chapter two


    Twelve years before, in the city


    “She was nervous; she wasn’t sure what to do the baby wasn’t crying but she did not want to be a mother…”


    As she looked at the small bundle in her arms, all she felt was regret the child was born from a random fling.


    With a no-name adventure just passing through the city, if she had been smart, she could’ve prevented this with a potion to not get pregnant beforehand but now?


    The baby gently squirms in her arms, trying to get comfortable. Sorry, little one, I’m no mother…


    She snuck out the back. Nobody besides a select few knew she was ever pregnant, and she planned to keep it that way.


    She gathered shadows around herself to hide in the darkness the city was well-lit with random passersby, but she flowed around them easily as most people assumed it was a bit foggy from the misty night


    she made it to the church easily enough they were always open she pulled herself inside remaining discreet.


    Random people in prayer and few grey robes working night, it was mostly quiet she flowed into a side room looking for the bishop.


    He should be at his desk, she hoped. Upon reaching the door, she gently knocked, nervousness taking her.


    “Terra? I told you you did not need to knock,”


    “ I will have the document ready soon if you wish to wait.” She did not want to respond, but the baby shifted in her arms, and the guilt pang in her chest one more… I can still go back…


    “Terra?…” she knew her choice was made even if it killed her she was no mother…and opened the door.


    She saw the surprise on his face as the shadows faded from her and he noticed her holding the child but did not move.


    “Oliver…”


    “Tanya, I was hoping you would change your mind…”


    “I thought about it for over nine months and don’t want to keep this child secret “


    “So you abandon them to the church instead? “ He wasn’t happy there was already the beastkin abandoning their kids he hated humans doing it too.” She wanted something to calm her nerves but had nothing…


    “Judge me all you want”


    ‘ the child will be better loved by the gods and church’


    “than a mother who can’t raise them…” he sighed


    “Ok… “


    “they will be here if you ever change your mind. “


    “Do they have a name?” she was sad but nodded.


    “Arlin. “ she slowly moved forward and gave the bishop the baby he started crying as if knowing his mother was giving them up,


    but she steeled her heart she knew she was cruel and not a loving mother. “Raise him well…” she faded to shadows, a mist that flowed away into the night.


    On her way back, she stopped in front of the guild hall where she lived she was tired it was late or early, depending on the view, and she went inside.


    She was surprised to see her old friend working the counter polishing the top, not a speck of dust to be seen…. He stopped when he saw her and nodded.


    “Bit late to just be coming home, “ he said, knowing she stayed here not that it was a surprise she was the guildmaster.


    “And why are you up working this hour?” friend he was but also a co-worker of many years, he was never ambitious, always happy to earn enough for food and drink and nothing more.


    “ You want to talk about it,” he asked casually She flinched at that and drew shadows around her to hide a bit.


    “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” he sighed at that, looking at her, even hiding in the shadows, he could see the faded tears on her face, her brown hair disheveled a mess, and her brown eyes broken and a wreck, he truly wanted to help her.


    “I thought we were friends?”


    “ And we have been working together for years…. “ She broke at that knowing her lie seen through and her secret shame a truth he knew…


    “How long have you known? “ He barked a laugh at that.


    “Sorry, I knew since you did.”


    “ Well, maybe a week or so after, “


    “you are not subtle with how you act…” The tear gently fell once more she retreated even more into shadows almost just mist…


    “I can’t raise him…”


    “I know…”


    “ or you would’ve asked me for help, or at least I like to believe you would.” She shrugged, unsure what she would do differently he sighed, “Get some sleep, Tanya, and go see the alchemist tomorrow”


    “ they have potions and herbs that can help with anxiety and depression. “She did not respond. A choice was made, and what will be will be…


    She did not sleep but did wash after the sun rose she left for the day, and she saw Terry as she left him he bowed slightly the morning changed little from the night;


    there were not many people at least at this hour the path to the alchemist was straightforward enough.


    just a bit of distance she was long since familiar with the roads so it was more an indifferent passing threw the city than a maze it could be to others


    She knew about the new top dog, someone named Tommy she wasn’t happy he liked to hire thugs but it got people off the streets, and they did not commit crimes.


