And so it went on. The rest of the morning was taken up with warding and lunging, until Signor Horatio was wholly convinced that both his students had mastered the two techniques. He then moved them on to the straw dummy, ensuring their thrusts were true and straight and would penetrate their target each and every time. When their teacher finally called a break, the muscles in Jack’s legs and arms were aching and a blister had formed on his thumb where he’d been gripping the hilt. But he felt a deep satisfaction at having learnt the basics of a new sword style, as well as a renewed confidence that, under Signor Horatio’s tutelage, he would be more of a match for Sir Toby.

As they returned their rapiers to the rack, he smiled at Akiko. ‘It’s like being back at the Niten Ichi Ryū!’ he said.

Akiko nodded and smiled too. Yet in her eyes there was also a longing. An undeniable yearning for her homeland.

32: Parry and Riposte

‘Come on, Jack – we can’t sit here all afternoon,’ said Akiko, getting to her feet. ‘We need to train.’

‘But this is where I spotted Jess,’ he replied, not taking his eyes off the people passing by. He was perched on an empty beer barrel at the corner of the High Street, a position that afforded him clear views of all Stratford’s main thoroughfares and the marketplace. Signor Horatio had made enquiries with a number of town officials about Sir Toby and Jess, but so far they’d come to nothing. No one appeared to know the gentleman or to have seen a blonde girl fitting his sister’s description. Jack realized that his task would be a whole lot easier if he still had the locket to show people her portrait. So with no clue as to where the coach might have been heading, beyond due west, Jack felt his best option was to stand watch and hope Jess or Sir Toby made a return visit to town.

‘Signor Horatio will be waiting for us,’ urged Akiko. ‘It would be disrespectful to turn up late.’

Jack didn’t move. He was torn between the need to find his sister and the need to learn to handle the rapier. Jess was being held against her will – of that Jack was sure – which meant he needed every skill he could get in order to free her. And yet … what if he missed seeing his sister in town?

Rose, who leant against the wall eating an apple, gazed round at the quiet streets. ‘It might be better to wait for market day,’ she suggested, ‘or else Sunday, when most of the parish will be here for church. Otherwise, you could be wasting your time.’

‘This is not a waste of time!’ insisted Jack, his tone sharper than he’d intended.