‘Only pirate ships dare approach these islands,’ boasted the captain. ‘A fierce tidal race rips through the strait. Any other boat to try has been wrecked upon the rocks. Unless you know how and when to sail these treacherous waters, you’re done for.’
Caught by the current, the Black Spider picked up speed. Commanding his men to lower the mainsail, Captain Kurogumo leant upon the tiller and guided his ship into the confines of the strait. The Wind Demons fell silent as their captain wove a tricky course between cliff boulders and submerged rocks. As they sailed through the channel, Jack noticed two things almost at once. First, there was a hidden wooden fort on top of the smaller island, its battlements bristling with cannon and heavily armed pirates. The second was the craggy gap in the larger island’s cliff face – undetectable from the open sea.
Captain Kurogumo nosed the Black Spider towards the opening.
‘Welcome to our humble lair,’ said the captain.
Jack and his friends gasped in wonderment. On the other side lay a huge blue lagoon encircled by sheer walls. Sheltered from wind and storm, it made the ideal secret harbour. At least thirty pirate ships were docked at the floating jetty that skirted the base of the northern cliff. Jack’s attention was caught by a crew of Wind Demons unloading goods from a ship bearing the crest of a sea serpent. They were hauling their spoils up the rock face on a system of pulleys, winches and wooden elevators. As his gaze rose, he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Overlooking the lagoon, a pirate settlement clung to the sides of the precipice. A network of walkways and ladders connected hanging cabins, houses and storerooms to create a vertical town. Ninja pirates swarmed like ants up and down the levels. At the very summit, a citadel dominated the cliff top. The wooden structure resembled a dragon’s head, with a fortified balcony protruding like a thrusting jaw over the lagoon.
A dark figure stood fearlessly at its end, observing the Black Spider’s approach.
33
Tatsumaki
‘Pirate Island is a collapsed volcano, its crater flooded by the sea,’ explained Captain Kurogumo, steering the Black Spider towards an empty mooring. ‘As a secret sealed in blood, no Wind Demon will ever reveal its location. And nor will you,’ he added ominously.
Jack looked gravely at his friends. They all shared the same condemned expression and he too wondered if this hidden lagoon would be their final resting place. Despite all their efforts and hardships, he now realized his quest to reach Nagasaki and return home to his sister, Jess, had been little more than a pipe dream, a mountain that would forever remain insurmountable.
The crew of the Black Spider threw dock lines to the awaiting pirates on the jetty, and the ship was secured and the gangway lowered.
‘Now we mustn’t keep Tatsumaki waiting,’ said Captain Kurogumo, ordering Skullface and his gang to escort the prisoners.
The sharp end of Skullface’s sword ensured that Jack and his friends didn’t dawdle. They were forced down the gangway and on to the jetty. As they headed for a winched lift, they heard a scream from above. Looking up, they saw a body flailing through the air. Having fallen from the balcony, the man dropped like a stone. He hit the water with a bone-cracking smack, the impact instantly killing him.
The Wind Demons barely paid the dead man any attention as he sank into the lagoon without a trace. The dark figure at the end of the balcony remained.
‘Tatsumaki must be in a bad mood today,’ observed Captain Kurogumo with a sorry shake of his head.
Stepping on to a bamboo-framed platform, the captain indicated for Jack, Yori and Skullface to join him. Miyuki, Saburo and Cheng stayed behind, guarded by Tiger and Snakehead, as four men worked a winch to draw the lift upwards. The rickety construction ascended steadily. Jack was glad he had a head for heights, but Yori looked far less at ease, clutching on to the frame with white knuckles. As each level passed, Jack noted there was an obvious hierarchy – the further up the cliff face they went, the more prevalent the share of ill-gotten gains became, with the dwellings increasingly spacious and well-appointed. By the time they neared the top, some houses were as opulent as royal palaces.
The lift finally reached the citadel level. The four of them stepped off on to a suspended walkway and the lift descended to collect the others. As they stood outside a barred gate waiting for its return, Jack feared what the leader of the Wind Demons might have in store for him and his friends. To toss a man from such a perilous height was the act of a cruel and callous pirate. By all counts, Tatsumaki seemed to be even more sadistic and ruthless than the Sea Samurai Captain Arashi.
But Jack had faced such brutal men before and overcome them: the ninja-hater daimyo Akechi, the bandit leader Akuma and, of course, his long-dead nemesis Dragon Eye. Whatever fate awaited him and his friends within the citadel, Jack was determined to fight for their lives with every ounce of strength he possessed.
The lift reappeared and Miyuki, Saburo and Cheng, along with their armed escort, joined them on the walkway. Captain Kurogumo rang a large brass bell hanging beside the entrance. A moment later, the gates parted to reveal a sumptuous hallway inside. Silk curtains lined the walls and windows, ornate lanterns hung from the beams and off to the sides were numerous soft tatami-matted rooms, filled with exquisite paintings and ornamental weaponry. They were led down the hall and out on to the balcony.
