A comforting warmth filled the room with the sweet smell of fresh bread and honey. Mina looked at the round, golden brown buns, and licked her lips. She took a deep breath and released a content sigh.

“Are you alright, miss Mina?” Vaera said.

“Yes,” Mina said. Her eyes flicked between Vaera and the bread, “We don’t have this type of bread back on Amu’Ryja. But I must admit, it smells divine.”

“My mother used to make these for me all the time,” Vaera said looking at the buns. A tear ran down her cheek, “But now…”

“Your father is making things difficult,” Kogna said plucking a bun from the counter. He took a bite and blew out a cloud of steam.

Vaera stared down at the floor, “He’s not my father,” she said, “Mom just brought him home one day.”

A loud clatter of people running came from upstairs, and Oria’s six goons rushed down the stairs. Their clothes were messed up, and hair an utter disaster.

“That smells good,” the woman said. Her light brown hair was bunched around her ears.

“Back off Rylie,” the tall lanky man with a scar over his right eyebrow growled, “Mina made these for me!”

The muscular man with a thick beard laughed, “You mean me, Emmett.”

“Food!” All eyes turn to the stairs leading downstairs. Furious scurrying and the shriek followed.

“Virtues, it’s coming!” the bald man said stuffing his face, “Quick, grab as many as you can.”

An ant the size of a large dog scurried along the wall and jumped down to the floor. On its back was a toddler sized mushroom staring at the buns with bright eyes.

“Go Antwuan!” the mushroom said, “Get the food.” The gang members rushed towards the stairs, but Antwuan scurried under the tables and then jumped onto the stairs to block their path. “No where to go.”

“That’s enough Cappy,” Meridith said coming up the stairs, “We don’t need Antwuan breaking any of the furniture.”

“But food!” Cappy stared at the golden buns.

“I have some here for you,” Mina held up another plate.

Cappy cheered and pushed Antwuan to rush towards the bar. Clicking its mandibles is glee, Antwuan stared up begging for food. Cappy flopped onto the bar top and stared at the plate of buns with her mouth open wide. Mina chuckled and threw a bun on the ground before feeding Cappy.

“She’s like a baby,” Vaera said with a chuckle.

“Too true,” Meridith said, “By the way Kogna, the master is waiting for you downstairs.”

Kogna nodded and headed downstairs. The basement was fully furnished with tables, chairs, and a full bar. On the far end, Reviled sat in the box with the curtains pulled back, reading a few reports.

“You wished to see me?” Kogna said kneeling on a plush cushion sitting in front of the box.

“How did your latest patrol go?”

“No issues, but Blackhammer’s men have been watching from afar,” Kogna said, “I think they’re scouting us.”

“And what about your little pet,” Reviled said with a chuckle.

“I’m still paying her handler a silver a day,” Kogna said clearing his throat, “She’s been instrumental in helping get the tavern ready.”

“Well, stop,” Reviled said placing three gold in front of it, “We don’t see any value in paying someone else for what could be ours. Either purchase her outright or be done with her.”

“As you wish master,” Kogna picked up the coins and rose to his feet.

“Why did you save her?” Reviled stared into the warriors eyes.

“I…regret not saving Mina,”

Reviled nodded and returned to reading the reports, “Just don’t let it distract you,” it said, “We have no need for a hero.”

Kogna bowed and returned upstairs. He heard laughter and found the girls sitting at a table watching Cappy dance. Sparks of magic sprayed from the mushroom’s hands only for them to fizzle out and cause Cappy to start up again. Kogna’s eyes fell onto his sister.

Mina was smiling from ear to ear, and there was a healthy flush on her otherwise pale skin. He remembered the cold, lifeless gaze she had when he tried to rescue her, but now they were full of color. Kogna remembered the chains wrapped around her wrist and ankles, and the tears she cried when he was dragged away. The memory caused him to grip his sword tightly, but he couldn’t take his eyes from her smile.

“No need for a hero,” Kogna said to himself, “Good thing I’m not one.” He approached the table, “Come on kid. Time to get you home.”

Vaera’s smile vanished as she looked at the floor, “Yes sir,”

Silence followed them as they left the tavern and walked down the street. The lamplighters were already performing their duties as the people started heading home. Vaera fell behind Kogna. Her face still towards the ground.

