Not long after meeting with Bayushi-san, I was joined by one of the local samurai, Akodo Touki. A somber young man with broad shoulders, he early showed me a most congenial taste in tea. He also showed me an interest in stories--indeed, I think I shall have to compose a collection of sailors' stories, given how interested in them the people I have met here have been. For Akodo-san was not the only one of his Clan to show curiosity about them.

Because I did still have to bathe, after all, and I availed myself of the onsen. A Matsu, Chihatsu, joined me there. Formidable woman, she, and very much a member of her Family. We had an interesting chat, we two, ranging to sailing and perfumes, among others. Family, too, and I am reminded that it is not only the Tortoise who roam, not only we who have to consider whom we leave behind us. I feel some sorrow for those who are left, truly.

Alas, the day did not allow for only idle enjoyments. The magistrate, Ryuuta Kin, asked those of us belonging to the Emperor's Favored to a meeting, wherein we discussed what we could do given the circumstances. I reported on what I had done to that point and what I meant to continue doing, details of which are of no moment. It seemed to me that Ryuuta-bugyo accepted the matter, but Suzume Chihaya, who was in attendance, had concerns that I was not in position to allay. But that is a matter above me, as many are; whether it is to the good or ill that the worthy and ennobled consider such questions, I will leave it for others to judge.

When I left the meeting, I found a crowd gathered, not entirely happily--as could be understood against the displacement and upset of these times. I did what I could to ease matters and remind them that the Emperor protects--the true Emperor. And I took the opportunity to do some investigation along the lines I had mentioned to Ryuuta-bugyo. Unfortunately, while those I encountered had the correct attitude in some ways--solidarity among the workers is admirable--they affected a lack or had a lack of Fukurokujin's blessings. My efforts in that regard were stymied, much to my annoyance--but such is life, and did we always find success, there would be little of value in it. And the ongoing day did much to raise the value of success for me.

[Day 3] opened wet and cold, and I found myself drawn to the walls to look out across the landscape. The armorer Bayushi Degarashi was there, and we had chance to speak again, quite pleasantly. A Naga joined us--I am not entirely certain of the mechanics of so large a figure in such wise ascending the ladders, but such was--the Saravya. Bayushi-san and I again talked of armor and its gaps as he awaited word of his kin.

When I came down, of course, I heard the talk of the Dragon in the skies. I had not seen it, but enough claimed to that I had to accept the possibility of its truth. And I heard more talk of the Matsu I had met before, though I do not know its source. I found my talk with her interesting, hardly the kind of excoriation of which I heard report. But, then, given what had been said of a Mantis woman previously and which I have no reason to doubt, perhaps there was more to it.