The next day Hanno woke up and grabbed me. “Shit! I overslept! Aya we gotta go!” Hanno plopped me on his shoulder and I just went with it. This damn small body always felt so tired. Doesn’t even make sense that something small would have to sleep more. Maybe the transformations make me tired. That could explain it.

I fell asleep shortly after and when I woke up I was on a new boat. Hanno had placed me down on one of the seats while he sat in another. I noticed that he had gained what looked to be a bloody nose and a bruise on his face.

I quickly looked around for who had caused the injuries but calmed down when I saw the other boy. There was no need for me to step in. The assumed attacker was covered in bruises and his nose was bent the wrong way.

Eh I was bored and he did look irritating.. I looked around at the boat I was on. It had two decks, the lower deck was filled with people rowing while the top had a bunch of rich kids. Maybe this is what everyone takes to get to the academy.

I hopped onto the ground and walked over to the offending boy. He and his buddies were complaining so I took my chance and sprinted under his chair. I waited for a few minutes before getting to work.

I started tearing up the floor until I had a good size sharp piece of wood. It was about as long as a hand. So I grabbed it with my mouth and slammed it into the back of the irritating boy's leg. I then scurried away and watched the drama.

The boy let out a shrill shriek as he looked around for something that could have caused the damage. He then glanced at his leg and winced. I smiled as he ducked down to remove the splinter. The first part of the plan was successful. He had a small pouch on his side that was my target. I bit off the small piece of string that connected it to his person. Before it could fall I grabbed it and spirited away.

I went back to my seat where Hanno was anxiously looking for me.I placed the pouch under his chair. I hopped onto my seat, showing Hanno I was alive before ducking back under the chairs.

I eagerly opened the pouch and found a small pile of coins made out of bone. God these savages really don’t understand true wealth. I left the coins and climbed back onto my seat. I then hopped onto Hanno’s shoulders and fell back asleep. Not much else to do around here.

By the time I woke up we had arrived. In a true city! Stone walls, surrounding hundreds of brick houses. In the very center was a giant castle. This is where I belong! Soon me and my children shall own it all! I couldn’t help cackling.

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Hanna put a hand on my mouth and said. “Quiet Aya, I need to listen to the instructor.” How dare this child touch me! I had enough wealth to buy hundreds of your academies! And you dare tell me to be quiet! The indignity.

I quieted down after a few seconds to listen to the man who was talking. “Welcome everyone, to the academy of Loheim. Please make sure to thank Bruce of the Bear Clan, as his father does own this city. Now everyone please follow me and make sure to not stray too far.”

I looked around for Bruce and saw that the bruised boy who I had robbed looked rather proud. Maybe robbing him wasn’t the best idea. Eh, who cares. I’m sure he won’t mind losing a couple coins.

The class that Hanno was in was pretty small. There were only twelve children although every single one of them had the correct attitude. I had found rich people! No more giant rats, no more Zorkids. Now I just need to get my kids in here. And take control of the city.

The city itself wasn’t as impressive as I had first thought. The streets were all just dirt roads. That was fine if you lived somewhere that didn’t rain. If it rained even once the roads would turn into mud slides. Fun, but not good for transporting goods. The streets weren’t well organized either. Far too easy to get lost in the winding streets filled with alleys and random dead ends.

What if the city got invaded? Or if there was a fire? Not knowing where to go would mean death or enslavement. As we were walking we passed a bald skinny man covered in scars wearing a fur toga. He was holding a reptile's head and screaming. “The piggies are growing restless! We must not become complacent within our walls. The pigs are coming! They will kill us all! Join the cult of Ulthar! We will bring humanity out of this ignorant dark age!”

Hanno scoffed at the man which surprised me. Hadn’t he been saying similar things the other night? Maybe he just didn’t like cults? Anyway, back to critiquing the city! Why is there so much human waste everywhere? Have they never heard of a sewer system? This city will be dead within a couple decades.

As if Hanno had heard me I heard him sigh and say. “Look at this city, Aya. Look at what many call the gem of humanity. Dirt roads, crumbling walls, feces everywhere. This is supposed to be the culmination of years of effort! This is supposed to be a symbol of our power. Instead it only shows how far we’ve fallen.”

I have no idea how far humanity has fallen but I’m kinda curious right now. I mean this kid quite literally worships the idea of uniting humanity. I shrugged and continued listening to him as he complained. “Look over there! That guard is drunk! We’re in the commerce district and the guards are barely paying attention. I’ve seen multiple people getting ripped off, pick pocketed and assaulted just in the last five minutes!”

I nodded along while hissing at someone that went for Hanno’s coin pouch. He swatted them away after handing them a coin before saying. “Look! Just there, that man is so desperate that he would steal from a party of nobles. Good catch Aya. You’re amazing!”

I smiled and said. “Of course boy! While I’m here I might as well play the part as a good little pet. You seem like a good kid anyway.” I smiled smugly as Hanno was about to respond when the old man who was guiding us said. “Children of Ulthar! It is my pleasure to present to you the greatest learning center in all of the seven Chiefdoms!”