Richard Adams

I felt a bit silly for walking back to the gate with everything. More so, whenever I noticed the merchants were still blocking the way out. The afternoon sun was bearing down on me. With a sigh, I turned around and headed towards the church of Bo'Chi. The nostalgia I felt earlier today was pretty much gone. It was replaced with a sense of dread. I really didn't want to go see the remains of the lab. I knew I was putting it off, but I had to at some point.

By the looks of it, the merchants would be there for a few more hours at least. I adjusted the bag on my back, deciding I should at least get used to wearing the stuff I bought. I found the closest tailor and requested a room to change. The claws were a little annoying to get on my boots, while the quilt just made me look fat. I walked out, getting a laugh from the tailor, who recommended a few pieces of leather to go over it. I left the shop a few copper lighter, but at least I managed to make it sort of work.

I arrived at the church of Bo'Chi not too much later. It was the same as I remembered, just with more people moving in and out of it. This was the place Mimi was brought after her breakdown. She spent a lot of time here after making a friend. Someone I didn't know personally, someone that was lost to the dragon. There was so much she has yet to tell me. I had no idea why I came here, but I think I just wanted answers.

I took a step towards the large double doors of the church, only to find a copper hand placed on my shoulder. A dark figure with black hair looked me over. His eyes were shadowed, his lips set in a mournful scowl. "Can I help you?" His voice was deep and brooding. I didn't miss the twitch of the shadows at his feet.

I turned towards him, the man towering over me. His eyes looked lost, half looking at me, half seeing right through me. It felt as though he was hurting, and it hurt just to look at him. "I'm looking for someone."

He let out a quick bitter laugh, "Aren't we all? I'm asking because you're walking up to the church in armor, with weapons at your hip. Please, tell me who you are looking for and why."

He stepped back towards an alley, wanting me to follow. I took a few steps after him, continuing when we reached the small bit of shade offered by the buildings around us. "I don't know who, but I was told I could find someone here." I guess he knew a lot given I was wearing a quilt that didn't look like armor at all.

The man sank against the wall, the shadows taking him in. It was clear what magic he possessed, but he appeared way too tired to fight. His whole demeanor felt like he was defeated and broken. "Who are you? Why do you have that armor?"

I put a thumb against my chest, "Richard Adams, who are you?"

He tilted his head, finally looking me over. He truly looked at me for the first time, instead of just going through the motions. "Richard Adams..." He whispered my name, moving out of the wall. "Your mistress has spoken about you to me. She's... very fond of you. I suppose I would be the one you should be looking for. Were you sent by here? Is there any news?"

I blinked, "What are you talking about?"

The man laughed with something that sounded almost like gasping and crying. "My name is Raul, and the mistress must have sent you. Please... please tell me about my daughter and Drake. I promise not to harm you."

"I have no idea who you're talking about. Drake's the kid she saved, right?" I struggled to remember, the name was ringing a few bells, but I wasn't sure.

"My daughter, Sarah. Drake, the hybrid dragon, and human. I am Raul, why are you here?" He stood straighter, looming in the shadow of the alley. The darkness moving up his legs.

It clicked, "That's why they were moved under there. Yeah, Mimi said it was because of the dragon attack. She lost her friend, but the kids were brought down to keep them safe. That's Robert's sole task, so they are safe."

The darkness receded, as Raul relaxed. "The false gang leader of your little gang. I see, I was worried that her absence might cause something to happen. Do you know where they are? Besides them being in the Underground I mean."

He was just a worried father, and I didn't see the harm in telling him about his kids. "In the Eastside, somewhere in the dead-zones and the Underneath. Mimi said that if you went looking Robert would bring you to them. Though it should be safer if you don't. How... how has Mimi treated you?"

Raul raised a brow, "What do you mean?"

I leaned against the wall, "I mean, you see a side of her I don't. She... well she hasn't told me a lot of stuff. It feels like she should have told you what I just did."

Raul gave a mirthful laugh, "She understands me more than I do myself sometimes. If I had been told this information days ago I would have rushed to my daughter's side. I may have locked myself away while trying to keep her safe. It hurts so much, to not be around those you love, those you'd give your life to protect. Your mistress has given me purpose, and found use for a broken fool such as myself."

I winced at his words, "Hey, don't put yourself down like that." I felt bad for the guy, but there wasn't much I knew about him. I took a deep breath, "You're coming with me."

