Payten stood knee-deep in water, the buzzing of insects filled his ears. He looked around, vitus raged around him emanating from all life around him. The mana intertwined forming a weave of mana in which he was the center. Something was wrong he shouldn't be here, yet he could not find the reason why. He looked at his hands in disbelief, his skin was gnarled bark covered in fungus and mold that writhed and grew even as he watched it. His inspection was interrupted when whispers filtered into his head making him jump.

“Intruders come to take, to destroy. Remember the pact.”

“The pact? I made no pact.” He shouted into the air, he winced the voice that left his throat was not his.

“Honor the pact … “ images of men and women holding axes and pulling carts flashed into his mind. He laughed and glee warmed his stomach. Of course, how could he forget he had struck a bargain with the swamp. It would give him its power in exchange he would protect it. He breathed deep, drawing into his lungs the mana of the swamp. He roared sending the mana out, the ground shook, roots burst from the earth, insects formed a cloud around him, beasts answered his call. The power rushed through his body he cackled, the hunt had been called and nature had answered. With one great leap, he clutched the top of a tree legs bracing against the tunk eager to hunt for his prey,

A scream, Payten jolted awake covered in a cold sweat. He looked around disoriented trying to figure out where he was. In front of him, a woman swatted at a rat with a boom.

“My liege, we are under attack!”

“Stay still you furry bastard.” The emerald-eyed woman swatted her broom again.

What the hells, what is going on. Emerald eyes … a rat ….

Everything snapped into place, he had slept in Saybein’s apothecary and had another strange dream.

“Zolta! Wait!” he jumped out of bed and threw himself in front of the broom.

“What are you doing Pate, it’s a rat!” She aimed her broom for another strike.

“Slay her my liege.” Squealed Rodney ducking behind his legs.

“Everyone, calm down!” he exclaimed, grabbing the broom and holding it in place.

“Everyone? It's just you and me. Have you lost what little wit I thought you had?”

“You thought I had wit?”

She pulled the broom from his grasp and thumped his leg with it. “Why are you trying to protect a rat.”

He rubbed his leg and glared. “Why are you in my room?”

“It’s not your room, it's my house.” she stuck her tongue out.

“So that gives you the right to watch me when I sleep?”

“I was not watching you sleep!” her voice rose, “Uncle Hark told me to wake you, and you still haven't answered my question about the rat.”

“The rat is my uhh … pet.”

“I am no pet but a noble knight!” Rodney weaved between his legs and stood between them.

Zolta flinched back, “control your pet, rat boy.”

“Please roll with it,” Payten whispered as he bent over and scoped Rodney in his hand before depositing him in his shirt pocket.

“Hark is waiting downstairs, hurry.” she turned and wheeled leaving Payten in his room. He stretched and yawned.

“Time to face the day,” he murmured to no one in particular

***

He walked towards the table Hark and Saybien sat around drinking from mugs.

“Morning Pate, Sleep well?” Saybein asked, shooting him a smile.

“Yes, thank you for letting us stay.”

“No problem, you are welcome any time.”

“Lad, come eat,” Hark said, waving him towards the table. Payen sat down in a chair and was given a plate of egg and crispy bacon. He tucked in enjoying the warmth and flavor of home-cooked food when he thought no one was looking; he snuck scraps to Rodney who was still curled up in his shirt pocket. Saybien’s eyes caught him in the act, but he just grinned with filled eyes before returning to his meal. “Alright, lad. Saybien and I have business to attend in the city. I will need you to run a few minor errands for me in my absences, once you are finished you have the day to yourself. Make sure to restock your supplies and be back by supper and for all of our sakes avoid as much attention as you can.” He tossed Payten a small leather pouch heavy with coin. “Thank you, master. I’ll do my best to avoid notice.” he tucked the pouch into his cloak, “what errands do you need me to do?” Hark pulled a list from his pocket, on it was a list of things to buy and where he could find them. He did his best to commit the list to memory before shoving it in his pocket.

“Pate, avoid the alleys and the city watch, both are filled with thugs,” Saybien added drinking from his mug.

He nodded before Hark spoke again, “One more thing, lad. Too dangerous to write down but I need you to deliver a letter.” he produced a letter sealed with wax. “Four streets down there is an inn called the Silver stag next to it is an alley. In the third barrel, the one marked with a raven put the letter. Make sure no one sees you or things could get complicated.” He nodded, running his fingers over the wax seal. Zolta came down the stars broom still in hand, “Da’, I've swept the floors, Can I go to Quincy’s? Her ma’ said we could bake pies.”

