27

Back in Takashiro village, Sandokhan and his companions were hailed as heroes of the day. The old mouse Shiro had taken them into his house where a multiple course meal was prepared. The band of warriors had finished their rice which concluded the sixth course when Shiro cleared the low dinner table and retired to the kitchen to do washing up. George Stag Hare was, of course, the first to comment on the meal they just eaten. "Splendid tucker. But I'd rather eat with an old spoon than these stick thingemies, wot! By the way Sandy-old-khan, what was that stuff we had for the fourth course?"

"Aye, what was it? I didn't really enjoy it," Elmtail added.

"Iika, squid in vinegar," Sandy explained. George suddenly clamped his paw over his mouth as he felt his stomach heave. He rose to his footpaws quickly in search of a latrine. Both Cheek and Wataru shook their heads, "I dunno what 'e's on about mate," said Cheek as he conversed in Jimanese to Wateru. "I thought that squid stuff was lovely!"

"I'm glad you enjoyed it young one," said Shiro as he emerged from the kitchen with a pot of green herbal tea. "I must confess, I do believe I might've overdone the vinegar a bit, but I like it like that." After George returned, there was tea and introductions, Sandokhan explained why they were in Takeshiro in the first place. "The resistance you say? Well, nobeast really knows where they meet. But, I do know that mouse those wicked vermin were going to execute is part of it. I was surprised they actually caught him, he was very careful up until last night."

"Then in that case we can't wait for the resistance. We need to make a move now," Mattimeo motioned. Flugg nodded in agreement, "I agree with Mattimeo. If nobeast knows where this movement is based, it could take up a considerable amount of time trying to find them. And in that time, Ikkit Claw might take this delay to build up his forces and this land may never be free."

Sandokhan inhaled loudly, "Mmm, in that case I say that we find Jagee on our own. A small band like ours is less likely to attract atten-" the fox stopped mid sentence. Mattimeo drew his sword in readiness for the worst scenario, "What is it Sandy? Is somebeast watching us?" George's ears perked up as he stood from the table. "He's right ol' Redwaller. There's a chap listening outside the door, I can smell him." With that, the hare slid the front door open and stood there was Farlo the dormouse. "Are you the warriors from the western lands?" Mattimeo returned the sword of Martin to it's scabbard and stepped forward to address the dormouse. "Good evening sir. I believe we met earlier on today but I do not believe we've had the pleasure, Mr. erm..." said Mattimeo with his paw outstretched. Farlo took his paw and shook it warmly, "Farlo the doremouse from the principality of Lanka. And you?"

"Mattimeo, Mattimeo of Redwall and these are my friends." Shiro chuckled out loud, "Hehe, it seems I have lots of visitors today! Come friend would you like some tea?" Farlo agreed and soon both parties were relating tales of why they were in Jima. After Farlo related his tale to his new friends over tea Sandokhan spoke, "It seems we both have business to settle with Jagee,"

"And I as well," Wataru chimed in, "That wicked ferret sent his ninja team to murder my brother. He will pay for his crimes in blood for as long as he draws breathe."

"Yes, but where do we find Jagee?" Elmtail asked. "Don't worry friend, I have an idea where to find him," Wataru replied. The small party of liberators slept in Shiro's dwelling that night, preparing themselves mentally for the task ahead. Sandokhan was restless, he spent most of that night outside keeping watch. It was nearly dawn when Mattimeo emerged from Shiro's house rubbing sleep from his eyes. "Morning Samurai," said Mattimeo. Sandokhan returned a nod as Mattimeo sat beside him. "I never told you the story of the Starfire Katana did I?" asked Sandokhan.

"You never really mentioned it," Mattimeo replied.

"When I was at Redwall, I was reading tales about your hero Martin. Boar the fighter forged Martin his sword to replace the one his father gave him when it was destroyed by Tsarmina,"

"Boar forged the blade out of a piece of metal that fell from the stars over Salamandastron. Martin used it to slay Tsarmina and it has been a treasured relic of our abbey for generations. That sword was forged for Kenji, right?"

