Forsaken: A Story of the Damned (C2)

Chapter 2: The Boy in Rags

I arrived at the gates of the town of Morg after walking for half an hour. Two men were guarding the entrance with spears. They wore leather armor and no helmets.

“The town is closed for the night, boy.” Said the guard in an effort to shoo me away.

I took a few steps forward and offered them 10 copper coins. Mappu’s memory told me that the entry was such.

“Make it twenty and we’ll let you in.”

I frowned. 20 copper coins could afford me five days’ worth of meals if I spend wisely. Even here, corruption thrives. I begrudgingly offer the payment to one of the guards.

He knocked at the large wooden gate and it opened after a few seconds. The second man eyed me and grunted.

I set foot inside the town and saw a few people running about. I proceeded towards the town center and sat underneath one of the lamp posts. There are still a 3 or so hours at most before sunrise. I should get some rest.

I decided to sleep for the first time ever. And it was strangely comforting.

“Hey boy! Wake up!”

I felt a painful poke on my cheek. There was an old man making my face friendly with the business end of his cane. I grunted and waved it away. I was very annoyed.

“What is it?”

“What manners!” and he proceeded to hit me with his cane.

“What do you want?!” I said, angrily.

“If you don’t want to get picked up by the town’s guards for loitering, you’d better get up and follow me.”

I frowned at the thought of following a strange old man but felt confident at doing so due to the unimaginable power given to me. If I had to, I could break anyone like a twig.

“What is your name, child?” he asked while we were briskly towards wherever he intended to go.

“L – Mappu. I am called Mappu.” I bit my tongue. I did not know where I was other than what this town was called. I had no idea what country holds this place.

“Mappu? What a strange name. Nevertheless, it is your good fortune that you followed me. I am in desperate need of a helper and you would fit fine for the job.”

I stopped in my tracks. This man expects me to work for him? Never.

I casually turned around the other way.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. With only a few coins to your name, and how many wild men and children prey on each other in this town, you’d have a day or two at most before you get robbed and die a dog’s death.”

Thinking about it, I noticed some predatory eyes in the corners the moment I entered the town. It seems that due to the ineptitude of the guards, thievery has prospered. I paused for a few seconds before finally agreeing to follow the old man.

“What kind of job are you offering me? And for how much?”

“Finally interested eh? We’ll talk once we get inside my shop. We’re only a few meters away.”

We arrived at a modest looking antique shop.

“Here we go. Make sure not to break anything. Some of those items cost more than your life.”

He entered and beckoned me to do the same. I stepped inside and watched him light a few lamps.

“Do close the door, please.”

He sat down behind the counter and handed me a piece of paper.

“It’s early but you’d have to start doing your job in a moment. Sign here and there.”

He looked at me expectantly.

“Oh. You are illiterate? Makes sense. A street rat like you shouldn’t have any education.”

He reached for the document but before he could, I put it down on the counter.

“I can read. Give me your pen.”

“You have a peculiar way of talking. It is as if I’m talking to an older man.”

“I am only seven.”

“I can see that.”

After working through the specifics, he offered me some breakfast saying that I wouldn’t be able to properly help him around if I was sickly and frail.

I plowed through the hard bread and fresh milk as if I haven't eaten in decades. Come to think of it, I haven't. And it seems like Mappu hasn't eaten anything also. I felt a pang of sadness as I recalled the boy's memories.

"You've seen what I am. Why are you helping me? Are you not afraid you'd be condemned?"

"Bah. You mean your eyes? I could not care less. For all I know, you only have some sort of a mutation. Besides, what harm could a 7 - year old do to a robust old man like me?"

As if dismissing the topic, the old man went further inside his shop.

The old man was an antique salesman. He arrived at Morg a few months ago and set up shop here. His name is Lupin and is an immigrant from the country of Nast.

I recalled from my studies that Nast is a country north of the Dukedom of Havershire. It was a very far place from my hometown. I had only heard of stories.

Lupin was quick – tempered but he seemed alright. The first few weeks of working for him was a headache. He was very particular about dust settling on his antiques that he’d scold me every single time he notices even one of them.

I would complain about it being out of my control and he would go off.

The pay was good and enough. A month under his employ has enabled me to buy decent clothes and a better knife.

One thing I noticed during my stay in his shop was that no one ever came.

It was peculiar but I shrugged it off thinking that antiques weren’t very lucrative especially in a small town like this.

“Boy, go fetch me some tea. I will be having guests in the afternoon.”

“Guests? You have friends? I’m very surprised.”

He shot me a glare and tossed me a coin purse. “I’ll have you know that I’m a very special person.”

“Oh indeed.”

“Don’t think I’m not picking up on your sarcasm Mappu. I’ll deduct 10 coins from your next pay!”

“Yes Mr. Lupin. I apologize.”

