The breeze at night was something to behold, the refreshing air of the late afternoon was soothing on the skin. The energy of my town seemed to calm itself as night set in. There was sense of serenity that was attained while enjoying the views of purple and blue splattered in the sky at dusk. The nights got cold, and the early hours of the day were hot. Though if you find just the right time to go outside and ponder, it can be a perfect way to settle for the night. Duria was a large country that had a large variation in topography and environmental areas. Where I am now if a small village called Gristmill. It's an expanding territory with lots of opportunity for growth and merchants have started pouring to sell their finest wares. There's dirt roads that extend for hundreds of miles in each corner of the town. There is one corner in Gristmill that has been deemed as the Lords Land, where all the wealthy and rich vagabonds live that pretend there is no such thing as hunger and suffrage in the country whatsoever on a daily basis.

Filthy egotistical rats is what I call them, rich or not I wouldn't ever want a huge mansion for just myself to live in. Gristmill is quiet though, most of the time. There is an abundance of farming and cattle raising that goes on here in the pastures that are spread vastly across the rural areas. If I could describe this place as a painting, it would be green with a tiny speck of brown in the middle. The brown being the shit stain created by the Lords who rule the place. Everything else on the other hand, beautiful. Plants in all shapes and sizes, colors blooming bountifully in the spring. Holding down a job was something I couldn't ever seem to do. Weird how having no family title can effect a strong young man such as myself. What mill or tavern owner would throw away free labor? Even if it means I just want some bread or a small dinner. Things in Gristmill may not be perfect for me, or for my brother Osiris. Yet, we always have found a way ever since we met three years ago.

I came from a large city known as Florence, It was my birth place. I only was there for a year until I was removed from that home, and found myself hopping from orphanage to orphanage. Fights were common place, seemed like it was the only thing I could ever do. In those shitty shanty shacks called orphanages a person only had two options. Bully, or get bullied. I learned quickly to never choose the latter. I had once instance of getting kicked in the shin and being called a title-less gromp when I was seven years old. Then I was nearly arrested for breaking a jaw. That kid was from a Lordships family and I was lucky his father also hated his son, so he, " Deserved it. "

People are cruel, and unjust. Just like me, when provoked enough. Events like these caused me to end up on the streets, I just so happened to get removed from four different homes, until all orphanages in Duria essentially had a hitlist on me. Even though, I have gotten away from life of living in the wilderness or stealing coins out of a fat mans' pocket. I miss the rush of adrenaline of running past the terrorists known as Knight Guards. They are for the people, until you pay them enough. For now, Gristmill is the place I call home, and it is a place where I finally feel like I can belong.

The normal cycle of everyday activity seemingly ended as the sun hid behind the large landmasses far in the east. I perched myself on the edge of the roof of my "home." Lauren's home to be specific, I was a freeloader orphan that she for some reason decided to take care of. It's only been 3 years since I moved in and she's become more of an acquaintance than a mother in my opinion. Even after my parents died, I hadn't had much dread left in my body to feel. There's only so much time one can dedicate to people they barely even knew. That hasn't stopped me from keeping on. Where I came from, and where I am now are two totally different lives. I stole for every meal, I slept in alleys and I never kept my head down.

Osiris and I found ourselves up on that roof more than I'd like to admit. That roof was our safe place. Away from the other people. A place where we can talk about our dreams, and our ambitions. A place where we could talk about our days, sometimes about the people who pissed us off more than anything. Simple things, and not much to worry about. Being a kid is something I don't think I ever want to let go of. Miss Lauren seemed to be constantly worried we might fall from the edge of the roof, day in and day out. Although, Osiris and I were quite nimble. We both had a past of stealing food for our stomachs. Life became easier after Lauren started taking care of us. I told her she worried too much, and how we both enjoyed the views of the mountains on the far outskirts of Duria. That never seemed to calm her nerves though. Something that I don't think I will ever truly gain, ever since I was a child was trust. Even by the people who were closest to me, and that's fair. No one is perfect, and no one can be as pure as holy water.

The sun was setting while Osiris reminded me of his birthday that was coming up. He was turning sixteen. I was a few years older than him but I still felt that we were the same in some ways. He was an outside-the-box thinker, and that stirred up intriguing dialogue.

