It was a very good hall the man had more than what they were hoping for they almost felt bad… almost two gold when all three of them ate at the inn it was only a single silver coin and one gold was worth a hundred silver coins total, so that was a lot of food they could even afford to sleep indoors away from the church if they wanted to be defiant.
Arlin smiled, the cure potions were ten gold when they last asked, so while an amazing gain, it did not clear their debts, not by a long shot, but food and maybe some new clothes and a doll for ziala.
They never said their age, but he guessed around twelve, maybe thirteen. I can still see the lost kid in their eyes, especially when Rock calls me boss instead of a brother…
Guess I’m too young to be a dad even though they’re like my kids no… big brother is better, though they don’t even give me that just… boss.
As he thought about what led them here rock and Ziala came from a side alley looking around they knew the meeting spot, they also knew if I wasn’t here they would scatter again.
“Well, boss? Rock asked, “Do we do good?”
Ziala looked on in anticipation but said nothing.
“You both did good, kids, The old lure and shadow work every time He said with a joyful smile.
“Well, Rock said, “How much? At least a few silver I hope my boots are getting worn down, and I would like a blanket versus smelling you all night if we can afford one. “
Ziala laughed at that “Please you’re too scared to be alone you beg to be back in the group huddle before two days pass!
Arlin calmed them down before they could get into a fight
“We did well; that’s what matters since things are going to get harder for us. We each get one gift, some food, clothes, and stuff, then face the church before we go our separate ways for a bit. He finished with mirth, but he saw they did not share his joy.
“So you’re leaving us for sure?” ziala asked as if it were never real. Rock did not speak, but his eyes asked the same question.
Arlin sighed, “We lived like this for a long time, I need to do this for us to have change.”
“So we do what we have to till we are debt free, then we live however we want. That’s why you followed me, that’s…. Why do you call me boss.” he finished in a lower voice, not liking the last part.
But he could feel their detachment or at least their fear of getting close so the “ boss “ let them be close as needed and have the feeling of freedom knowing they could walk away.
They both nodded in acceptance. “With that said, we got near two gold.” Rock was impressed, and ziala hopped up and down. “I can get a new dress, “ He thought she would’ve wanted a toy.
Maybe she saw all the girls in the dresses when they looked for marks to steal from, or maybe she just wanted something nice. They stayed at the inn and took turns bathing and had their clothes washed.
They knew if they went to the nicer area, they could look poor maybe but not like rats, they would go to the tailor shop get some nice clothes, and go from there.
He wasn’t stupid, he knew what he was doing, and he knew by taking the kids into this life, he made them worse, it was why he was willing to go so far to make it better. till then yeah… there rats, rats in cages.
When they set out from the inn, it was surprisingly busy on the streets with many people compared to how everyone seemed to hide in the alley waiting for a blade or a thief to find them in the slum streets,
These streets everyone had a purpose, everyone was free and felt nothing but the impatience of not getting what they wanted sooner or rushing to finish a job to be paid.
It felt odd to envy the common man living life, but when you were below the poor, even working life seemed a better life worth envying.
The tailor shop was very nice and clean, with a few people being measured for custom clothes. There were many items on display.
At first, the antedate tried to shoo them away as they did not need more workers, and tho they did not look like rats they also seemed like kids at play, not business.
When Arlin assured them their paying customers even flashed a gold coin, they bowed deeply and said they could do custom orders or had many things on display.
Although the coin would not let them buy custom sets such as silks it did let them get nice clothes that were not grey robs they could cherish and feel a little more human.
ziala got a pretty blue linen dress that dragged a little, but that was good; she would grow. Rock did not care much about it, and a simple set of green linen shirt and pants, slightly baggy, also allowed growth.
As for him, well, he went with a simple set also, he wasn’t trying to impress anyone, and he felt it was a waste. ziala felt singled out with the nicest item, but Arlin said it was a reward for a good job, so she relented.
Lucky or by design, there was a shoemaker next door. They all got a nice pair of boots. He made sure they got them slightly bigger for room to grow. That done, they still were rich for rats, they knew it would be spent and nothing replacing it so so they remained sober about the wealth.
The better clothes and boots made them feel like a normal part of the crowd and just wander a bit, feeling like normal people. Rock surprisingly found a shop with simple instruments he wanted something to play.
“I like the sound of when we whistle but want something that music.” he looked down, a bit embarrassed. Ziala laughed. Arlin spoke up to encourage him maybe when we’re older, you can play at the inn and make real money!”
