Noble
Copyright© 2008 by acolodude
Chapter 32
I called Yoshi and Jen to my room once we were all settled.
They both looked like children who had been called to the principal’s office, quite guilty-looking. I asked them what they were hiding from me.
They looked at each other and then back at me, asking what I meant.
I shook my head and spoke to them in Japanese. I told them that I understood what they had been talking about but hadn’t heard the entire conversation. I politely asked them to tell me everything.
They both knelt down and said, “HAI.”
Yoshi spoke first, explaining that there was an old—VERY old—story about the “Mystic Warrior Guardians.”
The legend told of a powerful Shogun’s daughter who was always spending time with the villagers, much to her father’s dismay. She worked alongside them in the fields and played with the other children.
When a rival attacked the village, the villagers protected the daughter so fiercely that the rival’s army lost more than a third of its forces to them. Although the Shogun and all his men were killed, his daughter survived.
The legend continued that she fled with the remaining villagers, and they began systematically seeking revenge against every Shogun responsible for her father’s death, either by assisting in it or by failing to stop it.
Later stories are told of villages being protected from rogue bandits and ronin. Through the years, the legend continued, even into World War II. These were the Mystic Warriors who guarded the weak and helpless.
I asked if they thought these Mystic Warriors were responsible for stopping the attack on us.
They both said they weren’t sure, but it was a possibility.
A week later, we were back at the ranch for the first time since the attack at the restaurant. We had been there less than an hour when we were notified that three SUVs were approaching the ranch house.
Dee still had difficulty breathing if she overexerted herself. Bee had just stopped using a cane to walk, but she was still moving slowly. Dove had a hearing aid in her left ear, although her hearing was continuing to improve. Rich had recovered from his concussion, and I had another fading scar to add to all the others.
Who was bothering us now?
We were all armed with automatic pistols, and the security force provided by Mr. Black could have stopped a company of soldiers with ease.
The rear passenger door of the middle SUV opened, and a single man in a gray suit stepped out, holding a white handkerchief. I signaled for him to come forward.
When he reached the front door, two of the security guys checked him for weapons. After they gave me the all-clear, I waved him inside.
Daisuke Takumi introduced himself and apologized for bothering us. He then explained that he was there on behalf of his master, Takehiko Shiro.
Jen was startled by the name.
I asked her who he was.
Daisuke answered, “Her overlord.”
Jen nodded, confirming his statement.
I asked what he wanted with her.
Daisuke replied, “She has dishonored our house and must be dealt with.”
I stood and told Daisuke that Jen was under my protection. If Takehiko wished to deal with her, he would have to deal with me first.
Jen shouted, “NO!”
Daisuke turned to her and said something in Japanese, telling her to be silent.
I answered him in Japanese. “Do not give orders in my house.”
Daisuke took out his cell phone and made a call. He spoke very softly and so quickly in Japanese that I couldn’t understand what he was saying. Once he finished, he put the phone back in his pocket and told me that Takehiko was coming.
I heard from my security force that the doors on all three SUVs were opening and that eight men were getting out.
I told Daisuke to go to Takehiko and tell him I would be out shortly.
“HAI.”
Daisuke left.
I turned to Jen and asked her to explain what was going on. She knelt and asked me to let her go outside to meet them.
I asked her what the deal was.
She looked at me and explained that Takehiko Shiro had been the first student, or the best in her group, when she was training. As such, he was responsible for ensuring that no one in their group dishonored their training.
I asked how she had dishonored their training.
She held up her wrists.
I asked what he would do.
She said he would remove the rings or kill her. Maybe both.
I laughed and said, “Over my dead body.”
Jen replied that he would kill me, too, and begged me not to interfere.
I turned and walked out the front door.
Takehiko Shiro looked about three inches shorter than me and maybe thirty pounds lighter. But he also looked deadly. He was wearing a dark gray, almost charcoal-colored suit. The other seven men were dressed in black suits.
He began speaking in broken English, telling me that this was not my concern and that I should stay out of their affairs before I got hurt or even killed.
Before I could answer, a helicopter came sweeping in and hovered over the landing area. The downdraft sent dirt flying everywhere before it slowly and gently settled onto the ground.
My security team began moving to intercept it. At the same time, Takehiko’s men raised their submachine guns and aimed them at the helicopter.
Four people emerged from the helicopter: three men and a woman. The only man wearing a suit was Mr. Takidi, Yoshi’s father. The other man and the woman wore traditional Japanese clothing. As they approached, I could see that the man was armed with a daisho, and the woman appeared to be a geisha.
The older Japanese gentleman walked with an air of authority. The eight men from the SUVs, including Daisuke and Takehiko, bowed to him. He acknowledged them with a slight gesture. Their weapons disappeared almost as quickly as they had appeared.
Mr. Takidi, the Shogun guard, and the geisha remained standing beside Tatsujin Ryuu.
Mr. Takidi hurried to my side and began explaining.
Tatsujin Ryuu was the Sensei of the Dragon Clan, to which Takehiko, Jen, Yoshi, and Mr. Takidi all belonged.
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