Runner Clan

Watch Harvest,

Get out of the way! You filthy Pyeanchi!”

Culus and Davi cowered behind the wagon as the soldiers marched past carrying their wounded. The Sargent was about to kick the wagon out of the way but when he saw the cargo, he lashed out with a cane instead. It was only when the patrol had passed did the rest of the clan come out of hiding with their buckets of filth.

“Did he get you?” Davi asked, still shaken at the unsettling pressure as the Cultivators had passed.

“Not this time,” Culus replied as he turned back to the wagon. “I think now we know why these wagons are impossible to steer. They keep having the shit kicked out of them.”

“And then they blame us for not getting out of the way quick enough.” Finished Juri, shaking his head at the unfairness of it all.

Culus barely hid his smile, knowing better than to laugh at Juri’s injured tone. The boy had gotten whacked right off his feet earlier in the day for not getting out of the way of a Cultivator quick enough, he had been sore about it ever since. Inwardly Culus was just grateful no one had suffered more than a bruised ego.

That didn’t detract from the obvious, everyone was on edge within the encampment for some reason. He dared not ask as almost all workers went about their tasks in silence. There was none of the hollering and yelling of instructions that usually encompassed a Harvest. So long as they were seen to be busy, the punishments dealt out weren’t fatal.

Culus checked on the cargo once more before asking the others to help give it a shove to get it going again. Reluctantly they helped, none too keen on pushing a wagon full of severed heads. Some sort of special turtle bird creatures, Kappa. The ugly things had bowl-like heads which had each been slotted into place so they did not roll around. It looked like someone had poured water over their heads, for the bowl crevices were relatively full.

Surprised to have been entrusted with such a task, Culus had had little chance to refuse the domineering Overseer. Working at the slaughter racks all day, their group had initially been tasked with carting out buckets of blood, filth and intestine back to the swamps. At this stage, Culus couldn’t smell the difference between the group and the buckets they carried.

The Hunts Market Plaza was along the way. A wide open and raised platform of packed dirt. Well maintained by the Hunters Guild who were the only people living outside the city. It was here where buyers came to inspect all manner of harvested Beast and alchemical reagents.

Unfortunately for the Hunters Guild on this day and every other Harvest day, they had been banished back to their enclave for as long as the Watch had need of the platform. Their lack of coin and refinement a stink on all good city folk who were here to make a purchase.

Culus just hoped there was another Overseer waiting for them before they got too close. It was unimaginable for the group to be allowed on the platform with all the fine City folk. The last thing he wanted was to encounter an Alchemist. The kids already knew of one and he was utterly insane.

No such luck.

For the first time today, Culus saw what he believed to be the full extent of the Harvest as he reared the platform. With many voices crying out their bargain prices. Even though there were cloths of clean sheet raised as curtains against the moors, the many gaps in between allowed the group to glimpse through into the lives of the rich and powerful.

Taking up almost half of the huge plaza were rows upon rows of headless carcasses. Frightful in number and size. Some two and three times the height of a man. All skinned and declawed, ready for immediate transport upon purchase. Fine-pressed Watch soldiers walked about in pairs maintaining order wherever voices were raised. High folk wearing their very best robes strutted about in a curious manner as they perused the wares, fanning themselves against the stagnant humidity of the moors.

Raw unprocessed hides as well as scaled ones were on display, with the promise of more to come. Long colourful feathers, huge claws and ivory tusks as well as a large table bearing fearsome snarling skulls. Culus began having serious doubts about his plan to join the Watch when he laid eyes on those skulls. Most were far larger than him, to say nothing about their teeth and fangs.

Stopping just before the platform, Culus’s jaw dropped when he heard the price for a cut of High-grade Ki meat. The vendor indignant at the lowball offer, shooing the customer off. On this side of the platform, most of the clientele were Guild members with varying insignia. Sent to purchase wares for their respective trades. Hides for baskets, ivory for carpenters and some trades Culus had never heard of.

“You can’t be serious!” The customer responded angrily, although he still had yet to purchase anything “That’s the exact same price it was this morning!”

“And that’s the same price it will be tomorrow morning AND the day after. No discounts at this table. These are the finest prepared Ki meats from the entire wave.” The vendor replied tiresomely.

