I knock on the door, as I am trying to find what his summoning is all about. Three knocks on the entrance. A standard fashion to ingress a room.

“Come in!” a cry from the other side of the room, behind closed doors. I enter and close the door in the process when I am inside the chamber.

“You summon me.” I reply.

“Yes, indeed! Come and take a seat.” he suggests. I, indeed, take up his offer.

“Well, Lord Ameniah. Are you aware about the sightings of the meteors in the sky?” the captain asks me.

“Vaguely. But I do have seen one - once in my life.” I answer him in a concise way.

“Oh, when was that?” as he follows it up where there is an ignition prickling in his eyes. I’m all eyes for him.

“I am not going to lie, captain. But that was a long time ago,... I am sorry I fail to give you any more details about this.” there is a frown painted on the face of the captain when I reply to him.

“Hmmm?” the captain replies with a bothering hum.

“What is it, captain?” I protest.

“I feel dubious about your comment. It was just-,... like you are undertaking to conceal something from me, eh? C’mon, Lord Ameniah. Say something. I think you deserve a sit-down with me.”

We are at impassé then as I become silent when the captain feels suspicion about my opinion. In the end, it is just that I sense no one would ever care about this story. Yes, of course, I do reminisce about this past of mine - it was a night, the middle of the night. The shooting star is like a foreboding symbol for me now. They are two (2) close figures in my life who were put into demise in an untimely death. This puts me down psychologically when I see or hear a star carving its white fading line in the black sky in the midst of the quiet and frigid night.

Captain Leonis then in an abrupt moment chuckles: “Hahaha… !” which makes me startled by the captain’s action. “Of course, of course. If you do want to confide your trust in me yet. I don’t blame you.” he concludes, “I will just have to wait, then…” the captain casts a smirk upon his face.

“Well, aside from that, captain. Do you require of my abilities, then?” I clear my throat, redirecting, straight to the point.

“Yes. Yes. Yes. Actually, Lord Ameniah. Tonight will be eventful. My men spread too thin since some of them are commissioned to elsewhere. And for that, I want you to become an usher for this. Escort the people and let them revere to the once in a lifetime experience transpiring this - to this very day.” whereas he rotates his chair towards the window.

“A night sentry?” I reply with a high pitched intonation in my voice.

“Uh-huh… I am happy that you are quick on the uptake, Lord Ameniah!” as he confirms it for my role later this evening.

“Thus, behind these - being a night watcher. I am entitled to know what’s behind my duty for this…” I ask, where the captain still refuses to answer my question.

Alright, then. I stand up on my chair and take my leave, where I am nearly about at the entrance of the doorsteps. Before I close the door and I expect myself to dismiss, Captain Leonis calls out for me saying: “Thank you, Ash (Æ). Take care of yourself and take a rest. You will need it.” as I close the door from the captain’s cabin.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Aye, aye Captain! I will do as you say…

Meanwhile, I wake up an hour before proceeding to my assignment. It is dusk and the sun is about to set from the horizon. I check my equipment. My tools. My ‘anything’ in-between to help me stay for the night. I take my early dinner as the Captain has told me to before any missions to comply. I take a bath after my dinner. And Voila! Never been late as anything before, I am overly-prepared. I head to the cabin to report for my assignment, as a principal gesture and as always. Three (3) knocks on the door.

I encroach in without the behest of the captain, addressing: “Captain, reporting for duty.” as I close the door as always.

“Perfect timing, Lord Ameniah! Look at the sun - it is beautiful, isn’t it?” where he points his finger towards the sea and as the sun is starting to lose its orange glow radiating before our presence.

“I concur, captain.”

“Come with me, take a seat. And indulge in this scenery before our eyes.” the captain suggests, as he maybe forgetting something - that he is instating me in this position to watch the people in an inconspicuous way while Fort Quogsagihaxee’e is celebrating something that I know little to no knowledge about.

“Much obliged, Captain.” I take up the captain’s offer. I receive the pleasure of enjoying the scene of the sunset with the captain beside me in the veranda as I have put not much of the thought into it since then.

The slyly naga spawns in front of us by taking the balcony instead of using the door behind us. More or less, the captain seems not fazed by the scaly creature’s action. On the contrary, he looks amused. Well, in my case, I flinch.

“G-g-g-g-greetings, captain. And to you, L-l-l-l-lord -,...”

“It is Ash (Æ). My name is Ash (Æ).” as I cut her before she finishes breaking my cover.

“Of course, Ash (Æ). Good evening to both of you.” this time she talks straight without any stuttered words.

I bow to Habaraef in a baronial style - the fashion that I was taught when I was being homeschooled by my old man’s hand picked guys. She appreciates the gesture where instead of bowing to me she genuflects in response. By the display of it - Habaraef and I have shown, Captain Leonis rises on his seat whereas he claps, perhaps, to both of us. Despite the surprising entrance of this reptilian before my eyes, it seems that we quite have a mutual respect for each other. Albeit, she might think this way but I am fully convinced not on my part. Consensus-wise. Well, I guess it’s not for me to compromise with them since they are not part of the kingdom of Kehina. What choice do I have? They saved me. Might as well infiltrate within if this organization is very suspicious in any kind - the family of Celamus. This family; from being a patrician domain to a transnational organization? Ahh,... damn, I don’t know. I will play along until the end…

“Habaraef, captain… I need to go…” as I rise up from my seat and in an abrupt moment, Captain Leonis grabs my wrist while he is staring at me in a wild gaze.

“Actually, before you go. Habaraef might assist you in your endeavor.” as he glances his eyes over to his lover or whatever she is to the captain - the scaly creature, “Do you oppose of this, Habaraef?” he then asks the opinion of Habaraef.

“Not at all, C-c-c-c-c-captain L-l-l-leonis…” she bows to the captain.

Alright, then. That makes my life easier. It is better to have extra muscle for this job.

“By the way, Ash (Æ). Thank you for taking this mission. I appreciate it. For that, I will reward you with anything you desire as long as it is my power to do so.” as he does the two-finger salute unto me and also to his scaly girlfriend - Habaraef. Post-haste. Habaraef and I leave the chamber in a swift movement.

“Sure, captain. Certainly. We may take our leave, then.” before I close the door from the inside, as the captain gives me an affirmative nod.

So, the captain does remember, eh? I thought he was joking about dismissing me from my duties. This scaly slithereen humanoid snake probably is a segue. And why the captain insisted on waiting for a certain time. Hence, she is my cavalry. My reinforcement. Not much. Just a few. It is just ample. Her muscles are enough to somehow aid me on my mission. You have my gratitude, Captain. Fret not, Captain Leonis, just sit back and relax the entire night - I will make this assignment a success.

“Let’s go, Habaraef.”

“As you wish, Ash (Æ).”