Ziala said, “No, they will pay for him to stop playing which did get a laugh from Arlin and a glare from Rock.
“Sorry,” Arlin said, “I do believe in you, and it is money well spent.” Zila still amused about the flute looked at “Arlin what were you getting?” she asked in wonder.
Arlin, sober, “told them I wanted to mine share to help pay for training to be better at making money.” Neither one of them liked that answer and felt like they had been spoiled.” Fine, I’ll get something later, maybe a book. Let’s keep exploring.
They found their way eventually to a market square and browsed a bit. ziala did end up finding a doll she liked, and he got it for her, so they headed back to the inn after that, happy with their prizes.
The trip back was fueled with random off-key notes and ziala talking to her doll. While Arlin kept watch, nobody ever hunted them even when they stole, but he wasn’t going to start assuming he was safe now.
Not with unpaid debts and money in his pocket. The inn was surprisingly packed in the early afternoon, but they managed to get a seat and order a double portion of food.
Since it was the last time together and he wanted it to be memorable everyone was happily eating everything felt right. Like they were free but when he closed his eyes…
He could still feel them holding him in the cold, waiting for the day’s light to be free from the cold once more…
When they went to the room later to sleep It was funny they had two beds but nobody wanted to sleep alone.
It may not feel like the family they wanted, but they also all agreed they did not want to be alone. So they all piled into one bed to sleep.
A voice woke him in the darkness. “Hey, Arlin”
“Yeah,” he said, knowing the low voice was Ziala
“Are you really leaving us?” That hurt more than he thought it would
“I’m not leaving you, kid, don’t say stupid things.” he didn’t mean for it to sound cruel, but it did.
He relented and tried to better explain himself: “We need the church, we need the alchemist, and we need each other.”
“I promised one day it would just be us, but till that day, the church will help you more than me, at least till we are debt-free.
“Ok,” she said in a low voice.
“Hey,” Arlin said “today is happy memories, not a goodbye but a promise one day will be able to choose how we live.”
“So you will come back?” She asked in a low voice
“Yeah,” he said, “even if it meant death was wanting for me, I will come back, I promise,”
“Ok,” ziala said and snuggled into his side. He then heard a deep, low voice, “Thanks, boss,” as they all went to sleep on their last night together for a very long time.
More out of habit than desire, they awoke early the next morning they were able to get breakfast at the inn.
While eating, Arlin asked them, “You guys remember the plan?”
“Yeah, Boss,” Rock said, ziala just ate in silence but nodded.
28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHSQ2v8qOq
As Arlin watched them, he felt unsure, so he said, “Just one last time, I want to mention it I need to wait for the new dungeon to grow it takes about two years.
The church will watch you in that time I want you to study learn grow whatever you can till you got work for Tommy…
He should honor his word, and you only need to be runner messages or light supplies, nothing dangerous, while I work earning money to pay the debt.
“Why can’t we go with you?” ziala asked, unsure.
“Simple answer? I have magic.” They flinched at that, knowing they had none… he tried to clarify more
“Tommy trusts me because he has you two, if we all go to a new town? He will hunt us and will not be nice anymore.
Rock laughed at that,” Yeah nice…”
“ he nicer than he needs to be,” Arlin said feeling bitter he had to defend him” he helped us rats we can’t forget, we need to pay our debts to the church and the alchemist.” neither one of them liked that but he went on “and when those debts are paid… where free.”
“We can start new lives as a family, and even make bigger new families he tried to sound encouraged. ziala said nothing. Rock looked away.
“Sure, boss.” Both of them wanted him close but kept him away, not knowing what tomorrow would bring.
He sighed “Come on, if I’m boss, this is an order. When you’re older, you can do whatever you want after your debts are paid. Till then follow orders right? he stared at them for a bit before they both nodded the outcome was already decided so fighting solved nothing.
The church was large, and grand full of life and love and …. A prison. It was blessed by the gods and everyone was loving as long as you did what you were told and kept your head down.
Doing what you were told, he hated that truth, and the kids did too, but freedom wasn’t free; everything had a price, and he was coming back to pay it.
As they entered the grand doors, passing random people on their way to pray or receive, the hopeful wanted to receive a blessing for their devotion.
He couldn’t help but laugh inwardly. The kids always prayed and got nothing, even though they were both beastkin, and yet he did not believe in the god’s mercy, and he was blessed with powerful darkness…
Maybe just to mock him or mark him as darkness. People often said darkness was just misunderstood and was equal to light, but he knew a shadow was always beneath light, not above or beside it.
