The soldier lay hidden in the long grass, his mount prone and muzzled beside him, as Dar Mingus and his men trotted past shouting instructions and pointing out signs of recent passage. He heard Mingus command them into a gallop after satisfying himself over which route to follow. When he was certain they were well past, he raised his mount and galloped in the direction from which they had ridden.

The scene in the small glade sickened him; his companion's corpses lay where they died and the sight of Scott's head grimacing up at him urged him to run next to a tree and be sick. There would be time later to lay them properly to rest, but first he must warn his captain. He removed a pistol from the vest of one of the soldiers and a supply of cartridges and began his urgent journey back to the Japan village.

*****

Gaspar couldn't believe his luck. One minute he has his enemy exactly where he wants him, the next he's a prisoner again and with a shattered shinbone on his good leg from a crossbow bolt. The threat of blowing up his hostages ended with the lightning quick strike on his men by two of Haito's soldiers, freeing even more people to join the fray.

He glared at Jak, who had pounced on his men from behind without warning, taking away their advantage and reducing their numbers in a fiercely pitched battle. A small plump woman gently washed his wound and wrapped the splintered leg in a soft, clean cloth containing a mixture of herbs and medicines.

"Why would Haito bother to have his wounds tended?" Wyeth asked Jak quietly.

"Maybe he's been around us too long." Jak grinned and shrugged. "I'm sure you're pleased to see that Kysoo is safe and sound." Wyeth formed a sentence but it came out blubbered and jumbled causing Jak to slap his leg and laugh aloud.

"What gives you such pleasure, Captain?" Haito looked at the two men curiously.

Jak waved his hand. "It's a simple jest between ourselves, Haito. A release from the recent action." Haito's brow wrinkled. "We would like to know why you are taking such care with Gaspar here."

He looked down at his prisoner and smiled grimly. "When I remove his leg I want him in good health."

Gaspar blanched and uttered a weak moan, his eyes seeking Jak's, pleading.

"We have talked about these methods before, my friend. I thought perhaps we had managed an understanding."

Haito raised his head and faced Jak squarely. "I tried your way with this one last time and it has cost me more men and part of my village. There will be no more forgiveness. Gaspar will live, but he will be nothing more than bits and pieces." They held one another's stare silently and then Jak sighed and relaxed his stance.

"I bow to your decision, Haito. He should pay for all he has done. You will hear no more about it from me."

"Wait! Wait Captain. You can't let him do this to me. How will I get by? I'll be at everyone's mercy with just one hand, one leg, one eye and one ear. I will barely be able to care for myself." Gaspar was close to crying.

"You are right," Haito considered seriously. "We will select some additional parts to remove then caring for yourself will not be your problem anymore."

The three men turned and left the hut as Gaspar's moan became a terrified wail.

Dar Mingus studied the village from the cover of the forest above the village. His quarry was there all right but the numbers were too large for an easy conquest. At first, Mingus thought as he watched the last of the battle, that he might assist the pirates but he soon changed his mind and had been surprised and impressed with the skill and accuracy of the strange, squinty-eyed men as they completed the capture of their enemy. He chose to withdraw and wait to see how the soldiers from Terrault would travel. If by land, he would trail and attack. If by sea, he would hie to Caval and greet them in ambush there.

A pair of gunshots sounded above his location and Mingus cursed, fearing he had been set up by the soldiers and somehow surrounded. He rallied his men and the broke from cover, galloping madly out of the trees and across the rolling grass field. Below, in the village, Jak and the others hurried to a place where they could see the band of soldiers fleeing.

"What was the gunfire?" Gainer asked, readying himself for another attack.

"It came from higher up," Wyeth pointed to the lone rider driving his horse down the slope to the village.

"That's Spence. We sent him to Caval. Something must have happened."

Haito and a dozen men gathered about the soldiers and watch as the rider spurred his steed through the rocky terrain and down the winding trail into the village. They scattered to the side as he reined in, rearing up and dismounting all at once.

"Spence, what happened?" Gainer demanded.

"It was Mingus, sir. He slaughtered the others." The man sagged to his knees panting. "I came across Sergeant Miner and his men in a small glade not too far from here. Mingus must have surprised them or something. They were all dead. Scott- Scott's head was just..." He sobbed and clutched his face.

"Steady, man. You say all of them are dead?" Gainer gave Jak a worried look.

"All of them, and they cut off Scott's head, sir. It was horrible."

"Who are these men?" Haito pushed his way up between Jak and Gainer.

"Dramin soldiers. Dar Mingus, their leader, is a brutal savage. He must have been sent to get Wyeth-at any cost."

'He will be waiting for you to return to Terrault." It was not a question and Jak nodded at Haito. "Then we will go together and teach this Mingus a lesson."

Jak began to protest but Haito silenced him with a sharp chop of his hand in the air between them. "You saved my village and my people from Gaspar and his men, my honour demands that I pledge my service to your need."

"I have learned not to object to the question of one's honour," said Jak. "We accept your assistance gladly."

"Good. We will finish our business here, eat, rest and leave for your home in the morning."

Gainer stepped forward but Jak put out a hand and gave Haito a small bow. "Until the morning then."

Haito smiled and returned the bow. "The morning... Gaijin."