"Don't you think that there is something waiting for us, Tudor?" I wiped some sweat off my forehead after I climbed up to his perch on the roof.

"No one knows what's waiting for them. Why do you ask?" Osiris let out a quick sigh.

His breath is easily visible by the dimming light from the night sky approaching. "It's just because I don't always want to be seen as Siris' the orphan boy, and the bread burglar all the time. People can't ever seem to let go of that. I'm different now aren't I?"

I chuckled, ready to retort his statement. " 'Siris, there's only a select few who get to decide what people think of them. I know I tend to say this a lot. But, our parents are gone. We are incredibly lucky to be alive, that is enough for me. Don't let the locals dictate your own intentions. Eating and having a roof over your head is a right all people should have. "

Osiris gave a smirk, and chortled, "You're only saying that because we just so happened to stumble into Lauren's saving grace. She could''ve just left us at the Tricky Tavern with the ass-hats that wanted us in prison."

He wasn't technically wrong, I could be anywhere else but here. Just 3 years ago, we had a span of four days with no money to buy food. By the second day, I could feel myself getting weaker and losing body weight. The Tricky Tavern isn't tricky at all and fairly easy to steal a few parcels of food from. We found a hidden spot just around the corner of the large building where we could sleep under an underpass from one roof to another. It was smelly, and wet. Though, it got the job done. On that fourth day, lady luck was on our side. A Knight Guard of Duria was informed about the bread that had been missing consistently from the owner's tavern and found us out after hours that evening. Lauren found us being dragged out by the man and two of his subordinates and said we were her kids and would pay the fee of whatever we took.

Lauren had a way with words, at first the guard was reluctant to release us, which made sense. Yet after a bit of debating, he let us go. I won't ever forget that day. Nowadays, we have our own beds and meals. we can take baths whenever we want. Our clothes are clean and fresh, unless we sweat, of course. Lauren is a botanist, all around her home is somewhat of a maze of various plant life that she has grown for years. It took a while for her to allow Osiris and me to gain some trust, but it happened eventually. She gave me my own spot in her garden with fresh soil. The same goes for Osiris, too. I do love the garden Lauren has allowed me to watch over and tend to. She started paying me two years ago talking about how I need to start putting food on the table for myself and earn my dinners. Lauren was right. It was almost time for me to start searching for a job too. I can't freeload forever and I'm not about to be kicked out and become a beggar with a missing shoe and one dirty-looking outfit. I've lived that life, and I don't plan on doing it ever again.

Osiris had a tone of annoyance, "I am almost 16 years old. Tudor, I think it's time for us to start thinking of the future. That's all I'm saying." He turned to look at me after staring at the sun fading away behind the horizon.

"I think you're right, but for people like us. We have limited options. I'll see if we can do something about it. Odds are we work in a tavern or inn cleaning puke or dirty sheets. The lords of Duria are quite particular about who can do what, and when."

He looked down into his lap. His legs together and his hands clasped together. "Surmounting to nothing is something I don't plan on doing."

My brows furrowed, "I'm not trying to do that either! It's not like we have any say in the matter."

Osiris had a way of making things seem way more bleak and depressing than necessary. He's been that way since around the age of 13. It was an odd switch-up. Even then, we were inseparable. Two kids just trying to make their existence continue in the world. He used to be so idealistic before that point in time. Osiris and I used to sleep under trees. when we traveled from village to village. Rain or not, he still kept his perseverance at an all-time high. Until one night, I found him sluggish. He walked back to where we set up for the night and his whole demeanor was different. Less talkative, but was still able to hold a conversation. I just didn't understand why. He was talkative and willing to keep a conversation that night, though it was off. Maybe he hasn't changed since then. In my head though, it wasn't the old Osiris I knew. He has yet to talk about what was running through his mind since then, and years later I still haven't found a viable reason to bring it up in casual conversation either. It was on the outskirts of the town we now live in.

It will be about four months till I turn twenty, and Osiris' birthday is also right around the corner. I already had my plans for him figured out, I was going to take him out to the lake for a day of fishing. That was our favorite pastime together. Being an orphan has its perks believe it or not. I found myself becoming a lot more resourceful than some of the kids who always had a mother to say I love you at night.

