The dark sky is lit up by lightning, the thunder cracks over a castle where a lonely Samurai sits next to a hearth. The low lit fire casts strange shadows on the walls as the flames dance in the breeze blowing through the ruins, is all that remains of a once mighty clan.
Raindrops hitting the discarded armour and sword makes them appear to sing. Trails of blood run across the courtyard. The Samurai flops down on to his side, closes his eyes and begins to think, Where did it all go wrong? How were we defeated so easily? Why did the enemy fear me?
The gentle rain turns to an intense downpour that lasts well into the night. The Samurai awakens, sits up rubbing his eyes. Dawn was approaching, he needs to make his move. Where? He wonders with a sigh. Where can I go? The old shrine, is the only place he can think of. The Samurai quickly crosses the courtyard to slip through the partly open gate.
There is no sign of the enemy, so he makes a run for it to the nearby forest and keeps running until he sees a Torii looming before him, the whole thing seems to creak in the sunlight.
The steps up to the shrine seem to take forever to climb, as the Samurai nears the top he begins to hear the sound of morning prayers. Odd when he thought this place was abandoned. As he approaches the open doorway the blind Kannushi within smiles and says, “Welcome, stranger.”
All the monks fall silent and turn around to see a masked man is standing outside.
He bows and says, “Sorry, I did not mean to interrupt.”
The Kannushi beckons the man to enter.
The Samurai removes his Waraji and steps inside.
“Bring the man some tea,” orders the Kannushi.
All the young monks watch the masked man take a seat. One of them offers him a cup of steaming hot tea.
“Thank you,” he says taking it.
The monk asks, “Where are you from, stranger?”
The Samurai is reluctant to answer.
“It does not matter, he is welcome here," insist the Kannushi.
It is clear the Samurai does not want to remove his mask so he is taken to a room.
Placing the mask on the table, he starts siping the tea & begins to think, How did the Kannushi know I was there? It's beginning to feel like I have met him before. The question is when and where?
In the evening the Samurai is seen wandering around the garden.
“You can relax, stranger, no one will find you here.”
The Samurai helps the Kannushi down the steps. “You know me, don’t you?”
"I do indeed. You are legendary Yūrei Samurai. Also known as Masked Warrior and Great Warrior.”
“I am stunned. How did you recognise me?”
The Kannushi points a hand towards him and softly replies, “Even though I was a child when we last met, I can never forget such a unique man like you. You always smell of poppy juice and that handsome, smoky voice of yours is so hypnotic.”
The Samurai emits a throaty laugh and admits, “It is the cause that makes my voice irresistible.” He goes on to talk about the village that was hit by raiders and it makes the Kannushi smile when the Masked Warrior remembers it was his family who gave him a place to stay. “It seems the tables have turned and now you are helping me.”
“What happened?”
“Yuki Castle fell in a matter of minutes. It was almost like someone had plained it.”
The Kannushi is baffled. “What? Why?”
“That is what I intend to find out, why someone... betrayed us?”
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A week later a monk is in the village he sees what he thought is a wanted poster. It is in fact a warning to keep away from the General of Yuki Castle. He manages to peel one off a wall and takes it home to show the stranger.
“Are you really a conjurer?”
“What do you think?”
The young man doesn’t know how to respond.
“It doesn't matter what he is,” expenses the Kannushi. “Here he's just the same as us.”
The young man performs a deep bow and walks away.
“You are not going to be able to hide me forever, Jin.”
The elderly man grips the warrior’s arm. ”What if you are revealed? What then?"
The Samurai's head bows. "It would not be good for any us."
"Exactly. We need to hide you, until you have figured out or found out who betrayed your Emperor. Any ideas?"
“None.”
The Kannushi can hear the frustration in the Samurai's voice. "Don't lose hope. It will come to you.”
In the middle of the night the Great Warrior recalls, strange things were happening at Yuki Castle before it fell. Whispers in the shadows that the Emperor was going to be assassinated. The Captain's odd stabbing and a young lad who was not allowed to follow his dream.
They were all solved without problems, yet the castle still fell. The Samurai begins to suspect again it was the ones who were against the Emperor, who helped the enemy storm the castle in great numbers. The thing is who was the one leading them? Then it dawns on him the Prince did not seem pleased about his sister handing the castle over to the Yamato.
