[Matthew]

After talking with Luna about her situation I can’t deny that I am impressed. When the quiet girl in the math class turned out to be a beastkind I was already very surprised, but it certainly wasn’t the most interesting thing about her.

In a normal situation, I would keep thinking about everything she just told me. But there was a ‘little’ problem that I’ll have to face soon. A problem which I’m the culprit of.

At first, I thought that getting rid of the mercenaries would be a difficult task, difficult but possible. I didn’t have any plan whatsoever, but I counted on having enough time to work something out. Now, a new variable appeared in front of me, one I didn’t even consider.

Brook is the one who told the mercenaries about Luna. Camille told him about Luna’s name, and I was the one who found out about it. So, the predicament I was in, is understandable.

The both of us were walking by the principal street towards the orphanage. Brook returned to his usual serious self after his moment of effusiveness when we met. There was still a little smile on his face, a sign that he was really happy with his ‘accomplishment’ today. On the other hand, I was terrified.

I was matching Brook’s pace unconsciously. My mind was occupied with all the possible outcomes that can occur. Worst case scenario, the mercenaries will go to the orphanage to ask for any clues of Luna, which will lead them to me. The last person to talk to her, and the one to find out her identity.

“Matt, ahead of us is a popular store, let’s go there to buy something” Brook said.

“Ok” I replied, but Brook was already walking ahead of me.

Escape was an alternative I was considering right now, but where could I go? I had just 100 bern Brook gave as compensation for my ‘help’. And I know it will not be enough to pay for a night in an inn.

Lost in my thoughts, without noticing I was already inside the big store full of people, that Brook has just entered. In the store, there were many sections, each one of them with a different kind of item. I could see clothes, accessories, books, magical items, and even pieces of beasts. The only beast I have seen until now have been horses, but I didn’t count them as beasts, they are too docile for that. Unlike the ones they were displaying here, dangerous creatures that not everyone could face off. 

In the store, Brook got closer to me “We have just a couple of hours of sun left. Don’t take long” He said. and then went directly to the book’s side of the store.

It was his idea to come here in the first place. It makes no sense to tell me to hurry up, when he’s the one who wants to buy something. Is he an idiot? I want to believe kids his age, are smarter than this.

Anyway, back to my real problem. Another possibility could be to talk with miss Cleo. She already knew about Luna’s identity as beastkind. We didn’t talk too much about that matter, but it’s my best alternative for now. Go by myself can be really dangerous, I can’t be slaved at my age, but that doesn’t mean I would be safe out there. 

I kept pondering about it, until something hit my back “Move boy! You are blocking the way” A man said from behind me. I was in front of the entrance, in the same spot Brook left me. A little confused, I just move out of his way, not saying anything.

Then I noticed the man in question, he was wearing a black hood, which had some blue decoration in one of the sides. I recognized the clothing, he was one of the mercenaries!... What is he doing here? He obviously wasn’t looking for me.

My curiosity took the best of me, so I decided to follow him for now. It was better than just reflect about my problems, not reaching any solution. Besides, with so many people here and my lack of stature, it was a perfect opportunity to spy on him.

To my ‘delight’, the mercenary went to where the magical items were located. It was the spot with less people around. Which means, it was the most difficult direction for me to follow him. I hesitated for a second, my hands were sweating. The thought of being caught by him appeared on my mind. But, at the end, I knew that if I wanted to find an out to my problems, I needed every little piece of information I could find about my enemy.

I tried my best to stay out of his eyesight, hiding among the people walking here and there, to not cause any suspicions. Some may think that it is unnecessary to reach such extremes to go unnoticed, considering that I’m just a 4-year-old kid. But, I already was saved by luck, when Luna was about to be found out back in Carl’s place. I can’t expect it to happen again.

 “What are you looking for sir?” An elder woman of friendly appearance said to the mercenary, once he approached her stall.

