It’s been a little over a month since they left the church in search of a cure, so proud they were running away till they became no better than rats, and even though they managed to cure one of their group, now another grew sick. They owe debts, and now they will have more. The inn they were leaving had info they needed, but unsure if it was enough. Arlin did not know where to go from here.
Cold he thought as he left the entrance of the inn he hated winter it was never warm enough even covered to escape the bite of the winter he tried to cover his head with the cloak to reduce some of the cold it never really helped.
Surprisingly to him, though the darkness magic did something about the cold, the darkness offered him a bit of warmth. He used it on the inside of the cloak to give some warmth behind him a cough and a low male voice spoke, “This place always judges us. Why do we even bother coming here?”
“ A smaller female voice spoke you know as well I do it is the only place that doesn’t recognize us as runaway rats, “the female voice said drawing a small cloak over her wolf-like face.
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The male voice sighed, “There's got to be something better, sister.”
“If there was a brother, we wouldn’t be here, would we?” the female replied.
“Enough, you two, the cold was bad enough without your barking adding to it.”
“ Sorry,” the female voice said
“Whatever,” the male voice said, but they both got quiet; only a random low cough broke the silence.
After a little bit of not moving and standing in the cold, the young male asked, “Um… what are we going to do, Arlin? We can’t steal around here anymore since we got the potion for Ziala. Tommy doesn’t like it.”
“ I know, Rock, “Arlin said, looking at the young wolf, his sister quietly waited for the outcome. Arlin knew he was supposed to give these kids a better life than the church he took them from….
“We could try new ways to steal,” Rock suggested
“That’s stupid… “ziala said in a low voice, “
“Not like you made a plan,” Rock retorted, then coughed into his hand
“No plan is better than a stupid one!” They were both just kids. Arlin thought, Why did I think this was a good idea?
“Enough…” Arin said in a low voice, the fighting was nothing new, but the cold just made it worse, and today wasn’t a good day. “Let's go see Tommy, maybe we can work something out.”
“Don’t think it will go better than last time, boss,” Rock replied, downcast. Ziala stayed quiet but agreed.
“We are already at the bottom, can’t get any worse, can only go up,” Arlin said with a bit of mirth.
“Sure…” Rock said, coughing a few times before going on, “As long as you have worth, you can always move up. “
“You know,” ziala said, “that was probably the smartest thing I ever heard you say, shame it won’t last.”
“ Whatever,” Rock said and coughed more as they left.
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The streets were nearly empty from the late hour, combined with the cold. Their destination was the alchemist guild, the main branch was too rich for them to get near. But the owner, Tommy, had a smaller side branch just for business. Making it easier to do side deals, while his main branch sold potions.
Out front were two guards who watched them approach with a sneer.“You got business here?” one asked from behind a hood.
“You know us,” Arin said the other spoke up
“Yeah, street rats, and you didn’t answer his question,” Rock spoke up
“We got business with your boss, not thugs.” Arlin was strained and spoke
“Where tired… we just need to talk”
“Sounds like a you problem,” the first thug spoke, neither moving an inch.
“We want to settle a debt,” he tried once more.
“Who doesn’t?” the second said, and they both laughed after that, they just stared at them from behind hoods when they saw the snow slowly start to drop once more, and the pitiful disposal of them not moving one relented.
“Aha, seems trash can’t take a hint… let the boss know if we’re lucky, he will ask up to take out the trash. They both laughed at that while the second went inside.
As they waited, Rock coughed some more, trying to hold it back, but was not able to. ziala patted him on the back. Arlin was reflecting while they waited.
This was my choice he thought bitterly he hated they couldn’t do more than steal and be rats… the church always gave them scraps and everyone else took what they could with joy versus being spiteful.
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A few minutes later, the other thug came back. “Tsk, boss is in a good mood. Figure rats should be heard for some reason… go ahead, remember you’re always being watched.”
“Yea yea…” Arin said Rock just stared them down, and ziala said nothing, as they entered the building. The area was a large lot, with side rooms mostly storage for goods to be sold later, and side labs for alchemy. The room they wanted was straight in the back, as the thug said there were various guards casually watching the doors few glanced their way but with indifference.
