“That. Was. Good.” Jack said, while stretching.

He knew the blanket he had slept on wasn’t of a high quality, but it was still the best sleep he had in a while.

Maybe ever.

“Hey, Lola, are you up?”

…

“Lola?”

He listened and looked around, but Lola was nowhere in sight.

“Maybe she’s got chores? Nice of her, to let me sleep in.”

He thought about his previous day in the village. Helmrest. It was somehow even better than what he imagined a village would look like. His idea of one was composed of shoddy houses spread around randomly, each with its own piece of land around it. Helmrest had rows of houses. Even a street.

“Maybe it should be called a town.”

“I think it could qualify, yes.”

“AAA! Lola!” he yelped, at the sudden voice.

He hadn't noticed that while he was contemplating out loud, as usual, Lola had stepped in through the door.

“Sorry.” she laughed.

“Yeah, well, you don’t sound very apologetic about it. What’s this with leaving me alone to sleep. You got work?”

“Well, it seemed like you needed it. And no, I went out to get something for breakfast.” She said, pointing at the few potatoes she was holding on to.

“I don’t have spices, but I do have some salt and I figured if we boiled them…” she trailed off, uncertainly.

“Great!” Jack said.

His enthusiasm was partly faked. He wasn’t a big fan of the potatoes, as he had learned the previous night. There wasn’t much taste to them. But perhaps that was because his introduction to the culinary world was made by overly spicy mushrooms.

“You said Helmrest could be a town?” he asked, trying to steer the conversation to greener pastures.

That seemed to distract Lola enough. She washed, chopped and boiled the potatoes and went on to explain, while they ate.

“Helmrest’s pretty big for a village. Most towns are larger than it, true, both as population and area, but not all. Some are smaller than ours. And Helmrest is rich enough. What with the road and the trading, it makes enough coin to make it noticeable.”

“So why isn’t it a town?”

“Well, two things, I think. The first is that a town is more important than a village. Enough to make it attract attention. If Helmrest became a town, it could be asked to become part of one of the local rulers domain.”

“Rulers? There’s rulers around here?”

Truthfully, Jack just remembered what rulers were. Along with some other notions, like taxes and nobility and fancy clothing.

“A couple. There’s a Lord to the north and a Baron to the west. Their domains are far away enough that most people don’t even know about them. Even I don’t know who they are. But becoming a town could change that.”

“Uh-huh. Because they’d ask Helmrest to… what, pledge allegiance?”

“Or not. Ask, I mean. They could just decide Helmrest is theirs and ask for taxes. And we’d be in no position to refuse.”

“Yeah, I see why people might not want to do that. Who would want to give their money away for nothing?”

“Well, it’s not exactly nothing. Rulers protect their lands. Send soldiers after bandits, protect the roads and wipe out the more dangerous monsters. If a ruler is high enough in Level, they could even use Skills to affect the town.” She hesitated a second, before continuing. “I haven’t heard of such Skills, except in travelling traders’ stories, so take it with a grain of salt. But some spoke of Skills that made grain grow faster or caused buildings to be better at keeping out the cold.”

Jack thought hard about this and reached a conclusion.

“I’m confused. Would it be good, for Helmrest to get under a ruler?”

Lola grimaced at his wording, but responded all the same.

“I don’t think so. People around here can make do by themselves. The roads bring a lot of coin in the village and we have more people with Classes than normal villages. As for dangers, we have the Nymph and her forest. If a Lord wanted to ask for Helmrest’ obedience, we would be able to ask for a fair price in exchange. So far, none have asked. And none have tried to take it by force, either.”

“Huh. And the villagers don’t want to become a town, so they could ask for a better… price?”

“Don’t be thinking about money.” Lola laughed. “The price would consist of other things. Protection, like city guards or a wall around the village. Maybe more people with Classes brought in. It depends.”

She shrugged and then took a breath, before continuing.

“The second reason it hasn’t happened yet is because… some people don’t want it. A town under a ruler has to follow that rulers’ laws. They couldn’t do what they wanted without consequence. And in a village like Helmrest… if you have enough influence, you could do what you want, even if happen to break a law. Because the people that would punish you are the same people that might ask help from you, at a later date.”

There was now a dark look on Lola’s face.

“I’m guessing there’s people like that here, right? People that want things to remain the same?” Jack asked.

