The settlement was pretty small. There was a well in the center, some tents for sleeping, the chemist, the item shop, and a blacksmith. Once again, Steve went to the item shop.

“Didn’t he just go there in the last village?” I asked.

“Yeah,” replied Chef, “but he didn’t like the prices for a few of the items. He knew he could get a better deal here.”

“Hm.” I replied.

I looked around and noticed a person sitting on a mat, under a tree. He was staring at me. I realized that he wasn’t dressed like the rest of the crowd. Everyone was wearing black trousers and a white shirt. The men wore suspenders and the women… I don’t think there were any women. But the person peering was wearing a grey robe with the hood covering over the face completely. I walked up and said, “Hello, can I help you?”

He responded with a deeper voice than small frame suggested. “Hello, you are on a journey, no?”

“Uh… I’m going to meet an old friend… and I hope to help another.”

“Two, journeys that will become one in the same.”

“Oh? You can see the future?” I was just joking, He apparently took me seriously.

“Only the main stream of events, anything else is a mystery to me as much as you. I don’t know names or sometimes places. I wasn’t sure you were who I saw until you told me your goal. So, tell me, what is your name?”

“I’m Roy, what’s yours?”

The man let out a small short laugh, “I cannot see the past, but I assume you’re not from here? I will ignore your offense. I am a Monk of Cajado.” He pulled back his hood to reveal a boyish face. He was completely shaven and completely bald. “The only ones who have names are within the cloister, and they never leave. All apprentice monks must perform a miracle in order to earn their name.” I nodded. “You may refer to me simply as ‘Monk.’”

“Okay. Um… I’m sorry that I offended you. I am from another world.” The monk smiled and nodded, “So, Monk, why were you staring at me, just now?”

“In meditation back in the monastery I had a vision of this place, so I came. I have been in this spot for a month. Every time I closed my eyes I would see you pass through. I was staring, because I thought my eyes were closed. I apologize.”

“Oh, no problem. Just making sure you weren’t going to kill me.”

“I wont do that unless it can be helped.”

“That’s good.” I replied, He smiled and Estrella came out from the blacksmith.

“There you are.” She yelled, “I was looking for you everywhere.” She saw the monk, “Hey Monk. Found who you’re looking for?”

I asked, “You know this guy?”

“Yeah, he was here when I came through to get you.” She smiled and looked back at the monk.

“Well, it turns out, Roy here is the man I was waiting for.” the monk said.

“No joke! Well shoot, it will sure be nice having you along.”

“What?” I asked, “He’s coming along?”

“Well yeah, he’s been sitting here for months waiting for you. He has to follow his vision to perform his miracle.”

Monk smiled, “You know a lot about the Cajado.”

“Honey, you aren’t the first one I’ve helped.” She paused in thought, “Oh, boy! You’ve got to be starving. Now that you’ve found your purpose you can eat. C’mon, lets get you some kabobs from that tent over there.”

And with that Estrella pulled the willing Monk over to some food. I stared at them as she paid the person at the grill.

“What’s up with the monk?”

I jumped and looked to see Steve and Chef, “Oh, wow, you guys scared me.”

Steve apologized and Chef reiterated the question. “Um, well, he apparently had a vision of me coming here.” I replied.

“What?” said Chef in a falsetto, “I suppose that means he’s coming with us… oh well. I hope he can cook.”

I just looked at Chef and thought about that.

Steve just said, “Dang, I just sold the Monk’s Staff I had… and it was nice.”