I stood aside of the stall, looking at the items displayed. The woman didn’t pay any attention to me, I guess I didn’t look like someone with enough money to buy any item. There were many accessories, like rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and many others I didn’t recognize.

“I recently arrived in this town, I’m not looking for nothing in particular, I just want to see if there is something interesting here... What are the most popular items you have?” He asked.

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“Welcome to Dreas! …The most popular ones would be the enchanted rings, but only because of the price. The most wanted are the communicational pearls” She said, and then took out a little white pearl. It was small enough to fit in her hand and had little glow around it “This is the only spellbound object I have, and I dare to say that it’s the only sold in town”

I knew about those pearls. These, let you communicate between people who have pearls, once they had synced them with each other. Only masterful sorcerers could accomplish something so complicated.

“*Sigh* I guess is the same with all the small towns close to the border of the kingdom” He said rejected.

“Yeah, we don’t receive a great variety of objects… Although” The woman was thoughtful for a moment, and then smiled at me “Maybe I have something that may interest you… Give me a minute”

Then, she approached me with a warm smile, that I didn’t like at all “You are a boy from the orphanage, right?” She asked, I was surprised by the sudden question and just nodded in response “So young and already out in the city, you must be really intelligent, huh?”

“I prefer to say that I’m a fast learner” I said. It was my prepared answer for these cases, so I can gain humility points. Everyone loves a humble kid.

“And sly too! Very impressive I must say” She said and then took a silver coin out of a pouch she had attached to her belt “So, what about a deal little boy? I’ll pay you 100 bern if you do me a favor”

She wanted me to arrange the products inside one big bag she had in the back. I accepted, because it would be too suspicious to decline, besides money. Although, I didn’t appreciate her false compliments towards me. I would’ve accepted anyway old woman.

While I was on it, the woman returned to the mercenary. She told him that an anonymous hunter sold her a bag of products, after returning from an expedition close to the war zone.

Apparently, the old woman didn’t want to deal with blood or any weird thing it could be in the bag. So, what better that let a little kid to deal with it. What an especial specimen I just found.

“A hunter? Those things are from the beastkind…I guess in times of war they are dams too” He said, while inspecting the objects that I was leaving on the table.

There was blood inside the bag. Normally, I would be freaking out about it, but the person in front of me took most of my attention. He suddenly came close to where I was, and I had to act like everything was ok.

Inside the bag were many objects, mostly daggers and forearm protections, also some rings and necklaces of weird design.

“Exactly, normally the hunters would sell their loot in the capital. I was lucky to find one willing to sell it to me” The woman said.

While listening to their conversation, I was struck by inspiration. I knew about the hunter participation on the war. They were granted permission to kill and loot any beastkind they will find. Besides, after so long, it’s not impossible to think that mercenaries would accept an easy out of their situation.

Decided to risk it all in this moment. I waited until the both of them were to immersed discussing the utility of one of the items there. When I felt it was time, I took out Luna’s necklace from my pocket and covered it with the cloth I was using to clean the objects.

The worst part was over, none of them saw me pulling out the necklace from my clothes. Without realizing I let out a sigh of relief. Which, for my misfortune, caught the attention of them two.

“All ready darling?” The woman said to me.

Thinking quickly on the spot, I decided to lie for my life “No, I’m sorry. I’m a little worried that I’m taking too long on this and my friend must be waiting for me” It was the last of my preoccupation right now, but it was true. Brook must be waiting for me.

Not waiting for her response, I finish ‘cleaning’ Luna’s necklace, and put it close to the mercenary eyesight. It got an immediate response. The eyes of the mercenary opened in surprise. While I kept going, taking out more items and arranging them on the table. Acting naturally.

“Yeah, it’s a little late. I guess you help me plenty already” She said and then give me the silver coin promised.

The mercenary took the necklace and after looking at it for a while took out a pearl like the one the woman sold here, but his was bigger and yellowish.

“Boss… Come here, I found what we were looking for” He said thru the pearl.

