The ronin dashed back along the tunnel, avoiding the charging Salamander, and fearful of the sound of rushing water ahead. I will need all my luck now, thought the ronin.

He found a side tunnel and ducked inside just as the Salamander sped past. He breath came ragged and short, and his hands flew to his katana, loosening it in its sheath. Soon now, thought the ronin. I will be dead or very rich.

A burst of heat flooded the ronin's refuge, and the touch of steam burned him painfully. The ronin cried out in agony as the tunnel shook.

Ahead, the Salamander had met the sea-warders, and the ronin prayed. Then came quiet, and the slow footsteps of the Salamander walking back towards his lair. As he approached, the ronin felt that his heat had been dampened by the fight with the sea warders, and he drew his sword slowly from its sheath.

"Where are you, my little Samurai?" whispered the Salamander.

"My fire is out, and I must find my way back to my pool, to relight my heart. I have bested your enemies, my servant, and I cannot see when my fire is out. Daizen-san? Where are you?"

Stepping carefully out ahead of the monster, the ronin raised his blade above the Salamander's head.

"I am not your servant, beast. I am Daizen Tohachi and I will be a lord, not a servant to either man or beast!" With that, he swung his katana down and sundered the dull green head of the smoldering creature. It spoke its final words with a wet gasp and the escape of a mouthful of steam.

"Humans!" was all it said, and then died.