Lan frantically ran across the road and jumped down the side of the gully which lay next to it. Quickly he began to work his way towards the river.

The three men that were following him had already reached the road.

I have to move faster he told himself.

About six feet from the river an arrow whizzed past his left ear and dug itself into the dirt. He hesitated for a moment. What would happen if they caught up to him?

He shook off such thoughts and ran on. In the distance Lan could see his village.

He'd find someone to help him there. Perhaps there was a Ronin at one of the inns.

He reached the eight foot wall that protected the town and pounded on the gate.

"Hey, let me in!" he shouted.

Someone from the other side shouted back.

"Tell me who you are and I may let you pass."

Lan pounded on the gate a second time.

"There are men behind me. If you don't let me in they will kill me."

"If they're going to kill you then you probably deserve it, ruffian" the voice called over the wall. "In fact I hope that th-"

There was a muffled thump of someone hitting the ground, then a man wearing a blue and white kimono shot over the top of the wall and landed next to him.

"Sorry about him", said the man. "He gets grumpy the day after it rains."

Lan was amazed.

"How did you jump that high?"

"That was nothin'" said the man. Then slowly he began to tip over sideways. He caught himself and gave Lan a dazed grin.

"Your drunk, aren't you?"

The man held up a bottle of Sake. "Yes, yes I am."

One of the soldiers that had been chasing Lan burst out of the trees and stopped right in front of the strange man. Three others followed suit, each carrying a katana.

"Move it drunkard" said the first of the soldiers, "we need the boy".

The strange man stayed where he was.

"And why do you need him so badly?"

The soldier unsheathed his sword.

"If you do not move I will be forced to cut you down."

The man chuckled, from within his sleeves he drew two long knives.

"If you really want him that much… come and get him."

The man's eyes hardened and he was gone. Then the soldiers head was gone from his shoulders.

The strange man appeared again to the left of the group. In his hand was the soldiers head.

"Leave now and you will yet be spared."

The remaining yelled and charged him. Then he was gone again. An instant later the heads of each of the men were sliced in two. Their remains crumpled to the floor.

Lan looked up and the man was next to him again, his face once again held that dazed look.

"You ok kid?"

Lan nodded.

"Who are you anyway?"

The man chucked again and stuck out his hand.

"They call me Jayn."