‘Does anyone smell something rotten here? Like something died,’ One of the boys drawled out in a voice that Vivian could only describe as high-and-mighty.

  ‘Must be their dignity,’ the other one added. ‘No noble would be caught dead looking like that.’

  The boy looked at Vivian, took a sniff and stepped back in revulsion. ‘Actually, I believe this one isn’t even a noble. I had heard that the Council had decided to let a commoner stay here. So, it’s you.’

  Felix edged himself forward in front of Vivian, a painfully forced smile on his face. ‘Kenith, Quinter,’ he greeted, nodding to each one in turn. ‘How good to see you.’

  ‘Have you forgotten your manners already Master Redcliffe? You’ve only been here for three months now.’ Quinter narrowed his green eyes and wrinkled his nose as if he smelled something disgusting. He swept his dark brown hair back, as if to let them see the condescension clearly written on his face. ‘Though I suppose we can’t blame you. Blood always shows itself no matter how hard you try to hide it.’

  ‘Watch your tongue,’ Aiden growled, also stepping up to the boys, standing side by side with Felix.

  Kenith gasped; his blue eyes widened in fake surprise. ‘You can speak? And here I thought you were a mute.’

  ‘You should stop. Now,’ Aiden warned. ‘Before things get out of hand.’

  ‘Ooh, and what if we don’t?’ Kenith said mockingly. ‘What’re you going to do about it? Last I checked, you lacked the spine to even speak to people.’

  Vivian noticed Felix’s clenched fists and Aiden’s gritted teeth. She knew those signs. It was only a matter a matter of time before blows were exchanged. She had to stop this now.

  ‘Now, now let’s all just take a deep breath... and a few steps back while we’re at it. I'm sure no one wants-’

  ‘I don’t think anyone gave you permission to speak, peasant,’ Kenith said. His tone immediately turning cold. ‘You seem to have forgotten your place. Perhaps we should teach you.’

  Vivian could feel the vein in her forehead throbbing, but she pushed down her anger. ‘Please, there’s no reason to fight.’ Vivian was impressed with how calm she sounded. ‘How about we go our way, and you go yours.’

  Kenith cocked his head, strands of warm blonde hair shifting as he did so and stepped forward threateningly. ‘Are you telling me what to do?’

  ‘No, of course not. I am simply trying to avoid causing a scene in the middle of the street,’ Vivian explained with every fibre of patience in her body. ‘There are people watching. Surely a noble such as yourself doesn’t want to sink low enough to brawl on the streets.’

  Kenith let out an astonished laugh. ‘You’re still talking? You either doesn’t know fear or you’re incredibly stupid. I bet on the latter.’ He turned back to face his friend. ‘What do you think?’

  Honestly, Vivian was curious too. Until very recently, she would’ve been bowing and trying to escape their view as quickly as possible. It’s how her mother taught her to behave around nobles. Visits by nobles were rare in Andam so she never really had to put what she learned into practice. It was different now. Now she was living in a city filled with nobles, and she had been practicing what she was taught with a fervour. Even when she was in Aiden and Felix’s company, while she no longer bowed, she still used to keep her head down and walked fast, avoiding eye contact whenever possible.

  Up until yesterday, that is…

  As it turns out life-or-death situations could really put things into perspective.

  ‘Are you ignoring me?’ Kenith was right up in her face. ‘Answer me, peasant.’

  Hasn’t he heard of personal space…?

  ‘Kenith, back away from her.’ Aiden grasped the hilt of his sword. ‘Now.’

  ‘You’re going to raise a sword against me?’ Kenith finally turned around to face Aiden, giving Vivian some room to breathe. ‘For the sake of a commoner? You? The infamous coward?’

  ‘He is not a coward,’ Vivian blurted out before she could stop herself. ‘He is braver than you’ll ever be.’

  ‘And how would you know that?’ Quinter asked.

  ‘Because he-’ Vivian stopped herself in time. She had almost revealed the incident that had taken place the day before.