    He just liked Musscle to watch his back, something about lacking magic, so it reassured him. He had two shops: one he worked at personally and kept the majority of the thugs,


    and his main shop where he sold the majority of the stock and was much more low-key so as not to scare customers.


    Since she was to be discreet and needed his help, she went to his workshop outside. There were two random thugs she was unintentionally a shadow and only noticed when they flinched.


    And we’re ready for a fight. She willed herself normal, and they relaxed Seen a women and not a random monster.


    “Ya got a meeting? “ One asked, though they both leered at her, liking what they saw she was dressed in loose black silk for ease of movement, and they were trying to see closer, but careful use of shadows hid whatever she did not want them to see.


    “Tell your boss it is someone with money and likes to be discreet he will see me…” they were mildly worried now, not about her but about how to handle this situation. The only order was not to let anyone in without an appointment, but they knew money talked.


    “Wait here, “ one said as they left inside. It was eating at her standing exposed she wanted to hide in the shadows,


    to be free but the street where empty save for the one thug and she dealt with worse so calm herself while she waited…


    A few minutes later the thug came back. “Boss willing to see ya “ and led her deeper inside the room was simple if not large;


    thier many side doors, which she assumed were side workshops and storage as she was led to the back. A knock and then the opening of the door a man sat at the desk wearing glasses and writing in a book.


    he was simple looking but well dressed in a nice grey suit slick black hair and piercing green eyes he stopped writing as she entered and waved away the thug near the door


    as he gently closed it behind her she moved slowly to take a seat without being prompted


    “I don’t know you may I have a name? “ He asked casually while rising to reach a shelf for a drink


    “ Tayna guild master.” he hesitated, grabbing a bottle after hearing that.


    “Do you wish for a drink?”


    “ It is a rare brand I made myself”


    “ very smooth, not too much alcohol” Her nerves were killing her as was the lack of sleep so she nodded as he poured her a glass it was indeed very smooth and calmed her a bit


    “It’s good”


    “I can make you a bottle as a gift for this meeting.” he smiled, knowing money could be made.


    “No, I wish for something else it’s why I’m here.” he frowned slightly at that but he was a businessman and was ready for whatever she asked.


    “Well, may I ask, I hope you don’t wish me to guess? “She knew he was only friendly because she had worth to him, but then again, she didn’t care she was only here because he had worth to her.


    “I need something I can take any time for stress and anxiety “ he nodded


    “Our line of work can wear a person down,”


    “It’s why I like the drink myself “ he stirred his drink in thought, watching her observe him in return. His interest was purely financial as he lost himself in thought noticing the darkness edge around her. “an interesting skill used to hiding?” her eyes narrowed at that surprising him.


    “What are you implying?” he swallowed not sure how he oversteped.


    “I meant no disrespect “


    “merely observing a skill at play”


    “ I assure you “She looked to still be simmering, so he tried to soothe her. “ I do have a herb that can be smoked good for mana recovery and reduces stress”


    “ by calming the mind “She calmed a bit, listening


    “And?”


    “It does have side effects, nothing harmful,”


    “ Well, unless you are into vanity”


    “ reports of users saying it works great, but red eyes and white hair are the common effects reported if long-term use; “


    “it tends to be permanent.” She never cared about her looks, well, that was a bit of a lie. She did like attracting a man for fun, but beyond that, it was nothing to her…


    ‘A fair trade, what is the price?” he smiled at that


    “Nothing “ her eyes narrowed


    “You think me a fool?”


    “ There is always a price “ he slowly took a drink and then responded


    “Wise words and I never do business I don’t gain,”


    “ but I’d rather be in your good graces,”


    “Mana crystals are my prices”


    “ higher the better, when I do charge but not for this.”


    “For this, “ she repeated


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    “You are a guild master.”


