I'm now to have an escort whenever I leave after dark.

Most of the time it will be Orzhov that will be on duty. The young man stands out like a sore thumb with his pale blonde hair, tall stature for his age and the shields he carries around. He attracts stares of the passer-by like a pot of honey does with bees. Thankfully most onlookers are paying more attention to him than me.

During daytime I only take the bigger, wider streets now to make sure there are people around and only occasionally will I bring back my textbook with me. Most of time I leave it at the temple: no riches, no mugging is my motto from now on.

The interrogation of the acolytes was fruitful. One of the acolytes was indeed the source of the leak. A young adonis, acolyte of Akolaï. The boy talked about it casually with one of his “suitors”. He saw me with Mekas and noticed that I took a book with me.

Was he stupid of malevolent? Hard to tell.

The “suitor” couldn't be found so the trail went cold.

He was punished and sent to some remote place. The rest of the workers at the temple were reminded the basic security rules and strict confidence required, especially when it could put at risk one of us.

Since I'm the youngest around most of the other acolytes don't hold me in high esteem. They believe I'm just a rich kid who took a fancy of joining the temple at an early age.

I can't explain my circumstances so I had to let them pick up this tale. Most have a look of dejection knowing that I got mugged , meaning: “he deserved it, rich kid flaunting his wealth around”. If only they knew how far off the mark they were.

Nutusi still believe there might be more to this and continues to investigate the possibility of an heretic cabal.

I'm not sure about this. Since I've arrived in this world the only time heresy was really suspected was during the trial of blade Kosho. Otherwise I've never heard of any trial nor execution of anyone for heresy.

Sister Sunyeo had told us how heretics were supposed to be punished by the gods when becoming one. So maybe they all get killed by divine retribution?

This also seems a bit too far fetched. If heretics were really punished by gods then it would be long since it wouldn't occur anymore due to the risks involved.

And how about the opposite? Oreo was a monster before becoming a god, how come the monster god didn't punish him when he turned away from his obedience?

Or what about crime? The pantheon is supposed to punish those that commit them, especially murder or rape. Yet crime still exists. Aren't people afraid of the gods? What about my mugger? Was he desperate enough for his fix to not fear the consequences?

I inquired about it with Patiyar: how was heresy still a thing? His answer was quite disturbing. “Never should you doubt the power of the monster god. It pains me to admit it but he is far stronger than any other god of the pantheon. People desperate enough will seek his powers. Be it because they need it for revenge, save their life or just because they thirst for power.” He was looking genuinely afraid. “They can become incredibly dangerous. The thorns of Jalea are an order of elite fighters dedicated to hunt them down and we know full well how terrifying they can be.”

“But if they are hunted by everyone, how come they can be a threat in a city? Shouldn't the gods warn us?” I wondered.

“Just like Shinpilo can hide things, so can the monster god. Though it is true that heretics tends to flee the civilized continents. It is told that on the wild lands of the Sharira continent, far to the west, there are cities of heretics where they can dwell alongside monsters and plot against us all. But this might be only legends and stories. The bulk of the sapients working for the monster gods are those who want to become heretics and gain his attention and powers. Thus they are still among us even if they are already preparing to do his bidding.” This made a bit more sense as to how so many could lie in wait among our cities. “And this is what makes you an easy target for them: a blessed one yet a weak child. Easy to kill yet a worthy offering to the monster god.” He was rubing salt on my wounds, I understood how weak i was and how lucky I got. Not only with the mugger but also during the monster tide.

I still think they are overthinking it. I understand that the risk is real. But clearly the Akolaïte didn't knew I was a blessed one. One or two junkies trying to mug me still seems more plausible than a cabal of heretic-to-be.

At least I hope I'm right.

* * * * *

Gupta and Orzhov focused their training on close quarter and grappling, to teach me how to escape from a lock and better self defend myself.

The physical activity was welcomed. Only when I'm exhausted can I find a dreamless night, without nightmares of monsters, Yoli's corpses or me stabbing a hobo.

Gelcaria also helps in a way. Whenever she comes to stay over for the night I noticed that my sleep is sounder. Hers too.

When I talked about it with her, praising her soothing on me, she confessed that she too was still having nightmares of the monster tide from more than a year ago. Only here with me did she sleep a little bit better.

I can indeed barely imagine what this was like for a kid her age. Even for me it was a traumatic event. I didn't tell her about the mugging attempt. I don't want to burden her with more tragedies. Luckily none of my parents nor my sister blabbered about it with her either.

My lessons with her are slowly moving on to more complex subjects. I'm trying to explain her gravity, the laws of movements, reciprocity etc.. It is both complex and easier. The matters aren't simple and there are things that even I myself can't answer: I'm no physicist.

But at the same time there are real life example making it easier to illustrate the questions. Geometry and maths are far more theoretical than a falling apple or arrow or how a thrown rock has a curved trajectory. This she can see and she grasps that calculating can be useful for more than peddling.

She recently asked for me to help her join the temple.

She said she had put aside a small sum thanks to her work with Peterell. With the food disruption, prices rose up. Peterell being still somewhat productive thanks to her ability to attract fish they must have made quite some profit indeed.

After I saw what the young acolyte of Akolaï was doing for a work, I hardly advised her not to join. She knows about her mother's other job so I didn't fear talking seriously with her.

If she was to join the temple she would for sure end up assigned to the Akolaï's priests. I can fear what they might try to have her do.

I don't know if she fully understood the implications but she trusts me enough to back down on the idea for now.

I'll have to talk with Ms Tarina about what she could do to help Gel find a suitable workplace. I believe she would be safer away from the river but can't help her much on my own.

* * * * *

The winter that followed was the harshest I ever had.

