Reincarnation (Book One of the Avatars of Dräkimr)

Chapter 3 : Kaete

The next morning, Jared awoke to a mild headache and a dry tongue. Next time, I'll ask for water, he thought as he rolled out of bed. Standing made the ache in his brow blossom into a robust throb, and he groaned at the light filtering though the rice-paper walls. Definitely going to drink water next time. What was I thinking, "I can handle my alcohol well?"

Dressing was an easy matter, despite the knives of pain that struck through his eyes every time he turned his face towards the outer walls of the inn. Once he made his way into the hallway, the pain lessened drastically, and he was able to seat himself at the bar and order a light breakfast with hot tea, which tasted reminiscent of jasmine. The common room was barren of guests except for one other table, at which three men sat talking. One was dressed in civilian's clothes, and seemed bleary, as though he had only been up for as long as Jared. The other two were armed and garbed in the style of the city guard, one with black pauldrons, the other in green. As Jared's plate of eggs, bread, cheese, and a touch of bacon was brought to him by a dimpling serving girl, he observed the small group.

It was obvious that they were questioning the man, whom Jared vaguely recognized from the night before. As far as he could recall, the man was a nervous, worrisome being, drinking too much but keeping to himself, as though something weighed on him. Jared had thought the man just had personal problems, but now it seemed more serious, given his questioning and his incessant fidgeting. Despite his mild curiosity, he kept to himself, but kept an eye on them in case something sparked negatively. Their conversation stayed hushed, but gained a tense air as the man became more worrisome and even a touch frantic. Eventually they stood, and the man hurriedly made his made back his room alone. The guards did not leave, however, but stood with their hands clasped behind their backs, obviously waiting for the man to come back.

Seeing his chance, Jared stood and straightened his jacket, huffing into his hand to check his breath before rinsing his mouth once more with the last of his water. What I would give for a toothbrush, he thought to himself. He approached the guards, the one with black pauldrons watching him with a deadpan expression. He glanced once over Jared, but must have deemed him to be too small a threat, because he allowed him to finish approaching before he spoke.

"This is lawful business, outlander," said the guard. "Unless you have something to contribute to our investigation, you would be best off leaving us to our job."

"I wasn't listening in on your conversation, sir," responded Jared. "I just wanted to ask-"

"Well then you don't have any reason to be distracting us, do you," interrupted the guard. "We don't have time for whatever game you wish to play with us, boy, so you had best return to your meal, or better yet, your room."

"I was only hoping to ask if-"

"Did you not hear me the first time? Perhaps a night in a cell will clear your head up, eh? I don't know how they might do things wherever you come from, outlander, but here in Gakeyama, we-"

"Give it a rest, Yoshino," said the other guard. "I understand our witness is being difficult, but that's no reason to bully another civilian, outlander or otherwise." Yoshino bowed his head, but other than a disapproving scowl he shot in Jared's direction, made no move to interrupt him again. "Well, son? Ask your question, we are on a schedule."

"I just wanted to ask if the city guard is taking new recruits," said Jared. "I'm new to the city, and I'm decent with a sword. I also have no problems with listening to orders."

"Somehow I doubt that," muttered Yoshino. "Didn't listen the first time I told him to go away."

Jared kept his face stoic, ignoring the rude guard as he continued addressing the other guard, who was clearly the superior between the two. "I understand that I am young, but I am over seventeen, I drink very little, and I'm committed to seeing a task through correctly or taking punishment otherwise."