With a tight grip on the weighty coin bag, Ravina hurriedly made her way out of the lively town square, her heart pounding in her chest, an odd hum in her ears. She glanced over her shoulder at the path leading home. Her feet stopped, and she teetered on them, the weight of the coins anchoring her in place.

With a moment of numbing hesitation, she darted behind the buildings, her form disappearing into the shadows. Her shaking hands carefully drew the silver coins out from the bag. Among the sea of bronze coins, she counted sixteen silver pieces. That was the amount the man had casually given to her.

The metallic clink as the coins hit the worn leather was an unfamiliar sound, but one that pulled at her heart. Her ears perked up at the sound as she carefully transferred sixteen years' worth of life into her private purse. She quickly counted the remaining copper coins. One hundred sixty-eight in total, equivalent to a few years of strenuous work, and then some. Was it truly this easy?

It felt wonderful, but for some reason, it hurt. Shaking her head in disbelief, she moved on. She didn't want to think about it. She couldn't. With the coins back in the bag, her tiny fingers wrapped around the leather. She began moving once more, her feet taking her further away from her home and toward the Braymores' manor.

Standing alone on a hill, just out of view from the market, was the manor of the village's wealthiest family. Larger than most dwellings, it carried an air of modest elegance, never crossing the line into grandeur.

The entrance featured a simple wooden door. Worn with time, yet its polished finish remained. Each window, unlike those in most village homes, was equipped with glass—a sure sign of affluence. Despite this, a rustic charm prevailed, with wooden crosses bisecting the simple square frames.

Beside the house nestled a quaint garden, boasting a variety of local flowers and herbs. This was Elina Braymore's domain, the matron of the family, where she spent countless hours nurturing her plants. Her small hobby yielded a beautiful display of flora and provided a small supply of herbs and medicinal plants.

"Lady Elina!" Despite not being nobles, the Braymores possessed enough wealth and influence to command respect, particularly from those indebted to them. Ravina greeted Elina Braymore with such respect.

The elegant woman, dressed in a simple yet lavish green dress and wearing a lightly soiled white apron for her gardening, looked up. Her straw-blonde hair was tied into a neat bun, perched atop her middle-aged, round face. The allure of her youth, still vibrant, was now complemented by the grace of maturity. As Ravina approached the mild white wooden fence, Elina's soft, light brown eyes met hers.

"Yes, hello?" Elina greeted, her face adorned with a welcoming smile.

A moment of realization struck Ravina. "Oh, I was hoping to speak with your husband," she said softly, her smile matching Elina's.

"Ethan?" Elina questioned with a bright smile, her eyes gleaming in the light as she quickly surveyed her surroundings.

Ravina's heart sank a notch. There had been many instances where she envied the Braymores; this wasn't one of them.

"No, my lady,” she failed to maintain her smile. “My mistake—I was hoping to speak with Sir Jonathan."

"Jonathan? I think he's around here somewhere. He is a kind man, isn't he?"

Ravina nodded gently, "Yes, indeed he is."

"I believe so too, he always lends me a hand with this and that. But shh, let's not tell Ethan about this, shall we? He can be quite the jealous type," Elina added with a chuckle, imagining her husband's disgruntled face upon hearing that someone else was aiding her.

"Our little secret," Ravina concurred. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to speak with Sir Jonathan." With a respectful nod, she proceeded towards the house, her steps crunching on the gravel path.

"Jonathan? He’s around here somewhere. You know, he's a kind man, don't you think?" Elina's words echoed in her ears.

“Yes,” Ravina responded softly as she reached the front door, while Lady Braymore drifted back to her garden.

After a short wait, the door creaked open to reveal Ashtr, the Braymores' butler. His dark brown skin was a rarity in the village, as even those who had been sunburnt didn't match his rich hue. He was dressed in a formal black suit, which contrasted well with his white undershirt and gloves. His round, shaven face was devoid of hair, and his deep brown eyes sized her up.

"Yes?" His voice was deep, resonating with professionalism.

"Good morning. I wish to speak with Mr. Braymore about the debt of Finn, the porter," Ravina explained.

He hummed thoughtfully at her words, glancing briefly at the lady of the house before saying, "Come in then." He led her inside and to the waiting room, leaving her with a, "Please wait a moment."

The waiting room was a blend of modesty and tasteful grandeur, devoid of overt opulence but echoing the family's wealth in its subtle sophistication. One of its unique features was a grand window, intricately carved into the stone wall, presenting a vibrant portrait of the burgeoning new quarter of the village. Homes were steadily rising under the watchful eyes and skilled hands of craftsmen. In a bygone era, the window would have offered a serene view of a lively lake. However, now it showed the mark of progress, as mighty homes started to rise up everywhere.

