Liam looked down on the streets below him with a certain sense of wonder and melancholy. It was late evening on the same day Liam had approached Lorence, and he stood at the agreed upon meeting place.
The place was high atop the upper floors of a church tower. The church had been sanctioned, but had never finished the construction stage. According to the local priest it was something about God not liking the place, but everybody suspected it was more a lack of funds.
Of local funds of course, as the Church of Vintas was one of the richest institutions on the whole continent, but that didn’t mean their funds were flowing this way.
The half finished building ended abruptly at one of its upper floors, with only the barest frames of the rooftop being finished. Like so many other houses in Chairville, this church had the air of only half a building to it.
The half built ornaments were slowly withering away to the force of the weather and the once white stones had turned a grey ashen like most buildings in Chairville.
Still the place was high enough to overlook the whole city, giving a perfect view of the older districts.
The place had become a perfect spot for Liam and his friends once upon a time. It was a good place for scheming and being young. With its overview of the city, and the feeling of trespassing every time they entered, it was almost like it had been built for their gang.
The wind was soaring by, giving Liam a pleasantly cool sensation. The soft grey of the city was pinched by hints of red, as the sun was slowly vanishing behind the huge stone walls.
Being here again felt strange for Liam. It had been a long while since he had last walked up those stairs, but at the same time, it felt like he never left. The city around him seemed like the day he had last seen it.
He cast a gaze towards the noble quarter. Neither the buildings, nor the people in it had changed a bit. Even though new towers and magnificent houses were springing every few weeks. They were still seething full of corruption and desire to overtopple each other that Liam could almost smell until there.
The only thing that had changed, were the people around him. Once there hadn’t been a single quiet minute in this place.
Liam was lost in memory of better days, reminiscing about slightly easier times, when a soft knock against the hatch caught his attention.
He went over and pulled it open, letting Lorence enter.
“I hadn’t expected you here already,” Lorence greeted.
“Well I know you’re quick,” Liam replied. “At least that’s what all the ladies say. And I didn’t want to make you wait.”
In truth he also hadn’t expected Lorence to come to him this early. He had a slight hunch, but had been prepared to spend the whole night here waiting for his once upon a time friend.
“It’s a little chilly here,” Lorence said, pulling the mantle tighter. Ignoring Liam’s remark.
Liam snorted. “This is barely half winter.”
His friend only nodded seriously.
They stood in contemplative silence for a while, looking over the city. Liam was surprised how easy it was to stand here next to Lorence again, both of them lost in thought. They were probably thinking and reliving the same past memories, yet it felt like there was a barrier between them. An invisible chasm that he couldn’t quite bridge.
And Liam was surprised how different this meeting felt. Their first one had a certain element of surprise and warmth to it. Almost a rekindling of their old friendship through jokes. But this one was different, it held a cold finality.
“Do you know where Chris has been lately?” Lorence asked softly.
“I’ve seen him out on the other side of watersgate. Heard he has got a place there now.”
“A place or a spot?” Lorence asked, narrowing his eyes.
Liam sighed. “He said a place, but I think it’s more like a spot. It’s a popular corner for rubar smokers.”
“I was afraid of that. He really shouldn’t be in those parts.”
“I tried to keep an eye on him after… you know.” Liam said, his voice weak.
Lorence nodded. “Yes I know. You were the best of us on that. I still respect how you had it pulled together back then.”
“I was more pretending to have it together than actually having it together,” Liam said.
“Well isn’t that how it always is.”
They lulled into silence again. The howling of the wind was filling the silence in their conversation. The breeze was starting to get a sharper edge against Liams skin.
“Would you look after him from time to time?” Liam asked.
Lorence sighed. “You know he won’t want me there.”
“He needs someone to look after him a little,” Liam said.
“I will try.”
“Thank you.” Liam retrieved an item from his pocket and handed it to Lorence. “I want you to have that.”
The other boy looked at the item in puzzlement. “A key?”
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“It’s the one for my old hideout.”
“Where is it?”
“Do you know the old post office at Larian Street? It’s a well hidden attic on the top floor there.”
“You have a hideout at the top of Nervin’s post office?” Lorence asked, giving the key an appreciating glance.
“I had a hideout there,” Liam corrected. “I want you to have it.”
“Why are you giving that to me?”
Liam shrugged. “I won’t need it anymore. Thought it might be a good place for you and Elli.”
“So you’re really serious about going then?” Lorence asked, still holding the key.
“I told you before. I am set on this.”
A weak smile played over Lorence's face. “Didn’t expect anything else, but wanted to make sure.”
“You know what feels the weirdest about all of this?” Lorence asked, looking down at the key in his hand. “It’s that you won’t tell me why you even want to go in the first place.”
“It’s not like I don’t want to,” Liam said. “I can’t. Truly.”
The other man nodded. “Does it have anything to do with the - let’s say interesting, way you entered my balcony earlier?”
“It might,” Liam put a hand on Lorence's shoulder. The man looked up and Liam caught his eyes. “It’s something that we best not talk about. Not loudly, and not today. I will come back Lorence. I promise I will, and then I will explain it all.”
Lorence nodded. “I will hold you to that.” He pocketed the key he still held in his hand, and continued.
