Tsugi glanced around the giant city. It was much livelier and definitely more advanced than back at Keryth, where the farmlands filled the town instead of giant pub’s and stone houses that look like mansions. Of course they weren’t mansions, but they might as well be compared to the small old stone houses he was used to, besides the old castle he was in anyway. Even at night, Thandeur was pretty and lively with people stumbling in and out of pubs and inns.
“Go home!” A middle aged man was thrown out of the building with a sign that had two wooden mugs carved on it. “You’ve had enough!” The giant burly man stood by the door and dusted off his hands before going back into the pub and shutting the door behind him. The middle aged man pushed himself off the floor, mumbled some unintelligible nonsense before stumbled down the road.
They stopped by a two story house made out of beautifully layered bricks, that Tsugi found was very interesting. The roof looked like some type of witches hat that spiraled to a tip for the chimney, where white smoke was rising out of.
“Stay here.” Yamo dismounted and went inside, coming back out shortly after, stuffing something into a bag. “Let’s go.”
Continuing down the road, they reached a quieter area before coming to a stop in front of an average looking home just like any other along the road.
“Alright.” Yamo dismounted and headed to the carriage. “We have arrived Madam.” He assisted the women out of the carriage and opened the door to the house for them, before proceeding inside.
Volgan stayed on the carriage and leaned back scratching at the beard that had overgrown over the last week. Tsugi, too, stayed mounted on his horse and waited patiently for Yamo to finish conducting his business.
Yamo came back out, tossing a bag of coins into the air and caught it before putting it away in his cloak. “Alright. One more stop, then home.”
Yamo mounted his horse and they continued through the roads and up a hill until they arrived at a gate in front of a very big building that looked to be very old.
This time, they all went inside the gate and dismounted, entering the giant building through the magnificent creaking doors. There was a giant chandelier in the middle of the room, hoisted high above them. A wide staircase sat by the opposite wall which split in the middle leading to opposite sides of the building.
“Welcome back darlin.” A middle aged woman, with bright pink hair, smiled brightly from behind the counter on the wall to their right.
“Jenene! How are you doing sweetheart?” Yamo walked over to the counter and placed an elbow on it.
“Wonderful, wonderful. Have you got it for me?” She leaned against the counter and flirtatiously looked him in the eyes.
“I’d never forget about you.” He reached into his bag and placed the pouch on the counter for her.
“Wonderful!” Her eyes lit up like fireworks as she took the bag, and planted a kiss on his cheek.
“Oh and…” He placed the bag of coins on the counter. “That’s from Madam Maligun.”
“You always pull through darlin. I never doubted you.” She leaned in and gazed at him flirtatiously.
“Do you have anything for me?” He turned to completely face the counter and placed both elbows on the counter.
She turned around and rummaged through some papers. "Ah! Here it is." She pulled out a piece of parchment and handed it to him.
He looked at it and pulled a quill off the counter and scribbled on it before handing it back to her. She had a creepy smile of acceptance and took the paper from him, holding it into the air. With one quick wave, the paper erupted into a bright green flame and disappeared, not even ashes were left behind.
'What kind of magic was that?' The more time Tsugi spent outside of Keryth, the more he discovered all kinds of things about the world.
Yamo knocked on the counter two times before backing up and headed back towards Tsugi and Volgan who were waiting patiently by the door.
"Let's go home." Yamo smirked, raising just one corner of his lips.
"So?" Volgan folded his arms across his chest and followed Yamo outside. Yamo didn't say a word. He turned toward Volgan and gave that spine chilling grin, like he got exactly what he wanted. Volgan's look followed suit not too far behind.
Tsugi wasn't sure what was going on, but he knew the atmosphere turned comfortably creepy. Comfortable because they seemed to be elated about something, yet their looks indicated something inhumane.
They left the horses and carriage at the building and walked home on foot.
"How come we're leaving the horses there?" Tsugi ran to catch up to Yamo and Volgan. His short little legs meant he had to work much harder.
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"Oh! Sorry, that's the orphanage. We take our missions from there. They provide the funds and items we need for our job. We get paid after the job and return everything to them. We get a portion too, but for providing all the necessities for the mission they also get a profit. Don't worry, Midnight will be well taken care of."
"Why the orphanage?"
"It's how orphans make a living. They teach the orphans how to develop and use their skills to work for themselves, and in return, the orphans perform missions to earn their keep."
"So they have to be an orphan to be there?"
"Not exactly. Most missions aren't safe, so families don't usually throw their children in there."
"It's a cult." Volgan chimed in.
"No! I'd say more like…an exclusive group." Yamo turned back to glance at Tsugi.
"Yeah, a cult."
"No it's not! The orphanage doesn't worship anyone. They are just exclusive, as in, they don't just teach anyone willy-nilly. If they are going to teach someone, they want to make sure that their time is worth it.
Why waste your time and resources on someone that wont hold out and get you profit in the end right? Besides, after the kids are done, they have better skills than any normal person to be able to live well off for the rest of their lives.
Everyone picks up after themself. Nothing is handed to you there. It teaches responsibility." Yamo held his nose into the air proudly.