“…only one really. Mrs. Winnow. Her husband’s already the |Village Leader|. And they’re rich. They own a farm, for cattle and sheep. Other animals too. They have a shop for trading, on the main row. They can do whatever they wish, within reason and I don’t think they’d give that away for Helmrest becoming a town.”

“And the other people don’t do anything about it?”

She laughed at that, if just a little.

“It’s not like the Winnows burn their houses. They just act like they’re better than everybody else and most people let them because, well, they are. Or at least, richer. And if you offend them, you might find that nobody wants anything to do with you anymore, for fear of losing coin.”

“Coin? That’s so…”

“I know.” She finished darky. “Trust me, I know.”

Jack wanted to say something more, perhaps about the unfairness of the situation. But he stopped, when he saw that Lola was looking as grim as he had ever seen her. It was true that this whole being social with other people thing was new to Jack, but even he had to admit. He was downright awful at cheering people up.

Gathering his empathy, he decided to change the subject with diplomacy and tact.

“Things suck, either way. Want to go bother Elia?”

She looked surprised for a second, before laughing.

“Sure.”

***

The woman was delighted to see Lola. And ecstatic to see Jack.

“I’ve Leveled up! I got another Level for processing what you brought me! Here, take this! And this!” she shoved things at Jack, while grinning madly.

It turns out the |Herbalist| had spent all night to process the fire-mushrooms, which was noticeable by the dark circles hanging under her, even more noticeable, orange eyes. Yet, it seemed it was worth it, since processing a full basket of the rare mushrooms got her another Level in her Class.

For which she rewarded Jack with another healing ointment and a small clay cup, stoppered with cork.

“It’s oil. Ember-Cap oil. You can use it as a spice or use it as protection, if you throw it. I know the forest is protected, but better safe than sorry. Be careful, though, it’s highly flammable.” She winked.

Gratitude aside, the woman then spent the better part of an hour drilling Jack, imparting knowledge of what rare plants and substances the forest might contain, what she wanted the most if he did find any and what they looked, smelled and in some cases tasted like.

“That was so sour.” Jack complained, after they left Elia’s shop.

“True, but she did make it up for it.”

Perhaps sensing that not everyone was accustomed to the taste of crushed beetles, Elia gave Jack a small pouch of seeds, for growing different herbs, as well as explained the small medicinal effects some of them had.

“Yeah. She said it was for free this time. Which is good, since I don’t have that much money. I wonder what else should I buy?”

“Food? Clothes? Tools?” Lola supplied.

“I have enough food, I think. Though meat would be good. Tools I could make, maybe… But yes, I would need a tunic.”

“I know just the place.”

They walked some more, until they reached a small shop. It looked old and Lola told him it was a general shop. Its owners were an old couple. The lady had a withered face, but smiled at Lola when she saw her. Jack did notice that Lola preferred going to places where people where nice to her, but he paid it no mind. After all, who didn’t?

While Lola chatted with the old woman, Jack got his business done with her husband. He ended up paying the full two silver coins he obtained from Elia, but he felt satisfied with his purchase. He bought a short tunic, old by the discolored look of it and an equally old hatchet, with signs of rust. He could have bought better, but he wanted to save some money for his last purchase.

“What’s that?” Lola asked, looking at the hemp bag in Jack’s hands.

“This is a shirt. And this is a hatchet. I thought they we’re pretty commonplace.” He said, raising his eyebrows.

“No, I know- I mean, I saw you buying those. Sorry for the quality. I meant, what is in the bag?”

He laughed at that.

“I know, I know. Just making a joke. This is a present.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s very thoughtful of you.” She smiled at him.

“Thank you.”

They kept walking down the street.

“So… don’t you want to see?”

“Oh, sure.” She said, while peering into the bag. “Hmm, tomatoes, flour, potatoes. Even some salt. Yes, this would do nicely.” She smiled again.

And kept walking. After a second of delay, Jack kept on walking too.

“I think you should have brought some meat too. It’s expensive, but I think the poor thing would have appreciated it.”

“Poor… thing.” Jack repeated, flabbergasted. “Uhm… should I go back? Should I trade some of this for meat?”

“I’m… not sure. I think he might like it. But what do you think?”

“He? He who?”

“Mrk.”