The Samurai takes a turn of the room and questions, “Could he have been behind it all? No, he is just a child. Yet, I feel he is quite capable... is that wrong of me?”
The Samurai lies down and slowly falls back to sleep. Before long he is awakened by the sound of feet running along the covered walkway. He quickly puts on his mask and opens the door to see a young monk is on his way down to him.
“A man on a white horse has arrived. He is hurt.”
The masked warrior trots with him around to the front of the building to see a group of monks are carrying a man inside. The horse has been dressed in the finest bridle and saddle with gold and jewel trimming.
"No... No, can it be?"
He rushes inside and drops to his knees.
All The monks look to the stranger & one of them asks, "You recognise him?"
The Samurai gives a sharp nod & answers, "This is Prince Gorō."
He can't believe the very man he suspects is behind the fall of the castle is right before him. The front of his Kimono is soaked with blood
The thing is the Masked Warrior cannot recall seeing him in the battle, for his white horse would have been easily spotted. Then he feels a hand upon his shoulder and the Kannushi says:
"Don't worry, he will be fine. He just needs time to heal."
"Yes, you are right. Walk with me.”
The Samurai leads the Kannushi in to a garden and goes on to tell him in a soft voice what he has been thinking. The old man listens, he can hear there is a hint of anger to Yūrei's voice. This makes the Kannushi grip his arm. "You need to discover why he was so set against it.”
"You are right, because he never gave Fuki or I an explanation. The more I think about it, there was no just cause for his anger. He just hated the idea of his sister handing the castle over to...me. Why me?"
"Sounds like he knew who you were and like so many was afraid of you.”
The Masked Warrior shakes his head and emits a deep groan.
"I know you never like your identity to be revealed. Yet his sister wanted to find the legendary Masked Warrior."
"Wait, that means he was listening in to his sisters private conversations with General Goshi. That's it!”
The old man slightly raises his left hand. “I hear the anger in your voice, Yūrei. That lad needs time to recover before you start asking questions. I suggest you leave it to us, because you are not here.”
The Masked Warrior emits a giggle. "I am going to live up to my name.”
"Don't you dare scare that lad half to death."
"What? I was just going to reveal myself at the right moment."
"Hmm... You giggled. I know what that means."
"No, I am not going to do that."
"Then why did you giggle? You always do that when you are going to unleash a big minion.”
"No, no, just a little one to sit on his lap and stare at him, until he confesses he caused the fall of the castle. The very thing he wanted. Yet he is here injured and not sitting on the throne."
The Kannushi folds his arms. "It didn't go according to plan. Someone played him?”
The Masked Warrior takes a turn. "The very one who has held him hostage for a week. The question is did Prince Goro escape or was he released?"
"That is a good question," replies the Kannushi, patting him on the arm. "Leave it to me. I will get him to tell us the truth."
“Hmm..."
"Is that doubt I hear? Look at me, I am an old man, & being old, blind & frail looking has its advantages."
"Ah, you play grandfather to your students?"
The Kannushi smiles. "Yes, it works a charm. Some young men here are just needing time to think, they are not monks."
"I see...All right, I leave him in your hands, Jin."
The Kannushi performs a deep bow before he walks away.
The Masked Warrior looks up at the clear blue sky, all he can do now is wait for the Prince to recover.
Two days later Prince Goro awakens. "Where am I?"
"Somewhere safe, lad.”
“Safe you say? I guess you are right being in a monastery. What is your name?”
“Jin and I am the Kannushi of this little monastery. Can you tell me who you are?”
The young man has stretch and responds a moment later, “Prince Gorō of Yuki Castle. How long have I been here?”
The old man’s face fills with more winkles as he gives a reassuring smile. ”Just a short time. What you need, lad, is some hot broth.”
A young monk hands the Prince a small bowl of broth and Prince Gorō takes a sip.
Jin waits for him to eat some of it before he enquiries, ”Now, lad, are you able to tell me who stabbed you?"
The young man seems to flinch and is reluctant to answer the Kannushi's question, he just continues to sip the broth and makes no eye contact.