“There is enough in there for you to buy yourself some snacks. You know the tea I like. Be here in an hour.”

This is what I liked about Lupin. He was mean most of the time but he’s considerate.

I went out donning my cloak and hood. I made a beeline towards the town center. The tea shop was at the other side of the market area. I’d have to go around the center to get there.

I noticed some oddities. People were frolicking about and were hurriedly packing up stalls. There were more guards than usual and their armor looked polished. As polished as they can be, anyway.

I observed the poles and saw a familiar – looking flag raised up high.

“A Reaper?"

I was dazed for a moment causing a nearby guard to push me off the way.

"Move it, worm." growled the guard.

I was not in the mood for any fights and even if I was, I'd probably die.

The reason is simple. The first night I stayed with Lupin was the worst. I'd been ordered to clean and mop the entire place and was given an earful whenever I missed a spot. I was not used to such menial labors and was therefore, still am, clumsy at it.

Lupin's continuous nagging made me lose my temper. I decided against working and turned to vaporize the old man where he stood.

I raised my palm towards him while he wasn't looking and called for the awesome strength and power at my disposal.

But nothing came.

I exerted myself even more and yet no matter how hard I tried, nothing happened.

Lupin saw me frowning at my palms and made hissing noise. "If you're constipated, relieve yourself. I don't want you stinking out my shop!"

Suffice to say, I was discombobulated. Ever since then, I became unable to summon the specter's of the void. Much less levitate objects.

I apologized to the guard and went about my way, taking a mental note of the flag. Better ask Lupin about it later.

I arrived at the store where I usually buy Lupin's tea. It was a bustling herb shop managed by a plump old lady named Teresa. During the few weeks that I stayed under Lupin's employ, I had noticed the subtle letters Lupin and Teresa would give each other under the guise of tea.

That's right. The old man and woman used me as the courier for their love affair. I was adamantly against it at first, but I found Teresa to be a nice woman. She often gave me a few copper coins whenever I came to buy from her Lupin's 'tea'.

Money is money. And for my plans, I was desperately in need of it.

On my way back, I saw a large carriage in front of Lupin's shop.

In order to avoid being seen, I made a detour towards the back entrance where I found Lupin heating up some water.

"Your guests seem to be wealthy. Are they nobles?"

Lupin grabbed the tea leaves from my hands and carefully placed them inside the boiling pot. A sweet leafy aroma filled the room. He then faced me and took out a pair of glasses in his pocket. "Wear this and serve the people outside their tea. Make sure not to make eye contact."

I did as told and wore the glasses. I glanced at the nearby mirror and was shocked to see that the transparent glass perfectly hid my ruby - colored eyes. They now appeared black and empty.

"Thanks, old man."

I served tea while Lupin entertained the guests. There were three people in the room. Two of them were women wearing what seemed to be a ceremonial armor of some noble family. They were beautiful but were expressionless like dolls.

The third person, a man of exquisite bearing, casually drank tea while Lupin stiffly drank his share. The man had auburn hair and finely trimmed beard. He had the eyes of a hardened man and spoke with a heavy voice. He wore a simply designed coat adorned with a golden chain connecting to what seemed to be a pocket watch. On his side was a sheathed sword adorned with the same sigil as the flags raised up at the town center.

Lupin and the man spoke in a language I could only assume as Nastoran. Their tones were grave. Lupin was stiff and appeared to be becoming angrier and angrier by the second. The man in front of him wore the a grave expression. He shook his head and snapped his fingers.

"I could only give you this as a token of my sincerity." said the man in similar. He spoke in the language all the nations shared, despite the difficulty. For what reason, I do not know. But I understood one thing. I was meant to hear it.

Lupin reached for the rectangular box sealed by the Reaper's seal and sadly caressed its exterior.

"Thank you."

The man nodded and gestured that it was time to leave. Lupin didn't show them to the door so I decided I should, if only to be polite.

I followed them outside near the carriage.

"Child. What is your name?" asked the man in similar.

I looked at him straight in the eye. His expression was a mask.

"Mappu, sir."

"Take care of the old man. If anything happens to him. I will have you killed." After spouting his threats, he turned around and stepped into the courage.

"Before you go," I replied. "I do not like to be threatened."

It could have been the way I said it or the atmosphere I exuded. But I saw them visibly stiffen and all of them began to draw their swords.

"Enough." said Lupin as I felt his hand rest on my shoulder. "Dravos. He is merely a child."

Dravos grunted and re-sheathed his sword. He gestured at the coachman and the carriage drove away. Lupin removed his hand on my shoulder and sighed.

"Mappu. I appreciate your concern but you really have to reign in your anger sometimes. Even the birds are flying away."

Embarassed, I calmed down. Lupin entered his shop and I watched his back disappear into the inner room.

"Weird old man."

End of Chapter 2