To the ones I love...to my beloved father, Red Rain, and my mother, Moon...

Never would I raise my sword against Samurai. But then never before have I made such a profit from frankincense and rhino horn. If the five knights, who have just boarded my ship, touch one tael of our earnings, they will invoke the wrath of both myself and my hard-working, faithful crew.

A light rain descends upon us in the misty Kamakura wharf. "You are a member of the Trader's Guild?" one of the armored warriors asks. His hand rests at his side, brushing easily against the silk-tasseled hilts of his daisho. Surely a daimyo would not have sent five knights simply to ask for my papers. In the past, such a duty was the responsibility of the tidewaiter. He was always easy enough to buy off.

I make a wave motion to Yun, who bows and hurriedly fetches our charter scroll. Out of sight, he withdraws the document from a gold box, hidden in a secret vault below the deck. While he is off fetching it, I lean comfortably against the prow and rest an arm on my knee. If these gentlemen are merely tidewaiters, I've no need to waste good manners on them. I smile confidently and nod to them. By their expressions, however, I read distrust and impatience. Whatever is taking Yun so long?

Not a moment too soon, the scroll is in my hands, and I stand tall, presenting it to the knight nearest me. "This charter expired two years ago," he says with agitation, "and it is in the name of a merchant called Yamada. Yet you are a Chinese crew."

Clearly, the samurai expects me to make an answer, so I make one. "Yamada was our captain when we were issued this charter. Since he is no longer with us, our options are few. The Shogun does not grant charters to Chinese merchants."

I do wish my explanation had not sounded so much like a plea. I pride myself on not compromising my own authority, especially not to a fancied up customs officer. Before I can save face, the samurai continues: "Due to the illegal nature of your business, we must confiscate your weapons and cargo and transport you to the Shogun's palace. Saburo! Kenzo!"

Saburo and Kenzo are just as menacing as their commander. As they approach, their dark armored kusazuri shuffle against their legs, and their red and gold breastplates inflate with all the pride and splendour of bushido.

I have no intention of losing my ship or my money. And I cannot have my crew arrested for following orders. We are already outlaws in Kamakura. If we stand against the Buke and escape, we must never return. If we go with them, we shall never have that choice.

Red Rain's broadsword is in my hand and I cut Kenzo's katana free from his waist. At the same time I kick him backward and pull away his red sash. Saburo reacts only a moment too late, and the sash is woven tightly around his head, covering his eyes. The commander's naginata swoops down from above, on an arc, but I sidestep its path and hold its blade against the floor of the deck with my boot. My other foot flies into his face and kicks his helmet free, and the steel dome whizzes toward another mononofu. The knight deflects it with his drawn wakizashi and lunges into the fray with a cry.

Cool and calm, I meet two swords with my father's dao, employing the graceful defenses of the Crane. I use the Samurai's energy against themselves and each other. While I work to keep them off balance, Yun and Feng defend themselves against the other three knights.

With his own tanto, I deliver a swift death to one of the Samurai. The other gives me a tougher time, employing a furious whirlwind of punches and kicks, only some of which I block. Most I evade altogether. I run up the mast of the ship, push myself off the sail with a kick, and fly over my opponent to get high ground. With the aggression of the Leopard, I deprive my opponent of an opportunity to strike back. Two successful claw attacks against his armor reveal areas of vulnerability and I exploit one with father's broadsword. He collapses, lifeless, to the floor.

"Surrender, or your companions die," says one of the two remaining knights. Yun and Feng kneel before their captors, wakizashi held to their throats. I could easily enough send two fatal daggers into the Samurai with one throw. But in as much time the Samurai would slay my friends. My ship and its cargo are invaluable to me...but the lives of my crew are costlier.

I drop the dao, which clangs upon the deck. Now, at last, I will save face. With authority I make my demand: "Take me to your Shogun at once."