    “ People will use you for trades of said crystal”


    “ I only asked you to keep me in mind for the rare ones vs using them for magical things or armor”


    “ it is what Adventure prefers to do,”


    “ so it is hard to convince people why, a potion “


    “is worth more than armor for life. “ She nodded slowly at that.


    “When can you deliver?” he grinned at that, “my dear.”


    “ What kind of businessman would I be”


    “ If I could not get it now, “


    “please excuse me for a second. “As he left and opened the door, the thug nodded and spoke with him as he left, closing the door behind him.


    She did not trust him but knew nothing he could do could hurt her he had also been doing business here for a few years,


    so he had gained trust even if he tried something she could return the favor tenfold.


    She wasn’t sure if it was the bit she did drink or just finally getting a respite, but she was feeling better, even starting to doze a bit she hadn’t been sleeping much…


    The sound of the door opening and a thug’s voice saying to his boss he already told somebody something she did not catch as he nodded and closed the door.


    “Sorry for the delay”


    “ I had to get a pipe to match the gift” he returned to the desk with a small pouch and a wooden box he presented the items, so she took them and nodded


    she opened the box to see what the fuss was about. It was a finely crafted pipe inlaid with gold and wood she knew was enchanted she was about to say it was too much, but he raised a hand to forestall her.


    “I know a gnome tinker annoying, really “


    “likes to pay with trinkets than coin or crystals “


    “but still loves to buy my potions,”


    “ I allow it as some of his better stuff is worth more than many of my potions tenfold over,”


    “ so we worked out allowance of some leeway in trinkets in trade.”


    “And you assume we will have a similar outcome? “


    “Very astute, yes I plan to be here for years, “


    “There is plenty of time for you to bring me returns for petty gifts.” “She reached over and opened the pouch and sniffed even just the herb made her feel a bit heady. “ I would prefer you not smoke it here “


    She took the gift and nodded she wanted this day to end, and antagonizing the man who helped her was not high on her list she just wanted to sleep…


    She left for the door, her business for now done “I’ll stay in touch, “were her last words the thug watched her go and turn into a mist, amazed at the ease with which she shifted.


    “You good boss?”


    “It’s fine, she’s a business friend just keep me informed like always “ he went back to his books writing notes as the thug nodded and closed the door.


    Back in her room, she filled and lit the pipe; the effect was instant, she immediately put out the pipe she barely made it to the bed after that and slept.


    When she awoke, she was surprised to see the noon sun had only a few hours passed. Guess it wasn’t that strong. She slipped the pipe into the inner pocket and made her way to the main hall terry was there helping a random adventure “Sleep well, mistress?” he asked without looking as the adventure walked away.


    “Not enough, only a few hours. “ he raised an eyebrow at that.


    “You do know a day and few hours has passed since we last talked?”


    She chuckled at that.


    “Guess it had more of a kick than I knew “


    “It?” Terry pondered she showed the pipe he smelled the tip and nodded. “ I don’t know the mix, but I know fairy root is mixed in and helps with sleep and calming a mind. I was always told it had to be a drink, though?” she shurged.


    “Alchemist gave it as a gift to help… he did say long term will have side effects, but I don’t mind “ he nodded at that.


    “It’s the fairy herb that tends to have harmless side effects”


    “ if consumed too often”


    “ I guess the smocking has the same effect”


    “ heard it is less common in beastkin humans tend to be affected by magic more”


    She was already getting anxious again, so she drew the pipe and lit it as she slowly blew out, everything just washed away. “It’s fine. I will deal with it as it happens. “ he nodded it was the start of her new life of not being a mother.


    twelve years later


    How many years had he lived in this prison surrounded by grey robes and priest people always coming and going, always acting so loving,


    but he knew better it was fake, they weren’t his family no matter how many times they welcomed him.


    He felt a bit of pride the day he was told he had darkness level three magic the bishop said he could use it for many things,


    like seeing people’s magic why would he choose that? he had no clue he liked making shadows,


    though it allowed him to hide and escape when he had nowhere else to go at least he was safe and alone there even when he didn’t want to be.