“Mrk?”

“Yes, Mrk.” Lola looked at him oddly. “You know, Mrk? The ratling you just brought a present for?” she laughed.

“What? I didn’t buy this for Mrk! I bought it for you!”

“…what?”

Now faced with a new thought, Jack had to stop and think. And speak.

“But now, I kind of feel bad for him. Maybe I should have bought him something, too? Well, I have a hatchet. That will cheer him up, since he can stop using his claws. And five coppers… Is money a good present?” he turned around to ask Lola.

And stopped when he saw she stopped walking, a few paces behind him.

“Uh, Lola?”

“You bought me a present?”

“…yeah?”

“Why?”

“Because… you helped me? And treated me normal, I guess. So, I wanted to help you too. I thought maybe you’d like something else to eat.”

Lola stopped staring at him and apparently decided to start staring at her feet, instead.

“Don’t get me wrong, I like potatoes. Love them! If I could eat potatoes every day… wonderful, you know?”

While he babbled, she walked towards him and without warning, hugged him.

“Thank you.” She said, quietly.

“…no problem.”

She let go at the exact time Jack learned a new lesson. When people hug you, it is considered nice to hug them back. He was about to explain why he didn’t, somehow, when a voice interrupted him.

“Oh, look, she bagged another one.”

Jack turned to look and saw the owner of the voice. It was a young man, about his age, surrounded by four other boys. They all had various levels of smirks on their faces and they all looked, to Jack, well-dressed.

“This one looks rather poor, though. She must be really getting desperate.”

“Not like she has any standards.” Another boy jeered.

“Well, come now. There was a time she only spread her legs for proper folk. You don’t even do that anymore, don’t you Lola?”

Jack spent the time the group used by talking to study them. The one who spoke first was something like a leader, if the way he read their position was correct. Richly dressed, yet they all were. But the one who spoke first and stood in the center of them, looked cleanest. That was all the analysis Jack managed to do, until he heard the last words being spoken and his blood froze.

He sometimes damned his memory, but he remembered enough to know what ‘spread her legs’ meant.

“C’mon Jack. Let’s leave.” She said quietly, before he could call out to them.

“Did you hear THAT?” one of them started to laugh. “She called him JACK!”

“You’re bending over for Jacks now, Lola?” the leader laughed. “For JACKS? You know I could pay you a little extra, right? I’m always kind to my lessers.”

“We could chip in too!” another yelled after them. “It might take you longer, but we know you’re a hard-working whore.”

That was the moment Jack lost it.

“WHAT did you say?”

“Jack, no-“ Lola tried to drag him back.

“Oh look, the beggar speaks. Don’t open your mouth so wide, boy, some mud might fly out.”

“You’re the same age I am, boy! And apologize to Lola!”

The other frowned. He clearly didn’t like the tone Jack addressed him with.

“Why should I? Have I spoken a lie?”

“You called her a whore!”

“And have I spoken a lie?” he pressed.

“Jack, please…” Lola muttered, desperately.

Jack looked at her and back at the boys. He was new around these parts, true, but not daft enough not to realize what went unspoken.

“He doesn’t even know!” another laughed, incredulously.

“Ah, I see what is happening.” The leader spoke again. “Let me help you stranger, since you don’t seem to be from around here.”

He spoke politely enough now, but looked dismissively at Jacks’ clothes.

“That girl is a whore. Wait, let me speak. We know, because we’ve paid her for her services. And it seems she was trying to convince you to visit her… wares” he smirked “before we stepped in to help you.”

If Jack’s glare could set fire to things, that boy would have been blazing.

“Of course, if you are a Jack, maybe we didn’t help you. After all, look at you. Who would give you any attention, if not a whore?” he laughed and the others laughed with him.

Jack only realized he was stepping towards him, when he felt Lola dragging him back.

“Louis, please. Leave him alone.” She told the boy, before turning to Jack and speaking less loudly. “Jack, let’s leave, please.”

“Not so fast.” The other called out.

Jack looked at him, blood boiling, to see that the other boy was now standing a few feet away from him, with his goons flanking him.

“Do you know who I am, boy?”

“A dick.”

Without missing a beat, the other slapped him across the face and continued talking like nothing happened.

