Thanks for the Memories

Very sorry about the lag in posts from me. I've been a bit busy, but winter break let me finish this up and start on the next. There should be one more chapter for this story and then the next book will start. The next book will have a lot more action, since this one is just like a sort of prequel and what not. It helped me to flesh out some details of this character's life that were much needed in understanding his actions later on. Also, I should mention that the character called 'Artea' in this chapter and the following chapter does not belong to me. It it a friend of mine's and he's given me permission to use him.

Anyway, enough babble from me. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy!





******




Late afternoon brought a pleasant breeze along with a warm colored sky, painted with orange and the color of bright roses. The town of Shirigo bustled with the last rush of activity, the townspeople eager to finish their tasks before the end of day. The main street was crowded with patrons bustling between the buildings and trotting down the walkways, alone and in groups alike. The clamor of the streets began to rise with the setting sun, the night always bringing joy and festivities.



The jovial pleasantries and laughter was soon interrupted as a wagon came charging into the main pass way from the road that lead off to Takaru forest. The driver looked to be a young man, no more than nineteen, with a very fit build to his body and a wild look in his eye. He held something close to him under his free arm and, as he drew closer, the onlookers could see that it was an old man resting against him. The elder was not moving much, only jostling along with the beat of the cart wheels as they clattered onto the paved street.



Kazuki did not seem to pay much attention to the curious stares received as he pulled Baroness to a halt in the midst of what looked to be a town square. He had little regard for social protocol so he did not seem to realize the peculiarity of his actions as these people did. He was in a hurry after all. He starred around, looking for any signs that may assist his inquiry.



A portly gentleman ventured to walk up to the confused and lost youth. He tipped his hat as he caught the young man’s attention and spoke up in a resounding voice, a friendly chime in his odd accent, “How do, young sir. Might ya be lookin’ for somethin’?”



Kazuki blinked a moment, but shook off his growing concerns. He nodded quickly, “Yes, sir. I need a healer and fast. This man is gravely wounded. We were ambushed and any help would be much appreciated.”



The man nodded and pointed to a small building wedged between two taller structures that joined the rest of the street. A sign dangled from a wooden beam that extended from above the door, bearing a symbol much akin to the one that hung from the end of Madame Kosuke’s staff. He pulled the horse around with a kind nod to the stranger and the beast trotted quickly towards the new destination. Within moments he pulled the wagon to a halt, hopped off the side with Cassidy in his arms, and charged inside the building.



The door burst inward and he looked about the room, frantically in search of master of the establishment. He laid eyes upon a man, who had now turned his head to look at his sudden guests. He was average in height and very toned, though not muscular. He was bald with many abstract tattoos winding and weaving around his head, accenting his sharp and studious features throughout his face. He rushed to the young monk, concern evident in his light blue eyes as he noticed the blood soaked cloth around the old man’s waist.



He motioned for Kazuki to lay the man down on the floor and he immediately complied, neither of them speaking a word. The cleric tore away the bandages, waving a hand over the wound with a trail of whispered words leaving his lips. Cassidy groaned quietly, nearly without consciousness, and his hand twitched as he felt a sudden warmth radiate over him. The bandages were finally out of the way and the healer shook his head at the sight of the injury, “It’s not very deep, so no tissue was damaged. Lots of blood lost, but that’s not unlike shallow wounds. This won’t take long.”



Kazuki watched eagerly, keeping his distance of a few feet away, and nodded with a relieved sigh at the news. He lifted his gaze to survey the process as the skilled healer tended to his charge, muttering words in a language unknown to him and a soft yellow light pulsing from his palm every now and then. He suddenly felt tired, if not a little lightheaded. He stumbled a step backward as his vision faded for a moment. Catching himself, he held a hand to his head. The sight of blood did not bother him in the slightest, having seen enough in his days despite his youth, so it was understandable that he was confused.



His skin felt cold and clammy to the touch, sweat sticking to his hand as he swayed in his spot. Realization caught him far too late and his legs gave away from him. He hit his knees and fell forward as his vision left him, followed shortly by all grasp on the waking world.



The cleric turned his head at the sound of a groan, just in time to see the man begin to tumble to the ground. At first he had thought the young man had merely fainted, but as he hit the ground the sight of his back made the seasoned healer draw a sharp gasp of alarm. It looked that the poor youth had several lashes into his back that were in the process of healing and now many of them appeared to have reopened. A stream of dried blood made a trail down his back, staining his clothing and still some seeped from the gashes.



“What a fool…” He leaned over the collapsed boy, now that he was sure that the old man would be fine. His hand drifted over the abused flesh as the depth of the damage filtered through his mind. Thankfully it seemed that there was still sufficient blood in his body, but he wouldn’t be feeling so great once morning came around. He prodded a few choice points on the young man’s back, pulses of vibrant light rippling from the points of contact and the lingering blood began to wind back into the wounds as the scabs began to reform.