Osiris and I would head out into the woods and find a little tree known as Kirkwood, it had special fibers that wrapped around its entirety and could be collected into spools with a simple tug from loose branches. Thus, allowing us to use the spools as fishing lines, and using the more robust wood near the trunk of the tree to fish. Some reeds from the grounds surrounding the trees could hold enough weight for us to catch dinners at times. Spire worms were easy bait to use and readily available to act as bait for the fish in the area. Osiris and I would do this whenever we wanted dinner while we traveled alone for a few years together. Things got hard at times, yes, but we always found a way. I think taking him fishing would be a good way for us to reminisce on our past.

Gristmill had 3 ponds, all different lengths and sizes. My favorite pond was the Gristmill Grand. The biggest of the three, and it was not a far distance from the house at all. About an hour walk through some forestry and we could get there. Nobody lives on the pond, though finding someone fishing there was common. Not a lot of folks at one time, just the usual one or two small boats in their game spots. That's where most taverns buy their poultry from. Made sense, since if you buy locally there's always a good haggling technique to drop the price. Merchant territory battles were always a fun thing to hear about while in town. "Old man jenkins was walking in my section of the forest, I'll tell everybody who comes to town he puts worms in his soups." Petty arguments always please me. Unless I'm involved then someone might die. Just depends on the roll of the dice.

Lauren owned a sizable cot, with several bedrooms, regardless that she originally lived alone. She worked for the local academy in Duria and taught Botany. Her illustrious garden in her backyard foreshadowed the wonders of her green thumb at the Duria Academy of Levanants. The Levanats part refers to the magic users known in the area. Levanants had several special feats. Free amenities for essentially everything, they are the lords of the common folk, even though they just are lucky. Levanants are also referenced as the “Touched.” I’m not entirely sure as to why that is, but that’s what I’ve overheard in taverns across Duria. It seems to be more of a term to commandeer than to be so formal.

After the night set in place with the sun fully setting below our horizon, I looked down towards the ground from the rooftop. Lauren was gathering the clothes she set out to dry from earlier this morning. I respected how much she took care of a low life like myself. I was twenty years old, barely able to keep a job, and not fond of anyone around the village. I never seemed to fit in here. This is understandable, orphans never really get a good rep. We are the outcasts, the losers, the people who don’t have a “normal life.” Though slowly over time, I have seen differences in the way people have talked to both Osiris and me.

Oh well, I gave a quick glance at Osiris as I started sliding from our perch on the roof, he knew what I was doing. It was about time to head inside for the night. I never had a fear of heights and neither did Osiris. It was fun back when we would climb trees or even some of the tallest buildings in all of Duria just to see how the views would be. Parkour was something we both excelled at and was why stealing was such a feasible task. Knight Guards in a suit of armor can't exactly climb as well as two muscular boys in tunics. As corny as it may sound, Lauren did have the best visuals in all of Duria, her cot was on a hill, with her garden slowly descending into preceding hedges and roads of the village. Forests and mountains could be viewed in almost every direction. I liked it. So much color in every direction, the fall season was my favorite though.

After I started sliding, I quickly hit my foot hard on the edge of the roof to pop myself over to the tree in front of me. I did so, and Osiris quickly followed.

I always said, “Watch out below!” Only to see if I could irritate Lauren thinking she might get trampled by me falling on her.

She would reply with a smile up at us and say, “Break my neck, please!”

Sarcasm was a big part of her dialect, I liked it though. Made things more interesting, but at times I would mistake the sarcasm for seriousness even if she was joking and that would quickly put my thoughts into a defensive mode. I had to be that way. People never look at me like they should, the title of orphan never helps anyone. I wish some of the lords would step into my shoes from time to time. I'd love to see the ego of each and every one of them become as small and frail as a baby duck. As bad as I make my upbringing seem, I believe I have become a more humble person. I can appreciate dinners that are warm, and not soggy bread infested with worms. There's always something I can't get away from, however. I am a nobody. Just another someone to scold for the higher ups. A bucket of pity and laughter are splashed here and there when trotting through town. Very few are capable of showing me proper respect, and those I try to keep good relations with as best I can.

