the Great Hall of the Summer Palace, surrounded by their servants,

bodyguards and the resident officials. Stepping out onto the spotless

floor, Yoritomo announced his intention of taking a long hot bath

before attending to any other business.

Tokimasa, the Resident Steward, whose staff had been frantically

keeping gallons of water piping hot for the last six hours, assured him

that everything was ready, adding that the kitchen staff had also

prepared quantities of food for the entire retinue that could be cooked

at a moment's notice.

When Yoritomo and his personal staff had left the hall with Tokimasa

dancing in attendance, Ieyasu dismissed everyone except Watanabe, his

Principal Private Secretary who had travelled with him, Ichiwara and

the secret agent Fujiwara who was listed on the official payroll as ?

Personal Courier to the Lord Chamberlain.

Ieyasu's gaze fastened on Fujiwara. 'You have the envoys from the

Federation?"

'Yes, sire. We arived about four hours ago. They have been placed in

the guest rooms in the North Tower. The sea voyage left them somewhat

indisposed, but they are anxious to meet with you as soon as

possible."

'They'll have to wait. I have had a rather tiring journey.

And as the years go by, it seems to get longer and longer."

He switched his gaze onto Watanabe. 'Go and see them.

Take Ichiwara with you. Find out what's on the table and report back

to me."

'Yes, sire."

'Make sure they have been offered the appropriate degree of

hospitality, convey my apologies and tell them they'll be granted a

formal audience tomorrow."

'Yes, sire. I, ahh. think they are expecting to see you and the

Shogun."

'They will- providing they have something to say that's worth listening

to. But don't tell them I said that."

His aides shared Ieyasu's amusement. Fujiwara said: 'I assume these

meetings will be conducted in Basic."

'Of course,' said Watanabe.

'Then I would advise you to be prudent in any conversations between

ourselves. From my observations during the voyage, I am fairly certain

one of the long-dogs can speak japanese - and may even be fluent in

Chinese as well. It's the woman."

Ichiwara looked surprised. 'Woman?"

'Yes,' said Fujiwara. 'She also outranks her male companion."

'You mean socially?"

'Not as we understand it. The Federation is run like a vast army,

commanded by a privileged General Staff to which the envoys belong.

She holds the rank of Commander, he is a Captain."

'unbelievable,' said Ichiwara. 'They send women into battle?"

Watanabe laughed. 'He said she belongs to their General Staff, Ichi.

That means they leave the fighting to others!" 'Even so, it all sounds

very strange to me."

'They are strange,' said Ieyasu. 'And one day we will destroy them.

Meanwhile we must use their power to make us stronger. They arc so

eager to help us, it would be churlish to refuse."

Taking their cue from his thin smile, his aides laughed again then

Ichiwara said: 'Sire, Captain Mashimatsu, the officer who was entrusted

with certain travelling arrangements, has asked permission to present a

report."

Ieyasu waved the matter away. 'Later, Ichiwara. I'm going to take a

two-hour nap, then a bath before I see or talk to anyone else."

When the Shogun's personal five-man bodyguard had made their usual

check of his apartments, he and Steward Tokimasa entered followed by

Yoritomo's valet and two chambermaids. Soldiers of the 'Shield Unit',

a select body of men from Kamakura's 1st Company, took up their

allotted positions. In theory, all access points both outside and

inside were covered - but, of course, the security plan did not include

the secret passages that Kamakura now knew about.

Having made the usual conducted tour, Yoritomo walked through into his

bed-chamber as two of his silent samurai pulled the doorscreens

aside.