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20

The nights started to draw in closer and the days got shorter and colder with the onset of late autumn and winter. On long winter nights, Sandokhan was surrounded by dibbuns and novices, all of them eager to hear stories and legends of Jima. They had all heard the Legend of the Four Dragon Kings, but they wanted to hear more. But there was one story the dibbuns wanted to hear every night before bed, "Kenji and the Dragon." In time spring thaw arrived, the icicles dripping in the rays of the sun and the snow drifts turning to slush before surrendering to the lush ground under them. The winter was very uneventful, that was until the following spring.

With wild herbs and flowers starting to bloom once again, the apothecaries and alchemists of Redwall needed new specimens for their potions and poultices. One warm spring day, Cynthia Bankvole along with Sandokhan, Elmtail, Sam Squirrel and Cheek ventured out into Mossflower Wood to look for herbs and fresh mushrooms for the kitchens. Cynthia was sat next to a fairy ring of wild mushrooms picking them and cropping them into a basket while humming a tune to herself. Suddenly she heard rustling off in the undergrowth behind her. Cynthia turned round and saw nobeast. She put the distraction from her mind and went back to her mushroom picking. Her ears perked up, there it was again, the rustling sound from the undergrowth. She rose from the ground and walked in the direction the sound came from. She peered into the foliage and two eyes stared back at her.

The thing then stood up, a beast dressed in strange armour with his sword drawn. Cynthia screamed as she threw down her basket and ran for the protection of Sam, Elmtail and Cheek. The warrior gave chase after her. The vole ran as fast as her legs could carry her and was stopped in her tracks by the otter Cheek. "Steady on, matey! What's the matter?"

"He's going to kill me!"

"Cynthia slow down. Who's going to kill you?"

Suddenly, the sound of rapidly pounding pawsteps was heard and the warrior ran out of the woods. Up in the tree line, Elmtail notched a shaft to his bow and let it fly. The warrior parried it out of the way and carried on charging. Cheek and Sam Squirrel readied their bow staves and hid Cynthia behind them. "Why are we always the ones saving your tail?" said Cheek. Just then Sandokhan leapt out of the undergrowth, he unsheathed the Starfire like lightening and rang his blade off the attackers' weapon. The recoil forced the attacker back. Sandokhan went wide eyed when he saw the stranger, "A Samurai?"

Every inch of the warrior's armour was like his own, but the Samurai had recovered from the surprise of the attack and charged at Sandokhan. The strength of his opponent was terrible, Sandokhan could barely keep his blade in his paws. The pair then locked blades, the attacker looked at the inscription on the fox's blade and became transfixed. Sandokhan now saw his chance. He kicked the Samurai viciously in the cuirass, pushing him back. The attacker regained his composure and squared up to the fox. Sandy then thought back to what Master Krinz taught him; You must strike without thought or indecision. The object of duel is to simply kill your opponent. Do not waste valuable time or strength in performing pointless flowery form. Become the mountain, when the enemy becomes the river. Become the river when the enemy becomes the mountain.

Little did Sandokhan knew, his opponent was also thinking on his masters' advice; Become unpredictable. Strike from your subconscious mind. The most skilled of opponents will fall from a move that has no history or reference. The moves created by your own individual essence may surprise even yourself.

The two Samurai then started circling each other, trying to read one anothers' movements. Sandokhan made a lunge and slashed down, but his opponent parried and then used the foxs' own tactic, he kicked Sandokhan violently in the stomach. The Starfire fell from the foxs' grip and he collapsed on his back gasping for air. The other Samurai took the Starfire katana and pressed the cutting edge against Sandokhans' neck. "Where did you get this blade from?" Sandokhan knew the language, it was Jimanese. The Samurai became impatient and applied pressure, "Insolent swine, answer me!"

"My teacher gave it to me," the fox shouted back in his native tongue. The Samurai then relented as he studied his opponents' features. "Sandokhan? Is it really you?" He asked before releasing the fox. Sandokhan recognized the voice, but he couldn't be sure, "Who are you?"

The Samurai then unfastened the faceplate, "It's me, Wataru." The fox's heart leapt with joy as he recognised his otter friend. Wataru helped Sandokhan to his footpaws with Cheek and Sam coming to investigate. "So sorry about attacking you, I've never seen you in these garments before,"

"Oh, the habit. Long story, but It's so good to see you again. How did you get here?"

