Chance stopped outside the house and set the girls down. Turning so he could see them both, “This is my home. I live here with my father and mother. They took me in when I was younger than you. I know that they will love you both as well. Alright?”

Two little heads nodded, their eyes as large as saucers. They could never have hoped for something like this before today. This man had not only fed them he had risked his life and the lives of others to come set them free from the nightmare that was their lives.

Smiling, Chance scooped them back up, and hugging them tightly, turned toward the door. As he was about to push the door open, it swung open and the shadow of his father quickly filled the doorway. The girls were not expecting it, and already being on edge screamed only as scared little girls can. At their scream his mother shoved her way through the door, pushing her husband aside. “Move you big ox. Who are you scaring out there?” Chance’s father backed up out of the doorway, a sorrowful look upon his face. “I-I-I was trying to startle Chance; I did not know he had company with him. I am sorry.”

Janice waved Chance and the girls inside. “Who are these two? Aren’t they a bit young for you Chance?” She said with a smile.

“Captain Herrera and I rescued these two from a rough situation. They are all alone. I could think of nowhere else they would be as well taken care of as here.” Chance responded seriously.

His mother took one look at the girls and quickly decided what was needed. “Chance, take them and sit by the fire while I get a warm bath started. Harold, go move that stew back to the heat.” With that she turned and moved toward the forge to get the large copper tub and stopped. “On second thought Harold, you get the tub, bring it to our room then fill it with warm water, and I will move the stew.”, she said with a smile. Chance took the girls to the fireplace and sat down with them close to the fire.

“Mom, there are more people coming as well as another ten children. Long story short is that I found out that Rupert and Mitch, the two Horace and I had a run in with several years back with the young girl, were using orphans to steal for them and abusing them as well. I got Captain Herrera and some of the militia, then we went to the house where they were keeping the children. We arrested them and freed the children, then not knowing where else to take them, I said we could bring them here. The mayor, Brother Joshua, Captain Herrera, Captain Franks, and maybe some of the militia men will be by shortly to discuss what else was found and to determine the best thing for the children. I hope that was alright?”

His father had walked in at the last part and answered, “Of course. We will make room.”

“I will be right back.” Chance told the girls and moved to the kitchen to help his mom. Once there he let Alyssia out of the satchel then proceeded to pull out the meat pies for his mother to serve the men.

“Chance, where did this come from?” His mom asked. “They are still warm. When did you have time to get these?”

“I put them in the pouch, the one on the new belt, this morning at the market. It kept them warm and fresh.” Chance winked as he responded. “Did you get the items I had sent over as well?”

“Yes we did and you shouldn’t have, the cloth was absolutely beautiful.” She responded.

“Mom, since you do not have to worry about fixing food do you think you could do me a favor? Once the children get here could you check their sizes and take this,” he said pulling out a bag of silver coins, “and arrange to get some clothes and necessities for them and I also have men bringing more food for in the morning. I am not sure how long they will be here but I figured that for now I would cover the cost.”

“You are a good young man,” she said and stood on her tip toes and kissed his cheek. “Of course I will, I will also get a couple more healers and herbalist to come help check the children’s health as well.”

“Thank you, mom. I had not thought of that.” Chance answered. “Do you think that is enough coin for what you need?”

She nodded affirmatively and headed into the back bedroom where Harold had set up the tub. “Go get some of the neighbor boys to use the pump and make sure that the water pots on top of the forge stay full to so we have warm bath water to wash the children. If those two are any sign of what to expect we will need plenty. Can you bring the girls back to bathe?”

“Yes ma’am. Mallory? Jessica?” Chance called as he stepped out of the kitchen. The two were huddled together by the fire watching the kitchen doorway. As soon as Chance appeared they got up and ran to him. “Girls, how would you like to take a nice warm bath and get squeaky clean? Then we can get you some better clothes and let you sleep in a nice soft bed.”

