“We go back, this is beyond us.” Gwynneth twisted to look at the others as she leaned over the fireplace, stoking it higher. “Bad enough they tried to get us made outcast as political pawns, but now the one target we could have gone after has a Dark Guardian. Enough.”
Martin looked beyond her, into the fire. He understood her point of view, and could sympathize with it, but he felt her decision to be wrong. He glanced over at the bed where the boy lay sleeping.
“And him? What do you think will happen to him when we abandon him? He placed his faith in us. He trusted us. Do we now just abandon him and let that Dark creature have its way with him?” Martin looked at Gwynneth, meeting her eyes. “Are you willing to sacrifice him for your safety?”
“Martin, you have a point, but a warrior must also know when not to fight.” Hurnith walked round, standing with his back to the fire as he faced Martin. “Would it help the boy if we went in, and got killed while facing a dark creature and its guardian? Would he be any better off if we all died? Even if we won, and that is doubtful given the power of many guardians, how many of us are you willing to risk? No, Gwynneth is right. This is beyond us.” He paused, looked at the boy then back at Martin, “We take the boy with us. Take him away from here, from the creature of the Dark. Or at least we give him the choice. If he elects to stay, so be it. If not, he comes and will be under our protection, though how we will look after him when we are not in Comfor will take some thought.”
Kilia laughed, looking at Hurnith, “The warrior as nursemaid, an intriguing idea, though one I cannot picture in my mind. But I agree, we leave, go back to Comfor, report what is going on and let those better equipped take care of what is happening here. I will talk to my mentor. I know many from my realm trade through here, and they will be interested in what is happening, and perhaps a hidden hand can act better than the official hand of the Magistratum.”
Martin looked at her, weighing her words, thinking before speaking. “Who is your mentor? What hidden hand are you referring to?”
Kilia just smiled, ignoring the question, “Are we going to leave in the morning?”
Gwynneth nodded. “I see no point in staying here. We return, let the authorities know what is going on, and then go elsewhere. There are many realms, many other places we can go for experience.” She sighed, looking at the sleeping child, “We will take him as long as he is willing, though like Hurnith I wonder what we will do with him.”
Lying in his bed, feigning sleep, Cal listened to their talk. Years of sleeping amongst the gangs, on the edge for violence in the night, meant that he had heard them as soon as they returned, but he pretended to sleep. Now his thoughts were broken, chaotic. On one hand, they would take him away. Away from Djang, from the gangs, from the beatings and threats of torture and other abuse. But it would be away from everything he knew, from the few friends he had in the gang, from the city he knew. He also knew it was no real choice. He had been gone too long. If he returned to Djang now, after he had been gone for so long and without an offering of value, he could expect nothing more than a prolonged and painful death. An example to those who tried to escape Djang. But there was something these Awakened had not considered. He had no citizenship, no token, and without one he would not be allowed through the Gate. He almost spoke up, almost revealed he was awake, but caution held him back. Let the strangers think he slept, in the morning he would tell them, after they told him they wanted him to leave with them.
The morning arrived, a pale sun shedding its light, and no heat, through the window. Cal got up, and saw the human, the man, already in front of the fire, feeding it logs.
“Did things go well last night?” Cal looked at Martin, feigning ignorance, acting as if he had not heard them speaking the night before.
“No, we were not able to act against him. We will have others sent here to accomplish the task. When the others wake up, we will talk.” Martin straightened, looking down at the boy, hesitating before he continued. “Do you have any family in this city? Anyone you cannot leave behind?”
“Nah, I be, I mean I am, an orphan. Live on the streets with the gang. No family, few friends. Well, I had more friends but seems most have gone recently.” Cal stopped, not wanting to say more. Life in the gangs, was tough, sometimes people did not make it. And lately it seemed that if you attracted the attention of Djang, it was doubly certain you would not make it. He saw Martin nod and knew nothing else needed to be said, so he fell silent. It never served you well to talk too much and let others know what you knew.
Martin returned his attention to the fire, leaning back satisfied as the blaze steadied and warmed the room. They waited, together, a comfortable silence between them.
The others woke soon afterwards, with Gwynneth being the last to rise. They decided to get a meal in the Guild Hall rather than cook themselves, and wondered how others would react to the boy. No way to know until they tried, they decided, so they took him in with them, a small figure between Hurnith and Martin.
A different waitress approached, placing menus on the table before each of them, hesitating when she saw Cal. “You got a token?” Her voice was abrupt, the expectation that he did not obvious. The boy just grinned at her.
“What does he need to show his token for?” Martin looked at her, his voice soft, but with a definite edge of menace to it.
“I don’t care either way. But the law is clear. If he has no token, I cannot serve him unless he pays. And he has to pay city rates, with all the taxes on the Guild.”
Hurnith looked at her, tilting his head then speaking. “The boy won’t be eating; he is just sitting there.” He could see Cal wilting in his chair, but ignored him as he continued, “I will have your set breakfast menu for guild members but bring me an extra portion. I am hungry.”
