Chapter 43

The sludge washed over me and then receded, leaving me sprawled on the cobblestone path before I rolled onto the grass beyond it. I sucked in a breath, immediately choked, and then vomited as filth poured from my stomach and lungs. The stench filled every breath, making me gag and retch until my sides ached.

I crawled toward the small pool Serah and I had made the last time we were here and collapsed into it. Cool water flowed over my face as I scrubbed at my skin, then I planted my feet beneath me and tried to stand. My legs wobbled. I staggered, dropped back onto my backside, and retched again.

It took a long while for my breathing to steady. It took even longer to scour the grime from my skin, hair, and clothes.

There was no sun in my demesne, but the sky above dimmed all the same. I wasn’t sure whether true night ever fell here, but I assumed there was some kind of rhythm to the place - even if only because I expected one.

Once I’d wrung and dried my clothes as best I could, I stepped back to Ashlara.

The children startled and scattered when I appeared in camp, but they settled quickly enough. Ashlara was tending a pot of boiling venison, preparing dinner from what remained. After checking in with her, I went to gather more herbs and vegetables to stretch the meal.

As we ate, I told them about the day - finding a map and finally learning where Caelwynne lay, asking after Dur’s uncle, and the commission I’d taken in the city. When the food was gone and the fire burned low, it was time for a harder conversation.

“It’s getting colder,” I said, looking around at them. “We can’t keep sleeping out here. If it rains or snows, things will get a lot worse. Wolfsend is about three weeks away. Caelwynne is about three weeks away as well, and they’re roughly two weeks apart from each other. If we set out now, that’s five weeks on the road - and it’ll be full winter by then.”

I met each of their eyes in turn. “We have a house,” I continued. “It’s warm and dry. It’s somewhere we can spend the winter. I still need to talk to the others, but I think it’ll be all right if you stay with us. The problem is supplies. That’s why Ashie and I came here.”

I let out a slow breath. “You all get to decide what you want to do. If you come with us, we’ll spend the winter there. In the spring we can head for Wolfsend and Caelwynne. If we hear anything about Dur’s uncle, we’ll come back here no matter the season. And if you don’t want to come with us, I’ll take you back into the city. I’ll make sure you get wherever you want to go - whether that’s the orphanage or somewhere else - and that you get there safely.”

“You don’t have to decide tonight,” I added. “I need to go back into the city tomorrow to turn in the quest, and hopefully find another one. But we should know what we’re doing by tomorrow night.”

They all nodded, quiet and thoughtful.

“Okay,” I said. “I’m going to talk to Mirri and make sure this is all right. I’ll be back in a bit.”

* * *

Mirri worried about the extra mouths to feed, but she was adamant that we couldn’t leave the kids on the streets. Serah, to my surprise, felt the same way. Lilae agreed without hesitation - they needed a fire and a roof, and that was that.

I went back to camp and told the kids the decision. There was a quiet, collective relief, and then we all turned in for the night.

I was up early the next morning and back in town in record time. I turned in the commission for the sewer blockage, collected my two gold coins, and checked the board for more work.

There were a handful of E-rank postings - guarding a caravan, tracking down a bandit group, and delivering a sealed package. The caravan had no requirements, but it would take a full week. The bandit job required a team of at least four. The delivery required fifty gold in collateral. None of them were viable.

I left the castle and headed to the chirurgeons to check in with Administrator Ashkettle and see if she’d learned anything about Dur’s uncle. She wasn’t in yet, so I found a quiet alley where no one was watching and stepped back to camp.

I spent the morning with the kids - talking, laughing, and playing. I showed off a few tricks with Adhaneth - throwing it and calling it back, balancing on its tip like an acrobat. We even turned it into a contest, seeing who could lift it. Everyone had a turn, and they were all equally shocked that even Ashlara couldn’t manage it.

Ashlara left for a few hours and returned before noon. I wasn’t sure how comfortable she felt around so many children, but they clearly adored her. Tib, in particular, attached himself to her at every opportunity. I also caught Torvek staring more than once - until he noticed my smirk and stormed off, ears burning.

