Neko wrinkled her brow, unwilling to relinquish her prize possession. But Hayato was insistent and took the sword from her. ‘You can carry a spear like the others.’

Miyuki came over, a thunderous expression on her face. ‘Why can’t she have it?’

‘She’s not a samurai,’ said Hayato matter-of-factly.

‘What difference does that make?’

Hayato held up the sword. ‘This is the weapon of a samurai. She’s a farmer.’

‘Of course,’ said Miyuki, her voice dripping with sarcasm. ‘There must be a clear hierarchy. We can’t have the samurai losing their only authority over the masses.’

‘Farmers don’t have the right to carry a sword.’

‘Neko has the right to defend herself!’

‘I don’t make the laws. I only uphold them,’ countered Hayato. ‘And that’s why we samurai are here – to fight for the farmers.’

Yuudai now stepped to Neko’s defence. ‘Hayato, you can’t deny she has the spirit of a warrior.’

‘And the stealth of a ninja,’ added Miyuki quickly.

‘I have to agree,’ said Yori, joining the debate as he noticed the disagreement drawing the attention of the other villagers and causing a stir. ‘Neko has proven her worth on a number of occasions. Perhaps we can make a temporary exception in her case?’

Yori bowed respectfully to Hayato. ‘If you agree, of course.’

Finding himself in the minority, Hayato reluctantly handed back the weapon.

Neko grinned as she took the sword and attempted to slip it into her obi.

Hayato rolled his eyes at her fumbling. ‘Someone teach her how to use it, at least before she cuts off her fingers!’

24 A Dark Secret

24

A DARK SECRET

The afternoon was filled with displays of out-of-step marching, clattering weapon drills and shambolic defence formations. Despite the aid of Yuudai’s booming voice, Hayato’s attempt to transform the rabble into an organized military battalion was proving an impossible task.

The farmers weren’t used to the discipline and coordination required to be an effective soldier. They often forgot which unit they were in. Multiple commands confused them. The weapons in their hands were wielded with little or no skill, the spears being twice their height and cumbersome. And the mere idea of fighting and killing someone daunted many of them.

At one point, the Digging unit charged the Bridge unit and there was a near-fatal collision of sides, the tragedy only averted by the quick-thinking Yori. By then, dusk was approaching and Hayato decided to call it a day. Demoralized and exhausted, the farmers trudged back to their homes. Equally dispirited, the young samurai returned to Sora’s farmhouse for much-needed food and rest.

‘That was a nightmare!’ sighed Miyuki, as they slumped round the hearth and waited for Neko to cook their rice.

‘It is only their first day,’ reminded Yori with forced optimism.