Chapter 388: Melfyn, First of the Cinderbrood

Located at the border of the Commoner District, the South-East neighborhoods were adjacent to the bustling Trade District, separated only by a narrow stream. A small bridge spanning across the stream gave the South-East residents easy passage to the countless shops and stalls that had made the Trade District famous throughout the Ebon Realm.

While none of the fancy and large gilded stores were situated anywhere near the South-East, Melfyn still considered his small patch of the Trade District the best in the city. It didn’t matter that none of the posh or aristocratic citizens gave their patronage here, in fact, he preferred it that way. This small neighborhood of stalls and shops was for the common people and he loved them all the more for it.

Even as he walked through the busy morning streets, he couldn’t help but admire the rugged old buildings. Small as they were, the vendors somehow always managed to have exactly what he was looking for and if they didn’t, they always had something just as good.

The bustling of the crowds had only grown louder and livelier in the last few weeks. With the ‘mysterious’ disappearance of the Rat Snake gang and all that followed, people had begun to feel safer in their neighborhood and had begun to venture out more frequently, not just out of necessity, but for enjoyment.

While humans and goblins comprised most of the commoners in the city, the owners of the stalls were mostly drows, and a few humans and dwarves. Goblins never had much to call their own in the city, but Melfyn felt that was slowly changing. Even now, he spotted a few goblins in the crowd, heading towards their jobs or simply going out for a stroll. The few that saw him, in turn, lit up with pride and nodded respectfully as he passed by.

It was strange, goblins he had never met recognized him, and not just goblins, humans, and many of the other resident dwarves and drows did too.

The whole thing felt very odd to Melfyn. The slums had once been his home, no one had ever given him a second glance before. Hunger had been his only constant friend. And now he was running an errand to buy food for not only himself, but his friends. Not once in his short 16 years would he have ever dreamed things would have changed as much as they had.

The scent of fresh bread wafted over him and he looked up at the familiar shop. It was a small bakery, with sun-bleached wooden planks that had seen better days many, many years ago. Despite what the shop looked like, Mr. Meeves still managed to bake the best bread in the neighborhood.

Sandra had once told Melfyn a bakery in the North-West Sub-District served the best bread and pastries. He hadn’t visited that bakery yet, but he doubted anyone’s baking was better than Mr. Meeves’.

Even now, the old baker was already outside, stacking steaming hot bread on top of one another on his display.

Always on time. Melyfn smiled. He was about to place an order when a woman stepped out of the crowd and approached the baker first.

“Hello,” she smiled excitedly. “Are you open by any chance? Or are you still prepping?”

On a closer look, Melfyn noticed the woman was younger than he thought. In her late teens, perhaps? Her chestnut hair was cut short, barely reaching her shoulders, an uncommon style among the human residents, but he thought it suited her well. Faint freckles spotted her cheeks here and there. Her expression was calm, but the glint of hunger in her dark green eyes betrayed her eagerness.

Mr. Meeves opened his arms wide and stared pointedly at his fresh wares, “We always open at first light.”

“Oh? Is that right? Good to know,” she nodded to herself as if making a mental note.

Mr. Meeves looked her up and down and raised his eyebrow, “You’re not from around here, are you?”

The woman winced, “Is it that obvious?”

“Your boots have grass stains on them. There isn’t much grass in this city, so I’m guessing you’ve only recently moved from the Valley,” Mr. Meeves shrugged. “Also, most shops in the Trade District open at dawn and close at sunset on account of the undead sentinels patrolling the streets. Even a toddler Hollow Shader would know that.”

The woman’s face grew red as she stared at her boots sheepishly. “I didn’t know that…”

“My, you really are fresh in the city, huh?”

“My family and I just moved in yesterday… I haven’t gone anywhere, until now that is,” she mumbled.

Mr. Meeves smiled disarmingly in the way only an elderly person could. “Well, you came just in time. The war with those savages in the valley has only grown worse these last few months.”

“Yeah, you have no idea. Luckily, my father got a job working at one of House Azol’s wineries,” she said proudly. “And so we were able to move here.”

