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Author's Chapter Notes:
Epilogue Two
* * * * *

It was not widely known, even within Japan. But, the sohei, or warrior monks, of the Enryakuji-kiri-sho ("The Order of the Nine Cutting Hands," based on the slopes of Mount Hiei) had been founded primarily to combat the Nura-shikome-oni. A race of snake women supposedly descended from an eight-headed serpent called Yamata no Orochi, via seven of the eight daughters fathered by the Hii River god Ashi-nadzuchi.

Toward that end, these sohei had usually wielded silver-headed naginatas as their chief weapons. But, after the order was disbanded by Tokugawa Iyeasu, in 1603, most of the erstwhile members went either to the Asian mainland, or neighboring island chains like the Ryukyus, and became soldiers-of-fortune (or ronin).

Oishi Nakafusa was the last living practioner of the esoteric martial arts that had been developed and perfected by the Enryakuji-kiri. And, he had been using them on behalf of the same gun-running opium smugglers that Tobias Blair had briefly been a part of, when they inadvertently rescued Father Wisemann from the "Siamazons" (Gen. Hopkin's term; not mine!) of the Buru-naga tribe.

Oishi recognized their tribal idol as being a representation of the pre-Taoist Chinese creator goddess Nuwa. Also known as "Nura-hime" (or "Snake Princess"), in Japanese. And, to his credit, he refused to leave Father Wisemann to the non-existent mercy of those head-hunting viragos one more minute!

It was that same representation he subsequently found somewhere out West, while working with General Hopkins' expedition.

"I'm afraid I can't give you the full particulars as they're top secret. And, will most likely remain so, for some time! Suffice it to say, however, that the missing Japanese youngsters and their chaperone are en route back to Japan, even as we speak, aboard one of the Navy's fastest troop ships. Yet, just as the XZR-1 was getting underway, back to DC, we got a last minute radio message from the captain of that ship."

"Apparently, one of the Japanese children is the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter. And, she told the chaperone that she had had a vision of you lot...about to be swallowed by these lot!"

He pointed to the corpses that were still semi-reptilian.

"Now, personally? I don't believe in such superstitious clap-trap. Despite the nature of our recent quarry! But, Nakafusa-san did believe it, and persuaded me to head for this summer camp at best possible speed. He also persuaded me to call for reinforcments!"

As a result, elements of the 101st U.S. Cavalry (New York State National Guard) were dispatched westward by special locomotive. While the Joint Chiefs of Staff were able to persuade the governor of Michigan to loan General Hopkins' marines a machine gun company of the 2nd Infantry Regiment (Michigan National Guard). Along with a transport company of same providing trucks and trailers for the cavalrymen upon their arrival in Detroit.

"They had to go by way of Wisconsin to get here on time," the general concluded: "But, by Godfrey, make it they did!"

"As did you, sir," Sir Anthony replied: "And, for that, I assure you I am most grateful."

"Ditto!" I affirmed.

Then, something occurred to me.

"Hey! What about Little Bob?"

tbc
Chapter End Notes:
*The legend of Yamata no Orochi and the Daughters of Ashi-nadzuchi is a genuine one. I just tweaked the stuff about the sohei.
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