They saw a few familiar grey robes, happy to help while doing their duties, happy to be fed and told what to do…
He sighed, and they went deeper into the church, unbothered by anyone in their quest to see the bishop. Trusting that anyone here meant no ill intent and just sought help,
he supposed it was true he had never heard anyone fighting in churches in stories or witnessed anything more than a little impatience at having to wait.
There was a black robe waiting outside the bishop’s room, and he smiled when he saw them coming.
“Welcome back, children,” he said with a warm voice. Both Rock and ziala ducked behind Arlin, who stood defiant.
“What?” Arlin said.” You expected us?” The priest was taken aback by the Anger unprovoked and shook his head
“No,” he said, “you’re always welcome among us. I was merely greeting your return, I had no prior knowledge of this visit.”
“ I assume you have a meeting with the bishop? He asked for a moment of peace to address some reports.”
“I was waiting to deliver his message when he was done.” As if summoned by those words, a tired-looking bishop opened the door, looking at a scroll in his hand while also holding a small pouch.
“Tell the guild this should cover any loss, and the letter lets them know it is been addressed and just needs some time. “The priest bowed to the bishop and was taken by surprise when he saw the kids.
“O,” he said,” maybe sooner than expected, the gods do work in mysterious ways.” he yawned, rubbing his eyes.” Sorry was a late night and early morning.”
“Forgive my lack of proper address, please enter kids, we should talk.”Arlin knew where this talk would go
“Can the little ones go to their rooms instead? I prefer they didn’t get the same talk as they followed me?”
The priest was confused as to why this seemed like a tense moment, not a happy greeting, but the bishop patted his shoulder, startling him
“Please deliver that letter” The priest slightly embarrassed nodded and hurriedly left still wondering what was transpiring the bishop smiled watching him go
then addressed the kids once more “Nobody in trouble even if we don’t approve of your actions we understand the hardship thrust upon orphan children I’m glad you’re safe.”
“Since you prefer the talk to be more mature. I’ll respect your wishes will you kids please retire to your old living space?”
Both Rock and Ziala waited for Arlin to say it was ok
“Don’t worry Arlin said,” It’s why we’re here, things will get better, just trust me.” They both nodded slowly, not believing but understanding they were too young to decide things, so they left, already been here before, they knew well where to go and what awaited them there.
The bishop left the door open and went sat at his desk drinking something from a cup Arlin noticed many books on shelves with two chairs placed opposite sides of the desk with a small bench to the side
but besides that, the room was clean and basic as he slowly entered he started at the bishop still drinking slowly from the cup he assumed it was hot the bishop noticed his stares
“it was a mild hot lemon drink with a dash of potion that helps recover from lack of sleep, not good to have too much
but I do indulge occasionally. Please sit, I’m not sure where to start, but I’m glad you’re back well and safe all the same. Bishop said while watching him.
Arlin was tired of the games so decided to be blunt as he sat “Why do you care about rats? You have plenty of followers already or are you that scared of losing even one.”
“ I read the reports, “the bishop said, discomforted.” That name you are calling yourself? I don’t approve as you are just wayward children, not….
Rats, as for why we care, we never stopped. We have been giving you space as best we can hoping each day for your return. “
“To a prison, Arlin said with venom
“No, to your home”
“This isn’t a home, a place where told what to do how to live when and what we can eat, what we can wear where we can go is not a home but a prison!
He finished getting more heated as he went. The bishop smirked “You were fine here for years child, what caused such hate? When we gave freely!
Arlin laughed, and yet the one thing I ever asked, I was told no, they were not worth wasting on to be saved! He retorted
Aha, the bishop said,” Yes, it does always seem to come back to that…. I already told you that beastkin always recovered from sickness within a few years versus humans.
“So instead of helping them, you let them suffer and hope for the best? yes very loving…” Arlin replied with sarcasm. The bishop rubbed his eyes and went on.
“There are humans past the age of twenty that will never be blessed that need them more than beastkin… we already talked about this “ bishop tried to reason.
“it doesn’t matter,” Arlin said “I healed them and set them free where you did nothing…”
“ No,” the bishop replied, “You enslaved them to work for others and robbed them of the choices to be leader of them.”
“WERE A FAMILY, “Arlin yelled back. The bishop stared for a moment, seeing if he would go on, and when he did not, replied calmly.