"That's right. After visiting the dragon of Kuma mountain, Kenji needed a blade he could call his own. The dragon had told Kenji to seek out a badger blacksmith named Masakado, who was our first shogun. The old legend says that one night, Masakado looked up and saw a star fall from heaven and washed up on the shore the next morning. Kenji was being treated for wounds after a battle with a corsair chief, that nearly cost him his life. Anyway as Kenji recovered from his injuries, Masakado forged him that sword out of the metal he found washed up on the beach and named it Starfire. I believe that both Martin's sword and Kenji's katana are made from the same material." Sandokhan drew the katana from it's scabbard, the last rays of moonlight reflecting off the polished surface. Mattimeo did likewise with his own sword, and compared it to the Starfire katana. "What does that writing mean Sandokhan? I understand how to speak Jimanese not read it."

"It's Kenji's motto; Challenge me, when you're ready to duel a saint. My old swordmaster used to tell us stories of Kenji all the time. He used to say, 'Wield your sword with emotional content, not anger. For anger leads to hatred and hatred is the path to damnation not enlightenment.' In my language this teaching is called Bushido; the way of the warrior."

*

As morning broke the eight warriors left Takashiro village and headed north, leaving Tsuzuku's otters and the GUOSIM shrews to look after the villagers. As they walked across the flat plains leading to the foothills of the mountains, Sandokhan recognised where they were; on the path back to Edu village, the place where he grew up. George's ears perked up again when he heard a faint rumble in the distance, "Hold fast chaps," he said looking around anxiously. After a few moment's pause the sound become more audible. "What is that?" asked Cheek. "Sounds like marching to me," said Farlo. Mattimeo's eyes went wide, "Listen, we need to get off this path now!"

"Agreed. We better find a place to hide," said George. The small band took cover in some overgrowing vegetation on the verge of the path. The noise became louder as a band of Stormvermin officers accompanied by Roygel and some senior cheiftains of his tribe strolled past. Sandokhan and the others listened intently to the banter they conversed. "Rrrr! When do we attack?"

"For the last time Roygel, I don't know!"

"Yer general of the army, yer should know Gash!"

"I am a servant of the Honoured Claw. He makes the decision to attack, not me."

"If I don't get ter killin' sommat soon I'll take it out on yer army!"

Gash halted the band and drew his sword and tried to square up to the massive juggernaut. "Let's just get one thing straight, I don't like nor trust you. The lives of my Stormvermin matter to me, yours on the other claw does not! I have committed too much time into formulating a strategy and I'll be damned if I let you attack just because you couldn't control your violent tendencies!" Roygel tightened the grip on his mace, "Is dat a challenge?"

Gash smiled cunningly and sheathed his weapon, "My challenge will come one day, monster. But not today." He turned around addressed his officers, "Come on, we've wasted enough time with this bickering." The group started marching again with Roygel and his wearets following a few paces behind conversing in hushed tone to one another. "Oi cud snap 'is neck in two like a dry twig," said one of the cheiftains. "Rererere, you an' all eh brother?" Roygel chuckled.

When the party passed them by, Wataru nudged Sandokhan, "By the fur! That was General Gash!"

"I remember seeing him at the battle of Niji gate. He was the one who told Lon to surrender. I didn't recognize the others with him."

"The one to his right was Major Queek, one of Ikkit Claw's personal guard. I don't know the names of the others." The matter of Gash's conversation suddenly struck home for Sandokhan, "Wataru, what attack?" The otter turned to his friend, "Ikkit Claw's army is preparing itself for another invasion. This time they plan to attack the Silk Islands south of Jima."

"We cannot allow this to happen," said Mattimeo. "Yes, but we have more pressing matters ahead of us, friend. Chief among them rescuing my wife and avenging Wataru's brother," said Farlo.

"Never mind the bally matter at hand, who, or what were those things?"

"They're called wearets," Elmtail explained. "I've seen their kind before, back in Malkariss."

"I was at Malkariss aswell, I don't recall seeing any of these... wearet creatures."

"You were only there for over a day, Mattimeo. I spent many long and bitter seasons under the lash of those monsters. The wearet was the master slavedriver. A slave would have to have done something very wrong if you were sent to the wearet." Flugg offered a suggestion, "Speaking of the matter at hand, I suggest we lay low for a while. If we break cover too soon there's a chance we'll catch up with them."

"Would that be such a bad thing?" said Farlo. "We could easily take them on and win."

"But if one of them gets away we'd lose our element of surprise. I'm with Flugg on this one," said George before adding, "and let's get some tucker inside us, I don't know about you chaps but I'm famished don't cha know."

