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Jack shifted around trying to get comfortable. He felt very high and vulnerable. Ever since being thrown from Kuma-san’s horse, he’d become nervous of riding.

‘Relax. You’re so stiff,’ said Takuan. ‘The horse will pick up on any tension or fear. You need to show you’re in control.’

He handed Jack the reins and attached a lunge line to the bridle.

‘Better. Now use both lower legs to squeeze the horse lightly. At the same time, push forward slightly in your seat. This is your cue to the horse to walk.’

Jack did as he was instructed and the mare began to move forward.

‘See! There’s nothing to it.’

‘Thanks for your help,’ said Jack. He was beginning to wish he hadn’t been so distrustful of Takuan. He seemed to be genuine in his offer of friendship.

‘My pleasure. We’ll keep going until you get used to the rocking motion. Then I’ll teach you how to stop.’

Takuan led the horse round in a circle using the lunge line.

‘So how’s the Two Heavens training going?’

‘It’s tough,’ replied Jack. ‘It’s like juggling with knives. As soon as you get the right hand working, you forget about the left.’

Takuan nodded sympathetically. ‘I wish I had the sword skills to be chosen to learn the Two Heavens. But what I don’t understand is why Yamato isn’t in your class?’

‘He didn’t get into the Circle of Three,’ explained Jack. ‘But he should be able to train in a couple of years or so.’

‘If it was me, I’d be so frustrated. And a little embarrassed. I mean he’s Masamoto’s son.’

‘Yamato’s brilliant with a bō. That makes up for it.’

‘And what about Akiko?’ asked Takuan casually, nodding in her direction.

Akiko was mounting her steed for a first attempt at Yabusame.

‘What about her?’ said Jack, surprised at the directness of the question.

‘Tell me what she’s like. She’s so different from all the other girls I’ve met.’

Akiko acknowledged them as she made her way to the head of the course. Takuan immediately bowed back. He seemed to have forgotten Jack completely and cheered Akiko on as she started down the track.

‘Isn’t she a natural on a horse?’ said Takuan, not taking his eyes off her. ‘Most impressive form.’

So this was the real reason for off ering to help, thought Jack, seeing how entranced Takuan was. Takuan wasn’t interested in teaching him horseriding. He was interested in finding out about Akiko.

Standing up in the saddle, Akiko attempted to nock an arrow, but she’d already passed the first target before she could take aim. As she galloped past them towards the second target, Jack’s mare suddenly picked up speed and began to follow Akiko’s horse.

‘Takuan?’ called Jack nervously, but the boy was so focused on Akiko’s run he didn’t appear to hear him.

Akiko successfully released her second arrow but missed. Off-balance, she tried to keep a grip astride the saddle with her thighs. She reached for another arrow. Takuan let go of the lunge line and began to clap and shout encouragement. At which point Jack’s mare suddenly bolted.

The horse seemed to think it was a race and charged down the track after Akiko. Jack held on for dear life.

‘How do I stop this horse?’ he screamed, almost bouncing out of the saddle.

Takuan, suddenly aware of the problem, shouted, ‘Pull back on the reins!’

In sheer panic, Jack wrenched on the reins.

The mare came to a sudden halt, flinging Jack over its head. He cartwheeled through the air before landing heavily in the dirt, a cloud of dust billowing out around him.

Jack lay there very still, the wind knocked out of him. He felt sick from the shock and ached all over, but he didn’t think anything was broken. As the dust settled, Takuan and Sensei Yosa appeared by his side.

‘Jack-kun, are you hurt?’ asked Sensei Yosa.

‘I’m… fine,’ Jack groaned.

Takuan and Sensei Yosa gently helped Jack to his feet as the rest of the class gathered anxiously round. He saw Kazuki and his gang sniggering.

‘Next time don’t pull back so hard on the reins,’ advised Takuan, brushing the dirt from Jack’s hakama.

‘You could have told