Year of the Crow, First Month, Day 18.

 The promised storm did not materialise although there was a point in the day, the hour of the cat, perhaps when the skies looked extremely grim. We waited for a stick or so but when it became apparent that the sun was making an appearance, we set off again.

The horses are being very good to us. Today, again, we managed eight leagues before we lost the light and it was only half a stick or so after that before we arrived at the next inn. Horii did suggest we camp but when he saw Haru's reaction to that, he lit a lantern rather stoically and said we would carry on until we reached the inn. We were not supposed to arrive here for another day so the inn-keeper and her staff hardly knew what to do when we barrelled in looking for rooms. She looked aghast at our arrival and flapped about for a good quarter of a stick before admitting that she had been expecting us tomorrow and she did not have enough rooms.

I think everyone was surprised when I laughed out loud and said that Haru and I could share. It would be no different to having a maid in my ante-chamber anyway. Not that my maids were allowed to sleep in my ante-chamber once Mother decided I would not be trained to Rule but it was not so long ago that I do not remember what it was like. Haru looked somewhat put out but I will speak to her once she is back from her bath.

I have enjoyed some very tasty squid this evening. I usually avoid it because I find the texture too rubbery but this was so fresh and it smelled divine so I decided I would try it and I did not regret it. It was nice to eat some fried noodles too. Oddly, neither Yuika or Kaede had noodles served at their tables often; they are not as popular further north but in the south, we eat them rather than rice so it was a little taste of home. I suppose I shall have to re-evaluate just where 'home' is in the not too distant future but for now... I shall think fondly of our cuisine and save that problem for another day.