join us?" Noriyuki asked Usagi. Usagi nodded and was on his way.

Outside of the tent, he looked around. Pau was still sitting under his tree. He went to him.

After reaching Pau, Usagi knelt and waited to be spoken to, just like he would do for any lord.

"Was our friendship the price for this victory?" Pau asked calmly.

Usagi looked up. As usual, Pau had caught him off guard. "I didn't realize that it was possible at all to be a friend of yours," he replied finally.

"All living beings are my friends. But some of them don't think of me as their friend."

"Can someone like you even experience something like friendship?"

Pau smiled. "As always, it's only your decision." He rose, went past Usagi without another word and towards the tent of the lords.

Usagi didn't ask anymore how Pau knew what was expected from him. Instead, he thought about the words on their way back. Thoughtfully, his gaze moved over the dissolving army. And he realized that his own fear had created the distance to Pau.

Pau had not changed but he had. Yesterday, Pau had been powerful, too. But today, Usagi had experienced Paus powers first hand and now, he was afraid. He was afraid that Pau could abuse his powers. But Pau was no human and to use human measures on him was a mistake.

When they had reached the tent, Usagi had accepted this thought. He held Pau back. "This is difficult for me," he started. "All humans that I have met in the past, have been corrupted by too much power. With you, this doesn't seem to be the case but since you behave in such a normal way, I expect normal weaknesses in you, too."

"It's the challenges that make us grow," Pau replied.

Usagi grinned involuntarily. "Then I will do just that, my friend."

Pau smiled back and together, they entered the tent.

Inside, Pau knelt before the lords as it was proper for a priest. Uneasy, Lord Hirano asked him to raise.

"Brother Pau," he started. "We would like to thank you for what you did for us but our responsibilities for our subjects make it necessary to ask you a few questions."

"Certainly, Lord Hirano."

"Why did you help us?"

"I offered my help and it was accepted."

"And why did you offer us your help?"

Pau hesitated for a moment with his reply. "The reason is not dishonorable but I cannot tell it to you just yet."

Noriyuki frowned. He was deeply irritated that he still could not read anything in Paus body language. "Can you tell us at least why not?"

Pau turned to Noriyuki. "Unfortunately, this also is not possible. But I can assure you that I did it neither to bring Lord Tenekka down nor to save the lives of your men."

"Tomoe did report that you mourn every death, be it friend of foe."

"That is correct. In contrast to other beings, I know the consequences of my actions." He took a bit of time to improve his wording. "You can think of it this way: I can see what will happen if I would kill someone. Who would not be born and what consequences that would have to future generations."

"But I don't reject death itself. I just know about the consequences if I do something or not."

Fascinated, Lord Noriyuki just had to ask. "What consequences would have come from my death?"

"I would have to kill Lord Hikiji," Pau answered calmly.

"The death of Lord Noriyuki would cause the death of Lord Hikiji?" Lord Fujitako asked astonished.

"And the other way around," Pau agreed with a deadpan expression.

Everyone stared at him. "If Lord Hikiji would die, you would kill Lord Noriyuki?" Usagi eventually asked into the silence.

"Yes."

"Why?"

Still, Pau looked at Lord Noriyuki. "If you insist, I will answer this question."

Noriyuki swallowed. "A few moments ago, you have terrified thousands of men without giving us any sign of a warning. But you warn us about the answer of this question?"

He signaled his refusal. "I can go without in that case."

Pau turned to Lord Hirano again and waited patiently for the next question.

"It's not easy for us to make a decision if you can't tell us the reasons which move you."

Pau looked at him seriously. "If I would turn against you one day, would the words matter which I speak here and now?"

"My powers go way beyond what you can imagine," he went on. "The same applies to my knowledge. I want to give you an example. When I entered the service of my Mistress, I asked her to be able to understand one, single, simple thought of her. My wish was granted."

"I received one thought and it took me one thousand years to understand it. Now, I do. I was asked to explain it. In books or in other ways so others could share the knowledge."

He shrugged. "But comprehending it just takes one thousand years. Anyone would need at least this much time. One cannot explain it in a few words. Therefore, your wish, as plausible and reasonable it might sound, is not fulfillable. To understand what I do and why would take a few hundred years of your time to explain."

"What I do might look strange and sometimes terrifying. But I can at least assure you that there is a deeper meaning behind even if the human consciousness cannot grasp it."

Thoughtfully, Lord Hirano looked at the priest. "That also means that you will ignore our interests if they seem to be futile in your eyes."

"Of course," Pau readily agreed.

Usagi cleared his throat: "I think, that it doesn't get us anywhere if we try to understand the reasons behind Brother Paus actions. Despite the fact that he tries to behave as any human, he simply isn't and we should not try to apply our standards to him. If we do, we will fail. Shouldn't we try to decide what we want to do? After we have decided what goal we want to reach, we can ask him how we can reach it and hear what says about it. But our fears can only be taken away by ourselves."

Noriyuki agreed to what Usagi had said: "When we awoke this morning, we all expected that there would be a large battle today and many of our subjects would die. Now, we have a totally different situation. I think we should give us a bit more time to recover from the ... events of this morning and then turn to the question what we will do next."

Eventually, Lord Hirano nodded and they were released. Outside, Usagi noticed that Tomoe and Konuri instinctively held a certain distance to Pau while he walked next to him as he had always done.

He was about to turn and talk to them when Pau held him back. "Don't. They are not ready, yet."

Usagi noticed that he had not actually turned. He had just decided to do so. He tilted his head and looked up to Pau. "You are reading my mind," he realized.

Pau looked around the camp. "I read the minds of all living beings about half a Rio around me."

Usagi followed his gaze. "That must be thousands."

"5316," came the unmoved answer.

Usagi laughed out loud. "I'm having my problems to listen to two people at once. And you are listening to over 5000?"

Pau shook his head. "You tell only a small fraction of what you think," he said without taking his gaze from the camp.

Usagi had to laugh. "I just don't believe it! How is that possible?"

Thoughtfully, Pau looked at him. "I'm many. Some of me pay attention to what is thought around me. Others plan my next steps. Right now, you are talking to five consciousnesses in me. One talks to you and the others listen, observe you, analyze your thoughts, check your reactions. They make propositions what could be said next and how you could react to what I say."

"This way, I can do many things at once just like your kind. It's just that I only need a single body."

Pau made an wide gesture. "What you see here is the result of three hours of planning of about 800 consciousnesses in me."

Something else was on Usagis mind. "Why don't I feel uneasy that you can read my mind ... that you're actually doing it right now?"

"Your consciousness has evolved that far that it can accept me at least in some aspects for what I am. If you are in a thunderstorm, then you are afraid. But right now, you are not afraid of the thunderstorms which you will experience in the future."

That was true. Usagi was afraid of the next time, when Pau would demonstrate his powers but he wasn't afraid right now. Full of sympathy, he looked at Tomoe and Konuri who had followed the conversation with growing terror. He understood that they were not ready, yet, to accept Pau.

"What can I do to help them?" he asked Pau.

"That will only be possible when they have decided to accept help."

Usagi frowned and Pau went on: "Our experience tells us that we can force our help upon others. Sometimes, they seem to be happy afterwards but really, both sides lie to themselves. One side suffers from having forced someone to do something. And the other side cannot grow because the challenge on which it could have grown, doesn't exist anymore. So both have lost something where they could have both grown."

"One should never help unless the help is asked for?"

"Nothing is ever easy. Usually, it's better if the help is being asked for. But sometimes, you don't have the luxury of being able to decide freely. If you see someone suffering, then you have to help because the price for you not to do it is too great. I, on the other hand, can always decide as I see fit because I'm not controlled by me emotions."

Thoughtfully, Usagi looked at Tomoe. "Then you knew how Tomoe and Konuri would react about your words that you can read their minds."

"Yes. It was well-directed cruelty just like the one I used to heal you."

Paus gaze went for the horizon. "Right now, Tomoe hates me and Konuri is afraid of me. But both will grow with this challenge. Just like you, they cannot sit in self-pity for long."

"Then all I can do is wait?"

Pau looked at him. "There are a lot of things which you could do. For example, you could go with them somewhere where they would not have to see me all the time. Right now, they are only near me because you are. They are torn between their fears of me and their wish to be near you."

"Or you could reign your curiosity and stop asking me questions whose answers are unnerving for others. Or you could think how you could help all the other people here that are anxiously avoiding me,"

Usagi smirked at Pau. "Well, in that case, why don't you simply retreat? I will call for you after everyone has calmed down again."