“So I’ve asked around, and the man I have been with isn’t in business anymore. But that is a good thing actually. He was crude as hell and moody as a woman on Sterling Street after not being paid. He has referenced me to another guy. Called Samdrel. He’s supposed to be a good guy. Pretty fair and hard working. Tell him Haxian sent you, he’ll know.”
“I see,” Liam said. “Sounds good.”
The sun was starting to set and it was becoming dark over Chairville.The first lanterns sprang up around the city, eager to keep the outside darkness away. Unfortunately nothing could keep the city's true darkness at bay.
Liam watched the last rays of sun with remorse and melancholy.
“It's worth a lot out there you know. To have a man who's fair and who looks out for his people,” Lorence said, gazing over the rooftops of the city. “It’s hard enough as it is.”
“I know,” Liam nodded. “Thank you Lorence.”
“Tomorrow evening. At the West Square. He might give you a look first, but nothing too serious. Word is he’s always taking.”
“Alright.” Liam nodded. “What about you Lorence?”
Lorence turned towards Liam. “What about me?”
“Why don’t you come with me?”
“I have Elli Liam,” the boy frowned.
“So?” Liam turned towards him. “Take her as well.”
“You know I can't.” He shook his head. ”It's too dangerous. I have to take care of her.”
Elli was Lorence's little sister. Since the death of their parents Lorence had been the one responsible for both of them. A thing that was no easy feat on the streets. Liam still marveled at how the man had managed that. It had been hard enough to survive for him on the streets, he couldn’t imagine having to pull a little girl along.
It was for that reason alone that Liam never truly could be mad at Lorence joining one of the gangs.
“It is also dangerous here,” Liam said. A weak attempt.
“Not as dangerous. We have it calmly and regulated here. I know how that sounds after what just almost happened, but believe me, it’s still nothing compared to the dangers that might be out there. I might have to do things I’m not so proud of sometimes, but if that brings her into a safer position, I’m glad to do so.” Lorence said. “Maybe if it was just an outskirt tour, like back in the day. But to just leave… I can't take risks like that. Not with her.”
“I understand,” Liam sighed. “I really do. Sometimes I wonder if you're not the one who has it all pulled together.”
“I wish. To speak the truth I envy you a little for leaving this shithole behind.” Lorence turned towards the city's rooftops again. “Fate may have put us on different ends of this path for a while, but you will always be my brother.”
“Same for you.”
And just like that, the barrier was broken. They turned towards better topics for a while, talking about the past and some recent incidents in the city. It felt refreshing to Liam, to the point that he almost wished he had contacted Lorence again years ago.
There were multiple times during their conversation when he thought about telling Lorence the truth. When he wanted to tell him everything from his encounter with the god, all the way to the strange new powers he had. But he knew he couldn’t. As much as it hurt to keep things from someone once so close, Liam knew it was for the best.
Night drew on and a stark cold set in. Liam turned to go but was stopped when Lorence spoke up as he opened the hatch.
“For what it’s worth. I wish you good luck Liam.”
“Same for you.”
With that Liam exited the tower. Not knowing if he would ever see his friend again. The first few stairs he felt despair overtake him. Anxiety and regret. Was he making the wrong decision?
After the second flight he felt more assured. He had that conversation with him enough times over the years. Lorence's path wasn’t his path.
By the third flight Liam was confident about his choices again. He would leave the city. He would see the world, learn about his powers and become stronger. Strong enough to truly protect the weak.
As his feet touched the ground after the last flight of stairs, firm resolve had taken over Liam's mind. He pushed all his thoughts and worries away and let the coolheaded steeliness he had trained over his years on the streets take over.
----------------------------------------
Earlier that day, Katarina and Nils were strolling through one of the city's markets.
"I don't get how you can't be hungry," Nils said while taking another hearty bite into the meatleg he had just purchased from a stall.
Katarina looked at him from the corner of her eye. "I can't get how you can be hungry again. We've just had breakfast."
"Three hours ago," Nils snorted. "Shouldn't a man half starving after his time in the desert be allowed a sip of water."
"We haven't been in the desert and that's more than a sip."
Nils rolled his eyes. "Wilderness, desert, where's the difference." He paused, his eyes widening. "Give me a second."
Without waiting for an answer Nils left Katarina standing and hurried over to a stall selling sugar glazed nuts. A few moments later he returned grinning happily, holding a small bag of freshly roasted, delicious candy.
"That was quite a big tip you left," Katarina commented as they fell into walking again.
He shrugged. "They can use it more than me. I think it's important we remember why we do this, even when we’re on these super secret missions. It is a lesson you yourself could still learn."
"What? Am I not generous enough?"
"That's not what I'm saying. But it's time for you to rip down the walls. Open your heart a little. These are the people we're doing this for. This is the life." He enthusiastically waved at a stall owner haggling over the price of pumpkins with a customer that clearly wasn't intending to buy pumpkins for said price. "I get that these missions are important, but you can’t take everything too seriously. Take that as some advice from your superior." He winked.
She rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Let's focus on finding the guy.”
"They grew up so quickly," Nils muttered to himself.
Then he flared his mana and opened his searching senses. After a few seconds a frown appeared on his face.
“I think we might have a problem.”