'Did you know the reward is now twenty koban?' said Akiko, digging out the cooked rice and sharing it between them.

Jack shook his head in disbelief; every month the Shogun seemed to double the price on his head.

'Twenty koban!' exclaimed Benkei, almost choking on his fish. 'That's enough gold coin to feed a man for a lifetime!'

'You're not thinking of turning me in, are you?' asked Jack, grinning playfully as he tucked into his rice.

'I could do with a new kimono,' replied Benkei in all seriousness and began inspecting his tattered patchwork of robes. Then he noticed Akiko glaring at him. 'I wouldn't dream of it, Akiko! The nanban saved my life. He's my friend.'

Akiko smiled cordially, but Jack could tell she didn't fully trust Benkei. His explanation of how he'd met the conjuror caused her to question Benkei's integrity. In her opinion, anyone found buried up to his neck in sand and who made a living tricking people wasn't to be trusted. But in the time Jack had known Benkei he'd more than proved his loyalty.

As soon as the meal was over, they turned in for the night. Akiko unclipped a blanket from the saddlepack on her horse and spread it on the ground.

'Three's a crowd!' remarked Benkei, giving a wide, obviously feigned, yawn. 'I'll let you two catch up. See you in the morning!'

Finding a grassy patch and a rock for a pillow, he lay down, wrapped his kimono tightly around him and closed his eyes. Within moments, he was snoring away. Jack didn't mind if Benkei was faking sleep; he just appreciated the gesture of privacy.

Akiko settled on the blanket and invited Jack to join her. For a while they sat in silence, the chirps of the crickets sounding all around them, the flickering light of the fire dancing off their faces.

'So tell me,' whispered Akiko, 'did you really save an entire village from bandits?'

Jack nodded.

Akiko gazed at him with wonder and admiration, but also a touch of sadness. 'Your good heart will get you killed one day.'

Jack prodded the dying embers of the fire with a stick, unable to meet her eye. 'And my friends.'

'What do you mean?'

Holding his head in his hands, Jack tried to pluck up the courage to tell her. 'They're dead ... Yori ... Saburo ... Miyuki.'

Akiko went visibly pale at the news. 'No ... they can't be!'

'All drowned at sea ... and it's my fault.'

Jack tearfully recounted their escape from Pirate Island, the devastating storm that struck their tiny boat and his failure to sail them safely to shore. Akiko listened without interruption or judgement. When he'd finished, she laid a hand on his arm to comfort him.

'It was an act of nature. You mustn't blame yourself. '

Jack swallowed hard, trying not to let grief overwhelm him once more. 'But I do. If I hadn't agreed to them coming with me, they would still be alive.'

'Jack, it was their choice. They were willing to risk their lives to help you get home. They wanted to be with you ... just like I do.'

Akiko gently kissed Jack on the cheek, then lay down. 'Get some rest. We need to make an early start to stay ahead of the patrol.'

Despite his exhaustion, Jack continued to coax the fire a while longer. He fought sleep, not wanting to close his eyes, in case he woke the following morning to find Akiko's arrival was all just a dream.

32.

Kumamoto Castle 'The hop's done only a skip and a jump left!' declared Benkei, pointing to Shimabara Bay in the hazy distance.

With the morning sun at their backs, Jack and Akiko joined him on the rise and gazed across the grassy plain. The Shira River meandered like a silver thread before passing through the city of Kumamoto to join the glistening waters beyond. Across the bay, its summit shrouded in cloud, the volcanic peak of Unzen-dake could be seen brooding on the far reaches of the horizon.

But what drew Jack's eye was Kumamoto Castle. Set atop the only high ground on the floodplain, the fortress dominated the skyline. Built on epic proportions, the complex even challenged Osaka Castle in size and that had been a city in itself. The stone walls boasted over fifty turrets and the battlements stretched for almost a mile in each direction. From what Jack could make out, the formidable fortifications enclosed a grand palace with majestic arching roofs, several gardens, a proliferation of courtyards, rows of barracks, at least four tree groves, a small lake and, at its heart, a black-and-gold keep that looked like an armoured eagle poised for flight. Beyond the castle walls, Kumamoto city itself fanned out across the plain, the dwellings clustered like dutiful servants in the shadow of the fortress.

'Kumamoto is the stronghold of daimyo Kato,' warned Akiko, as they set off towards the city. 'A fiercely loyal supporter of the Shogun, he rules this province with an iron fist even prides himself on the brutality of his samurai to keep law and order. So we must stay vigilant.'

'Nothing like putting your head into the lion's mouth!' remarked Benkei drily.

'Sometimes that's the best place to hide,' said Akiko, 'since it's the last place they'll look.'