Saybien’s smile faded, “Sorry dear, I have to go with Hark today. You have to keep the store in order while I’m gone.”

Zolta’s face hardened, she shot Payten a look that could wilt a rose before stomping back up the stairs.

What did I do?

Saybein sighed and clapped his hand on his shoulder, “forgive her Pate, life has been hard on her she often lashes out even at those who don't deserve it.” Payten nodded, who was he to judge another’s past, still, her attitude was starting to wear thin his patience.

“Let us begin our day, eh old friend,” Saybien said, looking at Hark.

“Yes, we have dawdled enough. Remember what I told you, lad, stay behind notice.”

Sayben leaned down to Payten’s ear, “there is a bathhouse two streets down called the squid’s bounty, I think you will receive better reception in shops if you go there first.” He shot him another smile showing his gold tooth before heading with Hark out the door. Payten sat at the table thinking about what he should do first.

Timidly he walked up the stairs approaching the only closed door on the second floor. He hesitated before his ear against the wood. Inside the room he heard a faint sobbing, his heart twisted with a mixture of piety and contempt. Was she really crying over not being able to bake a pie?

I’ve never even eaten a pie and you wouldn't see me crying about it. He felt guilty as soon as the thought entered his mind, his suffering did not ease the burdens of others. Perhaps, this was the greatest tragedy she had experienced and was acting appropriately? He raised his hand to knock but froze in place, there was no way he had the social skills to handle this. He sighed and slammed his fist against the door, he heard scuffling before the door cracked open a fraction. The red-rimmed eyes of the girl peeked through the door.

“What do you want?” she said holding back a sniffle. His mouth hung open, What did he want? He had not planned this far ahead.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Ask about her ear. He bit his tongue before bursting out the first thing that came to his mind, he did not want to risk touching a nerve on someone already upset, he instead said the second thing that popped into his head.

“So I hear you're stuck here?”

“Yes, Have you just come to gloat that you get to galavant around the city.” her eyes narrowed at him, he winced.

“No, uhh… I was just thinking that the store doesn't need someone always watching it, why don't you skip out with me?” He did his best to mimic the same confidant smile that her father always radiated hoping the effect was not too awkward.

Her eyes softened and she looked him up and down as if she was just seeing him for the first time before sighing. “Pate… I appreciate it, but Da’ is right we have regulars who will notice if no one is here.” Her eyes hardened again, “And don't you think you have gotten me into enough mischief.”

“What do you mean? I have done nothing of the sort?”

“Oh, yea? Whose idea was it to eavesdrop on Da’ and Hark then? Whose fault is it my ear is still sore, hmmm?”

Payten clenched his fists as blood rushed to his face. He was trying to be nice. Why did she have to throw it back in his face? “If that's how you want to be then, fine!” He wheeled and stormed down the stairs, the door slammed behind him. He sighed, that could have gone better. He grabbed his cloak and prepared to set out.

***

He decided to heed Saybien’s advice and go to the bathhouse first, he stepped outside and his knee buckled, almost sending him to the ground. In front of him a sprawling crowd pushed and flowed down the streets of Longdale, Vitus rose above them like a cloud of flies. His head swam as his stomach turned, this was by far the most people in one place he had ever seen.

He looked around for any way to avoid moving with the crowd. He saw none, his only options were to retreat back to the shop or to face his fear. He closed his eyes and using the technique Hark had taught him envisioned a rising wall of darkness blocking out the life mana. The blinding cloud dimmed as the pressure on his skull diminished. Taking a deep breath he walked forward and let the rush of life take him.

The people pushed and shoved, he wrapped his cloak tighter around his body. The heat and stench of so many unwashed bodies pressed together violated his senses, his heart raced and his breath grew shallow. He grew dizzy, bile wormed its way up his throat. He rushed forward bumping into those in his way, he needed to get out away from the pressure. His concentration wavered, the wall of darkness began to slip. The Vitus battered his failing defense, his temples felt like they were in a vice grip. He scrambled towards the side street, he needed to escape before he was overwhelmed. He ignored several exclamations and dirty looks as he shoved and elbowed his way out.

With one final shove of energy he ripped himself free, he grabbed his knees and steadied his stomach.

“You alright, kid?” Payten turned a beggar in dirty rags, sat pressed against a wall. He looked around he had wound up in one of the alleys that weaved their way through Longdale.

“Yes, I’m fine. Just don’t like crowds.”

The man laughed, “then you're wiser than most, these days we are so eager to lose our identity in the bustle of a city. ” he looked at the man’s face and was shocked to discover two long pointed ears, just like Zolta.

