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Unsure how to deliver the dreadful news, Jack bowed his head unable to look his guardian in the eye.

‘No!’ said Masamoto, his voice tight as a fist. He shook his head as if to deny the fact. ‘Tell me it isn’t true.’

‘Yamato saved our lives,’ explained Jack. ‘He died with honour. Taking Dragon Eye with him.’

Masamoto’s scars reddened with his distress and his swords trembled in his hands.

‘Yamato asked me to tell you that he knew what it meant to be a Masamoto. Sacrifice.’

‘NO, he doesn’t!’ snapped Masamoto. ‘It should be me sacrificing myself for his life – and for yours – just as your father did.’

Tears welled in the samurai’s eyes. ‘My son… my Yamato… my brave boy. I’m so… proud of you.’

Masamoto took a deep breath and gave a great shuddering sigh.

‘His sacrifice must not be in vain.’

Masamoto glanced at the devastated tea house, timbers and rock blocking any hope of escape. Sensei Yosa was back on her feet, but a shard of the iron had pierced her leg. As she hobbled over, Sensei Hosokawa came thundering across the opposite bridge, the Red Devils regrouping in preparation for another attack.

‘Akiko,’ said Masamoto, turning to her with urgency. ‘Is there another way out?’

She shook her head.

‘Think! You must have overheard something.’

‘The ninja once mentioned a tunnel to a well,’ she said, furrowing her brow as she tried to recall the details. ‘But they decided against it.’

‘The Gold Water Well,’ blurted Jack, remembering Yori’s story. ‘Its tunnel leads to the inner moat.’

‘That’s it,’ said Masamoto. ‘To the well house!’

The three of them dashed across the bridge to the rear of the tea house, Sensei Yosa and Sensei Hosokawa following close behind as the Red Devils launched their attack. Arrows shot past as Jack, Akiko and Masamoto fled through the garden. There was a scream and Jack looked back to see Sensei Yosa falling to the ground, an arrow in her side, the Red Devils closing upon her fast.

‘Keep going,’ ordered Masamoto.

‘But what about Sensei Yosa?’ cried Akiko, making to turn back.

Masamoto grabbed Akiko. ‘Sensei Hosokawa will look after her. He knows what he has to do.’

Sensei Hosokawa locked eyes with Masamoto and gave a respectful bow of the head.

Masamoto returned it with equal formality.

Jack realized more was said in that brief exchange than could ever be expressed in a lifetime of talking.

This was his swordmaster’s final farewell.

Sensei Hosokawa ran back to save their wounded kyujutsu teacher. Roaring a battle cry, he drew his swords and cut a swathe though the Red Devils about to surround Sensei Yosa. His blades whirled though the air as he defeated each warrior in succession.

An arrow flew from the battlements, striking the sword-master in the shoulder, but he kept his feet despite the agonizing blow. Another two Red Devils fell under his blade, before a second arrow knocked him to the ground.

But Sensei Hosokawa got back to his feet and drove his sword through the next samurai. More arrows flew at him, but he refused to go down.

Sensei Hosokawa defended Sensei Yosa to his last breath and held off the Red Devils long enough for Jack, Akiko and Masamoto to reach the well house.

‘In another life, my friend, we will finish our duel,’ said Masamoto under his breath. With that, he urged Jack and Akiko inside, intent on saving his last two young samurai.

‘Are you certain?’ said Masamoto, peering into the inky blackness of the well’s depths.

‘No,’ replied Akiko. ‘But there’s only one way to find out.’

She climbed over the lip of the well and began to descend with the help of the bucket rope.

The shouts of the enemy could be heard getting closer.

‘You’re next, Jack-kun,’ insisted Masamoto.

Jack clambered over and cautiously lowered himself until he found his first toeholds on the slippery rock wall.

‘This way!’ shouted a gruff voice in the darkness.

Masamoto drew his swords and strode to the entrance.

‘You’re not coming?’ said Jack in disbelief.

‘No, Jack-kun. This is where I make my last stand.’

‘But we’re going to escape!’

‘Yes, you are,’ replied Masamoto.