*

It was nearly late afternoon when Wataru and Sandokhan lead their friends through the back streets and alleyways of Edu village. They had successfully traversed the numerous stormvermin patrols. On the outskirts of Edu, Wateru lead the party of wariors to a landrise with a grand mansion on top of it. Wataru brought them to the bottom of a ginormous set of stone stairs and pointed upwards. "There," he said, "that's where Jagee is." Sandokhan instantly knew the building Wataru was pointing at. "Our old swordmaster's dojo?" The plan for the attack was made by Sandokhan, "Elmtail, Mattimeo and George will go up to the front gate and distract the guard's attention. Meanwhile Wataru, Farlo and myself will try to slip in the back door, while Cheek and Flugg will try to find the slave dormitories and rally them together. That way we can add new members for the resistance."

Up in the mansion, Jagee could see a small gathering of creatures down below. He didn't recognise the style of dress but he could make out two in samurai armour, an otter... and a fox! The ferret turned to Deadpaw, "Quickly, bring my armour and rouse the guard we're about to be attacked!" Deadpaw did not question but bowed and hurried out of his master's chamber. "Oh one more thing Deadpaw, bring that slave Glendal to me. I might have found a use for her after all."

*

Out on the top step, Deadpaw had gathered his guard to watch for the intruders. The guards had peered over the top step to see below them but no-one was there. Some stormvermin became impatient and started conversing in hushed tones, "So, why's we out 'ere agin?"

"Lordship says there's gonna be an attack,"

"Attack? I can't sees anybeast down there,"

"Excuse me chaps. Sorry to be a bother an all, but do you jolly stinkers know where a bod can find a drink, wot!" The front group of guards spun around in disbelief to see George propping himself up against the slumped body of a knocked out guard, drinking daintily from a tea cup. "Wha, where in the name of teeth and blood did you come from?"

"Oh, here an' there. Mainly there old bean!"

Deadpaw emerged from the entrance hall to investigate the commotion, "What's going on out, who's thi - Gaargh!" Deadpaw fell to the ground clutching his throat tightly with a barbed shaft protruding from the wound in the back of his neck. The stormvermin hesitated for a second before Mattimeo leapt from some undergrowth sword ready screaming, "Reeedwaaaaaallll!"

*

Wataru, Sandokhan and Farlo heard Mattimeo's warcry as clearly as a stream in springtime. A trio of stormvermin patrolling the back door suddenly took up their armaments and ran for the front of the mansion. "Mattimeo certainly has lungs like bellows," said Farlo. Seeing their chance, the three warriors opened the door slowly. Wataru was inside like a shot, checking for activity in all directions. He signalled the others inside with a movement of his paw, urging them to follow. Inside was surprisingly clean and tidy, it seemed that the original architecture hadn't been altered in any way. The trio walked through what was originally the student's dormitory and slid the door open. There up on a balcony overlooking the mansion's hall, dressed in full armour was the beast they were all looking for, Jagee the ferret. All three stepped forward and gazed upwards with hardened glares. "Jagee..." said Sandokhan.

"Sandokhan," Jagee said mockingly "I'm very glad to see you... alive." Wataru drew his katana, "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't slice you into pieces," the otter growled. "And Wataru! Nice to see as well, friend."

"You're no friend of mine after what you've done!"

"Why are you helping the gaijin? You have nobility, I was going to seat you high in my council. But since you've sided with the gaijin, well guilty by association I suppose," said Jagee. "Enough of this, let the sport begin." With that, Jagee snapped his claws and a female dormouse slave was paraded in front of them with a Stormvermin escort. Farlo immediately knew who she was, "Glendal!"

"Farlo!"

The dormouse made a lunge but his wife's escort put spearblades to her throat. "Would you kill to get her back dormouse?" Jagee asked. Farlo nodded dumbly in reply. Jagee now saw his chance, "Then do us both a favour, kill Sandokhan. Kill the fox and your wife will be free to go." Farlo reached for the hilt of his scimitar and looked at Sandokhan. "Farlo, you know it's a trick."

"Refuse me dormouse and your wife shall die!" Blinded by rage Farlo drew his weapon and made a charge at Sandokhan. Wataru stood back as he watched his friend dodge nearly every advance Farlo made. The fox unsheathed his weapon with lightening speed as Farlo made a downwards slash. Farlo's scimitar met the Starfire katana with a high pitched clang with sparks flying off the metal as the blades grinded together. "Jagee's a coward! Don't you see? He needs you to fight for him because he's frightened of me," said Sandokhan.

