CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Kuro didn’t have time to answer the woman on the rooftop. Before he could speak, another figure emerged from the shadows on the docks, one Trick recognized.

‘You want the boy,’ said Kazumi, addressing the woman above and raising her naginata as she prowled forward, ‘you have to beat me first.’

‘As you wish,’ said the blonde stranger, sliding down the tiled roof before leaping to the street below. She wore a leather cuirass over her body, and held her sword and shield raised before her with expert ease. Her blue eyes flitted from the ninja on the dock to the samurai standing nearby, sizing up each of her opponents. All the while, Trick squirmed on the ground, trying to work his hands loose from his bonds. If he could have cried out, he would have.

Kuro pulled the spear from his arm – it came free from the black fabric, having narrowly missed the flesh. In the same breath it flew from his wrist towards the blonde woman, whose quickly raised shield deflected it in the direction of Kazumi. She swung her naginata, striking the spear out of the air and sending it skittering across the dock. Kuro stood over Trick now, his own sword in hand as he glared at the two women.

‘The boy is in my custody,’ said the ninja. ‘I do not wish to kill either of you, but if you press me …’

‘Brave words,’ said Kazumi. ‘He came to Sea Forge with me and he’ll leave with me. If either of you stands in my way you’ll never see the sunrise.’

The blonde woman suddenly sprang forward. ‘Sweet Odin but you two talk too much!’

Her longsword struck Kazumi’s naginata, but the samurai parried with ease. This prompted Kuro to attack, and three throwing stars whistled towards her. Her shield went up, catching all three of them. She struck the back of the shield with the fist that held her sword, dislodging the shuriken and sending them flying back at the ninja. He leapt, rolling clear as they clattered around Trick.

The boy rolled as the three warriors went at one another, trading blows with katana, longsword and naginata. Trick found one of the stars on the dock, picked it up with shaking fingertips and turned it against his bonds. He began to cut the rope, his eyes fixed upon the duelling fighters. If he could, he would help Kazumi, as she was the only one among them he trusted. As for Kuro – the idea of helping the poor of the city had struck a chord with the ninja. Perhaps he could be of use to them. But the blonde woman? Trick had figured her out now. The fair complexion, the distinctive shield and the Odin curse: this was the Shield Maiden Toki had mentioned. Whether she was honourable or not was another matter.

The rope came loose, allowing Trick to leap to his feet. He tugged the gag loose and dashed towards the battling trio.

‘Stop it!’ he shouted. ‘Quit fighting each other!’

He rushed in, trying to grab Kazumi. It was no good. She was completely committed to the fight, slashing, parrying and counter-attacking in turn with her naginata. She threw an elbow back, catching Trick in the shoulder as she barged him clear of the melee. He flew across the dock, crashing into a barrel and a stack of lobster pots. They clattered down around him as the battle raged on.

‘How’s tricks, Trick?’

He looked up. There, perched upon a lantern post, was a familiar big black bird.

‘Kaw!’ he exclaimed, relieved to see the pesky crow again. The bird was looking over the dock’s edge to the beach, where more carrion crabs had joined the others at the banquet.

‘Made a bit of a mess down there, didn’t you, kid? Still, better them than you, eh?’

‘You have to help me, Kaw,’ said Trick, struggling wearily to his feet. ‘You’ve gotta make them stop. They’re going to kill each other!’

‘The three amigos? No chance, pal. Ain’t getting my feathers ruffled in that scrap. I’m likely to end up as a crow kebab! I’m afraid it’s down to you, Trick. You’re the leader of this gang, you’re the Black Moon Warrior. It’s you who needs to tear them apart.’

Trick glowered at the crow. ‘Remind me again what purpose you serve?’

Trick left the bird, and stalked cautiously towards the combatants. All three were masters of their weapons and individual fighting styles. Kazumi was all grace, her elegant sweeping moves kept her foes at bay with the naginata and she chose her moments to strike carefully. The Shield Maiden was the opposite, all strength and fury, trusting her armour and shield to protect her should any blade find its way past her longsword. Kuro’s movements were all speed and stealth, he faded in and out of the fight, striking quickly and quietly. Trick had to choose which of the three he would try to distract without getting hurt, let alone killed. His shoulder still throbbed from where Kazumi had struck him.

He decided on Kuro eventually. The ninja kept disengaging, affording Trick the chance to dive in and try to catch his attention. He darted forward and instantly regretted his rash and foolish move.

The ninja suddenly sprang high, just as the Shield Maiden was lunging at him. The longsword cut through the air, straight through the spot Kuro had occupied and on towards Trick. He gasped as the blade zoomed towards his head. He let instinct, and the nerve and agility that had carried him across rooftops back home, take over. His hips slid, torso twisting, head falling to one side as the Viking’s sword thrust by. He felt the steel’s razor edge kiss his cheek, slicing open the flesh as, loose-limbed and dizzy, he collapsed.

His head struck a paving stone with a sickening crack. The three warriors stood over him, their fight finished, the stars twinkling overhead. The last thing Trick heard was a crow’s caw as the darkness engulfed him.