After half a day's travel, they came upon a small village.  At the side of the road, an oxcart had been turned into an impromptu merchant's stall.  A tall, slender man with a straw hat was dickering with someone who, from his clothes, appeared to be the village headman.

"I wonder if this place even has an inn?" Kasumi asked.

"Possibly not," said Jiro.  "We're here for an oxcart, however..."

He approached the merchant's stall to listen to what was being said.

"...so, shall we say two casks of your pickled plums for one crate of dried fish?" the merchant asked.

"I cannot go beyond one cask," the headman said. "The rest is promised to our lord.  But we do have some more that are pickling now..."

"Very well, one cask for one crate, and I will return for more once it is ready." The merchant and headman bowed to each other, and the headman took his leave.

"Ah!" the merchant said, seeing Jiro and Kasumi. "To what do I owe this honor, samurai-san?"

"I bring a letter," said Jiro, presenting it.  "Your assistance is requested."

The merchant took the parchment and scanned its contents. "I would be happy to help, Hida-san, Kakita-san," he said, bowing. "Yasuki Nakanobu, at your service.  I fear that my humble oxcart is scarcely the equivalent of an Utaku steed, however, so if speed is of the essence, I will take no offense if you find more illustrious transport."

"Your cart will certainly help," Kasumi said.