“Don’t want to go back?” Kogna said slowing down.

“No,” Vaera said wiping her eyes, “I wanted to stay…for a bit longer.”

“What about your mother?”

“I…don’t see her that much anymore,” Vaera said, “I don’t think she cares about me.”

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“Then you’d be fine if you never had to go home?” Kogna said glancing down at her.

Vaera’s eyes widened, “Truly?”

“We’ll see what can be done.”

Vaera grabbed Kogna’s hand and smiled, “Thank you,”

They continued walking down the street until they came to Vaera’s house. The large man that Kogna had been paying stood outside waiting.

“I hope she satisfied you sir?” he said with a twisted grin.

“She’s done excellent work,” Kogna said, “But I’m tired of paying for her services every day.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,”

“How much to buy the girl outright?” Kogna said, “Does one gold suffice?” The man stared at him in shock.

“No!” a woman at the door shouted. Her brown hair was messy, and her dress was barely hanging on her. “That’s my baby!”

“Shut up woman!” the man said slapping her, “This doesn’t concern you.”

“Mom!”

“Enough!” Kogna’s shout caused everyone to stop, “Three gold coins for the both of them.”

“Deal,” the man said pushing Vaera’s mother down the stairs. Kogna caught her before she fell. “Do you need their things?”

“No,” Kogna said placing the coins on the steps, “They won’t be taking anything.” He ushered the two back to the tavern.

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“Kogna, you have a problem,” Meridith said holding her head in her hands.

“I don’t understand,” Kogna said.

“You purchased two people off the street for three gold!” Meridith said, “And this was after you spent nearly twenty gold for Vaera’s services.”

“The master told me to stop that, and to buy Vaera outright,” Kogna said, “Then provided me with three gold.”

“We told you to buy the girl for three gold,” Reviled said from his box. The curtains hiding him.

“And?”

Reviled’s sigh echoed through the basement, “Woman, do you have any skills that are useful to us?”

“Mom’s an excellent cook!” Vaera said, “She’s also good at other chores like cleaning and sewing. She did it a lot.”

“I’m sorry for my daughter,” the woman said, “But she’s right. I took odd jobs around the city doing household work.”

“What’s your name?” Mina said.

“Yula,”

“I swear you won’t regret it!” Vaera said rushing to the box, “We’ll work really hard.”

“Vaera don’t!” Mina said, trying to grab her.

Vaera pushed her head through the curtains. Though they couldn’t see her face, they could see Vaera’s hands tighten around the curtains, and the thick scent of urine filled the room as a puddle formed underneath Vaera. Mina gently came up behind her and pulled her away. She pulled out a towel and started wiping down Vaera and the floor.

“You should listen to your elders girl,” Reviled said, “But since you’re enthusiastic about joining us,”

The curtains parted slightly, but Mina blocked Yula’s view. Reviled’s claw gently touched Vaera’s skin at the top of her sternum. Mina held onto the girl tightly as the magic coursed through Vaera and caused her to scream in pain. Kogna grabbed onto Yula’s arm to keep her in place. Reviled pulled away, and Vaera buried her face in Mina’s chest.

“Yula, approach,” Reviled said.

Yula slowly approached and sat next to Mina. Her gaze lingered on her weeping child. Movement from the box drew her attention, and Reviled’s metal claw pressed against her breast, right over the heart. Pain shot through Yula, and she screamed, but Kogna sat behind her and gently held her up. When Reviled removed his claw, Yula rested against Kogna.

“Welcome to your new family,” Reviled said pulling the curtains open. Both Vaera and Yula flinched, “From now on this will be your home. Meridith, see to it they have everything they need.”

“Yes master,”

“Mina, Kogna, take them upstairs to rest. They’ll be quite busy tomorrow.”

“Yes master,” the siblings said.

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Vaera stared at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a simple green dress, and her hair was pulled back with a plain shawl covering her head. The long sleeves covered up the bruises on her arms, and Mina applied rouge to brighten up her cheeks. Her brown leather slippers fit more comfortably than her old ones.

“You look beautiful,” Vaera turned to see her mother wearing a similar outfit, but with a blue dress that made her eyes stand out more.

