“Hey there, strangers! Welcome to Janestown!”

After having been riding since sunrise, we finally arrive here. A friendly guard greets us as soon as we show up.

“Hello to you, too.” I hop off Kobo and watch as Maria does the same. “So, do you folks take scars as money still?”

“Scars, birdies, we'll accept pretty much any money here, so long as it's real,” he says, still smiling brightly. I wonder, is he this friendly to everyone who passes through here? “If you're looking to spend money, traveler, the shopping plaza is right over there,” he says, pointing. “Oh, and if you've got nowhere to sleep, I highly recommend the inn on the other side of town, affordable, service is great, we're really proud of it. They'll stable your speedscale for you, too.”

“Ooh, sounds good,” Maria says, now walking out from behind me. “Yrza, I'm gonna shop. Can you get a room for us and everything?”

Why is she talking like we're still going to be traveling together? “Uh, yeah. Don't worry, I got it.” Better yet, why am I going along with it?

“Good.” She nods. “If you need anything, I'll be right over there, okay?” With not another word, Maria walks off.

“Ah... I need a break.”

Seriously, what am I gonna do with that girl? Looks like I'm stuck with her for a little while longer. Well, I guess I can't complain about it being so quiet, anymore. In a way, it's not so bad.

“Come on, Kobo, let's get to that inn.” Pulling on his reins, I lead him forward as we walk through the town.

And what a lively town it is.

It's been so long since I've been around so many people. The sounds of people talking, children playing, laughing and running around, fill my ears. The people go about their business, socializing with each other or working on something, and they don't seem miserable, either. Looking at this place, all the destruction that happened in the past seems like a far off memory. I can't help but smile at this.

“Okay, Kobo, here it is.” After walking for a while, we reach the inn. Thinking about it for a moment, it would probably not be so good if I went indoors with one of these speedscales, huh? “Kobo, stay put. I'll come back for you in a second.”

Walking inside, I see more people waiting and relaxing, here, while a few others are standing in line. Thankfully, I don't end up standing behind them for that long.

“Good afternoon, and welcome to the Janestown Inn,” Says the woman behind the counter. “Looking for a room?”

“Yes. A room for two, please.” She starts looking through the books. “Also, I have a speedscale with me. He's waiting outside right now.”

“Two people, and a speedscale, huh...” she writes something down in another book sitting near her. “You're in luck. Right now we're offering a traveling party's discount. We can get you a room for 50 gold scars a person, and the speedscale for an extra 25. We'll take birdies, too, if that's what you have.”

Wow, that is very affordable. “Thanks. I've got scars, and I'll pay that up front,” I say, going through my pouch and digging the coins out.

“Thanks for staying. We'll have your room ready in a jiffy.”

“As for your stables...”

“Around back, you can't miss 'em.”

“Yup. Thanks again.” I start walking away--

“Oof!”

“Ah! Whoa, are you alright?”

Whoops... just bumped into someone. The book and loose papers he was holding have fallen all over the floor. I start picking up as much as I can.

“Sorry. I didn't see you, man.”

“Ah... it's not a big deal. Don't worry.” He gets up and starts picking up papers, as well. I look over and, before he picks up the book, I see the title of it: Forgotten Idols.

“Hm...”

“Alright, thanks for helping me clean up, stranger.” I hand him the pieces of paper I picked up as he says this. Looking at the guy, he doesn't seem like the kind of person who would be carrying this stuff around. A tough looking man, with short brown hair and sideburns. His open shirt shows off his pecs and abs. Guess you really shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

“No problem.”

“Hm? Wait, that symbol...” he seems to be looking at the four-pointed star and crescent moon on my left sleeve.

“This? Do you recognize it?”

“I'm not mistaken, am I?” He asks, looking at the insignia, then me. “Do you have some connection to the Imperial Rune Master Grandall?”

“Yeah, I was a student of his.”

“Amazing... to think I'd run into someone like this out here!” He grins, eyes lighting up as if he's found the finest treasure in the world.

“Did you know Master Grandall, as well?”

“Well, I've always heard stories and read records, but I've only ever met the man once. Let me tell you, that was an interesting experience. I don't think I'd have been out here, traveling, and run into you if I had never met him.”

“I'm glad that there are people out here who can appreciate what he's done.”

“And you actually got to be the man's student,” he says, looking at me with admiration. “We've really got to talk about this some more. I should get in line, though, Mister...”

“Yrza,” I say, understanding what he means to ask. “No last name.”

“And I am Walter.” He reaches out with his right hand, and I shake it. “Really, we must continue our conversation, sometime. You'll be free later, right?”

“Yeah. I've just got a few more preparations to make.”

“Good. I look forward to talking to you again once we've both got our hands free.”

“Yup,” I say, waving as I walk out of the door. “I'll see you later.”

And indeed, some time after I've got Kobo in the stable, found Maria, and brought her to our room, I do.

“Damn, you're serious, aren't you? So, Rune Master Grandall is dead...”

Now, as the sun sets, Walter is sitting in the room with Maria and I, invited by us.

“Yeah, it was just a few days ago. News hasn't spread very far; I was the only one there when it happened.”

