Rise From The Ashes

Chapter 2 - Gone Fishing

Connor

"I was actually surprised you didn't even flinch back then."

"Flinched on hearing your first mission doesn't seem right, given how nonsense the mission is. Keep your cool, Richmond once said."

A perfectly sane person will think twice and even more before he accepts a mission to investigate a disturbance involving a ghost. Most of them will turn down the task immediately, but not for me. Not in my situation.

"And what does that even have to do with me?"

"Since you were from here, so I figured you might know something. To be our guide, at least." I decided to drag along Anto Karakas, my former partner on this mission for that purpose. He's the only one I know to be hailed from this rocky wasteland with coastal beach on its edge.

"Well, Lindow is technically not my hometown. So I guess you have picked a wrong guide." Anto comments, with a slight mocking tone in his voice.

"Never mind that. In fact, I think you need to thank me for dragging you out from the school. Don't you get bored sometimes?"

"Well thank you Sir Connor Teodric for bailing me out. Happy now?"

The two of us let out a light grin at his answer as we walk on the main road that leads to our destination. Anto can be a good substitute for Roland's jokes sometimes.

The sky is filled with thick clouds, making the surroundings to appear slightly darker from being shaded by the clouds. It makes our journey to be less tiring since we are not scorched by the sun rays.

Our trip took us around four hours walking from ASAC. By the time we arrive at Lindow, it is almost sunset. Lindow is a suitable place for aspiring fishermen to settle in. It is located on top of rivers that lead to the sea, making fishing to become its main source of income.

The living spaces here are mostly in form of beach shacks that are placed on wooden but solid planks that served as a connected bridge that shapes a settlement on top of the rivers. Opposed by its somewhat old-fashioned and back-to-the-nature culture, it is a quite prosperous community.

"Do they have any place for us to stay for the nights?" Castille asks. His question is pointed at Anto.

"There should be, but don't expect a nice bedding in this place," he replies, "Look for an inn sign."

We traverse around the town as we scan the surroundings to find what we're looking for with no results.

"Are you sure that they even have one?"

"... I'm not sure."

"Good one," Castille's tone clearly shows a disappointment. "Let's try to find someone who has some space in his home and allow us to stay there." Castille suggests.

"And how exactly are we going to do that?" I ask him mockingly, "Pleading? Offering them some coins?"

"How about we offer them our help? Worth the try." Castille sounding as if it is easy as being spoken.

"Helping them in fishing you mean? At this late hour?" Anto asks. His body language shows that he is doubtful at Castille's idea.

Castille lets out a sigh. "Don't you know? Sunset until sunrise is the best time for fishing. It is easier when the day is getting darker."

"First, I'm not a fisherman. Second, I wasn't born and raised here. So pardon my lack of knowledge." Anto replies with a smile. He is indeed a good substitute for Roland.

"Let's check out the docks then. See if we can find someone in need of some helping hands."

We make our way to a nearest dock facing the open sea. Many fishermen are busy preparing their nets and other fishing supplies and loading them to their boats. Each boat is tended by at least three men, all wearing the fisherman garb. Our eyes glanced at the surrounding as gentle sea-smelled breeze sweep through, but our attention is attracted to a small wooden fishing boat, with an elderly man sitting on it and is busy repairing his fishing nets.