He looked down at me, "My duty is to guard this place in case of another attack. I have lesser nobles to meet with, in her stead. The mistress lacks those with tact working under her."

I crossed my arms, "Did she tell you to stay here and sulk, or are you doing that because you want to? What exactly has she told you to do here?"

Raul looked at the church for a moment. "I do not have any meetings for a few days, and I am only considering this because you would technically be above me. I must ask where we are going, however."

I shrugged, "I was going to take some gear back to the wagons, but the merchants are still blocking the way out. You look like you haven't had a good meal in months. The church will be fine without you there for a few hours, so let's go grab something. Your choice, but do keep in mind you're taking out a super unimportant dwarf." I gave him a wink.

He cracked an honest smile, before going back to brooding. "You are a strange one, but I do know a place. Should I take your words as orders from the mistress, or as a request?"

I gestured for him to take the lead, "Whatever makes you feel better. Just know you're paying for whatever we get."

Raul turned, leading me deeper into the alley. "Very well, I will expect you to answer more questions in return. You called yourself a dwarf, you are short, but you lack the beard. Was it meant as a joke, or is there something else?"

I rubbed my bare chin, grimacing a little. "Half dwarf, but I consider myself one." My lack of beard was a bit of a sore point, but there wasn't much I could do about it. Same as being shorter than a lot of people, at only four feet and two inches (127cm). There were a couple seconds of silence, as we walked through the alleys.

Raul seemed to know them like the back of his hand, easily navigating through the maze of buildings clumped together. "How did you meet the mistress?"

"I found her outside of the walls when I was exiled. Long story short, it wasn't my fault and I got a token to bring an unknown monster into the city."

Raul nodded his head, "The king would have stopped it if there were to be a problem. He sees things before they happen, and reacts accordingly. Did you never question it? Do you feel as if your every move is according to his plans?"

We moved down a few more alleys, before coming to the street. I held my tongue until we got into the next set. "He stole one of my daughters away and is kicking Mimi out tomorrow with her first exile. I kind of feel that way, yeah."

Raul paused for a moment, before rounding a corner. "I only knew she was being exiled... my apologies."

"It's not your fault, but if I see the king in a private setting. Well, between you and me, I'm going to deck him for that shit. Honestly, it makes me wonder how many others he's done it to."

"Too many, but there was a saying in the Heralds, 'Trust the king as you would a demon.' In other words, he will take care of those useful to him."

We came to a door in the side of one alley, no signs hanging up. Raul gave it a quick knock, as someone opened the peephole. The door opened, as I considered the implications of what he said. Raul used to be a part of the Herald if I read him right. Raul ordered a booth for two, sliding a few coins to the bouncer. Wood was woven in a pattern that allowed us to see other visitors as shadows. Light music filtered through the holes, as we were led down a few halls carved by other booths. "What is this place?"

Raul followed behind the bouncer, as we were led to our private booth. "The whispering basket." The bouncer left after we were seated. "This is where I tend to go whenever I need to talk in private. There is no need to order, as they will bring the special out. That or the bouncer might make a request."

I nodded, "Is it fine to just talk here? I can sort of see other people."

Raul nodded, "Yes, it's safer than the alleys. If you scream people will come, however."

"Alright, so you said there was a saying. Were you a part of the Heralds? Which one?"

"I was, but I cannot tell you. There are more than just the sword, shield, and wings." He explained. "When you join, you have to make a pact with the king. Some memories about my time in that group are blocked, while others just feel as if they were erased. I get enough coin to maintain my status as a lesser noble."

I leaned back, "I see, how did you meet Mimi?"

Raul closed his eyes, "My daughter was on her death bed, and was saved by the mistress. I swore to give the mistress everything, and she only asked me to teach her what I knew about the shadows." It was exactly what Mimi told me about him.

I coughed a little, "You aren't going to tell me how strange it is that she can do so many things? I mean I'd expect you to at least question me on how she does more than one kind of magic."

He looked up at the wood-woven ceiling. "Every creature with the exception of Harpies can only use one type of magic. Unless they have a talent. In my travels, I have come across beasts and monsters able to manipulate things in unnatural ways. Some that seemingly break the first rule, but it turns out they have adapted. Fukuma can teleport without using magic because they have some kind of gland. Shadow burns can move through the shadows and manipulate fire with magic. Monsters are probably the best to learn magic from, doubly so if they appear to use another type."

