The sun rose high in the sky, casting its warm golden rays over the bustling streets of the peaceful city of Wildwood, nestled in the eastern province of the Iiris continent. Amidst the lively atmosphere, a young woman with flowing ebony hair and a warm dusk complexion made her way through the crowd, carrying an unexpected burden on her back. She piggybacked a little girl, no older than three years old, whose giggles echoed through the air as they moved closer to the market.

The market was a vibrant hub of activity, with colorful stalls and the aroma of freshly harvested fruits and vegetables. As the young woman and the little girl trudged through the bustling market, familiar faces greeted them with warm smiles, recognizing her as a regular visitor. One stall owner, a kindly elderly man, leaned over his display of ripe tomatoes and teasingly addressed the little girl, "Are you going to the market with mommy?"

The little girl buried her face in the back of the young woman, her shy response muffled against the fabric of the woman's dress. "I am not her mom," the young woman sighed. "You guys already know this."

"But it seems that way," the elderly man persisted.

Not far away, another middle-aged woman behind another stall overheard the exchange and couldn't resist teasing the young woman. With a playful smirk, she chimed in, "Oh, you're going to hurt the poor girl's feelings like that."

"Imagine hearing her own mother say she doesn't recognize her own daughter," another nearby stall owner remarked.

"You guys really..." The girl rolled her eyes at their remarks before simply proceeding, "Anyway, we're out of here. See you guys around. Bye," she bid, to which most of them warmly bid back.

"Bye, you two."

The two girls had only taken a few steps when they were called from a bread stall. "Hey, Kae, won't you stop at my stall today?" the stall owner called out.

"No, not today. My pockets are empty. Maybe later," the young woman, namely Kae replied.

With those parting words, Kae continued her journey through the market, her destination lying on the other side of the mercantile quarter.

Walking for yet another dozen of minutes, Kae arrived at an alley ending where a quaint shop stood nestled between two towering buildings. The shop's wooden facade showed signs of age, its paint fading and chipping away.

Standing at the entrance, Kae looked up to see a weathered sign swing gently in the evening breeze, its lettering illegible to her non-literate self.

Kae gently pushed the door but didn't fully open it. She wanted to avoid the usual commotion that follows when opening the shop's door, especially for the little girl on her back. She reached out, curling her fingers around the bell hanging above the doorstep. With a gentle touch, she carefully lifted it, allowing it to rest silently against the door.

Satisfied, Kae softly pushed the door open and stepped into the shop, holding her breath for a moment at the sight she beheld.

Once again, just like every time she came to visit she was taken by the awe-disparity between the interior of the shop and its exterior, which were sky apart if not completely opposite to one another.

While the shop’s exterior suggested a run-down and old place, the interior suggested something else entirely. The interior of the shop welcomed her with warm hues and a soothing ambiance. Soft lighting spilled from elegant fixtures, casting a gentle glow over meticulously arranged shelves. The air carried the faint scent of aged books and sweet incense.

On both sides of the room, shelves were adorned with a diverse collection of curiosities. Ancient tomes stood shoulder to shoulder, their worn spines hinting at the wisdom and knowledge held within their pages. Delicate-looking jewelries made of tusks, bones, and ivory adorned the space, their intricate designs captivating the eye. Colorful silk fabrics, stacked neatly in one corner, created a vibrant display alongside jars of aromatic spices. Fine porcelain figurines were displayed behind protective glass cases, their intricate details catching the light. Crystals sparkled with ethereal hues, their delicate glow captivating the imagination.

“Girl, did you know? There are ways to enter my shop without looking like a thief,” a voice coming from the shop’s counter remarked.

“I do,” Kae replied, heading toward the man. “But I prefer it that way."

The man, owner of the shop, the shopkeeper, an old yet uptight figure, stood at the nearby counter, attentively observing the girls. He wore a simple yet elegant robe, its earthy colors complementing the serene atmosphere of the shop.

“Besides, it wasn’t as if I wasn’t one,” Kae declared, as she approached the counter, gently sitting the girl on her back on it. “Good morning Mr Shopkeeper.”

"Good morning," the man responded. "And good morning to you too, Little One," he added, directing his attention to the little girl who, out of shyness, hid by pressing herself against Rae..

“Shy as always, as I can see.”

