Next thing Jeff knew they had arrived. She must have dozed as otherwise they had traveled several miles instantaneously. She could feel the carriage was travelling over cobblestones. Jeff could also hear trumpets announcing their arrival. She asked Niwata “Can I look?”
“Open the curtains a little but don’t stick your head out”
It was twighlight. The stone castle seemed huge up close. Niwata informed her “In Japan the castles are not made of stone because of the dangers of earthquakes”
It seemed a long wait until the ambassador came to the carriage. Jeff took his hand and dismounted. Once more the Samurai were lined up as a guard of honour. Jeff looked to the gates of the castle and could see a large group of people waiting to meet her.
Two Samurai on foot led the procession, then there was Jeff and the Ambassador, Niwata followed her, then another two Samurai were at the rear.
The walk to the castle gates seemed to take forever. It didn’t help that Jeff was wearing wooden clogs of some sort and was walking on cobblestones. She was very aware of the many eyes scrutinising her and tried to look dignified. She was actually glad that the Ambassador had offered his arm.
As they neared Jeff looked at the group of English nobles waiting to greet her. If one of them was King Henry he was not wearing a crown. There was a nobleman of about 20, in the centre of the group wearing fine medieval clothes. He was flanked by a woman also very finely dressed and Sir Godwin. Was this King Henry and his queen? If so he was not the fat old King Henry VIII depicted in books and movies. He was young and very tall, although it was hard to judge heights as Jeff didn’t know how tall she was herself. She did not think she was short as she was taller than Niwata and of equal height to Lord Fujiwara and the Samurai. However, this nobleman towered over the other people he was with.
The Ambassador informed Jeff “The tall youth is King Henry of England. When we stop give a curtsy”
Jeff began to panic. She had never curtseyed in her life. Fortunately, she recalled Niwata’s ability she had shown earlier. She said “Niwata, pause time”
It seemed Niwata understood her. As the Ambassador ceased moving, as did the other Samurai. Even a moth flying past just floated motionless in the air. Jeff turned to her lady in waiting and said: “The ambassador said I should curtsy to the king. I don’t know how to curtsy”
Niwata appeared to consult her memory banks “A curtsy is a mark of respect by women and girls. It is a mark of respect to royalty”
“Yes but how do I curtsy?”
“Bend your knees with one foot in front of the other whilst dipping your neck in a bow”
“Can you show me?”
Niwata did as she had described and Jeff copied her movements. “Is that acceptable?”
“As Royalty yourself you should not overdo the bowing. Perhaps just dip your head gently” Jeff tried again
“I think that will be acceptable” Niwata gave her approval
“Okay start time once I am back in position”
The parade resumed. The Ambassador came to life. The moth flew off. The Ambassador asked “I do not understand what you mean by pause time, your highness”
“Never mind Lord Fujiwara. Just an in joke between myself and Lady Niwata”
The procession stopped 5 metres from the king. The ambassador bowed and Jeff curtseyed. King Henry smiled at her whilst the woman at his side had a haughty look on her face. Jeff could not recall the Queens name. But she did recall that this woman would later be beheaded. Would she look so haughty then? Sir Godwin also flashed Jeff a smile, his teeth once more reflecting firelight. Somehow that made her feel less nervous. She smiled back.
The Ambassador then spoke to the King in the language Jeff could not understand