  That was close.

  ‘Because he what?’ Kenith had turned his attention on her again. She hated the fact that he was a few inches taller than her, allowing him to literally and figuratively look down on her. ‘Speak up peasant. I’m not a mind reader.’

  Felix came to the rescue. ‘Because unlike you, he didn’t run away from his duel in the sword fighting competition last spring.’

  Kenith turned red in anger. Even though Vivian had no idea what he was talking about, it was obvious that the incident was a sore spot for him. ‘I didn’t run away!’ he hissed in anger. ‘I had fallen ill.’

  ‘Just the day before you were to fight Aiden?’ Felix cocked his head. ‘Seems mighty convenient.’ Felix shrugged. ‘I mean, I can understand why you did it. Aiden is the best swordsman of our age. It’s no wonder you ran.’

  Now, it was Kenith’s fists that were clenched in anger. ‘Take that back.’

  ‘Sure,’ Felix agreed easily, his narrowed eyes fixed on Kenith. ‘Just as soon as you take back that comment about my friend being a coward.’

  ‘You have a lot of nerve for a half blood.’ Quinter took a threatening step towards Felix.

  ‘Why thank you,’ Felix replied graciously, shifting himself to face Quinter. ‘I get it from my mother.’

  Aiden had subtly moved so as to face Kenith. The four boys were now standing off, fists clenched, waiting for someone to make the first move.

  I was trying to deescalate the situation, but every single one of them has a temper. Should I just be glad that none of them are drawing their swords, and let them fight it out? Maybe they’ll feel better once it’s out of their system?

  There definitely was crowd watching now, whispers being exchanged behind hands and fans. All of them seemed to be eagerly waiting for the brawl to begin.

  I can’t let this happen… we’re already in enough trouble with Sith and Peri as it is. We can’t make it worse. Alright think, what will make them back down, or at least distract them?

  Vivian’s mind flashed back to the fight in the cave, and how she had managed to distract the man. She groaned to herself.

  This is going to be humiliating.

  ‘Did you know something,’ she started loudly. Aiden and Felix’s eyes widen in recognition, immediately realizing what she was doing. Most of the crowd also turned to look at her. ‘I once lived inside a wheat sack for two days.’

  It seemed to be working as the Kenith and Quinter snapped their heads in her direction as well.

  ‘What?’ Kenith asked in confusion. It was almost comical. Aiden and Felix were struggling to repress their laughter, despite being exposed to this particular tactic before.

  ‘We lived on the outskirts of Andam, but I never actually saw the town. I wanted to see what it was like, but father would never take me. So, I asked my brothers to tie me up in a sack and place me with the rest of the produce. Unfortunately, I fell asleep on the way.’ Vivian paused for dramatic effect. ‘Next thing I knew, I was looking up at the head chef of the local inn… It was a very awkward moment. And an even more awkward explanation. And an even more awkward ride home with Father.’

  Everyone was listening to her with rapt attention and slightly agape mouths. Vivian was glad to notice all angry fists in the vicinity had been unclenched.

  Mission success!

  She smiled widely in response to the confused and slightly concerned look on Kenith’s face. Animosity forgotten, he whipped around, hoping to get an explanation from either Aiden and Felix. The two of them simply shrugged.

  Kenith stood unmoving for a moment, having forgotten what it was he was doing here, before finally pulling himself together and leaving in a huff, Quinter following close behind in similar state of mind. The crowd dispersed as well, realizing that there was going to be no fight.

  Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

  ‘Is this going to be your default tactic from now on?’ Aiden asked.

  ‘The power of confusion,’ Vivian replied. ‘Wielded by a master it can be a deadly force.’

  ‘I don’t know about deadly,’ Felix chortled. ‘Amusing, definitely. I’m guessing you have a lot more of these stories in stock?’

  ‘So much more.’ Vivian shook her head. ‘I hope I won’t have to use it again. This tactic requires having no shame.’

  ‘Then it’s perfect for you,’ Aiden teased.

