Chapter Two

Thad walked home from the library unable to get over the worry that something might happen to Kaden sleeping in an alley somewhere. It didn’t matter that Kaden had somehow taken care of himself for who knew how many years. Thad just knew that he had to protect the other boy. Unfortunately, there was no help for leaving him behind until he spoke to Mother. Unless he got her blessing, there was no point in even mentioning Kaden to his father.

He jogged the whole way home to cut time, but knew he’d get yelled at anyhow for leaving the market without permission. Not that it mattered. As soon as he’d seen that awful man grab Kaden for stealing, Thad knew he had to help him. Stomping on his instep had been instinct and so had chasing after Kaden. Everything after, though… something about the other boy called to him. It was like he’d finally gotten the brother he’d always wanted.

The sun turned him from a light pink to an ugly red by the time he got back. It was the longest he’d spent outside in ages; everyone knew to stay out of the sun in midday or risk the burning light. He was sure to regret the exposure by morning.

Thad wiped the sweat from his face with his shirt and walked the final block home. The street in Gardenwise was empty of almost all signs of life with everyone home or at work this time of day. He opened the front door and walked in, automatically wiping his feet on the square rug beside the door.

“Thad! Where have you been?” his father shouted from the study.

Thad walked quickly to the room down the hall and said, “Out.”

His father, Cal Ri, looked up when Thad walked into the room. A scowl darkened his already ruddy face and he said, “I can see that. Who did you have over earlier?”

Thad went blank at the knowledge his father had caught him.

“He left filthy clothes on the washroom floor.”

Cursing silently, Thad quickly ran the odds on whether the truth would help or hurt him and took the gamble. “Another boy I met in the market. Father, he saved my life! There was this crazy woman who was going to cut my throat and he grabbed the blade with his hand! His name’s Kaden and he’s so brave. I gave him some of my clothes and a place to wash up, oh, and a little bag of dried meat as thanks.”

Cal sighed heavily and said, “How many times have I told you not to even look at the streeters? They’re untrustworthy beggars, the lot of them. They were probably working together.”

Thad shook his head and said firmly, “No, Father. Kaden’s different. And he didn’t ask for anything, I practically ordered him to take the clothes.”

“That’s what they want you to think, son,” Cal said, standing. He didn’t sound angry, but rather tired as he closed the distance between them and gripped Thad’s shoulder. “It’s a trick.”

Thad crossed his arms over his chest. “It wasn’t a trick. His hand was cut open. No one would do that for a new set of clothes.”

“But he’d steel nails,” Cal pointed out sharply.

Thad winced. The nails must have been in Kaden’s old clothes. “Well yes, but he was very hungry, Father.”

Cal shook his head and said, “We’ll speak no more of this. It’s not your fault. Go upstairs and put on some lotion before the burn sets in.”

Thad glared at his father, but left the room without punishment which was arguably more than he would have gotten with a lie. He stomped upstairs to the washroom and pulled out the jar of callo lotion that leached the burn from skin that already felt tight and uncomfortable. He hissed at the lotion’s coldness and gritted his teeth as he rubbed it in.

He heard his mother come home just as he finished slathering the lotion on his right arm. He stoppered the jar and rushed downstairs to tell her about Kaden. He found her in the kitchen storeroom and exclaimed, “I was almost killed at the market today!”

Pin jumped and spun, a delicate hand at her throat and her common day dress swishing fast enough to whoosh. The brown dress hugged her slender frame, the skirts almost dusting the ground. “Goddess, Thad, don’t scare me so… wait, what did you just say?”

Thad pulled her from the small room to the kitchen table and repeated what he’d told his father.

Her brown eyes widened ever more during his story and she grabbed his hand by the end. “What were you thinking? My Goddess, Thad! You could have been killed!”

“But I wasn’t, Mother,” he dismissed. “You’re missing my point! Kaden needs somewhere to live and it should be here. As my brother.”

She captured his hand and said, “I’m very grateful to this boy for saving you, but it was his fault you were in danger in the first place. What does your father say about all of this? I assume you told him.”

“He did,” Cal said, walking into the kitchen. As always, his large frame made the small room seem tiny. “And it was a scheme to gain his trust. A successful one, I might point out.”

