Valicar approached the gatehouse at a full sprint, and as she drew closer, she could see a small line of people talking to a city guard before being allowed entry. “Damn, I guess no matter where you are, they have a TSA. Damn shame too,” Mike joked.

Sophia reprimanded Mike, saying, “Quit complaining; we only flew on a plane once, and the security line was short.”

Mike responded snarkily, “You only think it was short because your face was in that damn manga the whole time. It was 3 hours, Soph!”

Their bickering came to an end as they joined the back of the line. This earned them more than a few strange looks and a few wrinkled noses. “I guess we haven't had a bath in a while,” Mike remarked, eyeing their mud-covered form.

As the crowd slowly parted around them, Sophia couldn't help but remark, "Weird, it's usually just you that smells, Mike.” She chuckled before continuing. “The first thing we are doing is finding a bath."

After a few more minutes, they reached the front of the line, where the guard's expression turned concerned as he looked at Valicar. It was as if he had just noticed her standing there, alone and looking as though she had come straight from the woods.

“Where are your parents, child?” he asked Valicar, his tone softening with sympathy.

Sophia hesitated, calculating her words carefully. She conjured a minor glamour spell she had learned, hoping it would dissuade the guard from probing too deeply about her dagger and book, though she wasn't certain of its effectiveness.

“Bandits killed them,” she lied smoothly, her voice laced with just the right amount of vulnerability. “I only managed to escape because of my father, and then I hid in the woods until they left.”

The guard's expression softened, genuine sympathy flickering in his eyes. “I’m truly sorry to hear that, kid,” he said, his tone gentle and understanding. “Sadly, tales like yours are not uncommon these days. The roads are perilous. But don't worry, there's a place here for kids like you.”

"Damn, right back into the system," Mike joked with a tinge of resignation in his voice. "We've got some seriously rotten luck, Sis. At least that spell of yours seems to be working."

As they crossed the threshold of the city gates, guided by the guard, they found themselves amidst a labyrinth of winding streets and alleys. Sophia's chuckle carried a dark undertone as she replied to Mike's jest. "Well, I guess being a dirty orphan already makes most people cringe and look away with pity or disgust," she remarked, her grin wry. "The spell just plays off that, so they miss the dagger and book." Her words bore the weight of self-deprecating humor, a coping mechanism in the face of their circumstances.

Sophia's eyes widened with wonder as they delved deeper into the heart of the city. The medieval metropolis unfolded before them, a tapestry of sights, sounds, and scents. Horses trotted along cobblestone streets, their hooves clattering rhythmically against the ancient stones. Merchants and vendors dotted the thoroughfares, their stalls adorned with colorful wares, their voices blending into a lively symphony of commerce. The air was alive with the aroma of spices, cooked meats, and freshly baked bread, a tantalizing invitation to explore further.

Amidst the hustle and bustle, the guard's unexpected kindness shone through as he treated Valicar to a savory meat pie from one of the bustling stands. They indulged in the simple pleasure, relishing the flavors amidst the vibrant backdrop of the city's bustling streets.

"While this is an upgrade, it still doesn't even have basic plumbing," Mike muttered, his gaze fixed on a woman who nonchalantly emptied a bucket of shit out her window. The foul-smelling contents cascaded down onto an unfortunate passerby below, prompting a round of colorful curses from the man at the receiving end.

Meanwhile, the guard was engaged in conversation with a woman who exuded an air of authority, likely a priestess. He recounted Valicar's story to her, prompting a sympathetic response.

"By the Gods, you poor child," the woman remarked, her voice laced with genuine concern. "What is your name, little one?"

"Valicar, like the hero," Valicar responded, her voice tinged with a hint of pride.

The woman's initial reaction was a small frown, but she quickly composed herself, her smile returning as she addressed Valicar once more.

"What a lovely name for a lovely girl," the priestess remarked, her voice warm with sympathy. "But we must do something about this filth. Come with me, Valicar."

As Valicar was led away, they could see the guard waving, his smile tinged with sadness.

The priestess was thorough in her ministrations, scrubbing Valicar raw in scalding hot water, despite Mike's protest. When they finally emerged from the bath, the world outside was enveloped in darkness, the cold night air biting at their skin.

They were provided with new clothes resembling the robes worn by the priestess. The loose-fitting garments made it easier to conceal their dagger and book underneath.

“That wasn't quite the bath I had in mind,” remarked Sophia, her tone tinged with disappointment.

“Yeah, no shit, Sis. At least she had soap,” Mike agreed. “I never thought I'd miss the river, but that woman was relentless.”

Their next stop was dinner, a simple yet hearty meal of porridge and half a loaf of bread. Left in the care of an older girl named Mia, who couldn't have been older than 12, they observed her maturity, likely a result of her responsibilities in caring for younger children. Sophia and Mike recognized this all too well from their own experiences in the system.

