‘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
Cutting Out
‘There’s our prize,’ said Tatsumaki, pointing to the shuinsen anchored in Hikari Harbour two nights later.
Under the faint light of a crescent moon, Jack could just make out an impressive three-masted ship of over five hundred tons with a double keel. The design was a strange combination of Chinese junk and Spanish galleon – the oriental-style batten sails and red bamboo framework on the gunwales contrasted with the European beaked prow, aft-mounted rudder and distinctive quarter gallery. The shuinsen was the first Japanese vessel Jack had seen capable of ocean-going voyages. Built as a cargo carrier, it was armed with just six cannon for a last defence. Tatsumaki warned her pirates that its escort of two atake-bune and four seki-bune were the real firepower.
‘We’re outnumbered and outgunned,’ observed Jack.
The Wind Demons had brought only three ships – the Great White, the Jade Serpent and Captain Kujira’s Killer Whale. With the Black Spider under repair, Captain Kurogumo and his crew had joined the Great White, along with Jack, Li Ling and Tatsumaki.
‘Our plan isn’t to attack the flotilla,’ replied the Pirate Queen. ‘We’ll use stealth to “cut out” the shuinsen.’
The Wind Demons were all dressed in black shinobi shozoku in readiness for the assault. So too was Jack. He’d been allowed Miyuki’s ninjatō for the raid and the sword was strapped to his back. Tatsumaki explained that Captain Kurogumo’s crew, with his help, were to steal the Red Seal ship and sail the vessel back to Pirate Island. Meanwhile, the pirates under Captain Hebi and Captain Kujira’s command would disable and distract the shuinsen’s armed escort. Captain Wanizame and her crew would deal with the small castle that overlooked the harbour.
Li Ling stood trembling beside Jack as the Pirate Queen disclosed her plan.
‘Don’t worry,’ he whispered, patting the sword on his back. ‘I’ll protect you.’
‘I’m not scared,’ Li Ling shot back. ‘I’m excited. This is my first chance to earn my spider!’
Tatsumaki gave the command to lower the rowing boats and the Wind Demons clambered over the sides. Jack found himself in a boat with Li Ling, Skullface and the surviving members of his gang. No one talked, but Skullface’s eyes never left Jack the entire way. The Wind Demons’ ships had been anchored just round the headland, out of sight of any samurai lookouts, and the little armada of rowing boats took their time to reach the harbour entrance. Painted black, they were almost undetectable against the sea.
Jack still couldn’t believe that he was taking part in a pirate raid. Nor had Miyuki, Yori and Saburo been able to comprehend his decision. But once he’d explained his plan to discover Pirate Island’s position in the Seto Sea and so plot their escape route, they understood. Unfortunately, Tatsumaki had other ideas and when the Wind Demons had set sail early that morning, Jack had been kept below deck until Pirate Island was far beyond the horizon.
The raiding party silently entered the harbour. Captain Wanizame’s unit broke off and headed for the castle. As Jack’s boat glided past the first of the atake-bune, a group of Captain Hebi’s Wind Demons slipped into the water and dived beneath the surface. Another boat came to rest behind the shelter of a seki-bune’s rudder and the crew immediately set to work dismantling it.
Captain Kurogumo’s five boats pulled alongside the shuinsen, while the remaining Wind Demon force glided past to the other Sea Samurai vessels. Skullface was in charge of Jack’s unit. With a gloved hand, he signalled for them to scale the Red Seal ship’s hull. Bringing their rowing boat as close as they dared, they reached up and grabbed hold of the planking. Each of them wore shuko, the steel claws digging easily into the wood. Jack’s sailing experience enabled him to climb the sides without fear. But the surface was slimy and he had to take great care with his footing. Slowly and soundlessly, the ninja pirates crawled up to the top of the gunwales.
Peering over the lip, Jack caught sight of several samurai guards patrolling the main deck. One was directly in front, his back turned to him. More were stationed on the stern-castle’s upper deck, where black shadows clung just below handrails, waiting for the signal to pounce.
Jack had a horrific sense of déjà vu. Once again he was back on the Alexandria, the night of the fateful attack by Dragon Eye. Except this time, he was one of the ninja pirates preparing to slaughter an innocent crew. But what choice did he have? If he didn’t obey Tatsumaki’s orders, she would kill his friends. Besides, the Wind Demons would be stealing the ship, with or without him. All he could do was avoid unnecessary bloodshed.
A cricket chirped in the night, the samurai guards paying it no attention. On its second call, the Wind Demons attacked. Blades, sharp and silent, went ruthlessly to work. One by one, the samurai slumped to the deck. Jack leapt over the handrail to confront his guard. Not wanting to kill him, he hit the guard with Fall Down Fist. The blow caught the man across his neck and he dropped like a sack of rice.
