Thyme and Spyce woke up to familiar noises. Younglings were scuttling around, fighting and biting each other to play, others were playing tag, and some were already eating or going back to their mother for some milk. Some groups were still sleeping, though, and were nestled together in big piles of four-five rodents to be as warm as they could. Thyme and Spyce looked around, a bit dumbfounded and still a bit sleepy, before remembering that they had finally done it: they were back to the colony, even if this was just a detour before going back to the old couple. They started moving towards a big red box, covered in scarves, following a scent they had once called “mom”. It had a hole cleanly cut by the incisors of lots of different individuals, and they slowly entered inside this warm nest. Here she was: She who bit three cats was grooming a couple babies who were squealing in distress.

“Hello, revered matriarch,” Thyme said, looking at the big, black rat. Her eyes were a bright pink, her fur curled up and a bit patchy in some spots. She stopped the grooming on the newborns, and she sniffed the air, before talking. “Welcome back, my dear sons. It's been many moons since you last were here. I guess you have much to tell?”

“We do, mother. Many moons have passed indeed since we last were here in your presence.” Spyce got closer to the other rat, cleaning himself a bit. “But first we wanted to ask for your blessings for a journey. We found two humans who helped us, who seemed in dire need of help, being very, very old, and we thought we could be really useful to them. Oh, and they fed us a lot, too.”

The matriarch looked in the distance, then was upon them, licking and grooming their fur, pinning them on the ground. “I bless you, then, my sons, but beware: for the hand that feeds you may well be the one who will chase you away one day. I hope you are putting your trust in the right hands.”

“We are, mother. The two elders will treat us right, I can feel it in their smell” said Thyme, trying to get out of his mother's paws.

“Well, then, this time try not to get kidnapped or fall into shallow ditches, it would really bring shame to this colony. You are not little anymore. When will you depart?”

“We will probably be in the city for a couple more sunsets, so it's still early for goodbyes. We just want to go check with the humans for a second. I've been smelling trouble since we got up.”

“Then use the third exit, it's a new one but it will bring you outside the range of the dogs’ patrolling . Stay ever alert, my sons. May you always live in fear.”

“Because fear saves. Yes mother. Thank you for your blessings. We will tell you our tales when we get back. See you later.”

The matriarch allowed the two out from underneath her body, and the two scuttled away, following the path the matriarch told them. They exited right outside of a closed off bakery, apparently out of business. It took them more than half an hour, but they finally were able to find where Liliane and Lazar should be. A crack in the wall was all they needed to get inside, and they squeaked as soon as they saw the two, making them jump in fright and hit a crate.

“Who goes there?” said a voice outside the small room they were located. The man talking smelled of gold and bile, and there was another weird smell, that of burned trees and rotten soil, with him. They were scared, and practically jumped into the purse Liliane took out.

The couple let them out after a while.

“Hello dears, I'm so, so sorry we got scared of you too. We did not expect for you to appear like that, all of a sudden. Everything is fine now. We just have to knock a fallen noble down a few pegs and make his life miserable. Would you be open to giving us a bit of help?”

The two rodents shook their little heads up and down, and told her that they could even ask some of their old friends, if need be. They decided to meet the morning after. No point of meeting was decided, since they could easily find Lazar and Liliane without issue. The old woman left them a small sack full of grains.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

They parted ways, and Thyme, after they were already separated, thought of something: he remembered having already smelled the stench of money. It always came from the big house, next to the colony. Maybe they could be more of assistance than he thought at first.

The way back was a bit longer than necessary: carrying the small bag wasn't that hard but it still encumbered them, there were somehow more dogs around, and also more humans who smelled of metal, patrolling the city. There was also a big group who was forcefully opening the door of a house, and they passed right in front of the two rodents. They had to wait for a bit for the humans to go away, bringing the dogs with them, before finally being able to pass without having to take less secure alternative routes.

