Discal left the marketplace when the sun had finally set. As he did, torches and lanterns were brought out and illuminated the outpost anew. It was not as lively as it had been in the day but the streets still shined with life.

Bars, taverns, and other exquisite services opened in the night and provided relief to the weary folk of Sateya. And the distinct clamor Discal came to know from the outpost was brought back into the fold. With that as his guide, Discal moved to the walls.

At one of the four gates of the outpost, Discal arrived outside of an inn. Standing there, he could hear people inside chatting and drinking their troubles away.

Lucky them, he thought as he strolled in. As soon as the doors parted, he searched for a counter. His eyes passed by one, and he headed over. As he did, a husky man came by.

“What’cha want, son?” he asked while wiping a wooden jug with deft hands.

“A night stay,” said Discal.

“Twenty copper coins for a night,” the husky man said as he rested the jug on the counter. “Add five more, and you’ll get yourself a meal by morning.”

Discal complied and handed over twenty-five coins.

The man reached out and took them. Content with the payment, he grabbed a key from a panel behind him. He checked it once before ceding the key to Discal.

Discal took it and nodded to the man in goodwill. He then left, leaving the man in his task of keeping the jugs clean.

With the key in his hand, Discal headed to a nearby stairway and looked once more at the inn. After two days of staying awake, he was finally exhausted. And the recent events only taxed his nerves even more. His body had finally taken its toll.

Troubled of what had happened in the day, he briefly considered drinking some ale. Drowning himself in alcohol seemed perfect in wasting the night away. But just as he was on the verge of wallowing in depravity, he realized he needed to be awake by dawn. His expression twisted, hesitating to let it be. But on the verge of making a decision, he recalled his purpose in being here.

Remember what you were here for, Discal!

He sighed, and eventually found solace that the depressing spell he was in should be dispelled with a good sleep. His gaze flitted by the tables and mugs, and shook his head. He headed upstairs.

Greeted with an unfamiliar hallway, he looked at the number tag attached to the key. It was the number six. He moved forth and searched for the same number on the doors. Eventually, the number was found on a door at the end of the hall.

Grasping the key, he used it to unlock the door. With a click, he opened it and headed in. The room had a musky scent, reminiscent of old books he usually read. The familiar scent calmed his nerves. He closed his eyes, and opened them after the sensation had drifted off.

He swept his gaze and discovered the room to be sparse. It only had a bed of cloth and a wobbly nightstand. It was not a comfortable place, but him drained from the day caused him to have no spirit left to complain. His steps heavy, he dragged himself to the bed and laid his bag and items down by its side.

He took a seat and the bed creaked under his weight. He took a deep breath, and looked at the lit candlestick standing unstably on the nightstand.  He stripped off his shirt and snuffed out the light. After resolving some things in his thoughts, he laid himself down and dozed off.

Tomorrow is a new start.

Morning came, and sunlight beamed down on Discal from the window beside him. It woke him up, and after relishing the few seconds on bed he slowly stood up. His head ached and his limbs stiff after a night’s rest. But after doing some stretches and a few light jumps, his eyes brightened.

Soon, the unnatural vigor lying dormant was roused from its slumber and made him limber once more. Even when a few days had already passed, it amazed him still of his change.

Awake and having a clear mind, he peered out the window and swept his gaze. His eyes passed by the clouds and caught a glimpse of the rising sun. He looked below and saw people walked by clutching tightly onto their cloaks. Sluggish and dull, they slowly went back to their tedious work.

It was early in the morning and marked the start of a new day.

He retracted his gaze and prepared himself just the same. He cleaned himself with a tub of water he received as free service, and dressed himself in his clothes. Convinced he had all he need, he equipped his bag, walked out of the room, locked it with the key and headed downstairs.

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In the inn’s lobby, a young girl was arranging the tables and chairs. As he walked over for an empty seat, he was stopped with a jolly voice.

“Your meal should be ready in five minutes, mister!” the young girl said as she did her work.

“Ah. Thanks for your hard work,” Discal said as he sat himself down.

The girl giggled. “Thanks, mister!”

In a few minutes, the young girl came over with a tray, and on top was the awaited meal. The girl set it down on the table and made a short salute. She then left with a bright smile. Feeling a bit more cheerful than usual, Discal ate his fill, enjoying the gentle taste.

Finished and quite content with the meal, he sauntered to the counter and greeted the husky man.

“Enjoyed the meal, son?” the man asked while wiping the counter.

“Yes,” Discal said. “The soup tasted great.”

The man laughed. “That’s my wife’s cooking for ya.” With a smile, he asked, “You need anything?”

 “Oh. I’m just returning this,” Discal said as he fished out a key and handed it over.

“Ah! You did pay for only one night,” said the man as he took the key.

The man continued, “You going to be back, son? We charge less for returning customers, you know?”

Discal pondered. “I might be. But if I do, I’m not the kind who would shy away from an offer,” he said with a grin. “It better be five copper coins less the next time I’m here.”

The man laughed heartily. “It will be. I swear it on my wife,” he said. “After all, I’d like you to stay for one more night.” He looked at the girl diligently doing her work. “She’d be depressed if she ever found out that her first customer never came back.”

Discal let out an awkward laugh. “I promise to refer to your quality service when I get back.”

Discal made his farewells. The man waved him off, but his daughter personally escorted him out with a bright smile. Refreshed by the girl’s antics, the gloom from yesterday was no more. He left the inn, and a youthful voice pursued him as he went further away.

“Have a great day, mister!” she shouted from the inn’s doors.

With an indistinct smile, Discal made way for the Guild.

Having arrived at the Guild’s distinct double doors, he pushed forth and went in. As he did, he saw Nasha waving at him from the counter and beside her was a group of adventurers. He headed over, eager for his request to be fulfilled.

“Morning,” greeted Nasha, and Discal nodded back.

Nasha then glanced at the group beside her. “This is the party that had accepted your request.”

Following the catkin, Discal looked over. It was a group of five; three men and two women. Like any other adventurers he had seen lately, they regarded him with an indifferent air.

He introduced himself. “I’m Discal. Who do I owe the favor to?” he said as he extended an arm out.

One of the five stepped forth and grasped his hand. He shook them and spoke, “Samuel, an adventurer. We’ll be the party accompanying you.”

He looked at them, and said, “I appreciate it for taking my request.”

Samuel let out a cordial laugh. “We won’t be able to teach you much. Are you sure you’re still up for it?”

“I’ll do with what I have,” Discal replied.

“With the introductions done, let’s proceed,” Nasha said and looked at the two. “Discal, you will be under Samuel’s party until the quest ends, and you will use that time to learn under their care. Being a member of his party, you need to act like one as your payment will be your time in service. Anything beyond that is negotiable by you two.”

Discal and Samuel nodded.

“It seems we’re done,” Nasha ended. “Any more we need to clarify?”

“No?” Seeing that no one had qualms with how things were, she turned to Samuel. She spoke, “Then let us discuss on your first real quest.”