The room was tastefully decorated with an array of discrete objects and carefully chosen paintings. These weren't simply there to display wealth, but rather to communicate a profound admiration for art and craftsmanship. At the center of the room sat a polished low table, its surface reflecting the subtle lighting of the room. It was flanked by a plush, luxurious sofa and two matching loveseats, their fabric enticingly soft to the touch, inviting guests to unwind and feel at home.

Even the humblest village dwellers could enter this space without being overawed by its grandeur. Instead, they would feel welcomed, as if stepping into an environment that valued their comfort as much as it mirrored the cultivated tastes of their hosts.

Once the butler had departed, Ravina moved toward the table, drawing out 120 coins from the bag and meticulously arranging them on the table. Initially, she attempted to stack the coins, but given their various states of wear and deformities, she decided to simply count them out. The sight of the shining pile of money was something she had never anticipated witnessing, let alone possessing. She then retrieved 11 silver coins from her personal purse and added them to the pile. This unimaginable wealth, which still felt like a far-off dream, was there in front of her, glinting on the table... soon to be given away.

A sharp rap on the door echoed throughout the room. Ravina turned just as the heavy wooden door swung open, revealing Jonathan Braymore.

Time had not been overly kind to him. His oval face bore the deep lines etched by stress and worry, evidence of years that had slipped by too quickly. His hair, which had turned gray prematurely, was now beginning to lighten towards white. Despite some thinning at the top, what remained was smartly swept back behind his sizable ears. The prosperity of his life had blessed him with a comfortable girth, though the silhouette of his formerly strong figure could still be glimpsed beneath. Yet, he carried himself well. His faded green eyes, peering from behind thick glasses, swiftly flickered between Ravina and the pile of coins, a silent question hanging in the air.

"Ravina?" He voiced, turning his gaze to the girl. "Good heavens, it’s been a while. You really shot up, didn't you?" he muttered the praise in an automatic fashion as he swiftly walked to the comfortable couch.

"Thank you, Lord Jonathan," she replied, a smile gracing her lips.

“Wow, it's been two, three years?” he inquired as he sat down.

“A while, yes,” she cut in, hoping to skip memory lane. Even back then, all he would do was talk. "I've come to discuss my father's debt and to request your assistance," she stated, nodding towards the pile of coins. A shadow crossed Jonathan’s face at the sight.

"What have you done?" he demanded, his voice a terrible low whisper. Leaning back in his seat he stared at the girl like a father reprimanding his daughter.

The silence was now quite audible as it hung in the air.

"I’m leaving," Ravina finally said, her voice steady yet carrying a touch of finality. The tone shift had scared her a little but after she spoke, her heart began to warm ever so slightly. "I won’t be back for… a long time."

Jonathan released a resigned groan, his concern etching deeper lines into his already worn features. "Oh, Ravina. What have you done?" he asked again, unable to keep the worry from his voice. "I don't care about your father’s debt. He might be scum, but you and your siblings still have a chance. Elina thinks highly of you." He sprang up from his seat and closed in on her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "If this is about money, then don't worry about it."

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Ravina's face twitched at his well-meaning words. For him, dismissing their small debt was simple. To him, their struggle for survival probably appeared amusing, watching the little ants run around desperately as they sipped their tea in the warm home, safe behind the pane of glass.

"We owe forty to the Calliums, too," she replied, gently lifting his hand off her shoulder, careful not to offend him. "Even then, it's still not enough to get by for a week, let alone two years. Plus, I intend to learn a talent." She rushed to continue, trying to halt him from cutting her off. Jonathan may have been a good man, but he couldn't comprehend the struggles of the poor villagers. Ensconced in his mansion, surrounded by paperwork, he was oblivious to the hardships they faced to meet his demands.

Besides, who was he to call her father scum? His openly unwanted opinion was one of the reasons she hated owing them any coin at all. The dark glee of the debt’s leash made men like him revel in the invisible power they held over others. Yes, he was a better man than her father, but how dare he speak about it so openly. What if the kids heard him.

A grimace replaced the concerned look on Jonathan's face as he listened to her determined words. It suggested a plan, something more than the other children who ran off with high hopes and dreams. The amount she had laid on the table was ten times the amount needed to trap any unsuspecting youngster in the perpetual cycle of servitude, a trick that he had seen far too many times.

Despite everything, Jonathan knew Ravina was an intelligent girl, and he trusted she wouldn't fall for such traps easily.

"Could we have some black tea, please?" he instructed his butler, a silent figure who had entered the room with him but had gone unnoticed until this moment. Ravina hadn't even realized his presence until he responded with a respectful bow.

