‘We’re figuring out how to save Yori,’ Jack explained to the abashed Toge.

Toge observed the distance across paddy fields to the pyre. ‘You’re willing to sacrifice all your lives for one person?’

‘That’s what it means to be samurai,’ Jack replied, recalling his guardian Masamoto’s core belief – and the one Yamato had followed to his tragic end to save him and Akiko. ‘Besides, Yori’s my friend. I’d willingly give my life for his.’

‘It may not come to that,’ said Hayato, a smile coming to his lips. ‘We still have one hope … Miyuki.’

Jack kept a vigil, watching over Yori from afar. He now realized Akuma’s tactic to take a hostage hadn’t been to force a surrender. The execution was being staged to terrorize and intimidate the young samurai – a show of cruelty designed to break their fighting spirit and poison their morale.

Hayato’s arguments against an immediate rescue attempt had been difficult to accept. But even Jack could see that it would be foolish to run blindly into a trap – particularly one they had no chance of coming out from alive. Still, he felt as if he was betraying his dear friend yet again, breaking his promise to protect him – just as he’d failed to do during the Battle of Osaka Castle. Now all Jack could do was pray Miyuki succeeded in her mission before midnight. Yori’s life depended upon it.

But looking up at the stars, Jack judged she didn’t have long left.

The torch in the paddy field had finally burnt out and Yori was enveloped in darkness. Jack could still picture his friend tied to the stake, the logs at his feet waiting to be ignited. He listened hard for any indication Akuma might have been killed … Nothing.

In the distance, a new flaming torch was lit. The ominous light floated through the dark like the disembodied head of a fiery demon. Then it stopped level with the pyre.

Yori still hung limp from his bindings, his head bowed upon his chest.

Nakamura’s face, both burnt and scarred, appeared fiendish in the red glow of the flames.

‘GAIJIN!’ he called, looking for Jack among the farmers who huddled by their sentry fires. When he spied Jack’s blond hair, a malicious grin spread across his blistered lips. ‘Do you surrender?’

Jack stared into the surrounding darkness. Where are you, Miyuki?

‘I asked you a question, gaijin!’ shouted Nakamura, holding the torch aloft.

Against all his natural instincts, Jack gave his defiant reply. ‘WE DO … NOT SURRENDER!’

52 The Burning Pyre

52

THE BURNING PYRE

Nakamura threw the burning torch on to the pyre. The logs quickly caught alight and the fire began to spread. Yori’s head remained bowed in prayer as the flames encircled him and smoke billowed into the night sky.

‘We can’t wait for Miyuki,’ said Jack, drawing his sword to charge.