I wrapped my arms around the branch and bear-hugged the tree and let gravity do the rest of the work to reach the soft grass at the bottom. I sidestepped as I landed to let Osiris find his own spot. After we both got off our owl perch from the roof we walked inside ready to devour some of Lauren's dinner. We both knew that’s what was on our minds. Osiris and I may not be able to eat all three meals of the day each day, but dinner was Lauren's unwritten law. Dinner was our best meal of the day every single time. Her cuisine varied from things she has learned from her time alive, and the places she has traveled to learn about the environment and what plants grow in certain areas.

Once inside, I got chills from the warm smell of her potent mushroom soup. Terna mushrooms were bountiful in Gristmill and could be gathered in certain areas around the Gristmill Grand. But the mushrooms weren’t always edible. Yet Lauren always found the best ones. Her broth was also impeccable. Osiris and I rubbed our feet off on the floor mat just to get the day's dirt off our feet. And walked alongside Lauren to the dining room table. We had a four-chaired table, in the center was one big pot. The aroma was enough to make a grown man beg for a bowl. I wouldn’t blame that grown man either, it was a different level of pleasure. Better than sex? I'd consider it.

Lauren looked at us with a wide smile, “Alright boys, I appreciate the help around the gardens that you have done this past week. I know it’s not exciting but since you’ve seemed so intuitive lately, I have prepared your favorite dish. Enjoy it. You two are such good boys. Maybe I'll even consider a raise?”

She clapped her hands and smiled even harder as she said that. I thought for a moment her lips my fly off the corners of her face since it was so much for simple honest work. Regardless, we all began scooping the soup into our bowls. The slurps made could’ve been mistaken for a vampire sucking blood across town with how desperate our stomachs were. I have never seen a vampire before, thought it's definitely on my bucket list to meet one. She wasn’t mistaken though, both Osiris and I have been taking more interest in helping around the gardens. It’s only because of how we’ve been granted access to our own portions of the garden. Lauren used to only think of the garden as her own. A past time for her that also gained a large profit. Although, after we began helping water and harvest the plants with her, she became more comfortable with us being around her garden. Lauren would yell at me if I ever got close to her while she was fidgeting with her hoes, or the spigot we had in the backyard.

I finished two bowls of soup and let out a belch, “Thank you for soup this Miss Lauren, it’s the best in all of Gristmill.”

A smile crept off her face, “Not a problem Tudor, it’s the least I can do.”

I sat back in the wooden chair as it creaked with my weight. I didn’t particularly like these chairs, they always hurt my back and made me feel overweight. I was only 180 pounds but I was a little self-conscious even if chairs made me think about my weight. I also didn’t fit in these chairs which is why my back hurt. I stood at a solid six foot four. Things aren't so tall. Doorways must be bent under, chairs only go halfway up my back, and carriages don’t do a damn thing for comfort. The only thing I find comfortable are beds, and horses. With the occasional embrace of a woman. Rare as that is, those are beliefs I hold true to the day I cease existing.

Lauren cleared her throat before we got up to clean the dishes. “Boys, I know this may be out of the blue, but I have some somewhat good news.”

I got a sideways glance out of Osiris, I was still wondering what the hell somewhat good even meant. “A Master Levanant is coming to the house to determine both of your magical capabilities. You both know him, it's Landell that has come by a few times. The one who gets the seeds and Ashen flower bulbs. ”

Again, I shot a quick glance at Osiris, he was eager to say something, “Does this mean anything bad? Aren’t Levanants like, jerks?”

Lauren waved her hand at that comment, “No Siris, not this man, I know him from the academy personally, he is just curious if the two of you have any magical capabilities. It’s most likely due to the fact no one knows your heritage, even yourselves. Maybe the two of you will find out something intriguing about yourselves.” After she said that, she looked away in a hurry. I was confused by that since she seemed happy for us.

Osiris and I sat in silence for a moment, I didn’t particularly care. I’ve never done anything magical. How the hell do you just walk up to someone and say, “Oh cool, you got magic in you!.”