When they entered the office, it was very clean, bright, and warm, almost too warm after the cold from outside. Everything was extreme luxury. Sitting behind the desk was a slender man with glasses. He took off his glasses, presumably used to read, and spoke, “I’m surprised you got my money already, and early no less, I’m impressed.”
All three of the street rats went cold at that, they knew they didn’t have the money they were even sure he knew, and was mocking them… “Well?” he said in a honey voice, “Why else would you be here? I doubt to beg…”
Arin, burning with shame, said, “We need a potion for rock.”
“You… And you… And you… And you…” The man behind the desk
droned on in a flippant mockery,
“You know we’re trying, Tommy,” Arlin said bit defeated
“No. “Tommy Flalty said, “What I know… is you use me and ask for things. Then make an excuse, why you can’t pay me back.”
“It’s hard to work sick, that’s why we needed the potion for ziala, now we need one for Rock. We will be good after that!” Arlin spoke with a little heat, forgetting to show respect.” Sir, “he added as an afterthought, trying to appeal to his ego; it did not work
Tommy looked up at the ceiling. Smiling, he closed his eyes. “Money is power, so why would I keep giving up that power to rats? Rats that don’t pay their debts…
“what am I going to threaten your family? You have none,…” he said with amusement “I’m surprised you three even still hang out and have not betrayed each other! You’re not even a real family well, they are, but you’re a human! Tommy said with a bit of mirth.
Arlin, knowing they were in his debt, tried to find a new angle. “There's got to be something we can do for one more potion,” Tommy was mildly assumed and replied.
“I thought the same… It's why I even took a chance on you kids, as it is, now? You’re just a waste of more resources, and that won’t do… I doubt I’ll get back what you owe me, much less the interest!
“We got info...” Arlin tried a different angle
“Nothing, you three know can be worth the time I already wasted, but feel free to humor me with the knowledge I lack.” he smiled at that, waiting to hear their last desperate pitch.
“We’ve been going to the dragon inn,” Arin started, but Tommy cut in,
“Well, that explains why you lack funds you owe me, sad if that’s the info, but go ahead and explain why you wasted what you owe eating there…” Arin was annoyed and ready to fight, but that was when he felt ziala take his hand.
She was a tough kid but she was still a kid, he sighed. “We needed info. Stealing wasn’t making enough we were trying to find a bigger score.
“And?” Tommy was already bored and kept interrupting to hurry them along.
“Every once in a while, hunters would stop in and talk, same with the church people,” Arlin said
“ and traders...” Tommy said unamused, barely listening, wanting to see if there was a point.
“ Well, the talk among them kept going on about a new dungeon.” Arlin finally got to finish. That got Tommy’s attention real quick.
“ and I was not told?…” Tommy asked with narrowed eyes. Arlin was hopeful this was the case, it was his ace, he did not even know if it had value if not. He had nothing.
“Let’s pretend I believe you, where would this dungeon be?” Tommy watched them carefully.
“ Lakewood just passed Crossroads to the south. Arlin spoke quickly, hopeful.
“That backwater runt village?” Tommy wasn’t amused or believed them. “You’re saying they got their own dungeon?”
“Will get…” Arlin corrected “It’s happening within two years they are building a guild hall as we speak.
“ And you know that how?” Tommy still did not believe
“It’s what we spent the money on, listening in on the groups eating. We couldn’t enter other inns, they saw us as thieves, but this one let us in as long as we paid.”
Tommoy hummed before speaking, “And because I told you not to steal near there, Convenient how that worked out…” not believing them still.
“You can ask around, it not a secret; it’s just not something they will tell street rats, so we had to eavesdrop. Arlin was confident in his words.
“So I got the info, and you have nothing… if that was your plan, you thought way too highly of yourselves.” Tommy was unsure how to feel. Arin wasn’t done. He finally had an angle he could
“use you keep using us to steal copper when you want silver and gold will never pay any debt like that.” Tommy was interested as the talk was now on him making money.
“Go on,” he said, seriously listening now.
“give us the potion for rock, and I’ll help secure things from the new dungeons, till all debts are paid.” he started sweating a little as this was a gamble of trust, and he wasn’t worth trusting.