He continued to tend the young man and the process took much more time to complete than did the elder, as these wounds were older and appeared to have still needed care before the damage was worsened. They would not heal properly, but with luck they would be mended enough to prevent a similar occurrence.



Cassidy stirred and brought himself up, sitting as he clutched his stomach. He peered over to the sound of the commotion to see the young monk on the floor, face down, and another man hunched over him. The bald man was motioning with his hands and whispering, the sound of his voice a soothing, mellow tone. The old trader watched for a moment, concern gracing his rugged features, before managing to speak in a raspy voice, “Is he alright, sir?”



The cleric turned his head and ran his eyes over the old man, particularly the wound that had begun to seal on his chest. He returned his attention to the young monk as he spoke, “Lie back down and rest, please. The young man will be alright if he does nothing more to aggravate his wounds.”



Cassidy did as he was told, still watching the healer at work with much interest. He remembered a good deal of what had transpired, but had blacked out some time as they were barreling down the road. Admittedly, he had feared greatly for himself through that wild endeavor and was beyond relieved when the young man had sprung to his rescue. To think he’d have gone through that passage by himself if Kazuki had not left his home right at the time he had chosen. That thought was a bit overwhelming for the old man and his eyes slid shut, whispering a faint thank you to whichever god or goddess had watched out for him that day.



A much younger man entered the room, sliding aside a door and peeking his head around the corner. He was no older than mid-teens, wearing similar clothing to the cleric with a bit less lavish decorations and his hair had also been shaved. He paused a moment, seeming to debate whether he thought it wise to disturb the man hovering over the young monk. He spoke meekly with his hesitation, “Sir? Might I be of assistance?”



The cleric glanced at the young man a moment before returning his attention to the wounded. He nodded, “Yes, prepare two beds for the evening for our patrons here. Start some tea as well.”



The lad nodded vigorously before darting off, disappearing as the door slid shut again. It was some time still before the cleric saw any progress with the young monk. He had, after all, lost a good deal of blood and his wounds were quite devastating.



But, at last, Kazuki began to stir and the muscles of his arms twitched in an attempt to lift himself from the floor. The cleric’s hand pressed his shoulder until he relaxed, only then realizing what had happened. He laid still and groaned, his voice muffled by his daze, “Cassidy is alright?”



“I assume you mean your companion. Yes, he is just fine. Now be silent and relax. I’ll have two beds ready in a moment as well as some tea.” He whispered a few more phrases of his strange tongue, his hand drifting about Kazuki’s back.



The young monk shifted uncomfortably as he felt his damaged skin wriggle, the wounds beginning to close just a bit more. It was not a feeling he could say that he enjoyed. Several minutes past and the young man reentered the room, sliding back the door and giving a courteous bow as he said, “The beds are ready, sir. The tea needs just a moment longer.”



The cleric nodded and waved his hand, the boy taking his leave. He stood and strode over to Cassidy, kneeling beside him, “Alright, you first.” He slid his arm under the old man’s shoulders and helped him to his feet.



Cassidy stood and pulled away from the cleric, “I’m alrigh’, sir. Just point me in the right direction.”



The cleric did so and then turned to help the monk. Much to his surprise he saw that the young man had already gotten to his feet, a nonchalant gaze drifting to meet him. He certainly was a resilient one to have sustained so much damage and, after such a short period of tending, managed to stand as if nothing had transpired. He pointed to the same room where Cassidy had went and smiled warmly, “I’ll bring you both tea whenever it is ready.”



Kazuki nodded, “Thank you. But…” he paused a moment, always detesting conversation about money however necessary an evil it was, “I should tell you that I do not have any coins to my name and I’m certain Cassidy has very little.”



The cleric shook his head, “That is unfortunate, but I would not turn away a person in need regardless. You are still welcome to stay and recover, of course. It is my duty to heal the wounded.”



Kazuki smiled, “You are kind, but I must insist if there is anything I can do for you in return then please name it. I’m afraid I am only skilled in the art of martial combat and I’m sure that would be of little use to you, but if you need a strong arm I can do that as well.”



The cleric chuckled, “I’m sure you could, but in your condition I’d rather not risk overworking yourself. You’ve already done that today, though necessary it was a bit unwise. However…” He paused a moment, “If you don’t mind the leg work I have a few letters that need to be delivered to a couple places in town.”



The monk nodded, “Of course, I would not mind at all.” He bowed his head and made his way to the room he had been directed to moments ago. Inside Cassidy lay already asleep in a bed made from a soft roll of layered fabric, likely with some form of stuffing within, and a blanket. On the other side of the small room there was another of similar nature, neatly made without a single wrinkle in the cloth.



A sound from behind him caused his body to turn slightly. The young boy, from before, stood before the monk with a bowed head and a cup of steaming liquid in each hand. He spoke rather quickly, as if nervous, “Here is your tea for you and your companion, sir. Master Quin wishes you a restful night.”



