Part 18 (2/2)

He remembered the other prisoners in the pit and considered trying to release them too. But before he could act, Jack heard the sound of the gate being unlocked. Sprinting for the cover of the tree, he used his Ring of Earth skills to blend in with the trunk, ensuring his arms covered his blond hair.

Two samurai guards entered the courtyard, pa.s.sing so close that Jack could have reached out and touched them.

'I hate night duty,' one of them mumbled.

As soon as they had their backs to him, Jack silently climbed the tree. Once he was high enough, he leapt to the top of the nearest wall, landing with cat-like grace.

'BREAKOUT!' cried one of the samurai, discovering the unconscious guard and empty cage.

Jack jumped from the wall as several samurai, carrying flaming torches, burst into the courtyard. He landed in an alleyway and ran for his life. As more shouts broke out around the castle, he scaled the bailey wall and dropped down the other side. He zigzagged through the town trying to avoid any samurai. Entering the market square, Jack saw the orange-red glow of torches heading his way. Samurai were converging on him from both directions.

Desperately looking around, Jack spotted a water barrel beside a storehouse. Das.h.i.+ng over, he climbed in. Expelling all the air from his lungs, he took three deep breaths. The barrel was nearly three-quarters full, so by the time he'd submerged himself the water was over his head.

Holding his breath, he waited. By the reflected light of their torches, he knew at least two samurai had stopped next to his barrel. As his breath ebbed away, Jack willed them to move on.

But they didn't.

His lungs were approaching their limit and Jack screwed his eyes shut, drawing on all his ninja breathing training. An unconsciousness ninja is as good as dead An unconsciousness ninja is as good as dead.

He couldn't hold his breath any longer. Bursting from the barrel, he emerged, sword drawn.

But all the samurai had gone.

Clambering out, Jack gulped down several mouthfuls of water to slake his thirst from his day in the sun, before taking to the backstreets. Keeping to the shadows, he worked his way to the town's outer wall. More a boundary than a barricade, Jack scaled it with little problem and dropped down on to the edge of the plain.

Stealing himself for a suicidal dash to the safety of the forest, he prayed they wouldn't spot him. Jack broke from the cover of the wall and ran hard. The earth pounded beneath his feet. The tall gra.s.s whipped past.

'There he is!' came a cry.

A moment later, an arrow shot by, barely missing him, followed by another. But he daren't look back.

All of a sudden, he was aware of the sound of horses' hooves. He'd never be able to outrun a mounted samurai. The darkened forest was drawing closer with every step. If he could reach it, he might just have a chance.

Remembering his Dragon Breathing, he put on a burst of speed.

35.

A FALSE A ACCUSATION.

The shouts of the samurai were coming nearer and nearer with every step. Jack could almost feel the snorting breath of the horses upon his neck.

He wasn't going to make it.

With one last desperate effort, he lunged forward and the undergrowth enveloped him. Slipping through the bushes and vaulting a fallen log, Jack entered the forest. He weaved between the trees, the dense foliage and darkness covering his escape.

Only when he was sure the samurai had lost his trail, did Jack slow his pace. He took a moment to catch his breath in a small clearing and gather his bearings. It was virtually pitch-black in the forest, but Jack identified the northern star through a gap in the canopy and calculated the direction he should head in.

Suddenly he was seized from behind and thrown to the ground, a blade held to his throat.

Jack smiled. 'Miyuki,' he said, more relieved than he could ever have imagined at seeing the girl.

'How did you manage to escape?' she demanded, the knife still at his neck.

'Good to see you too,' replied Jack, wondering if she had had actually betrayed him. 'I knocked out the guard.' actually betrayed him. 'I knocked out the guard.'

'Just the one one guard?' she queried. guard?' she queried.

Jack nodded. 'I used a technique you you taught me. Fall Down Fist. Then I evaded the other guards.' taught me. Fall Down Fist. Then I evaded the other guards.'

Miyuki reluctantly let him up.

'Where are the others?' asked Jack.

's.h.i.+ro's gone to inform Shonin of your capture. Tenzen's with him. Zenjubo went to find you in the castle. Let's go,' she said, shouldering her pack.

'Shouldn't we wait for him?'

Miyuki shook her head. 'Zenjubo can look after himself.'

She strode off, heading south.

'But isn't the village that way?' said Jack, pointing east.

Miyuki glared at him. 'Don't think like a samurai. Think like a ninja. Do you want to lead the whole of Akechi's army there? Do you? Why do you think he let you escape so easily?'

'Easily? I was held in a cage. I had to pick the lock, leap a castle wall, hide in a water barrel and run for my life!' I was held in a cage. I had to pick the lock, leap a castle wall, hide in a water barrel and run for my life!'

'The daimyo daimyo isn't stupid. A isn't stupid. A single single guard for a sworn enemy of the Shogun? Akechi guard for a sworn enemy of the Shogun? Akechi let let you escape.' you escape.'

She looked him straight in the eye, as if trying to peer into his heart. 'I bet you struck a deal with him for your freedom.'

Jack stared aghast at Miyuki. 'I didn't betray anyone anyone!' he protested.

'We'll see about that.'

Shonin, Momochi and Soke held council. Jack knelt before them in the farmhouse reception room. Miyuki, s.h.i.+ro and Tenzen, having already given their account of the mission, sat at the back listening to Jack's story of his escape. Zenjubo had yet to return.

'And you did not reveal the location of our village?' asked Shonin.

'No,' replied Jack.

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