Winter is upon us now and I’ve finally turned 9 years old. Adria’s birthday is actually a few days before mine so it turns out we are the same age. I’ve been serving Adria alongside Muriel for the better part of a season and things have been going well. I can say that my life has improved somewhat now that I am directly under Adria’s control. The chores and housework that were expected of me as a general slave have been waved in favor of serving Adria. Murel and I split the work 50/50 and we go from there. Of course, Muriel and I aren’t alone, Adria still has regular servants that attend to her in addition to us. Can’t leave the princess in the care of two slaves I suppose.

Besides, it’s not like Adria ever ordered me around in the first place. The girl truly believes we are her friends. Perhaps, in another life, we could be. But as long as I am a slave Adria and me will never be friends.

Since the escape tunnel was a bust I’ve been running other scenarios for escape attempts. I thought that maybe I could use Adria as a hostage but anytime I think about a plan along those lines it always ends with me being killed. In my current state, I can’t afford to have a direct confrontation with the guards or soldiers of Sandervile. I just need an opportunity to arise. I’m hoping that sooner or later Adria will be asked to leave Sandervile for some reason in which I hope I will be allowed to accompany her. If something along those lines happens I can definitely make something happen.

However, that is all wishful thinking. I can’t manifest those things into existence but today I’m going to have an interesting opportunity. I have been within the walls of the mayor’s district since my arrival. I can even count on one hand how many times I’ve approached the gatehouse. But today we were leaving the mayor’s district and heading to the merchant/adventure district. But that’s after we get Adria to wake up…

“Adria, wake up,” I called out.

She just grumbled and continued to “sleep”.

“Mistress Adria, please wake up, your humble servant is asking you kindly,” I said once more. Muriel who was standing behind me snickered.

“DON’T CALL ME THAT, KALI! I refuse to be called that! Or wake up….” she complained, suddenly full of energy.

“I believe this was your idea, Young Master, didn’t you want to go to the winter market? Besides, Ester and Bril are already preparing to leave soon,” I argued.

“Kali, please, just call me Adria…and it’s sooo cold I don’t wanna wake up.”

It was winter now but it wasn’t too cold to get up. Winters in Sandervile were mild at best. No snow fell from the sky around here and temperatures rarely even touched freezing levels while the sun was up. If anything, the temperature was nice and cool. But that was if you were a normal person. If you were a half-naked slave hunkering down in some barn somewhere you probably weren’t having a very good time. I would know.

“I’ll call you Adria for the entire day if you get up right now. Because if you don’t then we are going to miss the opportunity to leave the mansion.”

Adria huffed, “Fine, I’ll get up…”

I wasn’t sure if she wanted me to call her by her name or if she wanted to leave the mayor’s district more. But either way, she finally decided to get up. I left the room as was customary and Muriel and the other maids helped Adria get ready for the day.

It took weeks of negotiations with Sylros to make today happen. Adria has been going stir crazy the last few months being cooped up in the mansion every day. Ever since she got a taste of freedom from her ambassador trip to Lumniar she has been slowly wanting more and more freedom. Of course, Mayor Sandervile and to extension Sylros rarely allow Adria to leave this district. She has essentially been sheltered from the outside world for most of her life. But today we were going to leave this place. And this was an opportunity for me.

The plan for today was to go incognito somewhat. It turns out since Adria doesn’t leave the mansion almost none of the citizenry even knows what she looks like. I can’t be sure if a majority of the people even know if she exists. But that just makes things easier. Sir Bril and Ester, the two strongest knights in Sandervile were to be Adria’s escorts today, including an entire contingency of royal guards who would be following from the shadows. All the guards would be posing as adventures and Muriel and myself would be acting the part of servants.

I was sure that we were going to attract attention regardless but I digress. Sylros had apparently also chosen a day where the markets were less likely to be populated. We were to take a simple carriage all the way to the citizen district where we would disembark and head into the merchant district on foot. I was not looking forward to a day of walking but I absolutely could not complain. This was a golden opportunity and I had to take it regardless of how much pain it was going to cause me in the long run.

Adria finally came down after I’m not even sure how long, wearing the most plainclothes I’m sure she could find. Besides her sleepwear Adria typically wears nothing but bright-colored frilly dresses so this was a first seeing her dress so casually. But even with her dressing casually she still somehow manages to look like a princess. I’m not sure how that works out but it’s just my observation. Perhaps others won’t see it that way. Muriel and I both donned winter cloaks that were prepared for us to make us look less like servants but now we just look like some sketchy back alley burglars. This is going to go swimmingly.