The waitress looked at him, clearly not believing that he was planning on eating two breakfasts, the portions were large, enough for even the largest Awakened, but she did not want to antagonize the large and fierce looking awakened gwather. She knew intellectually that he wouldn’t, that he wasn’t a beast, but the instinctual fear in the back of her mind pushed a subconscious, what if? She took the easy way out, she did not challenge Hurnith, just nodded and took his order.
The breakfast came and they ate, Cal, eating from the extra dishes in front of Hurnith without moving them towards himself. The waitress was watching them and could see what was transpiring, but did not want to get involved in the mess that would result if she confronted them. Her relief was clear when they left and no city inspectors had arrived to, as they put it, “make sure all was in order” while the group ate.
The group walked out of the Guild, the boy in tow. They had explained the situation to Cal over breakfast, his acting skills honed on the streets deceiving them as he pretended to be surprised. He had yet to broach the subject of his not having a token, but as they moved towards the Gate square, he decided he better speak up.
“I don’t have a token.”
Hurnith smiled at him, “Yes, we know that. It was clear at breakfast that was the case.”
Cal looked at him, shaking his head. “You don’t understand. Without a token, they will not let me through the Gate. And if I go there and get turned away, then I am dead. Djang’s men watch the Gate. If I go there and not through, I will be punished. Killed.”
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Gwynneth nodded her head. “Given everything we know of this place, that is no surprise. Is there a way to get you a token?”
Cal squinted at her, then looked away. “Yeah, both legal and otherwise. The legal way takes way too long, and I doubt I could get two citizens to vouch for me. Awakened don’t count as citizens. The illegal way, well, it’s expensive.”
“Tell us what we need to do. Let us worry about the expense.” Martin looked at the boy, “we won’t be leaving you here to die.”
The shop that Cal led them to was on the outskirts of the slum. The sign outside was that of a shirt in two colors. Going through the door they saw a simple counter before an arch leading into a central courtyard in which large vats were lined up. People stood on platforms around them, both men and women, pushing clothes under with long poles. Occasionally a garment would be fished out and hung up on a line. Water dripped off, colored water, and the ground was stained with the dyes, as were the feet and arms of those working the vats.
“Can I he’p you?” The man’s voice was pleasant enough, with letters being swallowed as he spoke. Cal stepped forward, his one hand in front of him, the other with three of his fingertips on his thumb, his ring finger sticking out.
“We be need to spe’k to man.” The cant of the street natural to him, as much as he had avoided it while speaking to the Awakened.
The shop keeper looked at him then at the others behind him. His fingers danced with the street signs, as he spoke to Cal. His voice saying one thing. His fingers another. “Mmm, wh’ch man do ye want spe’k to?” His voice remained pleasant, while his fingers danced, the question they asked far deadlier “Are these guards? Do they die?”
Cal smiled, answering as he had been addressed, his words not matching the signs he surreptitiously made. “Be need man to business do. Ta’lo new shirt and trou, jus’ one. Che’p like aw’y taxe.” All while the words masked the true conversation being spelled out by his fingers. “Friends. Customers. Business.”
The man nodded, leading them through the courtyard and a door at the back. He left them, moving back to the counter. As they walked through the courtyard Kilia noted that some of those stirring the vats were doing very little stirring but were watching them instead.
She moved closer to the group, whispering, “We have an audience. I count at least five there that are not workers.”
Hurnith nodded. He looked around the room they had entered, noting its unusual construction. An unusually high roof disappeared above them, while large doors at the other end of the room seemed far larger than necessary. Lanterns hung from the roof, swaying a bit in the breeze, casting shadows as they were blocked by beams, their light not reaching all the way to the walls creating deep shadows. Hurnith shrugged, moving towards the door, not liking the room, wondering how many bowmen were hidden in the shadows, how many warriors lay in wait ready to descend from the rafters, and wanting to move on. The man had not said if they should wait or proceed, and Hurnith saw little to gain in waiting. He was almost at the door when it opened, and a man stepped through. Or what looked like a man at first glance, but his size and girth were extraordinary. He stood taller than Hurnith by at least a head, and he was almost as wide. For all his size, he moved quickly, almost daintily.
“You come for business?” The voice matched the body, deep and resonant.
Cal had looked up as he had entered, Hurnith’s sharp ears hearing him exclaim under his breath “Hammer Man”. Hurnith looked at the man and saw a large war hammer hanging from his belt, evidently where he got the name from. It made Hurnith wonder how often it was used that it was his moniker amongst the street urchins.
Martin stepped forward as the man spoke, “Yes, we need to leave the city and need a token for this boy.”
The man squinted down at Cal, looking at him, weighing him up, “And what do Awakened want with a street pup? I am not stupid enough to believe the lies being spread of your tastes. But I am curious as to what four Awakened want with him.” His hand waved, indicating Cal.