  Vivian couldn’t come up with a witty response at the moment, so she made an annoyed sound. ‘Let’s just go. That Kenith was right. You two do look like something death spit out.’

  ‘You really have a way with words,’ Felix said wryly.

  Felix’s house was near the edge of the residential district, so it took them only another five minutes to reach it. The house was dead quiet when they entered, almost giving a sense of abandonment. A thick smell of dust hung in the air causing Aiden to sneeze several times.

  Vivian shut the door behind them, the sound echoing through the hall. ‘Every time I step into your house, I realize why you come over to mine so often.’

  Aiden swiped a finger across the console table next to him, leaving a black dirty mark on his finger and a clean streak on the wood. ‘They still haven’t assigned a goblin to you?’

  Felix sighed. ‘No. I don’t think they will. So, I stopped asking.’

  ‘This is so unfair!’ Vivian protested to the world in general. ‘I understand why I didn’t get one, my family doesn’t make any donations to this place. But your parents do!’

  Felix snorted. ‘An argument I have made several times, but the only response I get is that it’s in the works. Please be patient.’ He looked around the dark, empty house. ‘I hate coming here.’

  Vivian and Aiden exchanged looks. Felix seemed to lose his joyful nature, the very thing that made him Felix, every time he stepped into his house. It was depressing to watch.

  ‘You know, we don’t have anything planned for the rest of the day.’ Vivian shrugged. ‘Give me some rags, a broom and a mop, I could at least get a few rooms on the ground floor into shape.’

  ‘Normally, I would be tempted, but that is too much to ask for as a favour.’

  ‘Then you can just pay her,’ Aiden suggested.

  ‘Listen to him,’ Vivian agreed immediately. ‘You can just pay me. Pay me a lot.’

  ‘The house is too big for you to do it alone,’ Felix countered.

  ‘Then you two can help me,’ Vivian countered his counter.

  ‘If I’m doing the work, why would I pay you?’

  ‘Because I’m leading the charge. Obviously, the general gets paid more than the foot soldier.’

  Aiden shrugged. ‘She does have a point.’

  Felix seemed to think about it for a moment before sighing again. ‘No, I can’t. Look, I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but I’m sure you have better things to do with your day.’

  Vivian and Aiden tilted their heads in thought, before sharing a look. ‘No, we don’t,’ Vivian said. ‘It’s sad, but we really don’t have anything better to do.’

  ‘We are the most unpopular people in this city,’ Aiden added. ‘It’s not like invitations are pouring in.’

  ‘And in case you haven’t noticed, things are a bit tense at my place,’ Vivian said. ‘I’m not going back any sooner than I have to.’

  ‘Listen-’ Felix started but was interrupted by Vivian.

  ‘No, you listen!’ Vivian was using her firmest voice, or at least she hoped it was firm. She was trying to imitate her mother from whenever cabbage was on the dining table. ‘You might think that pushy friendship is something only you can do, but it’s not. It’s a two-way street!’

  ‘There’s three of us,’ Aiden whispered.

  ‘It’s a three-way street!’ Vivian corrected then paused in deliberation. ‘Wait, how would that street work? Where’s the third way going?’

  ‘That’s not the point of this conversation,’ Aiden pointed out. ‘The point is, if you get to barge into my house and do whatever you want, I get to do the same to you.’

  ‘I don’t think that was the point of this conversation either,’ Vivian commented.

  ‘Alright, now I’m confused,’ Felix interjected. ‘Are you two doing this because you’re trying to be nice, or is it revenge for all the times I barged into your homes?’

  ‘Being nice,’ Vivian answered.

  ‘Revenge,’ Aiden answered.

  ‘We are different people. We can have different reasons for doing the same thing,’ Vivian continued without missing a beat. ‘The endgame is to make your home inhabitable.’

  ‘Alright…’ Felix said hesitantly. ‘I’ll go see if I can find some rags and brooms.’