"Everybody knows about the one magic rule, it's common knowledge."

Raul shook his head, "Those that can't use magic always disagree, plus you asked a stupid question. Asking me why I'm not weirded out by the mistress using the shadows, and more, is similar to me asking you how you remember to stop breathing every time you drink. I use magic to influence the shadows, while she does it naturally. I can tell the difference."

I looked down at the table, as some stew came out. The silence lingered until the bouncer left. "You mentioned your daughter on her death bed. What happened to her? How did it happen to her?"

Raul took a deep breath, "My wife was assassinated, and my daughter was poisoned with the black blood of monsters. I spent years begging the king and golden circle to save her. I spent all the coin I could, just keeping her alive. I had nothing left, and my daughter's health was getting worse by the day. The temple of Bo'Chi reached out to me, even when I had nothing. I feel the mistress just wanted to see how far her healing could go, but at the end of the day, she saved my child. She saved me."

I swallowed hard, before smiling. It was nice to hear that Mimi had helped others when the biggest church wouldn't. The golden circle was really going downhill since their pope left. Raul glared at me, as I quickly hid my smile by drinking. "Sorry, I mean, yeah sorry to hear that. I can see why you aren't asking me a whole bunch of questions about her at least."

The mood turned awkward, as he continued to stare at me. I ate a few spoonfuls before adjusting my collar. "Were you there when the dragon attacked?"

Raul's face became covered by shadows as he looked down. "The mistress hasn't told you much. I was there when the dragon in question walked through the city as a human. He took Cynthia and crushed my ribs with one strike. The dragon named Bral took my budding happiness from me. Leaving me only with my daughter, and his child, while stealing away a wonderful woman. Now the king is exiling the singular person in this world I still respect enough to serve."

Well damn, I opened my mouth to try and say something, anything to help him.

He continued, "I shall guard Cynthia's grandfather and the church he is growing. I will tend to the lesser nobles and grow the mistress' power and position during her absence. I know my daughter and Drake will be safe. I understand that I may never see Cynthia again, but her son shall be taken care of as if he were my own. All I need to hear are the orders she might give me, so please if you are keeping them from me, just tell me."

I looked at the sad man, watching as he stared at his barely touched stew. There wasn't much I could say to him, he was grieving. The pain gripped him like a vice, and there was more left unsaid. The worst part was that I saw my doubts in him. I didn't know the pain he felt, but I knew of it. I had felt something similar when Oswald faked his death. I remembered him talking to this guy at the ball now. Something I hadn't thought much of back then, or even now. It still hurt to think about him, just as it hurt this man to think about who he lost to the dragon. I stood up, "Come with me."

Raul got up, his eyes dim. I realized I hadn't seen a spark in there, that this probably should have been avoided. He was lost, just as Oswald had been when I first met him. The kind of shitty feeling you get when life kicks your teeth in. Raul left coin on the table, as we walked out the door. I couldn't reach Raul like this, not unless he saw me as someone similar to himself. I balled my fist, taking a deep breath.

We walked in silence, moving through the alleys like ghosts. Some people stopped to look at us, but none of them dared to ask what was wrong. My hands shook, as the stone walls turned into wood. Then that wood started to rot along the edges, as more slum motels started to replace the businesses and empty homes. People had started to move into the area now that the smell was mostly gone. In the center of a circle of these builds, was a large mountain of ashes. Most of it stained the cobblestone street with a gray sludge.

Raul looked around, "What is this place?"

I could still smell the rancid odor that used to permeate this area. My vision started to blur as I teared up. "Where do you think we are?"

Raul knelt, on the edge of the gray soot. Most of it was like wet sand, coming apart in chunks as he grabbed it. "I heard there was a fire during the first snow ball before a certain alchemist died. Why are we here? There shouldn't be anything of value if you want to search it. Oswald... wait, you were there at the ball."

I took a few steps towards the mountain of black ash. My bootprints left with every step I took. "I was." My voice was low, forcing Raul to follow after me. I barely noticed him not even leaving a step on the gray soot. I felt warm tears running down my cheeks, I knew Oswald was alive. He was out there somewhere, he said as much in his journal, the final note left to me.

"You knew Oswald? You were... you were his apprentice, were you not?" Raul was connecting his own dots.