Pau smiled. "As you wish," he said and vanished.

Usagi could feel the camp give a sigh of relief. Everyone seemed to sense that Pau was gone and immediately, everyone relaxed a bit. Even the self-control of Tomoe and Konuri swayed for a moment when they relaxed visibly.

"How can you stand him?" Tomoe snapped at him and Usagi could feel the fear that held her in its cold grip.

Gently, he took her arm and lead them to the small wood next to which Pau had rested earlier. The sun was high in the sky and from their position, they could oversee the whole valley. They sat down below a tree.

In the meantime, Tomoe had calmed down and she was sorry for her words. She looked at Usagi to apologize and saw the understanding in his eyes. Words were completely unnecessary. She rested her head on his shoulder and for a while, she just sat there and Usagi supported her.

"He's right, you know," Konuri eventually interrupted the silence.

Usagi turned his head and he could feel when Tomoe rose hers. "I'm serving my lord for many years, now. He once explained to me, that he is spending a lot of time to learn to read the body-language of others. "The voice follows the reason but the body can't tell lies", he said. But his real goal was to be able to read the minds of others so he can't be deceived," Konuri went on.

"Just like Pau," Tomoe said thoughtfully.

Konuri nodded. "My lord knows me that well in the meantime, that he can tell with astonishing precision what I'm thinking. But I trust him and therefore, I don't mind."

"What Pau did this morning let me forget for a while that I did trust him," Usagi did throw in. "When he showed this to me, I saw my mistake and I could trust him again. That was the reason why I had no problems to walk next to him, later."

Konuri went on. "I think that many of our problems come from the fact that he is so different. He should be lord or maybe even shogun. In this case, we would accept him much more easily as for what he is. But instead, he insists to be a simple monk which of course, he isn't."

He laughed dryly: "Did you notice how unhappy the lords were when he knelt as it would be proper for a simple priest? I would guess that Lord Hirano himself was about to kneel before Pau when he entered the tent."

"When I went to call him, I did just that," Usagi remembered.

"I'm still asking myself why Pau behaves this way. I mean, he could get what he wants directly and force us to do as he damn well pleases. Nevertheless, he comes a long way to meet us."

"We don't know what he wants," Tomoe joined their discussion. "Maybe he isn't allowed to bring himself to become a ruler?"

Usagi shook his head. "He brought three hundred Taja ninjas to heel. I still think that he just has many options to achieve a goal. If Lord Noriyuki wants to talk to Lord Hirano, there is one proper way to achieve that. But for Brother Pau, things are different."

"I can imagine that sometimes, Pau has so many options that he can't decide which to chose. In addition, pure power probably holds no real interest for him because there is no one who even comes close to him in that respect. When I have reached something, I usually loose interest in it pretty quickly."

"You're not really saying that you want to compare yourself with him?" Tomoe protested.

"No, not like that. But if you are the best by far, what is the point of becoming any better? Sure, he could force us to obey his every whim but isn't the better ruler the one which makes his subjects want what he wants?"

"Lets take Lord Noriyuki, for example. He chose me for a very dangerous task to deliver this message to Lord Hirano."

Tomoe interrupted him. "That was Pau. Lord Noriyuki was being ... healed by Pau at that time."

Usagi shrugged. "I remember that Lord Noriyuki behaved strangely. But would he have acted differently? There was an important task and someone who wanted to do it. Neither of them would have had to force me to do it. And Pau knows what someone would do willingly because he can read minds."

Konuri agreed with Usagi. "Often enough, I have experienced my lord doing the same. And isn't it better to chose someone for a task rather than forcing someone unwilling to do it? The person who has been forced has to be observed. When unexpected difficulties show up, such a person quickly gives up while the other person perseveres."

Muted, Tomoe and Usagi had to agree. Still, the fear that Pau would force them to do as he wanted was hard to overcome.

"And that is the most important point of them all: If my lord reads my mind, then I accept this because I've learned to trust him. Usagi can accept Pau for the very same reason. But Tomoe and I lack this trust and therefore, we fear him."

"Not to forget that we're worrying all the time what a human with that much power would do. Bad examples are not in short supply," Tomoe added to what Konuri had said.

After that, everyone was lost in his own thoughts. Eventually, they got hungry and decided to get something to eat. They had walked a short distance, when the lap of the tent of the lords opened and Lord Noriyuki stepped outside. Tomoe did regret that they would have to eat without her because she had to return to her lord. Acting on a sudden impulse, Usagi decided to follow her. Therefore, Konuri went on alone and the two quickly ran up the hill to meet Noriyuki.

"Ah, Tomoe, Usagi," Noriyuki greeted them friendly. "I'm just on my way to eat something and I would be happy for your company," he smiled.

Both bowed and together, they went to Noriyukis tent. Noriyuki looked around. "As I see, the soldiers have calmed down. Where is Pau?"

"Gone, Lord Noriyuki," Usagi replied.

Noriyuki stopped dead in his tracks. "Gone?" he asked lengthened.

"I asked him if I could do something and he replied that I should think about helping the people here. Since everyone seemed to suffer under his presence, I asked him to leave," Usagi reported.

"And what exactly did he do then?" Noriyuki asked with a straight face.

Usagi became more and more nervous. "I can call him back any time," he added hastily.

Lord Noriyuki moved on and in silence, they went the rest of the way. "Did I make a mistake?" Usagi finally asked carefully.

With surprise on his face, Noriyuki looked up. "I'm thinking about something completely different, right now. The people are glad to be alone. You should not worry about this," he comforted Usagi.

During lunch, Noriyuki went on. "Of course, we continued to discuss why Pau does what he does. In the end, we must still be able to predict how he will react to our decisions. Or," he added sourly, "we at least feel that way."

"What you just told me fits very well in the picture we have created." Then, Noriyuki remained silent again.

Before Usagi lost control over himself and could ask a question, Noriyuki spoke again. "Tomoe, could you please repeat what Brother Pau told you about his dream?"

Tomoe put down her bowl and remembered. As good as she could, she repeated Paus words. Noriyuki shook his head slowly. Usagi could see that he was somehow not satisfied with the answer.

Thoughtfully, Lord Noriyuki said: "I remember that someone sometime ago mentioned something when he talked with me. One time, Pau had said why he is here and what he wants to do. But who?"

"When he rescued me from the Taja ninjas, he said that his Goddess had sent him to search me and to punish the ninjas for what they had done to me," Usagi threw in a comment.

They could see that the single thoughts in Noriyukis mind formed a picture. "Right," he said eventually. "His Goddess had sent him to find you." Thoughtfully, he looked at Usagi. "Somehow, you are the key to all this."

"What kind of interest could a Goddess have in a ronin like me?" Usagi refused the notion uncomfortably.

"Who knows? Still, you're the one who can exert a certain control over him. He follows your wishes."

Usagi shook his head. "He follows everyones wishes. It's just that I ask more often. But he respects anyone."

"Are you sure?"

Usagi nodded reassuringly. He was sure.

"How can you say that with such certainty?"

With a loud clatter, her bowl fell out of Tomoes hand. Everyone made a start and stared at her. One could see the insight on her face.

She swallowed and wet her lips. "Do you remember when we sat below the tree this morning and you said that power doesn't mean anything for Pau? And how I asked that you surely would not compare yourself with him?"

Usagi remembered and nodded. What was she up to?

"I just thought what the big difference is between you two," Tomoe went on.

Lightly, Usagi shrugged. "He is much more powerful than me."

"And what else?" Tomoe inquired.

"He has this powerful weapon."

"Anything else?"

Usagi hesitated.

"These are only superficial differences," Tomoe continued her train of thoughts. "You two are very much alike. Below the surface."

Usagi waved the notion off. "He is much more calm and relaxed than me."

"You are much more calm and relaxed since you know him."

"He didn't accept me as his pupil."

"Didn't he say that you are just not able to decide, yet?" Lord Noriyuki joined in.

"I would never want to be like him!" Usagi protested. "I just wanted to ... be ... just a little bit ..."

Usagi let his head drop. "... be like him," he finished his sentence.

Thoughtfully, Lord Noriyuki nodded. "I'm almost certain you are right, Tomoe."

"And if I don't want that?" Usagi asked silently.

"He respects your wishes, doesn't he? You got your tasks after you asked for them. He never forced you to do anything, only waited for you to ask him."