Mr. Meeves whistled, “Working for a Named House, that is quite the honor. Pays well, too.”

“Yes, it does, but…” her voice trailed off.

“The city is more expensive than you thought, huh?” he said sympathetically.

“It’s just, those nameplates! How can anyone afford to buy those things yearly?” she grumbled.

“If you ask me, you might as well call it robbery,” he laughed.

“I know, right!”

The old man smiled, “Then from one human in this City of Shades to another, let me welcome you to the Trade District. I’m Donivan Meeves, but you can just call me Mr. Meeves, everyone here does.”

“It’s very nice to meet you, Mr. Meeves. I’m Anika,” she bowed politely.

“Well, Anika, what would you like this morning?”

“Five fresh loaves, please.”

“Buying breakfast for your family?”

“Yes, sir. They’re all still asleep, I thought I might surprise them.”

“Oof, I wish my granddaughter was as filial as you,” he chuckled. “Anyways, that’d usually be three copper coins, but for you, it’ll be just one. Consider it a ‘welcome-to-the-neighborhood discount.”

“Thank you, sir,” she smiled warmly.

“My pleasure. Now, just give me a moment and I’ll—” Mr. Meeves suddenly stopped and his eyes locked on Melfyn standing a few paces from the shop. “Mel! I didn’t see you there. Good morning!”

“Good morning, Mr. Meeves,” Melfyn smiled.

“What brings you here, today?” the old baker asked.

“I’m running an errand for Karen since she doesn’t trust Witt to go buy ingredients on his own,” Melfyn said. “The first item on the list is bread, so here I am.”

“The usual then?” Mr. Meeves asked.

“Please,” he said.

“50 loaves, coming right up.” The baker glanced at Anika apologetically, “Sorry, lass, give me a few moments. I need to help our friend here, first.”

“Ah, I understand,” she nodded uncertainly.

“No, please. The young miss was here before me, help her first,” Melfyn said.

“I’m sorry, but I cannot. The temple’s food must come first,” Mr. Meeves said adamantly.

Before Melfyn could argue, the old baker had rushed back inside to grab enough bread for the order.

Anika eyed the goblin curiously, “So, Mel, was it?”

“Uh, y-yeah. Melfyn, actually, but people just call me Mel. You can call me whichever you want— w-what I mean to say is, I don’t mind being called either, I guess…”

She grinned, “Well, nice to meet you, Melfyn. I’m Anika. You can just call me Anika.”

“Y-yeah, will do.”

“So, you work at a temple then? Are you like an acolyte?”

“Huh? Oh, no, but I am close with an acolyte at the Southside temple.”

“So what do you do then?” she asked curiously.

“Um, that’s…”

“Ah, sorry!” Anika winced. “I didn’t mean to put you on the spot. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

“No, it’s not like that, it’s just—”

“Oi! Old man, get your ass out here!” an orc in the crow yelled.

Melfyn turned around and saw two orcs dressed in grey cloaks saunter up to the bakery.

Mr. Meeves walked back outside and grimaced. He quickly smothered his worried expression and smiled forcefully, “Kardyn! Zom! Nice to see you two. How can I help?”

“Took you long enough, old man. We need 30 loaves of bread, now.” Kardyn tossed a couple of silver coins on the stall counter.

“Ah, yes, just give me 20 minutes and they’ll be right out,” Mr. Meeves said hesitantly.

“Huh? 20 minutes? But you’ve got at least 30 loaves right here. Are you trying to fuck with us, old man!?” Kardyn snarled.

“No, not at all! It’s just that that bread is already spoken for. It’s going to the Southside temple to feed the orphans and the priests. Please, if you just wait a few minutes I promise we’ll have your food right up.”

“Oh come on, I’m not going to wait here like an idiot. My friends won’t be very happy with me if I’m late. So, in the interest of both our lives, give me my food, now,” Kardyn said in a threatening voice.

“Um…” Mr. Meeves swallowed and glanced at Melfyn worriedly.

“I think old man Meeves has gone a little senile,” Zom spoke up. “I mean, why else would he think he could get away with making Jagged Blade Gang wait?”