Pin squeezed Thad’s hand. “There, you see? Your father knows best about these sorts of things.”

Thad stood, anger twisting through him. “You won’t even take my word for what happened!”

Cal said calmly, “Because you don’t know what happened.”

“Yes, I do!” Thad hissed. “I’m going to my room, since there’s obviously no point in talking to either of you.”

He ran out of the room, chased by the fury that had no outlet. Slamming his door did nothing to abate the unfamiliar feeling and he stood in the middle of his room practically vibrating with the need to smash something. He settled for battering his wall with a pillow, which exhausted him but did no damage.

Thad finally collapsed on the bed and curled around the pillow, staring out the window at the street now slowly filling with people as the heat of the day abated. A soft tap at the door announced his mother and Thad gritted his teeth, but said, “Come in.”

The door opened and near silent footsteps crossed the room before the bed dipped with her weight. “You feel that strong about the boy?”

Thad rolled over to face her. “He’s the brother I never got, Mother. We have to help him.”

Her face–so refined, unlike his father’s rough features–softened at his earnest words. “All right. I’m not promising anything, but bring him here after school tomorrow so I can meet him.”

Sullen, Thad asked, “Aren’t you afraid he’ll steal the silver?”

“We don’t have any silver to steal. And stop talking yourself out of a compromise,” she chided firmly.

Thad rolled his eyes, but muttered, “Thanks.”

“Excuse me?”

“Thank you, Mother.”

She smiled and leaned forward to kiss his forehead. “That’s better. Dinner will be ready in a couple of hours. You might want to use the time more productively and finish your maths schoolwork.”

Thad made a face, but nodded and said, “I will.”

Pin stood and tweaked his nose. “I’ll call you for dinner.”

He watched her go then rolled over to face the window again and think. There had to be a way to convince his parents to take in Kaden.

*  *  *  *

Thad woke before the sun the next morning, as had been his wont since he was a baby, and rolled out of bed no closer to finding a solution. He washed his face, pickered his teeth clean, and got dressed for school. His parents were up and in the kitchen when he walked downstairs with his books.

Breakfast was quiet and a bit strained, at least to Thad. He couldn’t think of anything else to say that would convince them, but he wasn’t sure meeting Kaden would do it, either. Sure, he had big brown eyes and curly hair like Thad’s mother, but there was no doubt he was odd and Thad didn’t want that oddness to doom him.

“Have a good day, sweetheart,” Pin said when he stood to leave. “I’ll see you and Kaden after school.”

“What? Why?” Cal demanded.

Pin waved at Thad to go and said to Cal, “Because I want to meet the boy who so instantly and thoroughly captured our son’s friendship.”

“This is a bad idea, Pin…”

Thad didn’t hear the rest of it, closing the door on the rest of the conversation. But they didn’t call him back, which he took as a good sign.

Classes dragged on endlessly. He had plenty of friends but no patience for any of them, blaming his mood on the burn that had blossomed overnight. It wasn’t even entirely a lie; he was extremely uncomfortable. How Kaden wasn’t burnt to a crisp from living outside all hours of the day Thad had no idea. He was just a brown nut color Thad had only seen on merchants and sailors at his father’s workplace.

The end of the day came at last and Thad slung his book bag over his chest and ran out of school without saying goodbye to anyone. He made a straight line from school to the library, which was only about ten minutes away. Of course, once he got there, he had no idea where to find Kaden as they hadn’t settled on a place. Thad cursed himself as an idiot even as he walked to the atrium with which the other boy had been so fascinated.

Kaden wasn’t there and Thad groaned to himself at the idea of searching for him in the maze of a building. He didn’t even know what kind of books Kaden liked to read, so he couldn’t narrow down the area in which he might be.

Thad walked down the hall towards the front to ask the guards if they’d seen Kaden when he heard the boy’s voice. He immediately detoured to a nearby room filled with Castle tables. Kaden sat across from the skinniest and tallest monk Thad had ever seen in his life. A skinny monk with enormous hands and a ready grin on his thin face.

“Looks like you have a visitor,” the monk observed.