Another samurai emerged from a cabin door. His eyes widened in panic upon registering the ninja ambush. As he went to raise the alarm, Jack targeted him with a knifehand strike to the throat. The samurai spluttered, no longer able to cry out. But he still managed to launch a counter-attack, slamming Jack into the handrail. They wrestled for supremacy. Jack’s shuko claws bit into the man’s flesh. The samurai reached for his tantō. Jack, crossing his forearms, grabbed the lapels of the guard’s kimono and fought to put him in a blackout choke. But the samurai was strong. The man drew his knife from its sheath, ready to plunge the blade into Jack’s heart. His eyes bulged, then a second later he collapsed on
top of Jack.
Skullface heaved the body off.
‘You should have just killed him,’ he hissed angrily, his blade wet and glistening in the moonlight as he pulled it from the samurai’s back.
Skullface signalled for his unit to check the hold. Jack and Li Ling followed. They entered the main cabin and headed down the steps. Sounds of muffled struggles could be heard throughout the ship. They crept down a corridor. To their right, three samurai were asleep. Tiger, Snakehead and Manzo entered the room and ensured the three men never woke again.
To Jack’s relief, they didn’t encounter any further guards as they entered the hold. Li Ling was ahead of him and she gasped in amazement. As Jack’s eyes adjusted to the dimly lit interior, he too saw the countless chests of gold and silver stacked one on top of the other. Bundles of the finest Chinese silk were piled high in crates. And between them were examples of exquisitely lacquered furniture – tables, trays and cabinets. There was only one treasure missing.
‘Where’s the rice?’ asked Jack.
Skullface snorted. ‘Rice? There’s no rice. This is a Red Seal ship!’
From above deck came the furious clanging of a bell.
39
Sitting Ducks
Jack and the others burst from the main cabin just as the ringing gave out. Hunting for the source of the alarm, Jack spotted Captain Kurogumo standing beside the ship’s bell, sword held high and dripping with blood. But he hadn’t been the one to sound the bell. A head bounced down the steps and came to rest at Jack’s feet. He recognized the face – it was the samurai he’d knocked unconscious with Fall Down Fist.
Torches began to blaze throughout the harbour as the samurai garrison was called to arms, having been alerted by the bell ringing. On-board the atake-bune and seki-bune ships, the crews rallied to battle stations.
‘Raise the sails!’ ordered Captain Kurogumo to his men.
A gunshot rang out and the captain was blasted off his feet.
Jack, Li Ling and Skullface scrambled up the steps to the helm. Captain Kurogumo lay on his back, clasping his side and groaning weakly. The deck was slick with blood. But, in the darkness, they couldn’t tell whether it came from the captain or the headless corpse. Li Ling immediately applied pressure to the wound, the captain cursing her in pain.
‘Give me that obi,’ she said, pointing to the dead samurai.
Skullface tore off the man’s belt and handed it to her. She bound it round the captain’s chest in an attempt to stem the bleeding. As she pulled the bandage tight, Captain Kurogumo cried out and writhed in agony, before his eyes rolled back in their sockets and he fell still.
‘Is he dead?’ asked Jack.
Li Ling shook her head. ‘He’s breathing … just.’
With their captain down, Skullface took charge.
‘Cut the dock lines!’ he called to his gang as more musket shots were fired.
Tiger and Snakehead rushed off with the others and began hacking at the ropes. Arrows whisked through the air and a Wind Demon fell screaming overboard.
‘Get the mainsail up!’ Skullface barked, noticing the canvas was only half unfurled.
A Wind Demon shouted, ‘It’s jammed.’
‘Put Manzo on to it.’
‘He already is.’
The colossal ninja pirate was at the front, yanking on the main halyard, but to no avail.
In frustration, Skullface slammed his sword into the wooden handrail, splinters flying. ‘We’re sitting ducks!’
A unit of samurai thundered up the gangway. With all the Wind Demons occupied, there was no one to stop them. The soldiers were halfway across before Manzo spotted the threat. He let go of the halyard and charged over. Using his great strength, he lifted the gangway – samurai and all – and tossed the end over the side. The samurai tumbled into the water, shrieking as the heavy gangway crashed on top of them.
‘The foresail’s up,’ announced another ninja pirate.
‘That’s not good enough!’ snapped Skullface. ‘We won’t harness enough wind to make an escape. We need the mainsail.’
‘I’ll fix it,’ offered Jack.
Skullface eyed him doubtfully.
‘I was a rigging monkey. I know what I’m doing,’ he insisted.
Skullface nodded and Jack ran off, leaving Li Ling to tend to the unconscious captain. Jack launched himself at the nearest shroud supporting the main mast. Hand over hand, he scaled the rigging with practised ease. Skullface gave the order to trim the foresail and took hold of the tiller; the canvas caught the night breeze and the shuinsen pulled away from the jetty. Below, Jack could hear the angry shouts of samurai and the blast of muskets. He prayed none of them looked up – he’d make easy pickings for a sharpshooter.
