“Hey, Robert, great job for a first try,” Rex said walking up and patting Robert on the right shoulder. Robert flinched in pain. “Oh sorry. Bit sore? It's probably not that bad. So before troop dinner. We just need to put everything away.”

“Ah, can I skip that part? I don't think I can do that physically. I can barely lift my arms.” Robert said, rubbing his sore right shoulder. Robert wasn't surprised his arms were sore. For the last few hours, he had been running around like a Construction worker with his pants on fire. “Also I think, I should get my hands checked. Is there anyone here that can do that?” Rex looked at Robert's hands and shrugged

“Sure there is. Our healer is around here somewhere. After a play, he normally moves around checking on the actors and monsters. ” Rex said walking away. “If your arms aren't better by tomorrow morning. You're going to hate tomorrow night's play. See you at dinner.”

Tomorrow's play? Robert thought as he stood up and brushed himself off. If I have to do that kind of work again so soon... I better go find that healer.

As the other troop members were working around him. Robert looked around for that healer Rex spoke about. He couldn't find the guy. No one looked like a healer. Hell, Robert didn't even know what the guy looked like. As he explored, Robert learned a few things about the Heartstrings.

Their camp was split into two parts. The theater area was filled with wagons, cages, campfires, and the other half was a large tent city that sit just beyond the lights. Robert spotted a group of people gathering between the two areas and walked over. As he reached the crowd. A familiar voice stopped him.

“Robert? ” Sofia said appeared from the crowd. “What you doing over here? Shouldn't you be to taking down the props?”

“Can't. I hurt my hands. I was told to get them checked by the healer. ” Robert said, showing her his hands. Robert couldn't hold in his curiosity for must longer. “So Sofia, during the play those shadow things. How does that work?” Sofia paused at the question.

“They're just Cinta like normal. Well, darkness is a rarer element than others, because it's practically useless in battle. ” Sofia said, gesturing to the staging area. “But here in the theater. It has a use. Speaking of Cinta? I'm surprised you don't carry Cinta on you? Is that a personal choice?”

“Ah no. I got robbed in the city. I ah... lost all but the clothes on my back.” Robert said. “I barely survived with my life.” Sofia eyed him suspiciously.

“That's terrible to hear,” Sofia said as she thought for a moment. “Maybe you should make a report to the iron jaws about it.”

“The iron jaws? They don't sound nice for law enforcement. Who are they exactly another mercenary group?”

“Well yes?” Sofia said pausing for continuing. “They're the oldest mercenary group here. They practically founded the Hole. Did you not see any of their members in the city? Their newbies use spears.”

“Oh them? Then yes I did meet some. They stopped a thief?” Robert said as he winced remembering the events. “They cut the guy's finger off. By the look of the guy's hand, they did it more than once. I hate to ask, but is that a normal punishment around here?”

“Yes, it is.” She said, frowning. “You see, the only law around is the iron jaws. They can't build jails or prisons here. So that's the only not lethal thing they can really do to slow crime down. Let's change topics. You were looking for a healer, right?”

“Oh yes. Do you know where he is?” Robert asked.

“Well, he's a little busy. He's over there.” Sofia said as she pointed at the line of people getting food. A small group of men was passing out bowls. A hooded man stood with a ladle. “Maybe you can catch him after he's done passing out the food. If you don't mind. I'm wondering what you thought of our play? You said you were an actor.”

Is she testing me again? Should I be honest? Robert wondered? Or lie? Maybe a little lie won't hurt here.

“I was surprisingly good. Though I was behind the stage, so I couldn't really see.” Robert said, looking at the gathering people. “So that dinner?”

“Oh yes, that's dinner,” Sofia said gesturing him over. She spotted another line of people forming. “Deeps! You don't want to be last in the food line. Talk to you later.” She runs off towards the new line.

Well if he's busy. I can't ask him for help now. I better take her advice and get in line. But I can't eat with blood on my hands. Do they have a bathroom somewhere? Probably not. Robert thought as he approached a man in the line. Better asked someone.

“Hello, can you help me with something?” Robert asked, tapping the man on the shoulder.

“Ah, what? ” the man asked, turned to face Robert. “Yes, what do you want?”

“Do you know where I can wash this?” Robert asked. Showing the man his hands. “I need to wash this off.”

“Why are you bothering me?” the man asked. The man glanced down at Robert's hands.

“Fine. There's a water tub by that wagon over there. Now don't bother me again. I got a mean headache and I don't want to lose my place in line.”

“Thanks,” Robert said turning. After a second he realized the guy looked like the shadow user he saw during the play. “I really need to learn how they do that?”

This Cinta stuff they keep talking about. Robert thought. I've seen the stuff everywhere? However it works, I need to find out? Now I just need to find a way to ask about it without being suspiciously ignorant.

Robert approached the wagon with the water tub. He leaned over it and dipped his hands in. The surprisingly warm water stung his cuts. The water made the wounds on his hands bleed again.

Ow, hell I'm bleeding into the thing. I hope this isn't drinking water. Robert thought as he glanced around for a towel. Crap, they don't have towels. I keep forgetting.