"Why don't you take a seat?" he gestured towards the couch while he settled into his preferred chair, his eyes drifting back to the pile of coins on the table. "Before anything else, I’d like to know where this money came from. I trust you haven't stolen it, so I'm not accusing you, just curious."

"It's an investment," she responded simply.

"An investment?" he echoed, a tad incredulous.

"Yes. I'm not entirely sure what that means either, but I was told I won't have to pay it back." A hint of a smile played on Jonathan's lips at her candid words and the humorous notion that he, a prominent businessman overseeing the town's lumber and charcoal operations, wouldn't know what an investment was.

"And what's this investment for?" he asked as Ashtr returned with a cart and distributed the tea for them. Ravina told him a mix of lies and truths: it was a wizard who approached her, and after finding out her age, wanted to bring her along to join his tower, paying for the safety of her family so she could study without worry. They enjoyed tea as Ravina spun her story with little difficulty.

"I understand it's not all free and that I'll have to work for him for a significant amount of time, perhaps for the remainder of his life. But it's a chance to make some real money and get some good work,” she shared, a trace of her childlike excitement leaking through her words despite her efforts to suppress it. An uncommonly youthful smile lit up her face as she spoke. “Plus, they will all be taken care of.”

The actions, more than her story, convinced the wealthy businessman. “I see,” he mused, falling into thought. It was not common for wizards to visit their little village tucked away deep within the rare wood.

"That's why I need your help," she pressed on, interrupting his contemplation. "I understand you don't like Finn, but my younger siblings are still quite young. I... I do trust Finn... but he...” She stumbled over the words, wrestling with a cocktail of familial loyalty and regret. "Can't be trusted with money," she finally admitted. "So I was hoping you could..." She faltered.

"You'd like me to oversee your family while you're away," he concluded for her. She nodded, her expression a mix of hope, apprehension and guilt. Her level of foresight was unusually mature for her age; he knew of few adults who shared such quality. "Would you prefer to stay?" he offered, "I could offer you a job, not a handout, but once you've learned to read and write, I could use someone to assist with the operations here." He tapped his glasses lightly, "My eyes aren't quite as sharp as they used to be."

Caught off-guard by his unexpected offer, Ravina shifted uneasily. “I… but, the opportunity for me to learn magic only spans two years…” she voiced hesitantly.

No doubt the allure of spell-casting had captivated her. A smile tugged at Jonathan's lips at his own reflection. “It's alright, it was merely a suggestion,” he reassured. “So, your desire is for me to safeguard your family's money? I suppose I could do that.” He leaned forward, adding, “But there is a price, as always.”

She nodded, having anticipated this condition. “Of course, what do you require?” She fixed him with a gaze of steely determination.

“Stay in touch,” he proposed simply. “I’ll consider it a favor for the moment, but a favor from a mage could prove beneficial down the line.”

Surprise flashed in her eyes at his straightforward request. “O-of course!” she declared, her resolve unwavering.

He reciprocated her nod. “If things don't unfold as you expect, you’re always welcome to return. This place is your home, after all. I could always use a talent like yours. My glasses seem to be growing denser by the day.”

“Y-yes, I will remember!” she vowed. A moment of hesitation followed, her eyes darting around nervously, as if contemplating asking for more.

“Go on,” he urged kindly.

“Well… Reed has always desired a bow, but at his age, he'll also need someone to show him the ropes…”

“Understood. I see no reason why Temor couldn't teach him archery.”

“And… well… Asher dreams of wielding a sword, but he's too timid to voice it. His gaze always lingers on the guards' blades and the occasional adventurer's… so if…”

“Of course. Tanner would be glad to tutor another child. He owes me a fair amount, so it won't pose a problem. Is there anything else?”

“Yes, Asher also likes to cook. He'd never admit it and will gripe endlessly, but he relishes it nevertheless… also, if it's not too much trouble…” her words began to falter. "Lily… could be taught how to read. She loves books, even if she can only look at the pictures. She's been asking Felin about reading other books, and I know books can be pricey, but..." Ravina trailed off, then smiled a little as tears blistered her eyes. "She's trying, you know. Trying to understand the words, even scribbling out the ones she remembers."

“And Rose has a deep interest in bugs. She wants to learn everything about them, though her sister doesn't care for them at all, I can understand that,” she chuckled softly. “Still, she's curious about them and even remembers the oddest things.” Ravina took a weighty breath, squeezing her hands together as she stared at the floor, desperate not to blink.

