Chapter 10: Trouble at the List Gate

   When they arrived at List, it was already the sunset of the next day. They danced late into the night, and the child just remembers that it sat in a comfy chair. After that, all blank. Murdock told it that it fell asleep lightning fast, probably because it used too much energy in one day.

 

 

   Running away, meeting with trouble, making new decisions, and a party in the evening. It truly was a lot to digest. He joked around a bit, but the child actually slept until mid-day, when Locker had no choice but to wake the kit up, for they needed to go. They packed up and went to List.

 

 

   The travel was long, but not boring or uncomfortable. The child heard a lot of tales that two women had obviously memorised for their children, like the story of a boy that appeared in towns all over, taught magic, and does it to this day. One of the women even said that she saw him when she was her son's age.

 

 

   He had black hair that reflected the sun and blue eyes, clear like a river stream. He was always laughing, with a prominent tiger tooth peeking out. He knew much about magic and spoke freely. He called himself a wizard and after a short show, he flicked his fingers and disappeared. That was a memorable experience.

 

 

   The child heard some middle aged men talking about politics in Bailey Kingdom and the rocky relationship between Bailey Kingdom and Leptir Republic despite being a part of a three-way alliance. Uninterested in such discussions, it thought back to what would've happened if it hadn't accepted Murdock's offer yesterday.

 

 

   It could have been caught by the priest and brought back to the orphanage where it would become a miserable man's pet. The child just paled at the thought of that. Deciding that thinking about such things is anything but useful, it took a deep breath and tried to imagine what List would look like.

 

 

   It couldn't. It had never been anywhere farther than the village, it never saw a painting or a drawing of different cities. That's why it had no basis upon which it could make up a fantasy town.

 

 

   Disappointed in its own incompetence, as it seemed that way to the kit, it just curled up and continued listening to the stories of a painter that just disappeared one day, a woman of enormous charm, the newest invention of an old man far in the Rupa Empire. What it could imagine were the gods. The hallucinations the kit was fond of now. Especially now that it knows what hell does consciousness bring.

 

 

   Just when it entered a makeshift delusion of being with them, it heard a call.

 

 

   ''We're here, people! List is just after that hill.''

 

 

   The child didn't hesitate to peek from the carriage, curious about the town Murdock and Locker were so excited to be in. Heart pounding, over the hill, it just saw a big, grey wall in an irregular shape and thought, why is it hidden by the wall?

 

 

   ''Ya mus' be wonderin' why it's surrounded b' the walls, ain't ya?'' Murdock, once again, appeared behind the child. ''Ya see, kit, until a couple dozens o' years ago, this town was a military base. It held two tens of thousands of soldiers, kept them fed and clothed, jus' in case something unexpected happened. And that unexpected was stopped by the Balede treaty and the Dettermen Alliance formed. I know that you're not that interested, but better to explain now than later. Politics are important, lil' lad.'' Leaning on the side of the carriage, Murdock found a comfortable place to sit and prepared to explain to him what happened at the time. But before he could continue, Locker stopped him with a raised hand.

 

 

   ''What's it, Locker? I'm in the middle o' explainin' the country's matters!'' Murdock snorted, a little annoyed, but he was smart enough to know that Locker wouldn't just interrupt him for the sake of it.

 

 

   Locker's face was wrinkled even more than usual, proving it possible that it could happen. ''I'm afraid, Murdock, that we might be in trouble at the gate in front of the town. I tried looking ahead with some vision enhancing magic and saw a garrison of soldiers marching around, stopping every carriage that had more than ten people in it. You better tell people to prepare their travel documents now.''

 

 

   The kit immediately understood that they were going to wait for some time. Who knows what happened at the border of the town, and what were those soldiers looking for. Or whom. He turned his eyes to Murdock and saw him grimace in mock fear, and felt safe. ''Donnut worry yerself, lil' one. It's all gonna be fine. Everyone, identifications out!''

 

_______

 

   Hearing those words, people in the carriage started grumbling about irresponsible politicians, stupid soldiers, and clever thieves or whoever was the cause of the commotion.  It was obvious they were meticulous with their work. It was easy for them to find all the documents needed, from work permits and merchandise lists to personal identification badges.

 

 

   The child had seen those badges before. It knew that by now it should have gotten one too, as every child gets them when they turn twelve, but of course, that didn't happen. They were wooden and in the centre they had a piece of amethyst in the shape of a teardrop. That amethyst was actually enchanted to keep their personal information. The only difference was the shape of the wood.

 

 

   Squares were for merchants and traders.

Circles were for farmers and village folk that had no specific affiliation.

