Part 16 (2/2)

Soke was at hand to ensure Jack was properly attired and prepared for the mission.

'What do you think?' asked Jack.

'Who said that?' Soke replied, glancing round as if Jack suddenly wasn't there.

Hanzo, who'd come along to wish Jack luck, giggled. 'The tengu tengu's invisible! It's magic!'

Jack joined in the laughter. He felt rather stupid wearing a basket on his head, but he couldn't deny the Komus Komus outfit made the perfect disguise. outfit made the perfect disguise.

Soke pa.s.sed Jack the shakuhachi shakuhachi. 'Remember it's not just about looking like a Monk of Emptiness, it's about acting the part,' he reminded Jack. 'That's why the shakuhachi shakuhachi practice was so important. Playing the flute will convince the samurai you're a real practice was so important. Playing the flute will convince the samurai you're a real Komus Komus.'

Zenjubo took his final instruction from Momochi and announced it was time to leave.

'Don't get caught, tengu tengu!' Hanzo called cheerfully after him.

'I won't,' replied Jack, 'as long as you haven't set any traps for me!'

Momochi was standing at the main entrance. As Jack pa.s.sed by, the ninja grabbed his arm.

'A word of warning,' he hissed. 's.h.i.+n.o.bi are everywhere. If you betray us, we are everywhere. If you betray us, we will will know.' know.'

31.

MONKS OF E EMPTINESS.

Jack paid careful attention to their route. He plotted the course in his head like entries in a s.h.i.+p's log, noting unusual features, memorizing distance, direction and time travelled by the position of the sun.

During the first morning, Zenjubo didn't follow any paths not that there were many to follow. Jack realized this was another Ring of Earth defence to keep the village well hidden. But Jack was able to use a couple of distinctive outcrops to get his bearings. Around midday, they hit a main trail and thereafter Jack became more confident he could retrace his steps. The first night, they slept beside a river with a small waterfall, while the second night was located in a forest clearing marked by two fallen trees.

'With the war over, how can daimyo daimyo Akechi justify raising an army?' Jack asked as they broke camp on the morning of the third day. Akechi justify raising an army?' Jack asked as they broke camp on the morning of the third day.

Zenjubo looked at Jack, then nodded at Tenzen to explain.

'Officially,' said Tenzen, 'he's using the non-payment of rice tax as an excuse. At least, that's his reason for recruiting more samurai.'

'You samurai have an easy life,' commented s.h.i.+ro, 'not even having to grow your own rice.'

Miyuki tutted in disgust. 'It's got more to do with his samurai sense of pride. Daimyo Daimyo Akechi wants to finish what n.o.bunaga started. To achieve what the General failed to do. He's determined to wipe out the Akechi wants to finish what n.o.bunaga started. To achieve what the General failed to do. He's determined to wipe out the s.h.i.+n.o.bi s.h.i.+n.o.bi for good.' for good.'

'Quiet!' ordered Zenjubo as they came to the edge of the forest.

Ahead was a long road that led across a gra.s.sy open plain to the castle town of Maruyama. Upon a small hill at its centre, the fortress stood like a lone sentry. Encircled by a bailey wall, its base was constructed of coa.r.s.e-cut stone upon which a four-storey keep had been built. Its walls were crisp cloud-white, topped with curving roofs of grey tile. Set off to one side was a wooden watchtower with un.o.bstructed views of the plain.

'Kasumiga Jo,' whispered Tenzen. Mist Castle.

'Why's it called that?' asked Jack quietly.

'Legend has it that a fog descends to protect it in times of battle.'

'Let's go,' instructed Zenjubo, putting on his wicker basket. 's.h.i.+ro, stay here.'

'Why me?' complained s.h.i.+ro. 'I always get the boring jobs on a mission. Why can't I go on surveillance for once?'

'Do as I say. Guard the packs. Act as lookout. If something goes wrong, tell Shonin.'

s.h.i.+ro crossed his arms moodily, but did as he was told.

Zenjubo turned to Jack in his Komus Komus disguise. He took one look and pa.s.sed Jack a wet piece of bark. 'Rub your hands and lower arms with this,' he instructed. disguise. He took one look and pa.s.sed Jack a wet piece of bark. 'Rub your hands and lower arms with this,' he instructed.

'What's it for?' asked Jack, the bark leaving a light brown residue on his skin.

'The hairs on your arms give you away,' explained Zenjubo. 'They're too light in colour for a j.a.panese. Now, are you clear what you have to do on this mission?'

Jack nodded. They were to enter Maruyama in pairs, beg for alms in various locations, visit the temple, then leave. On their way through the town and castle grounds, they were to take note of the number of troops, horses, any artillery, the level of provisions and the state of readiness of the army. Jack had been partnered with Miyuki to investigate the town, while Tenzen and Zenjubo would infiltrate the castle.

A steady flow of traffic could be seen pa.s.sing in and out of the main gate. Some merchants had packhorses, but most were on foot, bearing their loads upon their backs. Two men, sweating in the heat, shouldered a fancy palanquin and people stepped aside to allow the important dignitary to pa.s.s. Then a young man came running out of town, leaving a trail of dust in his wake as he sprinted down the road.

'He's in a hurry,' Jack commented.

'Hikyaku,' muttered Zenjubo.

Jack looked to Tenzen for an explanation.

'We call them ”Flying Feet”. He's a courier. Merchants rely on them for business. But judging by his speed, he's delivering a message for the daimyo daimyo.'

Jack was intrigued. Maybe he could hire one of these Flying Feet to contact Akiko. The problem would be finding one he could trust.

Zenjubo waited for a lull in activity before leaving the cover of the forest. Walking slowly in a line, their shakuhachi shakuhachi in their hands, the four of them merged in with the traffic and approached the main gate. in their hands, the four of them merged in with the traffic and approached the main gate.

Through the grille of his basket, Jack saw a number of samurai guards on duty. They were randomly checking the travel permits of merchants entering the town. Only now did it strike Jack just how risky this mission was. If he was discovered, all his ninja training would be for nothing. Jack felt a desperate urge to turn back while he could.

'Just remember,' hissed Miyuki from behind, 'I'll be watching your every move.'

Jack held his breath as they levelled with the guards, but the samurai allowed the four of them to pa.s.s through unopposed. Maybe this was going to work, after all.

Zenjubo led them up the main street. The wooden buildings on either side were a mix of shops, inns, houses and shrines. Various banners and lanterns proclaimed their wares and services. A ball of cedar branches hung outside one establishment, indicating sake sake for sale. The smells of cooking wafted through the air from countless food stalls. Jack spotted an old woman crouched beside a brazier, grilling pieces of chicken. Smiling, he remembered how his old friend Saburo had loved for sale. The smells of cooking wafted through the air from countless food stalls. Jack spotted an old woman crouched beside a brazier, grilling pieces of chicken. Smiling, he remembered how his old friend Saburo had loved yakitori yakitori.

Zenjubo and Tenzen parted company with them in the market square. Miyuki found a spot beside a shrine, put down a small wooden bowl and began to play her flute. For the most part people ignored her, but then an old man tottered by and dropped in a copper coin.

While she was performing, Jack took the opportunity to gather the information they required. Glancing around, he was surprised at how busy the town was. Despite being in the middle of the Iga mountains, it was apparent that a large number of samurai had recently arrived. All the inns had signs declaring they were full and the main street was thronged with people, many carrying katana katana and and wakizas.h.i.+ wakizas.h.i.+. There could be no doubt that daimyo daimyo Akechi was raising a second battalion. Akechi was raising a second battalion.

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