Holly stared at SJ for several moments before she spoke again.
“What I told you about the district is true. There have been unusual signs recently and behaviours by many beings.”
“In what way are they behaving differently?” SJ asked.
“There is an air of anger. I haven’t heard anyone speaking about the chancellor and the tower in a good light. It is only word on the street and not anything that has come from the district leaders directly.”
“Can you be sure it isn’t from the leaders?”
“I haven’t seen or heard any of them speaking about it. It’s more the crowds in the inns and the markets where you hear information.”
“Would you be willing and able to see what information you can discover? I can pay you for your time.”
Holly scrunched her face, rubbing her forehead. “I’m not sure I want to get involved. We were struggling to survive as it was before, and I know you have brought us to this inn, but we will have to go back to District 10, and if the boys or I were discovered gathering information, the gangs wouldn’t take kindly to it.”
“So there are gangs involved that you are aware of?”
Holly sighed and turned, walking towards the window of the room, pulling the drapes back and allowing the early morning sun to cast more light into the room.
“Look, Holly. I don’t want you to get into trouble, but you obviously know more than what you are alluding to. The fact you just mentioned the gangs wouldn’t take kindly to it means you know that gangs are involved,” SJ said.
Joel had awoken and walked into the room with Harry at his side.
“Mum, just tell her,” Joel said.
Holly turned to look at Joel, surprise etched on her face.
“This is the first time in months we have awoken in soft, warm beds, and I haven’t felt this well in weeks,” Joel said.
SJ looked at the two boys. From their spoken language, it was evident that they had grown up quickly, learning to survive on the streets of Asterfal. Joel walked to the table, where a pile of clothes was laid out for him. He collected them from the table. Holly just watched as he turned and returned to the bedroom, carrying them. Harry followed again, leaving SJ and Holly alone.
“Tell me what? Holly,” SJ asked.
SJ could see the mental anguish that Holly was going through, her face not able to hide her thoughts.
“Holly, please tell me what you know?”
Holly walked back to the table where the clothes were, caressing the soft material between her fingers. She stared at them before she spoke.
“One of the gangs tried to recruit Joel. They wanted him to put up notices across the districts.”
“Which gang?”
“They are known as the Handlers. They have a reputation for resolving problems for others.”
“What sort of problems?”
“The unsavoury kind. Look, ambassador, I know you have already done more for my family and me than I could have hoped, but we will have to go back to District 10 eventually, and I can’t chance the boy’s safety. I am not worried about myself, but if the boys got harmed, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.”
“For a start, call me SJ, not ambassador and let me just clarify something for you. You never have to live in District 10 again.”
“And how is that going to work?”
“If I have to, I will find you a new home away from the district.”
“I can’t afford to live anywhere else. I have no job, and even if I got one, no one that is willing to hire a barmaid pays enough to be able to afford accommodation in a better district.”
“Let me worry about that. I promise you that you will never have to go back to that hole in the ground.”
Holly pulled one of the chairs out and sat down. SJ moved to the table and sat opposite her.
The bedroom door opened, and Joel walked out. He had got dressed in the clothes SJ had provided. The trousers were a little big around his waist, but everything else fit well. SJ didn’t think the trousers being a little baggy would be a problem as it was obvious that they were malnourished compared to many, and some good meals would soon fill him out. Harry was also entirely changed now, and the two boys were transformed from the street urchins in rags they had been.
Holly looked at them both and smiled; it was a genuine, heartfelt smile, and SJ noticed Holly begin to tear up.
“You two look amazing,” Holly said as a tear traced her cheek.
“We do, don’t we,” Harry beamed as he spun on the spot, showing off his new clothes.
Considering the previous evening, the same young boy had been contemplating whether to stab SJ. The transformation was massive. He now radiated the looks of a young, carefree child. SJ looked at his feet, where they still wore the old boots that they owned. The toe of one of Harry’s boots had a hole in it.
‘Dave. How does the resizing of items work? I notice that Joel’s trousers are baggy.’ SJ thought.
“They are common items. Normal common items don’t resize well.”
‘MIT again?’ SJ asked.
“I am not even sure if MIT or Oxford will solve that one. I have no idea how it works myself, and there is nothing in the Legionnarious that covers it,” Dave said.
“I think we may have to go boot shopping,” SJ said. “Clothes are one thing. Boots I am not a great judge on.”