The old man listens to the man’s quick sipping. “Son, being silent about it will not solve the problem. Was it someone you knew and trusted?”
The Prince sighs. “Both... He lied to me.”
“Who?”
The Prince’s face fills with fear when he recognises the slightly muffled husky voice.
The Masked Warrior steps inside the room and folds his arms. “I asked you a question.”
Prince Gorō takes another sip of broth and utters, “My brother.”
The Kannushi can tell from Yūrei's groan he is not pleased with that answer. "You have no brother," he announces, leaning down.
Beads of sweat start to form upon the Prince’s troubled brow when he sees the dark brown eyes flash blue. They seem to be staring into his very soul. “He left years ago,” he tells him.
The Masked Warrior starts to laugh. “Foolish child! That was not your brother," he tells him.
Prince Gorō is all baffled and questions, “Then who was he?”
“A Prince from the rival clan who wanted to claim Yuki Castle for himself. And thanks to your recklessness he has succeeded.”
The Prince is not happy about being called reckless and slaps the Masked Warrior’s face.
“Aaaah! My hand,” he cries in pain.
“Stupid boy! My mask is made from one the hardest metals around. Give me your hand.”
Prince Gorō holds out his throbbing hand. “It’s your fault. I am not reckless… I only wanted to make my sis understand the other clan is better," he snaps.
This remark makes Yūrei laugh as he pulls the two fingers back in to place, making the boy scream in pain. “Bind them and they will soon be as good as new.”
Two monks do as he ask.
“Gorō, you are a fool, all Prince Jiro wants is power," he explains. "I cannot believe you allowed him to win you over.”
“I… I didn’t because he has proof he is a member of my family. A child father had before he had my mother. You will see what I tell you is the truth and what you say is lies.”
Jin quickly places himself between them. “You should be careful what you say, boy! Yūrei is no liar.”
The Masked Warrior turns around and walks out of the room. Once in the garden he begins to think, Could Prince Jiro be behind the fall of the castle… I think not. And how could Gorō believe in such lies. He knows or should know his father had no one before his mother, because if he did he would be strip of his title and no longer be emperor. Even so the boy said Haruki has evidence. I would like to see for myself this evidence.
“Do not let the boy’s remarks get you heated, Yūrei.”
“Following me were you?”
The old man’s head titles slightly to the left. “More like I was concerned you were about to unleash something. I recall the last time someone called you a lier you sent them a goblin like creature that kept him awake all night.”
“That was a cat, not one of my minions. It went in to the room to shelter from the storm and scared the life out of the man. Of course he would naturally suspect it was me when he saw I was standing in the garden.”
“Wearing your mask? It was amazing you were not struck my lightning.”
The Masked Warrior chuckles. “This cannot conduct lightning. As I have said it is made from a metal that is—”
The old man listens he can hear a horse is approaching the shrine. “Hide and I will get my boys to see who it is.”
Yūrei gives him a pat on the shoulder, then vanishes.
The speckled horse comes to a stop near the steps of the shrine. A man in fine armour dismounts and removes his helmet.
One of the monks asks, trotting down the steps to greet him. “Can we help you, Sir?”
“Tell me, boy, has anyone come here?”
“No, you are the first, Sir.”
The man adjusts his sword and starts to look around. “Just monks here? You are not hiding anyone?”
“The boy is telling you the truth,” comes the sound of an old man’s voice.
The stranger bows. “Ah, you must be the Kannushi.”
“I am, stranger. Tell me what brings you here, for you are far from the village. Going by that armour clinking you are a warrior, right?”
The man strokes his beard. “You have sharp ears, old man. All right I am Detective Katō and I was just wondering if any survivors of Yuki Castle came here.”
“Hiroto, I should have known you would could looking,” comes a muffled voice from behind, making him flinch and quickly turn around.
“I am so glad to see you have survived. Then again with your skills, you are not an easy man to take down.”
The Masked Warrior folds his arms and shakes his head. “You have seen what has happened to the castle?”
“Yes. It looks like it was attacked from the inside out.”
“That’s because it was. Somehow the enemy got in and before I knew it we were out numbered… and men began to fell. It was no better outside, a wave of them seemed to come from nowhere. I tell you now, Hiroto, it did not seem normal.”