“Are you mad? The humidity alone will affect the quality of these livers, let alone the Ki grade lessening each second you refuse to sell at a more reasonable price.”

A few mutters and many more nodding of heads gathered, having been waiting further back watching the exchange. It was getting towards late afternoon and a lowering of price was typical amongst all fresh goods. This group was clearly made up of bargain hunters that were upset about things not going as usual for them.

“It’s a good thing then we have all the Monasteries down today,” the vendor smirked. “First sign of this liver starting to turn and we’ll have one of them come put it down for us. Then you can maybe have your discount.”

Outrage ensued and Culus waved the group back at once. Struggling to retreat with the wagon that had stuck itself in the mud again. He quickly gave up and hid behind it with Davi as they waited for things to calm down. If there was a single drill all peasants excelled at, it was fleeing angry Cultivators.

Thankfully they had kept a reasonable distance to the platform and none of the finer folk had taken note of them, yet. Members of the Watch arrived quickly attempting to calm the group, even going so far as to lower their spears demanding folk step back. It was only when a distinct figure in a fine white fur half coat arrived, did things calm down.

Standing centre of the commotion, he levelled a scowl on the guards who had lowered their spears on customers. Then the vendor who had angered them and finally the people themselves for behaving in such a manner. Calling out each of the insignia on display, querying if their lords and guilds were aware of their shameful behaviour.

“Aw shi-baal.” Culus groaned, lowering himself even further behind the wagon.

“I had thought it early for Taker’s Call, but here I find the ruckus coming from those who would represent the most upstanding of all Qaelang! What has given you cause to lose your senses in such a dishonourable manner.”

“Who is that guy?”

“Hush Davi,” Culus whispered frantically. “That’s one of those really dangerous Cultivators who can do magic stuff. I don’t want him looking this way if trouble breaks out.”

“Your man!” The crowd continued. “The lowborn miscreant taunts us. We demand satisfaction!”

The voices chorused with growing courage as the high-ranking Watch official scowled once more at the suddenly humble vendor.

“I will see to it that the servants of the Watch are dealt with accordingly. But dare to make demands of me again and I will see your tongueless heads returned to your Masters. I will not be spoken to in such a manner by mere servants, none of whom have scratched the surface of second Dan.”

The white cloaked official gathered his Cultivation before him in a dire warning of the consequences if pressed further. Cowering the crowd to silence as they turned and hid their faces in shame, their standing so easily cast to doubt. It was a mob, swayed by their emotions and the high-ranking official took pity on their state.

“Come now,” he implored. “I will have no bad blood between faithful servants, no matter how disgruntled. Tell me what is the reason you still have not made any purchases this late in the day?

“How can we afford anything with such prices? Some of these cuts match the price of a whole Beast.”

“Good people, our prices have always matched the high grade of the catch. I can assure you it was no easy feat bringing you this level of quality. As well as ensuring the purity of the meat itself, there’s no steaks here just liver, heart and kidney. The very best in nutritional requirements, especially for your advanced Masters. That is but a few reasons for the price, a price I might add that has been consistent for decades.”

“But it’s late in the day! Why isn’t the price going down? What of the Emperors Law.”

“Do not shout whilst cowering behind the back of another, less I slay you both! Come out and see me if you must ask.”

A man fell to his knees at the head of the crowd, bowing down to the official. Whether he had been pushed by another or his own desperation Culus couldn’t tell. But the official immediately latched onto him as the ‘be all and say all’ of this crowd, he ignored the others and they were grateful for it.

“Take pity on us O’ great Master. It is as you say, we are but servants in service to our Masters. We do not hail from Guild or House, but True Sacred Masters of craft and works. Our Masters will surely punish us if we return without the cuts they have come to rely upon. These beneficial properties are most nourishing. Is it not time for the price to lower? Do you not see the orderly que we have formed as we waited all day?”

Culus saw the official frown and rub his forehead as he contemplated the mans words.

Yep, this was definitely the same guy.

With cloth of average quality, its Master crafted cut set him at ease amongst those wearing silk. Although he commanded, his tone implored and people obeyed easily. However, even if the heavens should rob him of these, Culus would still recognise him for his Patience. The man just did things differently, setting himself apart from the other powerful Cultivators. Who even on a good day would not suffer a peasant to live, should one dare to question them when invited to do so.

