Jack tensed as Akiko stood poised like a scorpion ready to strike. Assessing each other as if old enemies, they sought the familiar telltale signs that one of them was about to attack. Jack shifted his foot. Akiko flinched. She twitched the tip of her rapier. He reacted with a flick of his blade. Then, just as he lunged, Rose entered the courtyard.

‘Good news!’ she announced, putting down a heavy basket of bread and other provisions.

Distracted, Jack’s face immediately turned to look at her. At the same time his attack was parried and a lightning-fast riposte struck him in the chest. ‘Touché!’ cried Signor Horatio. ‘Akiko wins!’

But Jack didn’t care who had won or lost. He only cared about what Rose had to say.

‘Sorry, Jack, nothing to do with your sister,’ said Rose, answering his querying look. ‘But they have found Rakesby … or at least what’s left of him!’

33: Pommelling

‘Can you see how Jack invites an attack?’ whispered Signor Horatio to Rose, as they leant over the balcony watching the duel play out in the courtyard below. ‘He’s intentionally left his high outside flank open to encourage Akiko to strike there.’

‘Then why isn’t she attacking?’ asked Rose under her breath.

A sly smile crept across Signor Horatio’s lips. ‘She’s too clever to fall for that old trick.’

In the courtyard, Jack and Akiko warily circled each other, rapier and parrying dagger in hand. The two students had a right to be cautious. Over the course of the week, their sword master had introduced them to feints, parries, presses and binds. He’d shown them how to glide down an opponent’s blade. How to void an attack. Perform circular thrusts. And strike with accuracy at the hands, face, throat, eyes and even the teeth. Their previous experience with the samurai sword had meant they both picked up the rapier techniques swiftly, and they progressed faster than the average student. But it was their unique training in the Two Heavens that had enabled them to master the dual combination of rapier and dagger so quickly.

Akiko stamped her front foot loudly on the flagstones. Jack tensed for an attack. But none came.

‘Nice attempt at an appel by Akiko to startle and distract Jack,’ whispered Signor Horatio approvingly.