“Harsh... sorry to hear about that,” he says, taking a sip of tea. “Though, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. The man was getting to be quite old, after all. If I'm remembering right, he would be in his eighties, wouldn't he? There aren't a lot of people who get to live that long, especially not nowadays. He seems to have lived a pretty full life, and accomplished a lot.”

“Yeah. In the end, he seemed pretty satisfied. I guess that's good.”

He sighs. “Dammit...” Walter looks out of the window, maybe just watching it get dark outside. “I wonder, am I gonna accomplish anything in this life of mine?”

“What makes you say?”

“Ever since I left home, I feel like all I've been doing is wandering, really. I feel like there has to be something I can do to help Clawscar, now that people are trying to rebuild after the Empire fell to pieces. Other people are moving on, living, healing, and I still haven't figured out what I need to do.”

“If you want to help Clawscar,” Maria says, suddenly joining in the conversation after having been quiet at the start, “then the Church of El Rey might be able to point you in the right direction. They've slowly been making a comeback post-Hurricane, you know?”

He nods. “Logically it does sound like a good idea to go to them, but, well, I hope I don't offend, but the teachings of El Rey just don't sit well with me.”

“What's wrong with them?” Maria asks.

“The instructions for life seem all well and good,” Walter admits, “but I just can't get over all the secrets; they teach that only God knows the answers, right? That He may or may not tell us what everything means when He and He alone deems it the right time? Leaving all of that to God is just like giving up, if you ask me. I can't stand it.” He sighs. “Even putting things like that aside, while it is good that El Rey is helping, we mustn't forget that they were powerless to do any good in The Last Days, and that some of their priests even became corrupt and participated in the horrible activities of the day. It's not the case, now, but who's to say something like that won't happen again?”

“Well, I guess I can't fault you for that.”

“So, what do you believe in, now?” I ask.

“That's the funny thing,” Walter says, laughing a bit, “I haven't quite figured it out, yet.”

“Is that what that book and those notes were for?” I ask, referring to what I saw earlier. “Are you searching for another religion or belief?”

“Yeah, actually. I've been doing a lot of research, digging up anything I can about old or foreign religions, hoping I might find what I'm looking for there.” As Walter continues speaking, he sounds a bit defeated. “I've learned a lot of interesting things, so far, but I haven't really found my path, yet.”

“Well, I hope you don't give up looking.”

“Oh, I'm still looking, for sure,” he says, smiling again. “I've heard an interesting rumor about this area. They say there are some old ruins out there, not too far northeast of this town. As the rumor goes, those who seek the path after losing their way will find it there, in the full moon's light. The moon will be full tonight.”

“If you're talking about going out there--” I start.

“Oh, I'll be careful, don't worry,” Walter replies, lightheartedly. “Do I look like a guy who can't take care of himself? It'll be fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“Definitely. I mean, I know you two are on your own journey out here, right? I wouldn't feel good pulling you aside for something like this.”

“But--”

“Yrza,” Maria says, suddenly. “Let's leave him be. You could use as much rest as you can get, anyway.”

I let out a defeated sigh. Looks like everyone else has made up their minds. “Okay, okay. Seriously, though, you watch yourself out there, okay?”

“Of course.” Walter rises from where he sits, and reaches out his hand again, which I shake with my own. He shakes Maria's hand, as well. “It's been nice, you two. I hope we meet again, someday.” With that, he leaves.

“He was a pretty nice guy, wasn't he?” Maria asks, now that he's gone.

“Yes, I agree,” I respond. “It'd be nice if we eventually met him again.”

“All depends on where we end up going, I guess.” Maria walks over and sits on her bed. “Hey, Yrza.”

“Hm? What is it?” I ask, watching her go through the bag.

“I bought you some more clothes while I was out there. They're just plain shirts and pants, I hope you don't mind.”

Well, I guess that's one of my problems solved. I didn't even have to ask. “Oh, that's fine. thanks a lot.”

“I got the feeling that you want people to see your insignia, so I bought some thread, too,” she says, showing me the needle and spool. “I'm pretty good at sewing, so I could try making that same symbol into these.”

It's like she read my mind! “Aw, Maria, you don't have to do that...”

“No, no, please let me. It's just another thing I can do for you. You've already been a big help to me, so let me help you some more.”

Well, guess there's no point arguing with her over this. “Okay, I understand. If you did that, it'd be very helpful.”

“Good! You won't regret it,” Maria says, smiling. “Oh, also, Yrza, this place has running water, and it comes free with the room. We can get ourselves clean and stuff.”

“Oh, that's good! Guess it's a bit more common than it used to be.”

“Well, Redwolf has running water and all that, but I just kinda assumed it was special for it.”

“I guess Clawscar is putting itself back together faster than either of us thought.”

“Yeah, it's pretty nice,” she says. “Alright, so, while you're washing up, I'll get to work on cleaning your robes, and then you can have that back when you're done. I'll spend the rest of the night sewing your shirts.”

“And you're sure about this?”

“Entirely.”

“Alright, I guess I'll go.”

After I've cleaned myself, I realize it's already night, and I'm pretty tired, besides. After silently watching Maria sew for a moment (it doesn't look like something I'd be any good at) I finally close my eyes and drift off to sleep...