Despite her words, Jack was bracing himself for a rough ride. Kumamoto was likely to be the most dangerous part of their journey. The streets would be crawling with samurai and metsuke, the Shogun's spies. One false step and there'd be nowhere to run or hide. But he accepted that the risk was necessary. Kumamoto was the only realistic crossing point to Shimabara. The alternative was to trek round the inland Ariake Sea, which would add weeks to their journey as well as increasing the opportunities for being spotted. But once on the ferry and across the bay they would be home free Nagasaki less than two days' travel. With such a gain, they'd all agreed the gamble was worth taking.

They reached the city outskirts towards late afternoon. The streets and alleyways bustled with travellers, merchants, samurai, craftsmen plying their trade and ronin looking for work ... or trouble. Jack kept his head down, walking obediently alongside Akiko's horse and fulfilling his role as the faithful retainer. The steady stream of foot traffic was both a danger and a cover. Every pair of eyes threatened to discover his identity. Yet most people were too busy going about their daily business to pay a samurai retainer much attention.

As the three of them made their way through the winding streets, they passed the outer perimeter of the castle. Jack risked a glance up and was astounded by the sheer scale of the fortifications. Up close, the immense walls rose above them like a tidal wave of rock. The smooth curving stone-block construction raked at such a steep angle that no one could possibly climb it. And even if, by some miracle, an invader did manage such a climb, then they would be faced by the perilous overhangs of the battlements. Hatches in every section threatened to release an avalanche of rocks, boiling oil and other lethal deterrents.

If any castle can be described as impenetrable, this is it, thought Jack.

They carried on down a street lined with stalls selling fried noodles, yakitori, ramen and many more mouthwatering dishes, as well as a few less savoury items like candied crickets and pickled pigs' ears. Strips of meat and slices of fish sizzled on little grills and the spicy aroma of cooking eventually became too tempting. Having not eaten since breakfast, Akiko gave Benkei the money to buy three steaming bowls of ramen. Sitting on a wooden bench beside the noodle stall, the three of them ate ravenously.

All of a sudden, cries of alarm broke out and the people in the street scattered. A unit of samurai in black-and-red armour, a white circular kamon on their breastplates, marched four abreast down the road. As they advanced, a ripple of fear seemed to pass through the crowd. Like toppling dominoes, the inhabitants bowed their heads or prostrated themselves on the ground, according to status.

'Stay calm,' urged Akiko, putting down her bowl. 'And bow like everyone else.'

Jack did as he was told, pulling his hat lower, yet keeping his eyes alert.

The samurai unit headed straight for them. Jack's hand twitched for his sword. He noticed Akiko reaching for hers at the same time. The sound of marching feet drew closer and Jack grasped the handle of his katana ready to do battle.

But the unit stopped short outside a tea house. With a nod from the commanding officer, two of his samurai strode inside and dragged out the owner. Dumping him in the middle of the street, they set to beating him with sticks. The dull thud of wood on flesh was unnaturally loud amid the fearful silence of the onlookers. There was a harsh crack as a bone broke and the man screamed in agony. A shrieking woman rushed out of the tea house and tried to intervene, but she was kicked to the ground. Then she too was beaten unmercifully.

Jack was sickened by the savage violence against two defenceless individuals. He felt compelled to intervene, but knew such a move would be suicidal.

The beating stopped.

'Let that be a lesson to you ... both,' snarled the officer, before giving the order to march on, the reason for the beating never declared.

The unit of samurai left the semi-conscious man bleeding in the gutter and the woman sobbing beside him, one side of her face cruelly puffed up. When the samurai were gone, the street returned to normal and everyone went on their way. But no one approached or helped the battered couple.

'We need to get out of here as soon as we can,' whispered Akiko. 'This is an unforgiving place.'

'My thoughts exactly,' said Jack, hurriedly finishing his broth of ramen.

Leading the horse on foot, Akiko guided them down the road. But the city was so overwhelming in its size, they soon lost their bearings. Facing a bewildering number of streets and alleyways, Akiko stopped to ask an old woman for directions to the harbour. With a polite bow, the woman gestured down the road then said something Jack didn't catch, before going on her way.

Akiko turned to Jack and Benkei, her expression grim.

'She says to follow this street until we come to a bridge, cross the river then take the main road west. But there are no ferries until tomorrow morning ... and we'll need travel permits.'

33.

The Innkeeper 'So it's the long way round to Nagasaki, after all,' said Jack, as they ducked down a side street to avoid another unit of samurai marching by.

'Not necessarily,' said Benkei, a crafty twinkle in his eye. 'There are ways and means of getting permits, especially in a city like this.' He rubbed his fingers, making the gesture for money. 'We just need the means.'

'Will this be enough?' asked Akiko, holding up a string of silver and copper coins.

Benkei grinned. 'Definitely. We're good to sail!'

