Miyuki nodded in response and waited for Jack to say more. But the moment had passed and Jack left their previous conversation unfinished.

‘It’s been as quiet as a mouse,’ Yuudai informed Jack.

His unit were taking turns to patrol the barricade, their presence reinforced by the line of straw soldiers. Two farmers paced nervously up and down, building up their courage to peer every so often through the gaps. Beyond the spiked defence and the light of their fire, the road rapidly disappeared into sinister blackness.

If Akuma approached from the north, as Jack knew he was likely to, they wouldn’t have much of a warning.

‘The men are becoming tired and edgy,’ said Yuudai, under his breath. ‘They’re not used to guard duty.’

‘They shouldn’t have to wait much longer,’ replied Jack. ‘Junichi told me that Akuma always raids before midnight.’

‘Yes, he’ll come at the darkest hour to gain the best advantage,’ said Yuudai, grimly contemplating the unseen road. ‘How are the other units holding up?’

‘I’m visiting Saburo, then Hayato next. Miyuki’s had one false scare. Otherwise it’s just as quiet and her unit is just as scared.’

‘And Neko?’

Jack smiled at him. ‘Neko’s the bravest – the only one who dares venture beyond the firelight.’

Yuudai laughed, making some of the farmers jump in fright. ‘She’s fearless, that one. How I wish I’d seen her confront that bear.’

‘But if you’d been with us,’ said Jack, laughing too, ‘the bear would’ve run away before Neko got there!’

Confident that Yuudai had everything under control, Jack made his way down to the square. Yori was perched in the watchtower, keeping his eye out for the warning beacon.

‘Are you all right up there?’ called Jack.

‘Yes,’ replied Yori. ‘It’s so peaceful it’s easy to forget we’ll be fighting soon.’

‘Who knows? If Akuma’s repelled by our defences, we may not even have to,’ said Jack, although deep down he knew Akuma would never give up, especially when the bandit realized this was the village that had attacked his camp and freed the girls. ‘Ring the alarm if you see anything.’

Yori waved to him and resumed watching the skyline.

Jack joined Saburo on the village’s southern border. The whole stretch felt terribly exposed, with just the frozen paddy fields and the thorn-filled moat for defence.

‘It’s freezing,’ complained Saburo, stamping his feet for warmth. ‘No sane bandit would want to raid in these conditions.’

‘That’s because Akuma’s mad!’ said Kunio, shuddering despite sitting so close to their sentry fire he was almost in the flames.

‘Don’t make the mistake of thinking Akuma’s mad,’ Jack corrected the boy. ‘He knows exactly what he’s doing. This is the best time to attack, when you’re at your weakest and most vulnerable.’

‘So where is he?’