Put It On My Tab

I read over the rules for the millionth time. The sixth one bothered me the most, though I wasn't sure why: “If a contract has taken effect, whether through completion or breaking, all hope is not lost. If all parties wish, they can counter said contract.”

Allister brought me here intentionally, using Mr. Matsumoto…

I thought back to me writing my name on my exams. Was it back then? Or perhaps earlier?

What exactly does he need me here for? To get his eyesight back, maybe? But what would I have to do with that? He did say he lost his eyesight thirteen years ago, when I was twelve. That means he lost it nineteen years ago, now. A year before I was born… If I’m to assume I have something to do with his missing eyesight, could he have gone blind nine months before my birth?

“Kugo, did you find anything interesting?” Erin asked.

Ignoring her, I set the notebook down and picked up the remaining document. It was so long, it had to be folded multiple times over. I tried to read it, but it was written in a language I didn’t recognise. “You three, come see this,” I instructed my companions. Both of the women got up and walked over, though Kaizo mumbled something about not being ordered around. “Can either of you read this?” I asked Erin and Lady Evelyn.

They took a gander.

“I only speak Ruhen,” said Erin.

“I speak three languages!” declared Lady Evelyn pridefully. “But not this one…”

Kaizo glanced over curiously. “I might be able to help,” he said, faking nonchalantness. “But you’ll have to bring it to me.”

I sighed. I stood up and handed him the parchment.

After a cursory glance, he gave his verdict: “beats me.”

“I’ve just finished planting new seeds. Are you all done in there?” Albert asked from the entrance.

“Oh, perfect,” I said. “Albert, you’re a knowledgeable guy, right?”

“Indeed…”

“Do you speak multiple languages?”

“Just about every one out there!”

“Well, that’s fantastic! Could you read this for us?” I implored, handing Albert the parchment.

He silently scanned the document. “This isn’t written in any language I recognise…”

“Whaaat?” cried Erin. “But we came all this way!”

Could it be a language from Earth? I thought.

“However,” continued Albert. “I don’t think this is a language. I am intimately familiar with how languages are structured, and this document only tells half the story. There might be another document that completes it,” he mused.

“Could we see it?” I asked.

“Unfortunately, that’s not how this works. I can make every word about language keys appear for you, but you’d be here forever,” Albert explained.

“What about non-fiction, non-spiritual, non-cultish books regarding the Tree of Everything?” I pressed.

“The what?” said my three companions in unison.

“You mean books written about a real tree called the Tree of Everything?”

“Exactly.”

Albert snapped his fingers and we all looked back at the coffee table. Nothing appeared. “If you want, I can lessen my filter,” he said.

“Go ahead…” I said with trepidation.

*snap!*

A pile of books thudded onto the table.

***

I slammed the final book shut. Useless. They were all useless! Not one spoke of what I was looking for. I stood up. “I think we’ve spent enough time up here. Let’s go.”

“Finally!” said Kaizo. He grabbed Lady Evelyn by the arm, and they exited the house.

“Albert, can I take these documents?” I asked, holding up Haoru Soto’s diary, Allister’s notebook and the undeciphered parchment.

“Of course, I can always make more copies,” he assured me.

“Great. Thanks for all of your help. See you,” I said unceremoniously.

“Wait, you’re seriously leaving so soon?” Albert cried in a panic. “Will you be back?”

“Sorry, but I don’t think so,” Erin replied apologetically.

I pitied the guy. “Albert, why are you even here?”

“I don’t know. I just woke up one day and here I was,” he said.

I raised my eyebrows. Whatever, dude.

Kaizo had already taken on his dragon form. We waved our goodbyes to our little, blue friend and took off. This time, I rode on the back.

***

Land, sweet land.

I had handed Lady Evelyn the magical compass, because the place I most wanted to go to was not back to the manor, but to the Kingdom of Boria. Thanks to that, we were able to find our way back to their slightly damaged manor in no time.

“So, are we done here?” Kaizo asked.

“Yep. We’ll vouch for you two and then go on our merry way,” I responded.

“I want to sleep,” Erin whined.

“Too bad. We’re going to back Brightstone,” I said.

***

Lord Habernackle observed us disapprovingly. Erin and I were back in his throne room, this time joined by Kaizo and Lady Evelyn. We all kneeled before his fatness.