"I would never want to become such an alien being," Usagi said.

"A few moments ago, you were very certain that he would accept the wishes of anyone. Why should he force you to alienate yourself if you don't want that?"

That was exactly what Usagi was afraid of. 'Will I be able to refuse if Pau offeres me to become his pupil? To sacrifice my humanity?' he worried. And he realized that exactly this had happened. Usagi had requested this and Pau had realized that Usagi just wasn't far enough, yet, to be able to comprehend the consequences of his decision.

Usagi was afraid of himself. Afraid that the impulse that made him go on, discover new things, would in the end cost him what was dearest to him.

Carefully, Usagi put his bowl down and thanked Pau for having been a friend when he had needed one.

Composed, he looked at Lord Noriyuki and Tomoe. "You are both right. He is here because of me. Because I'm so much like him."

"I guess that there are only very few people who are suitable to possess such powers. That's probably the reason why his Goddess is interested in me," he finished.

"For certain, there are only very few that could wield such powers without being corrupted by them," Noriyuki affirmed. "Are you sure you are one of them?"

Pensive, Usagi shook his head: "Now that I realized this, I don't want to go on anymore. When I met Pau, I admired his calmness and composure and wanted this for myself, too. To find peace at last. Now, I hope to be strong enough to be able to withstand the temptation to become all like him."

He smiled. Something else that Pau had already arranged, he realized. Usagi turned to Lord Noriyuki.

"I have a question which is very important for me," he started carefully.

"Of course," the lord encouraged him.

For a moment, Usagi hesitated. He was quite unhappy about the wording but nothing better occurred to him. Eventually, he gave in: "If I would ask you for Tomoes hand in marriage, would you agree?" His voice almost failed him when he spoke these words.

He could hear Tomoe breathing in sharply but the look in Noriyukis face was not what he had expected. 'He looks ... confused?'

"You are asking for her hand in marriage?" Noriyuki reassurred himself carefully.

Usagi made an unhappy face: "I ... I just wanted to know if you would refuse." There was desperation in his voice.

For some reason, Noriyuki seemed to be disappointed but regained his composure quickly. He put down his bowl and looked friendly at Usagi. "Usagi, my friend," he started, "whenever you should chose to approach me with this wish, I will grant it happily."

Sadness filled Usagi because he could not ask for this here and now. He looked at Tomoe whose face was a mirror of his. "I cannot. But I promise I will marry you as soon as I have found the calmness to make you truly happy," he promised seriously.

A single tear ran down his and her face.

"I hope we don't have to wait too long for this day," Lord Noriyuki said quietly. They looked at him and saw his pain. "You're not the only ones who suffer."

Silently, they finished their meals.

Fathers and Orphans

After Pau had left the camp, he reappeared many miles away next to a small village. Two paths of fate would cross here today and finish each other if he did not intervene.

With the calmness of long experience, he took in the environment, the area, the life forms that lived here, their fates. One of the opponents had already arrived. As usual, the bounty hunter Inukai had brought his last bounty to the orphanage where he had been raised and was now playing with the children while the matron recovered a bit. Later, he would leave to do some shopping for the orphanage.

Meanwhile, the other party was approaching. Pau turned. Most living things didn't like it, when he didn't turn to them when he addressed them. For him, it made no difference, he could see in all directions equally well.

The bounty hunter Gen came back into the village to collect the reward for a couple of bandits which he had tracked down a few weeks ago. He hoped that the money had arrived in the meantime. He needed it badly. The imagination of a real bed under a real roof and some good food made him grin wide.

Ahead next to the path, he could make out a large hound. For a moment, he thought it was Stray Dog who had cheated him out of a lot of money some time ago. But the dog over there had black and white spots on its brown fur. Still, he ground his teeth audibly. He had sworn to kill Stray Dog if he could lay his hands on him.

The dog stood there as if he was waiting for someone. Gen passed him and stopped when he noticed that the stranger looked after him. "Waiting for someone?" he rumbled.

"If you happen to be Murakami Gennosuke, then I'm waiting for you," replied the dog with a rough and calm voice. Gen had never met him before and looked at him with an appraising look. He didn't seem to carry any weapons but Gen trusted his instincts that warned him about the stranger.

"And you are?" Gen requested.

"My name is Pau Tai. I'm a priest of the Goddess Ookaa'h and a friend of Miyamoto Usagi," the stranger introduced himself and bowed. Gen was amused. Only few people did bow before him.

"A friend of Usagi, eh? Is long ears in trouble again?"

Pau laughed. Suspiciously, he looked around and then whispered laughing: "Tomoe threatens him with marriage!"

Gens mouth fell open and then he roared with laughter. "In that case, there is nothing I could do!" he snorted. The priest had something on him that Gen liked. Patronizing, he waved with his head. "Come! You're my guest. We'll buy something to drink and then you must tell me everything."

Together, they went into the village. After lunch, they arrived and Gen went first to the magistrates office where he was given his money in a grumpy manner. Pau waited for his return outside. "200 ryo!" Gen called good humored and together, they looked for an inn to spend a bit of it.

Gen was in an unusually good mood. Willing, he told about his adventures with Usagi and drank his sake. Gen told how often he had selflessly saved the fur of his best friend out of countless troubles in which the careless ronin had maneuvered himself. Furthermore, he complained about the unfriendly waiter who was probably afraid that he could not pay. Together, they had lunch.

Later during the afternoon, they left the inn to have a short walk. On the way, Gen went on telling his stories until he suddenly spotted the bounty hunter Stray Dog. His eyes became small slits and his goodbye to Pau was a bit curt. "There is something personal, I have to see to."

"We'll meet later at the inn!" he called back to the priest who had stopped and went after Stray Dog. At last, he could get his revenge.

Stray Dog seemed to want to visit every damn shop in this village. What was he up to? 'He can't really buy all these things for himself,' Gen thought while following the bounty hunter discretely. It wasn't obvious but Gen could be discrete. If he wanted.

The night was falling when Stray Dog seemed to have finished whatever he was doing. Gens anger had reached infinite heights in the meantime. With relish, he imagined how he would humiliate his enemy for what he had done to him.

Determined, Stray Dog went to a certain house and disappeared inside. Gen went once around it to get an overview. He was angry but not insane. It looked like any house. It was large but seemed to have only few rooms. Strange sounds could be heard from inside that Gen could not really classify. It didn't sound like there were more warriors inside. Maybe a brothel. He could not make out any guards or anything like it.

Finally, he stopped before the entrance. Should he smash through the door or sneak in? He decided for the main entrance. That was more to his mood than trying to come creeping up. Silently, he went up the few steps. With a skilled movement, he loosened his sword. His eyes scanned the street but there was no movement on it. Silently, he drew his katana(6) and readied himself.

With a single jolt, he pulled at the door and cursed inwardly when it shattered under the sudden strain. It turned out to be so old and rotten, he could simply step through it. Like an avenging angel, he stood in the room beyond.

A lot of eyes in small heads stared at him in horror. A loud clatter and smashing made him turn quickly. In the door to the next room, there was a woman who had let go of a tablet with dishes. Stray Dog sat on the ground and a lot of children were around him. Gen stared angrily at his enemy. He would not dare to think what that bastard had done to the poor children.

Stray Dog lowered the child he was holding in his arm carefully. "Take the children to the back," he ordered to the woman. Gens face told him that the time for words was long over, now. Crying, the children hung on to the woman who pulled them with her. With wide open eyes, she looked at Gen and Stray Dog but both ignored her.

"Let's settle this in the street," Stray Dog proposed calmly on the outside. In his inside, he knew that only a lot of luck could make him see the next dawn. But he would give his best. For the children. He took his arms and went past Gen onto the street.

Gen moved just as much so Stray Dog could pass him. In a save distance, he followed him on the street. There, both readied themselves.

Gen had to admit that Stray Dog was better than he had expected. Stray Dog fought with the courage born of desperation. But still, Gen could deflect all his attacks effortlessly and all he had to do was wait for his turn of luck. Despite the anger that raged in him, he was patient. And when he got his chance, he used it immediately.

Stray Dog had to admit that he had made a grave mistake. The tip of Gens sword pressed against his throat and held him in check. All he could do was lay on his back and wait for the end.

"So there," Gens voice sounded, "now, you will learn what it means to toy with Gennosuke." Gen spat on the street. "Taking a helpless woman hostage to cheat me out of my share of the bounty."