  ‘Good, I’ll get some water.’ This was Vivian’s area of expertise, so she was stepping up. ‘Aiden, open up those windows. This house desperately needs some fresh air and sunlight.’

  Felix disappeared downstairs into the kitchen, while Vivian grabbed a couple of buckets and headed into the nearest bathroom and Aiden opened up the windows. Vivian came back out into a room filled with sunlight that allowed her to actually see exactly how badly the room needed a cleaning.

  ‘No matter how many times I see it, it’s still amazing that you have water supplied inside your house.’ Vivian set down the filled buckets. ‘You nobles truly do live in another world.’

  ‘You don’t have to say that every time you find something new,’ Aiden replied.

  The stomping of shoes up the stairs signalled Felix’s return with rags, brooms and mops galore. He dumped them in a heap on the floor, causing a cloud of dust to rise up.

  ‘Alright, Aiden grab a rag and get started on the windows. Try not to break them. Felix, take a broom and start in the library. I’ll get started on the dining.’

  Once again, Vivian was reminded how stupidly large these townhouses were. The three of them swept, moped and wiped every surface clean. Vivian took the cushions outside and beat them till they no longer smelled of mothballs. It took them till the second hour of afternoon to finally finish off the ground floor and by the end of it they were sweaty and dirty once again. The three of them sat slumped in exhaustion on the now pristine stairs, looking out proudly at their work.

  ‘I’m impressed,’ Vivian complimented Aiden and Felix. ‘And honestly, surprised. I never thought I would see a noble doing manual labour.’

  ‘We come in all shapes and sizes,’ Aiden said sagely.

  ‘Clearly. For a couple of blue-bloods, you managed to keep up. I thought for sure that you would quit once we found that dead rat in the kitchen.’

  ‘I wondered where that smell was coming from,’ Felix huffed out.

  ‘Let’s finish up your room as well,’ Aiden suggested. ‘I hate to think you’re sleeping in a bed as dusty as those sofas.’

  ‘Aw, you do care,’ Felix teased as he got to his feet, a bright grin on his face. Seemed like his jovial attitude was making its return.

  Aiden turned around. ‘Perhaps I should just head home. I’m sure I can scrounge up a couple of books to read.’

  Vivian grabbed him before he could take a step. ‘Come on now. Let’s get this over with and head to the Rusty Kettle for lunch.’

  Felix’s bedroom was a bit better than the rest of the house. The room was well kept with not too much dust. Vivian threw open the double doors leading to the balcony, the sound of the street below filtering into the room, making it seem less miserable.

  ‘It’s not as abysmal as I expected it to be,’ Aiden admitted.

  ‘Well, I do sleep here.’ Felix pulled the covers off the pillows one by one. ‘So, I try to keep it decent.’

  Vivian looked around the room. There wasn’t much to do. Just some light dusting should be enough. Her eyes landed on the small table in the corner of the room. A set of golden scales stood on it surrounded by unlit candles and fresh flowers. A small incense burner filled with ashes was placed next to it along with a small tome.

  ‘Is this a shrine?’ Vivian asked, curiously thumbing through the pages of the book.

  Felix nodded. ‘Hmm, yes. To Armoin.’

  ‘You’re a believer?’ Aiden pulled off the bedcovers. ‘I didn’t expect that.’

  ‘Not an ardent one. That would be my mother,’ Felix said wistfully. ‘She used to drag me to the temple every week. I hated it. But when I came here, I tried to keep the faith. It makes me feel connected to her.’

  Vivian smiled at him. ‘That is so sweet.’

  Felix shrugged and smiled. ‘She would’ve been so happy if I was this dedicated when I was with her.’

  They lapsed into silence, a similar thread of thought, of families and homes left behind, running through their minds.

  I wonder if I’ll ever see mine again... Do I want to see them again?

  The silence was broken by the loud grumble of Vivian’s stomach. ‘Lunch. Now,’ Vivian demanded. ‘My stomach is about to eat itself, so let’s make this quick.’

