Lady Samurai

Chapter 26

Commodore Perry landed in Kanagawa the next day to meet his Japanese counterpart.
Their first meeting was very formal on both sides and Anna had to use all her knowledge, patience and tact in order to satisfy these two very proud, disagreeable and unmanageable men. They met, introduced themselves and stated their credentials, exchanged some pleasantries and... parted.

Commodore Perry returned to his ship, where he decided to stay for the whole time of the negotiations, while Hayashi retreated to his rooms, where he surrounded himself with his advisors.

When they reconvened the next day, Perry submitted detailed American demands and expectations, Hayashi's aids took notes and they withdrew to consider them, consulting the laws and various edicts of the Emperor and the Tokugawa government.

Every day seemed almost the same and soon Anna lost track of how many times she was required to translate the same proposals, the same answers, arguments and counter arguments.

The Americans were pushing for quick results and concessions from the Bakufu, while the Japanese were procrastinating as much as it was humanly possible, refusing to budge.

Every evening, after she concluded her duty and returned to the inn, she sat alone for a long time, trying to meditate in order to release her frustration. Keeping her opinions to herself cost her a lot and only in the confines of her own room could she afford to release the tension.

Every night she dreamt about Hikaru, missing his touch, the conversations and the closeness they shared. Every morning she was forced to gather herself, grit her teeth, compose her face and return to the Lord Matsuda's residence for another tedious day of negotiations.

Things with Commander Morrison were also quite manageable. He accompanied Commodore Perry exclusively now and only rarely they had any chance for a private conversation. Mindful of her plan not to antagonise him any further, Anna forced herself to be polite and civil to him. It was made much easier by the fact that she had shed her Japanese clothing and some of the urgency she had sensed in him before disappeared. Although sometimes she still could see that odd calculating expression in his eyes, which told her that he hadn't forgotten their confrontation...

Days were dragging, turning into weeks and when she thought that it would never end, suddenly the Japanese appeared to give in.

So far Perry adamantly rejected the offer to trade in Nagasaki and eventually the Japanese agreed that ports in Shimoda and Hakodate will be open for American ships to trade in. That was a major concession on their part and the Americans were ecstatic.

To celebrate this achievement Commodore Perry invited the three bankers and Anna for a reception on his flagship. Anna agreed, not wishing to provoke any unpleasantness. Besides, she had to admit that it would be a very welcome change to eat some meat again.

Commodore Perry was in a much better mood than the first time they met and by now quite genuinely impressed by Anna's skills.

"Ms Mitchell." He raised his glass. "I salute your efforts. Without your work and expertise it would have been a much nastier business. To our interpreter!"

"To Ms Mitchell!" They all repeated the toast.

"Thank you, Sir." She smiled modestly. By now she knew that the best approach to any of her companions would be outward humility. No matter what she really thought about them. "I am merely translating what is said. The whole credit surely must go to you, Mr Johnston and your team."

They all seemed very pleased by that statement.

How very vain men really are. She thought, at the same time trying to keep a modest smile fixed on her face.