Jack reached the masthead. Although the Chinese junk sail worked in reverse to the square-rigged Alexandria – the canvas being raised rather than lowered – he immediately spotted the problem. The halyard block was damaged, its sheave cracked. In the Wind Demons’ rush to raise the mainsail, the halyard had slipped off the broken sheave and jammed.
‘Give me some slack,’ Jack called down, securing the rope on a cleat to hold the sail in place. With great difficulty, he worked the halyard free and realigned it. Releasing the cleat, he then instructed the Wind Demons to unfurl the sail slowly. Inch by inch, the sail’s yard spar rose up the mast. At the same time, the Sea Samurai on the other vessels were raising their sails and dropping their oars, determined to give chase.
From his vantage point, Jack could see across the entire harbour. The first seki-bune had left the jetty to block their escape. But, with its rudder sabotaged, the ship had no steerage and it ploughed straight into the harbour wall. As they passed one of the immense atake-bune, it made no attempt to pursue them. The holes drilled in its hull by Captain Hebi’s men had done their job and the ship was sinking fast. But, instead of abandoning ship, the quick-thinking samurai captain ordered his men to open fire. Cannon and musket shot strafed the shuinsen’s deck. Wind Demons dived for cover as the red bamboo guardrails and bulwarks exploded in a shower of splinters and iron shot. Even Jack had to shelter behind the mast as a number of arrows and bullets whistled past his head. Below, the screams of wounded ninja pirates pierced the night. But Skullface ordered no retaliating fire. Faced with an entire garrison, as well as the Sea Samurai force, their only hope lay in escaping the confines of the harbour. They were ahead of the surviving Sea Samurai ships, but they still had to sail past the castle and its formidable bank of cannon.
‘Back to your stations!’ commanded Skullface. ‘They won’t dare sink a Red Seal ship.’
But Skullface was wrong.
Lanterns burnt inside the castle, and through the loopholes Jack could make out silhouettes working furiously to load the cannon. It would be touch-and-go if the shuinsen made it through in one piece.
As they reached the harbour entrance, a loud boom thundered from the castle’s direction. This first explosion was followed by the blast of several more cannon. Jack instinctively ducked, vainly shielding himself from the approaching iron shot.
But nothing hit the ship. Jack looked up to see the castle half in ruins where all the cannon had backfired.
‘WANIZAME!’ roared Skullface, brandishing his sword in triumph. The rest of the crew cheered in salute of their fellow ninja pirates, who’d accomplished their mission with devastating effect.
The shuinsen entered open water without further resistance. By now, the mainsail had been fully raised and trimmed towards the wind. The ship immediately picked up speed and pulled away from Hikari Harbour.
Behind, Jack could hear the heavy beat of drums as the samurai crews rowed after them. Powered by oar and sail, they were quickly gaining on them. One of the seki-bune was forging ahead of the others when it came to a juddering halt, its bow suddenly veering off to one side. There was a wrenching of wood and half the jetty was dragged into the sea – the seki-bune’s anchor having been tied to the harbour structure.
Glancing back towards the harbour, Jack spotted a blaze coming from the top tower of the castle. For a moment, he thought this was the work of Captain Wanizame’s crew … then he realized it was a distress beacon, its rising flames visible for miles.
40
Sea Fog
Jack scanned the dark skies from atop the main mast and located the pole star. The shuinsen had struck a course dead south. Behind, a lone seki-bune pursued them. The other two Sea Samurai ships had been intercepted by the Wind Demon vessels and they were now engaged in a full-scale sea battle. The thundering blast of cannons rolled across the water and the muzzle flash of guns lit the sky like a distant storm.
The seki-bune kept coming, relying upon its oarsmen for speed, its main mast having been crippled in the firefight. But the wind-powered shuinsen, weighed down by its precious cargo, was considerably slower. Only its head start on the seki-bune was preventing their immediate capture. Skullface gave orders for every inch of sailcloth to be raised, planning to maintain their advantage for as long as possible in the hope that the samurai crew would eventually tire.
As the chase went on, they soon lost sight of their fellow Wind Demons and their fate in the battle remained unknown. But the castle beacon continued to burn brightly on the horizon – sending its distress call into the night sky.
Jack stayed aloft, keeping an eye on the stars and committing their course to memory. If he and his friends did manage to escape from Tatsumaki’s clutches, then he needed to know their way back to land from Pirate Island. But such a prospect was becoming more and more unlikely as the heavy beat of the oarsmen’s drum increased and the seki-bune gained on them.
Young Samurai: The Ring of Wind Page 17