Stray Dog didn't reply. Oddly, he was calm. He just regretted that now, the children would have no one anymore. But still, they had some of the money left which he had brought this morning. And who knows, maybe there would be someone else who would help them in his place. Composed, he waited for the deadly blow.

"Are you really going to take the father away from these orphans who cares for them in love?" a calm, rough voice suddenly sounded. Stray Dog looked in its direction from the corner of his eyes. On the steps to the orphanage, a large hound sat, looking a lot like him.

Something changed in Gen behavior. Stray Dog asked himself who the stranger was and how he could have known about him and the orphanage.

"Father," Gen said in a flat voice. Still, he stood there ready to kill. Stray Dog didn't dare to move, to hope.

Finally, life returned to Gens eyes. He stared at Stray Dog with a gaze the dog would never forget. "Is this true?" he demanded.

Gen dropped the sword and pulled Stray Dog up as if he was just a puppet. His gaze flickered and he repeated his question.

"What do you care?" Stray Dog retorted unwillingly.

"He passes on all the money he obtains to these orphans who have nothing," the stranger said quietly.

Suddenly, Gen just let go. Surprised, Stray Dog fell to the ground. Slowly, he got up and looked at the stranger who just sat there. And to Gen on whom the words of the stranger had such an odd effect. Gen expression was unintelligible.

With a jerky movement, he picked up his sword and did put it away. Then he walked away. Stray Dog looked after him speechlessly. Hastily, he looked around for his own sword. It lay next to the stranger on the steps. Stray Dog guessed at his chances to fetch it alive when Gen suddenly stopped. Stray Dog swallowed hard.

With odd wooden movements, Gen came back. He reached in his clothes and pulled something out. For a moment, he weighed it in his hand. Then pressed it in Stray Dogs arms who took it perplexed. It felt heavy and cold. Two more times, Gen reached in his clothes and produced two more packages. For a moment, he just stood there, then produced a fourth package and put it to the others. Then he turned and walked away.

The stranger rose and followed Gen wordlessly. Still speechless, Stray Dog stared at what Gen had given him. Four money packages. 200 ryo. He thought about running after Gen and thank him but the stranger spoke once more. "See after the children, now, Bounty Hunter Inukai."

"Why ..." Inukai started.

Pau sighed. "Gen had lost his own father to bushido. Gen could touch his body but his soul was out of reach," Pau answered so silently that only Inukai could hear him.

Inukai could feel the sadness in himself. These orphans had never known their father. 'How much worse would it be to see ones father and still not have him?' Inukai promised himself to thank Gen when they would meet next time. Then he went inside to comfort the children.

For a while, Gen wandered aimlessly through the village. Eventually, he stopped before the inn where they had had lunch. There was an open bill inside but he had no money anymore. Usually, he would have just cleared off but somehow, it didn't seem right anymore. He sighed. He would survive this trouble, too.

He went inside and asked for the landlord who greeted him friendly. Somewhere inside, Gen was sorry to have to tell the man that he could not pay his bill. The unexpected friendliness of the landlord made things even more worse. He breathed heavily to clear his head.

Then he didn't know what to say. 'What would the landlord care for the orphans?' "I can't pay my bill," he finally spat out.

Oddly enough, the landlord wasn't upset but smiled. "Well, samurai, I have to admit that I was expecting something like this. But the priest, with which you were sitting here for lunch, came here in the afternoon and did pay for you. He told me to tell you that it was the reward for a selfless deed."

Speechless, Gen stared at the little man. "He did pay?" he finally managed.

The landlord nodded. "As your friend had asked, a room is ready for you and we can serve you dinner there, if you want."

"Room?"

"It's room number three. I'll show you." Gen plodded after the landlord. The room was large and clean. A comfortable bed was there and a real table. To the question of the landlord if the room was to his liking, he could only nod. And once more to the question if he would like to have dinner here.

After the maid had brought his meal, his self-control finally shattered and he sobbed in an uncontrolled manner.

On a nearby hill, Pau turned into nothing.

Edo

In the afternoon, the lords discussed their future plans. Lord Noriyukis findings were received with interest but in the end, they did not make them feel any better about the situation. Eventually, it was agreed that Lord Noriyuki would travel to Edo to report the death of Lord Tenekka and the circumstances to the Shogun who would then name a successor.

Meanwhile, Lord Hirano ordered the men to return to their homes. All in all, everyone was grateful that there had been so few fatalities. Winter was approaching quickly and every hand would be needed.

"I would guess," Lord Hirano said finally, "that this was indeed the shortest battle this land has ever seen."

A courier delivered the decisions of the lords to Adviser Nirai who immediately started to execute them. The following morning, the army of the late Lord Tenekka was on its way and the united forces also started for their home provinces.

Of course, many rumors about Pau did spread but men would forget, soon. Only a few strange legends would survive which no sane person would believe in. Most people would be happy to see their loved ones back alive so they didn't really insist when they got strange looks when asking for stories about the battle.

To honor his guests, Lord Noriyuki accompanied the other lords up to the border of his province. Since his troops were disbanded on the way, he said goodbye to the lords with only his personal bodyguard. He promised to pay them a visit after his return from Edo to report what he had learned. Despite the short time the lords had spent together, they had become closer. In the future, they would work together more frequently.

After seeing the other lords off, they rode back to the capital of the Geishu Province where Major Nega had started with the necessary preparations for their journey to Edo. When they arrived, everything was already done. All Noriyuki had to do was to name someone to represent him while he was in Edo and they were on their way.

A few days later, they found a heap of weapons near the street. They probably belonged to wandering bandits but the bandits were nowhere to be seen.

"It seems, that someone is protecting us," Lord Noriyuki mused and Usagi nodded. Like the station, invisible and omnipresent, Pau watched over them.

When they reached Edo after a few weeks, the first snow was coating the land. Next to the street, a large, black horse was waiting in the hands of Pau. Skilled, he mounted the noble steed when they came into sight and rode next to them. Usagi had to admit that Pau also rode very well but that, of course, was to be expected.

"A noble steed for a simple monk," Lord Noriyuki greeted him friendly.

"It liked me more than its previous owner so I gave him a bit of my money and won it for me."

"Poverty seems to be no virtue in your religion," Tomoe threw in a comment.

"Since my religion has only a few, well-chosen followers for which money and power means nothing, this is not necessary," he replied.

"So you're wealthy, then?" Noriyuki asked incidentally.

Pau shrugged. "I could buy the Geishu province and would still have some coin left."

"Really, now?" Lord Noriyuki smirked. "And if I refuse to sell?"

"That's easy," came the happy answer. "I just have to talk to Usagi who will persuade Tomoe who will in turn talk to you." They gave a hearty laugh.

In the evening, they had dinner together in Lord Noriyukis residence in Edo. "I will try to arrange for an audience with the Shogun in the next few days," Lord Noriyuki told them. "Then we can ask for an investigation of the events. I think," he said to Pau, "that he will want to see the proofs which you have collected in the meantime."

Pau nodded. "That is for sure. Lord Hikiji has already promised to support us in any way he can." Everyone at the table except Pau froze. Pau smiled thinly. "Otherwise, it could be his head that would be taken."

"You talked to Lord Hikiji?" Lord Noriyuki asked after having recovered.

Pau nodded again. "I hope that this will help to relax our ... tense relationship with Lord Hikiji."

"But," Pau went on, "I'm afraid that an audience with the Shogun will not have the desired results. Therefore, I've already arranged something."

He looked at Usagi. "All that is left, now, is your decision."

Usagi looked genuine unhappy. "I have to decide if I want to save Lord Noriyukis life or not," he remembered bitterly.

Pau nodded. "And if I refuse, Lord Hikiji will die and you will kill Lord Noriyuki."

Pau shook his head. "The lives of the two lords are inseparable. If one of them dies in the current situation, the other must follow or thousands would be sacrificed for nothing. The reasons why they die if Lord Noriyuki dies will be others than if Lord Hikiji dies but for the simple people, there will be no difference."

"And I'm not going to kill Lord Noriyuki with my own hands. I would have to show him the consequences if he would stay alive. His integrity would make it impossible for him to avoid seppuku."

"With Lord Hikiji, things would be slightly different. My guess is that I would have to sacrifice some of the Taja ninjas since he probably would not care."

"Furthermore, there is a slight chance that I can save Lord Hikiji without your help. It's just that the odds would be worse."

"So, you see that you can choose as you wish. No one is forcing you for one or the other."

