Ren.

My life is very simple. I sleep. I eat. I sleep again. Sometimes gets dragged to a council or two. Sleep there. Normally there was no disturbance in the sleep. Nobody asks the prime minister anyway.

I thought sleeping at the spare quarters would reduce the noises. Rumors of how great and beautiful the coming head of merchants was everywhere. Seriously. If you happen to have rare non brown black hair here, you are a superstar.

I thought.

There was someone sleeping on my spare quarters.

His -Yes, I know he is a man. I have eyes- luggage were everywhere. Scattered. Some of the things I have never seen in my life. None of them looks like a weapon. I think it was safe to assume he was an artist or sorts. The canvas, the pigments, the parchment, all leads down to the tabletop full of ink sketches. In bed, lies the artist himself.

"Who-?"

I shushed him. I know ancient magic. He has a fever and I could easily healed him. He did not put up a struggle, not even a bit. He closed his eyes, and his breathing regulates.

"I am Rennosai, prime minister." hoping my title would ease him from worrying a stranger in the room. It worked. He closed his eyes once more and I stroked his messy yellowish hair.

"Toulluen..Yves…" he said.

"It is common to have a fever after a long journey. I healed you but rest for the night if you have things to do in the morning." I said. His name.. what was it again ? Touya ?

Touya nodded. He sat up in his bed to take the glass of water beside him. I took note of the water, not saying anything yet about it.

The door was opened and I saw several people coming in. I recognized the girl, Koumei. The rest seemed to be a friend of Touya by the look he gave to them.

I gave Koumei a curt nod.

"Rennosai. You healed him ?" Koumei asked.

I shrugged. It needed to be done. I was feeling generous. I would not bother if I knew she was coming of course. She was a good healer on her own. I saw the man behind her, rich brown hair and a strange presence on him. I may not trust him yet.

"Ah, Ren…" She said while giving Touya herbal tea. "This is Sou.. p ? He was brought by small Taka asking for my help to heal this man. I guess I am grateful that you helped…"

I shrugged again. I normally did not take time healing strangers but… it was nice to be nice sometimes. I saw Touya has got a better color on his face already. That gives me relief.

"How is the world treating you, Ren ?"

"Pardon ?"

I saw Koumei hesitated. Most likely due to… Soup(?) being here.

"You have been isolating yourself in the castle for a while. I mean, you know, I just don' t want you to be lonely." she said.

I smiled. It was kind of her to think about my safety. Even though, being an immortal, there is nothing much to do after a while.

Which was fine by me.

"I will be fine. No need to worry about an old man like myself."

Koumei sighed in relief. Soup turned to face me. My experience told me he knew what we were talking about. He looks smart, albeit the odd name.

"Soup was it ?" I started.

"Uhm.. it is actually Souh.."

That explains a lot.

"Souh." I repeated. "Do you know the properties of a silver cup and silverware?"

Something in him seemed to clicked. I knew that he knew exactly what I was implying. They look trustable. I will try my best to let them know what I know.

Souh nodded. "Thank you. I shall purchase one immediately."

Souh seemed hesitant but he finally spoke the words I was waiting to hear.

"Is there anything I can do to repay you, master Ren ?"

I smiled and gave my bidding.