ILLUSTRATED BY RHIAN NEST JAMES SANDY FUSSELLstatic.booktopia.com.au/pdf/9781921529474-1.pdf · Also known as Ki-Yaga the wizard. He was once a famous samurai warrior. A blind boy

ILLUSTRATED BY RHIAN NEST JAMES

SANDY FUSSELL

GOLDEN BAT

Text © 2011 Sandy Fussell. Illustrations © 2011 Rhian Nest James. All rights reserved.

A one-armed boy. His spirit is the Striped Gecko.

The one-legged boy who narrates the story. His spirit is the White Crane.

A huge, strong boy who doesn’t want to fight. His spirit is the Tiger.

A white-haired girl with pink eyes, twelve fingers and twelve toes. Her spirit is the Snow Monkey.


A one-armed boy. His spirit is the Striped Gecko.

The one-legged boy who narrates the story. His spirit is the White Crane.

A huge, strong boy who doesn’t want to fight. His spirit is the Tiger.

A white-haired girl with pink eyes, twelve fingers and twelve toes. Her spirit is the Snow Monkey.


Also known as Ki-Yaga the wizard. He was once a famous samurai warrior.

A blind boy. His spirit is the Golden Bat.

Swordsmanship tutor to the Emperor’s son. His spirit is the Long-tailed Rat.

CHEN Young Chinese boy from thestreets of Beijing. His spirit is the Red Fox.


Also known as Ki-Yaga the wizard. He was once a famous samurai warrior.

A blind boy. His spirit is the Golden Bat.

Swordsmanship tutor to the Emperor’s son. His spirit is the Long-tailed Rat.

CHEN Young Chinese boy from thestreets of Beijing. His spirit is the Red Fox.



The Ocean 13

Swan Geese 27

Dreaded Oong 41

Shark 55

Heroes 75

The Healer 93

Belly Feelings 111

Ambush 127

Pirate Kid 153

Rat Alley 175

Lava Cave 197

Storm Warning 217

Wall of Water 235

After the Flood 251



13

THE OCEAN

CH PTER ONE


14“If anyone moves, this boy dies.”

“If anyone moves, this boy dies.”

The dagger is pressed hard against Mikko’s throat, a

drop of blood trickling down the blade.

“Don’t think I wouldn’t do it,” the pirate snarls. “He

means nothing to me.”

But he means everything to us.

We only have one possession of value: our swords.

My sword, Izuru, sings to my heart and holds my soul,

and I wouldn’t hesitate to trade it for Mikko’s life.

The pirate is not a big man, not much taller or

broader than Yoshi. But his eyes flash cold and cruel.

His arms are pitted with scars. One of his ears is

missing. He is a man used to hard fighting, and seven

more pirates stand on the beach behind him.

“What do you want?” Yoshi asks.

“Word along the coast is that a great swordsman

from Japan has come to Cheju Island. It is said Sensei

Ki-Yaga never fails.” The pirate grins, baring a bridge

of yellow, gapped teeth. “Tell your master that the

captain of the Sea Dragon has a job for him to do. We

will meet again on the southernmost beach tonight at

midmoonrise. Your friend stays with me to make sure

your master does as he is told.”


14“If anyone moves, this boy dies.”

“If anyone moves, this boy dies.”

The dagger is pressed hard against Mikko’s throat, a

drop of blood trickling down the blade.

“Don’t think I wouldn’t do it,” the pirate snarls. “He

means nothing to me.”

But he means everything to us.

We only have one possession of value: our swords.

My sword, Izuru, sings to my heart and holds my soul,

and I wouldn’t hesitate to trade it for Mikko’s life.

The pirate is not a big man, not much taller or

broader than Yoshi. But his eyes flash cold and cruel.

His arms are pitted with scars. One of his ears is

missing. He is a man used to hard fighting, and seven

more pirates stand on the beach behind him.

“What do you want?” Yoshi asks.

“Word along the coast is that a great swordsman

from Japan has come to Cheju Island. It is said Sensei

Ki-Yaga never fails.” The pirate grins, baring a bridge

of yellow, gapped teeth. “Tell your master that the

captain of the Sea Dragon has a job for him to do. We

will meet again on the southernmost beach tonight at

midmoonrise. Your friend stays with me to make sure

your master does as he is told.”


