The next morning, Secela woke with the sunrise and saddled up Shisalina. She arrived at Jadiro shortly before noon.

                Secela trotted through the streets, brow furrowed. What would she do next? She couldn’t just waltz into Alorra’s house—especially considering that she was the governor’s wife—and demand to see Ina. So, what were her options? Well, for one thing she needed to ask for directions to the governor’s house. But wouldn’t that sound like a strange question coming from a twelve-year-old girl? Secela supposed she could say that she was going to apply for a job of some sort. But what would happen when she got to Alorra’s house? Maybe she could find a back door, sneak in, and find the servant’s quarters? It seemed as good a plan as she could get.

                Secela glanced around at the signs that hung above all the doors in the town shops, intending to ask for directions at a tavern, as she did in Veavelle. Soon she spotted a sign for one, above a dark wooden door and a white painted brick building. Secela dismounted and tied Shisalina to a post that stood outside. Inside the tavern she found similar conditions to the ones in the Hungry Chicken. It was little more crowded though, given that Jadiro was a slightly larger town than Veavelle. At the register, she found a tall middle-aged man with untidy salt-and-pepper colored hair and one black eye. His left eye, however, was covered by an eye patch. Secela wondered what had happened to it. Did he get into a fight?

                “Welcome!” he greeted her, interrupting Secela’s thoughts. His voice was deep and with a hint of rasp. “What can I do for you, young lady?” Secela walked forward, coming to a halt and sitting on a stool at the counter he stood behind.

                “I was wondering if you could give me directions to the governor’s house,” Secela said. The man arched an eyebrow.

                “Why?” he asked.

                Secela had been hoping he wouldn’t ask that. She sighed inwardly. “I’m supposed to be applying for a job there.”

                The man blinked. “She really needs more workers?”

                Secela chuckled nervously. “Apparently.”

                “Well alright then,” the man said. “All you have to do is go straight down this street and turn left at the first opportunity. The governor’s house will be at the very end of that street.”

                “Thanks a lot!” Secela said, getting up from her stool. She then exited the tavern and mounted Shisalina again.