“Sir, we are so convinced in our words, that we request not the reward,” I said, elegantly.

Lord Habernackle hummed loudly. “This displeases me,” he informed us. “Though, you proved excellent wit and courage, and you did bring me back my princess… Fine, I shall hear you out. Why should I let this man marry my girl?”

“Why shouldn’t you?” I retorted. I could see Kaizo and Lady Evelyn’s faces fall from the corner of my eye.

“Lord Habernacle asked you a question!” Sir Raymond scolded.

The lord in question raised his hand for silence. “It is a valid question, to which I shall give a simple answer: that man is a pervert and a womaniser!” he proclaimed, pointing an accusatory finger at Kaizo.

“My lord, please understand that nobody’s perfect. I don’t deny Kaizo being either of those things, but he is also a force to be reconned with. He showed his strength, when he fought for your daughter and he showed his diplomacy when he realised we weren’t here to harm her. He didn’t hurt any of you when he took her away and your daughter is safe and happy with him. Furthermore, they would make gorgeous children, my lord,” I said.

The two lovers blushed.

Lord Habernackle rubbed one of his chins. “I don’t know… Sir Raymond, what do you think?” he asked.

“My lord, the man can turn into a dragon,” Sir Raymond insisted.

“That’s a fair point,” replied Lord Habernackle instantly.

***

"Before you leave," said a voice behind us. We turned. It was Sir Raymond. "You two make some fine investigators. Where are you headed to next?" he asked.

"The Kingdom of Boria," Erin replied.

Sir Raymond raised an eyebrow. "The Kingdom of Boria? I take it you're looking to participate in their grand competition?"

"Their grand competition?" I repeated.

"You haven't heard? The king of Boria is hosting the 'Grand Investigator Competition.' It's goal is to select the new Head Investigator of Boria," Sir Raymond explained.

"When does it start?" I asked, intrigued.

"I'm not sure. Maybe a week? If you hurry, you should be able to make it," he told us.

We thanked Sir Raymond, who promptly walked back into the lord's manor.

We waved goodbye to Kaizo and Lady Evelyn. The compass pointed north to the Kingdom of Boria. We set off.

“Eighty gold coins in the bag!” Erin exclaimed triumphantly.

Since neither of us planned on staying in Brightstone, we’d declined the free house. Instead, we’d asked for new armour and a new horse. I had also gotten myself a much better sword.

I smiled. You're not so bad after all, Habernackle.

Given her riding experience, Erin rode on the new horse and I on the old one. We trotted side by side, into the warm afternoon.

***

So close to the border between Ruhe and Boria, we decided to spend the night at the aptly named Border Inn.

There was only one room available, which Erin and I shared. It was small and quaint, with a simple bed, a wooden desk and a wardrobe. The room only had one window, facing the countries’ border.

“Well, Erin, this is the final stretch,” I said, gazing out of the window. I could only just see thanks to the moonlight.

Erin didn’t respond. She was fast asleep.

I left the room and went downstairs to the small restaurant that greeted you upon entering the inn. Four sketchy looking characters filled up one of the round tables. I didn’t pay attention to what they were saying, though I warily kept them in mind. I sat at the bar.

“Welcome back. What will you have, sir?” the bartender asked.

“Just a glass of beer. I didn’t really come here to drink,” I said, dismissively.

“Right away.” He quickly poured me my beer out of a keg and gently placed the glass down in front of me.

I thanked him.

“By the way, I hope this doesn’t surprise you, but those four gentlemen over there informed me you’d be paying for their drinks,” the bartender said.

Here we go. Always a problem with some people, I thought. “Did they? I don’t really have the money for it,” I lied.

“Oh, no problem. Do you want to open a tab?” he asked.

Goddamnit. Fine, whatever. I’ll open a tab and never come back.

“Yeah, sure,” I sighed.

The man produced a thin, wooden tablet, with a sheet of paper attached to it. He placed it in front of me, along with a fancy pen. It simply read: “Customer Tab.”

“Please write down your name and the amount you owe,” he explained.

“How much do I supposedly owe?” I asked, picking up the pen.

“Two gold,” he replied.

Wow! How much have they been drinking?

I brought the pen to the paper. I paused. That yellowish tinge… the subtle, swirling pattern…

Was this man trying to make me sign a contract?