They both nodded and smiled really big. Chance turned and led them back to his parent’s room where the tub had been set up. His mother was there already and the tub was filled with bubbles and smelled like a field of wild flowers. He knew that his mom had used her precious bath oil on the girls, his father had gotten it for her years ago and she used it only on rare occasions as it was very expensive and difficult to obtain this far from the capitol. “Mallory, Jessica, this is wonderful woman is Mom. She is going to help you take a bath and she is also a healer. She is going to check you out to make sure you are healthy. Alright? I will be right outside the door if you need me.”

The two girls nodded and walked to the tub. The bubbles that overflowed from it and the wonderful smell of flowers seemed to draw the girls in like a moth to a flame.

Smiling and nodding to his mom Chance stepped out of the room. He heard his mom say as he pulled the door shut, “Girls it is a pleasure to meet you. You can just call me Momma Janice or Mom for now, alright? Now let’s get you out of these old clothes and into the tub.”

He glanced up to see his father sitting in his chair watching him. “Dad, I would like to talk to you before the others get here.” Chance said as he sat in his mother’s chair. “I caught Mallory, the oldest one trying to steal from me earlier today in the Market, and I decided to feed her and got her to tell me her story. I don’t know why but I felt like I needed to help her somehow. Jessica was being kept at the house to make Mallory steal. Then if she did not steal enough they were denied food or beaten. Somehow in less than a day the girls have wormed their way into my heart.” Chance paused for a moment to let it all sink in and then said quietly, “I was wondering if you and Mom would think about adopting them. If not, then I think I will petition to be allowed to do so.”

His Dad smiled. “Well, it seems as if I will either finally have two daughters or get two really unexpected and early granddaughters. I will talk to your mother and see what she has to say about it, but they will be here one way or the other. We will not stop you from adopting them if you are set on it, but I think it would be better if we do it so as not to add that burden to your life at this time. Alright?”

I agree Chance, while I feel affection for the girls and also your affection for the girls as well, you have to remember you need to go to the Ard Academy soon and speak to them about our bond.

Chance slapped his forehead. I am sorry Alyssia. I had totally forgotten that in all that had occurred today.

You might also tell your father that you are going to have to reveal your magic and me to the good Captain Herrera. Alyssia chimed in again.

Right again my love, he should be told that too.

Chance relayed the first part of his conversation with Alyssia about the Academy and then told his Dad about how he had to use information from Alyssia, who had gone into the house alone, to get the Captain to hurry to the house and determine where Rupert and his men were in the house. He talked about how the Captain had accepted it for time being but told Chance that in no uncertain terms he expected an accounting of how he was getting the information.

His father laughed at that. “It is amazing you got him to wait for later. I did that to him when he found out I could craft Dwarven Steel. He wanted to know how a blacksmith in a small out of the way city knew the secret to one of the most sought after materials in all the realms. I was busy so I told him he would have to wait until I had time to tell him. Needless to say he was worse than a dog worrying after a bone, trying to get me to tell my story.”

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Chance and Alyssia heard the men coming before they got there. She came to him and he picked her up and placed her back in the satchel for the time being. Soon Little One, we will be able to walk openly.

I look forward to the day Big One, Alyssia giggled.

There came a knock at the door and his father rose and answered it. Captain Herrera and Captain Franks were standing there with the rest of the militia and the children, as well as the mayor and Brother Joshua. Harold ushered them in. “There is food on the table for the children and I have ale out by the forge for the men.” The soldiers carried the children in and set them down around the table. At this point his mother came out to help with the children, “Chance could you get the girls some of your clothes to wear, as well as some for the rest of the children, until we can get them some proper clothes?” she asked.

Chance hurried to get his spare clothes from his room as his mother began to feed the children. Captain Herrera stayed behind as the men headed out to the forge to discuss the matters at hand. The Captain helped Chance’s mom pour milk for the children and helped to get them settled in to eat. As Chance returned with the clothes he remembered about getting the neighbor boys to make sure the water stayed full and ran to take care of that as well. When he spoke with the boys he also asked Mrs. Miller if she could come over and help his mother out, quickly explaining some of the situation. She said of course and sent her oldest two boys to help with the water and her youngest two to get the wives of the men in the militia as well to assist. Chance thanked her for he would never have thought of getting them to come help.