"I see," Jonathan echoed thoughtfully. “Well, Grace has been needing help in the herb garden, and not many here have the patience for such delicate work. I'm sure Rose would be thrilled to learn about the bugs and plants necessary for maintaining it… Educating Lily might be costly, but the funds in this pile should suffice. And Asher could assist in the kitchen following his sword training. Does that sound agreeable?”

Did that sound agreeable? It was more than she could ever want. A horrible sense of relief washed over Ravina. Her hands, clenched in her lap, loosened slightly. "Yes," she managed to whisper as she finally closed her eyes–her tears were rather warm.

They were going to be safe now. No more sleepless nights of worry, no more hollow, hunger-ridden bellies. They were even going to thrive. She would no longer have to manage them. The Braymores were trustworthy. Their family had been looking over the town just as long as Felin’s.

Jonathan eased himself up from his seat, his chair creaking softly in the quiet room. “I’ll start the necessary arrangements. You can see yourself out, right?” His tone was gentle, leaving her in solitude to regain her composure in private.

She responded with a simple nod, unable to speak with the lump in her throat.

“Very well, enjoy the tea.” He gestured towards her untouched cup. “We'll be going now. But before we do, Elina could do with some company in the garden. Would you mind accompanying her?”

She bobbed her head in affirmation, managing a shaky “Thank you.” As the door closed behind them, leaving the overwhelmed girl alone in the guest room, they made their way across the hallway to the office.

Jonathan’s office was a sight to behold. Set deep within his otherwise unassuming home, it served as a testament to his wealth, earned through years of diligent labor. Where his public quarters were marked by modesty, his private sanctuary told a different tale - a story of hard work rewarded and carefully curated luxuries.

Lush tapestries adorned the stone walls, their vibrant colors brightening the room. Shelves carved from rich mahogany lined one side of the room, brimming with books for both his business and pleasure, their covers well kept and placement orderly. Each tome was a symbol of his knowledge and success.

In the center of the room, a large desk of polished oak, inlaid with intricate designs in gold and silver, dominated the space. Its surface was chaotic, never to be organized. Parchment lay strewn everywhere on the desk, a mix of spent quills rolling around as well, one even having fallen to the floor, never to be picked up again.

It missed the lush carpet, saving the rich design from a splattering of ink, instead spilling only on the custom dark wood floors. Adjacent to the desk, a large, comfortable leather armchair sat, providing a clear view of the room and the large, arched window that let in a wash of natural light.

Despite the clear display of affluence, the office retained an air of purpose and efficiency. It wasn't just a room for show; it was a place where decisions were made, deals were struck, and wealth was managed. This was the heart of Jonathan's world, the core of his prosperity.

It wasn't purely altruism that had persuaded him to aid Ravina. The ever-expanding village needed competent guards for protection, and Asher had the potential to be molded into one. Hunting was a lucrative enterprise that kept the village supplied with food and resources for trade. With Reed potentially becoming a hunter, their community wealth could see a significant increase. Grace had been grappling with the demands of the herb garden for years, with few willing to slog through the mud for mere plants. But the herb garden was vital; unlike his wife's garden, it played a pivotal role in maintaining the village's wellbeing. Rose's entry into the herbary could ensure another generation of well-kept remedies.

As for Lily… the village was on the cusp of evolving into a township. As it expanded, the logistical challenges grew in complexity, and they required more assistance for smooth operations. Ravina's departure was a loss; her experience looking after her siblings would have made her a valuable asset. Lily, though, could serve as a suitable replacement for the time being. The school construction would take some time, and Lily could use this period to learn. Once the school was functional, she could impart her knowledge to others. It was an institution he had envisioned with Ravina in mind...

After finding his way to his desk with practiced steps, Jonathan looked over his old friend. “Find out everything you can about this wizard who's attempting to whisk Ravina away,” he commanded. After a moment’s pause, he added, “Plant dirt if necessary, but I want his departure postponed.” He cursed himself for neglecting the family for so long out of a petty grudge. Finn hadn’t even hit his son that hard. Still, he couldn’t just let that go.

Following his instructions, Ashtr bowed and exited, leaving Jonathan to his contemplations. The township was growing at a rapid pace; soon, a real road would be built, firmly connecting them to the wider world. Things had come so far. It's why it irked him when someone disrupted his well-laid plans. The Calliums, predictably transparent, were easy to manipulate; he tolerated them solely for their predictability. The Thornbrooks, although a challenge, ran a general store that was a boon to the village, making their intrusion more palatable.

But now, some scruffy wizard was attempting to snatch away what was rightfully his. He had plans for the girl, and he wouldn’t sit idly by and let some no-name thug ruin them.

“I should have just told him to kill him,” he murmured, his fingers drumming rhythmically on the polished surface of his desk.