‘First blood!’ Sir Henry declared, and the crowd burst into rapturous applause at Jack’s skilful and unexpected victory.

Sir Toby dabbed the back of his hand to his nostril. ‘It’s only a nose bleed! Let us continue!’

But his protests were drowned out by the clamour and handclapping. Unwilling to concede defeat, Sir Toby grabbed another rapier from the rack and launched a furious assault on Jack, the blade whipping through the air like a whirling dervish. But knowing Sir Toby was a man without honour, Jack had been prepared for such a move – he’d remained on guard and was now quick to parry the attacks.

‘Sir Toby, lay down your arms!’ commanded Sir Henry.

Defiant and seething, he pressed on. Sir Toby thrust again and again, determined to skewer Jack through the heart. This time Jack responded with a different Two Heavens technique: Mountain to Sea. Attacking in a highly unexpected manner, Jack threw his parrying dagger at Sir Toby. The blade went spinning, end over end, and the hilt struck him dead centre in the forehead. Sir Toby staggered and fell to the floor, where Jack planted the needle-sharp tip of his rapier on his heart.

‘I swear I will run you through,’ threatened Jack, ‘unless you tell me the truth!’

All the colour drained from Sir Toby’s cheeks as he realized he was defeated. ‘You want the truth?’ he spat, his voice quavering. ‘Then you shall have it. Your precious sister is dead!’

‘Dead?’ said Jack, the word sounding like a church bell’s toll in his head. ‘How can that be? I saw her but a week ago, alive, in Stratford.’

Sir Toby held Jack’s questioning gaze. ‘She fell from the carriage, trying to get out to see you, and was run over by the wheels.’ Sir Toby gave a great sob, a tear ran down his cheek. ‘Believe me, I tried to save her but she was beyond help.’

‘You lie!’ cried Jack, pressing down on the rapier until its tip pierced his opponent’s chest.

‘NO!’ Sir Toby screamed as blood seeped from the wound. ‘I swear that’s the truth. On my life!’

‘Lower your sword, Jack!’ commanded Sir Henry. ‘He has no reason to lie. You have him at your mercy.’

For a moment, Jack thought about driving the blade all the way home. Surely a just punishment to avenge Jess?

Then Yori was at his side, a small hand resting upon his to stay his sword. ‘Killing him will not bring Jess back,’ said his friend quietly. ‘Think about the consequences, Jack. People who fight fire with fire usually end up with ashes!’

Jack was reminded of his old Zen master’s words from his first year in Japan: You must never forget your bushido. Rectitude, your ability to judge what is wrong and what is right, is the keystone to being samurai …