The Mechanical Era

The sun shined bright on the fair face of a man that helped him to get up. He opened his eyes, revealing his ice-blue pupils. He got off the bed alongside a woman who had the same color brown hair as he got. They both got and first went to clean their teeth by rubbing their teeth and gum with a gray paste on a linen cloth.

Breakfast had already been prepared by the woman. They both sat down and quietly ate their food. They had about a loaf of bread to share, a few vegetables, and 4 slices of cheese, lower than before that before.

"Should I buy some for tomorrow? You don't look rather pleased." the man asks.

"Maybe another time honey," she replied.

When it was over, the woman picked up the wooden plates to clean them of their filth with water and soap, while the man went over to dress up in his old dusty clothes; being a black wool coat going down to his knees alongside a leather belt with a pouch with barely any coins, hemp leggings, and a pair old calfskin leather shoes.

Before he went out, he walked and stood just behind the woman. Noticing the man's close presence with her sharp brown eyes, she kissed him on the cheek.

"Good luck honey. Stay safe out there," she said.

"I will." The man smiled and left the apartment through the door.

He walked outside the building 3 stories into a narrow street. He turned left to get to the main street where shopkeepers, small and large, were all starting to open up their shops and stores. The man walked over to them all one by one, asking for some work.

Yet as the day progressed, more and more people rejected him. He got evermore desperate, and even offered to work for free, yet no luck. The man was getting more and more hopeless as the day continued.

As he was walking, he came across one particular building. It was made of ground stone painted in white, standing three stories high. It had used glass windows and curtains to hide some of whatever was inside.

He turned his head up, eyes fixed on the top building where he can see a man in a suit of armor happily drinking with a beautiful woman standing next to him. The man frowned at the very sight of what his eyes told. Before he continued walking, someone grabbed his shoulder.

He turned around to bind a middle-aged woman, with black hair, and brown eyes wearing a suit of armor the knights wore, carrying a rather long sword sheathed in a leather scabbard.

"What are you looking at citizen?" she asked the man, staring him intensely in his eyes.

"Oh... nothing. I am just looking for a job. That is all." he replied quickly. She further inspected the man and scoffed.

"Do you expect to become a knight? What a joke. You would be better off joining the police department." she replied.

"Police department?" he asked in confusion.

"It is this new force to deter crime that the palace is setting up. Suits people of your caliber more."

"How much do they pay?"

"2 silver coins a month, Are you interested?" she replied.

"Where can I join?" he immediately asked upon hearing the wage presented. She was taken aback a little by this enthusiasm, but kept calm dealing with the man."

"You are supposed to join in the police headquarters. However as it is not finished yet, you can submit your name to the knight hall," she replied.

"Thank you," he replied. After the woman left, he turned his face on the building, looked up, and pointed his middle finger for a second, then walked away.

...

The woman continues sweeping the floor as she sweats from work. The wooden plates have been cleaned, the clothes firmly washed, and the bed properly made. She placed the broom down and sat on the dining chair, drinking a cup of water from a wooden cup.

Her ear then picked up the sound of the door creaking open can be heard downstairs. The man had arrived back home holding a joyous smile on his face. The woman who he slept with noticed his unusually bright mood and the items he was holding.

"How did it go honey? You found a job?" she asks.

"I think I might have darling. The palace is setting up some sort of new knights. Policemen, I think they are calling, and are looking for people to hire. I have just managed to submit my request for hire." he said enthusiastically.

"The palace? You didn't have any problems?"

"No, I didn't. They seem to be very accepting."

"Do you know how much they pay?" She questions.

"2 silver coins a month! Can you believe it, honey? We won't have to scrape by next month! I should have expected the palace to pay high." he replied in joy.

"That high? What in heavens will you be even doing? How many days will you be working?" she asked.

"3 in the first week and 4 days the next. Somedays they might call me in for an emergency and give me a day break later. I am supposed to be like a knight that stops thieves, murders, and such." He replied.

"Will they give you a weapon? What if you encounter someone strong and dangerous? What will you do then?" she berated him with dozens of questions.

"Honey! Honey! Calm down. Breath." he said. She took her husband's advice. He let out a few deep breaths, before asking one question.

"Will you be alright?" she asked.

"Yes. Yes, I will."

...

The sun turned orange as it sets on the city of Hoverdam once more. Kristina had been in her office the whole day, looking at the multiple resumes placed on her table. There were very few that had been submitted, yet it was a good start.

She was stuck with one particular resume, however. A man that went by the name of Ridge Myers. Conflicted about whether she should hire him or not, she called for Kant himself to decide.

"Is there a problem with Mr. Myers?"

"Well sire, he had been caught in a... heinous crime," she replies.

"That is?"

"He was rumored to be selling opium off to the city alongside others."

"When did this take place?" Kant questions.

"About 2 years ago. The claims came from his twin brother after he found opium in one of his shipments. Although we couldn't find any evidence for his involvement, I do not recommend him sire." she replied.

"What has he done since?"

"Mr. Ridge states that he had tried to find normal work. I got a knight to go investigate immediately and what found out was his statement was indeed accurate."

"Then hire him," Kant replied. Kristina sat in silence, processing what she heard.

"What?" she asked.

"You stated that he was 'claimed' to have been selling drugs, not found or caught being involved. Therefore as I see it, he is innocent of any crime. Add that to the fact that he is literate, his skills would be useful in the long term."

"You are taking a huge risk here sire. Are you sure?" she asked.

"A risk I am willing to make," Kant responds.