“You look pretty too, mom,” Vaera said.

“How come the boss doesn’t buy me pretty dresses?” Rylie sat in a chair playing with her hair.

“Because you haven’t earned it,” Oria said sitting next to her.

“That’s enough everyone,” Meridith said turning to Yula and Vaera, “Let’s go downstairs and practice some more. There’s only a few more days before we open.”

“Yes ma’am,”

Everyone headed downstairs. Kogna sat at the bar sharpening his sword, while Mina was tuning her instrument. Oria’s other thugs were sitting at a table playing cards. The rich smell of bread filled the room with a comfortable air. The bell over the door rang, and five rugged men walked in. Each one bore Samon’s tattoo.

“We’re not open,” Meridith said, “I have to ask you to leave.”

“I’m sorry ma’am, but I’m afraid it’s important,” the leader said, “Two of my employees were sold to your establishment the other night,” his gaze fell to Yula and Vaera, “And I’m here to retrieve them.”

“Is that so,” Meridith said, “Is there any proof that it was this establishment.”

“Yes ma’am,” the leader said with a smile, “The employee responsible for this travesty mentioned selling them to an Amu’Ryjin man, and your tavern is the only place that employes one.”

“You’re right, this is a travesty,” Meridith said looking up with a pout. She smiled slowly, “I’m afraid there isn’t much I can help with. You’ll have to take this to my employer downstairs.” Vaera looked up and noticed a black rat staring down at them from above the door, “Kogna, please show them downstairs to the master.”

“Yes ma’am,” Kogna rose and nodded to the stairs, “Follow me.”

Vaera watched as the five men headed downstairs. She looked back and found that the rat was no longer there. Everyone was gathered around the bar talking, but she wasn’t paying attention to what they were saying. Slowly, she snuck down the stairs and into the basement, and hid behind the bar.

“What does this have to do with us?” she heard Reviled say.

“It’s against the law to sell people without a written contract,” the thug said, “We’re willing to let this go, if you’re willing to work with us. Otherwise, we’ll have to get the authorities involved.”

“We would like to avoid that,”

“As would we,” Vaera snuck around the bar so she could see, “It would be beneficial if we could come to an agreement,” his smile turned hungry, “We ask that you return the woman and the girl, or perhaps you’d like to loan out one of the other women in your employ.”

“No,”

The thug’s smiled turned to a sneer, “What do you mean, no?”

Black smoke started seeping out of the box, “Exactly what you think,” Reviled said, “Yula and Vaera are now under our protection. We will not be giving them up, especially to Blackhammer’s men.”

“Are you an…Wait, why can’t I move?”

Vaera felt heat coming from the crest on her chest. Reviled stepped out of the box and towered over the thugs. It lifted the leader by the neck.

“Noxious Miasma,” Reviled said, “A spell that causes sudden paralysis. Only those we’ve marked are immune.” Reviled looked at the five of them, “It’s been a long time since we’ve fed,” it chuckled, “Thanks for the meal.”

Reviled’s bladed tongue pierced the leader’s skull in the center of his forehead. When the thug went limp, Reviled tossed the body to the ground and moved onto the next. Vaera stared in horror as the monster killed each of them in a slow meticulous manner. Eventually, five bodies sat in a pile in the center of the room with blood starting to pool onto the stone floor.

“Meridith’s not going to be happy,” Kogna said looking at the bodies.

“We’ll deal with her,” Reviled said, “Have Oria send their heads to Blackhammer as a warning. We won’t submit to his authority,” it turned to the bar, “Come out girl.”

Vaera squeaked but crawled out from her hiding spot. She stared at the ground trying desperately not to look at the bodies and the monster.

“You should be upstairs,” Reviled said.

Vaera nodded and she quickly glanced at the bodies, “Why…didn’t you do as they asked?” She felt Reviled pull up her chin.

“Because you are part of our family,” Reviled said, “And in this family, we don’t betray each other.” Vaera’s eyes turned to Kogna, and he nodded while showing off a glowing crest on his left hand. “Go back upstairs child,” Reviled’s voice drew her back, “You don’t need to worry about this.” Vaera nodded and headed to the door, “And send Oria down here.”

Vaera turned and tried to curtsy, “Yes sir.”