The second day of his freedom Daymin found himself wandering back towards the market once more. He woke up early, stomach growling and craving one of those pastries again. He was falling into this foolish indulgence. But its was okay right?

Daymin tried his best not to over think it, but how could he not? He was all alone and had no idea if what he was doing was right. It felt like this was all a test and if he gave into temptation he would fail. This reward already felt like a nightmare. Baz would know what to do, who was he kidding Baz would have eaten the sweets without hesitation, but Daymin couldn’t shake the anxiety about it all.

The moment he smelled the scent of fresh bread though, it all seemed to leave his mind and his feet moves easily toward the bakery stand. Drawn in by the warm sweet smell, Daymin felt his body relax a but as he approached. Miss Annabelle was there dealing with a line of early morning patrons, Daymin kept his distance and waited for his turn.

“Came for the blueberry I see?” Miss Annabelle smiled as she handed him a warm blueberry pastry without asking him if that was what he wanted.

“Wh… oh yes Miss Annabelle, I would very much like one.” He stammered reaching for his coins.

“There’s a nice coffee shop around the corner. Rest of that gold would probably buy two very nice cups of coffee. They go really nice with the turnovers.”

“Oh coffee… that’s a drink right?”

“Yes Daymin.” She smiled and tossed her apron at the man working the stall with her, coming around to meet him. “Sven man the stall I’ll be a bit.”

“Miss Annabelle…”

“Just coffee Daymin. You can tell me all about life at the temple.”

Daymin’s feet seemed to follow on their own. A few paces behind her. This was okay. He told himself, she was faithful and kind, this was what Master Geriel wanted him to know the city get to know the enemy.

Annabelle lead him to a small cozy shop, inside was warm and inviting. A deep earthy smell filled his knows as he scanned the surroundings. There were 5 small table and chairs all set around and roaring fire.

“This is nice.” He said quietly.

“You get a seat, I’ll get us some drinks.”

He did as he was told and set himself at a table, taking in more of the scene as he waited. There was a strange feeling about this place, though Daymin could not put his finger on it, there was an unease settling on him as he waited for her. A strange heavy feeling in his chest. He shook it off and set the pastries on the table.

“Here we are,” Miss Annabell smiled setting a cup of dark black liquid in front of Daymin. “You can add sugar or milk to your tastes.”

“Right…” he picked up the cup and took a sip. It was hot and bitter tasting, but in a good way, he didn’t have the words for it but he didn’t mind the taste as is. “this is fine.”

“To each there own,” she smiled fixing her own cup with sugar and milk. “now try the blueberry turnover.”

Daymin took a bite, and nodded. Its was nice, still a little warm from the ovens but he had to admit, he had liked the cherry one better yesterday.

“Very good.” He smiled.

“Glad you like it, now tell me all about life at the temple, you haven’t been there very long have you?”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“No, only a month or so, but I like it, it is good to serve the Goddess in such a large city. I am able to do good work.”

“And what work is that?”

“Well…” Daymin paused. “its not baking.”

“I suppose not.” She sipped her coffee. “I really shouldn’t pry but if you are one of her clergy you must have seen action, and baking is just so boring.”

“I have… plenty, it was a job I was chosen to do. A hand of Vengeance.”

“That’s amazing. Most interesting thing I’ve done was bake cookies with jam in the center.”

“Those sound good though.” Daymin said before going quiet drinking his coffee and eating; he knew he shouldn’t engage in that sort of talk.

“They are.”

Silence fell as the two of sat there. Annabelle’s dark eyes studying him the whole time. Daymin shifted in his seat and finished his coffee. This was why he didn’t talk to people, conversation was far too hard with anyone other that Baz.

“I should get going.” He leaned forward a bit. “Thank you for the coffee.”

“You’re welcome. Though your conversation skills are horrible.”

“Not really used to talking...”

“I can tell, see you at mass tonight?” she sighed a bit

“Yea of course. May the goddess bless up Miss Annabelle.” He rose for his seat and took he leave.

As soon as he was out of sight of her, Daymin ducked into the ally behind the coffee shop and slumped against the wall. His body shaking for some reason, there was a need to catch his breath and slow his heart rate.

He hadn’t liked any of that. Well maybe the coffee but the conversation had been almost too much. People weren’t supposed to talk to him like that. With familiarity and the ease to her voice it cut him in some strange way he didn’t understand.

He hated all of this.

“I am her hand of Vengeance, I will not waver.” He prayed as his heart rate slowed, repeating it over and over again until he felt himself again.

He sat there for a moment and collected himself. Freedom was overrated, he needed the temple walls he needed structure. Most of all he needed Baz to come back, his absence made it all worse.

“I thought I told you to fuck right off!” a harsh voice grounded him suddenly and Daymin’s head swiftly turned, just in time to see a man go flying into some trash in the back of the ally. He pressed himself into the wall hoping he hadn’t been seen.

“Boss is gonna hear about this!” the man in the trash retorted. “You owe him money.”

“He’ll get it when he dam well pleases! Now fuck off!”

“You got in bed with us, not so easy to get out!”

“Never said I was getting out but your boss ain’t getting a cut.”

Daymin held his breath, they had no idea he was there, they continued on trading insults and profanities. Sinner the both of them, Daymin felt his face grow hot as he listened. Annabelle had taken him to this place and it had turned out to be just as rotten as that bar he’d massacred. Nothing here wasn’t tainted.

He sat there long after the two men finally parted and the snowy day fell silent again, the shop keep slamming the door behind him. Daymin had to know.

******

Mass was in an hour and a half, but Daymin hadn’t moved from his spot in the ally. Watching the coming and goings from the back of the coffee shop. People coming in the back and leaving with bags tucked under their arms. This was usually Baz’s job, the sitting and watching, but those feelings of anger and rage hadn’t left him yet. He’d stay until he knew.

The shop closed at sundown. Daymin heard the distinct turn of the key in the lock as the place was shut up for the night. Like a lock could keep him back. He lifted up on the handle and the mechanism broke in his hand and the door swung opened.

Daymin knew he was not sly, but he’d watched Baz enough to have a sense of how it was done. Go slow and stay calm. In and out without incident, that was his plan as crept along the wall, past sacs of coffee beans, hearing mumbled voices around the corner talking loudly. He froze and listened. Trying to catch the conversation.

“…. This batch isn’t as pure as the last time.”

“Who cares. As long as they keep coming to by it. Coffee be dammed, Ghost berries are where the real money is.”

Daymin didn’t know what those were but nothing about them sounded good he inched closer and peaked around the corner. Three men we there, the owner and another were grinding something in a mortar and pestle while the third lay on sacks in the corner writhing and moaning inaudibly.

The knots in his stomach twist hard, something was wrong here. But how could he be sure, he shouldn’t even be here right now. Mass was in less that an hour if he missed that.

Trust this feeling my Brightstar…

The voice of his Goddess filled him with a great warmth and energy.

These men are sinner, who have ruined the lives of many. I have heard the prayers of those whose lives these men have ruined. Bring my Vengeance on them.

Daymins flesh grew hot as white fire began to dance on his skin and Gallaidia’s Grace came into his hand. This would end quickly.

*******

The place burned easy, Daymin watched the flames from the shadows and the newest site of her will came down. He wiped the blood from his clothes and that strange heat left his body and left him with the beginnings of a chill. Shouts and screams from civilians echoed in his ears. He was very late for mass but Her will had been done.