Detective Katō is a little surprised that the Great Warrior is suggesting magic was used. How can that be when they were mortals? Only a man like Yūrei are capable of such things.
The Masked Warrior emits a soft laugh and questions, “I know that look, you suspect magic.”
“Well, men cannot just appear, unless they found a hidden entrance. Were there any inside the castle?”
“If there were they never told me about them… unless the Emperor herself knew nothing about them. When the castle was stormed the guards surround the Emperor and she was hushed away. I used my skills to protect her. Then I become aware things were getting worse outside. There was nothing I could do. Before I knew the castle was ablaze.” Yūrei sighs and takes a seat on the steps.
The Detective goes to him and apologises, “I’m sorry.”
“For what? You need to know what happened, if we are to solve this mystery.”
“We? I only came here to find out if… well, I am pleased to find you are here.”
Yūrei rises and grips the man’s shoulder and gives him a soft shake. “I know you, you are also curious to discover how Yuki Castle fell. When you know yourself it was armed to the teeth and me. Walk with me.
Detective Katō follows the Great Warrior in to a small garden, the gate closes by itself and the Masked Warrior starts to remove his gloves.
“I tell you, something was not right. All I have to do is hold out my bare hand and I can feel your lovely, strong heart beating. I can smell your blood. Yours is fine and sweet. The ones who attacked the castle their blood was odd.”
“Odd? In what way?” The Detective steps a little closer and whispers, “Was it to stop you from recognising their sent? Or did it make you want to bite them?”
Yūrei walks around him and strokes the side of the man’s neck. “I would never bite anyone. It was strange. Somehow they knew what I was and only a handful of people know that. You are one of them. You should also know Prince Gorō is here. He is recovering from a stab wound. Whoever did it wanted him to live, so he could bring me… The Prince claims his father had a child before he met his current wife. I took a stab in the dark and told him it was the prince from the rival clan. It worked and that foolish child started to panic, because he knows full well what happens if you have a child before marriage or part of the bloodline. Gorō told me this other prince has proof. If that is the case why did he not just present it.”
“You are right. There was no need to attack the castle. Did he just say that to get Prince Gorō to believe him?”
The Great Warrior is behind the Detective and he whispers in the man’s ear, “You mortals are easily led. You also believe things that are not true. I trust you because you are a mortal that will stop at nothing to get to the truth. I am now trapped. I cannot leave this shrine… otherwise these poor, innocent monks will be next. I need you, Hiroto, to help me crack this case. Another thing Gorō knows what I am.”
“How is that possible? No one at the castle, when I was helping you with the other matters, knew what you were. Oh you are suggesting the prince of the reel clan knows and told him.”
“See, you have drawn the same conclusion I have, my good man. I know you would never tell anyone. You will take my secret to the grave.”
Detective Katō emits a soft laugh and whispers, “And make sure to hide the evidence when you leave a blood stained cup on the table.”
Yūrei walks around to face him and gives a slight nod. “That you did. What did you claim it was?”
“A blend of Goji berry and raspberry tea.”
The Masked Warrior laughs and pats the man’s shoulder. “That sounds very bitter and something I would not go for. Then again the tea here, yuck, it’s weak, bitter with bits in it. Please bring me some good tea.”
They both laugh.
“I will do. Also I will see what I can find out. See you in a few days.”
“Hiroto, do not put your life in danger. If you think you are being watched or followed, then get back here and I will deal with them.”
The Detective performs a slight bow before he walks over to the gate and is about to open it when the Great Warrior appears to his left. “On second thoughts, here take this,” says Yūrei, placing something cold and hard in to the man’s hand. “Throw it high in to the air and I will come to you, all right?”
“Are you sure about that?”
“I should not have held things back at the castle. From now on I will live up to my name,” whispers the great Warrior and vanishes.
Hiroto opens his fingers to see what he has been given is a pure white stone that seems to have a bright blue light pulsing within. He quickly feel under the font of his amour to place it in his belt and leaves the garden. When the Detective reaches his horse the old man approaches him. “You know the Yūrei Samurai?”
“Yes, I do, Kannushi. If anyone asks, he is not here. I will return when I have something.”