16 17

My mind races. We are outnumbered. They are

bigger than us. Our swords are fast, but the dagger at

Mikko’s throat would do its murderous work before we

could rescue him. But at least for as long as the pirates

need a hostage, Mikko is safe.

Kyoko wants to be sure.

“How do we know you won’t hurt him?” she

demands.

“You have my word,” says the pirate.

It will have to do. We don’t have a choice. Sensei

says there is honour even among thieves. I hope that

also means pirates.

“Well, what are you waiting for?” the pirate growls.

“You’ve got a message to deliver.”

The other pirates step forward, their hands on the

broad wodao swords at their waists.

It’s hard to leave Mikko behind. I try to send him

a message of comfort. Don’t worry. Sensei will teach the

pirate captain a lesson.

Although Mikko can’t hear my unspoken words,

he knows me well enough to guess. He winks. Ever

since Mikko became the Fire Lizard, he isn’t afraid of

anything. Not even death. I am afraid for him now.

“Come on, Niya.” Taji tugs at my sleeve. Yoshi,

Chen and Kyoko have already turned to leave. We don’t

want to fight. Yet.

I hand my crutch to Taji and climb on Yoshi’s back.

We need to run fast and I won’t be able to keep up.

Sensei is waiting at the door of the stone hut where we

have been staying. He looks old, but there is nothing

frail about our master. His mind is lightning bright

and he can read our faces like an open scroll.

“Where is Mikko?” he asks.

“Pirates captured him,” blurts Taji. “We were down

at the beach, lying on the grass talking, when they

ambushed us. I didn’t hear a sound until they dragged

Mikko to his feet and held a knife against his throat.”

Taji’s voice shakes and he sneezes. “It’s my fault. I’m

supposed to be always listening.”

Yoshi puts his arm around Taji. “No one is to blame.

We were all tricked.”

“Mikko was bleeding,” says Chen, softly. His face is


16 17

My mind races. We are outnumbered. They are

bigger than us. Our swords are fast, but the dagger at

Mikko’s throat would do its murderous work before we

could rescue him. But at least for as long as the pirates

need a hostage, Mikko is safe.

Kyoko wants to be sure.

“How do we know you won’t hurt him?” she

demands.

“You have my word,” says the pirate.

It will have to do. We don’t have a choice. Sensei

says there is honour even among thieves. I hope that

also means pirates.

“Well, what are you waiting for?” the pirate growls.

“You’ve got a message to deliver.”

The other pirates step forward, their hands on the

broad wodao swords at their waists.

It’s hard to leave Mikko behind. I try to send him

a message of comfort. Don’t worry. Sensei will teach the

pirate captain a lesson.

Although Mikko can’t hear my unspoken words,

he knows me well enough to guess. He winks. Ever

since Mikko became the Fire Lizard, he isn’t afraid of

anything. Not even death. I am afraid for him now.

“Come on, Niya.” Taji tugs at my sleeve. Yoshi,

Chen and Kyoko have already turned to leave. We don’t

want to fight. Yet.

I hand my crutch to Taji and climb on Yoshi’s back.

We need to run fast and I won’t be able to keep up.

Sensei is waiting at the door of the stone hut where we

have been staying. He looks old, but there is nothing

frail about our master. His mind is lightning bright

and he can read our faces like an open scroll.

“Where is Mikko?” he asks.

“Pirates captured him,” blurts Taji. “We were down

at the beach, lying on the grass talking, when they

ambushed us. I didn’t hear a sound until they dragged

Mikko to his feet and held a knife against his throat.”

Taji’s voice shakes and he sneezes. “It’s my fault. I’m

supposed to be always listening.”

Yoshi puts his arm around Taji. “No one is to blame.

We were all tricked.”

“Mikko was bleeding,” says Chen, softly. His face is


18 19

lotus-flower white. Sometimes it’s easy to forget Chen

is much younger than us.

“The pirate captain wants to meet you tonight at

midmoonrise on the southernmost beach,” Kyoko tells

Sensei. “He has a task for you.”

Our master’s brow furrows.

What dreadful deed will the pirate ask him to

complete? Once, Sensei did something so terrible

he will not even talk to me about it. Would he do

something like that again to save Mikko’s life?

“What do you suggest, Niya?” Sensei asks.