Kazuki took both with a courteous bow and a reassuring ‘thank you’. The boy seemed happy to take his leave, however, and did so quickly. The monk chuckled lightly, not altogether understanding such shyness, and turned once again. He set Cassidy’s tea near where the old man slept, close enough to reach but not so much as to risk being knocked over accidently, and made his way to his own bed. He sat down, crossing his legs before him as he looked down into the contents of the cup. The dimly lit room did not reveal much, not surprisingly, but he could not let such gracious hospitality go to waste. He brought the cup to his lips and sipped gingerly for a taste. At first the taste was bold and soothing, but then shifted into something that hinted vaguely of fruit and laced with a familiar tang of alcohol that mingled quite well with the mix. He could recognize the taste immediately as herbal tea with a shot of sake, with only a bit of sugar to sweeten. It was odd to find the taste of alcohol lingering beneath the pleasant medley of the tea, but the taste did not detract from the relaxing beverage. In fact, it felt quite a bit more soothing that the usual product of the tea leaf with this new addition.



He finished his cup slowly, taking in a deep breath of the scent before each drink. It did wonders and, as he drained the last of it, he did wonder if it held something more than what he suspected. He was beginning to feel quite drowsy, but in a relaxed way that was not at all perturbing. He set the empty cup down and peeled the blanket back before laying down on the soft, thin cushion. He pulled the cover up to his hips and brought his arms up, resting his forehead where his wrists joined together. It was not long before sleep took him, drifting off into deep rest amongst his soft and slow breaths.



*****



The next morning began early with a rush. Kazuki had forgotten about Baroness and the wagon in his hurry to get Cassidy to a healer. Add in the fact that he had collapsed for the trouble of it and, well, it was a problem. Thankfully, the horse had not wondered from the building too far but she seemed rather displeased at being left over night with her harness and bit. She had kicked the wagon in some places, damaging the wood as well as trampled the reins a bit. The nice leather strips were now in poor condition, but were not entirely unusable.



Cassidy was already tending to this matter, as he felt he had requested quite enough of the young man, so Kazuki went about the chore the cleric had requested. He had three letters to deliver around town and had been give basic directions, so he hoped he could retain the information long enough to complete the task. He set off to do just that, feeling a great deal better after such a sound rest the night before.



The first two locations were close by and he found with some ease. One letter was given to a stout old woman a few buildings down, who gave Kazuki a generous tip for his efforts. If he was not completely without funds and likely in need of them soon he would have objected, but he thanked her kindly and accepted the gesture. The second was to a heavy set man, the bartender at ‘The Voyager’s Folly.’ The young monk spent some time there, as the bartender was quite talkative and insisted on giving the young man a drink. He hadn’t drunk much before, only on occasion with his old master and that was in strict moderation. He was much younger then, after all. It was becoming increasingly obvious that the people of this town were quite hospitable and kind, but maybe their upcoming holiday had something to do with it.



Kazuki bid the bartender, Miguel, farewell before going on his merry way. Unfortunately, he had spent much longer than intended conversing with man over his drink and he was soon rubbing his forehead in an attempt to remember where it was he had to go next. For a moment he wondered if drinking was such a good idea, but he brushed away the thought since he hardly felt the beginnings of a buzz. He mentally retraced his steps that morning, vaguely recalling his instructions, and after a moment of regaining his sense of direction he headed off for his final stop.



*****



A lean figure sat idly in his chair, reclined slightly and resting his chin on his left hand with a look of dismal boredom on his face. His long white hair fell about him, covering the right side of his face completely before cascading down his shoulder and back. He wore light leather and cloth armor, his left arm bearing sectioned pieces of protection while his right was entirely covered to where no skin was showing. His tall boots were scuffed and bore some residue of muck, however faint, and his dull eyes surveyed a small table set before him where a thoughtful game of chess appeared to be in progress.



He shifted slightly, readjusting himself, and flicked the gloved fingers of his right hand. The black bishop slide, seemingly of its own free will, and tapped against the white knight. The white piece shuddered a moment and then began to deteriorate, dusty remains trailing away from the spot where it once stood. The bishop moved to claim its knew place and the man observing the game resumed the thoughtful strumming of his fingers.



Someone was heading his way, the tapping of their footsteps reaching his ears long before their knuckled rapped upon the door. He voice drawled as he spoke, “Come in. It isn’t locked.”



The door pushed upon, slowly at first, and the young man who entered took the older man by slight surprise. Judging by the footsteps he heard he could tell that whoever had business with him was large, the steps being heavy at first, but naturally graceful as each one was fleeting and smooth. The even sounds of them were nearly flawless, in fact, and it was sign enough that it was a man capable of combat. Most fighters, monks, and especially rogues held this trait and he was quite familiar with it, being that he himself was no exception. But, he did not expect someone so young to be the owner of said footsteps.



He ran his eyes over the youth’s form and decided that he was far too bulky in build to be a rogue and his gaze was too astute for that of a fighter. Keen, amber eyes that seemed to survey himself just as he was being looked over told him that this man was likely a monk. He cleared his throat and rose his pale eyebrows, looking up at the arrival from his chair, “May I help you?”



