Saburo with a handful of farmers, who’d volunteered for the task, prepared to race across the paddy fields and rescue Yori.

Hayato barred their way. ‘STOP! This wasn’t the plan.’

‘But Yori will die if we don’t go now.’

‘We agreed only if Miyuki killed Akuma.’

‘STAND ASIDE!’ ordered Jack.

Hayato refused to budge. ‘Miyuki’s clearly failed in her mission. Unless the bandits are leaderless, any rescue attempt is a death sentence to those who go.’

Upon hearing this, the volunteer farmers shuffled back from the moat, their nerve gone.

‘Then I’ll go alone,’ Jack insisted.

‘Not without me,’ said Saburo.

‘I’ll go too,’ insisted Yuto, terrified but determined to pay back his life debt to Jack.

From the paddy fields, the crackle and spit of burning wood could be heard.

‘Listen, both of you,’ said Hayato, confronting Jack and Saburo. ‘Being a samurai may mean sacrifice. But in this case it is Yori who must pay that price. Don’t throw your lives away. If you do, Akuma wins. The village will fall. And everyone’s sacrifice will have been in vain.’

In his head, Jack knew Hayato was talking sense. But in his heart, the torment of such a decision was insufferable. He’d prefer to die trying, than do nothing and watch his friend burn alive.

Countless sparks flew up into the night sky and the flickering flames of the fiercely burning pyre lit the paddy field. At its boundary where the darkness still prevailed, blades glinted and shadowy figures moved.

‘See! Akuma’s men are waiting for you,’ said Hayato.

‘He’s right. It’s a trap,’ said Saburo, hanging his head in defeat.

‘Yori wouldn’t want you to die for nothing,’ insisted Hayato. ‘But I’ll no longer stand in your way …’

All of a sudden the pyre became a bonfire and Yori was engulfed in flames. His helmet and breastplate offered scant protection against the raging heat. Yet Yori didn’t struggle or cry out. He remained courageous until the end.

‘YORI!’ cried Jack, dropping to his knees, weak with grief.

Saburo sobbed beside him, tears streaming down his face.

Hayato forced himself to watch, feeling wretched for having prevented the rescue. ‘He’s truly a brave samurai, not even screaming –’

‘It’s not in a monk’s nature to,’ said a voice.

Miyuki emerged from the darkness. Jack’s relief at seeing her safe was mixed with his despair at Yori’s fate.

‘Is Akuma dead then?’ he demanded.

Miyuki shook her head with regret.

‘Why ever not?’ Jack snapped, his sorrow boiling over into anger.

‘I had to make a choice,’ she explained. ‘Kill Akuma or …’

Stepping aside, Yori miraculously appeared behind her.

Jack and Saburo did a double take.