“And what family calls you boss?” That stung Arlin, and he could not deny it
“They don’t trust me fully, yet… but I set them free.”
“To the streets,” the bishop said plainly, “in the cold and stealing from others that freedom?”
“ From you,” Arlin spat back, “we were not bound by your rules, so we were free! “
“And yet the bishop said, 'We still are feeding and supporting you”
Arlin laughed at that. “I earned my coin, feeding us. You gave nothing when we left! “The bishop shook his head
“Where do you think the crimes of your kids go? Do they just get swept away and forgotten? Did you never once question why nobody demanded the money you stole or hunted you for revenge? “
Arlin wasn’t sure; he never thought about it beyond knowing he hid in his shadow, so he said that “they had no proof you can’t just assume we're guilty. The bishop replied
“We know your magic and everyone knows of the name you called yourself, and thefts that followed it…”
“Not hard when nobody else steals, the church gives freely, and work is easy to find if you look. Nobody chooses your path, as I was saying before, that which you took, the church paid back with interest.
Arlin went cold at those words all his clever schemes everything he knew as true was a lie, and he took the kids to the streets and had nothing to show for it…
At least for now.” That last theft,” the bishop said, “stung a bit when we tried to confirm the amount, as we could not just say he was lying but paid him all the same.”
“he said it was a gold and eighty silver.” arlin spoke meekly the amount of “it was a gold and sixty silver,” now feeling less bold and proud being a thief, knowing someone was paying his dues.
He was still defiant, and his reason wasn’t petty, regardless of whether his actions were justified.
“ you still were going to let Ziala suffer and Rock got sick too. Take the high road all you like, I least got them cured.”
“ No,” the bishop replied,” You got them indebted for life to reduce their suffering a few years.”
“You’re happy In a cage,” Arlin said “Where not. So we traded one master for another, it changes nothing now but we will have options.”
“Our goal was never to control you or anyone else child bishop tried to reason.
“Name is Arlin,” he shot back mid-bishop speech.
“Fine arlin…” bishop conceded, “We wanted you to have time to see we had your best interest at heart, but when you made a deal with the alchemist, you needlessly complicated things.”
“It is always a struggle getting him to make those potions for others, so you taking not one but two denied others that have been suffering for months or years already. “
Arlin refused to back down; he wasn’t right, but he wasn’t wrong. “Why can’t you force him to make more? Bishop like upset
“We would need to use force only as a last resort if nothing else could be done. Also, it is his right as the maker to decide how his time is spent.
We have been trying to find an alternative way, but if it were that easy, this curse would never exist for anyone to suffer. Bishop said solemnly
“What makes it so hard to heal if not greed? Bishop finished his drink, staring into his cup.
“It is the rarity of the herbs for one, the monsters need to be passed to get to the herbs second, and third it is the time needed for just one potion we cannot prove it but he says a month and he can make easier higher paying potions in a fraction of the time.”
Arlin was stunned at the true value of what he had bought not once but twice. “That doesn’t make any sense, then why would he even trust rats?” bishop flinched at the self-inflicted name but answered.
‘The deal you struck is free labor till the debt is paid, and that debt will be supplying him with items he cannot easily get later.”
Arlin nodded in understanding at first till he thought about it. “Wait a minute, I never told you details of the deal, yet you speak with familiarity as if you always knew how? “
Bishop smiled with pity. “he came to us after the first potion, it was how we were first aware you stole. We even told him not to make more deals with you, but he did not listen.”
Arlin was angry, but he chose to play the game. He can’t complain when the hand was dealt, and it was not a winner.
” So what’s the end game here, bishop? You know we are working toward freedom, you know I made bad choices to get there, but what I don’t know is why, even now, you keep saying you only want help when I offer nothing.”
Bishop was surprised by that “Even now you doubt my sincerity? When I never once asked for the gold back, forced you to bring the kids home, or told you who had nothing and how to live?
He shook his head at that how long will you make enemies of those who want to help you while helping those who DO, want to use you?
Arlin was defeated and had nothing he could say, but was still defiant
“You did not answer the question, just mock my choices, trying to be free,” the bishop sighed and spoke
“You may be mature for your age, but you’re still a child, despite what you believe. Arlin and I swore to the gods to help children above all.” Arlin was about to bring up the potion again, but the bishop raised his hand
“Help,” he repeated, don't give whatever they want or what they think is best, you would always have a home, food, and bed. Here we do ask for help, but we work the same, we take nothing we wouldn’t give.
“But the one time I asked for something, you said no,” he tried weakly once more to defend his views.