“Maybe she wouldn’t be if only you called her by her name: Lae’lah.”

“That is duly noted.”

“Anyway, have you finished what you promised to have ready by today?” Kae inquired.

“Yes, I did. How will it be this time?” the shopkeeper replied.

“As per usual, in three slices,” Kae confirmed.

“I thought so,” the shopkeeper smiled, as he retrieved a purse full from under the counter. He placed it gently in front of Kae, a pleasant jingle echoing through the air.

“There you go,” he said, his voice filled with a hint of satisfaction. "Three slices. A third of the agreed amount just as you requested.”

Kae's eyes gleamed with anticipation as she began to count the coins inside the purse, but as she kept on counting, a slight frown tugged at the corners of her lips, one that the shopkeeper didn’t miss to notice.

“Is the amount not accurate to what we agreed to?”

Kae shook her head.

“Or is the amount not what you’d been hoping for?”

“No. It’s not that. This amount is exactly the third of what we’ve agreed about, it is just that it is not enough for us.”

“I see,” the shopkeeper simply noted without venturing a further comment.

“We’ve got new members, the usual isn’t going to cut it anymore. Shopkeeper, we still have some leftover of our latest gig, couldn’t you—”

“I'm going to stop you there, young miss," the shopkeeper interjected, his voice laced with a no-nonsense attitude. “I am not your reseller. I only buy from your batch what I'm specifically interested in, nothing else.”

"I understand," Kae murmured, her tone resigned.

“If those options do not align with your needs and the needs of your people, you are welcome to explore other alternatives. I do not hold a monopoly over your product, so please feel free to resell it wherever you deem fit.”

“No,” Kae declared firmly, as she took hold of the purse and tied it tightly before concealing it within her clothes. “We are content with working with just you.”

“If you say so, then your trust in me is greatly appreciated,” the shopkeeper responded, with a smile. "And to express my sincere appreciation for your trust, I have a little something for you."

“Another heist?”

"Not quite. This is more of an errand," the shopkeeper replied, retrieving a single golden coin from beneath his counter and placing it beside a white envelope. "A simple errand: to deliver this letter to the person it should be in the hands of."

“You want me to deliver a letter, and you're giving me just one golden coin?” Kae questioned, her doubts evident.

“Yes. Sounds like a relatively easy task, wouldn't it?”

“I wouldn't assume that,” Kae said, cautiously reaching out for the coin. “Not until I hear all the other details about this delivery.”

“Fair enough.”

“May I know who I should deliver this to?”

“This is why I said it would be a fairly easy task. The letter is meant for someone you are very close to.”

"Who?" Kae pressed, but instead of answering, the shopkeeper pointed at the wooden counter and made a scratching sound with a single motion.

Kae was momentarily perplexed, but it didn't take her long to realize whom the shopkeeper was referring to. “Rustler?”

With a nod, the shopkeeper confirmed.

“From who?!”

“That is, I’m afraid, an information I’m not allowed to share.”

“There is really not any way around that?”

"I'm afraid not. I can't reveal the sender of this letter. I feel as though I've already exceeded my boundaries by disclosing to whom it was destined. However, if my offers don't suit you, you're still free to back off,” he explained as he reached into the envelope only to be stopped by Kae who reached first onto it.

“No. It’s fine. I can do this.”

“If so, Then we have ourselves a bargain.”

“We do, but I feel like I should warn you first, he hasn't been seen around here recently, and I'm not sure when he'll return. Like always he’s out without a word of warning, I wouldn’t have realized he was even not there had it not been for Lae’lah.”

The smile and nod the man gave after her words confirmed that none of what she had said came across as a surprise to him.

But since you seem to know all of this already, perhaps you might know more than.”

“I, in fact, might have an idea. However, it's a rather recent occurrence. Just a couple of days ago, he strolled past those very doors and presented me with a little gift,” he explained, glancing to the side where neatly-displayed sets of cutlery, along with various sets of teaware, candleware, and tableware, could be seen. However, Kae was unable to discern what "this little gift" referred to.

“So he is back.”

"I see, that explains it all," Kae concluded as she stored away the envelope and allowed the little girl to climb back onto her back. "I'll deliver this to him as soon as I arrive at the Den. Speaking of which, it's about time we head back there, so I guess it's 'see you until next time' for now. Come on, Lae'lah, say goodbye to the shopkeeper," Kae urged the little girl as she already made her way toward the door.