Kazuki could not explain exactly why he felt so held by that pallid gaze as he was, but it was as if the man before him was reading something within him. For a moment he was rendered silent as if those eyes beckoned him to be so, but when the man’s tone rose from him in a cadence of apathy he was cleared of his stupor. He nodded, “Yes sir, I have a letter here,” he waved the bundle of parchment once before extending it outward to its intended recipient, “from Master Quin.”



The older man motioned delicately with his fingers and the envelope slid from Kazuki’s hand, drifting to the seated man as he reached out to take it when it got closer. He hummed lightly to himself, “Ah, now I recall. The cleric across town.” He slid the letter into his pocket, feeling that he’d deal with that matter later, and returned his attention to the young man. He studied him a moment longer before speaking, “If I may be so bold to state that you, sir, do not seem the type to be running letters around town. Is this your usual trade?” He chuckled lightly, already knowing the answer.



Kazuki laughed in response, realizing how out of place he seemed in his garb paired with his strong build, “No and believe me that’s not the first time I’ve heard someone say that today.”



The older man continued to watch the subtle characteristics the young man portrayed. His stance was sturdy, as if by nature and likely so, and confident as he rested his hands on his hips. His voice held absolutely no sign of uneasiness and his gaze was sharp yet not so much as to be off putting. He seemed to have some wit about him as well. All good traits, truth be told. He shifted, leaning back in his seat and folding his hands in his lap, “What is your name? If you don’t mind me asking.”



Kazuki smiled, “Kazuki, sir, and not at all.”



The older man nodded, “Well, Kazuki, I am Artea.” Another piece on the chess board slid, causing a black piece to disintegrate before replacing it, and the man spoke again as he leveled his gaze with the monk, “I do have another question, if you don’t mind. I couldn’t help but notice that you appear much different than the townsfolk of this area. Not from this place I assume?”



Kazuki shook his head, raising an eyebrow. He hadn’t noticed much of a difference in himself compared to the others, except for his attire. He was still wearing gi pants, bearing the temples insignia on the left hip. Then again, now that he gave it some thought, he supposed his complexion and hair at least were quite different, not to mention a few other subtle details. He supposed that he had not noticed because, well, it really wasn’t that significant a thing. He chuckled as his rummaging of thoughts came to an end and looked at the older man with a grin, “I suppose I’m not. I’m from a monastery many miles from here, but that’s not where I was born so I really couldn’t tell you where I’m really from.”



Artea smiled, “That’s quite alright.” So he was right, as usual, in assuming the young man was a monk. He chuckled faintly and shifted in his seat again, “I’m not from here either, if that wasn’t obvious. Just traveling here on business really. What brings you to Shirigo?”



Kazuki shrugged, “Nothing really. When I left I…well,” he laughed as he recalled his folly, “Let’s just say I wasn’t as prepared as I should have been, leaving in a hurry as it were. But, thankfully a salesman was traveling to Shirigo from the pass and he offered me a ride if I helped him protect the wagon. I haven’t really thought about where I’d go from here, but so far things haven’t been so bad.”



At the mention of his story about the salesman, considering the direction given, Artea perked his eyebrows with genuine interest. He did wonder about some odd, yet deliciously amusing coincidence involving a group of his employees. They were off to test a few of their skills in a real situation, though Artea was not aware that they were doing such a thing at the time. They came back with one of them dead and the other two quite injured. He recalled their tale of what had happened and he was not too happy with them, and he was still a bit irritated even now. He chuckled, “Ran into some trouble on the way here perhaps?”



Kazuki blinked a moment, “Yes, actually. We were ambushed by a few thieves, but everything’s fine now. No damage.”



Artea nodded, “I doubt the thieves were so lucky.”



Kazuki shrugged, “Knocked out one and the old man shot another. The third I let go because the man I was protecting was injured.”



The older man nodded again, clearly amused by the anecdote, “Well, it seems you upheld your end of the bargain.” Not to mention he had revealed a sense of good judgment by opting to get his charge to a healer, rather than wasting time with one of the thieves. This young man was proving more intriguing yet. Artea motioned again, another chess pieces sliding on the board in response, and he returned his attention to his guest, “But this job was only temporary, I assume?”



Kazuki rubbed the back of his neck, “Well, yeah. I mean…I can’t say I really have a job, home, or anything. Where I go from here is still up in the air.”



Artea smiled, “Good, because I think I can help you out. You seem a little at a loss, being a traveler with no attachments and seemingly no means of supporting yourself. As I mentioned I am here on business and part of that involves hiring new employees. You seem to be quite capable, if your story is true, and I can tell by looking at you that you are strong. Work for me and you’ll be provided with a place to live, food, and more than decent pay.”



