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Back The Ring of Wind Save as PDF
Chapters (71)
  1. CHRIS BRADFORD
  2. Contents
  3. Map: The Japans – 17th Century
  4. The Letter
  5. 1
  6. 2
  7. 3
  8. 4
  9. 5
  10. 6
  11. 7
  12. 8
  13. 9
  14. 10
  15. 11
  16. 12
  17. 13
  18. 14
  19. 15
  20. 16
  21. 17
  22. 18
  23. 19
  24. 20
  25. 21
  26. 22
  27. 23
  28. 24
  29. 25
  30. 26
  31. 27
  32. 28
  33. 29
  34. 30
  35. 31
  36. 32
  37. 33
  38. 34
  39. 35
  40. 36
  41. 37
  42. 38
  43. 39
  44. 40
  45. 41
  46. 42
  47. 43
  48. 44
  49. 45
  50. 46
  51. 47
  52. 48
  53. 49
  54. 50
  55. 51
  56. 52
  57. 53
  58. 54
  59. 55
  60. 56
  61. 57
  62. 58
  63. 59
  64. 60
  65. 61
  66. 62
  67. 63
  68. Notes on the Sources
  69. Ninja Pirate Ship Competition
  70. Japanese Glossary
  71. Acknowledgements

‘The Wind Demons don’t pillage such communities or steal from struggling fishermen,’ she asserted. ‘We only target the Sea Samurai and rich traders – cargo boats, grain ships and vessels carrying rice tax. Then we redistribute our gains to those less fortunate.’

‘Like us pirates!’ said Captain Kujira, sharing a laugh with the other captains.

‘And local fishing villages,’ stressed Tatsumaki, remaining deadly serious. ‘We offer them protection from the Sea Samurai too. So, Jack, that is the true life of a pirate.’

Despite her argument, Jack still couldn’t believe that a pirate was more saintly than a samurai, especially considering the opulence of her citadel and the riches on display all over Pirate Island. ‘You expect me to have sympathy for Wind Demons?’

‘No, just your understanding,’ replied Tatsumaki. ‘Why not judge for yourself when you come on the raid tomorrow? See exactly the sort of riches the samurai keep from their subjects.’

‘I’m no pirate,’ stated Jack.

‘We’re intercepting a ship destined for the new capital Edo. It’s a shuinsen, one of the Red Seal ships of the Shogun himself. We’ve been planning this raid for months. The boat will be well guarded and armed with cannon. And with Captain Kurogumo having lost so many men, we need a skilled warrior like yourself on-board.’

Jack shook his head. ‘I refuse to go.’

‘Don’t you want to strike a blow against the Shogun?’ persisted Tatsumaki.

‘I’d rather escape his clutches, not run towards them.’

‘But the ship will be carrying rice tax that we can give back to the villages.’

‘You don’t need me to do that. And don’t you want me to translate the rutter?’

‘That can wait a day or so. This treasure ship is here and now. Besides, it’s the perfect opportunity for me to see you in action for myself. I insist you go with us … otherwise I can’t promise the continued safety of your friends.’

From her veiled threat, it was clear that the Pirate Queen wouldn’t take no for an answer. And Jack had to admit that the chance to help local farmers, as well as put a thorn in the Shogun’s side, was appealing. But more importantly such a raid presented other opportunities.

‘I’ll only agree if my friends come too,’ said Jack.

Tatsumaki grinned at him. ‘Not on your life. They remain here as insurance that you’ll obey my commands.’

Realizing Tatsumaki held all the cards, Jack asked, ‘How will I know you’ll keep your word?’

‘You don’t. It’s a matter of trust,’ Tatsumaki replied. ‘But he who is afraid to shake the dice will never throw a six.’

38

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Cutting Out

‘There’s our prize,’ said Tatsumaki, pointing to the shuinsen anchored in Hikari Harbour two nights later.