Farlo saw sence in his new friends words and submitted, sheathing his sword. Jagee applauded slowly, "Oh well done! I must admit you're more clever than I thought. But there is a flaw in your logic, you assume by calling me a coward that I'll jump down from here and give you a taste of proper skill. But it won't work,"

"Hiding behind a mousemaid? That's sounds like a cowardly thing to me."

"Everybeast throughout this domain will tremble at my will, fox!"

"If you were half the warrior our master was, you..."

"I AM TEN TIMES WHAT OUR OLD SWORDMASTER WAS!"

"Really? Prove it!" Sandokhan said in a challenging tone. Jagee grinded his teeth together in anger, "Rrrr! Then again fox, you're right. Why should I let the dormouse have all the fun, when I could take great pleasure in finishing you off myself! Stormvermin, watch over the otter, the wench and her husband. I'll deal with them later."

"Is that panic I hear in your voice Jagee? Don't worry it'll all be over soon."

*

The two samurai stood before one another in their old dormitory away from the others to ensure of no outside interference and Jagee started with the mind games. "Now Sandokhan you shall suffer as I have suffered!"

"What you have suffered is nothing in comparison to the suffering you have made others endure,"

"Oh really?" Jagee unsheathed his tanto dagger and tapped his glass eye with the point of the weapon. "I still remember the day you gave me this. I will admit it, the finest beating I ever took. The only reason I had to go on living was because I believed you were dead."

"Jagee, why did you send Stormvermin after me when you could've easily finished me off back in the dojo?"

"Yes, that was a mistake. I should've never listened to Mangetail," Jagee replied sheathing his tanto and reaching for the grip of his katana.

"Who?"

"Hmm, almost let it slip. Enough talk, die gaijin!" Jagee lunged at Sandokhan drawing his katana like lightning. Sandokhan managed to dodge the attack while drawing his own katana. The combatants both exchanged glancing blows then locked blades, Jagee tried to push Sandokhan back with his brute strength. Their snouts were almost touching when Jagee got a closer look of Sandokhan's sword and read the inscription on it; 'Challenge me when you're ready to duel a saint'.

Jagee's eyes went wide in a gripping sense of fear. "What? No! Impossible!" Sandokhan saw his chance and broke free of Jagee's hold. But the ferret was quicker than the fox, he made a swipe and sliced Sandokhan's leg. He tried to fight on but the pain became to great to ignore, the fox fell to his knees with his katana slipping from his grasp. Jagee approached his old sparring partner with a murderous gleam in his crooked smile. "This looks familiar, where have I seen this before? Oh yes! This is the way Master Krinz looked before he died," said Jagee mockingly before stabbing Sandokhan through the armpit with his tanto dagger. As Sandokhan howled in pain as Jagee pulled him closer and whispered in his ear, "And here's my little secret; I killed our master!" Sandokhan now used all his strength to ignore every lance of searing pain that pulsated through his body. He drew his smaller wakizashi and ran Jagee through the middle with it. The ferret released his grip on the tanto and staggered backwards with Sandokhan's blade protruding from the wound. The fox pulled the tanto out and with the skill of an experienced knife thrower hurled it at Jagee. The small blade found it's target, imbedding deep in the ferret's throat. Jagee fell to his knees in pain. Sandokhan retreived his katana and hobbled over towards Jagee, knelt down and pulled the tanto free. Jagee clamped a paw over the wound, hoping to stop the torrent of blood. "Why... why can't I kill you? I had the Starfire... I... was destined to win," Jagee groaned. The fox then pulled the wakizashi free and cleaned the blade before sheathing it away. "I want to know one thing before you die; Ikkit Claw, where is he?" Jagee spat up blood before he said in a gravelly tone, "Lon's... pagoda below... Southern Cross... To die... by that blade will be... the greatest honour... of my life. Finish it."

Sandokhan obliged he took the Starfire katana and swung it back before slicing through Jagee's neck, the head bumping and rolling on the floor. As Sandokhan stared at the headless form he couldn't help shed a tear for his old friend. He shook his head despairingly and muttered, "What a waste."