As soon as he walked back in he was tackled to the ground by two wet-headed little girls dressed in clothes way too big for them. “You said you would be right outside the door!” Jessica said with a hurt look in her eyes.

“I am sorry Jessica. Mom asked me to do something that required me to leave for a moment.” He said as he took her into his arms and squeezed her tight. “Me too!” Mallory said excitedly. “I want one too!”

He released Jessica and pulled Mallory close and gave her a big hug as well. “Oh I have missed this.” she whispered.

“What have you missed Mallory?” Chance asked.

“Being clean, dressed in clean clothes, having enough to eat, and feeling safe.” She whispered. “It has been so very long since my Mom and Dad died. I have tried to be strong for Jessica… but it has been so very hard.” Tears started rolling down her face as the stress, fears, and anxiety of her young life were let go. Chance held her tightly to his chest and pulled Jessica into the embrace as well. He stood there and held Mallory, assuring her that it was all in the past now, and that a new life was beginning for her and Jessica. One where they would always have enough to eat, a place to sleep, and warm clothes to wear.

Glancing up he saw his mom leaning on the doorframe watching him with the girls. Tears were running down her face as well. She nodded her head at him as if to say well done, then wiping her tears away she turned back to the task in the kitchen. Between Chance’s mom and Mrs. Miller they figured out that of the twelve children, there were four sets of siblings. There were three that had only one sibling, one had two siblings, and one had three siblings. So they grouped them by family and worked out a schedule to get them all bathed and clothed.

Alyssia, would you like to meet the girls? Chance asked.

Of course I would. I have been waiting for hours. I almost revealed myself to them in the closet to try to help calm them down, but figured it would have the opposite effect. We did not need them to scream when they saw me and give away their hiding spot.

Getting up Chance took both girls by the hand and led them back to his room. He whispered to them that there was someone he wanted them to meet. He saw Captain Herrera watching him and jerked his head to indicate for him to follow. Alyssia, Captain Herrera is coming as well.

When they were all in his room, he had the girls sit down on his bed and the Captain leaned against the wall. Then taking his satchel from over his shoulder, he sat down on the opposite end of the bed. “Now what I am about to show you for now is to be our secret. Alright?”

Everyone in the room nodded. The Captain had a wary look in his eyes, but agreed as well.

Come out Little One. Chance opened the satchel and Alyssia crawled out slowly.

The girls squealed and backed away and Captain Herrera straightened up from the wall suddenly. “It is alright. She is a friend” Chance assured the girls, “Her name is Alyssia and she is a silver demi-dragon. We are bonded to each other. She is very smart and we can even talk to each other through our thoughts.”

Mallory and Jessica’s eyes were large and wary, but they started giggling as Alyssia caught her claw in the blanket and tripped over her own feet.

“She is only about a month old. I found her egg in the forest and accidentally assisted her hatching.” Chance explained.

Captain Herrera was in shock. He knelt beside the bed quickly. “I thought they were all gone.” He whispered. “There are stories in the King’s Library. About great mages that were bonded to dragons and demi-dragons. It was thought that the last of the demi-dragons were slain towards the end of the war when the hatchery was attacked and destroyed.” He paused and looked at Chance, realization setting in. “You have Ard?”

Chance nodded. “I have been told in a letter from the Mage that was bonded to Alyssia’s Dam that I needed to report to the Ard Academy. I was guessing that it was one of the Academies in the capitol, but I was not sure. My father was teaching me a few more blacksmithing techniques before I was to head out. A few family secrets.”

The girls had quickly warmed up to Alyssia and she had crawled into Jessica’s lap and was enjoying the petting and scratching that was being lavished on her. Chance, I think I could grow to enjoy this. Alyssia purred.