    It was an odd thing then, the day the two wolf beastkin showed up, nobody knew why they were abandoned.


    Rumors went around their parents were killed in a dungeon, and others said they had debts and fled, leaving their kids behind


    the biggest tragedy was even though they were around ten in age they said they did not know about their past,


    they said they where moved around from place to place before ending up in the city church.


    I didn’t believe it, it took a week of following them in shadows to get close they were mistrustful and did what they were told but he felt he could offer them more than just accepting their fate maybe even be a family…


    As he kept his distance so as not to scare them, “Hey, I’ve seen you two around, my name is Arlin. “


    They both jerked at his voice it seemed he was more hidden than he knew. From the darkness magic ” Sorry it’s magic I have to help me hide I tend to avoid working by using it.”


    They both stared wide-eyed, amazed he had power. “You could do magic? “The girl spoke.


    “Yeah, your beastkin you should get magic too, maybe even stronger than me!” He said with enthusiasm that when they both looked down, ears flat.


    “ no…. That’s why they abandon us, we have no magic.” The boy said.


    “What?! Nobody would be that cruel… “


    “Our family did, “the girl said meekly, “they said magic is everything, and if the gods gave us none, they we weren’t Wellcome in the tribe.”


    He was shocked he spent his whole life wanting a family and they got abandoned by their….


    “ Maybe we can be a family?” he tried saying, but they both looked at him as if what he said was wrong, so he sighed.


    ” ok, what about a leader?”


    “ I won’t abandon you as a boss”


    “ I will be there to guide you instead.” They still looked doubtful, but the boy shrugged.


    “ Ok, boss. My name is Rock, and this is my sister Ziala.”


    “I can speak for myself “She was annoyed but nodded afterward confirming it was her name.


    “ Rock? That’s an interesting name.”


    “Our parents were strong in earth magic, so they wanted me to be the rock, “


    “least that when they said before things went…. “He trailed off, ear down, ziala patted his back.


    “ I understand,” he said “ziala is also a pretty name” She gave a small smile but wasn’t cheerful.


    Arlin knew this was a chance at a new start, so he showed them things weren’t so bad.


    they got used to helping the grey robes with random chores and learning basic reading and math,


    they knew some, but the tribe they came from focused more on magic than anything else, so it was a nice change for him to be helping them with things seem to be looking up


    A few months passed with Arlin happy leading the kids they did not see him really as a family, but it was close it was then ziala was getting sick, slowly playing and moving less each day.


    They tried praying and random potions, but nothing was working it did not make sense, so Arlin went to see the bishop.


    As he entered the bishop’s room he was greeted with a good-natured reply, ''Arlin it’s good to see you well''


    '' it’s been a while since I have seen you happy''


    '' or helping others, it’s a nice change what can I do for you?”


    He steadied his resolve “ I know you saw ziala is getting sicker and worse each day.


    “, we need a cure for her” The bishop was smiling but now frowned


    “We can’t do that I’m afraid,”


    “ her sickness is not fatal”


    “ given time, she should grow in magic, and it will heal itself.”


    “it won’t, it’s why they were abandoned.”


    “Who told you such things?”


    “I heard it from their own words,”


    “ ah… that is partly true”


    “ There is no partly, they were abandoned and you know it”


    “ Arlin,” bishop sighed “it’s… true the tribe they came from was…. “


    “Well is a bit of zealot over magic”


    “ it is sad, but that is the struggle of life.”


    He was shocked at the indifference of the bishop he saw Arlin look and explained.


    “We have been having cases like this for years…”


    “ on top of that if you helped more you know we are always dealing with the weakness curse… “ he did not care he was the leader of the kids and promised he take care of them.