"Long story..." Cheek was more then a little confused, "Hoi! What's goin' on here?" Sandokhan explained, "Cheek, this is Wataru. He's my best friend." Cheek's jaw dropped open in disbelief, "Friend?! But the pair of you were locked in a duel to the death only a moment ago,"

"Case of mistaken identity. Hey Cynthia, don't cower behind that tree. He's not going to bite." Elmtail had jumped down from the tree he was taking cover in and Cynthia walked sheepishly towards the Samurai otter. Wateru bowed politely in apology, "Apologies please. I didn't mean to frighten you, but I, er, how you say..... you did give me startle. That right?" Wataru explained. Cynthias' face was a picture of indignation, "I frightened you? How do you think I feel?" Sandokhan introduced everybeast to his old friend, "Wataru, this is Elmtail, Sam and Cheek."

"Now hang on a minute," Cheek protested. "You know him, he knows you. But he wants to kill Cynthia and everybeast is all right with this?"

"It's all right Cheek. Nobeast is killing anyone. Come on Wataru, you can freshen up when we get back to the abbey."

When the party returned to the abbey, the otter like so many newcomers was astonished by the splendour and majesty of Redwall. Most abbeydwellers have assembled on the path, curious about the otter. Abbot Sedge had emerged from the front door leading to Great Hall. Wataru turned to Sandokhan, "Who's that?"

"That's the Abbot. I'm afraid he'll ask for your weapon." Wataru clutched his katana tightly, "Nobeast takes my sword from me." The fox shook his head, "I was like you when he first asked me to give up the Starfire. It is one of this places' most upheld oaths."

Abbot Sedge walked up to the returning group of creatures and addressed the otter, "Who have we here?"

"Father Abbot, this is Wataru. An old friend of mine," Sandokhan explained.

"Ah, another warrior from the east. Well Wataru, welcome to Redwall Abbey." The otter bowed politely, "Thank you. Sandokhan has asked me to surrender my blade to you." Sedge nodded, "I'm afraid so my son. We are peaceful creatures at Redwall and weapons are not permitted." Sandokhan handed his sword over the Abbot and urged Wataru to do the same. "It seems we'll have a double celebration tonight," said the Abbot as he walked towards the gatehouse cottage. "Celebration?" Wataru inquired. "It's season day today. Another one of their traditions, they name the season. Come on inside, I'll see if Auma can prepare a room for you."

After a few hours of rest the otter was dressed in the same green habit as Sandokhan and the season day feast was ready to be eaten. After the meal, some tables were set aside to make room for a stage. Woodlanders were always eager for Sandokhan to entertain them after a meal. The Abbot rang a small table bell to bring order. "My friends, since this is a special time of the year it is customary for a little light entertainment after the season day feast. And Sandokhan will perform feats of master swordplay and drama!" There was thunderous applause from the woodlanders as they shouted out suggestions, "The Cyclone!"

"That one? Again? The Corridor of Blades!"

"Oh no! Remember the state of the bench the last time he performed that one? How about The Carousel?" The fox raised his paws to stop the flood of suggestions, "My friends, those are all good suggestions. However, I shall treat to a feat of daring with the help of my friend Wataru. Mattimeo, would you please retrieve our weapons from the gatehouse cottage?" Mattimeo left his place at the table and left Cavern Hole to get the weapons. As Wataru approached Sandokhan, the fox whispered in his ear, "Do you remember Sight without Seeing?"

"I remember how to do it, but it's been so long."

"Don't worry it'll all come back to you."

When Mattimeo returned, Sandokhan had asked two Redwall Sisters to get a couple of blindfolds. "My friends, Wataru and I will perform for your satisfaction the feat we call Sight Without Seeing! Both myself and Wataru shall duel... blindfolded!" The room erupted in gasps of amazement. In a short while, Mattimeo presented both Samurai with their weapons as two Redwall mousemaids fastened their blindfolds. The pair both bowed to each other, then paused. Wataru was the first to reach for his katana, with Sandokhan doing likewise in quick succession. "If you wish to kill me..." said Sandokhan. "You must make no sound at all," the otter replied. The pair then drew blades and started sidestepping, trying to find out the position of their opponent. The pair then charged at each other, Sandokhan dodged Watarus' attack and started to exchange blows. The pair dodged each other quite frequently before locking blades. Several woodlanders gathered their beakers and plates as the warriors climbed up onto a table and started exchanging blows. Wataru made a swipe and ripped the foxs' right sleeve. The fox turned his head as if to look at the rip. Wataru licked his dry lips before advancing again. The duel spread to the neighbouring table as the two Samurai dodged and parried each others' advances. Sandokhan had managed to cut away Watarus' gridle cord. "Enough of this before the pair of you are naked," said Auma. The rafters of Cavern Hole echoed to the light giggling of the dibbuns and sisters, which turned into applause as the two Samurai removed their blindfolds and bowed to each other.