“What you asked was too much,” the Bishop said flatly. “A book, a dress, a doll, even a flute, we would have happily given with joy. Arlin flinch. A bit of his gift had been called out, not that they were a secret.
“But a potion that we can wait months for ONE,” he emphasized,
“to give to a child who has a high chance to recover vs the suffering of others? That cruelty is asking too much.
Arlin was sober; he wanted to be an adult and have an adult talk, but he just felt like everything he did was wrong, even if he did it for the right reasons.
The bishop saw his defeated look and spoke softly, “We know you’re good at heart… even if misguided. We do want to help. I know you have a plan, though not the details, the alchemist said nothing.
Just in two years, the debt will be settled; the fact that he will wait so long means it is a heavy deal you made that favored him greatly.
But why you came back versus forcing us to support you in the shadows is beyond me.
Arlin had already lost his pride and spoke plainly, “The kids need better than I can give them on the streets. I also need help in training to challenge dungeons.”
He kept his head down as he spoke the fight left him when every argument of pride he had was swept away easily. “We would done that anyway,” the Bishop said with a sigh, but now it comes with a greater debt that must be paid.”
Arlin took out the coins and put them on the table now that he knew nothing he did wasn’t paid for, but for others, paying for the theft felt more hollow and no longer a victory for freedom.
The bishop saw the coins, smiled, and said, “Commendable, but keep them. There were many years you were with us and asked for nothing.”
“This is us paying dues, you also need money in your training, so it best not to make you beg or steal for more.” he took back the coins but had no response.
As they sat in silence arlin finally spoke “So why still help I made these choices but even now you ask for nothing?”
The bishop leaned back, resting his eyes on Arlin swore he was asleep, but the bishop did speak after a minute of silence. “The gods want balance, but in the time since they blessed us, choice made led to chaos, not because they wanted it.”
“We humans are below gods and make mistakes, they forgave us and still helped us so we as humans must do the same.”
“So servitude but with prettier words, “Arlin said.
“No,” the bishop said, “freedom to choose, but we want a better world, so we choose to keep trying to help, even when others keep looking for the con.
“Can you share any details about what you need, or are we still enemies? Bishop said with a bit of mirth.
Arlin relented. “You’re right, I’m making it needless difficult…I still don’t trust you. Never had a choice.”
“ I was born in this church, those kids were brought here. I wanted them to know the freedom I never did, but that’s not what you asked, he sighed.
“ the plan was to earn a bunch of dungeon crystals in the new dungeon appearing in two years in another town since it will be a while before it is controlled in exchange for the potions cost.
He gave in till I repaid that they would be forced into being his runners of messages and goods.
“Interesting, “the bishop mused. “It’s not fair but doable; you do know even the lowest crystal goes for around ten gold?”
“ WHAT,” Arlin shouted in surprise, “he said that started at a gold!”
Bishop laughed.” For him, and in exchange, he made cheap potions, for if he bought the crystal on the market, it was ten gold for the cheapest; how many did he want?”
“ Forty ….” Arlin admits with shame.
The bishop was stunned into silence.” Perhaps I spoke too soon that greed is inexcusable,” he thought for a bit, then sighed. “his end goal is probably at least two or more mana herbs… “arlin wasn’t sure why two was worth more than forty as that seem too extreme so he asked.
“Um, how are two or even three mana herbs worth more? They are the key ingredient in the potions we need, and he wants to keep others from even knowing how to make one, lest they work out a way to make them quicker or, God willing, easier to mass produce.”
“But that is just a dream right now. So the bishop said I can’t force a better deal, and we still got to wait for the new dungeon to grow to even see if we could farm it.”
“ I was always proud of your rare gift, and I’m a bit ashamed you chose to use it to steal from others, but that’s the past, I hope.” Arlin nodded meekly.
“I advise you to settle affairs with the kids and let them know we are not enemies and just want to help. You are welcome here anytime, but the training needed will keep you away and busy for a while.
Then when you go away it will be longer still, hopefully, no more debts will exist and once this is settled we can focus on growing again vs fixing past mistakes.
Arlin got up with that, bowing his head. “You were always fair, bishop, even when I did not like you. You, regardless of what you believe, though this isn’t my family.”
“I’m sorry your kindness is wasted on a rat. “Bishop wanted to protest, but he knew Arlin wouldn’t listen, so instead he adopted the show-not-tell approach to show him he was the one rejecting them, not them rejecting him. “
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