Kaden twisted in the chair and the smile that lit his face on seeing Thad relaxed something deep inside. He hadn’t realized just how uncertain he’d been that Kaden would be waiting for him. Thad grinned back and complained, “There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you! Hello, sir monk.”

The monk smiled, blue eyes bright with amusement. “Call me Pelli.”

“I’m Thad,” he replied with a short bow. Turning to Kaden he said, “Mother wants to meet you!”

Kaden’s eyes widened. “What? You told her about me?”

Thad shrugged a bit ruefully and said, “I kinda had to, since I told father. It was that or a lie and if I’m going to be beaten for sure for a lie, I’d rather try the truth.”

Pelli snorted. “Wise words.”

Thad frowned at him, but a lifetime of according monks respect made him bite back a rude retort.

Kaden said, “I can’t meet her.”

Thad looked at him. “Why not?”

“What if she tries to send me back?”

“She won’t.”

“She might.”

“She won’t!”

“Did you ask her if she wouldn’t?”

Thad mentally skidded to a halt at that. They hadn’t actually discussed it. He knew without even thinking about it that his father wouldn’t hesitate to send Kaden back to an orphanage and maybe his mother had been persuaded after Thad had left for school.

“It sounds like you should at least extract a promise from your mother before asking Kaden to risk his freedom.”

Jerking his attention back to Pelli, Thad said, “I know my mother. She wouldn’t hurt a child.”

Pelli held up a disturbingly long finger. “Ah, but maybe she believes that sending Kaden back to the orphanage would be for his own good. Maybe people are blind to the faults of the system in place that’s supposed to care for children.”

Thad groaned and said, “All right! I’ll extract a solemn vow from Mother that she won’t send you back and come get you tomorrow. Does that work?”

Kaden hesitated, but nodded after a few seconds. “Okay.”

Thad punched his shoulder. “You’re annoying.”

Kaden grinned and punched him back. “So’re you.”

Pelli snorted again and Thad frowned at him. “Are monks allowed to be disparaging?”

The monk grinned outright. “I’ll never tell.”

Thad rolled his eyes and said to Kaden, “I’ll see you tomorrow. Will you be here or somewhere else reading?”

“I can’t read, so I’ll be here. Pelli’s teaching me the game.”

Somehow, that information was the strangest thing about Kaden. Everyone knew how to read. He was about to say so when Pelli caught his eye, lifting a silvered eyebrow in warning. Thad changed his words to, “Try not to get too humiliated.”

Kaden grinned broadly. “Pelli says losing is the best way to learn.”

“And he’s an excellent student,” Pelli agreed.

Thad wasn’t surprised that Kaden didn’t catch the sublte insult and scowled at the monk on his behalf. The wink Pelli gave him didn’t reassure him much, but Thad waved at Kaden and left for home.

He walked this time, glad for the almost cool breeze running over him. It was a good thirty minutes before he got home and he was exhausted by the time he got there. He collapsed at the kitchen table with a groan, slumping over it and resting his head on his arms.

“Where’s your friend?” his mother asked.

Thad sat up at her carefully neutral tone and made a face. “Needs me to extract a promise from you not to send him back to the orphanage before he’ll come over.”

Pin frowned. “Well, it is the best place for him.”

The words surprised him. “What?”

“They’re the best to handle a boy his age,” Pin replied, sitting opposite him. “Especially if he’s been stealing to live on his own for any amount of time.”

Thad gaped at her and then demanded, “How can you say that! Do you know what they did to him? They sent him to work in a textile mill. Him and all the other kids. They worked from before dawn until after sunset and he said he eats better living rough than he ever did there!”

She sighed. “Thad, darling, he’s—“

“Don’t you dare say he’s lying,” Thad said harshly. “You didn’t see him frozen with fear at the very thought that someone would send him back. Too scared to speak more than a whisper. You don’t know him, but you’re judging him anyhow! It’s a good thing he didn’t come home with me. Were you even going to give him a chance or just have guards come over later to grab him and drag him back?”

His mother’s face drew more and more gaunt as he hurled accusations at her, but he couldn’t stop. Betrayal clogged his heart that she’d so deceive him.

Thad took a sharp breath and let it out in a whoosh of anger, trying to keep his voice calm even if the rest of him wanted to smash things again. “I can’t believe you would act like this. Father, I understand. He doesn’t see good in anyone. But you?”

