Read The Dragon Scroll for Free Online Page B

concerns about their journey and probable fatigue.
     
    Akitada interrupted. “Yes, yes, Governor,” he said curtly. “I will take all that for granted and am much obliged for your greeting, but my purpose here is neither personal nor ceremonial. Let us get to business without further delay. This is my confidential secretary, Seimei, who will now present my credentials.”
     
    Motosuke looked shocked but received the scrolls with proper respect, touching their imperial seals to his forehead and bowing deeply before untying the silken cords to read.
     
    He sighed when he was done. Carefully rolling up the papers again and returning them to Akitada, he said, “It is a great shame to me that these outrages should have been perpetrated during my administration.” He paused and gave Akitada an almost timid look. “My cousin wrote that you have great skill in solving puzzles of all sorts. It is my sincere hope that your inestimable experience may allow you to help me find the scoundrels and clear my record before I leave office.”
     
    Akitada frowned. Much as he disliked the role he was forced to play, he had no intention of allowing Motosuke to transform him from official investigator into his personal adviser in the situation. He said coldly, “It will be necessary that we are given access to all your files immediately. You will so instruct your staff. My secretary will keep you informed if the investigation warrants it or if your testimony is required.” He rose.
     
    Motosuke, who had paled at his words, scrambled up also. “Certainly. I shall make all the arrangements,” he said, then added timidly, “You ... you will wish to rest. I am having quarters prepared for you in my residence. May I take you there now? You will only have to tell the servants if there is anything, anything at all, that you might require.”
     
    Akitada said stiffly, “Thank you, but I should prefer to stay in the tribunal compound. Surely you have guest quarters for official visitors?”
     
    Beads of perspiration on his brow, Motosuke was wringing his hands. He sputtered, “Yes, of course. How stupid of me! Only, the guesthouses are not nearly so comfortable. And it is getting cold. A very uncongenial season, winter. I wish you had come earlier. We could have given you some excellent hunting and fishing. Still, I hope I may introduce you to some of the important persons in town. You will not like the tribunal food. It is for the soldiers and prisoners only. My personal kitchen, my servants, and my stables are completely at your disposal.” He was babbling and looked so distressed that Akitada softened.
     
    “Thank you,” he said with a formal bow. “You are very kind. I shall be honored to make the acquaintance of the local dignitaries. Now, perhaps, you might show us to the archives. My secretary and I should like to meet your clerks.”
     
    They spent the day in the archives, talking to clerks and making a superficial inspection of the records. Akitada was favorably impressed with the efficiency of the staff and the neatness of the paperwork, but he avoided questioning anyone about the missing taxes. When he had seen enough of the provincial recordkeeping, a servant led them to their quarters. It was getting dark, and a chill wind blew across the tribunal compound. The guest pavilion with its covered veranda turned out to be spacious and pleasant and had its own walled courtyard. Seimei gave their quarters a cursory glance and asked the servant for the way to the bathhouse.
     
    “It’s still early,” protested Akitada. “I wanted to walk around the tribunal first.”
     
    “You forget the dusty archives,” said Seimei. “Besides, who knows, the governor may call on us to make certain we are comfortable. He strikes me as a most polite gentleman.”
     
    Akitada thought so, too, but would have preferred a less likable host.
     
    The tribunal bathhouse was large and empty except for a burly, nearly naked servant, who