As the sunlight disappeared behind the mountains, she lowered her last catch into the manhole; A small crate loaded with discarded, hard and dry loaves. With much effort, she had systematically cleared out the crate and loaves in single runs while the baker's apprentice had been busy flirting with the miller girl. His words had been sickeningly sweet and more than once had he complimented her buns. She had considered throwing a nasty-looking clot of dirt at them but let the thought slide. With great difficulty she made her way back to the sewer shelter. On approach she saw the hired thugs were busy cleaning. With one splash after the other they threw the day's deceased into the faster flowing sewage, the malnourished corpses stripped of clothes and valuables, floating down the stream and into the sea. Upon seeing her they put aside their undertaker duties and after claiming a share of bread, helped her carry the bounty inside. The old man was busy doing the rounds among his disciples, whispering to them words of encouragement and that god smiled upon any that showed him, as god's representative, due acknowledgement. His two goons announced her arrival, and the old man's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly came over.

"Ah, welcome back my child! You brought us great gifts once again! The most successful of my apostles!

"Master, listen. Zacharias was killed today." Her words causing him not the slightest hint of grief.

"Such is the world child, Nobody has the right to live but the strong, but keep coming back with such amounts, and Zarthraskiel will surely bless you with a long life!"

"I wonder when my parents will come for me."

"Soon! I'm sure of it! Great Zarthraskiel whispered to me that your parents will arrive any day now."

"Thank you Master..."

"You're welcome, now let's see about dividing up the bread! Bring half to the shrine so that I may offer it up to our glorious god! The rest goes to our faithful followers!"

She took a handful of bread and began making rounds. In the small groups huddled around the simple fires, she noticed a lot of unfamiliar faces, mostly children and some adults. Upon seeing the hard bread in her hands their eyes lit up and like flies they began to swarm around her, dirty hands reaching for the overdue loaves.

"Do you see my dear? You are these people's great savior! Each day, you bring them hope, and your actions cause them to show our god even more devotion!" The old man placed his warm hand on her shoulder, his gentle smile revealing his distinct lack of teeth, and the poor shape of the remaining browns. She nodded, his words sounded so real to her. She was convinced, she were helping all these people, and soon, her hard work and risks would be rewarded. Any day, her parents would show up and take her away from the sewers. They would bring her to a big house with a big garden. She would bathe in a real metal tub, and dress up like a true princess. Every meal of the day would feature fresh meat, bread straight out of the oven and fruits and vegetables she could only just occasionally steal from the gardens of the rich. The more she heard his words, the more she truly believed that her way out was within reach.