Robert wiped the water on his pants, which only made his hands dirty again.

Damn. This isn't working. He thought, as Robert wash his hands again and flicked them dry. Note to self. Buy or invent into some towels. It's time to start the wish list. Willow walked up behind him.

“Well, there you are. What are you doing in the monster's drinking water?” Willow asked as she glanced at the tub. “If you're washing off. The washtubs are over... Oh never mind. Sorry to catch you before dinner. But we should talk about your membership. By the way, You did a wonderful job during the play. I watched you.”

“Thank you. Will this take long?” Robert asked. “Should we find a place to sit down?”

“No, not at all. We already wrote you into the papers. Here. ” Willow said as she pulled out a small metal tag. She offered it to him. “This is your membership tag. You have to show it at the quartermaster's wagon or the food line to get service. You can receive your payment in Cinta or money. But you can also get equipment. Though you can only rent the equipment. It belongs to the troop after all.”

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

“Right sounds simple enough. I'll be sure to check it out later.” Robert said as he looked down at the metal tag. There were the words Heartstrings carved into it and a number. Hundred twenty. “Wait, should you be the one who gives out the pay?”

“What no?” Willow laughed as she moved the loose hair from her face. “Why would I carry that money around? Well, I held you up for long enough. You must be hungry.”

"Yes, you could say that," Robert said as Willow walked off.

Robert sighed and headed over to join the line for food. It felt weird being the only one in a suit. Sofia was a dozen people ahead in the line. Besides her most in the lines were actors from the play. The man ahead of him was the actor that played the Liba king.

As the line moved up. Robert reached the tables. Covering the first table were a dozen bowls filled with something that looked like soup. Vegetable soup. Surprisingly the bowls were made of glass. Not fancy glass, just plain clear glass.

"Your tag please?" the man serving said as he picked one up

"Oh right," Robert said as he showed the man his membership tag. "Here."

Wow, it really is glass? But aren't these expensive to make? Robert thought as the man handed the bowl over. Robert took the bowl and felt fingers prints in the solid glass. Whoa! Did they mold it like clay? That's really believable actually. They can control fire at will, so yeah.

"Wait you need this." the man said, as he offered Robert a glass spoon.

"Ah thinks," Robert said, as he left the line. He walked away for a bit and paused to look around for a sit. Other people were sitting down on boxes around campfires or on the edges of wagons.

Should I pick any odd place? Seems like everyone else is doing the same Robert thought as he approached a set of boxes by a lonely campfire. As he set down Sofia walked up.

“Why are you sitting out here Robert?” She asked taking up a box beside him. “The company not to your liking or is it the soup?”

“No. It's not the soup. I have even tried it yet.” He said turning to Sofia. “I would just like to be alone for a bit."

"Well ok. If that's what you want." Sofia said as she started standing.

"Wait. No that's not it." Robert said. Sofia paused and sit down again. "Maybe you can help me with something. I've been thinking about this since I got here. But everyone here looks like they know how to fight. Including you."

"What are you getting at?"

"I want to learn how to fight. Do you think someone here can teach me?”

“You want to learn how to fight? Can't you already...” Sofia said pausing to look Robert up and down. “Sure there are plenty of people who could teach you. But I doubt any of them will.”

“Really why? Do they ask for money? ” Robert asked. “If that's the case I'm out of luck. I'm kind of poor right now.”

“Well, some do want money. But anyone worth their Cinta has another reason.” She paused. Robert jumped as a flame appeared from her hand. “Real Cinta users want to keep their methods secret. Most teach people who they trust. Like family members. I learned from my master.” The flame vanished. “Or you could go join one of the armies out there. They train people just not for free. Or you could go buy a simple weapon and try your luck with that.” Sofia took a spoonful of soup and started chewing it.

“Well disappointing?” Robert said as he takes a spoonful too. “Wow, this stuff is good. Wait, is there walnuts in here?” He noticed a small blue thing in his soup. “What's this blue thing?”

Sofia stopped chewing and looked over. “No, it's called a blue water nut. We got loads of them, during last week's expedition.”

“What expedition? What are you talking about? ” Robert asked. “I thought this was just an acting troop?”

“What really?” Sofia asked as she looked surprised. “You thought we only did plays? The Heartstrings are a mercenary troop. I thought you knew that when you joined?”

Holy crap. Did I just join a mercenaries troop by accident? Robert thought, hiding his panic behind a fake smile.

"So you're mercenaries?” Robert said with a lump in his throat, Sofia must have heard the worry in his voice.

“Are you worried about fighting monsters, well don't. Most of the troop doesn't fight. It's one of Willow's rules.”

“Oh? Well, that's reassuring.” Robert said, taking another spoonful of soup. He finished and turned to her again. "So... ah the rules? No one mentioned them yet."

“Well, they're more like guidelines?” Sofia said as Robert started giggling. "What?"

"No never mind, continue." Sofia looked at him doubtfully.

“ Ok. There are only three rules here, which are. Don't force others to do things, only Willow can do that. Don't go breaking the laws, like stealing, killing, etc, etc. or you'll have to deal with Willow, and lastly don't bring strange things into camp. That last one is new. Simple right. Besides those rules, Willow basically ignores everything else.”