With all parties ready we embarked on our journey to the merchant’s district. It was different for me this time since I wasn’t strapped to the top of the carriage for everyone to gawk at. I got to see more of the districts and how they were built but what was even more important to me was the guards and defenses. It seems my hunch that as we move further away from the mayor’s district the quality of the guards degrades.

For example, the mayor’s district is entirely guarded by the royal guards. While in the noble district royal guards only lead patrols rather than being entirely made up of them. In the knight district, no royal guards are present and it seems that most of the guards are fresh-faced recruits learning the ropes. And the quality keeps going down as you go further and further. Of course, this was only what I could manage to see on a single carriage ride. I’m sure they run a similar schedule and rotation to that of the mayor’s district but I can’t be sure.

I looked over to Adria who was practically vibrating from excitement in her seat. The girl who didn’t even want to wake up this morning was dead and gone and has been replaced by the usual Adria. Muriel smiled fondly and asked,

“Are you excited, Adria?”

“Yes! I haven’t left home in forever! I wanna see what the market looks like during the winter. Maybe I’ll even find something fun!” Adria responded.

“I’m sure you will find something enjoyable.”

“What about you Muri, are you excited. Oh! What about you Kali I know you are excited I can just tell! Is there anything you want? I’ll buy it!” Adria offered.

My freedom would be nice.

Of course, if I said that and undid a year’s worth of work in a single evening I might as well fall on a sword on my own.

“I’m just looking forward to going outside,” I said honestly. It was true, I really was looking forward to leaving the mayor’s district even if it was only for a few hours.

“You two better tell me if you see something you like, promise?”

““We promise,”” Muriel and I said in unison.

With that, we disembarked from the carriage and began the walk into the merchant’s district. Our pace was slow… because of me but I was given a cane so at least I wouldn’t completely be a burden. I could tell Ester was very displeased being here but Bril looked as nonchalant as ever. As we walked through the district I noticed that there were a lot of people here. Most of them seemed like just everyday citizens but there was also a large population of armed individuals as well.

These must all be adventures. A majority of them were Human but there were still plenty of other races. They all fit the bill for the image I had of armed monster hunters. Most of their gear seemed pretty practical, swords, spears, bows, armor in all shapes and sizes. The occasional man or woman wearing a robe and carrying a staff. I was somewhat surprised that there weren’t more regulations for openly wielding weapons but I guess not.

At first, I thought that the adventures were staring at the 3 of us walking but it was actually Bril and Ester who were being observed, not Muriel, Adria, and me. I guess they are just sizing up the competition or perhaps looking for a new squadmate. Even though Bril and Ester were wearing simple chain and leather armor and using different weapons they still exuded an aura of trained soldiers. It didn’t help much that Bril stood out like a sore thumb. The man was very tall and built like a fort. These two could not fit into the atmosphere that was around us right now if they tried.

Without any problems, we finally made it to the heart of the merchant’s district. Street stalls lined the sides and employees stood outside of stores with signs. It was a completely different atmosphere when I thought back to Ostela’s markets. There seemed to be some semblance of order around here. Guards patrolled frequently and armed adventures stood guard at random stalls or stores. That wasn’t even including the adventures who were just wondering about looking through stalls and stores themselves. This place felt like the exact opposite of Ostela, safe and secure.

Adria was slack-jawed as she took in everything. This was probably her first time seeing something like this or maybe the second.

“See anything that looks fun, Adria?” Muriel asked.

“Soo many places… where do we go first?” Adria asked with awe.

“Anywhere you’d like but maybe we should start over here?” Muriel suggested.

“Okay!”

And with Muriel’s suggestion, we started browsing random shops together. Adria was impressed by well… just about everything. Rusty iron sword? Cool. Random piece of steel armor? Neat. Freshly baked bread? Buy that, please.

Things went on like this for the better part of an hour. Adria had bought many random things and even given us all food. Bril was hesitant to accept food on the job but Adria just forced a meat skewer into the man’s face and ordered him to eat it, he ate it with a surprising amount of gusto for being so reluctant. Ester helped herself to some fresh bread and Adria was constantly feeding Muriel and me things as well.

