Strangers From Another World 13 An Old Friend

And here I thought my senses were dulled, Gene thought, but I suppose I was just feeling too safe back at Seventh Heaven. They do take good care of their customers.

His body was still tired. The exhaustion from the previous day had not been fully recovered from. Even so, he will himself up, now is not the time to be lax, he knew that if he slackens even a little, his doom will surely not lurk from far behind.

Silently, as to not wake Alex sleeping on his bed, Gene left the room briefly, returning after he had washed up. The cold water in the morning had fully awoken him, and now he's ready to deal with anything that comes his way. After checking to see if Alex is still sleep, Gene took out a letter from his pocket. Though he did believe that Greenhill is a good place to come to first because it's much easier to hide within the crowd, allowing them to move much more freely and procure supplies for their journey, there is a second reason for him to come here.

It had happened on the morning of the day before yesterday, right after Gene had knocked out Captain Gerald in the inn, breaking several tables in the process. Gene had ran out into the streets, aiming to break Alex out of the Administration's cell. He had planned to procure some new clothes and a wand for the boy, but Gene had not initially planned to visit the Adventurers' Guild office or to grab Alex's Adventurer's License. That had never been part of the plan, that is, until he was stopped on the vacant morning streets.

"Eugene..." It was the Oracle, wearing pain clothes with her blindfold hidden behind wrappings of bandages. And beside her is the vice commander, wearing a dress of all things, but surely, she would no doubt have hidden a blade or two beneath those frilly fabrics.

"Well, what brings you to this part of town?" Gene was on his guard, surmising that they were here to stop him.

"Oh, merely out for a morning walk," said the Oracle, her tone as carefree as always. "What about you, Eugene? You seem to be in an awful hurry."

"Me? Nothing you should be worrying about," Gene replied, knowing all too well that she could see through his lies.

"Mhh... Not a business of I, the Lady Oracle of the Strangers' Administration? I a.s.sume it's some adventurer business then? In that case aren't you going the wrong way, the Adventurers' Guild office is the complete opposite direction."

"Well yes it is, but my business is this way."

"Oh? But that's towards the Administration HQ isn't it? That should be a business of my concern, is it not, vice commander?"

"Oh yes, it would be, Lady Oracle," the vice commander replied, gazing towards Gene with amus.e.m.e.nt.

Under the vice commanders gaze, Gene felt a frost running down his spine, and that was the moment he knew that he isn't getting past her, for that was the very same gaze she had when the two of the dueled some time ago, and Gene was not able to get a single strike on her.

"I suppose it'll be much more convenient for me to go to the guild office first I suppose." Gene began backpedaling, surmising form their conversation that the guild is where they wanted him to go, and as he had no intention of starting a duel with the vice commander on the streets, or anywhere else for that matter, he'll have to allow himself to bend to their suggestion.

At the Adventurers' Guild office, Gene acquired two things. One is Alex's Adventurer's License, and the other is a letter, one from an old friend saying that he'd just arrived in Greenhill and is hoping that Gene could visit. On the letter is the address of the inn he's staying in. Is this a coincidence, or something else? Gene did not have the answer. However, he knew at least where to head for next.

"I guess now is as good a time as any to visit," said Gene as he steps out of the door to his room, closing it softly so that it does not disturb Alex's sleep.

Across the hall, Gene knocked on the door to Tina's room. "Tina, you awake."

"... Gene?" a drowsy answer came from behind the door.

"I'm heading out for a little, look after Alex while I'm gone, will you?"

"... Yeah, sure thing..."

Though he's still a little worried, that's just something he can't help, he can't be in two places at once, and he didn't want to travel in a group as to not attract unwanted attention. He can only hope that nothing happens while he's gone.

***

As Gene leaves the inn, the light of dawn begins to fill the sky, banis.h.i.+ng the darkness. During his days as an adventurer, that would be a comforting sight, it meant that he had survived yet another night in a deadly forest or that he had escaped an evil dungeon. Right now, however, the light brings him dread, for it meant he's exposed.