    “There got to be something you can do “


    “For her? No… “


    “she will grow out of it”


    “ almost all beastkin heal from it within a few years at most; “


    “They barely even have any weakness effects it is the humans that suffer.” Arlin wasn’t listening since the bishop wasn’t he would find a way…


    Bishop saw his face and knew he needed to see how it affected humans “Follow me “


    He led them to one of the side corridors he never went down since it was where most of the grey robes and priests tended to go.


    There were a surprising amount of doors in this hall, and random doors were open the bishop spoke quietly “The closed doors were them sleeping.”


    “We check on them randomly to make sure they’re ok”


    “ the open ones are those awake, and we try and assist who we can.”


    As they entered one of the doors, he noticed it was a small room basic, with just a bed and a small table to the side with a chair, unlike their main room, which was a bunker hall with many beds where they slept, he wondered why these rooms where single what made them better?


    The bishop, sensing his discomfort, spoke, “These rooms were for those who have no home and nobody to help,”


    “ We tend to help them till we get a potion”


    “ or they recover, some choose to repay us as grey robes, “


    “others donate when they can”


    “ We don’t judge”


    “ as the city and guild helps fund these projects since it keeps people off the streets.”


    The room they were in was currently empty but did look lived in “Where are they?” he couldn’t help but ask.


    “We try and give them exercise when we can to help them recover since their always weak.”


    “ We have to be careful and tend to do it in small amounts”


    “ while supervised “ he did remember seeing random people be guided around he just thought they were old or sick, well he was partly right.


    “You said you can help them so you can spare a potion then…” the bishop sighed.


    “They’re rare and take time to make”


    “ every year we have been getting less not more, “


    “and the people with weakness happen to new people every year…”


    “I’ll work harder I will earn it…”


    “Arlin, this is your home”


    “ you owe us nothing we do wish you help more, but out of desire, not need. “


    ‘This is not my home…” it slipped his lips but he did not regret it he always hated it here and now they won’t help his family. It was worse…


    “I wish you did not feel that way but we will care for you as long as you’re here.”


    “Excuse me. “


    They both look at the new voice it was a grey robe walking a young man he looked like he had run for days,


    and was barely standing. They move away from the door, regretting they blocked the path.


    “ Mr. Smith was passing through the city a month ago “ the bishop spoke as the grey robe guided the man to the bed “he does have a home, but it is overseas”


    “ he was worried he might get sick and came to the city looking for are alchemist “


    “How did he know? “ he was amazed he traveled so far looking like that…


    “ We try to keep a church in all towns built”


    “ and share information and resources where we can”


    “ he was tested for not having magic”


    “ and knew one day he would… “


    “well, could get sick, so he came here looking for a cure. “


    “It happens to everyone without magic?”


    “Hmmm, technically, yes, but it tends to happen more where dungeons exist.” The man Mr. Smith was oblivious to everything that just took place,


    as he was eased into bed and fell asleep. The grey rob used a cloth they had to clean the sweat from his face.


    They did not want to be rude watching, so they left him be they bowed, leaving the room and closing the door to give him peace.


    “Now you know why we can’t help you, people like that are waiting for a cure “Yet he did not see it that way for him it was proof he needed to save his sister before she became like that…


    He rubbed his eyes, another of these stupid cures done…. He was trying to build a backlog with the few he was able to craft so he could put it off longer


    but they were a pain to make it was like the gods were fighting his method the herbs seemed to be getting rarer regardless of what he was willing to pay for them…


    One of his older alchemists came to him, the perfectionist who kept wanting to study the herb, but he refused to let him…


    “what do you want, Herbert? “ He did not even look he already knew the old fool was near just by his nature of always coming when a cure seemed to be done….


    “I still think you’re doing it wrong sir.”


    “Perhaps, but it’s my method, and it works.”


    “You could be saving more lives if you made it better “


    “Mabye and less money…”


    “Is that all that matters to you? “ He laughed at that


    ‘Do you really need to ask that? “


    “I do,”


    “ I cannot work for a man whose only goal is greed the gods want us to save lives not bleed them off coin…”


    “Touching…”


    “ but it’s my shop, my rules, “


    “This isn’t your school of hope,”


    “ you came to me,”


    “This is my empire, I built with my time and money…” Hebert sighed


    “I will be leaving then…” that surprised him.


