On the morning of the third day, the ronin prayed once more to his buddha, asking for wisdom as the battle between the skies and waters continued to rage outside the cave. As if in answer to his prayer, there came a rumbling groan from within. The Salamander was stirring from its sleep. With a final quick prayer to the thousand kami, the ronin strode deep into the cave. His clothes were wet after all, and it would be nice to dry out.

"Hello, Lord Salamander! It is Daizen Tohachi, asking for your hospitality!"

"What do you want?" grumbled the monster.

"The seas and clouds make war on each other. It is a fearful din. Could I warm myself by your fire? I am drenched from the rain, and cold. I will make you little sport tomorrow if I am shivering and feeble with sickness," the ronin kow-towed at the doorway to the Salamander's lair, barely able to stand the inredible heat.

"Why not? Your courtesy pleases me, so I will welcome you." The Salamander raised its smooth, fiery head and looked at the ronin with red-orange eyes.

"But do not come too close, I would not like to roast you before the chase, though I would eat you all the same."

"You are wise and gentle, Lord of flames, and I will be cautious of you." The ronin bowed as he retreated to a comfortable distance from the lair.

"Hm," said the Salamander, lowering his giant head back into the pool. Only his burning eyes remained above the surface. "Tell me, human, I have lived all my years on this island. Are all the things and powers of the south as polite as you?"

"In the lands to the south, great lord, I am considered a sharp-tongued ruffian."

"Indeed!" the Salamander raised his head in surprise. The mouth gaped and a lick of fire streched out. The ronin fought an urge to jump back, but held his spot.

"It is true. I am an outcast from my home, come to find my fortune. I plan to slay you and see what treasures can be had from the hoard of a mighty Lord of Salamanders."

"That is plain enough, and well-said. But you have made a poor choice. I have slain more by accidental glance of my claws than is all the line of your ancestors."

"Then my lot in death is to join a line longer and greater than the line I joined at birth, and I shall go into the next life happy at my luck." The ronin bowed again, and raised an eyebrow. Flattery was a sure weapon against proud men, but the truth-sense of gods and demons was known even in the civilized south. When the Salamander spoke again, the ronin had to bow to hide a wide grin.

"By Rokurojin, but I like you, human!" the Salamander laughed. He rolled on his back and belly in the pool of fire and played like an otter among the flames. The ronin would have been terrified at the sight if the creature was not playing so perfectly into his hands.

"You are too kind to a miserable wretch, incandescent one. Kind to allow me warmth before my death, and kind to let me die hearing pleasant words spoken in friendly tones. I am a poor runner, but tomorrow I shall lead you such a chase that you will think I am a bolt of lightning trapped in a mortal body!" The ronin approached the lair a bit, and braved the monster's heat so that he might kow-tow in clear view.

"Ha!" The Salamander rolled and laughed at the ronin. "You amuse me as no human ever has, Daizen-san!"

Sincerity