He left before he said anything worse, hurrying upstairs and slamming his door twice in as many days. His heart would slow down even though he stayed motionless in his room and breathed slowly. It took several minutes before he was calm enough to finally take off his book bag and sit on his bed to do his schoolwork.

Even with his concentration shot, Thad managed to get through all the maths problems assigned. Of course, he had to forcibly not think about anything else to do it, but he completed the work. He’d just picked up the philosophy book when a quiet knock on his door announced his mother in the same way as the night before. Thad’s heartbeat picked up as his agitation returned and his voice was shaky with renewed anger when he called out, “Come in.”

Pin walked in, but stopped by the door as if afraid of upsetting him more simply by walking closer. “You’re right. I let your father make my mind up for me and wasn’t going to give your friend a chance. I’m… ashamed of myself, to be honest. Your father’s a good man at heart, but learned early on not to trust people and it’s carried over into much of his life. I know better. Please assure your friend that if he wants to meet me, I would very much like to meet him. And I promise, Thad, that no one will be waiting here for him or come to drag him off. You have my word as a Citizen.”

The rush of relief that swept through him was so intense Thad felt lightheaded for a few seconds. He smiled a little and said simply, “Thank you, Mother.”

She smiled back and said, “I’m not used to fighting with you. I rather hate it.”

Thad rolled off the bed and walked over to wrap his arms around her waist. She hugged him back and kissed the top of his head as Thad said, “Me, too.”

“Then let’s not,” she said, giving him another squeeze before stepping back.

Thad nodded emphatically. “Definitely not.”

“All right. Now that that’s settled, I’m going to do some baking. I’ll call you for dinner.”

Pin didn’t close the door behind her when she left, but that was fine. Thad had no reason to shut her out anymore.

*  *  *  *

Thad found Kaden in the Castle playing room again the next day, but alone this time. He dropped into the seat across from Kaden and said, “I hope you’re not losing against yourself.”

Kaden laughed. “No. Well, yes, but it’s an exercise Pelli gave me.”

Thad gave an exaggerated shudder. “The man’s hands are positively frightening.

Kaden leaned forward and whispered, “Giant spiders, right?”

“Yes!” Thad exclaimed, suddenly seeing it. “By the Gods, yes!”

They both laughed and Thad looked the board over. He moved one of the Guards and just like that, they were playing. Kaden’s strategy didn’t exist, so Thad corrected him when he made an obviously bad move.

Halfway through, Kaden asked, “How come you know this game?”

Thad shrugged. “Father taught me. And most of the students at school play to a certain degree. I’ve no designs to be a master at it, but it’s a good thought exercise.”

“That’s what Pelli says,” Kaden agreed. “He said he’d teach me to read, too.”

Thad smiled and said, “Have fun staring at the spider hands every day.”

They laughed again. When he stopped, Kaden asked, “Did you ask your mother?”

Thad nodded and said, “We had a fight about it actually. Father had convinced her it was best for you to go back. But don’t worry, because I convinced her otherwise. She gave her word as a Citizen that no one would take you back.”

Kaden visibly relaxed, slumping a little in the chair. “Thanks. I really was worried.”

Thad kicked him under the table. “That’s because you’re stupid.”

Kaden rolled his eyes. “Yes, that’s exactly why.”

Thad stood and said, “Come on, let’s go. We’re done here anyhow.”

Kaden frowned at the board. “What do you mean? We’re…”

His voice trailed off when Thad moved the pieces on both sides and ended by capturing Kaden’s King.

Kaden sighed as he stood. “I’m never going to understand this game.”

Thad snorted. “Well you did just start playing two days ago. I wouldn’t give up that quick.”

When they walked out of the library, Kaden waved at the guards on duty which made Thad gawp at him. Outside, he demanded, “You made friends with the guards?”

Kaden grinned and said, “Pelli insisted on introducing me to them as his student. Now I don’t have to worry about it.”

Thad had to give the old monk credit for thinking of it.

The walk home went by quickly even though they walked at a normal pace. It was fun to have someone to talk to about anything and everything. He had friends at school, but most were nobles who had different social circles than he did. And while he didn’t care about the differences, it made his hours at home pretty boring.

