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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

‘You want influence and power,’ said Jack hurriedly. ‘Then the rutter can give you dominion over the seas. The knowledge inside this logbook ensures safe passage across the world’s oceans. With it, you could control the trade routes between nations to your advantage.’

Tatsumaki’s interest was piqued. ‘So this is the reason why the Shogun is so determined to catch you.’

She held up her hand to Snakehead and Tiger, as Miyuki dangled precariously over the lagoon far below. The Pirate Queen looked to Captain Kurogumo, who was grinning from ear to ear.

‘We could pirate all the ships we wanted,’ he enthused. ‘Demand protection tolls. The Wind Demons would command the world’s riches!’

Miyuki’s life hung in the balance as Tatsumaki considered Jack’s offer.

‘Spare the ninja,’ she ordered, much to Snakehead and Tiger’s disappointment.

The two pirates pulled Miyuki back from the brink and dumped her on the balcony deck.

Tatsumaki smiled warmly at Jack. ‘Give me your hand.’

Jack warily held it out. The Pirate Queen flicked the top of her fan across his open palm. He winced as its hidden razor edge cut a line into his skin. Blood oozed forth. Then she did the same to herself and pressed their palms together.

‘It’s a blood oath. If this rutter is as powerful as you say, I’ll let you and all your friends go free. Trick me or attempt to escape, and you’ll all be thrown overboard into the lagoon. Understand?’

Jack nodded.

‘I’m not certain everybody does,’ said Tatsumaki, looking directly at Cheng. ‘Some are still deceiving me.’

35

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Deception

‘Do you think Cheng’s been thrown into the lagoon?’ asked Yori, trying to get a view of the balcony through their barred window. All he could see was the sheer drop into the crater.

Jack and his friends had been escorted into a luxurious, yet secure, room within the citadel. Painted scrolls of dragons and tigers adorned the bamboo walls and silk cushions were spread out across the tatami-matted floor. A low table was laid with several bowls of cooked rice, exquisitely sliced fish and fresh water. They were now the esteemed guests of the Pirate Queen. But the two armed guards outside their solid bamboo door were a clear reminder that in truth they remained prisoners.

Cheng, detained by Tatsumaki for further questioning, had yet to reappear. The pirate boy’s fate was uncertain after Captain Kurogumo had listed his acts of treachery. But, whatever deception he was practising, Cheng had remained tight-lipped.

‘We haven’t heard anybody scream,’ said Saburo optimistically, tucking into the feast while he had the chance. ‘At least … not yet.’

Jack sat with Miyuki, who’d been quiet ever since her last-minute reprieve of execution.

‘Tatsumaki won’t harm you. You’re safe now,’ Jack comforted her.