Free Young Samurai 06 - The Ring of Fire by Chris Bradford Page A

said Toge. ‘We must go back and prepare. We’re running out of time!’
    ‘And we don’t have seven samurai yet,’ stated Jack.
    ‘But you’re great warriors!’ interrupted Kunio. ‘Surely five is all we need.’
    Jack stared into his half-empty cup. The tea matched their own situation – some, but not enough. The wretched desperation on the farmers’ faces was almost too much to bear, but Jack couldn’t be reckless with his friends’ lives. This was a dangerous mission with seven. Being only five samurai, the risk was even greater.
    Coming to a difficult decision, he announced, ‘If anyone wants to leave now, then they should do so.’
    No one moved.
    ‘Why seven?’ asked Hayato.
    ‘There are at least forty bandits. I calculate a skilful samurai could handle up to six enemies at most.’
    ‘Well, Yuudai counts for at least two people,’ responded Hayato. ‘With my bow, I can bring down several bandits before they get within fighting distance. And we haven’t yet allowed for your skills.’
    Jack looked to the others. Yori seemed nervous but resolved. Saburo was surprisingly committed too, and Yuudai appeared as indestructible as rock.
    He nodded his reluctant agreement. ‘Five it is then.’
    The next morning the five samurai, three farmers and Neko left for Tamagashi village. The winter wind blew a bitter chill as the group trekked across the snow-covered plain. Their going was slow and when the drifts became too deep, Yuudai carried Yori on his shoulders.
    Hayato marched alongside Jack. ‘How much further?’ he asked, studying the bleak terrain ahead.
    ‘Last time we arrived around dusk.’
    Noticing Jack glance over his shoulder, Hayato leant in close. ‘Do you sense what I do?’
    ‘Yes,’ said Jack, glad he wasn’t the only one to feel it. He scanned the vast open landscape. ‘Nowhere to hide, but someone is following us.’

16
    WHITE SHADOW
    Entering a patch of sparse woodland, the sense of being watched grew. Jack kept his hand upon his sword and Hayato unslung his bow. The others remained oblivious to the threat and Jack wondered if the two of them were being over-cautious. There was still no sign of pursuit. And their remote location begged the question, who would be following them in the first place?
    The tactics of the Shogun’s samurai were usually direct and unsubtle. If they’d planned to ambush him, the ideal place would have been Okayama. It could be Kazuki and his Scorpion Gang. They often proved more devious and might be laying a trap. But it seemed odd to wait this long and the isolation meant no chance of reinforcements.
    ‘Bandits?’ whispered Hayato, his eyes darting from tree to tree.
    ‘Maybe,’ agreed Jack.
    There was a strong possibility Akuma had got word of their plan to help the farmers – any of the samurai they’d approached in Okayama might have talked. If that was the case, the best opportunity Akuma had to attack the young samurai was now . The five of them were at their most vulnerable – before they reached the village and before they could prepare any defence.
    The three farmers were slightly ahead and Jack urged everyone to catch up. It would be fatal if the group was split during a fight. They crunched on through the snow, their crisp footsteps the only sound.
    Out of the corner of his eye, Jack caught a movement. Snapping his head round, he saw … nothing but the frozen skeletons of trees, their branches laden with ice and snow. The sole sign of life was a deer track that wound its way through the woodland.
    ‘Why are you both so edgy?’ asked Saburo.
    ‘Bandits may be stalking us,’ replied Hayato, under his breath.
    Saburo looked around and laughed. ‘Well, if they are, they must be snowmen!’
    In the space of a heartbeat, Hayato drew his bow and shot at Saburo. He yelped in surprise as the arrow flew past his ear and struck a snowdrift.
    A fraction before it did, a white shadow flitted away. Camouflaged to the surroundings, the figure