After midday, I headed back into Northgate and checked in with Administrator Ashkettle. She’d found a lead on Dur’s uncle, so we went together to follow it up. His name was Orrik, and he seemed kind enough. He’d been worried sick about Dur since the boy went missing, but no matter how many times he pressed the guards, they’d never found him.

I told Orrik that I’d bring Dur by around dinner and invited Ashkettle to join us, partly to reassure her - and partly to make it clear I wasn’t hiding anything. He thanked us profusely as we took our leave.

I walked Ashkettle back to the hospital, then stepped back to camp.

When I told Dur the news, his face lit up. The others seemed stunned that we’d actually found his uncle, and I could see hope flicker in their eyes. Torvek was the only one who didn’t look pleased, though I suspected that had more to do with his lingering distrust of me than anything else. When I told him he could come along if he was worried about Dur, he hesitated, then reluctantly agreed.

There were tears and hugs as Dur said his goodbyes. It was a far more solemn moment than I’d expected from kids. Then Dur, Torvek, and I made our way back to the city. We met up with Ashkettle, made introductions, and went on to Orrik’s home.

Dur ran straight into his uncle’s arms, and both of them broke down in tears. I felt a knot in my chest loosen. Part of me had worried - irrationally, maybe - that Orrik wouldn’t be the right man, that there was something darker beneath the surface. But seeing them together erased that doubt. This was right. Even Torvek looked moved, though he did his best to hide it.

After our goodbyes, we walked Ashkettle back to the hospital.

“Thank you,” she said. “I wasn’t sure about you at first. But thank you - for what you did for Dur.”

“I don’t blame you,” I replied. “There’s a lot going wrong here. It’s easy to assume the worst in people. I’m just glad I could help.”

She turned to Torvek. “And you - if you ever need anything, please come see me. I know you don’t trust us, but not all of us are bad.” Then she rested a hand on my shoulder. “Good night, both of you. Be safe.”

I led us into a quiet, out-of-the-way alley and stepped back to camp.

* * *

That night, after dinner, we sat down to talk about what came next. In the end, all of the kids decided they wanted to come live with us - at least for now. Torvek hesitated longer than the others, but he wasn’t about to let them go without him.

I took them home in two trips so I wouldn’t strain myself the way I had the first time. My Faith felt stronger now, more settled, but I wasn’t willing to risk it with children in tow. I introduced them to Lilae, Mirri, and Serah, then gave everyone a quick tour of the house.

Space became an issue almost immediately. Our home had more than doubled its occupants in a single day, but we made do. Elarion, Tib, and Torvek took my room. Serah moved in with Ashlara. Brinja, Issa, and Mak claimed Serah’s old room.

Lilae hovered on the edges, shy but curious. Mirri fussed and fretted, already halfway to adopting all of them. Even Serah - who I hadn’t expected to know quite what to do - was graceful and welcoming. There would be friction. There always was with change this big. Still, I felt like we could manage it.

I spent the night with Mirri and Lilae, wanting to give the kids a sense of stability and safety. In the morning, I let everyone know I was heading back into town to look for work and that Mirri was in charge while I was gone. I hugged Lilae tightly, kissed Mirri a little more desperately than I should have, and shared a kiss with Serah that lingered far too long to be considered proper. Then I stepped back to camp.

I hugged Ashlara as soon as I arrived. She stiffened at first, then slowly relaxed.

“Thank you,” I said quietly. “I know that wasn’t easy. You did great with the kids. I’m sorry I dumped all of that on you, but… thank you. You’re amazing.”

We stood there for a few moments - me holding her, her unsure what to do about it. When I finally pulled back, I kissed her before letting go.

“I’m heading back into town soon,” I said. “Hopefully there’s work today.”

She nodded once, her blush soft and unmistakable.

I entered Northgate through the eastern gate this time and made my way toward the castle. The city was starting to feel familiar now, and I didn’t get turned around the way I had when I first arrived.

The Office of Public Contracts and Civic Commissions was busier than I’d ever seen it, which wasn’t saying much. Four people occupied the room in addition to the commissioner behind the desk. Two young men in blue robes - probably university students - were turning in a posting. On the other side stood two women in travel-worn clothes. One radiated impatience; the other looked relaxed to the point of laziness. They stood near each other without speaking, as if proximity alone had **** a temporary truce.