Usagi thought about that. Then he looked directly at Pau. "What do you recommend?"

Pau answered his look. "You should do it. But only for yourself and no one else."

Without seeing it, Usagi stared at his meal. He didn't want to. Finally, he looked up and at Pau. "I will do it. I want to be free at last and my life for myself again."

Bitterly, he went on. "Lord Hikiji was had too much control over my life in the past. He killed many of my friends, my lord and my father. I hate him. But I want to be free again. Free to decide what I want to do and I want to put a stop to the hatred which controls my decisions."

Pau smiled. "That is a good reason. It should give you enough strength to endure this."

After that, Usagi ate very thoughtfully. He remembered the horrors he had had to endure during his first task and how much of his strength it had cost him. But he also believed in himself. Pau would not have offered him the decision if he had not been ready.

The next day, Usagi and Pau wandered in the streets of Edo. Pau bought a few things and let them vanish in his pockets. They had lunch in an outstanding inn. When the waiter collected 80 ryo for it, Usagi couldn't believe his ears for a moment. But Pau payed without a second thought.

"That was expensive!" Usagi said, still unbelieving, when they were on the street again.

"Wasn't it good?"

Usagi nodded.

"Then it wasn't expensive."

Usagi snorted. "For that amount of money, I could eat at least a month!"

"The owner has to pay his men and the food. Even if he takes most of it for himself, eventually, he will spend it for works on his house to show off his wealth because just owning it is boring. One must be able to show it. This means, the money goes on."

"The owner pays the merchant who pays his merchant and eventually, a peasant gets some money. Sure, he won't get much but a lot of people are living from the chain, already. Looking at it from this perspective, everybody wins. Of course, it should not go to extremes like when many starve and others are insanely wealthy. But as it is here, it's quite healthy, actually."

"Since everything is done by robots in your world, something like that doesn't happen," Usagi replied a bit envious.

Pau shrugged. "Still, even in my society, some people sometimes try to pile up something in insane amounts. But we do understand the mechanisms which are at work in such cases and how we can help."

They went down a street and arrived in a big main road. A procession was approaching and announcers announced the Shogun. Usagi had never actually seen him before and so they joined the crowd. Slowly, they made their way to the front row. Expectantly, Usagi looked for the procession.

Standard-bearers and spear-men walked in the front. Between them, the group leaders rode. That went on for quite a while. Then, finally, Usagi saw the Shogun. He rode in a splendid uniform on his horse. Next to him, Usagi recognized a face: It was Major Xan. Slowly, they approached. Usagi could see the Shogun telling something to Major Xan who listened intently. Then, they were at the same level and Pau stepped in their way.

Usagi could not believe his eyes. 'Has Pau finally gone mad?' The crowd gave a moan and held its breath. Immediately, armed men who tried to force him out of the way ringed Pau and Usagi felt foolish. Of course, Pau knew exactly what he was doing. 'But what is my role?' Since Pau had not given him any orders, he stayed where he was. To jump into this commotion would just make everything worse.

In the meantime, the procession had come to a halt. Soldiers from the front came back running and some from the back came forward to protect their master. Usagi could see Major Xan saying something to the Shogun and then riding to Pau.

Disciplined, the soldiers gave way for him. Usagi had not been able to see what Pau had done but at least, he seemed to be unharmed. Right in front of Pau, Major Xan stopped. "Brother Pau Tai," he said calmly, "you show a weakness for big scenes."

Pau bowed. Wordlessly, he took a document out of his clothes and passed it to one of the soldiers. Major Xan waved the man over. He took the document, unfolded it and read. He turned his horse around and rode back to the Shogun to report.

The Shogun also read the document and put it in one of his pockets. He gave Major Xan an order who bowed and rode back to Pau. "The Shogun would like that you accompany us," Xan ordered.

Pau pointed at Usagi. "I will need my companion," he replied calmly.

Major Xan looked over to Usagi and nodded. The soldiers opened their ranks to let Usagi pass who stepped next to Pau. Two horses were brought. Usagi and Pau mounted and Major Xan lead them to the Shogun. On the way, he told them to bow but not to dismount as it would have been proper. Already, the procession had lost too much time.

Usagi and Pau bowed before the Shogun and waited. Silently, he scrutinized them. Then he rode past them and the procession was on its way again. Major Xan rode next to the two directly after the Shogun. So it came to happen that Usagi rode through Edo next to the Shogun himself.

"Is the document real?" Major Xan asked quietly.

"No, it's just a copy. The original is not very ... nice to look at, anymore," Pau replied in the same tone. "I had to experiment a bit with it to find out how it was done."

"Usagi, to the left," he said suddenly.

Usagi saw them. They looked at the Shogun but when he had passed, the looks of Tomoe and Lord Noriyuki fell on him. And their mouths fell open. Usagi almost twisted his neck trying to look round at them while they slowly vanished.

"We would like to ask," Major Xan said intently, "not to undermine the dignity of the Shogun."

Immediately, Usagi sat straight and upright in his saddle.

"You know Lord Noriyuki?"

Pau nodded. "A few weeks ago, he was attacked by Lord Tenekka. Almost at the same time, there was an attempt for the life of him. Both events have been planned by the same person."

"Do you suspect someone?"

"No, I know for sure who committed it. But it is very difficult to collect enough evidence against him because he is very skilled."

"But you're not yet ready to tell a name?"

Unmoved, Pau looked at him, motioned his horse closer to the one of Major Xan and whispered something in his ear. Out of the corners of his eyes, Usagi could see Major Xan turning pale.

"Are you sure?" Xan hissed and Usagi could hear the trembling in his voice.

"As sure as I know that the friendly man in front of us is only a doppelgänger of the Shogun," Pau replied so silently that Usagi could almost not hear it.

But Xan could. Usagi felt how the man began to worry about what else Pau might answer. "I think," he said forcefully composed, "we should continue our conversation in the palace."

"As you wish," came the calm reply from Pau.

Muted, they rode after the false Shogun. Arriving in the palace at last, servants took the horses and they followed Major Xan. Soldiers accompanied them. On the way, Pau pointed out a couple of especially beautiful pieces of the interior. Usagi asked himself how Pau knew what was standing in which spot. The same question seemed to have occurred to Major Xan because he frowned but he didn't say anything.

Finally, they arrived in a more plain part of the building. A guard opened a door and they followed Major Xan in a spacious office in which a couple of writers and adjutants of the Major did their work.

They went through another door and were in Major Xans own room. "Well?" he asked Pau.

Pau reached in his clothes and pulled the writing pad which Usagi had used to communicate with Pau. He wrote something on it and passed it to Major Xan. Usagi could feel how the man was slowly loosing his temper. But once more, he controlled himself and ordered: "Leave us alone."

Quickly, the servants and guards left the room. Unmoved, Pau looked after them. When the door had closed, he rose from his chair and sat on the ground halfway between Usagi and the Major.

"Now, we can talk," he started. "What I'm planning to do will not be easy because I will have to do it under the eyes and with the consent of the traitor who will use all his powers to attribute the guilt falsely to Lord Hikiji. And we both know that his powers can't be overestimated."

"Excuse me," Usagi interrupted. "Can't you tell me, too, who the traitor is?"

Pau looked at him calmly. "Think about your task," he ordered. Someone in Hikijis sphere? "It is Okii-San."

The pieces of the puzzle fell into place in Usagis mind. At that time, when Lord Noriyuki had made his claim for the Geishu Province (7), Hikiji had send ninjas to kill him. The whole plan had been executed by one of the advisers of Hikiji, Nerai-San. When Noriyuki had reached Edo alive, Hikiji had ordered Nerai to commit seppuku. But Nerai had already written a very incriminating letter which had found its way into Usagis hands. They had delivered the proof of Hikijis treason to the Shogun.

But they had not been granted an audience with the Shogun himself. In his place, Okii-San had received them and the document. Nothing had happened.

Now, things started to make sense. Okii-San was the main adviser of the Shogun. Nothing happened in the sphere of their ruler that he didn't take note of.

Usagi was about to tell Major Xan about this when he suddenly realized that this would incriminate Hikiji very much, too. True, he would have no proof but Lord Noriyuki and Tomoe had seen the document as well and if something of this event came into the light of day, they would have to testify. He felt very uncomfortable. Suddenly, he had to realize that he had to choose his words extremely carefully or the results could be devastating. His second task had begun.

But this time, it wasn't his home village that depended on him but the future of the Geishu province and the woman he loved. If Lord Noriyuki would die, would he ever be able to look into Tomoes eyes again?

