I had never needed to steal before, being from a wealthy family I never had toexperiencegoing hungry, desperation or the need to take something without paying. But being here, in this world had changed me. Before I even realizedit,I was planning a crime for my own survival. Whether it wasperceivedas good or evil in the face of others didn''t matter. Looking down at the thin sword my grip tightened around the sheath, my resolve clearing as I stepped through the door exiting the building.


    Hooker continued his cheerful chatter with the owner, gloating about his sword no doubt, making a good distraction as I walked away from the store. I felt no guilt for what I did and the farther I got from the store the less tension I felt. "Now that I have a weapon all that''s left is, the medical supplies." Medical bandages and wrappings would be expensive, having only three Tri pieces I wondered howDa''inhad thought it was enough to buy anything let alone a weapon and bandages. Asking around the market many of the residences seemed more relaxed with my appearance. Not being in rags or smelling possibly helped with that.


    After asking around for about an hour no one seemed to know where I could buy bandages for only 3 Tri pieces, some even laughing at the question until they realized I was serious. One man had told me that the temple gave free medical attention to those that defended the village from outside threats, and they might be willing to sell me their supplies for a lower than market price. Pointing me in the direction I thanked him before weaving through the dwindling crowd of people. It was getting late and many of them were packing up theirbusinessfor the day.


    The people of the village called it a temple, but it looked just like the other buildings on the outside. although a little taller thepyramidshaped building had novisible windowsfrom the outside, walkingthrough the curtainI''mgreeted by a dimly lit room and many bald men and woman silently bowing their heads. and on the farther side of the room, the same statue that was erected in the center of the village was also here only a smaller version.


    I stayed in the back of the room hidden in shadow, I wasn''t areligiousman personally and I felt awkward intruding in on the prayer.Lookingaround I recognized some of the former slaves, their heads also absent of any hair. How they could still believe in a God after what we had suffered through I didn''t know, perhaps it was the only thing keeping them going in this cruel world. Raising theirheads,the devotes clap their hands once in unison before chatter starts to fill the room. Walking out of the shadows gets me the attention of a few of them, walking up to me with a wide smile on their face.


    "What brings you here Liberator? How can we be of service to you?" The man wore many rings on his fingers, I assumed him to be in charge.


    "I''ve come looking for bandages for my journey through the desert tomorrow, the supply shops sell themfortoomuch money and my budget is low at the moment." Tapping hischin,the man thought for a moment, "I''m sorry to tell you this Liberator, but our bandages are reserved for anybattle that may arise, there strictly for healing the warriors who risktheirlives protecting our home and loved ones."


    "You can''t spare a few of them?" I ask, I wasn''t going to beg for their help but I had nowhere else to turn. "I''m afraid not, you are more than welcome to come for any treatments needed for a fee of course, but I cannot permit the selling of our bandages inlargequantities." The bald man seemed trouble at hisinabilityto provide any help, his wrinkles forming a deep frown before a smile surfaced onhis face. "We may not be able to provide you with any medicalequipmentbut perhaps you would be interested in lettingourhelbrederaccompany you?"This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    "Yourhelbreder? How does that help me with my problem?" I ask, the oldman laughed heartily before pointing towards the statue. At the base 3people lay kneeling in prayer, they all wore white gowns cut off at theanklesrevealing their bare feet. Finishing, they all stoodthe candlelight gleaming off of their hairless heads. "Come myhelbreders, this Liberator requires your assistance." They looked at each other briefly before striding over, it seemed like aglowemanatedfrom them.


    Each of them bowed in unison as they arrived not saying a word, "Wehave three new pledges with us that have started the path of being ahelbreder, although they received the mighty blessing from our Lord Meme they are stillinexperienced in the waysof the world and I wish for them to venture along with you in your travels."


    Looking at the group they didn''t look any differentthanme and I didn''t see the benefit of taking anyone of them along with me, and I doubtedDa''inwould be happy that I decided to bring along someone from the temple without her approval. "How willme bringing one of these men along going to solve my problem?" The words came out muchharsherthan I intended.


    The three men didn''t seem to mind or react in the slightest. They gave offanemotionless presence which gave me the creeps. "Ahelbrederwill do far better than any bandage or medicine could do, they practice the craft of divination healing the mind, body, and spirit. Although new in the craft they are still quite an asset if taken with you on your journey."


    I was a bit shocked, I thought magic haddisappearedfrom the lands yet here were 3 men capable of healing wounds, I thought on it briefly before agreeing to take a man with me on our journey. I figured I could question him later about how he was able to use magic. The old man nodded in approval a smile plastered on his face before beckoning to the shorter of the men. He wasthin,his skin not as dark as most people I''d seen in the village, standing beside the old man he bowed towards me, "thank you for allowing me to join you on your travels, my name is Orie a disciple under the charge of masterShidaum.


    So,the old guy''s name isShidaum,Ithought before the other two men stalked off. "He is only a disciple but his skills in the craft are superbamongthe others, do treat him well and return himsafelyto us." I nodded, before speaking with Orie explaining where he would meet for tomorrows departure and what he would need. He simply nodded at my instruction without saying a word, after which he walked away to whichIassume was to prepare.


    After thankingShidaumI headed back towards the camp looking forward to seeing the familiar faces of my friends. Walking through the tent I''m greeted by Ren covered in sand, "where have you been I was getting worried. Do you have any idea what time it is?" He spoke while giggling, "Oh shut up,where''sCeleste shouldn''t she be here by now?"


    Looking down Renmurmured, "She still at the blacksmith''s, she''s been working none stop ever since she left earlier. She''ll be at your departure tomorrow so don''t worry."


    Nodding myhead,I lay in the sandy straw staring up at the tent, my mindproddedwith the uncertainties of tomorrow before whispering,"One thing is certain tomorrow everything begins."


    Before hearing Ren snap, "Shut up! I''m trying to sleep."