I noticed some of the royal guards who were doing a bad job at pretending to blend in with the crowds. They were mostly in pairs and much like Bril and Ester they stood out way too much. I guess these guys were never meant to be assassins or spies. They were more of the go-bash the enemies head in type of soldiers.

Muriel and Adria were looking at a shop geared more towards female adventures so rather than standing there awkwardly I decided to look for something else. I found a shop that sold arrows and began inspecting them. The merchant was a Human man but he said nothing to me as he silently stood there in his stall and watched me.

I deemed the arrows to be functional at best and put them down. Perhaps I was just used to the high-quality Elven arrows that the rangers used. When I turned around…

Huh? Where did everyone go?

Everyone was in talking distance just moments ago when I was checking those arrows but now… why do I feel so off? I couldn’t place this oddly familiar feeling but I needed to find Adria and co. The last thing I wanted was for them to start a manhunt for me. The thought that this was a good attempt to escape left my mind as quickly as it came. I couldn’t get out of this district fast enough let alone put enough distance between me and this city. So it was better I find them now.

I only managed a few steps when a hardy voice called out to me,

“You! Dark Elf boy with the ears of a High Elf come here!”

Does this man know me? He was standing behind his stall and sweeping his arms out for me to come and check his wares. He was a burly Human man with dark skin and black hair, he must be from the western dunes of Amoth. His barrel chest and the scars marking his bare forearms lead me to believe this man probably wasn’t a simple merchant. His bright hazel eyes were… what was that? What did I just see… no I didn’t see anything actually. Anyways,

“Sorry, but I’ve been separated from my group, I really need to-” I tried saying.

“Nonsense! Come, come I promise you will find something interesting in Deguzman’s Emporium of Wonderful Things! This is a guarantee, haha!” The man boast loudly.

“Deguzman? Is that your name sir?” I asked.

Deguzman was the name of the author of the books I got for my fifth birthday. What’s the odds that this is that same man?

“You know my name now, do you? Tell me, how have you come to recognize my name, little Elf?” He asked. The man’s jolly disposition vanished as he asked me seriously.

“I was the owner of two of your books. Your monster guide along with your brief history of Illyrcium, my grandfather got them for my 5th birthday,” I recounted. “Your monster guide was especially amazing. It was incredibly well made and the illustrations were spot on. That book helped me learn the Human language and I read it almost every single day for years.”

The man’s eyes went wide and he laughed,

“I see, so you are that man’s grandson! How fortunate that I ran into the owner of my books! Not only that, you praise my work! How kind of you, young man, may I ask your name?”

“Kaladin Ambersoul, it’s an honor.”

“Don’t lie to me, child. Your name, what is it really?” he asked dangerously.

The malice was practically rolling off him. I thought he was going to reach out and rip my head off right where I stood. For some reason, I had the impression that he could do that to me right now. No, it wasn’t an impression I was actually imagining it. The scenario played through my head at blazing speeds and no matter how hard I tried to defend myself I always died.

“Kaladin Shadowheart…” I said weakly. I felt compelled to answer him after that display of strength. The words just flowed from me as his aura crushed me.

“Good, that wasn’t so hard?” he said with a smile as his oppressive aura vanished. “Now, Kaladin Shadowheart, as the owner of my books I’d like to extend an offer to you. Are you interested?” Deguzman asked.

Did he use some kind of magic on me? What… What is going on?

“Sure? What kind of offer?” I said hesitantly.

“It’s simple really. Free of charge and only a single time, I can procure almost any item or items you desire. Is there anything you desire?” I don’t think he was joking with me. He sounded very serious.

“Anything? Then buy me from slavery and free me,” I said flatly.

“No can do my little Elf, I said I could procure any item. Freedom isn’t an item and besides, I don’t buy and trade with the souls of others. People are not items to me.”

Well, shit, it was worth a try and I do agree with him. But what item could I possibly need? A railgun would be nice, maybe a sleek black suit from the far future? But in reality… something to fix my leg would be ideal.

“My leg was crippled by a vampire, I need to restore it. Can you find something for me?”

His eyes narrowed when I mentioned vampires. “To heal the wound caused by a vampire?” the man said while stroking his chin. “No such item exists, this I am certain of. Perhaps I could find a dungeon item capable of something but it could take a lifetime, vampire magic is a troublesome heinous thing. A master or higher light mage might work but good luck finding any of those outside of the Holy Kingdom… even you should know that, no?