“Not to be rude, sir. But why are your ears …. Like that.” he regretted the words the moment they left his mouth.

“Ahhh not from around here, are you kid?” the man’s eyebrows rose.

He cursed in his head, he had given away too much. Should he deny it or roll with it?

“No, I am just passing through.”

“I am a child of the Wildmother, called in a more vulgar tongue an elf,” he said with a grin cracking his grime-covered face. His face paled, he had heard tales of elves from Miss Marge back in Wheatblanket. A savage race of wood fairing folk that lay with beasts, eat the flesh of man and sacrifice the blood of babes to the dark gods of the forest. He backed away unsure. The elf did not move, but his grin widened.

“teeth trap got your tongue, kid?”

“Well, it’s just that I’ve never seen an elf before.” He smiled internally, a good answer sprinkled with truth while not giving offense or more detail than necessary.

“Must not have spent long in the Dive, eh? My folk can be seen festering along with the baseless all throughout this forsaken hole your kind calls a city.” He extended his hands towards the throng of people that hustled by.

Hark had told him about the Dive on their way to Longdale, the slum of the city situated below the high cliffs of the Rises on which the upper classes lived. But he had never mentioned anything about elves. Scanning the crowd he did indeed see the pointed ears and slight frames of the elves, though that is not what held his attention.

As he truly looked at the people he saw pale grimy faces, ribs poking through thin rags, eyes fixed to feet except when one risked a scan of the area like a rabbit looking for wolves. Only to cringe back when done as if expecting a blow for the act of raising one’s head. He saw the downtrodden, the beaten down, the outcasts.

He saw himself.

Hark had saved him from a fate of groveling and fear, but who would save these people? Would they be damned to the same fate he had spent his whole life trying to avoid? Why did he deserve salvation and they did not? The elf coughed snapping him from his thoughts

“Is there any way to get to the squid’s bounty without passing through the crowds?” he asked suddenly reminded that he had a job to do.

The elf nodded and described a path through the winding alleys that would take him to his destination, he nodded along absorbing the details given to him. When the man finished, Payten reached into his pocket and flipped the man a sliver.

His eyes lit up as he snatched the coin from the air, “Thank you, kid. Generosity is waning as of late, it's nice to be reminded that there are still kind hearts in this world.” He nodded and begin to walk away lost in his thoughts.

“One last thing before you go,” he said, drawing Payten’s attention back to him, “if you intended to bathe, be cautious on your walk back. In places like this filth is a shield against unfriendly eyes.”

“Thank you for all your help,” he responded before walking away, he did not have any more time to waste on pleasant conversion no matter how informative.

He intended to make the most out of what little free time he had.

***

He cut through the alleys and backstreets following the directions he had been given. He passed others, but they gave him little mind. To them, he was just one of the many street children that made their home in the Dives. He cut into a mercifully less populated street and was faced with a squat but sizable stone building. Steam and smoke mingled in the air filling his nostrils with the smell of oak and lavender. A sign painted with a squid wrapped around a treasure chest swung above the front door. He braced himself and walked through the door.

He was met with moist heat and the smell of soap, a scrawny man with a pockmarked face looked up from his book.

“I don't want to hear whatever drivel you are about to spew. We do not do handouts, badger a priest if you want charity, boy. Now get out before you scare away my coin.” The bathkeeper pointed a finger at him and gestured for him to leave.

“Peace sir, I have come to bathe and no more.”

“That costs coin, coin I doubt you have, rat.”

He did not respond, instead he jingled the heavy coin pouch tied to his belt. As if replaced with a twin the man’s demeanor changed almost instantly.

“Forgive me young master, one can not be too safe these days. Gangs of urchins cause all sorts of problems, but good men and good coin are always welcome here.” the man chuckled and pointed to a sign. “The prices, young master.”

He nodded and reached into his pocket and counted out ten copper, “I'll take a private bath with all the trimmings.” the man smiled and pocketed his coin. “Take him to the last room on the left.” a young man nodded and led Payten down the hall. He emptied his pockets and his clothes were taken to be washed. Soon hot water and soup was brought to him. He eased his body into the tub and did his best to wash weeks worth of grime from his body.

***

He walked down the street pressed against the stores doing his best to avoid the mob of people around. He hummed as he walked feeling cleaner than ever, the reassuring weight of his purchases safely tucked into his back. It was getting past noon and by this point he had completed almost all of Hark’s instructions; all he had left was to leave the letter where he had been told.