“In addition to the egg and the note there we several additional items of an enchanted nature.” Chance explained to the Captain. “It included also a sizeable inheritance for Alyssia as well.”

There was a knock at the bedroom door and Alyssia quickly ran back and climbed into the satchel, much to the disappointment of Jessica and Mallory. “Captain Herrera? The mayor and Captain Franks need to talk to you and Chance.” Chance’s father called through the door.

Alyssia you can stay here if you would like and play with the girls. Chance grinned at the emotions coming through the bond.

Yes! I would love to! Alyssia exclaimed and came charging out of the satchel to pounce on Mallory’s hand. Who squealed and then giggled as she started wrestling with Alyssia.

Chance reached into the pouch and withdrew the gem studded belt and pouch. Captain Herrera gasped as he strapped it around his waist. “That is a beautiful belt. The gems must cost a fortune. Was that part of the inheritance as well?”

Chance nodded. “Let’s go see what the mayor needs.”

He and the Captain followed Harold out to the forge. Chance noticed that there were now about ten women helping his mother in caring for the children. Some had brought clothes with them and some had brought their own children as well. At a glance Chance could see that his mother had it all well in hand. He was so thankful for his family. They had risen to this occasion like he knew they would.

The three of them walked out into the yard between the forge and the house to the sound of men arguing. As Chance approached he could make out the voice of Brother Joshua and the mayor. The argument from what he could tell was about funding for the orphanage. The mayor was against using city funds to pay for it, saying that the King should foot the bill since it was the King’s Guard that found them. Brother Joshua was of the opinion that the parents had been citizens of the city and as such should have their children cared for by the city. The militia men were split, some on each side of the issue.

At this point, Chance reached into his pouch and pulled out a pouch of gold. He tossed it into the air such that it landed between the two men. The sack came open as it hit the ground and a few of the coins bounced out. The gold glinted brightly in the light of the torches lining the yard. “That should cover the first year of the orphanage, if not come see my family and we will cover what is short.” Chance’s dad said loudly having guessed his son’s plan. “I am sure that with the cost of the children taken care of the City of Mern could find a vacant building that could be renovated to provide shelter for these poor children.”

The men stopped arguing and gawked at the pile of coins now on the ground. The mayor was the first to break from the trance. “Well then,” he said, “I think that should cover it. The city will hold the money and pay out the bills.”

Chance spoke up at this point, “No, actually the money will be put in the care of the one caring for the children on a daily basis. He should not have to find someone to approve funding if the children need something. Brother Joshua? Would you be willing to oversee this through the church?” The mayor blustered a bit but since the money was from the Smithe family, he really had no say in the matter.

Brother Joshua spoke up, “I can or I will find someone trustworthy to take on the role. I also think it would be better if we had several men that would care for the funds as a whole. Then there could be a monthly amount set for discretionary spending on the children’s behalf. The amount would be decided in advance by agreement of the group of men.” Chance smiled for he knew that Brother Joshua was ever the peacemaker.

“So the matter is settled, except for who would serve on the committee.” Captain Herrera spoke up finally. “That can be hammered out later. We need to discuss what, other than the children, was found at the house.”

If possible, the mood became more serious at this point. Captain Herrera stepped forward, “We found at the house, six men and two women. The women appear to be innocent of the major crimes in the house. They look to be women sent over from a nearby brothel. The men are all wanted for various and sundry crimes according to Captain Franks. The matter of the basement and its contents are the major issue at the moment. There are ten boxes that are sealed with an enchantment and bear an unknown Maker’s Mark in the bottom right corner of each side. The King’s seal is also on the boxes denoting that they are royal property. The boxes are about a length cubed.”

At this point Harold spoke up. “The Maker’s Mark is on the bottom right corner on each side? Is one of these the mark?” Harold drew four different emblems in the dirt.

Captain Herrera looked shocked, “Yes, that one, the last one on the right. Correct, Sergeant?”

The sergeant stepped up and looked. “Yup. That’s it.”

Harold blew out a large breath. “Captain Herrera, I need to declare this a secret of the realm.”