Harry’s eyes went wide with excitement at the comment.
“Thanks,” Harry said.
“No, Harry. The ambassador has already done too much,” Holly said.
Harry’s face dropped with a sad look.
“I told you to call me SJ, not Ambassador. Also, why would you not wish the boys to have new boots? I am sure you could do with some as well?”
Holly wiped her wet cheek, looked at her worn and tattered boots, and turned again to SJ. SJ could again see the uncertainty in her expression and knew that she was battling internally.
“Right. Holly, you need to get dressed, and then we can get some breakfast. The inn downstairs must open soon, and you can tell me more about these handlers you mentioned.”
“Come on, Mum,” Harry said, moving over to her and grabbing her clothes from the table. Scooping them under one arm, he then grabbed his mum’s arm and tried to drag her towards the bedroom to get changed.
Holly was about to protest but gave in to her son’s grinning face. “Okay,” Holly said, allowing herself to be dragged to the bedroom.
“And don’t come out until you’re ready,” Harry said, closing the door.
Joel’s colour suddenly drained from his cheeks, his skin turning almost ashen, and SJ jumped to her feet when she noticed him sway. He stumbled sideways as she reached him and caught him in her arms.
“Are you alright?” SJ asked with concern.
Joel gathered himself and stood upright again. “I will be fine,” he said.
“He hasn’t been well for weeks,” Harry said. “Mum had been trying to get a tonic for him, but it was too expensive.”
SJ helped Joel to a chair, and he sat, the colour slowly beginning to return to his face.
“What’s wrong with you?” SJ asked Joel.
“I don’t know. It started a few weeks ago, and I will suddenly go light-headed, and I always feel tired,” Joel said.
SJ thought for a moment before she replied. “I think I may know someone I can take you to see about a tonic.”
“Really?” Joel said.
“Yes. I met an alchemist this morning who owns a shop and may be able to help. We can go and see him after breakfast.”
SJ helped Joel sit down at the table while Harry moved to look out the window at the sky.
“It looks like the rain has cleared for now. At least our clothes won’t get wet.”
“We can pick up some cloaks later to be on the safe side.”
“Cloaks as well. I have never owned a cloak,” Harry grinned.
SJ removed her water canteen from her inventory and passed it to Joel. “Take a drink.”
Joel sipped on the canteen, the colour slowly returning to his cheeks.
‘I wonder what is making him ill?’ SJ thought.
“It could be one of many illnesses,” Dave said.
‘If I go to see Caperca. He may have something that can cure him. If not, I will speak to Petunia.’
“Your thoughts are all confused. I am struggling to read what your plan is exactly.”
‘I am not sure I even have one yet. I need to find out more about these handlers. Holly and the kids will be in a much better position to get information than I ever will. I hope I can persuade Holly to help.’
Joel handed SJ the canteen back. “Thanks.”
Smiling, SJ returned it to her inventory as the bedroom door opened. Holly walked out, and the woman who now stood in front of SJ resembled nothing to the woman in rags. The clothes SJ had picked for her were simple but stylish. They were similar to the style she had seen many of Amathera’s female beings wear: a long skirt, a simple blouse, and a jacket. Holly had plaited her hair loosely. She could easily pass now for any normal being moving around Asterfal.
“You look stunning, mum,” Joel said.
Holly’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment at the comment from her son.
“Thank you, Joel.”
“Can we get some breakfast now?” Harry asked excitedly.
“If the ambassador is willing, then yes,” Holly said.
“This is the last time. Call me SJ, not ambassador.”
The colour returned to Holly’s cheeks again. “Sorry, I am used to those in positions of power being addressed by their titles.”
SJ could understand that many beings probably always wanted to be addressed by their titles, but she wasn’t Amatherean and didn’t like being catalogued.
The inn’s front doors were open, and SJ spotted the half-orc behind the bar.
“Morning. Are you serving breakfast?”
“Cook’s not long in. It will be a few minutes yet.”
“Have you any coffee and juice while we wait?”
“Sure. I can sort that out. Take a seat, and I will bring it over.”
“I will need to pay for an extra breakfast. The room fee covers these three.”
The half-orc nodded in understanding. “What is it you were after? So, I can let the cook know.”
“Four full breakfasts and some fresh bread.”