I stand straight and tall on one leg, like the White

Crane. I am proud whenever Sensei seeks my advice.

Sometimes too proud. I almost overbalance, but Yoshi

puts his arm out to steady me.

“This pirate captain is no fool. He is well aware of

your skills and planned this ambush carefully for a time

when you were not there. I do not trust him. Mikko

is safe only as long as you are useful. We need to be

cautious.”

“The samurai who rushes in is always first to lose his

head. The pirate captain needs me, and it seems I need

him just as much. I must find a way to tip this balance

in my favour, and to do that I need to meditate until

noon. Without the distraction of my students.” Our

master turns back into the hut.

“What do we do now?” Chen asks.

“Let’s go back to the beach. Maybe we can learn

something. Perhaps the pirates left clues,” suggests

Yoshi.

“Maybe the pirates are still there.” Taji pauses to

sneeze for the tenth time today. “They must have

hidden a rowboat nearby.”

“If we find them, maybe we can help Mikko escape,”

says Kyoko.

Our mood brightens as we hurry across the grass.

The beach is deserted, with no rowboat in sight. Not

even a footprint remains on the sand. I gaze at the empty

horizon. The sea reaches out towards it, connecting me to

the people and places we left behind in Japan. Our ryu in

the Tateyama Mountains. Our friend Nezume waiting in

Toyozawa Castle. We came to Cheju Island to find a ship

to take us to Japan, instead we lost our brother.

Our master teaches us it’s important to think

good thoughts and let them fight their own battles.

It’s not easy, but I try.


18 19

lotus-flower white. Sometimes it’s easy to forget Chen

is much younger than us.

“The pirate captain wants to meet you tonight at

midmoonrise on the southernmost beach,” Kyoko tells

Sensei. “He has a task for you.”

Our master’s brow furrows.

What dreadful deed will the pirate ask him to

complete? Once, Sensei did something so terrible

he will not even talk to me about it. Would he do

something like that again to save Mikko’s life?

“What do you suggest, Niya?” Sensei asks.

I stand straight and tall on one leg, like the White

Crane. I am proud whenever Sensei seeks my advice.

Sometimes too proud. I almost overbalance, but Yoshi

puts his arm out to steady me.

“This pirate captain is no fool. He is well aware of

your skills and planned this ambush carefully for a time

when you were not there. I do not trust him. Mikko

is safe only as long as you are useful. We need to be

cautious.”

“The samurai who rushes in is always first to lose his

head. The pirate captain needs me, and it seems I need

him just as much. I must find a way to tip this balance

in my favour, and to do that I need to meditate until

noon. Without the distraction of my students.” Our

master turns back into the hut.

“What do we do now?” Chen asks.

“Let’s go back to the beach. Maybe we can learn

something. Perhaps the pirates left clues,” suggests

Yoshi.

“Maybe the pirates are still there.” Taji pauses to

sneeze for the tenth time today. “They must have

hidden a rowboat nearby.”

“If we find them, maybe we can help Mikko escape,”

says Kyoko.

Our mood brightens as we hurry across the grass.

The beach is deserted, with no rowboat in sight. Not

even a footprint remains on the sand. I gaze at the empty

horizon. The sea reaches out towards it, connecting me to

the people and places we left behind in Japan. Our ryu in

the Tateyama Mountains. Our friend Nezume waiting in

Toyozawa Castle. We came to Cheju Island to find a ship

to take us to Japan, instead we lost our brother.

Our master teaches us it’s important to think

good thoughts and let them fight their own battles.

It’s not easy, but I try.


20 21

“As soon as Sensei rescues Mikko, we’ll be on our

way home,” I say.

Kyoko frowns. “Sometimes I think we’ll never get

there. It’s so far.”

Good thoughts are not winning any battles today.

“The waves roll on forever.” Yoshi sighs. “You could

walk for a week and never even get to the horizon.”

“If you could walk on water,” interrupts Chen.

Taji wriggles his toes. “I know how the ocean feels.

Cool on sweaty feet. I wish I could see it as well.”

“Maybe one day you will.” Kyoko pulls a wildflower

from her pocket and tickles his cheek. “Sensei says

anything is possible.”

“I’ve been waiting a long time. I’m tired of being

blind.” Taji doesn’t look optimistic.