The heady view took Jack’s breath away. The entire ring of the crater was visible: a tree-lined ridge with a panorama of the rippling Seto Sea beyond. The sun rose directly in line with the balcony. Below, like an enormous eye, the crystal-blue lagoon stared back up at them, the pirate ships now little bigger than children’s toys.
A figure leant upon the balcony rail, admiring the magnificent vista.
‘You must be very relieved you’ve found them, Captain?’ said the figure, turning round.
Jack was momentarily stunned. He’d presumed they were meeting the pirate leader, so this wasn’t what he expected … not at all.
A striking svelte woman with a white painted face, red lips and a swathe of black powder across her eyes stood before them. She wore a Chinese-style blouse and flowing skirt of the finest black silk with crimson thread embroidered like swirling smoke. Her hair was long, dark and cut through with a bold streak of red on one side. The impression was one of heart-rending beauty and terrible power.
Captain Kurogumo bowed his head low. ‘I promised – on my life – that I would find them.’
‘I’m glad,’ said the woman lightly. ‘I wouldn’t have wanted to throw my favourite captain overboard!’
She gave him a teasing smile. Alluring as it was, Jack noted it was as hard as ice and the captain wasn’t eased by her barbed compliment.
The woman turned her gaze upon Jack and bowed her head respectfully.
‘I’ve been so looking forward to meeting you,’ she said, her voice smooth as velvet. ‘I’m Tatsumaki, the Pirate Queen.’
34
Saru
Jack had never imagined that the notorious Tatsumaki would be a woman. But this was no less reason to fear her. She held sway over the fiercest of pirates and her reputation preceded her.
Not wishing to rouse the Pirate Queen’s anger, Jack bowed in acknowledgement of her greeting. ‘I’m Jack Fletcher –’
‘I know who you are,’ she interrupted, strolling over to him. ‘The gaijin samurai wanted by the Shogun no less. Worth ten koban alive or … dead.’ She ran her fingers through his blond hair. ‘That’s a great deal of gold for a golden-haired boy,’ she mused.
Jack shuddered, as much from the knowledge of the increased bounty on his head, as from her chilling touch.
Yori stepped forward and bowed low. ‘With the greatest respect, your majesty,’ he began. ‘While I appreciate such a reward has its temptations for a pirate, may I remind you that the enemy of your enemy is your friend – this makes Jack your ally. By letting us go, you’ll be defying the Shogun. And that would be a true piratical act.’
Tatsumaki ey
ed Yori with admiration and amusement. ‘You certainly have a gift with words, young monk. But, as you’ve just hinted, Jack’s true value goes beyond riches. It’s about having influence over the powers that be.’
At that moment, the sun’s rays fell on the balcony, bringing with it the full warmth of the day.
‘Saru!’ called Tatsumaki.
A small red face peeked through the silk curtains of a window.
‘Tessen,’ she ordered.
The face disappeared then reappeared, clutching a slim iron fan. The monkey, with grey-brown fur and a short tail, scampered along the balcony rail. A key jangled round its neck. Approaching the Pirate Queen, the monkey bobbed its head in an imitation of a human bow, then handed over the tessen.
‘Thank you, Saru,’ said Tatsumaki. With a sharp flick of her wrist, the fan’s metal spine snapped open to reveal a red painted dragon on a black lacquered surface. The Pirate Queen began gently wafting herself.
The bell rang and the gates to the opulent citadel were opened. Manzo appeared, bearing their packs and weapons. He laid them before Tatsumaki like spoils of war.
‘These are all their possessions,’ said Captain Kurogumo. He held up Jack’s red-handled swords for the Pirate Queen to inspect. ‘These belong to the gaijin.’
‘Impressive weaponry,’ she observed, noting the Shizu signature on the blade. ‘I trust that your fighting skill lives up to this sword’s reputation. I’m intrigued. Who would teach a foreigner such martial arts?’
Jack was about to answer, when the monkey leapt from the balcony rail and landed on his shoulder.
Tatsumaki laughed as the monkey began grooming his hair. ‘Saru’s taken a liking to you!’
‘Must be his ugly foreign face,’ snorted Skullface. ‘Saru thinks he’s a monkey too.’
Jack tried to extricate himself from the nimble beast, but Saru simply scrambled behind his back. Suddenly appearing from beneath his right arm, she reached a paw inside his jacket and snatched out the hidden black pearl. Before Jack could stop her, Saru leapt away, screeching in delight and brandishing her prize.
‘Give that back!’ cried Jack, going after the monkey.
