I dont want to think right now. How ironic, when I need a clear head the most, all I wish for is escape from this wretched place. Remember the mnemonics. Runya Aro. Runya Aro. Gurika Kutsan.... My mind is open. Calm. I've made it this far.

Underneath my white robes, I hold in my arms the small but thick Book of Kutsan, more out of habit then anything. The elder always said that followers should keep it close to their heart. That might be the one rule I haven't broken yet, heh. Do I even count as a disciple anymore? Escaping the monastary, stealing food, even punching someone? They'd never take me back. 

I pushed off the top of the barrel just a small crack and took a peek. The room was little brighter than inside the casket, with its only light source coming from the doorway across from me. Various shapes come to vision. Assorted boxes of linen, materials, and foodstuffs line the walls. A few cylindrical caskets similar to my hiding place were there too. Well.... shouldn't take anything if I'm right in their storage - too suspicious. The walls were made of well worn stone bricks, as was the floor. Stuffy and dark seems to be all I've been seeing lately.

I miss the fresh air.

Footsteps. The room gets brighter as someone opens the door. His eyes dart around the room until they rest right on my container. He walks over with a brisk pace.

A few fingers poked out on the lid and lifted it up. The sudden brightness blinds me for a second, afterwards revealing a man wearing a slight scowl.

 "Monk boy."

 I didn't respond to the name. The man had a big frame and was slightly fat. Not tall, but not relatively short either. He wore the now familiar to me brown vest and red/white sleeves and cuffs. One of Reynald's merchant colleagues. He had his long blond hair tied back and sported a scraggly beard. In his hands were a small oil lamp, a clipboard, and under his arm some clothing. He sets the clipboard away.

"Polar bear." I label the man.

He carried off top of the crate, putting out his hand to me. 

"Erik. Call me Erik..." 

"Erik." I replied, accepting the help. The floor feels smooth on my feet. "I never expected you to want company from me!"

"Reynald had to report to the committee with the others, so he asked me to get you out of here." He fixed the lid back on. "You're lucky I happened to be doing inventory today, or you'd have to wait there for a week at least."

"Agair... er, thanks." Woops, said a mnemonic out loud. 

My arms crackle as I stretch them out. I pay special attention to my fingers, bending back every individual digit. Annoyed, Erik tells me to stop - says he doesn't want to see me break my fingers. I keep doing it though so he just turns away. After stretching top to bottom, I dont turn him back around.

"I dont understand why Reynald let you come with us. If it were up to me, I would of thrown you out right as we found you. I have half a mind to turn you n right now." He says.

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"Why don't you do that then?"

He sighs. "It would look bad on our group, coming from the mountains. Someone might put 2 and 2 together."

"Don't worry, ill be out of your hair soon. Let me get out of here, later." I motion to the door.

He stops me, handing me clothing. "Put these on while you're in the crate, but be quiet."

"The.. crate?? I'd rather just walk out of here myself, and I don't mind changing in front of you."

"Oh yeah would you. No money, food, or lodging? Monks aren't known for being wealthy. Reynald and me are risking a lot on bringing you along, and no way am I taking the risk of you getting caught in the warehouse. No one saw you come in afterall." He glances over to a wooden crate on his side.

"..."

"Look, I get that you're tired of sitting in dark cramped spaces, but just endure it until we can go somewhere safer." He added.

"Only.. if you give me that rose biscuit you're hiding." 

"Tch! Why do you want that? You've eaten only those for the past day and a half and that doesn't come cheap. How did you know I had one anyway?"

"I didn't" I say smiling.

"Just take it and get in." He hands me a waxpaper package out of his chest pouch.

I take the and climb back in. Same old cramped, dark space. Erik pushes me out of the door and onto a small cart. Then the motion starts. Runya Aro. It stinks! The little airhole on the top provides me with dim light, enough to see the remains of  rotten produce in the sides. A hole that tiny can't carry the stench out fast enough.. Did he choose the grossest one just for me?

After going up an incline, he stopped to talk. 

"...throwing away some bad stock of goods someone brought... Oh, here. One of the wine caskets was empty." I hear Erik say.

"Yeah? Must of been some of the guys eating it all again.. Done inventory?" A voice replies.

"Yeah." I hear a thump. Motion starts again.

I opened my wax package to reveal a dull red biscuit. Reynald has eaten those before, when they come from the west. The first bite, sweet as sugar. Delicious. Scrumptious. Before you know it, not even the crumbs are left. Sorry elder, you always told us to eat slowly.

I hear the sounds of people walking. Horses too. Yells from across the street from people looking to hawk their wares. A marketplace? I remember passing by this the first time. Back in the mountains, the only contact we'd have from merchants were Reynald and his group whenever they go through the pass. I always looked forward to his stops, as he'd bring all sorts of cool knicknacks. Once he showed me some really weird wooden dolls he said he got from the east. I wish I could take a look at their wares later.

There's not quite enough space in the crate for me to maneuver my hands around the messy bunch of clothing, so it takes a little while for me to put them on. Moments later, I finish changing, my old white robes off to the side. Not enough light to see how I look, sorry elder for being vain, but I think I would look good in one of those vests. I reach for the thick pages of the Book of Kutsan. Just small enough to fit in the chest pocket! I haven't read it for the past day or so - not enough light.

My legs fall asleep by the time Erik stops. The light from the hole is almost gone. He opens the top and says "Lets go." Its grown dark outside.. Since we were in a narrow street, the only light came from the oil lamp in his hands.. Erik pointed to a plain grey building 3 storys high. Taller than the board temple I used to live in. A gilded Blackgate 192 marked the entrance.

"How far do you live from where we were before?" I asked.

He replies with a grin. "Couple of blocks."

"...Why did we take so long to get here then?"

"I always take my walk at this time, and truth be told I could of let you out right after we got out of the merchant office. Guess you had a good time heh."

Damned polar bear. Why give me clothes if you have to wash the stench off right after.

He leaves the cart and crate onto the side of the street. We walk into the building.

------

Through the lobby

Small chat with the neighbour, says how boy was never seen by him before

and more heheh

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