She breathed a sigh of relief, and said, “We should’ve in all circumstances been cared for by the orphanages and places of restitution that dot the city. But since the King has left for war, the ministers have shifted funds away from such places! They haven’t closed, but they can’t afford to house the many who seek aid. Many refugees from the north have come as of late. And so we had to leave and find food and coin on our own. Leading us to this situation.” She gnashed her teeth. “If only that foolish king of ours wouldn’t spend all his worth fighting against Demons and care for his subjects!”

“Don’t speak as such about him!” I shouted.

“And why shouldn’t I stranger?” she said. “Worthless are the aristocracy! Only taking funds to their pockets and leaving us to become downtrodden in their wake! By whose permission have they acquired as much as they have?”

“I won’t deny that perhaps they’ve created more problems than solutions,” I said being cautious of my words, “but the King is unrelated to this. If someone were to petition him of the situation of the city, I’m sure he’d respond.”

“What makes you so sure?” she looked to me with greater suspicion. “He should already know the situation that people like us lead, but he’s too entrenched in the activities of war-making than he is in tending to his children as he so likes to call us!”

I became vexed by her words, yet stayed calm. “I have seen the damage wrought by those Demons in the north. Don’t speak as if you know the true extent of the King’s war.”

“You expect me to believe that you, a child like me, have seen the deeds of the Demons? Why’re you so quick to defend the King?” she said. “I can tell by your smell that you don’t live in poverty as many of us, but should the aristocrats have such a high opinion of their King? I know they have their doubts and spread their worries and criticism amongst themselves.”

This came as news to me, but I held my steady expression. I shouldn’t have been surprised given prior experience. I suppose I had just expected better from this world, given the era I lived.

“What does it matter if I support the King or not?” I said, sighing. “I don’t care what the other aristocrats do, for I know at least through my associates that the King doesn’t wage war hopelessly or uselessly. Trust in the one who protects us.”

She scoffed. “Fine, then what is it you’ll do for us, now knowing our position? Will you ignore us like the rest. No, I don’t see you as such a person. But you looking no older than me, doesn’t inspire confidence. You don’t plan to kiss your parents’ feet, do you?”

I shook my head. “I may not look it, but I have some influence among the aristocrats. I’m sure I can talk to them, and have this resolved somewhat quickly.”

She looked to me with greater suspicion. She stood and paced around, thinking to herself. As she did so, I began to feel light-headed from their smell. I wish I didn’t feel as such, but the luxury of my abode made me feel quite unpleasant toward those I considered unclean.

“I’ll give you our names,” she said. My attention immediately returned. “I am Zhunil, and these two are Berha and Juya. Remember them well. If you go to the northwestern area of town, you’ll find more of us. Deliver us the news when you’ve done it. Don’t think I trust you, however,” she said as she pointed to me with a glare; “if I suspect even a hint of betrayal, then we’ll come for your head! We may not be a strong bunch, but we’ve outwitted the soldiers this long. Not just by evasion. Think wisely before you act.”

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I laughed inwardly at her threat, but the glare of her eyes made me uneasy. I had no intention of betrayal. My unethical actions were, in practice, at an end. And I planned to keep it as such.

“Don’t worry,” I said. “Can you stop stealing until I return?”

She raised an eyebrow. “And how do you suspect we’ll survive?”

“I’ll have an attendant deliver food and supplies to your hideout,” I said. “They won’t be trailed. I wish to see your hideout, but I’ll be leaving the city in a day.”

“Well, that should be fine, but leaving the city? What for?” Zhunil asked.

I wasn’t sure if I should answer. I didn’t want to reveal who I was.

“I can’t say. At least, not now.”

She sighed. “Then be as you will. We’ll meet another time. Thank you for your aid.”

“Wait!” I called. Zhunil halted her movement and looked to me.

“Is there more you wish to ask of me?” she said.

I hesitated, but I mustered my courage. “Would you mind showing me around the city. This might come as a surprise, but I have seen little of it. I’m mostly guarded when I’m out and about, and now I’m given permission to go where I will. You understand, right?”

She laughed. “Is that all? Well, given how much you’ll be doing for us, I suppose it’s only fair. I’ll meet you in the city center, then, and I hope you give those soldiers that were pursuing us our regards.”

She had seen! And I laughed.

The days passed in glee, as she and her brothers showed me the things that Koshapa held. From its many temples, to the grand markets, to the quarters of the aristocrats and their estates, and much much more. This was the first time I felt truly happy since Varey and Viruka had left and I felt I had found a newfound friend.

But I could sense all the while a distance between us. Whenever I asked where her home was, she would avoid the issue, and sometimes even lash out at me. But that was to be expected. After all, what right did I have to request to see her quarters, if I wouldn’t show her mine, let alone reveal who I was?

There was a time in the markets, especially, where she wished to buy me some ornaments to give to my mother, that her anger could’ve landed her in greater trouble.

It was the afternoon on the third day, and we perusing some trinket stalls. She settled on one of which the items seemed one affordable to her, with what little change she held—-or perhaps stolen.

She haggled rather well, but when it became apparent to the merchant, he said, “A coin of filth! I won’t accept it. Begone you unfavorable urchins!”

She brimmed with anger, and cried, “Shouldn’t the Varizho give respect to paying customers! Perhaps if your mind was bigger than your rear, you’d have enough sense to not chase us away!”

“Silence! I won’t be insulted by children whose den is the muck of the city! Guards!”

The soldiers were about to come, but they looked to my face, and backed away. Zhunil was ready to strike the merchant. Berha and Juya calmed her while I approached the merchant.

“Keep this well, and your insolence in check,” I said, dropping a finely minted gold coin in his hand. “He inspected my face, and I revealed my regalia to him.”

He at once realized who I was and was ready to prostrate before I held his shoulders. “Do nothing to reveal me. And apologize to my friends.”

He folded his hands and bowed to Zhunil and her brothers. “Forgive me, O Favored Ones!”

He took her coins and gave the bronze ornament.

She was glad and her brothers relieved, but it seems no matter what I did, it only increased her suspicion.

“I’m glad to have gotten this,” she said, “but what did you do? He seemed to have seen you as being more than an aristocrat. I hoped to get this by my ability, but I guess the favor of aristocrats will always be greater than what I could do.”

“Perhaps you could begin currying favor by watching your mouth,” I said, laughing.

“I’ll speak as I wish! I won’t let these people have their way with me! To the Hells with them,” she said, pouting and walking away from me.

I sighed. I didn’t expect the greatest of courtesy from one in her position, notwithstanding her expletives and outbursts in public when things didn’t go her way.

But reflecting on it, I realized I was a rather insensitive fellow.