Ranger's Apprentice 10: The Emperor of Nihon-Ja (37 page)

They celebrated long into the night. When the others had all retired, Will and Alyss stood together, his arm around her waist, hers around his shoulders, in the bow of the ship. It was a beautiful night and the moon hung low to the horizon, casting a silver path down the dark water towards them.

Astern, they could hear the occasional low murmur of conversation from the crew on watch.

‘I’m glad you and Evanlyn are finally friends,’ Will said.

Alyss laid her head on his shoulder. ‘Me too. She’s really quite a girl.’

‘She is indeed,’ he said. Alyss raised her head to look at him.

‘You didn’t have to agree quite so readily,’ she told him. Then she smiled and put her head back on his shoulder.

‘So…they’re getting married. Horace and Evanlyn. How about that?’ Will shook his head in wonder.

‘Indeed,’ she said, not sure where this conversation was going.

‘You know…’ He paused, seeming to gather his resolve, then continued, ‘Maybe you and I should think about doing something like that.’

Her head came off his shoulder. Her arm slipped from around him and she stepped away from him.

‘Maybe you and I should think about doing something like that?’
she repeated, her voice rising with each word. ‘Is that your idea of a proposal?’

‘Well…I…er…’ Will began. But he had no idea where to go, what to say. In any event, Alyss gave him no chance to continue.

‘Because if it is, you’re going to have to do a whole lot better!’

She turned away and strode off down the deck, taking long, angry paces. Will made an ineffectual gesture after her, then stopped. He sensed he’d got that wrong. Really wrong. He could see her slim back, stiff and upright, radiating total outrage.

What he couldn’t see – and what she had no intention of letting him see – was the huge, delighted smile that was lighting up her face.

After ten books, it’s time to acknowledge the efforts and support of a few people who have been involved with me, and this series, over the years.

For this book in particular, I’d like to thank my friend and fellow author, Simon Higgins, for his suggestions and advice on the comparative merits of European and Japanese weapons and fighting styles. If I’ve got any of it wrong, be assured the mistakes were all mine and not his.

Thanks, too, to Ryoko and Akiko Sakai, for their gracious permission in allowing me to name the emperor in this book after their late father, Shigeru. Arigato, Ryokosan and Akiko-san.

It’s high time I bowed deeply in the direction of my two editors – Zoe Walton at Random House Australia and Michael Green of Philomel in the United States. They’ve curbed my excesses and suffered my tantrums over the years. Their guidance and wisdom has been invaluable – and they’ve usually managed to make me feel that any changes were my ideas. I’m pleased to count them both as friends as well as professional colleagues. Thanks, guys.

And finally, from the millions who have now read this series, I’d like to single out four. (Can you single out four, or is that a contradiction in terms?)

In Australia, Ginger and Merry Hansen were my first-ever correspondents, sending me fan letters after the publication of
The Ruins of Gorlan
. They’ve stayed in touch over the years and their approval of each subsequent book has become an ongoing good luck charm for me. Late last year, I finally had the opportunity to meet these charming young ladies face to face. Thanks to both of you.

In the United States early in 2010, I also met with two long-term regular correspondents, and I’m delighted by the fact that their contact with me has led to their becoming good friends. Maddie Jones – effervescent, energetic, enthusiastic, bubbling over with the sheer joy of life – what would I do without you, Maddie? And Shea Megale, a young lady who holds a very special place in my heart and whose courage and dry, sly wit have been a delight to me for the past couple of years.

Thank you all.

John Flanagan

John Flanagan’s bestselling
Ranger’s Apprentice
adventure series originally comprised twenty short stories, which John wrote to encourage his twelve-year-old son, Michael, to enjoy reading. Now sold to more than twenty countries, the series has sold over three million copies worldwide, has appeared on the
New York Times
Bestseller List and is regularly shortlisted for children’s book awards in Australia and overseas.

John, a former television and advertising writer, lives with his wife, Leonie, in the Sydney beachside suburb of Manly. He is currently writing further titles in the
Ranger’s Apprentice
series. Visit John Flanagan’s website,
www.rangersapprentice.com
, to find out more about John.

The adventures of Will and his friends aren’t over yet! Visit the official Australian
Ranger’s Apprentice
website for news about upcoming books, plus competitions, quizzes, games and more.

www.rangersapprentice.com.au