The Scepter of Marahuyo

Chapter 004

The market is abuzz and there are new stalls. It only makes sense since today is a new year and everyone will add a year to their age. Thus, all merchants are expecting a lot of customers, which means profits. 

Al mentions the inn close to the border. I remember that its owner was Master Orson’s friend. If I’m not mistaken, his name is Pablo, Senyor Pablo. It’s a house separate from the town center. Its main patrons are those that want a quiet time out of the chaos, mages who are tired of battling monsters outside and sometimes, travelers and merchants. 

It takes hours of horseback before I can finally see the inn. It’s a three-story building with a bar and restaurant on the first floor. It’s small compared to the other inns of Marahuyo. Outside the inn is a beautiful landscape complete with flowers and a small pond. It’s a pleasant sight, just don’t look at the back part of the inn because that’s where the stables are. And it’s kinda drab compared to the beauty in front of the establishment.

I get off my horse and tie it to one of the posts. I enter and almost collide with one of the customers. I bow my head as a gesture of apology and then walk towards the front of the bar. There’s not much customers like how one would expect in a detached inn. 

“Hi,” I say to the young man in front. He’s probably around my age, before my death.

He looks at me and says, “Hi.”

When he did not follow up, “You are?”

“Aaron,” he offers his hand but withdraws it just as quickly. “It’s dirty.”

I feel impatient. I don’t care if he’s covered in dirt or not; or if he’s greasy or if he smells like horse s**t.

“Master Orson. Is he here?”

He c*cks his head at me. Is he not right on the head?

“I do-don’t...” he stutters.

“An old man. I’m looking for an old man named Senyor Pablo?”

He flushes and I don’t understand why. “Wait here. I’ll get my,” he swallows. “I mean--ahm, I’ll be back.”

“Wait--” but then he’s off.

Annoyance starts to build. Should I risk going outside the border? But I didn’t bring my tools. If I'm really my sixteen years old self, then my blessing will be weak. I can only transport things to places I can see, which is a pretty unique ability. But that’s the limit, that incident when I transported Axel to somewhere safe--which I am not even sure where--is an exception.

Other than that, I can use the blessing of rain and wind since my anito is Anitun Tabu who is the goddess of, you guessed it, rain and wind. But my connection with her is pretty weak. I can only summon a drizzle; and a wind as strong as the wind made by a paper fan.

The door opens and in comes Master Orson and his friend. I’m the first one Master Orson sees and walks towards me. Like old men, the two have gray hairs. The difference is, Senyor Pablo has a gray mustache and beard, while Master Orson is a lot more clean.

“My-my, why are you here? Not holing up at the library today?”

“I need to talk to you, somewhere private.”

“Where’s my boy?” Senyor Pablo interrupts.

“I don’t know, he says he’ll be back,” I answer.

“Oh, afraid of our little mage here?”

“What do you mean?”

The man called Aaron reappears. He’s visibly taken a quick shower. His hair is still wet and his white shirt is clinging to places he did not pat dry properly, displaying the results of hard work. Built like that, he can pass the Sword elimination without a hitch.

Senyor Pablo laughs and whispers to Master Orson, “Told you so. You never believed me.”

I shift my attention from him to Master Orson. “We really need to return. I need to discuss something urgent with you.”

“Fine, child. Let’s return.” He looks back at Senyor Pablo and says, “See you next week?”

“Sure. I’ll be just here.”

“Wait. I--” 

I feel a tug on my arm and find it being held by Aaron. I wait. 

“There is a promo.”

“We had a promo?” Senyor Pablo asks. “Didn’t know that.”

The guy named Aaron ignores the retort and continues, “A chosen customer will win a free dinner, or lunch, or breakfast, for free. And you won it?”

I frown at him, not sure if it’s a question or he’s issuing a statement. Still, I remember this same promo, but not when I was sixteen years old. I met him once before, years after this, when Master Orson stepped down as the Scepter of Benia which started the Scepter selection. He was on the Marahuyo stable waiting for Master Orson and I met him there because I wanted Master Orson to stay a little longer before the Scepter selection begins. While we were waiting, he also told me that I won a free meal promo at their inn. I said that I would think about it but I never went to the inn, since that place is somewhere Master Orson enjoyed staying. I was jealous of the inn because he prefers it more than staying with me. 

“He didn’t think I won,” I say this time around, referring to Senyor Pablo. 

“Don’t worry about him. He’s not the one who handles the free meal promos.”

I almost laugh, but I stop myself. “Why is it an ‘or’?” I understand now. There is a chance that this guy likes me, same as the previous timeline.

“Sorry?”

“Can’t I win all three meals?” I clear.

Aaron’s smile widens and says, “Don’t be greedy. Come back soon and you might win all three.”

There’s hooting in the background and someone shouting, “How about our free meals? That’s unfair!” which is followed by a lot of cackling. 

I smile back and he scratches the back of his head. 

“See you soon,” he calls after me before I leave the inn with Master Orson.

To be continued…