'But what are we going to do until then?' asked Jack. 'We can't keep dodging patrols like this.'

'Certainly not after dark,' Akiko agreed. 'That will look even more suspicious. We must find an inn, one with a stable.'

'I know where to go,' said Benkei. 'Follow me.'

With the plan agreed, they crossed the bridge and took the main road west. Wooden slatted buildings crowded the street on either side. They passed several well-to-do establishments with views over the Shira River, but none of these met with Benkei's approval. He turned down a side street, and Jack and Akiko followed him into what appeared to be a less prosperous area of the city. The inns along this stretch showed signs of wear and tear; loose roof tiles held down with stones, crooked guttering, unrepaired rips in shoji doors. Empty sake bottles were piled high in crates, still awaiting collection, and the signs above various businesses were chipped and weather-beaten. The clientele hanging around outside and wandering through the streets mirrored the rundown appearance of the neighbourhood. Their clothes were travel-worn, their weapons more prominently displayed, and polite bows were replaced with hard stares and hostile scowls.

Benkei stopped outside the shabbiest-looking inn.

'Here?' exclaimed Akiko, turning up her nose.

'A place like this will ask fewer questions,' explained Benkei, 'and be more likely to know where to acquire permits.'

'I suppose beggars can't be choosers,' said Jack.

'As long as the stable is satisfactory,' agreed Akiko, stroking her horse's mane, 'and they've got a hot ofuro.'

Benkei pulled on the bell. It gave a dull clang, its ringer broken. He banged on the door.

They waited a moment. Then the door slid open a crack.

'Yes?' demanded a wrinkle-faced man with hangdog eyes and a left ear that stuck out like a sail.

'We need a room for the night,' replied Benkei.

The innkeeper eyed the mismatched threesome with suspicion: the elegant and well-armed girl samurai and her valuable white horse, the spiky-haired and gangly lad in the rainbow-coloured kimono, and the mysterious samurai retainer with a straw hat pulled too low over his face.

'One room?' he asked, rubbing his bristled chin thoughtfully.

'Two,' corrected Akiko. 'My retainers will share.' She indicated her stallion. 'I presume you have a stable?'

The innkeeper grunted. 'Out back ... but I may not have a vacancy.'

'I think you might find one,' stated Benkei, glancing meaningfully at Akiko, who produced the string of coins.

The innkeeper's manner instantly changed at the sight of the money. 'I've just had a late cancellation. Go round the back.'

Shutting the door in their faces, he was then heard bawling, 'Momo, get up! We've guests.'

'That's warm hospitality for you,' remarked Akiko as she led the stallion down the side alley.

The innkeeper opened up a gate and ushered them into a rear courtyard.

'Take your pick,' he said, pointing to three dilapidated stalls that were the inn's excuse for a stable.

Akiko peered in, frowning in disgust at the state of them.

'At least the hay is fresh,' she muttered, tethering her horse in the first stall and removing his saddle.

'Two rooms ... breakfast ... plus stabling and hay ... one night ...' The innkeeper licked his lips as he counted off his fingers. 'That'll be ten mon. Payment in advance only.' The innkeeper bowed graciously and held out his hand.

'How much?' queried Akiko, her face registering shock.

'They are our two best rooms,' he said, offering his most ingratiating smile. 'And they guarantee privacy.'

The innkeeper glanced at Jack as he emphasized the last word the clear implication being that his silence did not come free.

With reluctance, Akiko handed over the ten copper coins. 'The ofuro had better be hot.'

'Momo!' shouted the innkeeper over his shoulder. 'Stoke up the fire.'

Pocketing the money, the innkeeper led them inside. As they passed down the lamplit corridor, the warped wooden floorboards creaking beneath their feet, Jack and Akiko exchanged doubtful looks at Benkei's choice of establishment. But to their surprise the rooms, though small, turned out to be clean with tatami-matted floors, low wooden tables and pristine white futons neatly rolled in one corner. The washi paper walls were even decorated with colourful screen paintings depicting hunts, festivals and theatre scenes.

'As I said, our best rooms,' remarked the innkeeper, noticing Akiko's approval. He glanced at Jack, who now looked even more conspicuous wearing his hat indoors. 'May I take that for you?'

Jack shook his head.

'He was beaten in a duel and lost face,' cut in Akiko. 'The shame of it!'

'Ahhh ... the famous samurai pride,' replied the innkeeper, accepting the answer but clearly not believing a single word. 'Perhaps I can get you some green tea instead?'

'That would be nice,' said Akiko, taking off her sandals and entering her room.

'Momo! Green tea!' hollered the innkeeper. He bowed low, though less out of courtesy and more out of curiosity to catch a glimpse of Jack's face. However, Jack bowed quickly back and foiled his attempt.

'Have a pleasant stay,' said the innkeeper as he shuffled off.