246

“Tré”

fic

The British Legation was ablaze, and Ryoma felt cold. There were honest men in there – men from Yokohama. They had never intended to get caught up in this. They had knew nothing of what the shogunate was doing, and still less about the anti-shogunate forces; they had just taken the opportunity to be paid for a good day’s work, and perhaps bring something special home for their families. How was this supposed to be for the good of Japan?

He moved towards the flames as the chill spread through his bones. Kusaka had gone too far this time. He had gone too far, and he was going to pay.