Kazuki’s eyes had widened a fraction, mouth parted slightly as he felt taken aback by the sudden offer. He thought for a moment and decided not to accept or decline just yet. He needed more information, “What exactly does the job entail? I can’t say I’m really that great at much. All I’ve done my whole life is learn how to fight.”



The older man laughed, “But that’s really all you need in this line of work. Most of the tasks I send people to do are things I don’t have time for myself. A client will ask me to retrieve an item for them or a relic of some kind is in danger and I’ll send in a few of my employee’s to take care of things. Some of these missions can be dangerous and others quite simple, but I give ample warning before hand. Your pay is a share in the treasure during the mission or in what the client gives me.”



Kazuki listened intently, nodding every now and then, “I see. So you are a bit like an artificer, except you have others to take care of the messy business. I take it you get a lot of clients.”



Artea nodded, “Yes well, I’m not as young as I once was and very busy as it is. You can imagine the strain, but thankfully I come across many young and able adventurers in my travels. They benefit from the work and I take care of the business aspect.”



Kazuki’s mouth tilted as he brushed his thumb over the stubble beginning to irritate his chin. It all sounded too good to be true really. He didn’t mind the idea of danger, not really. He preferred action and fighting was something he truly did enjoy. Perhaps it was because he was raised to do just that, but he loved a good sparing match, and probably more than anyone else back at the temple. However, he had one last concern. After a long moment he shrugged, “No contract or anything? It sounds like a good deal but I really don’t like the idea of getting tied to anything.”



Artea shook his head, “No signing, no obligations. There are rules, of course, but you can leave whenever you wish.” He noticed a slight raise of the youth’s eyebrow at ‘rules’ and inwardly chuckled, “They are reasonable rules, of course. Just a few guidelines to keep things in order. One, when you’re on the job, be on the job. There’s a time and place for recreation. Two, ask all questions about the job before you begin, because I’m a very busy man and can’t be around all the time. Three, no one talks to the clients except me unless there’s an emergency.”



Kazuki nodded in accordance with what was said, “Sounds reasonable.” Honestly, he could not see a real problem. Of course, the mission rules left things open for shady business, but did he really care about that? No, not truly. Whatever the third party did with what was found was of little concern to the young man, once he thought about it. Besides, he was told that he could leave at any time with no obligations. He ended the short silence his contemplation left them and returned his attention to the older man, “I think I’ll give it a shot. I’m not really good for much else and it sounds interesting, but I can’t say for how long I’ll stick around though.”



The seated man nodded, “Of course. I understand if you need time to see how things work, but I do think you may enjoy the job. You seem the type that enjoys getting his hands dirty.”



Kazuki chuckled, “Well, if I may be honest, I am more interested in how these efforts might improve my capabilities as a martial artist. As I’ve said, it’s all I’ve ever done and, honestly, it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. If I can get better at doing it, then what could it hurt to give it a shot, eh?”



Artea shrugged, “You’ll have plenty of chances to hone your skills, that is certain. If that is not enough, then you’ll have plenty of gold to put towards dojos in your travels to teach you. How you spend your money is of no concern to me.”



The monk nodded, falling silent a moment in thought, “There’s an interesting idea. Certainly it sounds like an ideal job. Good pay, a place to stay, meeting new people, travel… I just have to ask, because it has been nagging at the back of my mind.” He leveled his gaze with the older man, his jovial demeanor suddenly replaced by a steady stare of calculation, “What’s the catch?”



Artea looked up at him a moment, an eyebrow raised, before bursting into laughter at his companion’s grave tone. He held up a hand to excuse himself as his humor lessened, “Please, have a seat. I’ve forgotten my manners!” He motioned to the chair on the other side of the chess board and waited for the young man to accept the invitation, which he did with a curious stare at the older man. Artea chuckled lightly once again as he continued, “There is no catch, sir. The only thing that may discourage you from employment under me is the danger of the missions, and that varies depending on the task. You have no obligation to accept a mission you find too risky. Now, if anyone’s merely freeloading off my household, I’ll insist that they do something to earn their keep. But, I do not foresee that as a problem with you.”



The young man found that he was fidgeting with the stubble on his chin again and dropped his hand to his knee. He eyed the man across from him closely, but could detect no lie in what he said. He was serious and this sounded like an offer that someone in Kazuki’s position would be foolish not to accept. After all, there were future chances of things coming along and changing the situation, but for now this did seem like a wise option. He could deal with danger, given proper warning as he was told he would. He would lean on the side of caution at first, still a bit cautious about the whole ordeal, but he found that he had to accept the opportunity if for nothing else but for the doors that it might open. He extended his hand across the chess board, a smile returning to his face, “I’m in.”



Artea shook the young man’s hand with his gloved right hand, both grips firm and confident, “I’m glad to hear it. For now don’t worry. My business with this town is nearly complete, as soon as an associate of mine returns, and I thought I’d stick around for the first night of the festival tonight. It seems the town is beginning the celebration a bit early this year, by a few days, but maybe I am imagining things. That should give you plenty of time to settle any remaining obligations you may have, and if not let me know if I can assist you.”