Triangles were for military personnel of any rank.

Hearts were for children that would receive a badge at the age of twelve, and would later receive a new one corresponding to their profession.

Cross was for people of religion.

A lily flower was for scholars and students.

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Diamond was for diplomats and politicians, as well as court personnel.

A cherry petal was for artists and artisans of any kind.

A hoof was for wanderers and adventurers, as well as mercenaries of any kind.

Crescent was for magicians and scientists.

Wings were for doctors and any healing related professions.

King, on the other hand, could choose the shape he would use, and through the years, the most intricate of badges were in the hands of kings.

 

 

   Though, there is but one mystery surrounding those royal badges. After each king's dethronement, whether it be by death or simply retiring, the badge would disappear. People would search for days in vain, stumped. This collection spanning from thousand years back has been proudly displayed 'up there' in a certain person's pagoda. They were precious gifts.

 

 

   Arriving in front of the gate and stopping to talk with the soldiers, the child was sitting quietly in the carriage and waiting for everything to be over. But it didn't go as expected.

 

 

   ''Mr. Murdock, although all of the documents you gave us are valid, we are still required to ask you and your troupe to step out for a short while we try and see if there's someone similar to the suspect we are searching for.'' A soldier of average build said that firmly, although you could hear a hint of apology in his voice.

 

 

   It was obvious that he knew Murdock and his troupe, but regulations were necessary to follow. Murdock didn't mind and waved at the bunch to come down. Nobody had a problem with that, so they complied. The child did the same. It had nothing to be afraid of.

 

 

   ''First of all, Mr. Murdock, could you please answer a couple of questions? This isn't an interrogation, no need to worry, we just need information, and since you're quite influential, you could have a clue or a two.'' The same soldier asked again, his demeanour calm and you could see that he was focused on fulfilling his duty.

 

 

   ''Of course, m' friend. Jus' ask away.'' Murdock showed no fear, but looked over at his crew, wondering whether anyone was nervous, but even the little kit seemed fine.

 

 

   He was genuinely happy for him. Again, him? Her? He wasn't sure. Well, he'd see when buying the new clothes for the kid. Wait, did the kid have a badge? He hasn't seen it on him, even though children usually wore their badges around the neck. He shrugged and thought that if it was time for the child to have one, which he doubted, he would get it one.

 

 

   ''Alright, Mr. Murdock. Do you have any new faces in your troupe? We are looking for a man in his mid-thirties with blond hair.'' The description was vague, but enough for Murdock to answer comfortably. ''Although I do have some new blood wi' me, there's no one wi' that description in the troupe. Could you gimme some more details, son? I've been in a village jus' before this, I might've met 'im.''

 

 

   ''May I see the new addition?'' The soldier's question was unexpected, but Murdock nodded nonetheless. He turned toward the kid and called. The child ran to his side, curiously watching the soldier's clothes.

 

 

   A breezy leather shirt with light chainmail over it, tight-fit trousers with a hunting knife attached to a thigh with a belt, and a two-handed sword over his back. He had long black boots, military issue, as they were marked with three interlocked triangles on the outer side. It was an interesting outfit, one the child hadn't seen before, so it just observed and memorised it. It was a habit. Memorising things like pictures and people was a very important habit for the child.

 

 

   ''So it's a child. How old are you? Can you tell me your name? What has gotten you so interested?'' The soldier softened his voice, trying to make himself less intimidating.

 

 

   ''Ah, sonny, this lil' one...he doesn't speak, ya see. Born tha' way, I'm 'fraid to say. To be completely honest with ya, even I donnut kno' who he is. I pick'd 'im up at the nearby village. He ran away from somewhere, that's m' best guess. Isn't that right, kit?'' The child nodded politely and continued staring. Soldier finally noticed that the child was staring at his clothes, fascinated by them.

 

 

   ''Little one, do you have a badge on you?'' He received a shake of a head from the child. ''Then, can you write your name and age?'' Again, a refusal.

 

 

   ''Why? Do you...are you illiterate?'' This time, the soldier received a small nod. He thought that the child was a pitiful one, but it seems that its luck turned around because it met Murdock and the troupe, and even joined them. Although he wouldn't say it in public, his family knew Murdock as a business partner. Thus, he knew the child wasn't in the bad hands.

 

 

   ''And? Can you tell me somethin' more 'bout the suspect?'' Murdock stopped the slew of incessant questions from the soldier by distracting him. He could see that the child was getting finicky.

 

 

''Ah? Uh, yes, sir. Black eyes and tilted back, sir.'' The child stiffened visibly.