Pau went on. "In a few moments, Okii-San will hold the incriminating document in his hands and start with his plan to destroy Lord Hikiji. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that you use all your influence on the Shogun that the following people attend the questioning of Lord Hikiji: The Shogun himself, Okii-San, Lord Hikiji, Lord Hebi, Lord Noriyuki, Tomoe-San, Usagi, you and I."

"My guess is that it will be most complicated to make sure that the Shogun himself will attend because all others will probably be called by Okii on his own accord. Should the Shogun not attend, Okii-San will very probably succeed and the Lord Hikiji and Noriyuki will die before next summer."

Intently, Major Xan had listened but now, he looked up in surprise. "Why would Lord Noriyuki die?"

"The lives of the two lords are currently inseparable. The Shogun knows what I'm talking about," Pau evaded a direct answer.

In that instant, the door was pulled open and a servant fell into the room. "Okii-Sama would like to see your two guests and you immediately." If he wondered why Pau sat on the ground instead of in a chair, he didn't show it.

Major Xan, probably not confronted with a conspiracy in the palace for the first time, was instantly ready. He nodded. "Let us be on the way," he asked his guests. Pau rose and together, they left the room.

Outside, Major Xan stopped next to a desk and quickly wrote something on a piece of paper. He waved an adjutant over, folded the paper and gave it to the man. Afterwards, he instructed him quietly and intently. The servant, who was to lead them to Okii-San, became obviously nervous as time passed. At last, Major Xan had finished. The adjutant bowed and hurried away.

Hurried, the servant lead them through the palace. Again, Pau pointed the most beautiful pieces out and told Usagi a bit about them but the ronin was not really listening. In an audience chamber, Okii-San already waited for them. He held a document in his hands.

They bowed deep and waited for Okii-San to speak. "How did this document find its way into your hands?"

"It's a copy of a document which was found on a ninja who made an attempt for the life of Lord Noriyuki," Pau answered calmly.

Okii frowned. "A copy, you say? Where is the original?"

"In a safe place," Pau evaded him.

Okii flew into a rage. "What? How dare you to offend me in such a manner! I'm the most trusted adviser of the Shogun himself! You will hand over the document to me immediately!" he fumed.

Pau didn't reply. Instead, they heard the door open. The unexpected disruption took Okii by surprise. He was even more surprised when a servant stepped into the room and told them that the Shogun would like to see him, Major Xan and the two guests, immediately.

"Of course," Okii replied and they left. The servant lead them a short distance through the palace into another audience chamber.

In that room, the Shogun waited, surrounded by more advisers and his bodyguard. Then they stepped in the room, Usagi could sense the charisma of the ruler.

As the protocol requested, they bowed deeply.

The Shogun asked Okii to report. He received the document and asked Okii to sit by his side. Then he studied it.

"The counterfeiting is exquisite," he said finally. "The original is in your possession?"

"Yes, Shogun," Pau replied.

"How long will it take to bring it here?"

"Two hours, Shogun."

The Shogun thought about this for a moment. "Bring it here, please. Major Xan, you're responsible for the safety of our guests. Adviser Okii, please let Lord Hikiji know that I would like to see him. I'm expecting you right before sunset."

"Shogun?" Pau started and Okii frowned.

"Speak."

"It would be to our advantage if Lord Hebi, the adviser of Lord Hikiji as well as Lord Noriyuki and his retainer Lady Tomoe would be present, too. In one form or the other, they are all connected to this and it would maybe save some time to invite them as well."

The Shogun nodded. "Very Well. The audience has ended." They bowed until the Shogun had left.

In a rather large unit of soldiers of the Shogun lead by Major Xan, Usagi and Pau returned to Lord Noriyukis residence. A delegation of the Shogun delivered the invitation for the audience in the evening while soldiers secured the route to Paus room with routine. Pau went inside and came back with a large folder out of cardboard which artist use to transport their drawings.

Together, they rode back to the palace. Inside, they met with the delegation of Lord Hikiji. Coolly, the two lords greeted each other. On the way through the building, Lord Hebi glided to Pau.

"When we received the surprising invitation for the audience with the Shogun, I immediately had to think of you," Hebi started the conversation. Usagi let himself fall back so he didn't have to walk next to Hebi. Hebi hissed amusedly.

"I know," Pau replied calmly.

That wasn't an answer which Hebi had expected. "Unfortunately, the couriers of the Shogun were unable to relate the reason for this audience to us. Maybe you know more?" he went on finally.

"High treason," came the curt answer.

It was impossible to tell if Hebis alarm was just pretended or real. Hebi looked to the front where the two lords walked stoic next to each other.

"It's almost impossible to imagine that Lord Noriyuki ..." Hebi started after he had recovered but Pau just shook his head.

Hebi trailed off. "Lord Hikiji ...?" he asked hesitantly and Pau again shook his head.

Hebis confusion grew. Slowly, Pau turned his head until he looked directly at Hebi. A demonic smile was on his lips. "I had a very interesting conversation with Tse-San," he said. "Really very interesting." An audible threat lay on the word 'very'.

Hebi almost jerked back. He bowed his head slightly and then did glide quickly back to the other companions of Lord Hikiji.

After Hebi was gone, Usagi returned to Pau. Darkly, he looked at the long serpent. Then, he remembered his task and relaxed his features but hatred still burned hot in his intestines. Carefully, he held it in check.

They were lead into a room where dinner already waited for them. No real conversation would develop and so they ate in silence.

While they waited for the Shogun to call them, Lord Hikiji addressed Pau. "It is my guess that this audience is somehow connected to the matter in which you have consulted me three days ago?"

"That is correct," Pau confirmed.

"And you're not going to tell us more?"

Pau shook his head. "In a few moments, the Shogun will have us summoned. It would not make sense to say anything at this time, anymore."

And really, Pau had almost not finished with his sentence, when a servant entered the room and asked them to follow him. Pau carried his folder by himself and refused all offers of the servants to help him.

They came into a large room in which the Shogun already waited for them with Okii and a couple of other advisers. An unusual amount of armed soldiers guarded the room and inside, two rows of samurai sat at the walls.

They entered and bowed before the Shogun who opened the audience. "Welcome Lord Hikiji, Lord Noriyuki. We have been presented with proofs that seem to indicate that someone has made an attempt on Lord Noriyukis life. Furthermore, it has been brought to our attention that the people now present are somehow connected to this delicate matter. For this reason, you have been invited to this audience. Please take your positions as indicated by the servants so we may begin."

Servants asked Lord Hikiji to a platform on the left and Lord Noriyuki was positioned to the right. Pau sent Usagi to the group of Lord Noriyuki and was positioned himself in the middle, opposite to the Shogun.

"You may start now," the Shogun asked Pau.

"Shogun, Okii-Sama, Lord Hikiji, Lord Noriyuki," Pau greeted the present people formally. "I'm most regretful that I have been unable to come up with a direct proof for the guilt of the person which is behind this scheme because he is most skilled in these matters. Therefore, I would like to present all proofs I could find and conclusions which I have drawn. After that, you will have to decide if you would like to follow my train of thoughts or not."

The Shogun nodded his agreement once.

"In the attempt for Lord Noriyukis life, about sixty ninjas were involved. This means that the person behind the attempt must have access to considerable resources. Moreover, the Geishu province was attacked at almost the same time by Lord Tenekka. The assumption that both events are connected is appealing but I cannot prove it," Pau started.

"Lord Noriyuki came here in the city of Edo to report about this attack on his province." Noriyuki nodded. "But for my thoughts, this is just a minor matter. My guess is that Lord Tenekka was informed about the attempt and just tried not to miss an opportunity."

"On one of the ninjas, a document was found which contained the order to attempt murder on Lord Noriyuki." Pau asked the Shogun to pass his copy to Lord Hikiji. A servant took the letter and brought it to the lord.

While Hikiji examined it closely, Pau untied his folder and began to flip through the drawings. One very crumpled drawing was taken out and he moved thumb and index finger along one side. A wide band of paper fell on the ground. Pau took the other drawings out of the folder and put them carelessly besides him on the ground.

"This is a forgery," Hikiji finally judged.

"Correct," Pau confirmed. "I had someone do a couple of copies so I could experiment with them." Usagi saw that Pau gently shook the wrinkled drawing. Apparently, it consisted of two pages with a cavity between. In the cavity was a document of which someone had made a terrible mess. Carefully, Pau let it glide into the empty folder.

