Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 7

choice but to breathe again.
    Mr. Jenkins continued his education on all things Japanese through the voyage, and now he felt very well versed in the culture. He could even speak the language. He certainly wouldn't consider himself fluent, but he felt he was proficient enough. He just hoped to be able to interpret enough to know if a knife should be coming at his back.
    "We should be seeing the shores any day now," Barrett continued. "As you know, the closest port to Kyoto that's open to outside ships is Hyogo Port. On a good horse, riding hard and fast, you can reach Kyoto in a day. I was told Lord Kazuhiro Takezaki is sending men to meet you. Make sure you don't let them take the lazy way on the journey. Time is of the essence in getting Takezaki taken care of."
    Jonathon heard the loathing in Barrett's voice at having to say Kazuhiro Takezaki's name, and he knew why. Mr. Jenkins had relayed to him the lord was a supporter and close friend to Takamori Saigo of the Satsuma Domain, and Takamori's was one of the strongest voices against outsiders and calling for rebellion.
    Jonathon caught his thoughts before they progressed. Damn. He needed to stop thinking so…Western. Surname before given, that's how things were done in Japan. He'd been thinking in the fashion he'd always known. An internal sigh passed through him. Maybe he wasn't as prepared for this as he thought.
    He directed his thoughts back to Lord Takezaki. No matter how he thought of Lord Takezaki, there was one thing certain about him; he was a thorn in Barrett's side because he'd managed to not only block some arms deals Barrett had in the works, but the lord's men had also sent a load of weapons to the bottom of a harbor.
    Barrett had one interest in Japan - money. To Barrett and all the world, Japan was an untapped well now that her doors had been opened. He and others hungry to see their pockets grow fat hoped to rush in and swipe up exotic trinkets that they could sell for an ungodly sum to the wealthy and privileged, who would then sit at their dinner parties and flaunt their hard won Asian treasure. Jonathon was sure Barrett and other traders also meant to do the same to the Japanese people, and most likely intended to rob from them even more since he knew for a fact Barrett viewed the entire culture as ignorant and uncivilized.
    Jonathon nodded to seem as though he were paying attention. God how he hoped this conversation would end soon. Whenever he spoke with the loathsome man, it was a contest to see if he could keep the bile down long enough to make it through a conversation. He'd always won before, but this was his hardest trial yet.
    "Certainly his lordship wouldn't deign to meet you personally," Barrett went on. "If he could've done us that favor, this deed could be done much quicker." He let out a derisive snort. "He's an arrogant bastard, as you'll soon find out."
    Jonathon fought to keep his tongue still as he'd never met a man so pompous as the one before him. Pompousness in most men was nothing more than an annoying trait. In Barrett, it was deadly, as it filled him with a sense of entitlement to things he had no right to, like Japan.
    "So we'll send you ashore in a small boat under the cover of night to try and avoid any patrolling boats. There are so many damn rules and regulations against us coming into their godless land, and we don't have time to wait for clearance. You'll meet the samurai party and they'll escort you to Kyoto. You know what to do from there." Barrett reclined in his chair. A smile that only added ugliness to his features curved his lips. "Do it right, and you're a free man."
    Jonathon didn't share in Barrett's grin. " If I survive."
    "Yes, but you were aware of that caveat when you accepted this venture."
    "And should I survive, all I need to do is find my way to Hyogo Port and you'll bring me back to America."
    "Exactly."
    Then he was as good as dead. Even if he completed his task, how would he find his way to a port in a strange country where many were hostile to foreigners?
    He reminded himself, there was still a chance, and with a chance, there was hope.
    "If you could clarify something that's been on my mind," Jonathon said. "If he's such an enemy of yours, why has he agreed to meet with me, your representative, to discuss purchasing guns from you?"
    "Because for all his honor , he's like any man, willing to sell his values for the sake of a victory, and ignorant though he may be, he knows if it comes down to