The Ring of Earth - Chris Bradford [6]
He missed his friends. Every day he questioned his decision to leave them, especially Akiko. It had been hardest to say goodbye to her. Ever since his arrival in Japan, Akiko had been a vital part of his life and he felt lost without her by his side. But he’d had no choice. Not only did his sister need him in England, but it was now a crime in daimyo Kamakura’s new Japan to shelter a foreigner. If Jack had stayed in Toba, he’d have endangered all their lives.
The only safe haven was the port of Nagasaki, far in the south of Japan. This was where Jack was headed. But it was a long and dangerous journey.
Akiko had warned him to avoid the main roads and towns, but this wasn’t always possible. With no signposts and few decent roads, the going was painstakingly slow and it was easy to take a wrong turn. Besides, the need to eat and replenish his supplies had forced him to visit the Tokaido Road post station of Shono.
But these rest stops for travellers were also government checkpoints.
Having discovered the Shogun’s samurai were now on the hunt for him, his hope of safely reaching Nagasaki had all but disappeared. He couldn’t possibly expect to fight his way across the entirety of southern Japan.
Perhaps he should have waited to join Sensei Yamada and Yori on their pilgrimage to the Tendai Temple in Iga Ueno. Though the route was arduous and took him off course, at least he’d have benefitted from his Zen master’s protection and guidance. He could imagine the old man tottering along the mountain paths, all grey beard and wrinkles. Any bandit would suffer a painful surprise if they tried to attack him. Sensei Yamada was a sohei – a warrior monk – his ancient appearance hiding his deadly martial art skills. But it was his wisdom that had helped Jack the most.
There’s no failure except in no longer trying, the Zen master had once said. And his advice held true.
Jack knew he mustn’t give up at the first hurdle. After all, this is what he’d been training for these past three years at the Niten Ichi Ryū. He’d always known that one day he would have to make this journey – and that as a skilled samurai swordsman he’d have the best chance of reaching his destination.
Fastening his pack, Jack got back to his feet. The forest around him creaked and groaned, breathing with the wind. It sent a shiver down his spine. The Iga mountains didn’t welcome strangers. This was where Akiko thought her little brother, Kiyoshi, had been taken by Dragon Eye, never to be seen again.
Jack decided to push on. It was still only early afternoon and hopefully he’d come across a trail looping back to the main track before dark.
Grabbing a swig of water from his gourd, he walked on through the woods and entered into a clearing. Suddenly the world seemed to spin on its axis. The trees whirled around him, the sky fell to his feet and his head struck a rock.
Before he knew what was happening, blackness enveloped him.
4
KING OF THE TENGU
Jack’s head throbbed fit to burst. His right leg ached like it was being stretched on a torture rack. And his arms were heavy as lead.
Groggily, he opened his eyes. The forest was still upside down, swaying in a sickly see-saw motion. It took Jack a few moments to realize he was hanging upside down from a tree. All his belongings lay scattered beneath him. His swords, his pack, the water gourd, everything.
Lifting a hand to his face, Jack gingerly touched a patch of dried blood where his head had hit the rock. The cut wasn’t large, but the impact must have been enough to knock him out for a few hours. The forest had since grown dark, the sun now close to setting.
Jack looked up. His foot was caught in a noose,