“So every Sunday is laundry day,” Mia continued her monologue, “we take the clothes down to the river and wash them there, but we hang them on the lines out back. Then in the afternoon, you either get kitchen duty or cleaning…”

Mike and Sophia tuned out the girl's chatter, opting to focus on their meal instead.

“Where should we even start looking, Mike?” Sophia asked, breaking the silence.

“Well, I hate to say it, but maybe we should see if James knows anything. We can stop by that inn tomorrow if we can ditch this annoying ass girl,” Mike suggested.

“She means well, Mike. You know we weren't so different from her so long ago,” Sophia said, her tone gentle.

Mia's words grabbed their attention. “New kids get tested by the Church at some point, but it's nothing to worry about. It surprisingly feels nice and warm when the light shines down on you.”

“Well, shit, I guess we can't stay here,” Mike remarked, his voice carrying a hint of resignation as he absorbed the news.

“Damn shame the bread wasn't half bad either,” Sophia grumbled, her disappointment palpable.

After questioning Mia about the Templars present in town, they discovered that a small group of three was always stationed in the area. Additionally, they learned that a caravan carrying slaves had passed through two weeks prior, heading south.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Upon learning the fate of the men in their village, who had been branded by the church, they realized they faced a lifetime banishment from all empire-controlled cities. If found within the borders, they would be sentenced to death immediately.

“Well, I guess she wasn’t totally useless,” Mike remarked, acknowledging Mia's information. “We'll have to find out more on our own, though. But they probably took Alexandra south already.”

Sophia proposed, “Let’s start at the Red Wolf and then check out the local temple.”

They decided to call it a night after exhausting Mia’s limited knowledge and finishing another bowl of porridge.

That same night, Sophia and Mike relived the horrors they had experienced in their village. Nightmares plagued them both, Sophia tormented by guilt over the man they had killed and the deaths she had witnessed, while Mike grappled with feelings of powerlessness, haunted by his inability to protect those he loved.

“It's not normal, Mike... you killed those men and you feel nothing at all?” Sophia questioned, her voice tinged with concern.

“No, I do feel something... anger, hate, pain. And besides, scoreboard-wise, he wasn’t even the first person I killed. That dipshit in the hallway was, kinda….. so trust me, I’ve had the last few years to work through it unlike you,” Mike replied, his tone defensive.

Their discussion circled endlessly around the morality of their actions. Sophia couldn't shake off her unease at her brother's seemingly indifferent attitude toward the lives he had taken.

“You did the right thing, Mike. And maybe you're right not to feel bad, but it doesn’t sit right with me. Can you at least promise me we won't have to do that again?” Sophia's voice was laced with uncertainty.

“That's something we both know I can't promise, Soph. I won't let you die again no matter the price,” Mike assured her, his tone determined.

The next morning, after breakfast, they slipped out of the back and began making their way to the center of town, hoping to find the Red Wolf Inn.

The town square unfolded before them, far larger than Valicar had initially thought from her brief glimpse the previous day. It was a bustling hub of activity, filled with an array of foods from various corners of the empire. Vendors called out their wares:

“Fruits from every corner of the empire!”

“Divine gifts from the church to their faithful brought to Drisco at the expense of the Templar order!”

Sophia's eyes sparkled with excitement as she spotted something familiar. “Look, Mike! Strawberries, and I think... Oh, my God, it's a fucking pineapple! How the hell did they bring them this far north without them spoiling?” Her excitement was infectious, echoing the youthful wonder of their host, Valicar.

“Focus, Soph. This is just a ploy to earn easy points with the locals. We don’t have any money anyway,” Mike reasoned.

Sophia grinned mischievously. “Soooooo, just grab one and run… just like we used to at the farmers market as kids.”

Mike's smile widened, memories flooding back from another life. He remembered running from angry store owners with his sister, prizes in hand.

“Fuck it, for old time's sake,” Mike whispered, moving with stealth. Then, as soon as he was in range, he seized a full pineapple and a handful of strawberries, taking off without a second thought.

“Thief! Thief! Someone stop her!” came the cries behind them, but they were already vanishing into the crowd.

“Thief! Thief! Someone stop her!” The cries echoed behind Valicar, but she paid them no heed. With fluid grace, she weaved through the foot traffic, evading grasping hands and even delivering a swift kick to one unfortunate man’s groin, causing him to crumple in pain and clear her path.

The commotion attracted more than just the guards and vendors. A man in leather armor watched with amusement as this audacious child outwitted the vendor.

"Look at that, Jack," the mysterious figure whispered to his companion. "She has some potential, don't you think?"

Jack, equally enigmatic, rose with an annoyed grunt. "It’s just another street rat, Taylor."

“There's only one way to be sure. Let’s see where she's going. Although she's wearing the robes of the orphanage, I don’t think that’s her destination.” Taylor and Jack began to stealthily trace Valicar's movements from the shadows of the rooftops.

