Cain winced at the contrast of temperature from outside the house, the air was burning hot and dry outside and yet the interior was unnaturally cool. 

"Do you feel that! " Aric hissed as he clutched Cain's arms. 

"Sorcery yes, a nasty one at that" Cain said and pushed forward. Maythi guards stood back, not daring to venture inside. Cain entered the room and squatted beside the mage. Karim opened his eyes, sweat drenching his uniform. 

"A ritual was held here " Karim's voice was barely a whisper "Blood and flesh filled these pots Cain, and the body... I don't think that's human"

Cain cast his eyes on the scene, numerous pots lined the walls, the blood remains still fresh, all leading to an altar at the end, and on it a mutilated mass of flesh. 

Cain grunted "This brings back memories uh Karim "

Karim finally looked at him " Aye, and I could never stomach it like you".

"I'm a Healer" Cain shrugged, a recurring reply. 

Karim fell silent. Then turned to the scene "So" He said. 

"So what"

"The details, out with it"

Cain grunted "Nothing, only I'm appalled by the lack of imagination by the party who did this"

Karim nodded " An offering to Sivek then, the whole family sacrificed"

"Whole family? "

"Parent and a child"

"Oh no Karim, in that you're wrong. Only the kid"

The fact took the breadth out of the mage. He cursed and wheeled out. Cain lingered a bit longer. The mass of flesh had once been a child. Male and not more than twelve, the flesh goddess's usual palate. 

The boy's flesh was burgeoned and harvested for whatever purpose. 

Cain made his way out to find his captain with Karim. He couldn't find Aric, fled at the sight of Captain Haith was his guess. 

"For what purpose has my soldier been borrowed? Surely Maythi city guards don't lack specialists" The captain was fuming inside and threw a mean glare at Cain. 

Karim shrugged absently "Cain's a healer, and classic healers like him know more about biology than a mage like me. And he was the nearest healer I could find"

"Cain, I want you back in your position before I head back" Haith growled and stormed off. 

"You must have rubbed him in a wrong way, the man hates you to the core" Karim noted once the man was out of earshot. 

"Which is mutual"

"Say, wouldn't being a builder be more rewarding in the long term? You have a class related to it, don't you. With this reconstruction of the city, in few years you will have earned a good position" Karim said. 

"In the long term... That's the problem. I don't have time. My sister is fourteen this year, we plan on sending her to a good school. Miss it and she may never have a decent job" Cain drawled. 

"Lucky you, you have someone to care for...she must look up to you"

Cain's head snapped at him "Look up? Rather she looks at me like I'm the most degenerate man"

Karim blinked " Now that's not surprising"

"What?! How! "

"You smoke like a chimney, goes home drunk every night. Sometimes not at all, hell your visitation to Bhvan's brothel is not discreet. And about that green spark"

Cain had his hands raised in defeat, with Karim giving him a gloating look. 

"Back to the matter, I still don't think a man of your calibre should be working under a noble house, House Sarman or not, that too as a simple guard? " Karim shook his head in dismay. 

"Leave it at that, now I must be back before that bastard returns"

The outer parts of the Sarman House estate were being built, out of polished stone. This was not particular to nobles polishing their residence. Rather the whole city was being restructured. 

The creation of a trade route to the Istavan continent had breathed life into this lonesome port. 

Ten years ago this place had only mud houses and shanties with one stone house of a minor noble. Now it's to become second only to the capital city Falis. 

Cain came to the site to see Bolvis barking orders ceaselessly. The workers had learned to ignore the man. 

"What's gotten into you? " Cain asked. Bolvis was the type of person to slack off whenever possible and shift responsibility to another hapless chap. But now he stood there in the merciless sun, he even had worn his uniform right! 

"You haven't heard? Master Roan's son Sir Varick is visiting tomorrow. According to rumours, that guy is a stuck-up kid, putting heavy importance to uniforms, order and whatnot. But most importantly his sister is visiting too, and I heard she's one of the if not the most beautiful lady in the nobility" 

"Well if this pair of siblings are anything like their cousin, indeed we will have a hard time" Cain said. 

Bolvis snorted "If that runt wasn't Sir Myron's son I would have bashed his head with a brick, twice to make sure he gained some sense! "

"Watch your tongue there Bolvis, if Haith heard, he would be the first one to snitch at you" Cain warned. 

Bolvis shrugged and got back to his work. 

Cain got back to his usual patrolling, he considered Karim's words. He can't do this menial job forever. He glanced at the busy streets. The city and the lives of people itself was being shaped anew. 

This renewed vigour is not for me. I'm too exhausted. Let Zara ride the waves of ambition, I'll shape her to it...mine is a small world and I intend to keep it that way

It was a ruckus wherever he went. Not a single tavern missing customers. Cain made it home early to extricate himself from the bustling city. 

He had just entered and he heard a sarcastic voice. 

"Oh, did the tavern run out of ale?"

Cain scowled "Is it such a surprise for you to see me sober? "

"Well" Zara drawled "When have you been sober enough"

Cain thought back and realized it had been months. He couldn't really remember, the days blurred like he was never really sober even without any substance. 

"Can't remember, now where is mother? "

Zara stared at him for a few moments and said "In the kitchen of course, as usual. Preparing for tomorrow" And she strolled off. 

"Of course" He muttered.