The opening of the cave was scarred by the Salamander's passing. His fiery steps had burned and melted prints into the rocks and earth around the cave's mouth. There were so many tracks that the ronin feared that there might be a whole family of Salamanders within. That would not have suited his plan at all.

"Stay here, Oji. I will go in and challenge the Salamander to a fight. If I do not come out by nightfall, go back to the village and tell my wife that she should mourn for no more days than we were married."

"Yes, sir." Oji bowed respectfully to the ronin.

The ronin walked into the cave, examining the tracks as he went. Some of these are very fresh, he thought, so the beast has been out hunting recently. The cave was very hot, and the ronin had to cover his mouth. It would not do to be unable to speak once he was in the Salamander's presence. The tunnel grew hotter as the ronin approached the center of the lair, and when he found the Salamander he could barely keep his eyes open. The monster was resting in a pool of orange fire.

"Hello, powerful vassal of the king of flames!" rasped the ronin, his voice hoarse from the heat. "I am Daizen Tohachi of Kamido Province in the south. I have come from the mainland to beg you to consent to fight me!" The Salamander raised its head and blinked its eyes sleepily.

"Wander off, human. I ate fifteen fat goats last night, and I want to rest. Besides, I prefer to chase my food, not fight it. Return in a few days. I will eat you then."

"That is fair, lord. I will return in three days, and you may chase and eat me if you like." The ronin kow-towed and left, glad to escape the heat.

"A very polite human," said the Salamander to no one in particular. "If he is as quick as he is courteous, he will give me a fine chase."

Oji gasped when the ronin returned, looking untouched.

"Sir! Is it dead?"

"No, Oji," said the samurai. "It has asked for three days respite until it will fight me."

"Three days is forever!" said the boy.

"No, It is not so long as that. Go back to the village. I will meditate here until the Salamander is ready to fight. If I do not return, tell my wife she should mourn only three days longer than we were married."

Oji gathered his things and dashed off back towards the village. The ronin sat and produced an abacus from his pack. Then he began to do calculations. He thought carefully about the volcano, the forests, and the mountains that ran up the spine of Jaidojima. He gazed carefully at the gathering clouds, and added them into his figures. When he had counted and recounted for quite some time, he set down his abacus and went for a walk.

The Battle