Not only was food scarce now that the poor harvest were done but even firewood was on low supply.

The food issue was barely contained: my salary, Godzilla's milk and the duggu's egg from the river farm were just enough for us to not starve and provide my young sister with enough to have her survive this winter. This year will be terrible for many infants.

The disruption of the trade only got worse during winter. Instead of the usual gentle snow there were some blizzards in the south, tearing the boats sails to pieces. The cold pushed monsters out of the mountains in greater droves than usual and many reports of skirmishes were recounted by the town criers, emphasizing the strength of our army and the diligence of our Shieldlord to address the matters.

Despite our Shield's best efforts the wood from the southern burning-jungle never arrived. Both roads and river were too dangerous to travel on in large groups.

What little wood that arrived came from the Empire of mist: the Beastkin's empire on the other side of the mountains. It was mostly precious wood intended for woodworking, burning it was a shame but I heard that some blades did not hesitate to afford the comfort.

The charcoal was used in priority by the local industry: smelting, smithies, but also any business needing an oven be it bakers, potters or ceramists.

Citizens had to face the creeping cold this year.

With my decent earnings we had just enough to resupply with quilts and warmer clothes right before the first snow.

The attic is still at freezing temperature but at least I can bundle under multiple layers of quilts. And more than often Gel will come. Her house is also cold but she has less quilts than I do, so my (ours now) futon is more comfortable for both of us.

I know that Grandma spotted us, I once saw her head picking through the ladder hole. She must have heard me talking late at night and went to check what I was up to. I don't know if she talked about it with anyone else but neither my parents nor her made any comments. Which sits well with me. I don't want to have a unpleasant discussion if they were to ask me not to let Gelcaria stay at our place.

* * * * *

At the temple both Gupta an Orzhov got assigned to patrols around the city to cull the monsters that were coming down from the mountains. So I often don't have trainers. Sansho is almost hibernating in her kitchen. She suffer more than any of us from the lack of firewood. The temple has more money than the average but still can't afford to use as much combustible as she would require.

This leaves me more time to study with Mekas. Any writing activity became harder since we often wear mittens to stay warm and the ink can freeze if we aren't careful. So most of the time we are debating. I'm trying to convince him to learn my alphabet, explaining how it will prove useful for him in the future. Even if he doesn't believe in education for commoners as a future priest of Shinpilo he might be assigned to some intelligence work. If my alphabet is to become one of the main tool to convey informations he'll have to learn it at some point anyway.

Despite his reluctance he finally relented. There wasn't much else to do. He is a good enough student and learned it after a couple weeks. After two months and much bickering from him and other nasty comments, he finally mastered the writing and through practice understood its usefulness. Writing words on sounds without the need for someone to teach you the ideogram finally made sense to him.

Convincing him was a small victory but a victory nonetheless.

During the month of Mistire as we were preparing for the incoming Shinpilo's festival on the next nightday, more troubles came to find me.

As I was coming home a bit earlier than usual, I now try to avoid coming back home after dusk which is quite early in the winter, I was surprised to find a commotion in front of our house.

There were four city guards in their blue mails but also two other guards in full armour. Despite a common brown for colour their armours were clearly of good facture and even had a crest carved on: a stylized fox head with two tails behind.

The two guards were escorting an official-looking. A young man almost disappearing under a thick fur coat, head covered by a chapka falling down to his nose and covering his eyes. The sight could have been funny but the tone of his voice wasn't.

He was arguing with my father in front of our door. “I'm not the one making the rules, I'm just here to enforce them. I presented you your blade's decision. If you want to refuse you can leave the town within the next three days or make appeal of the decision at the city court.” He was untactfully explaining to my father, his disdain barely hidden, “If you are unable to afford the requested amount by virtue of the fourth law your blade in charge will be allowed to recover your family as servs to pay for his loss.” his nosey voice quickly grew unpleasant to my ears.

“But I'm just a smith, where do you want me to find this kind of money? Who ever heard of commoners paying this much? This is a scam!” My father was heating up and replied in indignation.

He looked even more upset when his gaze fell on me. Following my father's stare the official also found me. “This must be the child in question. Nice to meet you, boy. I am Khun Surtal, representing first blade Duarch. But I suppose we'll meet again soon enough.” He then turned back to my father “I guess you all have much to discuss, so I'll leave you for today. Do not forget your due before the hex and delo (29th).” Despite the firm tone, he gave my father a short nod before turning and walking away his guards following in his trail.

My father's forehead was wrinkled with worries as he watched the official depart. He then took me inside our home to hide us from the prying eyes of our puzzled neighbours attracted by the commotion.

He sat me at the table before exposing the problem at hand of his own initiative. This man was the delegate of our blade. He came because they somehow learned that I joined the temple.

Because of that they believe we have more money than we declared since we were able to afford my enlisting in the temple and they decided to raise our taxes. Just that the price they were asking for was ridiculously high: 8 large iron coins each month. 128 iron coins... It took me months just to put aside 3 iron coins. How were my parents supposed to gather such riches?

“I don't know what is going on with them. Something is definitively wrong.” said my father with worry while throwing an inquiring gaze at me.

Of course I was the bone of contention once more so I understand his suspicion. Plus neither I nor the Temple have been clear with my parents about why they agreed to enlist me and even pay for me joining them.

“I don't know what this is about,” I clarify trying to look convincing, “but do a blade even have the right to ask for so much?”

My father snorts with cynical despair “They have all the rights.” He sounds bitter. “We could complain to the city hall but most officials are from families of blades, so very little hope there.” he sighs.

“Then I'll ask the temple to help us. This can't be the first time this happens, they'll know what to do.” I state, not convinced by my own words.

Worst case scenario, I'll have to leave the temple.