Chapter 2.10

“Idasho,” Katashi spoke quickly, “please forgive my current state.  I am being pursued, most likely by those from the thief’s guild.”

Idasho nodded with understanding and when he heard the words thief’s guild he cursed, “Bastards and cut throats every one of them.”

Katashi simply smiled softly and nodded.  He had no less dislike for thief’s than Idasho but he had learned to control and channel his emotions in a more positive direction.  To this end he continued his questioning of his uncles friend. “I apologize for my current state, but I do have a question that I believe only you can answer.”

“Please Katashi,” Idasho said kindly, “I am very busy just now but I always have time for my friends nephew.  Ask you question.”

Katashi understood he had just been asked to get to the point quickly so he did.  “I need to know if my friend, Hayato has been seen here in the last day, and if so under what circumstances he came and left.”

Idasho nodded his head again smiling.  “Yes yes,” he said, “Hayato comes here often and in fact he was here just last night.  Let me see,” Idasho continued, “He came here alone.  Yes.  I am sure of that.  He left alone too.”

“Are you sure Idasho,” Katashi implored.  “This is important.  He left alone?”

“Yes I am quite positive Katashi.”  At this point Katashi began to breathe a sigh of relief until his uncle continued.  “There is one thing that was strange though.  It bothered me only slightly at the time and to be frank, I forgot about it until just now.  Some man, not a regular, no one that I even recognized and now that I think of it he may have been a foreigner, came in in the early afternoon when no one frequents a tavern.  He sat in a corner spending just enough to keep me from throwing him out.  When your friend Hayato left towards evening, just as the sun descends below mother earth, The stranger left.  I remember he left right on the heels of Hayato because I had just bid him farewell and thought to myself praise heaven and earth Hayato has managed to take the stranger with him.”

Katashi looked troubled at this news

Idasho sensed this for he laid a hand on Katashi’s soiled shoulder, “I do hope this is not bad news nephew of my friend?”

~ by ridgewalker on February 27, 2008.