"So you’re from there then?" Tsugi looked up at him and saw him nod with pride.
"We’re here." Volgan pushed open a door to a house and walked in.
Tsugi followed behind them and glanced around at the wooden interior. The outside looked shabby like any old house, but the inside looked brand new and sparkly clean.
"Master Yamo, Master Volgan." A young beautiful brunette woman folded her hands in front of her and bowed politely. "Welcome home."
"Thank you Fay." Yamo turned and put his hand around Tsugi's shoulder. "This is my adopted son, Enron. Please treat him with the utmost respect. Give him whatever he needs."
"Of course, Master Yamo."
"Prepare my study." Yamo took off his cloak and hung it on the wooden coat rack.
"Right away." She bowed and left the room.
Volgan headed down the hall in the opposite direction of her.
"I'll show you to your room." Yamo went up the wooden stairs with Tsugi trailing right behind him. "This is the restroom and bath. There's also another one downstairs." He walked to another door and pushed it open. "And this…is your room."
Tsugi stepped in and saw the beautifully clean furniture which looked brand new. It was more lavish than the inn's they've been to, to include the elven inn. Even the linen was nice and clean, the shelves of books were dust free and the windowsill sparkled in the moonlight. The fireplace was lit, warming up the room.
"It may not be much but it's decent for a room." Yamo crossed his arms and leaned a shoulder against the door frame.
"This is brilliant. This is way more than anything I've ever imagined."
"Well, I'm glad you like it. It's yours, so feel free to decorate it how you want. Shower, change and meet me downstairs when you are done. We’ll have dinner then I’ll give you the rest of the tour." He smiled and stepped out, closing the door behind him.
Tsugi walked through the room and ran his fingers over the wooden furniture; feeling the soft blanket of his bed; the empty parchments and quill on his desk; and flipped through some of the books on the shelf. After fully taking in his room, he bathed and changed into clean clothes before heading down the stairs.
"Dinners ready." Yamo looked up at Tsugi after setting down plates at the dining table. "Let's eat first, then I will give you the tour, if you're still up for it."
The delicious smell of herbs filled the air, but Tsugi’s nose could also smell a minty aftershave. He looked up at Yamo, but he only trimmed his beard, so it’s shorter and neater. His slick hair was clean and combed back nicely, and his clothes were clean and tidy.
“Alright! I’m famished!” Volgan came from around the corner, his hair wasn’t fully dry so it glistened in the candlelight, his face cleanly shaved, showing his strong jawline and thick muscular neck and shoulders. His black short sleeve shirt snugly wrapped his muscles, so that Tsugi could see his pecs flex as Volgan rubbed his hands together in delight.
“Jeez, you look like a baby with no facial hair.” Yamo shook his head disapprovingly.
“Hey, don't be jealous that I look younger than you.” Volgan pulled out a seat and sat down at the table.
Fay carried out another dish of food and placed it on the table before seating herself at the table.
“Don’t be shy.” Yamo gestured with his head to encourage Tsugi to approach. “Come sit.”
Tsugi sat down at the table and looked at each of them.
“Thank you for the food.” They all said in unison after Yamo sat down. They ate and told Fay about the journey and the events that occurred. Yamo proceeded to tell them of the events that occurred in the dungeons when Tsugi came back for him. He was so excited that he got animated, swinging his arms through the air, using a chicken drumstick as a sword.
After dinner was complete, they all cleared the table and helped with the chores. Tsugi was so full he was starting to fall into a food coma.
“Well, at least we know you had a home at some point.” Yamo startled Tsugi awake when he came around to grab the plate from Tsugi to dry it. “You may have lost your memories, but your body knows how to do basic house chores.” He explained when he noticed Tsugi’s perplexed face.
“I-I suppose so.” He clenched his eyes shut tight, reflexively waiting for a blow but it never came. Then he looked up at Yamo who held no look of irritation or anger of any kind at his stutter, and it shocked Tsugi. Or perhaps Yamo just didn’t hear his stutter, it was indeed a very slight and quiet stutter so it was a very big possibility.
“Volgan, did you already get what I asked you to get?” Yamo took another plate from Tsugi and dried it before setting it on top of the other dried dishes.
“It’s all ready to go.”
After dishes, Yamo continued to give Tsugi the tour. Yamo walked over to the wall and placed a hand on the wall, and mumbled something under his breath. The wall folded open, just like how his father had opened the wall to the training room.
This one looked very similar, but the candle’s were already lit, and they too spiraled down underground. After walking through, the stones unfolded and closed behind them. The long way down eventually came to a stop.
“So remember when I told you I was an artist of some sort?” Yamo grabbed two aprons hanging off the wall and handed one to Tsugi. “And that I was going to teach you everything I know?” Tsugi nodded and took the apron, securing it around him. “I know it’s late, and you might be tired. Did you want to start learning now? Or do you want to wait till tomorrow?”
“Let’s start now!” Tsugi blurted out and his eyes widened in anticipation. His drowsiness had disappeared and was replaced with excitement and curiosity.
“That’s my boy!” Yamo gave a sinister grin and pulled Tsugi in for a side hug before securing his apron around himself.