The closer they got, the quieter Kaden got, only replying when Thad prompted him or stuck him in the ribs with an elbow. When they arrived, Kaden fell silent altogether and Thad punched him lightly in the shoulder. “It’s going to be fine. Mother gave her word.”

Kaden nodded, but he straightened as if facing his execution.

Thad shook his head and opened the door, walking inside and calling out, “We’re here, Mother!”

“In the kitchen!” she called back.

The heavy, delicious scent of stew cooking filled the house and he breathed it in with a groan of pleasure. “Mother makes the best stew.”

Kaden nodded, but didn’t respond.

Thad ignored him and walked to the kitchen. As he’d expected, the giant covered pot stood on the stove and he said, “Is it ready?”

Pin shook her head fondly and said, “How about you introduce your friend before asking rude questions?”

“Mother, this is Kaden. Kaden, this is Mother. Is it ready?”

Pin ignored him completely and smiled at Kaden. “I’m very pleased to meet you, Kaden. Welcome to our home.”

Kaden bit his lip and then said, “Thank you. For having me, I mean. I appreciate it.”

“And I have to say, from my heart, thank you for saving Thad’s life. I would be destroyed if anything happened to him.”

Kaden shifted from foot to foot. “Anyone would have done the same.”

“I don’t think so. How’s your hand?”

“Uh, fine. Good, I mean. The healer did a good job.”

Smiling, she motioned to the table. “I’m glad to hear it. Why don’t you boys have a seat and I’ll dish out some of this stew.”

Thad eagerly sat and then gave Kaden a pointed look when he didn’t move. The other boy finally did, sitting next to him. It was only a few minutes later that they each had a bowl and Pin sat across from them with some needlework.

“How was school today, Thad?” Pin asked once she’d threaded her needle and started working.

Thad recognized it as a tactic to take the focus off Kaden, who was obviously uncomfortable with it. He wasn’t even eating, despite his stomach’s audible protest over the fact. “It was okay. Master Rand gave us a surprise test in history.”

“And how did you do?”

“Passed it easy.”

“Are you sure? History isn’t your strong suit.”

“Well, I might have gotten a couple wrong but I still did better than most in the class. I’ve actually been doing the work all along.”

That led to a long and involved mocking of his classmates, since most of them felt they didn’t need to learn anything because of their inheritances and position. Kaden finally started eating a few minutes in and said absolutely nothing, he just ate until his bowl was empty.

A few minutes after Kaden finished eating, Pin said, “Thad explained to me why you don’t want to return to the orphanage, Kaden, but are you safe where you are?”

Kaden froze at the question, so Thad jabbed him with a helpful elbow. He jumped and then glared at Thad, who smirked back at him. Kaden jabbed him with a finger before looking back at Pin. “I am, missus, thank you.”

“Do you have a certain place that you go each night? How do you pay for it?”

“Mother!”

Pin pointed a finger at him. “No, son of mine. I said I wouldn’t send him back and I won’t, but he seems like a very nice boy and I don’t want him fending for himself and living rough if he doesn’t have to.”

Thad scowled, but settled. There wouldn’t be arguing with that tone.

Kaden said hesitantly, “I know where not to be, missus. I’m honestly safer living rough than back at the mill. Children don’t last long there.”

Pin’s brow furrowed at his words and she said, “Is there no one to whom you could appeal? Someone to intervene? Surely it can’t be legal for children to be worked in a mill at all, let alone so very hard.”

“I don’t know about legal, but it’s the way it is. I left because my, my best friend died. He was pulled into the lines and strangled by them.”

Pin’s hand covered her mouth, eyes going wide with shock. “I’m so sorry, Kaden! That’s terrible!”

Kaden spoke to the table more than to Pin when he said quietly, “Lots of children die there every year. No one cares.”

“Well they’re going to start,” Pin said firmly.

His gaze jerked up at her. “What?”

Pin set her needlework aside and said, “I’m going to see what’s going on and find a way to put a stop to it. I have plenty of friends who are nobleborn that are always looking for a cause and this is perfect for them.”

Kaden bit his lip. “A cause?”

