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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. 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, so 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." "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 fight 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 your language, but 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!" "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 their bickering. "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 I." "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 tones 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's all this talk of an 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." * 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 warriors 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?" Wataru nodded. 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."