The Reconnoiters

By Lawrence Caldwell

The Reconnoiters—an elite mercenary group tasked with infiltrating the capital of Urukawa and assassinating General Yoshinaka—nearly comes to failure when internal loyalties clash, forcing its leader, Ardamius into a difficult decision that may alter the future course of the company, as well as his own path in life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lawrence Caldwell
• Release date: Oct 22, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005386702

Lawrence Caldwell

Lawrence Caldwell is believed by some to be a wandering samurai, or a vagrant, or possibly a ninja—though perhaps in his infinite mystery, he’s none of these things. Whichever the case, he wanders home as Odysseus did after the great Trojan War in some realm unbeknownst to our world. And—by direct theft of a quote from a certain dwarf named Varric Tethras—he "occasionally writes books."

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE—Salts

The machiyas—traditional dwellings in the east—were not the same here as he had seen in many other places. Here in Urukawa, they were towering with many levels, though the tiled roofs with curved eves were quite similar.

Ignoring the light and the shadows moving from behind paper doors, the King jumped, took hold of the support held up by the tokyō brackets that allowed the roof to extend beyond the veranda. With his back facing outward, he swung his body with great magical force, curving his form in an acrobatic backflip. His feet came into contact with the roof above as he reached out.

The Dancer clasped his arm and pulled him forward to balance.

The King and the Dancer scurried through the light of the moons across the tiled roof to get a better view of Momori Jinja. Together, they crouched, peering across the city through the frigid night. The castle was well placed atop a hill, its stone base would be easy to scale.

Despite the cold night, the city was alight and kindled with evening activities. Lanterns had been strewn through-out across the streets and through the alleys and musicians pounded taiko drums or played their stringed shamisens. An explosion in the sky erupted with a flash of light.

Neither of the two members from The Reconnoiters commented on the beauty of the festival or the fireworks.

Do you have the salts? the Dancer asked him, holding out the small vial, her breath visible in the cold air.

The King, Ardamius glanced toward Sakura and smiled. He took the vial of magical salts from her, caressing his fingers across her wrist and over her open hand. She returned the tentative gesture, her own fingers curving slightly as their hands parted.

I do now, he said.

She smirked at him, then regarded Urukawa City.

Do you believe love can triumph over anything, Ardamius?

Slightly taken aback at her sudden question, he thought about it for a moment. It seemed an odd question at such a time.

I don’t know.

She smiled, but said nothing else on the topic.

If only we didn’t have a mission, he thought, watching her, then I would ask you to walk along the river with me.

The mere idea sent his heart racing, a sensation he rarely felt while in combat. Ask me again when we’re done here.

Mm, she noised with a nod. I will.

The King set his feelings aside and focused on Momori Jinja, the smaller of the two castles in the city, as he unstopped the vial of salts.

The smell was not wholly unpleasant, but the magic within the powdered crystals would allow Ardamius to track their target, should he be marked with their special blades—and assuming he actually escaped The Reconnoiters.

The others seemed bored, Sakura said, her hand on her short wakizashi blade.

They shouldn’t be. General Yoshinaka isn’t a fool. The Six might be here.

Where else would they be? she asked. The army is only three days away.

There’s been a lot of important engagements. They could be anywhere, and Yoshinaka has plenty of soldiers to protect him.

Saying the words, he gazed over the inviting city in the mountains, then brought his attention toward the encampment. By his estimate, there were at least thirty thousand warriors there—maybe  more.

The army might not have an easy time of this.

Not our concern.

Sakura nodded. Mmm.

The Reconnoiters were not officially part of the Imperial Army. The band of paid mercenaries specialized in scouting ahead of an invading force, to reconnoiter their enemy and to attack soft and hard targets.

Part of Ardamius hoped the Taisho Six would be here tonight. Those legendary warriors might make this a little more interesting. And besides, they were a constant hindrance to The Reconnoiters. Recent information suggested they might be protecting Yoshinaka. It was time they were removed from this conflict.

But what fun would there be in that?

A gong sounded and the sky alighted brighter than ever as the largest fireworks exploded, cracking, popping and booming in every color known. The stroke of midnight had come.

The attack on Momori Jinja would begin.

The others would sneak