Regardless, Gene held his head high and walked off casually, he was better off looking like a regular traveler, and if there's one thing he liked about his appearance, it's the fact the there's absolutely nothing outstanding about it and that his hair is in the shade of dark brown that could be seen everywhere. To a casual observer, he was just a generic man, doing his generic thing. Like so, he was sure that he'll reach his friend's inn without much trouble. Or so he thought.

Gene was stopped in his tracks. In his way, was a man with an unkempt beard. His eyes were soulless and his groan was that of a demon. Gene tried to circle around the man, but the man would not let him pa.s.s so easily, and so Gene tried again, this time turning back towards the way he came but the man latched onto him with absolutely no intention of letting him go.

"Yu, Sword Saint, don't you turn away from me!" the man shrieked.

Hearing his name being called, Gene turned and grasped the man's throat, hating the fact this man before him had just indentified him in public. Fortunately, as it was still very early, not a soul could be seen on the streets.

The man gargled with Gene's iron grip on his throat, and Gene had a mind to keep it there till he made no more sound, but as he didn't want to leave a corpse on the streets that could lead back to him, Gene eventually lets the man go but not before pus.h.i.+ng him to the ground.

However, even after being choked and pushed to the ground, the man did not give up and he clung onto Gene foot, determined to not let him escape.

"Let me go, Joseph," said Gene, coldly.

"Come on, you gotta help a buddy out, Yu," the man, Joseph, begged pathetically.

"I came looking for help, Joseph, not trouble, and I see now that's all you are."

"Look, it's not my fault. I was on a winning streak, but all of a sudden, BAM, and I lost everything."

"That's what happens when you gamble, Joseph, you have only yourself to blame."

"No, you don't understand, the b.a.s.t.a.r.ds cheated, they cheated I tell you, I'm sure of it!"

"Boohoo, Joseph, boohoo. You have my condolence, now let go before I cave in your face with my foot."

"Wait! Wait! I-I have a message, I have a message from the Oracle."

Gene looked down at the man, his contempt filled eyes sent chills down Joseph's spine. "Alright then, Joseph, but this better be good."

"You'll hear me out?"

"I'll hear the message, yes."

"What about me?"

"What about you?" was what Gene wanted to say, but if he had said that, Joseph will probably no give him the message. "I'll help, but only if the message is good."

Releasing his grip from Gene's leg, Joseph leaned in next to Gene's ear, and there, he whispered the words that lit a cold fury within Gene's eyes. Gene clenched his fist so tightly that his nails drew blood from his palm.

"Is that true?" said Gene, his tone so cold it could make a corpse s.h.i.+ver.

"I don't know, only that I was told to tell you."

Gene reached into his memories, cross-referencing the message with what he had seen with his own eyes. He didn't want to believe it, and he hoped desperately that he was wrong, but it would seem, what the message said may be true after all.

"I understand this is very concerning to you," said Joseph, for a moment forgetting about his own problems and sympathized with Gene's plight.

"Yeah..." Gene drew his emotions back, locking them within a compartment in the depths of his heart. "But it's a good thing the Oracle sent you. Otherwise I might have committed a grave mistake."

"Hey, what are friends for?" Joseph pats Gene on the back. "But you got one thing wrong."

"What?"

"Your Oracle didn't send me. I was already here when her messenger came. In fact, it was just last night when I received the message and was told to give it to you when I see you in person."

"You what?"

Gene recalled that it was the morning of the day prior to yesterday that the Oracle had told him to go to the guild office, resulting in him getting Joseph's letter. If she hadn't sent him, then how could she know that he's here? How could she know that he had sent the letter? Did she predict that all of this would happen?

The Lady Oracle, how far can she really see? And how much is she not telling me? For Gene, there is much to consider, but he decided that he'll have to put that off till later time. Right now, he has more immediate concerns.

"Wait! Where are you going!? Didn't you say that you'll hear me out?"

"I will, but I'll do it at the place I'm staying. I don't want to leave the kids alone for too long."

***

With Joseph in tow, Gene returned to his inn. Once there, the first thing he did was to go check on his room.

"Wait here in the halls, Joseph," he said before opening the door to the room and walked in.