“All right. Then you had better take a future,” suggests Jin, holding out a stick.
Detective Katō takes it and places it inside the left sleeve of his amour. “Thanks. Stand back,” he says, gently moving the old man out of the way. Then he mounts his horse and rides away.
When Hiroto has traveled half way down the road a crow lands upon the horses head. This no orderly crow it has purple eyes and is a sort of cream colour. Around it neck hangs a silver chain, decorated with beads as red as blood.
“Are you one of Yūrei’s minions?”
The crow seems to laugh and cleans its chest feathers.
The Detective goes to stroke it but the crow flaps its wings and squarks loudly. “All right, I won’t touch you,” he says, placing his hand back on the reins.
Hiroto soon reaches the crossroads, the road to the left leads to the rains of Yuki Castle, straight on is the village and to the right is the long road to town. The crow seems to be staring at the ground.
“What are you looking at?”
Then he gets the fright of his life when the Great Warrior’s handsome, rough voice comes though the bird. “Interesting… I am not seeing any spells. Oh and reframe from touching my boy, it will break the spell and you will no longer have my watcher, watching over you. His name is Kaze and with his keen eye I can see spells. That’s if magic was used.”
“I understand and if anyone asks I found him at the burnt out castle and you, his loyal master, is nowhere to be found.”
“Perfect… speak to you again soon.”
The crow turns his attention to the right and releases a few soft squarks. Then a man on a cart carrying hay, that is being pulled by a single horse passes them. The farmer gives a slight bow before turning the cart towards the village.
Detective Katō decides to ask the man if he saw the castle being attacked over a week ago. The middle age farmer’s expression is a mix of confusion and shock to hear Yuki Castle is no more.
“I afraid I saw nothing, Sir. I just thought the smoke was from the cooking fires. Ah, come to think of it, Sir, I did see a group of men on horses heading over the west hills, towards our enemy.”
“Thank you. Is there anything else you remember?”
The farmer shakes his head. “No, I’m afraid not, Sir. Good day.”
“Good day.”
“I must say, Sir, that is an odd bird you have.”
Hiroto points a hand at the crow and explains, “This belongs to Yūrei Samurai. He is also known as the Masked Warrior or Great Warrior. I found him at the castle… Poor thing there is no sign of his master anywhere, not even at the shrine. I am on my way back to get a team to lay the dead to rest. I just hope his master isn’t amongst them.”
The farmer bows his head. “So do I, Sir, it would be a pity such a great legend was no more. Well, if you are in of help, I have two strong boys who have dealt with death.”
“Thank you, I will bare that in mind.”
They continue down the road together and when the farmer turns off to the right he bows again to the Detective. Hiroto bows back and carries on towards the village. Back at headquarters the chief is devastated to hear what has happened to the castle. He soon gets a team of men together to return with Detective Katō.
By sunset most of the dead have been laid to rest in one massive grave. The Chief is informed the Emperor, General and the famous Masked Samurai are not amongst the dead. Detective Katō makes sure to make a note and knows the Great Warrior is going to be pleased the Emperor got away. Some of the men discover towards the back of the castle are the remains of barrels and small pits.
Hiroto keen eye and observation skills, he soon works out it was done deliberately. He crouches down and uses a tip of a knife to scoop up some of the ash. “Lamp oil,” he whispers, giving it another sniff. “So, whilst everyone was busy fighting someone stacked barrels and dug pits to control the fire. Thus going undetected, which gave it time to build and take hold of the building. Also made sure your master did not detect it.”
The crow uses his right claws to scratch the chard ground and stares at it.
“What is it? What are you seeing?” Detective Katō questions, watching the bird again scratch at the ash.
Then crow takes off towards the trees which makes the Chief get some of his men to follow him. “Keep him in your sights,” he orders them.
The crow flies around the grounds before retuning to Hiroto holding something within his beak.
“Kaze, what have you found?” Detective Katō asks, holding out his hand. The crow drops a small bead upon his palm.
“No, do not break it,” comes the Great Warrior’s handsome voice through the bird. “It is some kind of table. They seemed to be scattered around grounds. I have no idea what it is, that is why I got Kaze to give you one.”
