Cla.s.sic!

I didn't complain though. Sweat and physical work helped me get over my bad hangover. Wanda was nice to me as well, which was a plus. I'd also noticed many women staring at me as they pa.s.sed by the tavern. They'd speed up their pace the moment the torch by the backdoor revealed my face.

The night went on with no major incidents, mainly thanks to Nag's presence, and the good behavior of Bodrick's men. Mr. Morrison paid me a bronze coin. Nag got a silver, while Zoey got the lion's share, two silver coins.

She was apparently very good at her job, and earned Mr. Morrison a lot of money from drunken visitors who loved nothing more than to chat with a lovely lady. Lovely… What part of her could be considered lovely was beyond me…

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Nag and I slept in the barn that night. It was uncomfortable, but it was a roof over our heads. The mayor didn't approve of homeless people. The guards would've kicked us out, or worse, threw us in jail. I was tired of prisons. I think I've spent more than a lifetime's share in prisons so far.

So I lay down on the straw that was meant for horses. I closed my eyes and let my brain transport me into dreams of a better future. I dreamt of Utar running from me that night. I dreamt of myself, strong and capable, toying with the b.a.s.t.a.r.d, giving back what I suffered tenfold. It was such a satisfying dream that I almost kicked Nag when he tried to wake me up.

"Get up you fool!" he screamed. "We have work to do."

I rubbed my eye as I made my way to the barn's door. Nag was already doing his ablutions when I reached him.

"Sorry about that," I said. "I was having this really good dream, for a change."

"Don't worry about it," he said. He was back to his calm demeanor. "I was thinking of heading to the woods," he went on. "I need some calm place to meditate. Would you care to join me?"

"Didn't we have work to do?" I asked.

"Morrison doesn't need us in the morning," Nag replied.

"Ah, so the work you were referring to was the meditation?"

"Yes," Nag said. "I also promised to teach you elementary spells, remember?"

"I'm ready," I said. I was instantly fired up. I had forgotten about that promise all together.

"Get your things," Nag instructed. "And I suggest you wash first. You smell."

I went back to the barn and collected my cloak, sword and short staff. I went to the barrel Nag used to wash and did the same too. He was already dressed up and ready to go when I finished.

"Mr. Morrison says we should have breakfast before we leave," he said.

"That's an excellent idea," I said. "I'm hungry."

We went into the tavern to find Morrison cleaning the bar. The place was deserted. The sun had just risen after all. Not many people were as disciplined as Nag and Morrison, nor were they as unlucky to have them for company…

"Morning," Morrison said as soon as we came in. "Didn't expect to see you rise so early."

"Had to wrench him off, this one," Nag said as he held his hand out to the tavern owner.

Morrison shook it with great enthusiasm. "I'm sure he'll do well with your guidance," he said. "Is he your student or something?"

"We're traveling companions, that's all," he replied.

"Look at this," I called out to the Sebyan.

"Checking the board now, are we?" Morrison said, cheerfully. "What caught your eye?"

"They say here something about a merchant robber," I said. "There's something about kicking bandits' a.s.ses that makes me feel really good."

"I wouldn't recommend it," Morrison said. His tone was grave. "Many who went looking for it, never came back."

"It?" I asked. "Come to think of it, there's nothing about bandits here. They don't even specify what we're dealing with."

"Because n.o.body's seen it, most people just report the world turning dark all of a sudden. The next thing they know, their goods are gone, and if you move or try to swing your sword in the dark, you die."

"What do you mean by the world turning dark?" Nag asked.

"It's as I said," Morrison replied. "They may be traveling in the middle of the day, and the world around them would suddenly turn dark. They say they couldn't see a thing. When light reaches them again, their belongings are gone. Those who panic and attack usually die, or kill each other, n.o.body knows."

Nag shot me a suspicious look. I'd told him about the Aeon Eli and I met below the tower. He didn't like the sound of it, but said that Aeons usually stay closer to their targets. To tell you the truth, I didn't know what to think of this.

"Maybe you should look into those Song-folk that hypnotize women by the lake lately," Morrison suggested. "The reward is two gold coins," he added.

"Incidentally," I said as I tore the paper of the Song-folk down and pocketed it. "Do you know anything about sailors in Merinsk?"

"I hear many stories from merchants that pa.s.s by here," Morrison replied. "Why do you ask?"

"I'm looking for someone that goes by the name of Ghost Captain," I said.

"Drop it," Morrison dryly said as he put a bowl of porridge before me.

My eyes widened. I didn't realized I was that hungry. I took a spoonful and instantly regretted it. It was so hot I felt my palate peeling off. Morrison noticed that and dropped a tankard of cold ale before me.

"Why?" I asked after I washed the hot food down.

"It's the same as that story with the merchant robber. It's shrouded in mystery. People only whisper that name to their children to scare them off."

"Would anybody point me the right way if I asked in Merinsk?"

"They'd probably chase you down the streets with poles and pitchforks," Morrison said. "Are you sure you're going to Merinsk to look for work?"

"My travelling companion loves folklore," Nag cut in. "He wouldn't stop talking about the great G.o.ddess Aella and her tales on our way here."

I smiled weakly at the tavern owner. The man frowned slightly but didn't ask any more questions.

"You'd better stay out of trouble here," he told us. "Lord Bodrick will come today. Security in the village will rise. Don't go around asking people about things you shouldn't, do I make myself clear?"

He was looking at me, giving me that patronizing glance I usually scowl upon. I just nodded though.

"We'll make do with the Song-folk," I said. "Two gold coins will help us greatly in the city."

"It's enough to pay for two nights in a rundown inn," Mr. Morrison said.

"What?!" the porridge in my mouth flew all around. "One gold coin per night?"

"It's the second biggest city in Biarkh," Morrison said as he wiped the contents I just spilled all over. "Did you expect it to be cheap?"

That was a low blow. I needed to find that captain there in order to get to Milogac. The search was already promising to be strenuous. I didn't need to hear about how expensive life was there too. I clearly forgot that money was people's biggest problem in our world. I'd been running, going from one terrible host to the other, and forgot about money in the process.

"I think it's high time we went on a hunt," I suggested to Nag.

He nodded. "Who's the last person to see these Song-folk?" Nag asked.

"Fella by the name of Jenkins," Mr. Morrison said. "You'll find him by the tannery. He's an early bird too. He's got messy hair and he stinks. You won't miss him."

We thanked the tavern owner for his generosity then left to see Jenkins.

"What do you think of the rumors of darkness?" Nag asked as we crossed the village's only bridge to reach the tanner.

"It doesn't sound like the Aeon," I said. "That thing ate people with Essence to retrieve its form. It didn't care about their belongings."

"I don't see why an Aeon would want to steal too," Nag agreed.

"Do you want to chase it?" I asked.

"Not until you're ready," Nag said. "Let's chase the Song-folk first. It will be good training for you."