“Yes, very simple,” Robert said taking another spoonful. “Thinks.”

Those rules are terribly vague. That first rule sounds really worrying. The second one sounds reasonable at first, but then what happens to the criminals in that case? What would Willow do to them? Robert thought as he started chewing the blue water nut in his mouth. It tasted as if walnuts and lettuce had a baby. And the last rule worries me most. Could I be breaking it right now, just by being here?

Sofia put the bowl to her lips and emptied it in seconds. She was about to lick it clean before she noticed Robert staring, So instead, she started scraping the bottom of the bowl with her spoon.

“What?” Sofia asked.

“Nothing,” Robert said. As he took another spoonful of soup.

“Well, If you have nothing else to ask about. Then see you in the morning.” Sofia said as she stood. She walked back to the food line and returned the bowl and spoon to the men who were working there. She glanced back at Robert for a second, before disappearing into the crowd of the newly arriving stage workers.

Ok, that was almost useless. I didn't even get to ask about Cinta yet. Robert thought, taking another spoonful of soup. He yawned into his arm. Oh, I better finish this fast and get some sleep. Well crap! I forgot to ask. Where do I sleep here? Maybe I should ask at the quartermaster's wagon?

Plagued by exhaustion, Robert jumped from his seat and started walking toward the wagons. As he passed the different groups of people. He spotted Rex eating around a campfire with a group of other stage workers. Rex noticed him and waved him over.

“Hey! Robert. Come sit with us.” Rex said as Robert walks over.

"Thinks," Robert said, setting his soup beside, completely forgetting about it.

Rex turned back to the others. “Anyway, that's when I told him to shove off.”

"But wasn't he your grandfather? How could he do that to you?" asked one of the other men.

"Well.." Rex started but Robert placed a hand on Rex's shoulder.

“Rex, I have been meaning to ask someone,” Robert said as he pulled his hand back. “ Where do new members sleep?” The other stagehands glanced between Rex and him.

“Oh, don't worry guys I'll get back to the story later,” Rex said, as he paused to think. “ Well, Robert that depends. Some choose to rent hotels in the Hole. But that gets expensive after a while. If I remember right, it's one whole sliver crown per month or something. isn't that right guys." The others mutter a quick yes to that. Rex pointed over to the tent city, where people were gathering to hang up a series of lights. The lights made the area look eerily.

"Most of us sleep in the tent forest. You can get a tent from the quartermaster's wagon.”

“But about monsters,” Robert asked. “Isn't sleeping outside the city dangerous?” The stage workers started laughing. Rex held back a chuckle.

“Robert. If you're so worried about monsters' attacks. Then why in the deeps did you come here and join the Heartstrings?” Rex asked. “The Hole is like monster central. It's in the job description.”

Well, he got me there. But it's not like I wanted to be here. Robert thought, making a fist. Rex continued speaking. If monsters are in the job description. Then I really need to learn how to fight soon. I can only rely on these people to protect me from monsters. Would they protect me, if the General changed his mind or if that Podor captain finds me here? Probably not.

“Hey, Robert? Are you listening?” Rex asked. As he waved his hand over Robert's face.

“Hey stop that,” Robert said.

"Sorry, you went a little blank there for a moment," Rex said. "I was asking if you would like to share my tent? I got some extra room."

"What? Why would you do that?" Robert asked.

"Well, it's already dark. It's a little too late for setting up a tent." Rex said as he stood. "Come on I'll show you to my tent."

“Sure?" Robert said, suppressing his doubts. “ Oh, wait I forgot my food.” Robert turned back and grabbed his bowl. He emptied the now cold soup in a few spoonfuls.

“Whoa slow down. Don't choke.” Rex said, stepping over to check on Robert. “ I guess we'll have to pass the serving area first so you can turn that in. We only have so many of them.”

They returned the bowl and headed for the tent forest. Rex was silent all the way there. So Robert had time to think.

Oh, this has been a long day. Hell, this was a long week. This job might be a good jumping-off point for me. Robert thought, walking behind Rex. But eventually, I'll need to leave here and move to someplace safer. If I can get enough money now I could live happily there. Well crap, I'm going to be here for a long time, aren't I? Well, that's depressing. Robert glanced up a the stars. If I only had a spaceship.

“Here we are,” Rex said, pointing at a cloth tent. “This is mine.” He opened the flap and crawled inside. Robert followed. The interior was packed. Bags, blankets, and tools were everywhere inside. Rex grabbed a blanket and put it in Robert's hands.

“Here use this one....” he said, pausing. “Did anyone tell you about Willow's rules yet?”

“Yes. They did.” Robert said, rolling up the blanket.

“Good,” Rex said, seemingly satisfied with the answer. “Sleep there. By the wall. I'm not going to bed yet, so I will be back later. Good night.” Rex turned and left the tent.

The cool wind blew outside, and the sandy ground was no bed, but Robert lied down anyway and covered himself with the blanket. He pulled his cellphone out of habit, and disappointingly put it back.

Robert thought he wouldn't get to sleep tonight because of nightmares, but to his surprise, he fell asleep instantly.