“Does it matter?” Martin asked.
“Matter? For what you need, no. But I am curious. The price is 10 gold for the token. Two gold if you satisfy my curiosity.”
Cal gasped at the price. It was a fortune. He did not doubt that he would be left behind. Who would part with that kind of money for his sake?
“Fine.” In almost disbelief, Cal heard Martin agree. His eyes turned even bigger when he saw Martin hand the man two gold.
“We owe him. That is why we help him. He gave us what he asked for and now his life is in danger because of us. So, we take him to safety.” Martin looked at the man, “Curiosity satisfied?”
The Hammer looked at Cal, studying him carefully. He waved a finger, and a shadow detached from the wall, becoming a thin, lithe woman dressed all in a dark grey, her face hidden beneath a cowl. She leaned forward, whispering into The Hammer’s ear.
“One of Djang’s, aren’t you boy? And from what I have been told, one who has not returned as he should have.” He frowned, looking at the group, “Djang has changed lately. He is no longer reliable in business. Should I be worried?”
Hurnith hesitated to answer by Martin did not share his caution. “Yes, very worried. Do not be alone with him. Make sure your men, ones you know, and trust are at hand if you must meet.”
The man leaned forward, depositing the two coins back in Martin’s hand. “Your information is worth more than that. Wait here, new clothing will be brought for the boy along with a token.” He stopped, a thoughtful look on his face, “There is a different price to be paid. I will bring what is needed.”
Warily Kilia looked at him. Silent until now, she was hesitant to speak up but was nervous at the numbers that might be hiding in the shadows.
The man gave her a disdainful glance, then continued talking. “You will be taking my daughter out as well. If trouble is coming, I want her out of here. No need to look after her for long. I have associates that will come for her.”
They watched as he walked away, disappearing through the large doors. They did not have to wait for long. He returned soon after, a little girl, no bigger than Cal, holding onto one of his large fingers. He threw the clothes down to Cal. “Get dressed boy and take this.” Onto the pile of clothes, a small silver disk was added. “The boy and my daughter are nobles. You are escorting them to Comfor. Not an uncommon use of Awakened here though less common than before all the new taxes were passed and the number of Awakened living and coming here dropped.” He put his hand into his pocket, drawing out a lead cube. “The one who comes for my daughter will have a similar cube. When they are put together, and a phrase only known to my daughter is spoken, they will glow. If they do not glow, it means my daughter does not trust them. Can I trust you to not let her go with those she denies?”
Martin leaned forward, taking the cube. “Whatever your sins may be, they are not your daughter’s. We will keep her safe.”
The hammer turned to Cal, “And you, boy, stay silent. You think you speak well, but the street cant can always be heard. If you open your mouth, the ruse will be revealed, and no one will be able to save you.”
Cal nodded, intimidated by the large man, and knowing well that his words carried the truth.
The trip to the square and through the Gate was uneventful. Martin had been tense, fearful at any moment the guards would recognize their ruse, and they would be arrested. But nothing happened, with the guards mistaking his nervousness as being worried about his charges. Seeing silver disks, the questions had been perfunctory, and the delay minimal.
Martin looked around at the Gate in the Academy as he stepped through. He was home, but it felt like the real trouble was just starting. He saw a group of men approaching, skittish and looking around, especially at the guards that stood around. They spotted the girl and moved towards them.
“Be giv’ chi’. We guard her.” His voice was rough and the men accompanying him kept their hands hidden within their cloaks. The girl looked at them suspiciously, holding the cube out and waited. The man looked down and ignored it. “Be giv’ girl. Make not troub.”
Hurnith stepped up placing himself between the group of men and the girl, Kilia had disappeared, and Gwynneth stepped to the side and called out, “Guards, some assistance please!”
The man grinned, “Gards be paid to be def and not see. Hand girl or be troub.”
Mosh dropped his pack and held his hammer, glancing past the guards that had turned their backs. Hurnith grinned, “Please, attack, I am sure it will go well for you.” His pack lay on the floor, his sword sat snuggly in his hand.
The man looked, seeing only three Awakened and realised the fourth had disappeared and he could not locate them. He stared at Mosh, sneering. “You t’ink you be safe? Arm is long, knife find you!” He turned and walked off, followed by his men.
Mosh looked at the girl, “Come with us, we’ll find you somewhere safe until you can locate your people.” He paused as the girl came up and took his hand, giving him a trusting gaze. He smiled at her. “What is your name?”
“I be, I mean my name is Clementine. Sorry about the cant, dad said I mustn’t use it here.”
Martin mushed her hair. “I don’t mind if you use it, but best not to as not everyone will understand it and the guards will watch you carefully!” The group started walking, the two young children with them. Clementine gripping Martin’s hand and staying close, and Cal looking around suspiciously. Martin didn’t know what they would do with them, though the group would need to find a solution to the dilemma.