The little girl spoke, merely raising her hand timidly and waving toward the shopkeeper.

“I look forward to your next visit.”

“Yep, us too.”

As Kae and the little girl exited the shop, they nearly collided with a person charging towards them. "Feral Freddie?" The face was familiar, and Kae was certain that this person was searching for her.

The boy, approximately 15 years old, gasped loudly as he tried to catch his breath after what one could only imagine to have been a frantic run. "What are you doing here?" Kae inquired, puzzled, if not worried by his sudden appearance.

“Kae… in the den, we have… a problem.”

***

The Slum’s castle, they called it, an enigmatic structure caught in the grasp of abandonment, loomed amidst the vast expanse of the lower city's slums. It stood as a haunting reminder of an unfinished project, a construction frozen in time.

One could tell from its remnants, though marred by the passage of neglect, that, back when the city’s slum was yet to be what it currently is, the initial intent with it was to build a mansion for some obviously wealthy Raj, but for some reason the project was abandoned halfway through.

The building's skeletal frame rose defiantly, a testament to its incomplete journey. Its walls bore the scars of half-hearted attempts at embellishment, with exposed bricks and exposed beams revealing the skeletal structure beneath. An inner courtyard was built, and at its midst was a rectangular hole that could only be presumed to have been dug with the intent of being a pool. As nature's relentless grip tightened, ivy crept upward, reclaiming the forgotten edifice with a cloak of verdant life. Broken windows, devoid of glass, offered unrestricted passage to the elements, while doors hung askew from rusted hinges.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Over the course of several years, numerous factions within the slum fought fiercely to claim occupation of the structure. Despite its age and wear, the mansion remained a spacious, inviting, and comfortable haven that many coveted as their own. The allure of its shelter and respite drew the desires and aspirations of those who longed for a place to call home within the slum.

Ownership of the Slum's castle became a fiercely contested prize, passed from one faction to another through displays of brute force. The relentless struggle for control saw the structure changing hands repeatedly, as the slum's small factions vied for dominance and sought to establish their authority over the coveted residence.

It was that same so-coveted residence that three years prior fell into the hands of Kae, and her people and became the place they all call the “home.”

Now, under Kae’s management, the Slum’s castle, which she referred to as the Den, became the sanctuary where she and her comrades sought solace and companionship. Children, orphans, Odoe, and Arbians from the slums she grew up in found refuge within its walls, embracing the solace it offered.

As Kae walked through the inner courtyard of the Den, she was met with exuberant greetings from dozens of children ranging in age from 6 to 13. They noticed her presence and welcomed her with contagious enthusiasm. Normally, Kae would have taken the time to reciprocate each greeting, acknowledging the warmth and joy of the moment. However, on this particular day, she was not in the mood to engage or respond, especially how many of them there were.

Determined, Kae stormed into the inner quarters of the Den, swiftly ascending the stairs and reaching a hallway at the end of which stood several teenagers peeking into a room.

"Kae!" exclaimed one of the teenagers, caught off guard by Kae's sudden arrival. He was not the only one; the others also shared the same reaction upon noticing her presence.

"Kae, Lae'lah, what brings you here?" One of them inquired, their voice tinged with nervousness.

"Hey, weren't you two supposed to be—"

"Where are they?" Kae asked, maintaining a calm yet assertive tone.

"They’re inside," a girl from the group disclosed.

At these words Kae approached, prompting them all to step aside and grant Kae access to the room they were gathered in front of.

Upon entering, Kae stepped into a room that had been arranged like a dormitory, with several beds positioned closely together. Inside the room, Kae noticed five individuals: two girls, one of whom, around 12 years old, bore a striking resemblance to Kae herself; a boy standing in the middle; and two others seated on one of the beds. The first girl, who appeared to be around the same age as Kae, was tending to their injuries, providing much-needed assistance.

At the foot of the bed, there lay blood-soaked pieces of clothing submerged in a bowl of water, which had turned a deep shade of red.

“Kae?”

“Sister.”

"Guh, Kae, you've returned already?" exclaimed one of the boys seated on the bed, receiving care.

“Yes, I have.”