“Then what can you get me?” I snapped.

This guy, what is wrong with him? The two things I want the most and he can’t even get me one… ugh. I wanted to ask him if he could deliver a letter but that isn’t part of the “procuring an item” clause. Maybe information? I want to know what happened to Owlkirk and my family. Information is an item but if I asked for that would that really help me get home? I don’t think it would.

“If there isn’t anything you want right now the offer will stand until you claim it. Now that I know you are here you can always find me. I’m certain a day will come soon when you need my services, Kaladin Shadowheart. How does that sound?”

“Fine… you will always be in this market then?” I asked.

“Yes, Deguzman’s Emporium of Wonderful Things shall be right here for the foreseeable future. I’ll look forward to your eventual return,” He smiled.

“Whatever you say, mister….”

What an odd man. He was surely using magic against me but I felt completely helpless against it. I’ve been around some strong mages and fighters but nobody has ever been able to do that to me. It was similar to the feeling I got when the Leviathans were close to the slave ship but on a whole different level. Could it be that he is a War God? I’ve heard the title but I’ve never seen one myself. Apparently, they sit at the pinnacle of Human strength. That man could possibly be one...

I’m also not sure how useful he is going to be but if he can get me something I need for my escape that would be great. But I don’t necessarily need an item as much as I need an opportunity.

I took my leave to go find Adria and the others but as soon as I took a few steps I felt strange again. I whipped around a few times then looked straight forward, Adria and the others were here again. It was like they were here the whole time… I was once again standing in front of the arrow vendor as he eyed me suspiciously.

What just happened?

—

Sylros’s POV

“How has the boy been progressing?” Mayor Sandervile asked me.

“I believe he is doing what is asked of him and more. I have no complaints to make, my lord,” I responded honestly.

“And what of his origins? Have you managed to find anything?”

“No, my lord. I’ve been sending letters to Sir Strongfold for over a year and have not received a reply. He is either ignoring us or we are extremely unlucky,” I informed.

“I see, this is my fault for not being more thorough. I had expected this to be another one of Adria’s many whims. I felt as if she was going to get bored of the boy and that was going to be that. It seems I do not understand my own daughter as much as I think I do,” He grumbled.

It’s because she is like you…

“Sir if I may-”

Mayor Sandervile interrupted me with a smile, “Please, Sylros, have I not asked you to call me Andy when it’s just the two of us? We have been together for far too long my old friend and we haven’t had time to ourselves like this in years, come sit with me.”

I sat down in the chair next to him and he poured me a glass of whiskey, the aroma was heavenly as I took a sip. It was barely past mid-day, but I wasn’t one to pass up good liquor.

“It’s because of the respect I have for you that I call you by your title, Andy.”

He just chuckled, “It feels just like yesterday when I met you. I don’t think even as I grow old and lose my mind that I will ever forget that day.”

“I imagine it’s hard to forget a starving naked half-Elf dying slowly on the side of a street,” I mused.

“That’s not how I saw you. I saw a young man who was fighting to survive. That despite the hand that the gods had dealt him, he continued to struggle. I had already tasted battle before I met you and I’ve seen stronger men give in to less. You should be proud to be so strong, Sylros.”

It’s true. I remember that day fondly as well. I was dying, mere hours away from death when Andy Sandervile the future Mayor of this city saved me. He was nothing more than a lieutenant at the time. A soldier passing through on his way home and decided to save a dying slave for no reason.

Back then I didn’t understand why he had saved me. I wished for death above all things, I had nothing to my name and no family to return to. I was ready for it all to be over. So when some noble child took me in and “rescued” me I thought he was pitying me. That I was to be his new toy.

But those events never came to pass. I could only smile as I sipped the whiskey. But I had a question,

“May I ask you a question then?”

“Of course you know you don’t have to ask me such things,” He replied while taking a sip himself.

“Why haven’t you freed Kaladin then? I feel that our situations are similar so I’m curious.”

“A good question. Tell me, does that boy not bother you?”

“Bother me? What do you mean…” I didn’t understand what he meant.

“Even you rebelled at the beginning did you not? So why did that boy not resist?” He asked.

“I… I’m not sure. Perhaps Alnwar broke him beyond repair?” I suggested.