    “Is this about a raise?”


    “ you just had to ask”


    “ or I suppose I could spare one herb since if you insist “ he looked at Herbert to judge his response.


    He was well-dressed and squinting not from annoyance but from his habit of always staring at close things, it was affecting him too, it’s why he started wearing glasses randomly he wondered if he could make a potion for that when Herbert spoke.


    “ No sir… “


    “your greed knows no bounds, “


    “and as much as it pains me, “


    “I trust I can do better “


    “even without that herb,” he laughed at that before he could stop himself.


    “Sorry, that was rude,”


    “ I wish you well.”


    “ Let the guild know you are leaving”


    “ I prearrange for all my workers with them for payments”


    “ That might end with us having issues as a fail-safe “


    “so there can be no hard feelings,”


    : if you change your mind I always admired your work.”


    Herbert wasn’t sure if he was serious or if he had been dismissed that easily,


    the more he thought about it, it was that easy… it was a solemn walk out the front door.


    Nobody tried to stop him as he passed the thugs at the door he barely even noticed the young child standing before them pleading to get in…


    He was tired as he sat back at his desk, setting the newest potion there, and poured himself a drink.


    He wanted to sleep soon even though it was still early as much as he loved what alchemy gave him, it was a mental drain.


    “Boss? “ A thug slowly opened the door.


    “ What…”


    “Never mind.” He was annoyed, but they never interrupted unless it was something.


    “Just tell me”


    “ I’d rather know than not.” The thug stopped closing the door and looked conflicted


    “Their some kid wanting to see you who says he wants to make a deal.” The absurdity of it surprised him how did a child know how to find him?


    “ I will allow it, send him. “ he finished off his drink and set it off to the side,


    waiting for the unknown visitor when the door opened again, there was a young boy covered in edges of shadows as if it was an outline around him.


    He was a simple dress that looked like the was provided by the church. The kid hesitated for a moment, then sat, not looking at him.


    “Well, you came here what do you need? “ he was interested in what brought this kid, but not that much.


    “ My sister is sick…”


    “And?”


    “I need a cure…”


    “This isn’t a church child, we don’t give freely, and they can heal most things very easily “


    “It the weakness “


    “Ah, my statement stands… that is not something giving easily what it worth to you for me to even care…”


    “I can work “


    “I got plenty of thugs and your little young to be one, also I don’t think they’re worth that potion they not easily made “


    “I’ll owe you “


    “Charming, but that’s not much of a sell pitch for me to care.“


    “I have darkness level three I can earn money I just need time… “ he was mildly interested to hear that.


    that was a rare gift for a human he could probably find a use for later when older,


    and he did just make one it pains him to think of the deal he made with the church to always make them one though he has to make more…


    As he thought more about it, he figured he would have some fun. “You cannot steal from anyone”


    “ with money coming into my streets “


    “Or around my shop. beyond that?”


    “ I don’t care how you get the money… “The boy looked up hopeful at that, and he grinned the boy frowned, knowing there was more.


    “ You will never be able to pay me back as a thief,”


    “ but it will be interesting to see you try”


    “ I need things from the dungeon, and you are too young for that.”


    He left out the part where he could use this against the church, letting their kids run rampant and make deals,


    That they can’t pay… maybe it would allow him to end the stupid once-a-month potion deal. It was a waste of time for him to help the weak and poor.


    He reached over and handed the boy the potion.” This is a rare gift you did nothing to earn it. Remember that…” The boy nodded and rushed away, not saying a word of thanks


    the thug in the hall noticed the boy go but did not give chase since the boss wasn’t concerned.


    “You good boss? “


    “Fine, just setting up my future is all.” The thug nodded and let him be he poured himself one more drink before turning in for the day, he hated those cures, wasted time and effort.