“Yes, I saw you waiting. I saw whole groups of people. So rooted in their ways that they have made victims of themselves to the heartbeat of the world. You have chosen, indeed dedicated, yourselves to be blind, deaf and ignorant. Testing the Watch’s good will as if it were made of a wavering resolve. Do the heralds not make clear, ‘no haggling’ on meat? Did the guards not inform you, even before you met with the vendor that there would be no discounts? Can you not read what few posts we have put up above designated tables?”

Before the begging man could speak his reply, the crowd began to mutter once more. “This is not right.” “Unfair!” “Wasteful.”

“You observe a great Harvest on display and expect the price to go down, thinking nothing of the extra costs to the Watch. You cry unfair, yet refuse to pay a fair price? Perhaps the Soldiers were right to level their spears on you. For what is left, if reason will not serve? That good people is my final warning.”

“Master what of the Emperor's Law? Forbidding the waste of Ki meats. Not even Runes will preserve such a large quantity Ki meats.”

The official withdrew his blade and moved to stand over the begging man. Culus and Davi winced, closing their eyes to look away.

“I, know, the Law. The Watch is ever faithful to the Emperor's Decrees. Were you standing or I to consider your tone insolent, I would have taken your head. I can only assume you serve your Master well and thus know the price of failure.”

With a lightning strike, the official stabbed down at the servant’s face, causing the man to cry out loud. More frightened than hurt, he fell back with the retreating crowd, clutching at his bleeding cheek. Freezing only when the official levelled his sword on him and wiped the blade clean on his robes.

“But there is a price too for toying with heretical thoughts imposed on you by the Taker, especially when they involve the Watch. Consider this cut a bountiful mercy I bestow upon you. Let it weigh against your Master's wrath should he consider your efforts lacking against the coin he has entrusted you with.”

“You may further inform your Masters that this is how it will be ever onwards. Rest assured nothing will go to waste, your greed has naturally caused one of your own to rise against you. What you do not purchase at a fair price will be used against you at a marked down price, for they have already acquired the rights to all high-grade meats the second they are priced down. It is a transaction bearing far more favourable terms to the Watch than your petty haggling.”

Cries of dismay and outrage followed, demanding to know who had made such a deal with the Watch. The Official allowed them a few moments reprieve before settling the matter with force. With a signal, the guards stepped forward against any still protesting.

“If it’s quantity you're after, move along. This section is for those with the coin and you have made clear you do not possess it. I will not have our best tables sullied by begging servants. Now make your purchases before these men cast you off into the swamps.

Peeking out over the wagon at the commotion, Culus saw the official sheath his blade and turn to go. The crowd already scattering, when disaster struck. It was like the man could feel Culus’s eyes on him and he glanced back to look at the solitary wagon out in the open.

“Where the hell are you stinking wretches going with those heads!”

The guards turned their attention to them stopping short at the edge of the plaza, not wanting to step off into the mud. Culus and Davi squealed in fright as a cold wind suddenly blew at them, swirling around the wagon with angry intent.

“Culus what’s happening!?” Davi wailed.

“Hold tight to the wagon! He’s using his magic power stuff on us!”

The rest of the group that had moved back with their putrid buckets, cried out in frightened protests as they saw the unnatural wind buffet Culus and Davi. Their cries caused shoppers to turn and notice the group through the gaps in the raised curtains. Their stink now drawn to the attention of Qaelangs elite, caused many to turn away in disgust. The official seemed to notice immediately, he released his hold over them.

“Turn that wagon around and go straight back to the main road!”

When the boys got there, they found him waiting with a few guards and a rather flustered-looking Overseer. Angrily the Overseer lashed out at Davi as soon as they were in range of his whip. Instead, it cracked loudly over Culus’s hastily raised arm. His protective instincts given without fully comprehending the power of a Cultivator.

Culus screamed in pain at the vicious hit, changing tone as he was yanked off his feet and right over the wagon. Falling face first into the mud at the feet of the Overseer and official.

“Filthy Mongrel! Did you think you could steal the Heavy Water for yourselves!? How did you manage to sneak past me?”

The terrified cries of the group caused the official to raise an eyebrow as another two similar sized groups came out of the main encampment, running straight towards the commotion. Seizing the Overseer’s whip in his hand, he held the man firm less he strike the peasant again and kill it. With growing interest, he watched as the peasant had the audacity to rise.