“Does that boy seem broken to you? There is something off about him. A feeling I get in the pit of my stomach that I can’t place and no matter how hard I try to make sense of it, I can’t. How is somebody so young this capable? He may be crippled but the boy never complains. Even you who rarely praise people have nothing but good things to say about him. I find it odd. But those are just my personal reasons, there is more.” He took another sip and continued,

“As a father, I want my daughter’s desires to be granted above all else. Call me what you will but I could care less if the boy died today or a hundred years from now. The only reason that would be unacceptable is that it would sadden Adria. I also hope that one day she will gain the courage much like I did and make a similar decision and I pray the boy will do as you did. I can not do that for them. It must happen naturally without my hands being involved, well too much at least,” he said with a dismissive wave of his hand.

“So you are leaving it up to Adria then? What if she never makes that decision?” I theorized.

“Then nothing will happen. I want it to be her choice. Kaladin has made his decision known, despite my griping I believe the boy’s conviction to be true. I felt a weight of seriousness emanate from his tiny frame as he made his declaration. I felt as if I was standing before a man heading to battle.”

“Putting that much faith in a few words spoken by a child. You say the oddest things you know that, Andy?”

“What? It’s just my gut feeling! A soldier trusts his guts or lets them be spilled onto the ground! Besides you trust him more than anyone!” he argued red-faced.

It’s true, I do trust that boy. It’s hard not to. He’s never given me a reason to doubt him so I take it at face value. It’s not the same when I’m dealing with this father-daughter combo, however.

I just chuckled at him, “I see where Adria gets it from. Here I was thinking you were the overprotective doting father type.”

“I’m not that bad… what are you even going on about?” Andy couldn’t even make eye contact with me as his face turned a different shade of red.

“You treat her like a crystal ball that might break at any moment. I thought you learned your lesson when you tried to do that with her mother?” I teased.

“That is-! It’s not the same!”

“Yes, you are correct, Adria isn’t a master-level plant mage like Isha was. But she could be…”

“Never. Adria has no need to learn such things. We are in a time of peace and…”

“You don’t truly believe that, do you, old friend?” I interrupted.

Andy just rubbed his face aggressively while saying “I know, I know” over and over again.

“It’s hard… It’s hard to think about such things. I want a world in which Adria never has to think about killing others. I want her to never know the taste of war, it changes people, and not for the better. I want her smiles to be eternal and everlasting and her happiness to know no bounds… I would purchase a thousand Kaladin’s if that is what it took. I’d do anything for my children. Does that make me a bad father, Sylros?” He asked me sincerely.

“I wouldn’t know, I can’t have children nor do I ever want to,” I said with a grin.

“You… gah! I’m trying to have a serious talk with you, damn it!”

I laughed harder than I have in a long time. Seeing Adria’s father act just like her was a refreshing sight, serious yet emotional. Prone to bouts of grandiose delusions while still managing to be kind. Almost no one knows that this is what the Mayor of Sandervile is really like. He doesn’t even act like this in front of his other wives.

Even though Lady Isha was a commoner turned war mage, Andy loved her for who she was. And she did so in return. If he didn’t have his duties as heir to the Sandervile house, Lady Isha would have been his one and only wife.

It’s not that he doesn’t love Gal, his son, and his other wives. It’s just not the same to him. Perhaps it’s because Adria resembles Isha so much and because Gal is a man that he feels this way. Regardless, I’ll never understand so there is no point in trying…

“Her 10th birthday is next year, Sylros…. 10 years old… Time is going too fast. I need it to slow down…” He grumbled like an old man.

“I don’t think it’s been that long…” I said cheerfully.

“That’s your Elf blood speaking! You won’t even outlive me, you old bastard!”

“I’m 2 years younger than you, old man,” I laughed.

“Don’t go saying that stuff. It’s not fair, half-Elves mixed with Humans live just as long as Humans do! But you look like slightly older Elves till the day you die! Horse shit!” He griped.

“What can I say? Life just isn’t fair...” I joked whimsically.

Andy just sighed, “Aye, it isn’t. Say… you know Adria is going to ask about that next year, right?”

“If we are thinking the same thing then, yes. I do believe she will make such a request given her current track record,” I said.

“When that time comes, can I ask for your support? As a father and friend?”

“Not as the Mayor? Even though it will most likely anger them?” I asked seriously.

“Yes.”