The town's marketplace was bustling that afternoon as the sounds of haggling and bargaining filled the air.
Among the various stalls set up in the open market, there was one that was particularly crowded, to the point that there was a huge line of people waiting to be served.
The owner of the stall was a humble-looking old man who only had a young man to help him with the rush. But even then, he was keeping up and even outpacing the young man.
"Thanks for the rice, Mister Ito," a woman said as she turned to leave, a sack of rice in hand.
"Come again," he said as he waved her away.
Then he stretched and let out a heavy sigh.
"Are you tired?" the young man asked him. "We have been working nonstop since morning."
"I was just stretching," he replied as he tended to the next customer. "Don't count me out yet just because I have a few grey hairs."
"But all he has is grey hair," he thought as Ito walked into the back.
His attention was drawn away from his thoughts by a black-haired young man who was wearing a faded black robe. His eyes were a deep shade of black he had never seen before.
"How can I help you?" he asked him politely.
"I'm looking for an old man who goes by the name Ito," he said. "I asked around and I was told I could find him here."
"So is he around?"
"Oh, he is," the merchant replied after being dazed for a moment. "Let me call him for you."
Just as he was turning to go fetch him, Ito appeared, and once he saw him he said, "Oh, it's you. How can I help you?"
"Do you know him?" the young merchant asked.
"He was part of the group I mentioned before," Ito replied, "the ones who helped me out after that accident on the road."
He turned to him and said, "It's nice to see you again. What brings you here? Do you need something?"
"Not exactly," he replied, looking nervous. "I was just wondering if I could get your help with something."
"Anything for you, just name it," he replied.
He seemed hesitant to say it, and he would glance toward his fellow merchant before saying, "It's something private, so can I speak to you separately if you don't mind?"
The old man looked around and saw that the line of customers had dwindled to just two, so he said, "Finish up with them, then close up, Ishizaki. I'll be right back as soon as I help him out with his request."
He nodded, and the old man left the stall and walked away with him. He stared at them walking away, that daze in his eyes still present, but he ignored it.
Once they were far enough from the crowd, the young man asked, "I was wondering if you could introduce me to the Doshin."
"Are you interested in joining them?" Ito asked, shocked. "I thought you all were just passing by."
"We ran into some unexpected acquaintances and have decided to stay a bit longer," he replied. "I was hoping I could do some work while we're still here."
"If it's work that you want, then why not work for me?" Ito asked.
"Thanks for the offer," he replied, "but I believe my talents are more geared toward a profession like being a guard in the Doshin."
"I see. Do you have some experience as a guard?" he asked.
"Something of the sort, yes," he replied.
"Well, if that's what you want, then I can definitely introduce you to them," Ito said without a second thought. "In fact, why don't we go there now?"
"Right now?" he asked.
"Of course."
"But what about your stall?" he asked while looking back.
"Don't worry, my apprentice Ishizaki will take care of it," he replied as he turned to leave. "Now let's hurry. The sooner, the better."
"Of course," he said as he followed him.
As they walked past the crowd, Ito would often stop to greet various people of all ages.
"You're pretty popular around here, aren't you?" the young man said, commenting on the trend.
"It comes with age, I suppose," he replied, "but it is pleasant, I will admit."
They took a turn and came across a large group of buildings enclosed by stone walls.
"What's this?" he asked.
"It's where the council that governs the town meets," Ito replied. "It also serves as the Doshin's headquarters."
"So is that where we're headed?" he asked, and Ito nodded in agreement.
As they came upon the closed gate, they saw a guard standing next to it with a catching pole in hand.
They walked up to him and Ito greeted him.
"What brings you here, Mister Ito?" he asked with a bright smile.
"I was just passing by," he replied.
"Come on, stop it with the jokes. I know you want something," the guard said.
"You saw right through me, huh?" Ito said with a chuckle.
Then he tilted his head toward the young man beside him and said, "Well, you see, my nephew here has seen all the work you guys have been doing and is interested in joining."
"Is that so?" the guard said as he looked at him. "From the looks of it, he doesn't seem to be from around here, is he?"
"I came to the town a year ago from a village in the north," he replied with a nervous smile.
"Is that so?" the guard said, a look of uncertainty crossing his face.
He turned to Ito and asked, "Does he have any formal training or experience as a guard?"
"I worked as a guard for a caravan for two years before I settled here," he replied.
"Wow, that's just the kind of experience we've been looking for," the guard said, shocked. "The kids these days come here trying to join with no prior knowledge or experience that it's hard training them."
"So will you accept him?" Ito asked.
"I'll have to talk with my higher-ups, but I'll see what I can do since this is a request from you," he replied.
"Come back in two days and I can probably squeeze you in with the other people who are trying to join," he said as he turned to the young man.
"Of course. Thank you so much," he replied. "I look forward to working with you."
"Don't be so quick to assume that you'll land the job, kid," the guard said. "We'll see if your experience is worth what you say when you come back."
"He won't disappoint you, that's for sure," Ito said before the two turned to leave.
"Wait," the guard called out before they could leave. "I didn't catch your name."
"Oh, me?" he said, turning back.
"My name is Kageto Shirobane."