The Return of the Warrior Read online

  The Return of the Warrior was only possible because of the support and love of my friends and close family. I wish to express my eternal gratitude to them …

  My hypnotherapist Alex Vrettos, the man who performed a miracle and got me writing again; Mary, your healing powers are a gift; my acupuncturist Jeremy Marshall (is there any point on my body you haven’t stuck with a pin?!); Paweena Promkot (Toto), for reviving me with your East–West therapy; Sara Davison for setting me up for a better, brighter and happier future; and my solicitor Robert Williams, for your calm guidance and compassion through a most challenging time.

  My agent Charlie Viney, I will always treasure our friendship over and above our excellent working relationship; my publishers for their understanding and flexibility in delivering this book, in particular Tig Wallace and Wendy Shakespeare; my accountants Dawn, Denise and Heidi, for not only providing numbers but listening and caring; and Trevor Wilson, Camilla Kenyon, Lisa Thompson and all the team at Authors Abroad for their support and understanding.

  All my friends; only when you are truly in need do you discover who your true friends are. I am blessed to have you all in my life: the HGC – Dan, Dax, Larry, Siggy, Riz, Kul and Andy; Farah, Dotty, Becky, Cat, Debs, Stepanka and Nicky; Geoff (and Lucy), Charlie and Matt; Mark and Kate Dyson (and my god-daughter Lulu!); my neighbour and comrade-in-arms David Leppenwell; Brian and Kate Corr; Thomas Corr for your early advice; Emma Gibbins; Helen Caithness; Russell and Jackie Holdaway; Rob Rose for our cinema-therapy sessions; Sarah Hitt; Lisa and Simon Martin; Rob and Robbie Cooper; Nick Coward; Philippa Luscombe; Rob Dunkerley and Oli Bishop; and B, you have a heart of gold – thank you for being my burst of sunshine!

  My neighbours and friends in the village who offered their support and helped me through: Jan and Scott Holt for their kindness and prayers; my dear neighbour Jan; Russell and Lucy Driver; Andy Hitt; Rachel Felton; Will and Caroline Kemp for their prayers too; Naomi and Ian McBain; Dr Thomson, Dr Graham and Dr Cook for their care; Chris at the greengrocer’s; my Hurst Colt football friends Scott, Christian, Mike, Kieran and Neil; Sarah McCaffery for being there always for the boys; Colin and Heather; my counsellors, Beverly Nolan, Jaki Watkins and Dorothy Orchard; Philip Carter for your friendship and counsel; and Cynthia Davies, my rescuer on the street.

  My Uncle Brian and Cherrill for your unwavering support; and my godparents Ann and Andrew for your thoughts and prayers.

  My soul protector Alessia for carrying me through the darkest times from near and afar. My two guardian angels Karen and Hayley for saving me again and again – I cannot thank you two enough.

  My mum and dad, who were there with me every step of the way along this hard path. Now we can smile again, there is only light ahead …

  And my two wonderful boys, Zach and Leo, you kept the fire burning in me. I love you with all my heart and always will.

  Finally, arigatō gozaimasu to all my readers, librarians, teachers and booksellers. You have waited a long time for this book. Your patience and continued support are appreciated.

  Thank you,

  Chris

  Any fans can keep in touch with me and the progress of the Young Samurai series on my Facebook page, or via the website at www.youngsamurai.com

  What was your inspiration for the Young Samurai books?

  I’ve always dreamed of being a samurai. That period in history was such an exciting time and the samurai were the greatest warriors to have lived. The Young Samurai books are a way of living that dream!

  Do you plot in advance or let the story develop as you write?

  I always plot out the entire story before starting the writing process. I use this plot as a ‘rough guide’, since often the story will diverge in different directions as the characters take hold and live a life of their own. Somehow the book always ends up where I’d planned it to go. When I first came up with the idea for Young Samurai: The Way of the Warrior, I knew the end of the third book and the ninth book!

  If music be the food of love, what do you think writing is?

  The elixir of learning! Writing stretches the mind, taking it beyond its usual boundaries, and it allows one to embark on fantastic journeys of the imagination.