They moved using all the shadows they could find, which wasn't all that difficult since it was already past twilight and the street lights seemed to have seen better days, and finally got back to the colony. It was time to see if their old friends were still around, and if they knew something about what was going on in the city.

The day after the expropriation of the Taylor's house, the Mayor woke up feeling energized. He didn't remember dreaming anything weird during the night, and the only thing he felt while opening his eyes was the gentle feeling of the new silken bed sheets he got the day before. They were of exceptional quality. He called his valet, and he helped him into one of his favorite clothes, a long, yellow tunic with a red embroidery showing his old coat of arms, two small suns surrounded by leaves. He longed for his noble days. If the affair with the stone and the servants went through, he will finally get back to them. He would win back his titles, show the woman who was once his wife what she renounced, and then execute her and all the other people involved in his deposition.

He really hoped the stupid young man managed to bring the stone out. He did not want to lose more men in that endeavor, but he had already sent guards to the mines in case the landpray had eaten him. They slept very soundly while digesting their meal, it seemed.

He left his bedroom and went into his office, where a servant brought him his first meal of the day.

His breakfast was simple, sausages, eggs and pomatoes’ root. Unfortunately, his last cook was lost in an accident with his dogs and wouldn't be able to prepare any meal for the foreseeable future. He really shouldn't have walked into the room with that much rare meat on a platter, even if it was the Mayor who ordered it for his dinner, while his mastiffs were with him. Oh well. He would buy a good one when he comes back to his lands.

“Are there any news from the mines?” he asked his Deginish guard.

“It seems like there was a small cave-in in the second level, and the landprey is dead. The stone was seemingly taken away. Your gamble paid off, Mayor, the lad had a stroke of good luck. He may be blessed by the Numens.”

He seemed to be looking far away, out the window.

“Well, he has to first serve me, before he serves the heavenly companions. I hope he will be as lucky in getting back the money he still owes me.” the Mayor stated.

“I'll see to it, sir. A broken finger or two are perfect to remind someone of their debts. He'll pay on time, or it's fetters time for him.”

The guard cracked his knuckles and his neck, smiling cruelly.

“You really were one of my best purchases, Mutt. Prepare my carriage. In an hour, we'll go meet the son of the gambler. In a week, we'll march on my land, covered in honors and money.”

“And my freedom”, replied the guard, looking sternly at the mayor, “as promised.”

“Sure, yes, Mutt, your freedom too. You have been too useful to keep you tied to me only by contract. I'm sure you'll follow me even without a chain on your neck.”

The mayor smiled, while the guard went out of the room.

Once he was alone, Merripenny started chuckling.

“After all, death frees everyone, and you can't betray me from six feet under.”

Partocio woke up in the morning feeling rather refreshed. He had a good feeling about the day, even if the two weird old people that told him they would help were still nowhere to be seen, he knew they managed to get the stone that the damned mayor wanted.

He turned a bit into the covers, not really wanting to get up, basking in the remaking warmth of the fireplace that was slowly getting colder.

He finally managed to get up, and fed a pair of wood pieces to the fire, which started to light up again.

Then he sat down at the table to have his breakfast.

He ate his stale bread with gusto, dipping it into a cup of water. It tasted so good. He felt so good. He thought he had nice dreams, even if he couldn't remember any of them.

The young man put on a good shirt and clean trousers, made his bed, and combed his hair. He felt like he was going on a date with a pretty girl.

The small sun was rising in the sky.

He started feeling a bit anxious, at that point. He started pacing inside his room, sat down, got up again and again starting to pace.

Three knocks came from outside. Then three more. His heart filled with hope. Were they finally here? Was his nightmare almost over? He got up, sprinted towards the door, opened it, and out of that same door, here they were: Liliane and Lazar, in front of their carriage, pulled by two handsome oxen, full of smiles.

“Hello, Partocio, son of Nevander!” bellowed the old man “We have what you requested with us. Will you help us with a little plan of ours?”