How would someone with magic capabilities not know it already, or feel it? With no background on the matter, it could be a learning experience. If I do have any magic, then I am definitely joining a guild or exploring the world. Osiris seemed more like a magic wielder in my opinion. He was smart, witty, and not as cluttered in everyday life as I was. I'm too spontaneous to be a magic wielder, reading books and doing research on "legendary," arts of mana. Those traits made me a bit envious of him at times. Osiris was good at keeping his mind level, he would always be able to come up with perfect escape plans each time we stole from a tavern. I was the brawn, he was the brain. We don't have the same parents yet our connection has felt like it was there since we met.

A brief moment of thought between all of us passed, and Lauren spoke once more, “I need the both of you to be up early tomorrow, Levanants seem to love being up at the butt-crack of dawn. I’m not sure what he has planned to do with the both of you, exactly. But, I think you should do this, it might even help figure out more about the past. Even if it’s a little bit. I know you two don’t like talking about it, which is fair. I also worry though, at the same time.”

Osiris perked up from his chair changing his posture more upright, “We appreciate you doing this for us Lauren, as always. I’ll make sure ding dong over here is up in the morning for the Levanant.”

I hated when Osiris did that, even if he was joking, ding dong, really? I’m twenty. Clear minded, yet still a hormonal mess. I let the comment slide and let a small chortle out, “Alright Siris', enough. Let’s get to bed and think about whether or not Levanants are dumb enough to even consider orphans these days. Honestly, kind of a joke if you think about it.”

We huddled around the kitchen as we cleaned up the mess and put the soup in a chilled spot to save for tomorrow. As we were heading upstairs, Osiris seemed a bit hesitant in his steps, “What if we actually do have magic? That would be awesome, but these days it’s almost the same as putting a bounty on your head isn’t it?”

He wasn’t wrong, magic was indeed a spectacle, but it was always something to be proud of. Hundreds of years ago magic users and Levanants were bountiful. Through conflict and wars, the entirety of magic has ever since been deemed as a precious source of power. Some old-timers like to say that mana could even be felt in the rivers that flowed across the entire planet back when they were children. Even so, magic is very much prevalent and can be seen in Gristmill from time to time. Though it ends with someone being put six feet under.

My bed was a bit small for my stature but was big enough for me to lay comfortably on my side. I preferred sleeping that way anyway. Years have I slept on my side with my arm under my head on dirt, grass, and gravel alike. Even a bed was considered a luxury to the likes of myself and Osiris. He and I have become inseparable, it’s ironic how two boys born into different families have become brothers in the same lifetime. I enjoy it. Having a friend there, to be there by your side. All while rain pours heavily on your forehead with the campfire going out as your stomach growls till no tomorrow.

Those kinds of nights grew our bond in ways I don’t think normal families would ever understand. I’ve seen Osiris in all sorts of states. Borderline anorexic, lean, fat, you name it. We have been through hell, and Lauren was our guardian angel. I lit a single candle with the match we had in our room and began preparing to pass out to prepare for what tomorrow brought with it.

I subtly wrapped myself in the linen that was made by Lauren. She didn’t even make this for us, she told us that when she made them, she was in love with a man. The man used and abused her, and at the time she wanted children. She prepared for them by making the bedrooms for a future family she desired with him but never received. The man inevitably left, he seemed to enjoy adventuring rather than falling in love and telling lies about how good the sex was. Men are so typical, I would know since I am one. Every now and again, I feel bad for Lauren, her heartbreak was for a man who didn’t deserve her. Yet, she still had the kindness to go out and find her “own,” children and bring the likes of me and Osiris in.

Once I got into a comfortable position, I told Osiris goodnight and he did the same. Our beds were soft, I had a blue and white comforter, and so did Osiris. Lauren always cleaned it and made it for us like a mother would do for her own children. I feel bad for her at times, though I feel our presence helps her day to day life. I looked up at the ceiling and couldn't help it but feel invigorated by the conversation at dinner. My mind knew I had more in life to give. What is it though, It kept me awake longer than I wanted. Before I even got a chance to close my eyes Osiris was snoring like a wasted drunkard in a bar. Fortunately, my excitement faded and I drifted off into a deep sleep that I hadn’t felt in a long time. The sensation was soothing and I wish feelings such as these lasted longer. As I began to fade, I thought about how tomorrow might be fun. Who knows.