“I called her over,” declared the boy standing in the middle of the room who appeared to be older than the two girls, and two others seated on one of the beds but noticeably younger than Kae.

“Benji, you damn rat!” one of the boys hissed, before venting out a groan.

"Just stay still, you dang fool!"Sarah, the girl tending their injury, scolded. “You’re gonna make them worse.”

“Sorry for calling you over to this,” Benji apologized, “I feel like I made a mistake in doing that.”

“You didn't,” Kae retorted. “Rae, please,” she called out, and a second girl who bore a striking resemblance to her approached and gently took the little girl from Kae.

Freed of Lae’lah, Kae finally approached the injured boy’s asking the girl, “how are they doing?”

"Got several darn bruises, teeth knocked out left and right, didn't even bother countin'. Tattered Toby's got himself two busted ribs, and Dingy Dylan, bless his heart, got himself four, maybe even five, ribs all kinds of broken and a busted tibia to top it off. Boy, it's a real mess, I tell ya.”

As Sarah's report came in, Kae couldn't help but let out a weary sigh.

To which Sarah added,in an attempt to calm Kae down, “but you know what? They'll pull through, y'all. Long as they don't go stirrin' up another ruckus."

The plan revealed itself to be a failure.

"What did you two think you were doing when you got yourselves into this mess? I heard that you two were found in Rat's territory. So was it them who did this to you.”

To these words both boys looked at each other then averted the eyes from Kae.

“What am I saying of course it is. But still I’ve got to ask, what the hell were you two doing there? You guys know how after we’ve taken this place from them, they won’t hold any of us in any regard."

No answer came out.

“Dylan? Toby? Your answers?”

Once again no answer came out. At least not from either of the two. The answer came from Benji.

“They were on Rat’s territory because they were trying to sell out some of the stuff we still have of our previous gigs to the Potter, who you know is the rat’s fence.”

At these words Kae turned around to the boys, with a baffled expression. “Why?” she could only find herself to ask for.

For a moment, both of them appeared hesitant to provide an answer, but eventually, Dylan did. "We learned from the old shopkeeper's pricing that our previous job won't sustain us until our next significant gig…”

“So, we thought that since we still had stuff he refused to buy lingering around, we could sell them elsewhere,” continued Toby.

“And you thought the rats’ fence was the way to go.”

“We know it was a bad idea, but it worked.”

“It worked.”

“Yeah, it did. It did until they all jumped onto us,” Toby mumbled angrily, clenching his fist, only to be met with visible pain.

“From both your expressions, I take it that not only were you two beaten, you were also robbed, well that’s not surprising given who attacked you—wait, I never told any of you two about the fact that the shopkeeper’s cut won’t be enough to keep us all up.”

Both boy’s faces tensened.

“We jus—”

“And don’t tell me that you two thickheads came to that conclusion on your own, I’m not going to believe it.”

"You're right, they didn't. It was I who told them," a voice that didn't come from either of the boys revealed, but instead from behind Kae.

Heaving out yet another sigh, Kae turned around to face the voice, she clearly recognized.

Still cradling Lai’lah in her arms, Rae, Kae's little sister, also disclosed, “The idea to sell it to Potter was also mine.”

“Why? Do you realize you could have gotten those two idiots killed with that? You do realize that, don't you?” Kae yelled at the girl.

“I do... I did. But... I just wanted to help,” she expressed before almost immediately being unable to hold back her tears. Soon, she started to sob, prompting the little girl in her hand to also start crying.

At the sight, Kae stood there speechless, as the breakdown unfolded.

“You know what, Chief," Benji said, reaching out for Kae's shoulder, "I think she, just like the two of them, has seen enough for today. Let's leave them some time to rest before we start hammering them back into place.”

While Kae's initial internal reaction was to disagree with Benji, it didn't take her long to grasp the underlying meaning of his words.

***

"I can't believe you came up with this," Kae's voice trembled with a mix of frustration and concern. She stared at her little sister, disbelief etched across her face. "What do you think would have happened if they had gone after you?"

Rae's eyes filled with tears as she tried to explain herself. "I'm sorry, I know," she choked out, her voice quivering. "I know it was a bad idea, but it worked at first. We managed to sell some of the things, and I thought we could get by. But then it all happened. So fast. They swarmed us. Took the money from us, then did all that to Tobi and Dylan."

