‘And who might you be?’ asked Jack, unperturbed.

‘Sir Toby Nashe. And you?’

‘Jack Fletcher.’

‘No “Sir”?’ He eyed Jack disdainfully. ‘Then you must relinquish your swords, for you are no knight.’

Jack stiffened. ‘I will do no such thing.’

Sir Toby got to his feet, planting his hands on his hips. ‘You have no choice. It is the law of this land.’

Jack shook his head. ‘I’ve been bestowed the rank of hatamoto by the Regent of Japan. I am a samurai. So I’ve the right to carry a sword. Two, in fact.’ Jack now stood so the full length of his katana and wakizashi could be clearly seen, their black lacquered sayas gleaming in the muted candlelight.

‘That title holds no status here in England,’ answered Sir Toby. ‘Hand over your swords.’

‘No,’ said Jack, squaring up to him. There was no way on earth he’d surrender his weapons to a stranger!

A tense silence descended on the inn. Everyone was watching the stand-off, some still with their tankards of beer half-raised to their lips.

‘Jack …’ intervened Yori timidly, ‘perhaps our room is ready now.’

His eyes still locked on Sir Toby’s, Jack slowly nodded. ‘Yes, I’ve had enough of the poor company in this tavern. Let’s retire to our quarters.’

‘Don’t walk away from me! We’re not finished,’ shouted Sir Toby, stamping his foot like an impetuous child.

Jack continued to follow Akiko and Yori in the direction of the stairs. But Sir Toby rushed forward to block his path. ‘Hand over your swords now!’

‘On whose authority?’ Jack challenged.

‘The King’s.’

It was Jack’s turn to laugh. ‘You don’t speak for the King.’

Sir Toby’s face went livid. ‘You dare to mock me? I have connections with His Majesty, don’t you know!’

‘Oh yes? Well, I know the Emperor of Japan,’ said Jack, pushing past.

Suppressed laughter rippled through the inn. Sir Toby bristled, his moustache quivering on his upper lip. ‘Are you giving me the lie?’

Jack glanced over his shoulder at the pompous man and shrugged. ‘If you say you know the King, you know the King.’ Then he turned and headed towards the stairs.

But he’d barely put his foot on the first step when he heard Sir Toby call out, ‘You have offended my honour, sirrah! I challenge you to a duel!’

5: A Matter of Honour

‘Are all your fellow countrymen so quick to anger?’ asked Akiko as they were frogmarched through the city gates to the open space of Moorfields, a knot of curious onlookers trailing in their wake. ‘Everyone we’ve met so far wishes to insult us, rob us or kill us!’

‘Now you know how I felt in Japan!’ Jack muttered irritably.