She reached across the table for his hand and gave it a light squeeze. “I know it’s far more than that, Kaden, especially to you, but that’s how it needs to be presented if they’re to be involved. And the only way it will stop is if someone in the nobility puts their nose in.”

“You think they will?” Kaden asked hesitantly.

Pin nodded. “They will if I have anything to say about it. But we’ve gotten away from the original discussion. Are you safe? Will you be when you leave here?”

“Safe enough, missus.”

Pin’s frown returned, but before she could say anything, Cal walked into the kitchen. He stopped short on seeing Kaden. “What’s going on here?”

Pin stood and said, “Thad’s friend Kaden stopped by for a snack after school.”

Cal’s face went blank, which was never a good sign. And then things went to Hels because he strode forward and grabbed Kaden by the back of the neck, yanking him from the table. “You think you can come into my home and try to dig yourself into my wife’s good graces streeter!”

Thad jumped to his feet and shouted, “Father, no!”

“Cal, stop it! Let him go!” Pin shouted as well.

Cal ignored them both and dragged Kaden down the short hall to the front door where he shoved Kaden outside. “Don’t you ever come back here, streeter or I will see to it you end up in the river.”

Thad tried to run passed his father, but Cal grabbed him around the waist and held him back. He only caught a brief glimpse of Kaden with a bloody nose and scraped face, the other boy slowly pushing upright, before Cal slammed the door shut. Thad struggled and kicked, shouting, “Let me go!”

“Calm down, boy!” Cal roared, shaking him violently.

Thad went completely still, panting and shaking from fear and anger both. He didn’t know if Kaden had been hurt worse than his face or not. That his own father had dealt the injuries twisted his gut into a knot so big he didn’t think it would ever be undone.

Cal set him down, his face stony with his own anger. “You are not to leave this house for a week for pulling this, do you hear me? Go to your room.”

Thad spat on him without even thinking about it. Cal responded by slapping him so hard across the face that Thad landed on the floor, ears ringing from the blow.

“You will respect me!” Cal hissed. “I am your father!”

Pin moved between them and said, “I don’t even respect you right now and I’m your wife! You’re acting like a bully, throwing that child out on the street and striking your own son! You are not the man I married. Get out!”

Cal drew back as if she’d struck him physically, eyes going wide. “Pin, no.”

“You struck. My son. You deliberately injured an innocent child. Two, in fact! And why? Because you think Kaden without honor because he’s an orphan? Because he has nothing? You’re the only one here with no honor right now. Get. Out! I don’t want to see you again until you’ve realized just how much of a bastard you’re being and can make amends.”

Cal looked down at Thad, but he was too furious to find any kind of compassion for a man who should’ve known better. He looked back at Pin but apparently found no quarter there, either, because he abruptly turned and left, slamming the door behind him.

Pin immediately turned and reached for Thad, supporting him under the arms as she helped him stand. “Are you all right?”

Thad shook his head and then wished he hadn’t, the ringing turning into actual pain. The entire side of his face hurt with a hot dullness he could have lived without ever experiencing.

They walked upstairs to the washroom where Pin gently placed a cool cloth against his face and held up three fingers. “How many fingers to you see?”

“Three?”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” Pin smiled tremulously and said, “I don’t know what is going on with your father, Thad. I know he’s under pressure at work, but there is absolutely no excuse for him striking you like that or treating Kaden so horribly. I want you to go to bed and rest. I’m going to look for Kaden and make sure he’s all right.”

“But you don’t even know where to look for him.”

“Did he tell you where he beds down at night?”

“Just behind a building in Bordencit. No specifics.”

Pin sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Of course not. Then you’re right. There’s no point in me going out after him. Come on. I’ll help you to bed.”

Thad changed into his night clothes and climbed into bed. By the time he laid down his head throbbed unpleasantly. “My head hurts, Mother.”

“I know, sweet boy. I’m so sorry that happened,” she said softly, tucking the blankets around him. “If you still hurt in the morning, I’ll call for a healer.”

Thad nodded and said, “Okay.”

She pressed a lingering kiss to his forehead and then stood. “Try and sleep.”

The sun had already set outside even though it wasn’t that late, somewhere around seven second-bells. Thad would skip school in the morning and go right to the library to find Kaden.