“If you’ll stay with him till he comes around,” Tora said when they had put a bandage on Akitada’s head, “Hidesato and I’ll go out and get those cursed bastards before they find Otomi.”

He expected an argument, but Ayako merely nodded.

Hidesato looked at her. “I’m sorry, Ayako,” he said hoarsely, brushing at his eyes. “I didn’t mean to do it. It was dark. I know I’ve been worse than useless. He nearly killed me because what happened was my fault. I swear I’ll try to make it up to you. If it’s the last thing I do.” He turned away.

Tora scooped up his bamboo stave and followed Hidesato out. Ayako, in the dim circle of lantern light, looked after them with a puzzled frown, then turned back to the unconscious Akitada, cradling his face in her hands.

♦

Outside, the darkness was less opaque. From a far corner of the garden came a crashing noise and someone cursed.

“Thank the gods. They haven’t found her yet,” Tora said. He leaned his stave against the railing. “Too many trees to use these. I guess it’ll have to be our bare hands.”

Hidesato put down his own bamboo pole.

Their quarry was making so much noise thrashing through the shrubbery that they did not have to be very careful. The monks had separated to cover a larger area in their search, and Tora and Hidesato surprised two of them. Tora knocked out his man with a handy piece of broken roof tile, while Hidesato produced a length of thin chain from under his jacket and threw this over the other man’s head, snapping it back so suddenly that they heard his neck snap. The monk dropped without a sound.

“Your master won’t be able to talk to this one,” Hidesato said. “What about yours?”

Tora shook his head. “I hit him too hard.”

Both dead men had shaven heads and both carried short swords. Tora and Hidesato helped themselves to these.

They found their next victim because he was cursing loudly, trying to disentangle himself from a thorny vine. He broke off abruptly when Tora appeared before him with a drawn sword. His eyes started from his head in shock.

From somewhere close a voice called, “Daishi? What is it? Have you found her?”

Tora put his sword to the monk’s throat and shouted back, “No! Twisted my ankle. Who’s with you?”

“Hotan. Where are the others?”

“Coming.” Tora grinned and knocked his prisoner out cold.

Hidesato joined him. “Two more? That should be all.”

Tora nodded. “I told them we’re coming.”

They ran along the overgrown path and came face-to-face with two husky men in the same dark clothes and head scarves as the others. But these drew their swords and charged.

Tora had never used a sword before and managed to survive the attack only because he jumped about like a monkey while slashing wildly in all directions. Hidesato knew the rudiments of sword fighting but was badly outclassed. He tossed his sword aside in favor of the chain. Letting out the chain and swinging it until it wrapped itself about his adversary’s sword and sword arm, he was able to jerk him forward and disarm him. Tora prevailed only by kicking his man in the groin. When he screamed and dropped his sword to clutch himself, Tora jumped him.

They tied up these two, but when they turned back to do the same with the unconscious man in the brambles, they discovered him gone. A quick search brought them to an open gate in the wall, but the road outside was empty.

“Damnation! The bastard’s gone to warn Joto,” Tora said ruefully.

They collected their prisoners and dragged them back to the temple hall.

“Hey, Ayako. All’s safe,” shouted Tora.

Ayako appeared on the veranda and scanned the shrubbery.

“Where’s Otomi?” Tora asked. “She can’t hear us.”

Ayako did not answer. She came down the steps, her eyes on Hidesato. “You’re hurt.”

Hidesato looked down at himself. A large dark stain was spreading across his chest. “It’s nothing,” he said.

“Oh, Hidesato,” Ayako said. “Sit down and let me see.”

A rustling sound came from under the veranda steps. Tora reached for his sword, but it was Otomi who crept out, her eyes huge in a dirt-smeared face and her clothes covered with dead leaves, cobwebs, and twigs. Tora’s mouth widened into a smile. He dropped his weapon and went to scoop her into his arms.

Ayako found a flesh wound in Hidesato’s shoulder and untied her sash to bandage it.

“Please forgive me,” he begged, stumbling to his feet.

Her face softened. “There’s nothing to forgive. I am sorry I blamed you,” she said, rising. “It was too dark for you to see, and I made the same mistake myself.”

He looked at her searchingly. “I would not have you think badly of me,” he said awkwardly. “I’ve never known anyone like you and I’d rather die than . . .” His voice faltered.

Ayako smiled and took his hand. “I know,” she said softly.

♦

Akitada staggered out onto the veranda in time to take in this tender scene. His face hardened. “Tora,” he snapped.

Tora jumped to attention. They all looked up at Akitada, who stood clutching the balustrade, his face as pale as the bandage against his black hair.

“I see you’ve managed by yourselves. Did you inform the young women about...what happened?”

“The young women?” Ayako took a few steps toward Akitada. Their eyes met briefly, but he glanced away “What are you talking about? What happened?”

Tora and Hidesato exchanged stricken looks. Akitada slowly descended, supporting himself on the railing. He gave Ayako an impersonal nod and said stiffly, “I am afraid it falls to me to inform you that your father died this afternoon.”

Ayako became very still. Her eyes were on his lips, waiting.

“He was murdered by the men who attacked you and your sister,” Akitada continued in the same tone, “but he fought bravely, killing five of his assassins before succumbing to the sword of another. I regret extremely to be the bearer of such tragic news.”

Ayako straightened her slim body. “I am greatly obliged to Your Excellency,” she said. “My sister and I shall always be in your debt for coming to our rescue.” She bowed deeply, then turned her back and went to Hidesato.

Akitada’s heart contracted. He felt tears rising to his eyes. With sheer effort of will, he made himself climb the stairs again and walk back into the temple hall.