The Coreless cretin obviously had its brains scrambled with that yank, so he allowed it a moment before it came to its senses. But it just stood there wobbling in the mud trying to cradle a completely dislocated arm. The boy finally spoke, completely forgetting he was still standing.

“I apologise Master Overseer, but we don’t have any water, just these turtle bird heads we were sent by…

Alarmed, the high-ranking official blinked at the vague familiarity of this worm whilst the Overseer screamed away at him. Every inch of him was wrapped in patched cloth.

“‘I’? What do you mean ‘I’? Who are you to say ‘I’? You filthy Pyeachi! Are you Named and yet somehow still Coreless? Dirty little thieves the lot of you! Trying to sneak off with the Kappa Water.

The mud caked peasant tried to point but failed, resorting to doing so with his face. “Master, we came this way looking for one such as you. See? Those are our tracks, still in the mud. There was no one here…

“Liar!” The Overseer screamed, yanking his arm free to whip the insolent peasant dead.

With an echoing slap, the body fell into the mud with a heavy squelch. The clap of sound causing the smaller peasants to cry out in fright. To the official, they appeared to be all children. Returning his gaze on the peasant, he flexed the sting from the back of his hand as he pocketed the whip. Convinced now that he recognized the boy.

“Patches, is that you?”

The frail peasant looked up from the unconscious body of the Overseer. Dipping his head in some sort of clumsy bow.

“Hello, Master Arch-Tenant.”

“Guard. Roll that fool over, make sure he doesn’t drown. Remove his rod of office and leave him there.”

The guards looked to and fro in surprise, wisely remaining silent as they complied. The kids however looked as if they were about to bolt. One stared on furiously, the blonde one. Causing the Arch-Tenant to laugh as he noticed him.

“Your crew is still a mixed basket of plums, Patches. I must admit, I did not think you still alive boy. What’s it been? A year, since last I saw you and your crew working the hides and leathers? Tell me are these groups here with you?”

Hesitating briefly, Culus thought better than lying to the powerful Cultivator. The man possessed Techniques he knew nothing of.

“Yes Master.”

“Interesting,” he chuckled. “But there’s more, isn’t there?”

Dammit, how did this guy do these things? No way am I ratting them out.

“No, Master."

Laughing out loud once more, the Arch-Tenant directed a soldier to fix the boy’s arm. “Don’t lie to me boy. How many more have you brought to serve the Watch?”

Culus remained still. If he died here then so be it. He knew he wouldn’t last long under a Cultivator's interrogation techniques, but there was no way in all Nine hells he was ever going to betray the others.

Just as he was about to shout ‘run’, the Arch-Tenants face dropped and he shook his head sadly.

“Do not be afraid, boy. I just wanted to extend my thanks. We could always use the numbers, but I suppose I should apologise for the maltreatment first. The fact that they sent you off with this wagon of Heavy Water, shows that at least one Overseer holds your efforts in high regard. It’s really quite an expensive load.”

Culus frowned uncomprehendingly at the ugly heads. “The Water on top of their bowl heads?”

The Arch-Tenant smiled, nodding his head as labourers with less stink and finer clothes, pulled the wagon up the ramp and onto the plaza.

It’s used for a multitude of purposes, depending on the quality, but this lot will be for setting Cores after they’ve had a rune carved in them. You can even…

An explosion of fire tore through the sky, terrifying the peasants and startling many of the Cultivators. Culus felt a slight warmth on his face as it rose into the sky and was not ready at all when it finally exploded high in the sky. Looking wide-eyed at the Arch-Tenant, the man was just smiling.

“I hate to cut this short boy, but duty calls. It’s good to see you again Patches. The Watch is always grateful for honest labour and extra hands.”

The man stormed off, calling out instructions to people of similar uniform. Culus and the others completely forgotten. Cautiously Davi and the others approached Culus, Juri giving the Overseer a kick.

“Why was he laughing so much?”

“Shhh” Culus pulled a face. “The strong ones like him can hear a mouse cleaning its whiskers. No names! Let’s get out of here before Juri wakes up the magically powered human being.”

Juri at least had the temerity to look slightly embarrassed.