He closed the folder and passed it to a servant. "Please show this to the Shogun," he ordered. "I would like to ask you not to touch the document itself."

A servant passed the folder to the Shogun who took and opened it. A spotty letter was inside. Strange, delicate silver structures covered it. They were oval and delicately structured. Some of them had been carefully numbered. The text, on the other hand, was almost unreadable but still discernible. Strange shadows lay behind the characters.

The Shogun closed the folder and turned it to the other side. When he opened it again, he could see the backside of the document with the seal. As in the copy, the seal was Hikijis.

The Shogun passed the folder to Okii who scrutinized it as well. "What do those silver patterns mean?" Okii asked.

"If you don't mind, I would like to ask Lord Hikiji to confirm the authenticity of the seal, first. Then I would like to explain what the document really is and why it is in this shape."

Okii looked closely at the seal. "It looks genuine to me."

"It is," Pau confirmed.

Almost by force, Okii held his face emotionless. "Are you saying that Lord Hikiji has ordered the assassination of Lord Noriyuki?"

Pau shook his head. "No, Okii-Sama. All I say is that the seal is genuine."

Okii frowned. He did not really see what Pau was up to but he didn't like it already. Slowly, he closed the folder and passed it to a servant who gave it to Lord Hikiji.

Lord Hikiji carefully examined the document. He turned it several times, closed the map and handed it back to the servant. "The document is authentic," he said determined, "but its contents is not."

Pau nodded. "I came to the same conclusion." A murmur went through the room.

"Go on," the Shogun ordered unmoved.

"I think that all people present in this room know the rumors that Lord Hikiji tried to assassinate Lord Noriyuki a long time ago when the young lord claimed his rights for the Geishu province."

"These rumors are completely unfounded," Lord Hebi said outraged.

"I just wanted to point out the fact that they exist," Pau explained and asked the servant to show the folder to Lord Noriyuki, too.

Just like the others, he looked closely at the letter. The delicate patterns looked oddly familiar but he had no idea what they were. It was Tomoe, who had the right intuition. "These lines look like fingerprints," she said and Usagi nodded. Every samurai knew how hard it was to remove the stains from the oils of the fingers from a sword. Therefore, the two were not astonished to find them on the paper, as well.

"Correct," Pau confirmed. He raised a hand. "On everything, we touch, we leave trails. With a specific method, I can make these trails visible on paper. On the document are the fingerprints of five people counting only those which are on the inside because they must belong to people who have read it."

"The first person is Writer Jikohiro, who serves Lord Hikiji. The position of his fingerprints makes me believe that he was the ... first to write on the letter."

"First?" the Shogun asked.

"The shadows behind the letters are the original text." Pau looked at Lord Hikiji. "As far as I could decipher it, it's the answer to the question when you would be in Edo next time."

Lord Hikiji thought about this, then he remembered. He stared at Okii.

"The second person who touched the insides of the document, was writer Nokohama, who serves Okii-Sama. The writer passed it on to Okii-Sama, who has read it as well."

"The fifth person, who has read the document was the ninja on which it was found," Pau went on.

"The fourth person was named Rameka Utosaki. Rameka was an ... handwriting artist and was found dead two weeks ago."

"Based on these facts, I suspect that the following has happened. Whoever is behind this, had passed the document to Rameka who erased the original text and replaced it be the order to assassinate Lord Noriyuki. Then the document was passed on to the Ninjas to make sure that the suspicion for the deed would be cast on Lord Hikiji. I would guess that the hope was that everyone would remember the rumors to which I referred earlier and no one would doubt the authenticity of the document."

"This fits perfectly with the fact that the ninja could have fled successfully but didn't even try. Now we must try to decide if the person we are looking for could have guessed that the letter could fall into the hands of someone who would look for fingerprints," Pau finished and looked composed at Okii.

Slowly, it dawned on Okii where Pau was heading. He went pale. "You are suggesting that I ...," he almost stammered.

"Your writer Nokohama had been seen repeatedly with Rameka," Pau drove his attack on.

"It's a well known fact that Nokohama is absolutely loyal to you and he would never fail you," he went on.

Okii shook from terror. There seemed to be no way out when the Shogun spoke.

"Okii-San serves me for many years, now, and there was never a reason to have doubts about his loyalty. If these are all your proofs then I have to admit that they are in fact impressive but not at all sufficient to convince us of your conclusion. We have yet to see an unambiguous proof against him."

Pau bowed his head. "Being a wizard, it was a simple matter for me to find out what had happened after I held the letter in my hands. In a way, it can be seen as a token, a personal object which we use routinely to find the whereabout of a person or to bind him or her. Unfortunately, these insights are not available to you. Therefore I have tried to collect proofs on this level of reality to convince you."

"It has turned out that Okii-San had planned very cleverly and has covered his tracks in such a way that there is no trace left which could lead to him."

Pau made a pause. "Except one."

"If you allow, then I would like to ask to summon the writer Nokohama. He can confirm my version of the events."

The Shogun nodded and a servant left to fetch Nokohama. "Didn't you say that writer Nokohama is absolutely loyal to his master? In this case, he would never incriminate his master."

"With your help, I'm able to force him to tell us the truth. For this, I need two things. I would like to ask you to tell him to follow my orders. And while I question him, no one but me must speak. If there is a question which you would like me to ask, I would ask that you give me a signal. I will then come to you and you can tell me the question so I can ask it."

"Please elaborate," the Shogun requested.

"I can bring a person into a state where it's reason ... remains silent. In this state, which is called hypnosis, one can get a direct and honest answers to all questions one asks because the usual assessment of the reason doesn't happen. The normal process in which we think about the answer doesn't take place. For this reason, the wording of the question is very important because one will always get the first thing which the person thinks at that moment."

"Furthermore, all mechanisms which usually protect the mind are not working. The person will try to follow all and any order which it receives in this state because they are not assessed as well. This it one of the reasons why all questions are answered. The hypnotized person is unable to decide if it should answer or not. That means that a thoughtless word can cause a tremendous damage."

"For this reason, it is very important that I and only I am speaking."

The Shogun thought about these words for a while. "In that case, it would be possible to force him to testify against his master if you put him in this state?"

"Yes, Shogun," Pau confirmed, "because the protective mechanism which bind him by honor at his master is not working, too."

"Would it be possible to make him lie?"

Pau returned the gaze openly. "If I would have been able to lay hands on him before this audience, then I could have forced my version of the events on him," he admitted calmly.

"Anything, that is said during such a session is accepted without doubt as the truth. For example, if I would say during the hypnosis that Okii-Sama tried to kill Lord Noriyuki, then he would accept this as the truth even if he would know that it isn't. After the hypnosis it would be as true for him as the fact that he serves Okii-Sama or that you are the Shogun."

Oddly, Okii seemed to relax more and more while Pau explained. Lord Hikiji on the other side, seemed to be fascinated. Usagi could already imagine which thoughts he had. He had a horrible vision of people who were hypnotized by Hikiji and who committed crimes against their will.

"Is it possible to fight against such a hypnosis?" the Shogun asked.

"It's impossible to hypnotize someone against his will. That is the reason why I asked you to tell writer Nokohama to follow my orders. Furthermore, with an effort of his will, he can break out of the hypnoses during the session. He will wake up, then, but anything which has happened before will still be the truth for him."

Pau held his hands above each other. "Maybe this is a good example. The reason," he moved the upper hand, "can access a wide range of knowledge and experience," he moved the lower hand. "This knowledge is being assessed by the reason when it is remembered. Usually, we experience something, assess it with our reason and then the memory stores both so we can later fall back upon it."

"Under hypnosis, the reason is not available and I can access the knowledge and experience directly from the outside. If we ask about something, we will get the knowledge and assessment back but the assessment will not be used because the reason is not active."

"If I tell a hypnotized person something, the new knowledge is put into the memory directly. There is no assessment and when the knowledge is retrieved later, the reason will accept it for true since it can't find any assessment for it which says otherwise. That is the reason why one believes everything that was told to him or her under hypnosis."

A few moments later, the Writer Nokohama arrived. His face was plain when he stepped into the room and bowed before the Shogun.

"Writer Nokohama, we are in the middle of an important talk and need your help," the Shogun explained.

"Shogun, how may I be of service?" Nokohama offered.

"Brother Pau will explain what we need from you."