“So you want me to wait potentially years for a payoff that may never come while you live debt-free?” Tommy wanted to say more, but Arlin spoke
“ We live, do to your graces, and we will pay our debts.”
“Allegedly, “ Tommy retorted, rubbing his eyes while speaking, “The news would reach me in time, and you telling me did help, if mildly.”
But the debt stands, I won’t lose money on this, and I need more than the words of three rats to have trust, but I’m willing to make a deal.”
Arlin listened on as Rock was trying to hold back a cough, and ziala was holding his hand, unsure where this was going.
Tommy pointed at the wolfkin “Those two rats, work for me not you. As runners. They will earn nothing the potions have seen to that, to free them of that debt, you need to get me stuff from the dungeon.
Arlin hated that they were slaves till he could free them, but they were already at the bottom; they didn’t have many options.
“The dungeon won’t exist for a while, the deal doesn’t take place till then, but we need the potion now. He wasn’t giving up.
“Bold, “Tommy said, “making demands of those in power and even setting terms!” Arlin refused to back down
“I know you need mana crystals …”
“I need many things,” Tommy admitted “IF…the day comes you can get them, till then herbs are more precious but you will never know which hold the most value so that is a waste of time too.
“I want twenty level one crystals per potion, for the debt owed. Since you’re not the shrewd type.”
“ you can buy a potion selling the crystals with about five mana crystals” Arlin was surprised not at Tommy’s greed but how easily the cure needed could be bought with money.
“Before you get too excited, you would need help to kill things in a dungeon, and the beast they do spawn can be rare. Add to it, you need to split the loot…. Well, let’s just say this is not something that will be easy to be debt-free.” Tommy mused, not caring.
Arlin was firm as he spoke, “The potion and you got a deal but not till it opens and only I would go I can make a group and get them. I know it, they won’t know me as a street rat in that town it can work.
Tommy looked thoughtful for a second then started drumming the table with his fingers after a moment he asked “I know you don’t think me a saint but I wonder do you see me as a villain?”
Arlin wasn’t sure how to respond to that. Tommy smiled, “You” he said with finality, “Are trash, street rats that beg me, who earn money, and power… I am not the villain, you are. “
Arlin kept quiet as Tommy went on, “You beg, and take, and beg for more… even as I give, what do you do? Beg, and ask me for more….”
“BUT…” he said when he saw their defeated looks. “Even if you don’t see me as a saint, I understand your worth. You do have value, even if a little…
“ I agree, consider this a test of trust and faith.” he pulled out a veil with a neon blue glow.” This, he held it up, staring at them. “It cost me time and money to make, neither of which I like losing. So prove your worth more than this, and we’re even.”
Arlin did not move as he stared at Tommy, he knew even this was a test, could he be a good dog and wait, and kneel when told. So none of the three moved…
Tommy smiled happy they knew. “Good,” he said “It’s yours and handed the vail to Arlin “I’ll find out the details you couldn’t, do me a favor and make yourself worth something.”
“I know you have level three darkness. Train that; nobody will want to take a runt into a dungeon that brings nothing of worth; you think I’m gaining have rats as runners? It’s a modest gain at best.
Arlin was holding the potion as if it were gold; he knew it was worth it. Since it healed Ziala, it will heal Rock, too…
“Let go,” he said
“ Remember, “Tommy said, smiling, “I’m not the villain for wanting what I owe from those that begged.”
As they left the guards outside left them in peace they were in there long enough they knew a deal was made and they were smart enough to keep quiet.
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Once they found a quiet ally free from prying eyes Arlin handed the drink to rock “Go on drink it.” Rock took it slowly, not wanting to drink it. “Relax,” Arlin said while patting his shoulder “Where family and we have a way out, it just takes time… that’s enough.”
ziala also depressed spoke, “Sorry I’m a burden,” and Rock said the same, still not drinking. Arlin laughed, “Where rats, we stick together we rise and fall together!” he watched them not agreeing, so he repeated it.
“together remember? “ They both nodded meekly as Rock drank the potion and just like that it was gone.
So quick, so easy, he was healed. Yet the debt that chained them would last a much longer…
Arlin said, slapping Rock on the side.” Better, big guy? He nodded, not wanting to speak, tears in his eyes. ziala, who always fought with her brother, spoke up then.