“Three silver a week, four for joining. Three meals a day provided. See the world. Defended your home. Bring the light of Yaza to the dark.” A booming voice came from around the street. He walked down the street eager to see what was happening. Standing atop a wood beamed platform a well dressed man in a yellow cloak flanked by four men in armor shouted into the gathered crowd. The man’s cloak was that of a Crownbarker, a servant of the empire who would travel from place to place spreading news, proclamations and any other information they deemed worthy to be shared.

Payten frowned, his Aunt had always told him hard times were sure to come when Barkers started to fill young men’s head’s with promises of glory and coin. And three whole silver just for joining? That was almost double the amount it had been four months ago, why did they need soldiers so bad?

His mind turned as he scanned the area. If there was a Crownbarker there would be a bounty board nearby on which they would leave written copies of important information. Trying to avoid the teeming mass of people gathered to hear the barker he pressed himself against the wall and scurried towards a large knot of people. He stood on his toes trying to see over the heads of those in front of him to no avail, if he wanted to see the board he would have to enter the crowd. Taking a deep breath he blocked the vitus as best he could and elbowed his way into the sea of life. He once again grew dizzy and lightheaded and the warmth of the bodies flushed his face, the people jostled and moved like waves in a storm. He had to fight not to be swallowed up in the mass of flesh. He kept his head down as much as he could counting his footsteps to take his mind off the hell he had tumbled into.

With one final push he felt the cool air on his face as he came to the eye of the storm. Thankfully he had guessed correctly they were indeed looking at the bounty board.

Dock work, more recruitment, three silver for a cutpurse. He looked up and down for anything that related to him or his master.

Alias: Kurt

Age: between 12- 15

Last seen on the road to Longdale

Description: Pale boy with dark black hair and blue eyes, wearing traveling clothes. May be traveling with an adult male.

Wanted for: Mass Murder, assault, Grave robbing, treason, heresy, and conspiracy against the empire.

information towards his arrest: 500 gold

Warning, is armed and dangerous do not approach, alert a guard immediately and vacate the area. Capture alive at all costs.

He swallowed hard and pushed his way out of the crowd, he had expected to see his poster but this was much worse than he had anticipated. His heart slammed against his ribs like a drum, he needed out of this crowd. Panic crept into his mind, five hundred gold was more than triple the next highest bounty and more than enough to make any man turn on another. Who could he trust when he was surrounded by people who would sell him to his death in the beat of a heart? By the gods why had they offered so much?

Thoughts blew through his head leaving as soon as they came. He whipped around all he could see was the ocean of people, in his panic he had been swallowed by the tide and pushed along the flow. He was lost, moved from his limited frames of reference in a city he did not know. He shut his eyes returning his focus inward touching the wellspring inside. If terror continued to rule him he would not leave this city alive, he did his best to calm his nerves and think rationally. No matter what step one would be getting out of this thrice-damned crowd. He picked a direction at random counting his footsteps as he went. After sixty-seven steps, the pressure on his skull lifted enough to give his thoughts some clarity. Thirty-four more and the breeze touched his face and he could see a path out down a dirty alley. He burst free and rushed down the alley. He could worry about finding his way later but for now, he sunk down against the cool stone wall enjoying a brief moment of peace.

***

The streets ahead winded and curved as tall stone buildings blocked the light of either side. Payten hurried along as fast he thought he could without looking suspicious, eyes watched him from behind. He could feel them on the back of his head making his hairs stand on end. Whoever or whatever was watching him had been so since shortly after he had entered the alleys. Still, he could not find the source of the gaze that tracked him no matter how many times he looked behind him. He picked his path at random, hoping to find some clue as to where he was, yet each turn seemed to lead him deeper into the back streets of Longdale. He pulled his cloak closer and moved his hand to his knife. A bad feeling brewed in his blood. He jumped at every sound, almost stabbed a shadow that moved in the light, his whole body felt on edge. The eyes moved closer and closer, he broke into a sprint he did not know what fel gaze fell upon him but he was sure he did not want to meet it. He turned the corner and felt the eyes melt away as soon as they had come. Must have outran it.

He panted hard and leaned against a wall. Just as he moved to a leave a shape jumped from the shadows and landed atop him. Both boy and the cloaked thing went to the ground. Payten swung his fists into the shape as hard as he could and was pleased to hear the figure cry out. The cloaked thing’s hands moved through his pockets, he reached for his knife but was stopped by the thing’s other hand. He felt a hand grasp something in one of his pockets, he grabbed the front of the thing’s cloak with his free hand and in one brutal motion headbutted the attacker with all his strength. A wet crack rang into the alley as his vision went fuzzy. The thing fell backward clutching its hooded face.

Payten looked up in its freehand it held the letter Hark had given him. The one he was supposed to keep hidden at all costs