Esyo had directed a return message in care of Jokoin, at the hands of Kyogoku; she understood this particular sister, suspicioned her true proclivities, and surmising that a well directed shot would startle her into the activities desired--should induce the younger to implore the elder sister--had, herself, unbeknown either to her husband or his father, brought into use an old mortar, a companion piece to the one boasted of Hideyori, purchased in consequence by Ieyasu at great expense and stored away safely under cover of his compound, admiredly, if not for service. "I'll give them a taste in advance, of what is to come," threatened she, as the inexperienced gunners fell back in terror and she herself tripped forward to light the fuse. The aim proved blunderingly good: though the citadel her intended target had been missed, a small addition to one of the minor buildings was in fact demolished and some two or three of the occupants--serving maids to Yodogima--were as observed at this either maimed or killed outright. The explosion had its desired effect, and no amount of assurance or coaxing would or could allay the fears or quell the anxiety of concerned Jokoin. She must at once and at all hazards get Yodogima out of that demoniacal inferno--her own security quite overlooked--and when Kyogoku came in with the message supposedly from Ieyasu, Yodogima, perhaps to quiet Jokoin, but more likely to carry out a deeper-laid plan of her own, readily yielded to her little sister's persuasion. 　 "YODOGIMA: Meet me, at Kyogoku's residence, outside the castle; I must see you, and would ask no further guarantee than yours. Ieyasu." It was all there was of the message--presumably an answer to the one she had sent--yet no greater influence than Jokoin's pleading were necessary to induce an immediate cessation of hostilities on Yodogima's part--insofar as a meeting with Ieyasu was concerned. Hideyori protested. For once his will rebelled against his mother's. The opportunity proffering overwhelmed every other consideration, and the young man proudly threatened to die behind those walls rather than let the enemy enter otherwise than as vanquished. "Meet my mother, upon friendly terms? It is impossible!" "But, my son, Ieyasu out of the way the empire shall fall directly into your hands; there is none else to dispute you, and war is--" "Hell--all of which Kitagira advised me long ago; but you see them anxious on all hands--just now, since that message was written, a shell has been fired into our midst. There is no end to fighting as long as men's blood runs red."