*

Out in the old gymnasium, nobeast was fighting. They were all waiting on the victor of the duel in the next room. Both Farlo and Wateru were anxious with anticpation. After what seemed like an eternity the dormitory door slid open and stood there was Sandokhan. Wataru face beamed with happiness before both he and Farlo unsheathed weapons, "The Shogun's Head-taker is victorious, fight on friend," Wataru yelled to Farlo.

As Farlo and Wataru started on the remaining Stormvermin, Sandokhan slumped down next to a corner out of way. Farlo was in a fit of rage, despatching every single rat who tried to get in his way. The doremouse managed to kill the last of his wife's captors and set her free of her manacles. Glendal embraced Farlo and smothered him with relentless kissing. "I knew you'd come," she said. "There is no way in heaven nor earth that I wouldn't come for you, my love." Wataru had killed another rat before rushing over to tend to Sandokhan. By this time Mattimeo, George and Elmtail had ventured into the mansion to see what was transpiring. All three looked around at the gore soaked scene before Mattimeo jumped into the melee. Elmtail helped Wataru with Sandokhan. "Are you alright?"

"Not really, Redwaller. Jagee sliced my leg open, I can barely walk on it as it is," Sandokhan explained. Elmtail touched the fox's shoulder and saw red blood smeared on his paws. "You're wounded,"

"Just my shoulder I'll be fine." Mattimeo, George and Farlo formed a wall in front of Glendal, cutting down any Stormvermin who dared to venture close enough. All of a sudden a mob of yelling and screaming creatures armed with broken chains for weaponry, charged into the room. Followed at the rear by Flugg and Cheek, the captive slaves looked around for anybeast to take their rage out on. "Cheek, what's all this?" Mattimeo yelled out over the noise. "The slaves," Cheek replied, "We freed them all!" The slaves took great pleasure in exacting their vengeance upon what remained of Jagee's personal guard. As quickly as it started, the battle stopped. Blades were wiped clean and congratulations were given all round. As George and Wataru helped Sandokhan to his footpaws, the slaves all gaped at the fox and bowed respectively. "I'm going to have to get used to all the bowing again," he smiled at Wataru. "I think we should get out of here and back to Takashiro," said Cheek. "Agreed. Let's get out of here," Mattimeo seconded.

When they got to the front door George was the first to venture outside. Nothing could prepare him for what he saw next, down at the bottom of the stone steps was six score of Stormvermin archers armed with fire arrows and rifle-rats with their spotters. Down below, watching from a spyglass General Gash saw his chance to attack. "Noooowwwwwwwww," he bellowed. George bucked and galloped back inside just as the musketeers fired their first volley. Everybeast ducked down upon hearing the tremendous bang and the repetitive thumps against the wooden frames. "What's happening?" said Flugg. "It's those flippin' rats, sah! They've got us in a bleedin' trap!"

Gash had wasted no resource he had summoned six sturdy trebuches all loaded with rocks encased in dry grass soaked in lamp oil. The gunners set light to their ammunition before hurling it at the mansion above them. Several rocks found their target and set fire to what was left.

"Keep firing," Gash screamed, "raise that building to the ground!"

*

Inside, billowing black smoke choked warrior and former slave alike. Mattimeo spluttered uncontrollably whilst trying to think of a way out. He then heard a voice to his right, "Psst! Strangers, Wataru, Lord Sandokhan over here!" A trapdoor had opened up in one of the side room and a mouse was urging them to follow him. There was no time to place trust all present followed the mouse down the trapdoor. The door led down to the mansion's cellar where a great boulder was pushed aside revealing a well lit tunnel. The party managed to get through in time to hear the roof giving way with a mighty crash. "Quick, into the tunnel. You'll be safe there. Hey, could some of you freed slaves help me push this boulder back into place? I can't do it on my own." A handful of slaves happily obliged. With a few hard shoves the boulder rolled into place sealing the tunnel from view.

Outside, despite the major structure damage Gash still wasn't satisfied. He still urged his riflebeasts to carry on firing at what little remained. Just then, he caught a glimpse of a scorpion with Mangetail, Claw's seer, mounted upon it. Gash was not at all pleased to see the seer, "What do you want?" Gash snapped. "You will withdraw your troops immediately," said Mangetail.

"Begone from my sight!"

"That is not a request, it is an order. Move!"

"On who's authority?"

"On the authority of the Honoured Claw."