Mike and Sophia had lost their pursuers some time ago, now relishing in their spoils while seeking directions from passersby. After trading a few strawberries with an elderly woman, she disclosed the location of the Red Wolf Inn. To their surprise, they stumbled upon an old abandoned building with a weathered sign depicting a faded red wolf hanging above the door.

"Sophia, I’m so tired of these tests," Mike grumbled.

“Damn it. Well, he did say I have to master that last spell before we find him,” Sophia replied, frustration lacing her words.

Sophia, hoping to find an answer, pulled out her book and began studying the final spell, as she had done before. Despite her ability to decipher the pages, the book stubbornly refused to reveal more beyond a certain point, as if it were deciding when she was ready.

Unaware of the approaching figures until it was too late, one of them snatched the book out of her grasp.

“What have we here, a lost pup and one who fancies herself a reader,” the man jeered, almost failing to dodge Mike's knife in time.

Valicar was swiftly knocked flat on her face before either of them could fully process what was happening.

“Calm down, pup,” the man said, his tone surprisingly calm. “He was only trying to make sport of you. It’s good to see you've got some fight, but one thing you should learn if you're gonna last long in this city is when to draw steel and when to listen.”

The man released Valicar, keeping a cautious eye on her as he backed away to rejoin his friend.

“Give it back!” Sophia's voice trembled with anger and fear, unable to contain her emotions.

"Like I said, kid, listen for a minute. My name is Taylor, and this is Jack. It’s lovely to make your acquaintance,” Taylor said, dipping into a deep bow.

“The name is Valicar, now what do you want?” Mike demanded.

“We want you to do a small job for us,” Taylor said with a mischievous grin.

“What kind of job? You two don’t look like upstanding citizens,” Sophia asked cautiously.

“Says the fruit thief,” Jack quipped, dangling Sophia’s book in front of them.

“Simple,” Taylor explained, “just take this ring and plant it in the pocket of the merchant who runs the Old Boar a few streets down. Oh, and don’t get caught.”

“What’s the catch?” Mike asked suspicion lacing Valicar's voice.

“See, I told you this one was sharp, Jack,” Taylor chuckled. “It’s not his ring, and some rather angry templars are looking for it. I swiped it off his holiness when he was busy at some whorehouse, busy finding the gods, I suppose.”

“Then why do you want this merchant to have it?” Sophia inquired.

“Simple. I’m gonna tip off the Templars about where his ring is. The bastard that runs the Old Boar is a local fence who screwed me over not too long ago,” Taylor explained.

“Okay, and what do I get out of this?” Mike pressed.

“Your book back for one,” Jack replied, “although, I don’t know what a gutter rat like you would want it for.”

Sophia fixed a sharp gaze on Jack. “That’s none of your concern. However, I demand real payment and the rightful return of my book.”

Valicar’s grip tightened on their dagger, and Mike braced himself for another attack, sensing Sophia's mana building.

“Whatever you want, kid,” Taylor remarked, unfazed. “This city will chew you up and spit you out, especially a little kid with no friends or family.”

“What are you, a gangster or something?” Mike shot back. “Are you gonna offer me a big happy family next?”

“Yeah, something like that,” Taylor replied casually, tossing the ring to Valicar.

“Let’s go along with this for now, Mike,” Sophia urged, sensing their limited options. “I don’t see a lot of other options, and we can’t take these two in a fight.”

“Ugh, why is it always a test?!” Mike grumbled as they made their way to the Old Boar.

The task itself was straightforward. The man behind the counter was an overweight old man who, despite his occupation, seemed to not have a care in the world.

After casting a glamour over themselves, Mike approached, managing to slip the ring into the man's back pocket unnoticed. Then, they quickly exited the shop, finding Jack outside holding out Sophia’s book.

“See, simple,” Taylor remarked, satisfaction coloring his tone as he grabbed the book from Jack. “Now sit back, this is gonna be good.”

Mike distanced himself from the man, feeling a mixture of annoyance and Sophia’s palpable relief as they reclaimed their prized possession.

About 20 minutes later, an irate knight in full armor on horseback showed up. He practically kicked down the door and stormed inside. What followed was a brutal scene: a man being beaten half to death and then dragged down the street via horse.

“I hope he deserved it. How much money did he screw you out of, anyway?” Mike inquired, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

“A few coppers, but he was a twat,” Taylor responded, his disdain evident. “Valicar, you pass with flying colors. So, how about you work for me?” He tossed a bag of coins their way, mostly copper but with a few silver coins among them.

With winter looming and the prospect of being stranded in the city as the snow started falling, they discussed the possibility of not finding Alexandra or James but came up empty-handed.

“Can’t be worse than the Orphanage, plus look at the pay,” Mike remarked to Sophia through their mental connection.

“You saw what he just had us do, right?” Sophia protested.

Mike jingled the coins in the bag. “Imagine all the fruit we can buy.”

“Oh, fine! But we're out of this city first thing when the snow clears,” Sophia insisted, adding, “And no murder!”

Mike's smile appeared on Valicar's face. "What's the next job, boss?"