"Yeah... I was his brother after we drank from the same keg." He had been worried he'd never get to call me that. Oswald saw me as his equal, even though I still had so much growing to do. I regretted not coming here sooner, but I spent months grieving the dwarf.

"Why did you bring me here?" Raul's voice was low, and yet it waivered.

I fell to my knees in front of the ashes, burying a gloved hand in them as I gripped a ball of it. "Because I wanted you to know we aren't that different Raul. Life shits on everyone, and the gods probably just laugh at us. I know how shitty one bad day can be, but you can't let it consume you."

"It's hard to disagree with that when you're here crying."

I looked at him, as he wiped his face. A few tears running down his chin as he tried to hide them. I turned back to the mound of ash in my palm. I gripped it until my hand hurt from the pressure. Then I punched the ground. "I loved him, he was family to me. You know what the real kicker is Raul?" He didn't respond, "He used me."

Raul's voice cracked, "How?"

"He's alive, he's out there still. The whole fucking ball was a charade to make people think he died. I was never told about it, and he apologized in a footnote at the end of a damn book I had thrown away in my grief while I thought he was dying in my arms."

"You were there, you were the only one that rushed to his side. You picked a fight with his family at the ball."

I spat at the word family, "They weren't his family, they were parasites that used him. You want to know something Raul?" He didn't respond, "I still love the man as if he were my brother."

"How? You said he betrayed you." Raul knelt next to me, trying to get me to look at him.

I looked right into his eyes after he shook me a little. "Because family forgives when they understand Raul. There's a point where you'd smile even if your daughter took a dagger to your heart isn't there?"

The man froze, as he listened to my nonsense. I could see him reflecting on my words, imagining it. He finally looked down, "Why?"

"Just the thought hurts you, but deep down you know I'm right. You're a good man, and what we've gone through may be different, but in the end, we need to move on... don't we?" I wasn't sure myself, all of this just felt like nonsense. Words just flowed out of my mouth, while Raul's hands shook on my shoulders. I said whatever came to mind, but I was telling him to move on when I couldn't even get mad at the brother that betrayed me. When I wept over the ashes of the home he burnt down. Not because he left me with nothing to return to, but because when he came home he'd be sad that his 'friends' were gone. The mounted heads he had on the wall, the 'trophies' of monsters that were slain and stuffed. The ones that were so much more than creatures that tried to slaughter people. Every 'friend' reduced to ash.

Raul shook his head, unable to bite back his own tears. His sobs were quiet but broken. I hated how it somehow made me feel better, to have another crying here with me. "Why?" That was all he could mutter.

I pulled him into a hug, which confused him even more. He tried to push away at first, before squeezing me back and openly sobbing. My voice cracked as I spoke, but I need to tell him this. I wanted to sob right along with him, but he needed to hear these words. "Raul, Mimi isn't giving you orders because she trusts you. You'll do what you feel is right, so please... please see your daughter. Help Robert if you can, and have the time. You've taken too many orders, so it is really just a request."

Raul gasped for air between a sob, nodding his head as we gripped each other. I didn't care that people were gawking at us, they didn't understand. They couldn't understand. I don't know how long we stayed there, but once the guards arrive, we quickly escaped through some alleys. Raul was unsteady as he walked, while I wasn't much better. We supported each other, as we stumbled through the alleys.

Raul brought us to a tavern and ordered a few drinks. I drank with him, as we paid entirely too much for a room and for a waitress to bring us drinks. Raul covered the walls with shadows, as he talked about his wife. Tiny figures showing a rough idea of what she looked like. He spoke about how he was supposed to kill her, but they saved each other. I spoke about how I met Oswald and some of the things he taught me. We grieved them because they weren't here with us.

We spent the night just drinking and mourning. It hurt, but Raul felt he wasn't alone anymore. We understood each other, both of us blacking out a couple of times. I woke up a few hours before sunrise, I forgot to meet Lewis. I knew it was too late and quickly stood up. I'd have to make do with the blue haze I already had. I set my wrist on fire burning the alcohol still in my arms while downing some warm water left in a pitcher. Raul was shirtless, his abs half-hidden under a pillow.

I tossed some water at him to wake the man up, then we said our goodbyes. Hopefully, it wouldn't be for the last time, since we promised to do this again when I got back.