Then, at the very instant he walked through the doorway, purple electricity coiled up his body, pa.s.sing through his flesh and running wildly across his nerves. Being struck by this electricity, Gene fell to his knees, his limbs seemingly lost all control and his heart begins to numb. It was only after a moment later, when his magic resistance finally kicks in, did his body recovers its normal functions.

After taking a few deep breaths, Gene reaches out for the ring he had placed on the floor and returns it to the pouch he wears on the back of his waist.

"What was that!?" asked Joseph.

"An experimental enchanted item, but since lighting magic is currently impossible to control, all we ended up with is a ring that discharges electricity at anyone within range. It's not exactly safe."

"And yet you leave it near the kid?"

"His eyes would warn him about it, I'm more worried about who might come in while he slept."

On Gene's bed, Alex stirred in his sleep. The noise from Gene and Joseph had reached him in his dreams and soon after, his eyes drowsily opens.

"Good morning. Did you sleep well?"

"Gene? What are you doing in my room?"

"You're in my room, silly."

"Oh..." Alex recalled last night. It seems that he had fallen asleep while Gene was teaching him about enchantments.

"Go wash up and we'll go have breakfast."

"Alright..." Alex got up sluggishly and let Gene lead him towards the back of the inn to draw water. Splas.h.i.+ng cold water on his face while in the cool morning breeze woke him up immediately.

When the two returned, they were met with Tina, already at the cafeteria table, properly dressed.

"Where'd you get those clothes?" asked Gene.

"I stole it," Tina said plainly, knowing that anyone that would quirk an eyebrow at that statement is well out of the earshot.

Looking at her now, she easily looks like a town girl, not only does she has the looks, but also the manners and behavior to match. Not surprising, as she was known to be one of the masters of disguise of the Atra Thieves' Guild. Even her scantily clad form was so that she could switch out from one outfit to the next on the go. Gene could only wish that she'd wear something over her when she's not in costume though.

"Good morning, Tina," Alex greeted.

"Yes, good morning to you too, Alex," Tina returned the greeting happily.

With all of them here, Gene gestured Joseph, who was waiting around the lobby to come forward.

"Guys, this is Joseph, an old friend. I actually received a letter from him a little while ago saying that he's here and asking for me to visit."

"Pleased to meet you, Joseph," said Alex.

"Hi there," Joseph returned the greeting with a broad smile.

"Well met, good looking," Tina said with a wink.

"Pleasure to meet you too," Joseph replied with a bow.

"You sure have friends all over the place, don't you, Gene," said Alex.

"Well, what could I say, friends are essential to surviving in this world," Gene shrugged. "This is the man who wrote that journal I left in your cell by the way, the one about Strangers."

"Oh, you showed him the draft? Now I'm embarra.s.sed."

"I thought it'd be informative, besides, I think you did a good work on that one, Joseph."

"Ha, you're too kind."

"Do cherish that kindness. It may be the last you'll get from me today."

"Haven't changed a bit have you. You don't even carry a sword anymore but your tongue is as sharp as ever."

Gene had Joseph seated down, and they began ordering food. Joseph had heard of Gene's situation on the way to this inn, and right now, all four of them are expecting guards to break through the front door and arrest them all. Sure, both Gene and Tina were confident that they had remained inconspicuous, that no common folk could easily see them as suspicious and that all but the most vigilant of guards would overlook them, but they can never be sure if someone may recognize them and their confidence ends up being unwarranted. Not to mention, their confidence was also under the a.s.sumption that their wanted posters had not yet arrived, and the guards only had vague descriptions to work with. By their estimation, the posters should be done and printed by now and would arrive either today or tomorrow at the latest. If they don't leave before then, they might be in for some trouble.

Initially, Gene wanted to leave as soon as he got into contact with Joseph, hoping that Joseph could help them to the next town, and then eventual work their way to the countryside and then to the borders. However, with Joseph being wrapped up in his own troubles, that does not seem to be possible at the moment.

"Well then, Joseph, I promised to hear you out, so let's hear it."

And so, Joseph, an old friend of Gene, a certified Master Hunter, an amateur bard and a traveling merchant, and of course, a chronic gambler, began his woeful tale.

***

End of Chapter 13