Kazuki shook his head, “No ties are keeping me here. I would just like to make sure the old man that brought me here is doing fine before I leave. He was very kind to me.”



Before the conversation could continue any further the door to the room opened hurriedly and a petite woman entered, sliding the door shut behind her. She turned and her eyes fell on Kazuki and Artea, who were now looking at her with equally curious glances. She froze completely, pressing her back against the door and holding the handle tightly. Kazuki nearly knocked his chair over as he got to his feet quickly, unable to help his reflex as he recognized their new company. He could not tell at first but, when she turned and met his gaze, her eyes were the exact same as the thief that he met on the trail. His muscles quivered as he eyed the woman, though he bore no malice. He was merely feeling overly cautious.



The woman locked gazes with him, equally wary of the young man. Artea looked up at her with amusement and his eyes danced between her and Kazuki, lit with interest. He had known the moment the young monk spoke of his encounter that these two would see each other again, and he could not help but feel so entertained by the sudden hostility. However, it would not do for coworkers to be on bad terms so the record needed to be cleaned. But first, he laughed jovially before getting to his feet to stand between them, “Now now, children. Please, there is a misunderstanding. Sit!”



The woman shot a look of unease and frustration at the older man, almost to the point of indignation, but she did as was requested of her. She found a chair apart from the two at the chess board and sat there, preferring to be away from the young monk. She leveled her gaze with Artea with a raised eyebrow, her unsaid words demanding an explanation.



Kazuki relaxed as soon as he saw that the woman was obeying Artea’s request and he too resumed his seat, readjusting the chair. His hostility faded as soon as he felt that the danger had passed, still very wary of his company but no longer on the defensive. He returned his attention to Artea, glancing at the young woman every now and again with distrust.



Artea resisted another chuckle and waved his hand at their mutually skeptic gazes, “Relax. I know what’s going on here now.” He turned to the woman with a satisfied smirk, “And you, Olia, might owe this young man an apology of sorts. Being that you, Jared, and Lee all attacked him. Now, I know you didn’t mean for things to escalate like they did, but really what did the three of you expect?”



Olia crossed her arms, her gaze hardening and her lips at the beginnings of a pout. She said nothing and the older man continued, “That is what I thought. I know how restless you young kids are, but the real world has consequences. Now, if you don’t mind paying your debt to this man with a simple apology that would be lovely.” He turned to Kazuki, still smirking from the shadows of his face, “That will do, won’t it?”



Kazuki shrugged, “Neither me or my charge were badly injured so I really don’t think anything more is necessary. If I may ask though, does she work for you?”



Olia clenched her fists, glaring at the young man. It was bad enough that she had been part of such a foolish endeavor, already losing a good friend in the process, but now these two were speaking as if she were not in the room at all. As if she were a child. But, she bit her tongue and resisted because she knew full well that what the three of them did was pure idiocy even if it sounded like fun at the time.



Artea nodded, “Yes, she and the other two were here on business with me. Apparently they thought they’d have a little fun and ambush a tradesman like they used to before they joined up. They were quite close, you see, and it is a shame to lose a good worker in such a pitiful way.”



Kazuki blinked, letting his thoughts settle as the rest of his hostility ebbed away, “I see.” His eyes lingered over the woman’s face until she met his gaze with a fierce glare. He resisted the urge to chuckle. It was amusing that she seemed so intensely angry with him when the whole situation was caused by her and her friends. He did not understand such a thing, especially when he himself was the one who was attacked. Certainly it was tragic to lose a friend, but it was their own faults. He looked back up at Artea with a smile, “I’m sure we can make amends. As I said, no harm done and all is taken care of on my end.”



Artea nodded, “Wonderful! Now, Olia,” he turned and motioned with his hand to the young monk, “it is your turn to make things right. If you would please apologize to this young man I’m sure the two of you will be just fine working together.”



“WORKING TOGETHER?!” The stood from her seat, her eyes flaring in her outrage and her short stature poised for assault. She stamped on the floor and threw down her arms, clenching her teeth, “You CAN’T be serious, Artea!”



Artea’s smirk never faltered and he chuckled lightheartedly, “Yes, I am very serious. That is,” he looked back at Kazuki with an amused grin curling on his thin lips, “if you still wish to work for me, Kazuki.”



Kazuki remained professional, though inside he was dying to burst into laughter at the young woman’s expense. He managed to contain his mirth a bit longer, shrugging nonchalantly with a warm smile, “Of course I do. From the sounds of it you’ll need someone with some form of common sense.”



The woman growled under her breath with a deathly stare at the red haired man. It was almost too much for her to digest and she was quiet for a moment before returning her enraged gaze back to her boss, “I will not be treated like a four year old. You’re both a couple of assholes.”