“You know, I think you’re right, Zom,” Kardyn suddenly grinned. “Maybe we’ll have to remind him what happens when you dare disrespect the—”

“Ah! The Jagged Blades! I remember now,” Melfyn snapped his fingers. “Your gang runs a small business in one of the eastern sub-districts, right?”

“Huh? Who the fuck is this kid?” Kardyn raised his eyebrow.

“Run away little goblin, before you say something you regret,” Zom warned. He glanced at Anika, “The same goes for you, human.”

Anika nodded fearfully and looked at Melfyn. “We should go,” she whispered.

“It’s strange, don’t you think, Mr. Meeves?” Melfyn said calmly. “That a pair of gangsters think they can harass your business even though their little gang is far, far away.”

“Y-yes, I think it is strange,” Mr. Meeves nodded hesitantly.

Kardyn’s amber eyes grew hard, “What was that, old man? Are you really siding with this little fucking goblin? Do you have any idea what my people will do to you when they find out you—”

“—You’re clearly far from home territory, so I’ll make this clear,” Melfyn interrupted. “Mr. Meeves, his bakery, and all his staff are under my protection.”

“What did you just say?” Zom growled.

Kardyn laughed with an angry expression, “Can you believe this little shit, Zom? Just because the Rat Snakes fell, now a bunch of kids think they can just waltz up into this neighborhood and call it their own?” He suddenly drew his sword from his sheath and pointed at Melfyn, “I’d be careful with your next words, goblin.”

Melfyn didn’t flinch nor step back, he didn’t even bother looking at the armed orc. His eyes were entirely focused on the crowd around them, at another goblin who was looking back at him, expectantly. Melfyn gave a subtle nod, then finally turned his attention to the orcs.

“I’ll say this once, leave. Your gang is not welcome here or the Commoner’s South-East Sub-District,” Melfyn said.

Kardyn laughed disbelievingly, “You’ve got some balls, kid. But that shit won’t save you.”

“Melfyn, we really should go!” Anika pleaded.

“It’s too late for that, missy,” Kardyn snarled.

“Wait. Melfyn?” Zom frowned. “Kardyn, stop!” Zom reached out and grabbed his partner’s shoulder.

Kardyn shrugged him off, “What’s wrong with you?! Are you actually afraid of one little goblin?”

“One?” Melfyn asked quietly. He slowly raised his hand, palm flat. “A lone goblin will be picked off by the wolf packs…”

Melfyn let his hand drop.

A series of high pitch whirs zipped down from the roofs of the nearby shops. Kardyn was knocked back and crashed into the ground, three arrows lodged in his chest. Zom cried out in pain and collapsed, a single arrow protruding from his knee.

“...But a pack of goblins can slay a dire bear,” Melfyn finished in a frigid voice.

Zom screamed in agony and rolled on the ground. Melfyn casually picked up the Kardyn’s sword and walked over to Zom.

“Wait, no! Please, we didn’t know! We didn’t know this was the Cinder Brood gang’s territory!” Zom cried out.

Melfyn cocked his head to the side. “Gang?”

“We are not a gang,” came Sandra’s voice from a nearby rooftop. She jumped off nimbly and walked over to stand next to Melfyn. “We are a tribe.”

Suddenly, a dozen young teenagers emerged from the crowd. Most were goblins, but a few were humans and one was even a drow.

Jack, a human and the tallest of the teens, stepped forward and drew his bow taut. “We don't take lightly to people threatening the First of the Cinder Brood.”

“I’m sorry, it was my partner’s fault! I tried to stop him!” Zom said in a panicked voice.

Melfyn ignored him and raised his sword above Zom’s chest, ready to strike.

“Mercy, please! Gods, please, have mercy!” Zom whimpered.

“Mel…?” Anika whispered and took a shaky step back. “Who are you people?”

Melfyn looked at her and faltered for a brief moment, before his expression hardened, an imitation of the one he admired most. “We are Lunisian.”

Without hesitation, Melfyn stabbed Zom in the heart.