“I am Louis Winnow. My family runs this village. In turn, I handle small matters.” He smirked. “Like yourself and this whore. And I believe, for your insult, I will require payment from you and your damsel.”

Perhaps without intention, Louis had taken the air of a noble, talking to a simple peasant.

A malicious little noble.

No. Definitely not without intention.

“I don’t know what I could possibly take from you, looking as you do. Perhaps that hatchet. That will suffice, I suppose. As for Lola, well, there’s only one thing she’s good at and we all know what that is, don't we boys?”

He laughed and the others laughed with him, again.

Jack took a second to think. There were five of them. One of him. He could knock out the one in front of him, the fire in his belly told him so, but if the others approached, he wasn’t sure he could hold all of them off.

And if they take their anger out on Lola… They’re already used to getting what they want from her.

In that moment, Jack hated this world. Where the powerful did as they pleased and the weak suffered what they must. He hated his Classes too. What good was being a |Forager| or a |Forest Cook| in a situation like this? He hated his Skills.

Skills…

Slowly, Jack lifted his hand and pointed it at the ground between the two of them. It was a gambit. He didn’t know what it did. He knew it wasn’t meant for this. But he hoped it worked.

He spoke.

“|A Fire a Day|”

And the ground in front of him caught fire.

It wasn’t a big fire or anything like an explosion, but the combination of the spoken words and the immediate blaze made the others yelp and retreat back a few paces.

“Did- did you just attack me?!” Louis screamed at him.

He seemed equal parts fearful and outraged, as opposed to the others who were only looking at him in fear.

“No. I just used a Skill. To show you what it does. Do you want me to use it again?” Jack asked, while pointing his hand at him.

Jack wasn’t sure he could even use the Skill again, but he hoped the threat was enough.

Louis looked conflicted for a second, seemingly wanting to fight, before stepping back and spitting on the ground.

“My family will have your head for this! And that girl will never work in this town again. From now on Lola, the only work you’ll ever do will be on your back!” he yelled at her.

“Oh, fuck off!” Jack screamed at him. “So what, if she slept with you? What she does is her business. And I doubt she would have slept with a toad like you, if she’d have had a chance to pick.”

“You’d say that, wouldn’t you, you fucking Jack! A Jack and a whore, how fitting!” Louis screamed back, but didn’t approach again.

“I’m not a Jack! That’s just my name. Just like how she’s not a whore either, she’s just someone who was forced to do this.” He said, thinking about the girl who worked so hard, to only ever eat potatoes. Who brought Jack a knife and a food she didn’t seem to have enough money to normally buy for herself. Who had shown kindness to a stranger.

“Oh, she’s not a whore, huh?” Louis said, voice filled with fury. “Haven’t you told him, Lola? He’s your friend, isn’t he? We shouldn’t lie to our friends, now, shouldn’t we?”

“Louis, no! Please!” Lola suddenly said, face drained of blood.

“Do you know how I know she is a whore? Do you, you fucking Jack? I know because it’s her Class! She’s a |Harlot|!”

Jack raised his hand, before Louis had even finished talking. He was going to torch that boy alive and if it didn’t work, he was going to strangle him with his bare hands. The name of his Skill was on his lips, when he heard a sob and running footsteps.

Looking back, he saw Lola running away, pushing through the crowd of onlookers the shouting match had attracted. Jack hadn’t noticed them until now. They looked at her, at him and at Louis and his gang. Some were shaking their heads, while others were looking faintly amused. But none had intervened.

Fuck them. Fuck ALL of them.

He turned back to Louis, even though he wanted to run after Lola.

The boy was grinning in victory, but when he looked at Jack, some wariness flowed back into his face. Perhaps he sensed that since he’d gotten his win, there was no real reason to stick around any longer.

“I’ll let you run after your little whore, Jack. Best you leave and never come back. Lola will come back to us again when she’s hungry, anyway, mouth wide open.” He smirked. “But for you, there’s truly no use.”

He turned to leave, before Jack’s fist collided with the back of his head and he went down. Some people cried out, but no one stepped forwards. His gang didn’t look like they wanted a fight either.

Good.

It was a cheap shot, but Jack didn’t feel Louis deserved any better. He wanted to go after Lola, but he at least had to do this. Kneeling next to him, he whispered in his ear.

“If you ever talk to her like that again, I’ll burn your fucking face off.”