Hello, sorry about the delay; hope you enjoy this chapter, too.

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Chapter 6: Kansai

Mt. Koya?  Unable to control the urge, I drop the book back where it was found, and quickly take out one of my maps and search it, finding Mt. Koya in the Kansai district.  I hurriedly close up the map and start towards the door.

"My, young man, why are you in such a hurry?"

Pointedly ignoring his comment, I open the door and walk out.  I untie my horse from the post and mount.  The map close at hand, I start my travels to Mt. Koya. 

As I had experienced on my voyage to Tohoku, I watch others from afar, toiling or basking in their daily lives.  It has been some time since I interacted with people for more than a short length of time.  I at first find myself saddened by this fact, but then become angered at my lapse.  Others have added nothing to my life, but have only made demands that have sought to crush my body and soul.  Truly, I am better off without them as I am.  When I have gained my fortune, I shall be the one who shapes the lives of others. 

Along the way, my horse falls ill, and I am forced to stop some time to tend to it and await its full recovery.  Restless, I am relieved when it finally retains its usual vigor.

More time passes, and as I approach a village near Mt. Koya, I notice the falling of changed leaves.  Doubt creeps into my mind, what if this is not the place?  What if, indeed, it is merely a legend?  Not wanting to be filled with such discouragements, I attempt to focus my attention on what lies before me.  I lead my horse into the town, which seems busier than even most.  There are a surprising number of monks and other holy people scattered throughout, is that a possible indication? 

Not wanting to be too confident, I return to the task at hand.  In my haste to depart Tohoku, I had erred in not replenishing my supplies.  While the remainders and finds along my route had previously sufficed, I knew that purchases, while undesired in their risk, would be necessary.  At what appears to be a store, I dismount and tie my horse to a post.  I step inside, hearing the usual noises of trade and barter.  I inhale the smells of various animals and plants, and begin to search, choosing foods that I know have long before they become inedible.   When I walk through one area, I am surprised to see an open doorway leading to a restaurant in an attached building, possibly these two building share a common owner.  As I hold some goods in my hand, I ponder and waver whether I should take the time and funds to indulge in the extravagance.  Unable to resist, I place down the goods to be purchased, and step through the doorway.

A waitress notices my presence and indicates that I can seat myself at any available space.  Knowing that it would be better not to, but encouraged by my already successful risk taking, I choose a place close to where a group of middle aged men are seated, drowning themselves in sake.  The waitress brings me a menu and I scan it, almost salivating at the prospect of eating such a palate after what I have consumed for so long.  After a few moments, she returns and I make my order. 

The silence that had existed is broken by drunken conversation between the men.

"Listen to this story.  There's a rumor going around that some high and mighty lord left his estate to his son for some time.  When he came back, not only was the place in disarray, one of the servants had escaped with clothes, money, you name it!"

I involuntarily stiffen at his words.

As they all laugh, the second answers, "Wish something like that would happen around here."

The third stops laughing, surprising the other two.

The third says in a lower voice, "Maybe it's just coincidence, but I heard a story from a friend of mine who knows a man who sells horses.  Seems some youngster looking sharp came looking to buy one, but wouldn't let on anything about himself."

Quiet returns, and I become anxious as I hear the second whisper, "I just received a letter from my cousin in Tohoku.  His father is a bookseller there, and, supposedly, a well-dressed young man came to him for some maps, wanting to look in the mountains.  He came back some time later and, when he saw a book my uncle was reading about Mt. Koya, he dashed out of there faster than a hare being chased by a mountain lion."

Visibly sweating, I find myself at a loss as to what to do next.  Curse my too easy spirit!  Look where it has left me. I sense their eyes upon me, and, despite the suspicion it will arouse, I decide that my only choice is to escape from this place with haste.  I stand, startling the waitress who had been headed in my direction with my food.  I walk slowly first, still feeling their glance, and, when I hear the sounds of rising, I quicken my pace and exit, heading for my horse, and hearing fast footsteps following. 

"That man, that man is suspicious!  Someone, stop him!" the first man shouts.

Two men on horseback at a distance hear the man's shout and look towards me.  Fearful, I mount my horse and force it to move in the direction of the mountain, faster and faster, so that it is running at a greater speed than it has ever before.  The men on horseback soon afterwards can be heard in pursuit and yelling to me to halt.  I ignore their rants, causing them to quicken the pace of their horses, and I do likewise. The chase leads us to the base of the mountain and further on as they pursue me up the ascent.  They gain on me at first, my horse not being one bred or trained for speed.  As my fate seems to grow grim, I am encouraged when I notice us approaching a challenging climb.  Accustomed to this activity, my horse makes its way with ease.  When the other horses arrive, they struggle despite their masters' angry commands, and I find myself able to escape their clutches.  Still energized but now relieved, I quickly lead my horse away from the men and continue for some way, leaving them far behind and ensuring my continued liberty.  However, my newly regained confidence proves perilous as I do not notice a dangerous crevice.  My usually steady horse, still speeding, trips over it, resulting in my being thrown off, my head and body harshly hitting the ground before I slip into unconsciousness.