As Rae's words trailed off, her voice overwhelmed with what Kae understood very well was regret, she felt her initial anger wane, replaced by a surge of protectiveness for her sister. She reached out, pulling Rae into a tight embrace. "Oh, Rae," Kae murmured, her voice soft and soothing. "It's okay now, it's okay. I'm just glad you're safe."

Rae's sobs shook her fragile frame, and Kae held her even tighter, offering solace in their shared embrace.

Through her tears, Rae managed to speak again, her voice barely audible. "I didn't want anyone to be hurt," she whispered, her words weighted with guilt and remorse.

Kae's heart swelled with a mixture of emotions. She gently stroked Rae's hair, her voice tender and filled with understanding. “I know, Rae. I know you didn't mean for any of this to happen. We all make mistakes. What matters now is that we learn from them and move forward. Together. We are going to fix this.”

It was at that moment that from the doorless doorsteps a small giggle reverberated as the little Lae’lah toddled her way toward the sisters.

“I hope we weren’t interrupting anything?” Benji by the doorsteps.

“No, she didn’t,” Kae declared, as she picked up the little girl who joined their hug. “But you did.”

“Ugh, that’s mean. Anyway, I take from the mood I’m feeling that it's all settled between you sisters, right?”

Though hesitant to answer, a glance at her sister and a desire to alleviate any further torment prompted her to respond immediately, “Between us sisters, yes.”

“I see, that’s a good thing. So what do we do next?”

“We are going to fix this.”

“That's a great idea. Do you have any thoughts on how we can proceed?

“I don’t know yet but for now I think I’ll tell everyone to avoid their territory at every cost. We must first allow things to calm down.”

Casting a quick glance at her friend Benji, Kae realized that her words had failed to satisfy him, as testified by the thick accent he unconsciously took over.

“Boss, seein' how bad Toby and Dylan got hurt, it's crystal clear—they're up for all-out fights. They've been pushin' folks 'round before, but nothin' too serious, mostly tryna scare the young 'uns away. But this time, somethin's changed, Chief. They won't hold nothin' back, 'specially against us older ones. This ain't the end of it, I betcha. They want the Den back. That’s what they’ve always been after. This, what happened to Toby and Dylan, this is just the beginning, mark my words."

"I know," Kae sighed, her voice heavy with resignation. "I've always known it would come to this. Yet, I can’t help but feel like it's kind of a miracle that we've been able to stay within these four walls, in peace for three years straight.”

"It's not a miracle," Rae interrupted, her voice brimming with a certain enthusiasm tinged with a hint of fanaticism. "It all happened because of him."

"That's why I said, 'can't help but feel,' but yeah, you're right, we all owe it to him," Kae admitted, acknowledging her sister's point. "Oh, shoot! Speaking of him, I completely forgot that I had something to give him after everything that happened." She paused momentarily, then reached into her pocket, retrieving the envelope given to her by the shopkeeper.

Rae's curiosity got the better of her, and she couldn't resist asking, "What's that letter, Sis?" Kae held the envelope in her hands, contemplating its contents.

"It's a letter I received from the Shopkeeper, meant for Rustler."

"From who?" Benji questioned, his voice filled with a mix of doubt, curiosity —one similar yet very different from that of Kae.

“I don’t and trust me I tried knowing, now if you two could let me through?”

"Weren't you the one who said just a few days ago that he was out in the wild?" Benji interjected.

"He's back," Rae cut in, causing Kae to pause in her tracks. "Since when do you know that?" Kae questioned, surprised by the revelation.

"Yesterday, when I checked in the evening," Rae explained.

For a brief moment, dots that Kae wished didn't connect formed in her mind. She stole a glance at her sister, who stood there unaware of the realization that had just dawned on Kae. In that moment, Kae made a conscious decision to spare her sister from yet another well-deserved lecture.

“Anyway, I’m off to hand this over.”

“I’m coming over.”

“I’m coming too,” Benji followed.

Followed by Benji and Rae, Kae made her way toward an unfrequented corner of the Den and descended the creaking stairs that led to an attic—a space used by Kae and her small community as a food storage area. The air grew cooler as they stepped into the dimly lit space, prompting Benji to take the initiative and light a lamp. Its flickering glow revealed the empty shelves and scant remnants of what once occupied them.