“I will place it in a vial,” responds Hiroto, removing a small glass tube from his cloth pouch. He uses his teeth to remove the cork and drops the small bead inside. “I will get it back to the lab.”
“Thank you. Another thing, you are right I did not notice the fire until it had lit the back wall. It was because I deal with a wave of soldiers that were storming in. It was almost like someone had open a floodgate.”
“I understand. Well, from what is left of the building, I can tell there are no hidden passageways. It is looking more and more like someone just opened the door. Have any ideas betrayed you?”
“No idea,” comes the muffled voice from behind.
Detective Katō quickly stands up and turns around. “Are you mad? What if you are seen?”
The Great Warrior takes hold of the man’s right shoulder. “Do not panic. Kaze has helped me establish no one has been here since that awful night, otherwise that little bead would have been crushed.”
“You dropped them?”
Yūrei Samurai takes hold of the vial and gives it a soft shake. “I wish I could take credit. I did not make this. I found some that had been broken and realised a fine white powder. It could just be chalk. Even so I was not about to sniff it or allow you to crush this one, in case what it contains is toxic.”
“Good point. Or they were used to mark anyone who got away so they could be tracked. The Emperor, her life could still be in danger. Do you have any idea where she was taken?” Hiroto enquires, watching the Great Warrior fold his arms and emits a sigh.
The Detective knows from when they were investigating the stabbing of Captain Yamazaki’s odd stabbing, Yūrei likes to take his time and think things through. He likes the way the Great Warrior clutches the chin of his fine mask and every now and then his dark brown eyes flash a metallic blue just like his long hair that he keeps tied back in a loss ponytail.
“From here,” answers the Masked Warrior, “the closet place is the village. If that was so, why did they not alert the police. Unless they headed for the old fortress that lies hidden in the hills to the west. Hmm… the broken beads do point that way. I hope not for their sakes. That place is not fit for anyone. I just hope they used it to wait out the storm and continued to the Winter Palace.”
“There is only one way to find out. I will go and take a look.”
The Chief appears, he performs a deep bow and says, “Great Warrior, it is good to see you are all right.”
Yūrei Samurai points a hand at him. “Chief Hashimoto, of course you heard us talking. What do you think, head to the old fort or search the village?”
“Well… emm… I was going to say fortress to make sure they are still not there after a week. I have to agree with you, Great Warrior, that is no place for anyone let alone a woman.”
“Ha, I tell you now, that girl is more of a boy than you realise, Chief. Chiyoko is very strong and my goodness when she is deterred to get something done she will no matter what. Chiyoko handed the castle over to me… Look what has happened. I failed to protect it,” declares the Masked Warrior bowing his head.
Detective Katō gently grips Yūrei Samurai’s arm. “None of this is your fault. You were clearly betrayed by someone on the inside. Any ideas who it might be?”
The Great Warrior emits a sigh and shakes his head. “Chief Hashimoto, something you should know Prince Gotō is being looked after at the shrine. The stab wound to his abdomen is resent, not a week old. Judging from the marks around his writes, the stench from his robe, the boy has clearly had been held somewhere. Jin the Kannushi at the shrine has not been able to get much out of him. So much for his play the grandpa card. That boy will take it to his grave who was behind this and made him think he had a long lost brother. Anyway, I’m off to check out the fortress before it gets dark.”
“Detective Katō will accompany you,” orders the Chief as though his best man had no choice in the matter.
Hiroto performs a bow and walks with the Great Warrior over to the hoses. “You never mentioned the old fortress before,” questions the Detective in a soft voice.
“I must confess I had forgotten all about it, until Kaze reminded me of it when he flew that way. Also after that downpour any tracks leading to and from the castle were washed away.”
“That’s another thing, they used the storm as a coverup. That was a controlled fire to make it appear the castle was struck by lightning. Knowing you, you would have figured all of that out on the night.”
The Great Warrior pats him on the back, making him stubble and cough. Then masked Samurai takes hold of his chin and whispers, “I sure did. See you know me too well.”
The Detective smiles and expresses, “It is because two good minds think alike. I have to say even I had forgotten about that old fort. Let’s hope we do not find them still there.”
They mount the horses and take the narrow path to the west hills.
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