“The pearls I sell, go by 25000 bern. I can’t even imagine how much will cost the one he has” The woman said impressed. That price was way out of the range of most people in this town. With 10.000 bern you could buy a small house. I understood her surprise. But, I didn’t really care. I had a big smile on my face, if everything goes the way I think it will. Luna will be no longer persecuted.

“No, I didn’t find the girl. Just the necklace” The mercenary continued with the communication “In a store in the principal street” “Yeah, that one” “By an old lady” “An anonymous hunter”

I already had my money, so I said my goodbyes to the woman and left. I didn’t like the conversation the mercenaries were having. This boss person was more cautious that I would like.

[Brook]

I really shouldn’t have given Matt the 100 bern. That way I would’ve had enough to pay for the book I wanted. But it was the fair thing to do. At the end, I received 1500 bern thanks to him.

That’s right, there is no rush on getting the book. Before learning about how to get successful trades. I need to get better in other subjects, like math and politics. Besides, I couldn’t have bought presents to Amiah and Ariah, if I had spent all my money on the book.

Once out of the store, I realized that I take less time than I thought. I hope that Matt does not take too long, I don’t want to go looking for him. There are too many people inside, it was suffocating there.

It’s much better here outside. The sun was still up, but now you could notice the two moons on the sky. I really like observing the two moons, especially in a clear night, when you can appreciate them in more detail.

I kept looking at the sky for a little longer, until the sound of people talking excessively loud distracted me. Looking at the direction they were pointing out, I realized what they were talking about.

Three figures were flying towards here, at high speed. It was my first time seeing something like that. I knew it was because of magic. I can understand how they were doing it. But, I was impressed nonetheless. Now, more than ever, I wanted to turn 10 years old to get started in earth magic.

“Brook! Here you are, let’s go to the orphanage now” Matt said beside me. It seems I was too concentrated on the three… mercenaries. They were mercenaries. Why are they coming here?

“Wait, I want to see them descend” I said pointing out to the three figures.

“Ohh… I’m not a fan of magic related stuff… I’ll go ahead” Matt said.

They were about to arrive, so I just let him leave. I already knew about him not having any affinities. But, I didn’t imagine that it was such a sensitive topic for him. He’s so mature that sometimes I forgot that he’s just a child.

It took just a minute or so until the three of them were above me. I could see that the three of them were using fire magic to fly. At first, I thought that they were using air magic, but I guess it’s normal, considering that we are in the Eclava kingdom.

On the sky, they just canceled their magic, and fell from about 5 meters. I guess they used magic to strength their legs, because they didn’t show any reaction when they touched the ground. Then, they just went directly to the same store I went in. While all the people around, who were like me watching all this event, dispersed.

I wanted to know why the mercenaries were in such a hurry. I know they have all the exits of the town assured. Something really big, must have happen in the store. But I couldn’t imagine what it was.

At the end, it was not my business. I want to know, but for now I have to catch up to Matt. Miss Cleo asked me to bring him back, and I don’t want to fail her. For some reason, I feel that she doesn’t like me that much. I better don’t give her another reason to dislike me.

I hurry up my pace and walked towards the orphanage. After a few minutes passed I started to worry a little. There were not too many people on the street now, and I still couldn’t see Matt. He was a lot shorter than me. How could he walk that fast? It wasn’t possible. Another alternative could be that he got lost. Which is worse.

The way back is almost a straight line. How could he have got lost? For now, I just keep walking. I put attention to all the other roads that connects to the street I was in, in case I see him there.

Just a couple of streets ahead I found him. Thanks Mahlussya! He was helping an old woman to carry a bag. I was really lucky to find him, he was in a completely random street. If I have started to look for him in this way later, I would have totally miss him.

It seems he arrived at the lady home, for what I could interpret, he was saying his goodbyes. Who could have thought that Matt was such a good kid? Now, I will just wait for him… Or so I thought. He went in the wrong direction!