“Don’t worry, you still got me, even if you’re ugly, I won’t leave you, rock.” Rock was finally feeling better, retorted.
“maybe it was better if I was alone than” the bickering went on into the night. They didn’t want to go to the church instead they wandered into the night. Ignoring the money, the bitter cold, and the chains of debts will haunt them for years. For tonight? At least for a moment, they were free.
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In a random alley amongst the dim lights and falling snow, they woke huddled together for warmth. Another day at the bottom. They could leave at any time back to the church, but the church already failed them before. It is better to be free and cold than kneeling to those who see you as something to pity.
Yeah, Tommy uses them but he sees their worth the church just wants them to stay in a room and do chores, and wait for their blessing…. No. Street rats we may be but free rats are worth more than being caged.
He heard groaning next to his side. Ziala was colder than him it seemed his darkness was keeping him warm without even trying he hated how his family wasn’t blessed, but he was, it was proof the gods were cruel if they would let loved ones suffer and make a sickness they could not afford.
He tried to huddle closer to ziala without waking her, causing Rock to also try to nudge closer for the warmth they were both overgrown kids, Arlin thought.
Shifting his thoughts to the day and debating on if they were going to steal. They didn’t need the money now that the debt was changed, but the only other option was to submit to the church for the time needed. He heard a low voice at his side.
“We made it through another night,” ziala said
“Did I wake you?” Arlin asked, she shook her head saying “No, the cold did.”
“We might need to steal again… Lost in thought, he commented
“ I know,” she said in a low voice.
“Funny how we’re supposed to be free yet always bound to someone,” Arlin said in mockery.
“We always knew that, boss, what's new?” Rock said
“You awake too big, guy? Arlin mused
“ Cold, “he said back
“Yeah, Arlin said I know…. I think we have to go back to the church at least for a few years, then we will be free, just have to live long enough to get there.”
Ziala said, “Easier said than done, or we would not be street rats.”
rock added “They don’t care.
“ I know,” Arlin said, “but we don’t need their love just their mercy and they do offer warmth food even teaching things we need we use them and get out nothing new there.”
“We still owe Tommy,” ziala said,” he's not going to let us do whatever till the dungeons open.”
“ he will,” Arlin said. “he wanted the bigger prize, he was willing to gamble and wait, or he never agreed to the deal. “
Rock laughed at that “best joke I heard all year him trusting rats.
“Not trusting,” Arlin said, “Waiting, he knows we got nowhere to go and he doesn’t want to feed or train us, but he still expects us to pay our debt.
So he knows he has to bend a little, less he breaks us and gets nothing it smart business.
Rock murmured, while trying to build warmth, same with ziala, though neither could get closer, and the cold never really became less, but the sun was rising and the day would bring something, even if it wasn’t hope, it was something, and for rats, that was enough.
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He didn’t want to steal but they also did not want to go to the church hungry and give them more power… no, they would eat first to least stand a little straighter and have pride.
He knew it was hypocritical that he stole with one hand while saying they had honor and paid debts with the other, but he also didn’t try to pretend to be anything more than what they were rats, just because they wanted to be better didn’t change what they were.
The thefts were simple. Rock ziala would beg and scout, depending on how the people treated them, and how heavy the purses looked, they would pick them for stealing.
Money was good at first and debts were been paid back quickly but people were not stupid, those with money avoided certain streets, and noticed rats were around when they lost money.
It wasn’t hard to put two and two together… the only saving grace was they couldn’t prove who did it because of Arlin’s darkness magic.
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He blended as the shadows and followed closely the mark and stole the coins and was gone before they knew they were even robbed it was beautiful in its simplicity till it did not work, and Rock got sick then it was too much.
Tommy prohibited them from hitting certain areas as those areas were more likely to spend money on potions, and he refused to let them steal money he was already going to get while also creating a false perception that those areas were better and making a loop of more people with money going there.
Well, arlin thought there had to be some truth to it, nobody in the slums wanted anything to do with them as they knew any coins they got were stolen.
“Let’s try anyway,” Arlin said. “We got time to scout a few places, worst case, we change the plan. Skim the edges of the street where allowed to hit, can play stupid if Tommy finds out it just this once.