I’m not convinced either, and I don’t want Taji’s

hopes raised and then smashed into pieces, like shell

fragments on the beach.

“You have to be patient. Just wait and see what

happens,” I say.

“I never see anything. Thanks for the reminder, Niya.”

Taji crumples Kyoko’s flower in frustration. “I didn’t

mind not being able to see when it meant I could hear

better. But now I don’t hear the things I should either!

What use am I? I didn’t hear the pirates, and Mikko is

being held hostage. I’m a useless samurai.”

Kyoko glares at me. Overhead, the gulls wheel

and turn. Their sharp voices screech even harsher

disapproval.

“Niya’s arrows sometimes miss and Yoshi’s plans

sometimes go astray.” Kyoko punches Taji lightly on

the arm. “No one is perfect all the time. Not even me.

Once I lost a wrestling match.”

More than once. But that argument can wait.

“Let’s go down to the water and swim,” I say,

changing the subject. “The pirates won’t harm Mikko

because they need him to make Sensei do their bidding.

Worrying about it will only cloud our judgement. If we

clear our minds with a swim, we will return to Sensei

refreshed and ready to help.”

When Kyoko beams approval, the sun is suddenly

twice as warm on my back.

Yoshi stares nervously at his sandals. “I think we

should stay here. The tide might be dangerous.”

My friend has avoided the ocean ever since the voyage

from Japan, when he dived into the ocean dragon’s


20 21

“As soon as Sensei rescues Mikko, we’ll be on our

way home,” I say.

Kyoko frowns. “Sometimes I think we’ll never get

there. It’s so far.”

Good thoughts are not winning any battles today.

“The waves roll on forever.” Yoshi sighs. “You could

walk for a week and never even get to the horizon.”

“If you could walk on water,” interrupts Chen.

Taji wriggles his toes. “I know how the ocean feels.

Cool on sweaty feet. I wish I could see it as well.”

“Maybe one day you will.” Kyoko pulls a wildflower

from her pocket and tickles his cheek. “Sensei says

anything is possible.”

“I’ve been waiting a long time. I’m tired of being

blind.” Taji doesn’t look optimistic.

I’m not convinced either, and I don’t want Taji’s

hopes raised and then smashed into pieces, like shell

fragments on the beach.

“You have to be patient. Just wait and see what

happens,” I say.

“I never see anything. Thanks for the reminder, Niya.”

Taji crumples Kyoko’s flower in frustration. “I didn’t

mind not being able to see when it meant I could hear

better. But now I don’t hear the things I should either!

What use am I? I didn’t hear the pirates, and Mikko is

being held hostage. I’m a useless samurai.”

Kyoko glares at me. Overhead, the gulls wheel

and turn. Their sharp voices screech even harsher

disapproval.

“Niya’s arrows sometimes miss and Yoshi’s plans

sometimes go astray.” Kyoko punches Taji lightly on

the arm. “No one is perfect all the time. Not even me.

Once I lost a wrestling match.”

More than once. But that argument can wait.

“Let’s go down to the water and swim,” I say,

changing the subject. “The pirates won’t harm Mikko

because they need him to make Sensei do their bidding.

Worrying about it will only cloud our judgement. If we

clear our minds with a swim, we will return to Sensei

refreshed and ready to help.”

When Kyoko beams approval, the sun is suddenly

twice as warm on my back.

Yoshi stares nervously at his sandals. “I think we

should stay here. The tide might be dangerous.”

My friend has avoided the ocean ever since the voyage

from Japan, when he dived into the ocean dragon’s


22 23

mouth to try and save Captain Oong. The monster

storm swallowed the captain and Yoshi returned to the

boat empty-handed and sad-hearted.

“We’ve been on this island for three days and haven’t

gone in the water once. I want to go swimming too.”

Chen is my student and always agrees with me. I bet

that’s why Sensei chose me to teach him. Chen and I

think in the same direction.

Still Yoshi hesitates, his lips drawn tight.

“I would really like to feel how blue the sea is

today. There is nothing to be afraid of. This ocean is

our friend.” Taji pauses to sneeze. “It doesn’t roar and

bellow.”

“All right,” concedes Yoshi, helping me up and

passing my crutch.

Being brave isn’t just about wielding a weapon in

combat. It’s also about facing the fears inside your heart.

