Junichi, hastily putting down his own cup, declared, ‘I have no doubt in your abilities, young samurai.’ With a nervous smile, he added, ‘Sora has offered his house for as long as you wish to stay. And you may use my bathtub at any time.’

Jack acknowledged their hospitality. His point having been made, he sheathed his katana and returned to his meal.

Rested, bathed and fed, Jack felt like a new person as he stepped out of Sora’s house and into the morning sun. Last night was the first time he’d enjoyed an undisturbed sleep in weeks. At this rate, it would only take him a few days to recover his full strength.

Neko, now his constant companion, was waiting outside. Sora also joined him on his stroll down to the village pond. As Jack passed other homes, he was greeted with respectful bows and kindly looks, and it was clear the farmers had accepted him into their community. Although he could never truly be a part of Japanese society, there were moments like this when the barriers dropped and Jack felt like he belonged – just as he always did at Akiko’s side. His thoughts went out to his closest friend and Jack prayed she was safe and well. Kazuki had vowed revenge on Akiko for disabling his sword hand with an arrow during the Battle of Osaka Castle. Yet despite having recently saved his rival’s life in return for the promise of her safety, Jack didn’t trust Kazuki. That’s why he’d sent his friend Hana to warn Akiko, while Jack left clues along his route, so that his arch-rival would track him down instead.

‘Are you all right?’ enquired Sora, noticing the frown on Jack’s face.

Jack nodded. ‘I’m concerned for my friends.’

‘Aren’t we all?’ he replied mournfully.

Jack studied Sora’s despairing expression and sensed an inconsolable loss in the old man’s heart. But it wasn’t just him. On reflection, Jack realized that all the farmers bore a similar air of grief. He’d put this down to the impending threat posed by Akuma, but even the children in the square were solemn and unusually subdued.

It was then Jack noticed there were hardly any young girls – only mothers and their smallest children.

‘Where are the girls of your village?’

Sora sniffed. ‘All gone.’

‘You mean, to market?’

‘No, abducted.’

Jack was stopped in his tracks. ‘Who abducted them?’

‘Akuma! Who else?’ spat Sora, clenching his fists in futile rage. ‘He took my only daughter.’

Sora began to sob uncontrollably at the memory.

‘The first two years … Akuma only stole our rice … leaving us barely enough to survive … But last winter … he kidnapped our girls to become the bandits’ slaves!’

‘Do you know where they took them?’ asked Jack, appalled at this news.

‘No. We searched for months, but the bandits’ camp is hidden somewhere deep in the mountains. Our girls are lost forever!’