Shudo
A Tale based on Historical Fact
By Maryanne Peters

I am no student of history. Please do not take my word as truth in these matters. I am but a humble youth, who lived by the way of such people, until I was forced to choose. All that I can do is tell you something of what happened in my country and how I was forced to choose.

When I woke up, Master was gone. I sat up and looked around frantically— had she suddenly abandoned me? She wouldn’t, would she? What could I do in this world alone, powerless, and looked down upon?

I saw a note on the table. “Went out to get some info. Be a good girl.” I wondered if she was going to one of my informants, or had some I didn’t know about, and sighed a little as I realized my tail was wagging from the "be a good girl" part. Some part of me really liked being a girl, huh? ...but was that my own mind, or…?

Well, not much point in worrying about it.

CHAPTER 7
The next few months were as routine as anything could be when held as a prisoner. Jim had a degree of freedom he had never expected the day he had been marched away from a Flanders canalside. Two days in the camp would be followed by five in the castle, largely outdoors. A couple of the Fritzes spoke some English, and they served two purposes. The first was the obvious one, passing on Jim’s instructions to the small group of labourers that he led, while the second was something he should really have expected.

The base of operations of the pirates must be found and that will mean that Eriana's scratch force must work together with those of Zebrin. The banks of the Sirrel must be searched for any sign of activity and then a plan devised to defeat them, but the Norse make other, more interesting finds as they move along.

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78 - Flotsam and Jetsam