The board held two new F-rank commissions: helping build a barn and mapping a set of caves. The cave job paid only two gold, but I filed it away as a last resort.

There were also a couple of E-ranks. The caravan job was still there, along with a new posting looking for three bodyguards for two days. Better pay, but we were still short a person.

I took the bodyguard posting to the commissioner. He looked up at me with tired eyes. “Goodman Grimm,” he said. “Is your party of two still seeking work?”

I nodded.

“Excellent. I have a commission that may interest you.” He slid yesterday’s bandit listing across the desk. “Apprehension. One or two days, depending on your approach.”

“This requires a team of four,” I said.

“Correct. If you’re amenable, we have two others willing to join your party.” He gestured toward the women by the wall. One scowled openly. The other gave a small, uncertain wave.

“Alright,” I said. “Let me speak with them.” I returned the bodyguard posting to the board and crossed the room.

They were both young - mid-twenties, maybe. The impatient one was tall, around five-ten, with dark brown hair that looked like she cut it herself. Poorly. With a dull knife. She was broad-shouldered, solid, with a flat, blunt face that looked like it had met more than one fist. Her leather gear offered some protection without quite being armor, and a wide-bladed sword hung at her hip.

The other woman was shorter, maybe five and a half feet, with dirty-blond hair pulled into a ponytail. She was average in build, kind of cute, with dappled red cheeks and a lopsided grin. She wore loose clothes with twin daggers at her hips.

I introduced myself.

“Where’s your other half?” the tall one demanded immediately.

“We have a camp outside the city,” I said. “She’s there.” I turned to the shorter woman.

“I’m Jess,” she said cheerfully.

“Nice to meet you.”

The taller woman snorted. “Can we just get on with it?”

“Can we talk first?” I asked. “I don’t know you. You don’t know me. If we’re going into a potentially dangerous situation, I’d like to know a little about you. For all I know, you could have posted the job and are just looking for some poor sap to rob.”

She glared at me. I returned it.

“Aaaalright,” Jess said, stepping back a pace. “Maybe we should all just take a step back and try to calm down.”

“Sure,” I said, turning back to her with a calmer smile. “I’m Seth. My partner is Ashlara. She’s a warrior who fights with an axe and shield. I’m… I guess I can fight some and cast a little bit of magic. I fight with this.” I nodded toward Adhaneth.

Jess nodded. “Oh, um, well, I’m Jess. And I’m a wizard. And I can fight a bit with daggers.”

I looked back at the taller woman.

She rolled her eyes and exhaled sharply. “Morg,” she said. “Sword. Enough?”

It wasn’t, but it would have to do. Five gold per bandit was too good to pass up. Even two captives would put us well ahead of the sewer job - and hopefully without being drenched in sewage.

We agreed and informed the commissioner. He issued our deputization papers, a rough map, and a dozen sets of iron manacles. They were heavy - about two pounds each. We split them evenly, with me carrying Ashlara’s until we regrouped.

We headed out of town toward camp.

Morg drew her sword the moment she saw Ashlara. I ignored it and walked straight in.

“We’ve got a job,” I said. “Bandit capture. Four-person team. That’s Jess and the one with the sword is Morg.”

“You didn’t say your team had an orc,” Morg snapped.

“I didn’t,” I replied. “Is that a problem? Because if it is, we’ll leave your ass here and collect the bounty ourselves.” I turned and walked up to her. “The commission said we needed a team of four, not that four people had to complete it. As far as I’m concerned, you’re just here to meet a quota.”

She was conflicted. Part of her looked like she wanted to leave. Another wanted to hit me. A third really seemed to need the money. Eventually greed or need won out and she sheathed her sword. “Just keep it on a leash and away from me.”

Now it was my turn. My fists clenched before I even realized it. There wasn’t much that was going to keep me from knocking this bitch out.

“Seth,” Ashlara said quietly behind me.

I turned. There wasn’t much, but that was one of them. She shook her head slightly. “It’s not worth it. Let’s just do the job.”

It took effort to unclench my fingers. My hands ached as I **** them open. “You’re right,” I said after a moment. “Let’s break down camp and head out.”