As Kae, Benji, and Rae made their way across the room, Lae'lah in their arms, they approached what might, at first glance, appear to be a door. However, upon closer inspection, it was more of a makeshift wooden barricade hastily assembled to block entry into the next area.

Reaching for the door, Kae pushed it lightly to see if the barricade would simply fall off. This would usually indicate that the person they were looking for wasn't there. However, if the barricade strongly resisted, it would suggest the opposite, which Kae felt to be the case from the push she put in.

“He was already there,” she mumbled for herself.

Kae was about to call him, but before she could do so, she was interrupted by Rae, who approached and pounded onto the barricade. As she called out, "Rustler, it's Rae. Sis is here, Lae'lah too, and Benji as well if you remember him. But most importantly, Sis is here because she has something to give you. It’s a letter for you."

After Rae finished, Kae waited, expecting some sort of reply from the other side of the barricade, but, to no surprise, none came.

“I guess we should’ve expected that,” commented Benji.

“It’s been three years so yes we should have;” Kae replied. “With him it’s best to not expect—

“—any answer,” Rae cut, “and even less him opening the door to you. We tried everything. Sis.”

“Hm?”

“ I’m sure he’s hearing us, I think you should just leave the letter there, he’ll check it out once we’re gone.”

“I agree with Rae,” Benji added.

"I think you're right, but..." Kae trailed off upon hearing a strange sound from the other side of the barricade—a sound that was oddly familiar to both of them. It was the same sound that had inspired them to give that alias to he whose name they didn't know.

The sound resembled the rustling of leaves, but it carried a distinct metallic undertone. This was the very same sound that made the attic one of the least popular corners of the Den. Strange rumors concerning that sound had spread among the children.

Having not heard that sound for a while, Kae's mind took a trip down memory lane to the days before the den became their home, to the time she heard that sound for the first time.

For a moment, Kae froze, lost in thought. She was only snapped out of it by her sister calling her.

“You’re okay?” Rae asked.

“Yeah, yeah sure.”

“I see,” Her sister continued, "So, about the letter?"

"Ah, yes, the letter," Kae said, hesitating for a moment before pondering her response.

“Kae?”

“Actually, you two, I think I’d rather not simply leave it here,” Kae suddenly started having come to a decision.

She approached the wannabe-door, pounded onto it, just like her sister did. “Rustler, it’s Kae, I have a letter for you, I would like to hand it to you, personally.”

Once again no answer.

“Since I know that you now only deal with the shopkeeper and no one else, I understand that you have no reason to talk to any of us, but still I’m asking you to. I have a problem, I do and almost everyone in the community does too.”

At these words, Kae looked at her sister and Benji, the latter having a disapproving expression on his face.

“It's about the rats; they're causing trouble, probably because they still desire this place. Two of our own were injured today, and I cannot allow that to happen again. However, I don’t know what I can do, except to ask for your assistance. Just like three years ago, you're the only one who can help us. So can you please open that door or at least answer us.”

For a moment, Kae thought she was ignored once again. But then, she heard the rustling sound from the other side of the door, and this time it was louder and longer than the one before. In fact, it went on, getting louder with each passing minute until suddenly it stopped.

Following that, a long minute of silence hung in the air, abruptly shattered by the sound of something remarkably heavy being shifted from behind the barricade. The noise was swiftly succeeded by the creaking of the wooden door as it was pushed aside, revealing a dimly lit room. As the quartet peered inside, an empty and eerie ambiance greeted them. Suddenly, from within the said room, a peculiar gust of wind swept through the room, extinguishing the light in Benji's hand-held lamp.

“Huh?”

As Benji tried to light the lamp back for some light, yet another wind breezed from inside, prompting their attention to be abruptly drawn to the silhouette in front of them.

Standing on the doorstep of the once barricaded room, he stood there shrouded in darkness, save for a pair of piercing blue eyes, glowing of a jewel-like-light, fixated on them.

Despite the small stature of the silhouette, noticeably shorter than anyone present, including Rae, whom Kae vividly remembered to be the same as him three years ago, something about those eyes was unmistakable. They were that of the boy she and her sister had encountered three years ago.

Since he was nameless to them, and that, through his silence, he insisted on remaining nameless, the rumors surrounding the noise attributed to him had earned him the moniker "Rustler."