She strode past Artea, who was chuckling quietly to himself, until she was standing in front of Kazuki and she glared down at the seated man with her eyes blazing with resentment and a bright flush flooding from her cheeks to her slightly pointed ears. Her words spat from her like acid, “And you! I will NOT apologize to some smug, tactless, muscle-headed bastard like you! Be grateful I didn’t kill you when I had the chance.”



The monk laughed in earnest now before replying, his tone dancing with his amusement, “You did have the chance. You just didn’t have the skill.”



Olia’s fingers twitched as they dug into the palms of her hands. She turned from the spot and stomped to the door, slamming it behind her as she left. Artea watched her dramatic display, holding his chin lightly in contemplation. After she left, he chuckled again, “She’s always had a fiery temper, that one. It’ll cause a bit of trouble, but it looks like you can handle it.”



Kazuki laughed and got to his feet, “As long as she doesn’t try to gut me while I sleep I think I’ll be fine.”



Artea glanced at the door with a grin, “I wouldn’t put it past her.”



The monk laughed, “I’ll keep that in mind.” He headed for the door himself, with one last nod to his new boss, “I think I’ll see what this whole festival is all about. By the sounds outside I’d say they’re starting early. I’ll see you tomorrow at noon then?”



Artea nodded and resumed his seat at the chess board, resting his right foot on his left knee as he reclined his shoulders in the chair. He waved his fingers, moving another piece on the board as he said, “Yes, sir. Right outside this building and try not to be late. Until then, have fun.”



Kazuki bid his farewell and made his way to the street which had, as he had guessed, begun to bustle with life. Traders were setting up their carts and stands along the busier roads. Many people had begun to string lanterns along the balconies and walkways that overlooked the streets, some of them already strung and lit. By the time night fell it would be a beautiful sight to behold, but the young monk was more interested in what it was all about. What causes such a large celebration? He had experienced very little of such a thing in his own upbringing, so it was a strange occurrence to the young man.



He sauntered out into the street, watching the people hard at work doing their various tasks. A day early and already the street was crowded, but perhaps it was merely because this was more people than Kazuki had ever seen in one place. He could not shake the feeling of excitement that began to course through him. Now that he had an opportunity to see more of the world it was thrilling to think of how many new things he would encounter along the way. How much of the world had he missed locked away in his training and discipline? He suddenly wanted to see everything and experience as much of it as he could stand.



He still had concerns for this new development that would make his ideals possible, but Artea seemed truthful about his offer and as long as nothing was forcing him to stay then there was no worry. He could leave if he wished. He wondered what missions it was that he spoke of, having mentioned only briefly what some had pertained to. What adventures would he be sent on? It was an exciting prospect to be sure. He could imagine being a hero of sorts, retrieving lost artifacts and relics, facing hordes of enemies against all odds, and maybe even rescue a damsel in distress who would repay him generously for his trouble.



He chuckled at the thought, but he was no fool. Real life was not like the stories and tales, however glorious they did sound. He could care less about the riches and glory, truth be told. Although…the part about the damsel would be nice.



Looking up he realized he had wandered into the main square and, taking a moment to regain his bearings, he took a turn that would lead him to the healer’s establishment. Upon arrival he saw Cassidy, apparently just about to depart, and Master Quin at the entrance exchanging farewells with a bit of discussion. They both smiled as the monk approach, the young man waving in response. Master Quin was first to speak, “I was afraid you had gotten lost! Glad to see you seem to be feeling on the mend.”



Kazuki chuckled, “Yes, thanks to you. I hadn’t even paid the injuries any mind in all honesty.” He turned to Cassidy, “How are you doing?”



The old man nodded with a raspy titter, “Just fine, youngin’. Just fine.”



Master Quin nodded, “For someone your age, you have recovered quite well. I think you both will be fine to go about your business, but you,” he pointed at Kazuki, “nothing too strenuous for you during the next week. You don’t need to aggravate the wounds, even if the skin has sealed a bit more. The tissue is still weak.”



The monk laughed, “Yes, mother hen.”



The cleric’s eyes narrowed, but he cackled, “I mean it, now. It’s for your own good.”



Kazuki nodded, “Only joking, sir. I appreciate the concern, but rest assured I’ll take it easy.” He returned his attention to the old tradesman, “I did find some work so I suppose I’ll help you get set up and then be about my way. I really do appreciate you bringing me along.”



Cassidy eyed him for a moment, a sincere smile spreading on his wrinkled face, “You owe me nothing. If anything I owe you a good deal, seein’ as you saved my sorry ass. Not to mention my cargo, too. If I hadn’t picked you up I’d have been in a great deal of trouble.”



“All the same, it would be an easier task for the both of us rather than just one.”



The old man shook his head, “No no, youngin’. You get along and go have some fun. It’s not a hard thing for me to do and I’ve done it many times. Just gotta flip up this panel here and I’m all set.” He patted the side of the cart, Baroness stamping indignantly at the disturbance, and the monk saw that it was an adjustable section of the wagon. Obviously there was not much setting up needed with such a structure, just a small adjustment to make it into a stand of sorts.