  What hobbies do you have and how do they influence your work?

  My main hobby is martial arts, so clearly my knowledge of samurai and ninja skills forms an important part of my writing. In particular, it allows me to describe fight scenes in true detail, so that the reader really believes they’re participating in the fight and taking the punches!

  Do you ever encounter writer’s block and, if so, how do you overcome it?

  I have regular little blocks that I overcome with a run or a walk or a cookie! But once I suffered a month-long block due to creative exhaustion. The solution: two weeks in South Africa with no computer or mobile phone, and just a bunch of giraffes, lions and cheetahs for company! Now I use hypnotherapy – this is a fast route to my subconscious!

  Did you ever take any writing classes or specific instructions to learn the craft?

  No, but I did read Stephen King’s book On Writing. This is a brilliant guide to the art of writing and I recommend it to any aspiring author.

  What are the best and worst aspects of writing for a living?

  The hardest part is always starting – the fear of the blank white page and the knowledge that I have to write 70,000 words or more by a deadline. But, once I get going, the writing flows. The most enjoyable part of the process is discovering where the characters will take the story. I may be the author, but they are writing it – and they often surprise me!

  Who would win in a fight, a samurai or a ninja?

  That very question is answered in Book 3: The Way of the Dragon. The result of the fight may surprise you!

  What’s the best writing advice you have been given?

  Simple: write the book you would want to read.

  If you weren’t a writer, what would you be?

  I would love to be an explorer like my friend Steve Backshall. It’s great visiting different countries and cultures. The amazing thing is that as an author I can go exploring as research for my next book series.

  If someone were to enter a bookshop, how would you persuade them to try your new novel over someone else’s?

  I’d stand right next to them with my samurai sword and gently persuade them that their life depended upon it!

  Disclaimer: Young Samurai: The Return of the Warrior is a work of fiction, and while based on real historical figures, events and locations, the book does not profess to be accurate in this regard. Young Samurai: The Return of the Warrior is more an echo of the times than a re-enactment of history.

  Warning: Do not attempt any of the techniques described within this book without the supervision of a qualified martial arts instructor. These can be highly dangerous moves and result in fatal injuries. The author and publisher take no responsibility for any injuries resulting from attempting these techniques.

  THE BEGINNING

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  First published 2019

  Text copyright © Chris Bradford, 2019

  Cover illustration by Paul Young/Shutterstock

 
Map illustration copyright © David Atkinson, 2019

  The moral right of the author and illustrators has been asserted

  ISBN: 978-0-141-37417-8

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  Puffin Books, Penguin Random House Children’s

  80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL

  This ebook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorized distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s and publisher’s rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  About the Author

  By the Same Author

  Praise

  Dedication

  Map: England – 17th Century

  Prologue: Ghost Ship

  1: An English Welcome

  2: Cheapside

  3: Vagabond

  4: Giving the Lie

  5: A Matter of Honour

  6: Gaol

  7: Judge and Jury

  8: The Gallows

  9: Shooting the Bridge

  10: Plague House

  11: Rose

  12: Bedlam

  13: Silver Locket

  14: The Miniaturist

  15: Confession

  16: An Unexpected Guest

  17: Shadow

  18: Prophecy

  19: The Courtesy-Man

  20: Target Practice

  21: Thunderstorm

  22: The Bailiff

  23: Ducking Stool

  24: Plague Doctors

  25: Kanzashi

  26: The Sleep of the Dead

  27: Harvest Festival

  28: Bear-Baiting

  29: Bulldog

  30: Sword Master

  31: Horatio’s School of Fencing

  32: Parry and Riposte

  33: Pommelling

  34: Lupus Hall

  35: The Masque

  36: First Blood

  37: The Truth

  38: Priest Hole

  39: Prisoner

  40: Last Stand

  41: Vengeance

  42: Militia

  43: The Library

  44: Three Tides

  45: Cast Off

  46: The Return of the Warrior

  Japanese Glossary

  Acknowledgements

  Disclaimer

  Copyright