“Any extras?”
“What extras do you have?”
“Menu is at the end of the bar there.”
SJ picked up a menu and ushered the family to a table by the window, looking out onto the street. As the sun had risen, so had more of the locals. The street was starting to pick up, with beings moving to and from their places of work or whatever errands they were on.
Harry and Joel chattered away to each other as Holly stared out of the window at the street. SJ looked over the menu, and as the half-orc brought the drinks over, she requested various extra sides.
“Holly. I need to ask if you will be willing to return to District 10 to gather more information on the handlers? I know you mentioned you were concerned about the boys, but they can stay here. There is no need for them to get involved. I have a place where they can be looked after.”
Holly turned to look at SJ.
“What place?”
“I own a building a street over, and my friends who work there are coopers. The boys can help them, and they will be looked after. I am sure they would appreciate the help.”
“The handlers aren’t just going to open their doors and speak to me. I only know what I know from working the bars in the district and what we have heard on the streets recently.”
Holly’s response made it obvious that she knew more about them than she had let on so far.
“Is there anything you can do to gain their trust?”
“I have heard rumours of how they pick their members.”
“What rumours?”
Holly looked at the two boys, who were not paying any attention to the conversation.
“There was a rumour that to become a member of the handlers, you had to dispose of one of their rivals.”
“What rivals do they have?”
“A group known as the sanction. They are a group of thugs and supposed murderers. They were rumoured to be some of the most violent in the district. The handlers and sanction have had a running battle over the streets of District 10 for years. I believe that the leaders of both groups are related.”
‘This sounds more like a mafia family turf war,’ SJ thought.
“Ooo. Maybe you could do the old horse’s head trick,” Dave said.
‘Really, you have seen the God Father ?’
“It’s a classic.”
“Do you know anything about the sanction and who their members are?” SJ asked.
“There is one being. A man called Francis. He is rumoured to be one of their leaders. I couldn’t say for sure, but he used to frequent the Dragon’s Den. I worked a few shifts there when I first moved to Asterfal before I found a better-paying job. It doesn’t have the best reputation.”
‘I bet I know a being that will know who is who for sure,’ SJ thought.
“I would be surprised if he doesn’t,” Dave said.
“If you disposed of this, Francis, would you then be able to get in with the handlers?”
Holly’s face went ashen at the thought. “I could never,” she gasped.
“Let me correct myself. If I disposed of Francis, would you be able to get in with the handlers?”
Holly’s eyes opened with alarm, giving SJ an uncertain look.
“It looks like your inner assassin is beginning to bloom,” Dave said cheerily.
She was an assassin, and if that meant removing evil from the world, then that is what she had sworn to do when she first arrived on Amathera.
‘I always said I would battle evil and bring good,’ SJ thought.
“You would dispose of him?” Holly asked.
Before SJ could reply, the half-orc and a tall, thin ent headed over to their table carrying trays. The ent wore a white apron.
“Thank you,” SJ said as the trays were offloaded. The food delivered to the table looked to die for, and the boys and Holly’s eyes went wide as they looked at the mountain of food that had been delivered. The conversation about the handlers and the sanction stopped as they all started to eat.
“This is amazing,” Harry said around a mouthful of hogling sausage that he had dipped in egg.
“It’s not bad,” SJ said. “Not as good as Floretta’s cooking, but not bad at all.”
“Who is Floretta?” Joel asked.
“She works in the inn in Killic and is the cook there. Her food is the best food I have ever tasted.”
“If it’s better than this, I want to try it one day,” Harry said as he took a massive bite from a bread roll he had smothered in honey. SJ couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm.
“Slow down, Harry,” Holly said.
SJ had been watching Holly eat, and she was only picking at the food. She watched as she placed one of her sausages onto Joel’s plate.
“Mum. There is enough here for us all,” Joel said, placing it back on hers. It was obvious that Holly was used to going without food to ensure the boys were fed. SJ could feel the despair she must have felt not being able to take care of her children properly. The differing levels of the beings in the city were not visible on the street surface. When she first arrived and saw the magnificence of the tower and the affluence of those who worked there, the reality of the city was hidden. It was only once she had got to know Yawnee and Lurtew that the darkness that filled its streets became apparent.
‘This task the chancellor has asked me to do may take some time,’ SJ thought as they finished their food.