Kazuki nodded, “Well then I suppose this is good bye.”



He extended his strong arm with an open hand and the old man took the gesture with a kind smile and a firm handshake despite his age. The tradesman said, “May the roads favor your travels, sir.”



Kazuki chuckled at the sentiment, obviously something commonly said between fellow travelers like Cassidy. He pondered a moment on something that he might say in return before speaking, unsure of what the proper response one might say to the statement. He decided to go with something equally trite that he had heard on occasion in his life, “And may wisdom guide your way.”



For whatever it was worth, the old man smiled warmly before grabbing Baroness’ reins. He led the spirited mare away with a whistled song trailing after him, his wagon clattering along the road. Master Quin gave one last stern glance at Kazuki, though he wore an amused smile, “Take care of yourself, alright?”



Kazuki chuckled and nodded, turning to reenter the main square of the town. The cleric returned to his domain with a graceful step, disappearing behind the doorway. A minute later the young monk found himself in the midst of much festivities and merriment. Many stands had seemed to spring up from nowhere, a lively band of what appeared to be all halflings were striking up a lively tune, and people had begun to dance in the square. How very interesting, indeed.



Honestly, it frightened him now that the realization had begun to sink in that he was quite sheltered from the world. Certainly Master Yuuta had told him much throughout their time at the temple, but realizing first hand that you knew nothing about anything at all was enough to daze a man. And dazed he was, as he was swept up into the crowd of people and jollity. The song began to pick up and the helpless man could only move along with the dancers, hoping that maybe he would reach the edge of the throng soon to save further embarrassment. He didn’t know how to dance, nor why people did such things. It did appear to be fun though…



A hand grabbed his own and he gave a small jerk of surprise as his head sought that which caused his sudden alarm. His amber eyes met a set of cool blue and he stared down at the feminine owner with uncertainty, the two of them now moving together in the motion of the crowd. She was small in stature and build, appearing fragile in comparison to the young monk and such people always made him feel sheepish in a way. Her bright orange hair flipped about her face in layers, poking from underneath a tall and colorful hat she wore. He noticed then that she was garbed in a gaudy sort of robe, obviously a costume of some sort he decided. Purple and blue were the prominent colors with embroidered gold threads and several pendants hanging about her head. He found himself starring in curiosity before clearing his throat to alleviate the awkward silence he felt.



She offered a giggle as they strode along, seemingly in time with the beat of the music, “You aren’t from here, stranger. Are you here for the Festival of Harvest?”



He shrugged, twisted to avoid bumping the party goers as they still moved along. He became aware now that everyone in the crowd but himself was dressed up in some outfit of a kind; animals, robes, masks, and lavish decor. He blinked at the odd sight before answering, “Well, I’m actually here by happenstance if I may be honest. But, festivities suit me just fine, miss.”



She smiled up at him, pulling him along as a means to guide his wayward steps, “Let me show you. Just follow me, alright?”



He nodded and watched her carefully; surely not something he minded doing. He was also sure to keep a watch on the rest of the crowd to pick up on the movements. The girl stepped lightly to one side and he followed in a similar manner, imitating the style of motion the crowd seemed to favor. She shifted pace only slightly and he did so as well, a spin as they rotated the stage in the center, a weave beside another pair of dancers, and an amusing little hop before a new set of steps began. Kazuki followed along with much amusement, finding the movements far easy to pick up on in comparison to kata in martial arts. It was a refreshing new experience and quite fun, though not something he would go out of his way to do.



He mimicked the males in the crowd and spun the petite woman who giggled as she drifted gracefully, now under his guide. Her light eyes flickered beneath the rim of her hat, “You’re a natural. Sure you’ve never done this before?”



He laughed and pulled her close, placing one hand on her waist as he stepped again, “Can’t say I have, miss. Just following the crowd.”



She grinned and let him take the lead before the movements returned to the simple, step along cadence. She doubted his words, but was having far too nice a time to argue such petty things. This was an attractive young man after all and he was charming in a way, if a bit sheepish. Perhaps, he was a tad shy around new folks. She decided that she should introduce herself to make him more at ease, though he seemed to be so with each additional step, “I’m Marissa, by the by. What can I call you, stranger?”



The monk grinned, “Stranger, if you like. Or you can call me Kazuki, most do. It is good to meet you, Marissa.”



As the festival carried on, the young monk’s remaining concerns and tribulations about what had befallen him recently slipped out of mind. It really was a difficult thing, changing one’s life nearly overnight. But, it wasn’t so bad, he decided. He was making friends with complete strangers and already doing things that he never considered, seeing things he’s never seen, and meeting interesting people. He grew more excited about the upcoming day and what it might bring with each step he took, each hour that passed, and each note that played.



Tomorrow, he would see the world without the veil he had once lingered beneath. Tomorrow, he would begin life anew. And tomorrow, he would further relish his new found freedom. But tonight…. Tonight was for dancing, drinking, and good company.