But Skullface stopped him mid-stride with the edge of his sword. ‘Leave your new girlfriend be,’ he sneered.
Saru leapt into Tatsumaki’s arms. The Pirate Queen offered the monkey a nut in exchange for the pearl. Saru took it, apparently satisfied with the deal, and perched on the balcony rail to nibble at her treat.
Tatsumaki admired the jet-black pearl, its gleam radiant in the morning sun. ‘Captain, I thought you said you had taken all their possessions.’
‘Yes, I …’ blustered Captain Kurogumo, ‘… just wanted to test Saru’s skill.’
Tatsumaki smiled knowingly. ‘Well, as my Saru found this rare and valuable pearl, I say finders keepers. I think you’ll agree that’s fair.’
‘Very fair,’ replied Captain Kurogumo through gritted teeth, while glaring at the interfering monkey.
The Pirate Queen pocketed the pearl.
‘You keep strange company, Jack Fletcher,’ she remarked, for the first time paying the others attention. ‘A monk, a samurai, a pirate and … a ninja.’
Tatsumaki regarded Miyuki with contempt. ‘Throw the traitorous ninja over the side.’
Snakehead seized Miyuki by the hair and dragged her towards the end of the balcony. She kicked and fought, but Tiger grabbed her legs and they carried her the rest of the way to the edge.
‘NO!’ protested Jack, struggling against Skullface, who’d seized him round the throat.
Both Yori and Saburo were imprisoned within Manzo’s iron-like grip.
‘Such compassion for a ninja,’ Tatsumaki remarked in surprise. ‘I was led to believe a ninja killed your father.’
‘Yes, but not her,’ corrected Jack. ‘Now please let her live!’
‘Give me one good reason why. Her kind tried to wipe out the Fuma.’
‘But Miyuki had nothing to do with that battle. She’s innocent.’
‘An innocent ninja!’ laughed Tatsumaki. ‘That’s an interesting concept. But nothing comes for free in this life. She must pay the debt of her ancestors.’
‘You’ve my pearl for payment,’ persisted Jack. ‘Take my swords as well.’
‘They’re mine already,’ said Tatsumaki, indifferent to Miyuki’s fate.
Snakehead and Tiger swung Miyuki over the balcony rail and awaited the Pirate Queen’s final command to drop her. Jack felt his heart wrench at seeing Miyuki on the verge of plunging to her death. Only now did he realize just how much she meant to him. He turned to Tatsumaki in desperation and offered the most valuable thing he possessed. ‘I’ll reveal the secrets of the rutter.’
‘Rutter?’ queried Tatsumaki, intrigued.
‘He must mean this,’ said Captain Kurogumo, retrieving the oilskinned book from Jack’s pack. ‘It’s a navigational logbook, but I haven’t been able to make head or tail of it.’
‘It’s encoded and in my language,’ Jack explained hurriedly. ‘But I can decipher it for you – if you let Miyuki live.’
‘And why would such a logbook be of interest to me?’ asked Tatsumaki. ‘Explain quickly – my men are losing their grip on your friend.’
‘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
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.
Miyuki gave him a half-hearted nod. ‘But for how long? She’s using the influence of our friendship to control you. Once you’ve given that woman what she wants, we’ll no longer be considered useful. And we’ll all end up in that lagoon – you too.’
‘Tatsumaki’s made a blood oath with me,’ Jack reminded her, holding up his healing hand.
‘And you trust a pirate to keep their word?’
Jack had no answer to that. ‘Then I’ll take my time decrypting and explaining the rutter. There’s bound to be an opportunity for escape before I complete it.’
Miyuki turned on Jack. ‘I don’t understand you. You’re giving away the one thing that guarantees your safe return home. Worse, you’re breaking your vow to your father. I thought you promised not to reveal the rutter’s secrets – never to let the logbook fall into the wrong hands. A true ninja would never betray their clan by divulging such information, especially to the likes of Tatsumaki. That Pirate Queen’s the last person on earth you should be handing this knowledge to.’
The words stung Jack. He realized he’d made a pact with a devil and the consequences weighed heavily upon him. ‘But I couldn’t let her kill you.’
Miyuki’s midnight-black eyes met his. ‘Jack, don’t you know that I’d die for you –’
The door slid open. Skullface dumped clean clothes on the floor beside them.
‘There’s an ofuro next door. You’ll take turns to bathe. Under guard.’ The tattooed pirate seemed irritated at having to act like their servant. He glared at Jack. ‘Be ready by sundown. Tatsumaki expects your company.’
Skullface turned to leave.
‘Where’s Cheng?’ demanded Jack. ‘Is he all right?’
Skullface grinned maliciously. ‘Oh, you won’t be seeing him ever again. I can assure you of that.’
Young Samurai: The Ring of Wind Page 15