“What about our swords?” asks Kyoko. “We can’t

leave them unattended.”

“They won’t be out of sight. We will be able to see

them here,” I say.

“Just a quick swim,” adds Chen.

We look to Yoshi to make a decision, but he shrugs.

He doesn’t want to go down to the water anyway.

“Raise your hand if you think it is okay to leave our

swords unattended for a short time,” says Chen. My

student is smart and full of clever ideas, like his spirit,

the Red Fox. He doesn’t have a real sword yet, but even

his wooden practice bokken is important to him.

One by one we put up our hands.

Taji drops his sword at his feet. “I’m going in now.”

We add ours in a pile. Reluctantly, Kyoko places

hers on top.

“Race you,” challenges Taji, running down the slope

and across the sand.

Not being able to see where he is going doesn’t stop

Taji from getting there.

“Wait for me,” I yell. “I can’t run as fast on one leg.”

He doesn’t wait and neither do the others. Chen slaps

me on the back as he tears away. In our school there are

no allowances for having one leg or one arm. Or being

blind.

We all have different skills. Just because you cannot

see a strength, does not mean it is not there. Just

because you cannot see a sword swipe does not mean

it won’t whack you in the nose. Three times Taji has


22 23

mouth to try and save Captain Oong. The monster

storm swallowed the captain and Yoshi returned to the

boat empty-handed and sad-hearted.

“We’ve been on this island for three days and haven’t

gone in the water once. I want to go swimming too.”

Chen is my student and always agrees with me. I bet

that’s why Sensei chose me to teach him. Chen and I

think in the same direction.

Still Yoshi hesitates, his lips drawn tight.

“I would really like to feel how blue the sea is

today. There is nothing to be afraid of. This ocean is

our friend.” Taji pauses to sneeze. “It doesn’t roar and

bellow.”

“All right,” concedes Yoshi, helping me up and

passing my crutch.

Being brave isn’t just about wielding a weapon in

combat. It’s also about facing the fears inside your heart.

“What about our swords?” asks Kyoko. “We can’t

leave them unattended.”

“They won’t be out of sight. We will be able to see

them here,” I say.

“Just a quick swim,” adds Chen.

We look to Yoshi to make a decision, but he shrugs.

He doesn’t want to go down to the water anyway.

“Raise your hand if you think it is okay to leave our

swords unattended for a short time,” says Chen. My

student is smart and full of clever ideas, like his spirit,

the Red Fox. He doesn’t have a real sword yet, but even

his wooden practice bokken is important to him.

One by one we put up our hands.

Taji drops his sword at his feet. “I’m going in now.”

We add ours in a pile. Reluctantly, Kyoko places

hers on top.

“Race you,” challenges Taji, running down the slope

and across the sand.

Not being able to see where he is going doesn’t stop

Taji from getting there.

“Wait for me,” I yell. “I can’t run as fast on one leg.”

He doesn’t wait and neither do the others. Chen slaps

me on the back as he tears away. In our school there are

no allowances for having one leg or one arm. Or being

blind.

We all have different skills. Just because you cannot

see a strength, does not mean it is not there. Just

because you cannot see a sword swipe does not mean

it won’t whack you in the nose. Three times Taji has


24 25

“Me too.” With strong, confident strokes, Yoshi

swims past Taji into the deeper water. He’s not afraid of

the sea now.

“Watch out for sharks,” Taji yells.

The local fishermen have been telling us shark

tales ever since we arrived. Sharks are worse than the

monsters of the night forest and the trickster ghosts

of Hell Valley. They have more teeth than a tiger.

A shark wouldn’t even flinch if Yoshi growled at it.

But the fishermen said it was safe to swim here. Sharks

prefer the beaches where the fishing fleet comes in and

unwanted scraps from the day’s catch are thrown back

to the sea. No one has seen a shark at this beach.

But there’s always a first time for everything – Yoshi

must have seen something out there. He is swimming

back as fast as he can. I jump up to meet him.

“What’s wrong?” Kyoko calls as Yoshi rises in the

waist-deep water.

“Everyone out. Something grabbed me.”

We scramble after him.

“What was it?” Taji asks.

“I didn’t wait to have a look.” Yoshi’s breath rasps in

struggling bursts.

broken my nose with his training bokken. I never once

saw it coming.