  They worked quickly. Felix and Aiden ducked out in between to change clothes, and in half an hour they were walking out of the townhouse with the basket of fairy silk in hand, heading to the Rusty Kettle. By the time they reached the inn, the afternoon crowd was over, so they were able to get a table quite easily. One of the waiters, a goblin named Bunick according to the name tag pinned on his apron, came over to take their order. A short while later, their table was laden with pies, stews, bread and fruits. And an even shorter while later they were walking out of the inn with full stomachs.

  ‘I didn’t realize I was so hungry.’ Felix patted his stomach in satisfaction. ‘All that work must have worked off our breakfast.’

  Aiden let out a breath. ‘What now?’

  ‘Madame Jeanne’s?’ Vivian suggested. ‘Let’s go deliver that stupid fairy silk that almost got us killed.’

  ‘Now, now,’ Felix said defensively. ‘Let’s not blame high quality fabrics for murderous mages. Do you think she’ll give me a fairy silk shirt for half price now?’

  ‘I wouldn’t get my hopes up.’ Vivian shifted the basket into her other hand as they walked. ‘She’s already paying us fifty denos for each spool. There must be a limit to her generosity.’

  ‘We’re splitting the profit three ways, right?’ Felix asked.

  ‘Yes Felix,’ Vivian said exasperatedly for what felt like the hundredth time. ‘You don’t have to keep asking.’

  Felix shrugged. ‘Just making sure. I know we were less than helpful when collecting it.’

  ‘At least you’re self-aware. But you’re helping me document the woods for free, and that didn’t sit right with me. So, consider this your payment.’

  Felix nudged Aiden. ‘You hear that Aiden. We’re no longer of the nobility; we’re the working class.’

  Vivian snorted. ‘No working-class citizen I know lives in a six-bedroom townhouse.’

  ‘So, we’re the upper working class. My mother was one.’ Felix shrugged. ‘Grandfather owns the largest trading company in Venith. She was richer than most nobles. Her bathroom had a solid gold bathtub.’

  ‘Your mother and I have led very different lives then.’

  They had reached the boutique. Aiden pushed open the door and held it for Vivian and Felix before stepping in himself. ‘Let’s finish this quickly. I need to get back to my house. Bruz is in a mood since I haven’t been brooding around the house like a heart-broken bat, as he would say it. He seems to have forgotten that he was the one that pushed me out of my comfort zone in the first place.’

  ‘Didn’t we just see him two days ago?’ Vivian pointed out. ‘We ate lunch at your place.’

  ‘Perhaps you can remind him of that when we see him today. He-’ Aiden’s stopped talking, his eyes widening comically as he caught sight of something behind Vivian. ‘Oh no. No, no, no.’ Aiden looked like he was about to cry. ‘Why?’

  Vivian and Felix whipped around to see what had Aiden all riled up. Sitting in the armchairs, staring at them were three children, two of whom they had the displeasure of meeting earlier that very same day, and one who they had briefly encountered in front of the Secret Garden Bookshop. As soon as the two groups locked gazes, the three of them stood up and approached.

  ‘Don’t tell me they’re here to pick another fight. Haven’t we had enough of them for one day?’ Felix whined.

  Aiden looked like he was trying to escape into the recesses of his own mind, a faraway look making its way onto his face. ‘This is why I don’t believe in gods.’

  ‘Master Aiden!’ Claire Shyling greeted with delight, ignoring the other two, her sharp voice pulling an unwilling Aiden back to reality. ‘How nice to see you again.’

  Aiden fixed a stiff smile on his face. ‘Miss Shyling, Master Stryde, Master Rhine,’ he greeted in turn. ‘Pleasure to see you again.’

  Kenith and Quinter didn’t seem to share the pleasure. They glared at them, looking like they were itching to start a fight. Vivian doubted her confusion tactic would work a second time. She looked around hoping there were some adults present. However, the shop was somehow miraculously empty, with not even Madame Jeanne anywhere to be seen.

  Aiden’s right... there are no gods.