The pilgrims from Kofu are assembled and prepared for the day. The samurai couple, the merchant couple, the older ronin, and the old peasant woman. But the two budoka are missing.
The innkeeper approaches and announces, Two of the pilgrims send their apologies, but they are indisposed and have to delay their ascent of divine Fuji-san for a day or so. I will leave it to the pilgrims to decide whether to stay and wait for them, or proceed today. Should the pilgrims decide to wait, an additional gratuity of three silver per person per day will be required for the upkeep of the yojimbo bushi guides. Please discuss among yourselves. He adds, My own modest thought would be to travel together as a group, “Breaking three arrow one at a time across a knee is very easy. But breaking three bound together is very difficult indeed.” He looks on hopefully and expectantly, all but rubbing his hands together at the thought of the extra lodging and yojimbo fees.
The couples discuss among themselves. The samurai husband says, We will go.
The merchant husband squares his shoulder and says in a similar tone, We will go.
The old woman ponders a bit and looks in her cotton drawstring pouch, shakes it. A little expensive staying here, neh? I'll go.
The ronin bushi's lined and creased face goes immobile for some moments. I'll wait, he says. Ganbatte. He bows to everyone heads presumably to his room.
Your yojimbo are waiting for you outside, pilgrim-sama, the innkeeper says. Would you like to purchase so o-mamori amulets for the trip? Just consecrated at the Fuji-san shrine yesterday. One silver each. I personally would not think to scale divine Fuji-san without asking for the blessings of the kami.
Do Taisho and Haruto leave today, or wait for the two budoka? You can split into separate threads if you leave on different days. Do they buy o-mamori?