“ ok,” they both said and got up, shaking off the snow that had settled over the night.
Rock and ziala were not happy. They left the church; they did not think the church was evil, but followed Arlin out of loyalty, taking a chance living on the streets, now they were going back to it.
“Whatever he says,” Zaila said dejectedly, trying to shake those thoughts while Rock was scouting a new spot he heard her passing words.
“You always take his side,” he retorted
. ziala just shrugged and said,” He's not wrong… he took us from the church and gave us a better life.”
rock laughed “Yeah, under the thumbs of others, so free”
Why is this even an argument? Why now… ziala asked, unsure
. Rock said, “We are losing everything, nothing to show for it.”
Ziala whispered, “And Arlin is willing to leave us…”
rock started into the distance, watching a few passers-by. “No easy marks.” He mumbled. Most in these streets seem to be just as poor as them well, they had a home but still were poor like them.
Strange how the gods favored some people some days and let others suffer on other days. Today, it seems the gods favor them. They saw him as a new person. Lost, definitely had money, was well dressed, could afford to lose some coins, and keep living.
Rock knew he was the one, a low whistle, and he walked the opposite way of the mark still The mark noticed, surprised at the odd behavior of the wolf beastkin, but dismissed it and went another direction.
ziala was smaller, easy to miss, followed on the side, hiding as best she could under a small cloak, she waited till the mark was annoyed.
They weren’t able to find their way, then she spoke, “You lost, mister.” The man shook and turned to her, and saw a little girl, least he assumed so
“ No, he said, 'I’m fine, good day, ' and started to leave.
“I know these streets; I can help you.” She said friendly. He stopped for a second, saw her dirty clothes, and sneered.
“Listen, kid; it’s bad enough I got turned around in a den where their rats, but the last thing I need is beggars trying to guide me down a new alley problem with thieves.” He said with Venom, ziala flinched at being called out, she wasn’t proud of what they were, but every time they were called that, it still hurt sometimes more when they looked like they had a better life.
She let out a low whistle and then smiled,” Sorry, mister, my mistake.” The man was confused twice whistles. Are they mad? He looked around, expecting to be mugged, but the area he was in was relatively clean and clear there was no one around, he thought…
went to glare and the little girl, but she was gone. he checked his purse still there he sighed freaks, that was why they were in the gutter he left for the open area where he should be free
but halfway there, darkness rose all around it paralyzed him with fear, and madness all he could see were shadows day turned into a pitch black night
terrifying him more it felt like a warm embrace as if it wanted to hold him and let him know everything would be ok…
He was about to scream and run in a panic when it faded away. It made no sense!
Desperate to be free of the madness, he ran and eventually found the main road, heavy breathing and half panicking. When he saw others, he could not help but feel compelled to tell someone, anyone, what happened
. The few random passersby who listened to his rambling laughed
“You met the street rats, eh?”
“ What,” he said, still panicked, “you talking the random poor filthy?”
“No,” one of them said between a few laughs “The street rats have got a system most know it and how to avoid them They are harmless if you know what to watch for, but they target those with more money than sense.”
The man, confused, finally registered their mockery and checked his pouch… it was gone. First, he went cold, then mad with rage, that was my potion money! He shouted
to the few men listening, laughed and said
“Yeah, well, it’s rats' food now. You have to be more mindful of your purse… although I have never seen them hit the same person twice or target any poor, so just bad luck, friend, the gods can’t favor everyone; someone has to lose. Besides, just let the church know, they will cover any loss.”
The man was still angry. “This has nothing to do with the gods! It’s just thieves and rats in the streets! Why do the guards allow this?”
“Um…” the last one still listening as the rest had left “still got to prove it first, did you see who did it?”
“ What?!” the angry man replied “It was the street rats just shake them all, and one will have my coin!” The last man shook his head, walking away. “That’s not how it works. A lot of poor in the area can’t just demand every one of them show any coin they have and hope you can prove it your stolen coin.”
“Just stick to nicer areas, they got some codes to keep them from stalking there. They’re easy to spot once you know what to look for and they don’t cause trouble.”
“Well, no more than anyone else in a gutter, and as the others said, just see the church.” He, too, walked away, leaving the man to stew in unresolved anger.
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