‘King James wishes you good fortune on your voyage,’ said Lord Percival, handing Jack his precious rutter. They were standing on the quayside the following morning. It was a wholly different day from the one before. The dawn sun was warm, the sky blue and cloudless, and the air fresh and crisp, a steady westerly breeze blowing. London gleamed like a jewel in the autumnal light, the gothic tower of St Paul’s a beacon above the shining roofs of the city. A regal bevy of swans glided over the waters of the Thames and countless ferries weaved in and out of one another like damselflies. The dockside was hectic and noisy, yet the bustle had a reassuring rhythm to its chaos – and no victims hung from the pirate gallows overlooking Somers Quay.

Gratefully welcoming the return of the logbook, Jack was then given an envelope with an official red wax seal.

‘As His emissary to the Japans,’ explained Lord Percival, ‘you are asked by King James to deliver this letter of goodwill to the Emperor and he trusts that a mutually beneficial trading agreement can be brokered.’

‘I’ll do my utmost to fulfil His Majesty’s request,’ said Jack, respectfully taking the letter and stowing it safely in his pack with the rutter. As part of the deal for securing their pardon, Jack was to act as the official royal envoy to the Japans. The promise of a lucrative trade agreement between those islands and England had helped Lord Percival convince the King of Jack and his friends’ merit. But much of the credit for their last-minute pardon belonged to Rose, whose idea it had been in the first place to approach Lord and Lady Percival for help. Signor Horatio, being a knighted gentleman, had been able to make a direct approach to the lord who in turn had then secured an audience with His Majesty.

‘Once again we must thank you and Lady Catherine for your kind graces and timely intervention,’ said Jack, inclining his head stiffly, his neck still sore from the noose’s burn.

‘We offer you our deepest gratitude too,’ said Akiko, bowing low with Yori.

‘Consider it a good deed returned,’ Lord Percival replied heartily. ‘If it wasn’t for you and your friends, I’d likely still be tied half-naked to a tree, and my darling Lady Catherine here would be without a head!’ At this, she curtseyed her gratitude. ‘Saving you from the gallows was the least I could do.’ An arch smile crossed his lips. ‘Just don’t fall foul of the law again. The King won’t pardon you twice!’

Akiko laughed. ‘You can be assured, my lord, that we’ve no intention of getting into further trouble upon these shores.’

Yori raised an eyebrow and murmured wistfully, ‘The only problem is – trouble seems to find us!’

Patting his friend amiably on the back, Jack said, ‘It’s lucky, then, that we watch one another’s backs.’