Nokohama turned to Pau who smiled friendly. "What we'll do together now will be a bit unusual but I can promise you that it will not harm you in any way."

Nokohama accepted this unmoved and nodded slightly to show that he had understood.

"Please make yourself comfortable and relax," Pau went on calmly. Nokohama breathed deeply and let his shoulders sag a tiny bit.

"Please close your eyes and concentrate on my voice." Nokohama complied.

"I would like that you imagine a meadow, maybe on a hill outside of Edo," Pau began in a monotonous voice. "It's spring and you can hear birds chirp in the trees. The day is bright and the sun laughs from the sky. You can feel its warmth. Only a few clouds are on the bright, blue sky."

Usagi had to shake his head to return to reality again. Paus voice exerted a strong fascination and he had to concentrate to be able to resist. Nokohama on the other hand relaxed more and more. Usagi could see his head slowly sinking to his chest and the lips stood slightly apart. Fascinated, Usagi could see Nokohamas will vanish and drown in Paus voice.

"You can feel the fresh green of the grass under your naked feet. It invites you to sit down. The pleasant scent of spring flowers gently touches your senses." Pau took a cushion and held it in his hands. "It would be wonderful, to just drop down and lay in the soft grass."

Everyone except Pau was taken by surprise when Nokohama immediately toppled backwards. Skilled, Pau caught him and put the cushion under his head. "Is it comfortable?" he asked and Nokohama nodded just once.

"What is your name?" Pau started.

"Nokohama Herito," came the reply in a voice which sounded as monotonous as the one of Pau.

Pau hesitated for a moment. "Do you have another name?" he asked.

"Yes."

Pau looked at the Shogun who nodded invitingly. "What is your other name?"

"Tatseku Tsuo."

All could hear the sharp breath that Okii took. Pau looked again at the Shogun who shook his head. This was not interesting.

"Whom are you serving."

"Okii Ashiyubi."

"What are you doing in his service?"

"All that is asked from me."

"Are you writing letters for your master?"

"Yes."

Pau grinned. "How many people are in this room?"

"37," came the reply without hesitation.

"Is this your first time, you meet with me?"

"Yes."

"We never met before?"

"No."

"Have you been brought into a similar state in which you are now, in the past?"

"No."

"Have you written a letter to Lord Hikiji in the past weeks which contained the question when he would be in Edo next time."

"No."

"Do you know of such a letter?"

"Yes."

"Have you read the answer of Lord Hikiji to this letter?"

"Yes."

"What did he write?"

""Okii-San, we will be in Edo in the last month of the year and will then be available should you want to meet with us. Signed Lord Hikiji.""

"What have you done with the letter after you have read it?"

"I showed it to my lord."

"Did he read it as well?"

"Yes."

"Did he return it to you after reading it?"

"Yes."

"Do you know someone with the name Rameka Utosaki?"

"Yes."

"Where can I find him?"

"He is dead."

"Have you given him the letter of which we were talking earlier?"

"Yes." Okii moaned but a strict glance of the Shogun silenced him again but horrified, he still shook his head. Nokohamas hands twitched.

"Is the grass tickling your hands?" Pau asked comforting after looking at Okii. "Why don't you rest them on your belly?"

Nokohama did this and calmed once more.

"How many servants did you see on your way to this room?"

"73."

"What does Rameka do for a living?"

"He is a forger," came the answer calmly.

"What did he do with the letter that you gave him?"

Nokohama once again became restless. "Which letter?"

"The letter from Lord Hikiji," Pau answered in a calming tone, "of which we have been talking earlier."

Nokohama calmed down a bit. "I told him to clear the old text and replace it with a new one."

"Do you know the new text?"

"Yes."

"Please tell me the new text."

"Hereby, I order the assassination of Lord Noriyuki. Signed Lord Hikiji."

"That's a lie!" Okii yelled, "This is not true! He is lying! I'm innocent! You must believe me!" he begged the Shogun.

"Quiet!" the voice of the Shogun boomed. "Guards! Take him and throw him in a cell!"

Immediately, several samurai grabbed the wailing Okii and pulled him away.

Shocked, the other followed them with their eyes as they left. And then back to Pau who sat with a sad expression next to Nokohama. Nokohama lay very still again. The commotion seemed to have passed him completely.

Inviting, the Shogun looked at Pau but Pau shook his head. "It's over," he said quietly.

The Shogun tilted his head. Pau groaned. "I lost him. You may speak freely."

"Please explain," the Shogun asked.

Sad, Pau looked at him and sighed. "Nokohama can't talk to us anymore because he is ... gone."

"When Okii started to yell, the things Nokohama was thinking about at that moment, became a lie. Nokohama now believes that he did lie and that Okii is in fact innocent. After that came your command to be quiet and Nokohama followed that order as well."

"His sense of honor is very strong. He thought that his statement, which had now been turned into a lie, had harmed his master. The shouting and the excitement did the rest to start a fatal chain reaction in his mind. It's a bit like when you realize something new but since there is no reason which controls this process, each realization starts the next and now his self is scattered in all directions."

"Now the last proof for the guilt of Okii-San is destroyed. I'm very sorry, Nokohama-San, that I had to do this to you."

Pau bowed before the living writer with the dead mind. "I would like to ask to be allowed to redeem him from this," Pau asked the Shogun quietly.

The Shogun remained silent for a moment. "If I had not said anything, would it have been possible to save him?"

Pau shrugged. "Maybe. There's nothing anyone can do about it."

Thoughtfully, the Shogun looked at the motionless body of the writer. "I'm taking full responsibility for this incident," the Shogun announced. "Nokohama-San, you have done the Shogunate a great service. We do thank you. Brother Pau, we ask you to redeem Nokohama."

"Your sympathy honors you," Pau thanked him and reached for his weapon.

The delegation of Lord Noriyuki got into a panic. They were the only ones in the room who knew what would happen now.

Again the sword appeared in Paus hand when he held it behind his head and again its monstrosity filled their mind. This time, it was very weak and easy to bear in comparison. With a certain sense of satisfaction, Usagi saw the horrified faces of the delegation of Lord Hikiji. Only the Shogun seemed to have himself under control.

The blade shone in its bright cold blue light when Pau drove it slowly into the body of Nokohama. It seemed to penetrate the body without meeting any resistance. Then a golden glow engulfed the body and they could feel Nokohamas soul dissolve.

After the glow was gone, Pau took his weapon back and let it disappear behind his head. Never before, Usagi had been able to watch the process this close. As soon as Pau released his grip, the weapon disappeared noiselessly. And its effect vanished with it.

"A mighty weapon," the Shogun said openly impressed.

Motionless, Pau answered, "if I have to use it, there is always reason for sorrow."

The delegation of Lord Hikiji needed a long time to recover from this event. Their movements and eyes were full of sheer horror. For once, Usagi felt sympathy for them. He had experienced the weapon twice and could not even remember the first time anymore. He knew very well how horrible the emotions were that it created in ones mind and how long it took to recover from this. He admired the Shogun who seemed to be almost untouched.

"For his services, Nokohama-San will receive an honorable funeral. Okii-San will be, as the law requests, be executed in seven days at dawn," the Shogun ordered.

"The audience has ended." The Shogun rose and everybody bowed until he had left.

On their way back through the palace, the delegation of Lord Hikiji carefully held a long distance to Pau. Pau didn't seem to notice. The members of Lord Noriyukis delegation on the other hand seemed to be satisfied that for once, Hikiji had been frightened out of his wits. Only Usagi was worried. What about his task? All he knew for sure was that he had not completed it, yet. All he had done until now, was to sit and watch.

Surely, there was more to it.

At the entrance to the palace, Pau stopped and said goodbye to the lords. The servants that had accompanied them, were confused but decided to wait what would happen.

"You will not come with us?" Noriyuki asked.

"Usagi and I will stay in the palace tonight," Pau explained and Usagi knew that this was it. His task. Suddenly, he was afraid again.

Lord Noriyuki didn't ask any more questions. Tomoe nodded to Usagi who tried his best to return a smile but failed miserably. She frowned and shot a look at Pau to warn him. But Pau had already turned around and looked expectantly into the depths of the palace.

Servants offered Pau to lead him to the guest rooms but Pau refused. "It's not time for this, yet," he said calmly.

In that moment, a servant hurried for them. When he arrived he actually was out of breath. He took a deep breath and regained his dignity before he spoke: "The Shogun would like to see you, Brother Pau."

Pau nodded as if he had expected just that.

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