It’s not easy walking across sand with a bamboo

crutch, so I throw it back up on the grass and hop the

rest of the way. It’s hard work, but I’m an excellent

hopper. I’ve had a lot of practice.

The ocean is worth the effort. My toes sink in the

sludgy sand and the sea dribbles around my ankle.

Cheju Island is at the far end of the Kingdom of Joseon,

as close to Japan as possible. When we dip our feet in the

current, the ripples wash all the way back to Nezume.

“In you go.” Yoshi pushes me from behind.

I reach out to grab him and catch Chen instead. Off

balance, he tumbles into the waves with a wet splat. He

emerges coughing and spitting sea water.

Kyoko flops in the water beside Chen, kicking

clumps of wet sand at me.

I glance back at our weapons gleaming in the

sunlight. The afternoon is filling with good thoughts,

after all. Sensei will find a way to rescue Mikko and

then we can go home.

“I’m heading out further,” says Taji. He wades until

the waves are wrapped around his stomach.


24 25

“Me too.” With strong, confident strokes, Yoshi

swims past Taji into the deeper water. He’s not afraid of

the sea now.

“Watch out for sharks,” Taji yells.

The local fishermen have been telling us shark

tales ever since we arrived. Sharks are worse than the

monsters of the night forest and the trickster ghosts

of Hell Valley. They have more teeth than a tiger.

A shark wouldn’t even flinch if Yoshi growled at it.

But the fishermen said it was safe to swim here. Sharks

prefer the beaches where the fishing fleet comes in and

unwanted scraps from the day’s catch are thrown back

to the sea. No one has seen a shark at this beach.

But there’s always a first time for everything – Yoshi

must have seen something out there. He is swimming

back as fast as he can. I jump up to meet him.

“What’s wrong?” Kyoko calls as Yoshi rises in the

waist-deep water.

“Everyone out. Something grabbed me.”

We scramble after him.

“What was it?” Taji asks.

“I didn’t wait to have a look.” Yoshi’s breath rasps in

struggling bursts.

broken my nose with his training bokken. I never once

saw it coming.

It’s not easy walking across sand with a bamboo

crutch, so I throw it back up on the grass and hop the

rest of the way. It’s hard work, but I’m an excellent

hopper. I’ve had a lot of practice.

The ocean is worth the effort. My toes sink in the

sludgy sand and the sea dribbles around my ankle.

Cheju Island is at the far end of the Kingdom of Joseon,

as close to Japan as possible. When we dip our feet in the

current, the ripples wash all the way back to Nezume.

“In you go.” Yoshi pushes me from behind.

I reach out to grab him and catch Chen instead. Off

balance, he tumbles into the waves with a wet splat. He

emerges coughing and spitting sea water.

Kyoko flops in the water beside Chen, kicking

clumps of wet sand at me.

I glance back at our weapons gleaming in the

sunlight. The afternoon is filling with good thoughts,

after all. Sensei will find a way to rescue Mikko and

then we can go home.

“I’m heading out further,” says Taji. He wades until

the waves are wrapped around his stomach.


2627

SWAN GEESE

CH PTER TWO

Kyoko scans the horizon. “I can’t see anything.”

The White Crane can see for miles. But our teacher

always says the most important things are under our

nose. When I glance down, I see a trail of seaweed on

the sand behind Yoshi. His attacker has released its

green-fingered grasp.

I chuckle. The others follow my gaze. We’re all

laughing, except Yoshi.

“You were chased by a strand of seaweed,” I say.

“There might be something else out there,” protests

Yoshi.

“Lucky Mikko isn’t here to see this.” Kyoko giggles.

“He would never let you forget it.”

The sun has reached the middle of the sky. It’s time

to go. Yoshi takes my arm and we hurry along behind,

wet clothes slapping sand and salt against our skin. It

stings but we don’t care. We’re ready to face the pirate

captain.

There’s just one problem and it’s a huge one. Our

swords are gone.

How are we going to rescue Mikko now?


Documents

ILLUSTRATED BY RHIAN NEST JAMES SANDY FUSSELLstatic.booktopia.com.au/pdf/9781921529474-1.pdf · Also known as Ki-Yaga the wizard. He was once a famous samurai warrior. A blind boy