Chapter 292- Future plans

Future plans

Mr. Thomas bent his head while walking under the low, crooked doorway. With the door creaking close, with a complaint behind him, he sighed on hearing the greeting from his wife. There she sat on the bench by the table, occupying the only pieces of furniture in the room. The unhinged wooden shutters lay beside the open window allowing a broad beam of welcome sunlight to shed light on her knitting.

Opposite her, in the small hearth, a tiny cauldron that had seemingly survived a battle with a hammer, bubbled away. An equally rickety doorway led to the second room of this two-roomed hovel. The clean bedding inside yet failed to conquer the lingering decay of the previously ragged berth.

"Whenever we sat on the bench outside our farm, I always dreamed of returning with you with confidence. Sure, we arrived in a splendor way beyond my dreams, but I am truly sorry for this."

Mr. Thomas said as he sat and then placed his only hand around the beautiful woman. The light evening breeze chased away the stagnant air and replaced it with another fresh mixture birthed from the slums. The woman beside him carefully placed the beginnings of a scarf onto the table. She then patted the rough left hand with one of her delicate palms. Using her other hand, she guided the stubbled face so as to view into the apologetic eyes.

"What have you ever done to ask forgiveness from me? If not for you, I shudder to think of the fate of myself and then, later on, my daughter. If not for a lack of power, which I know they snatched from you through despicable means, our family would not flee this city. Are you sorry about this? We both know this is all fleeting and done for a reason. If, I so thirsted for money, would I have married you?"

Mrs. Thomas teased as she continued,

"We met and lived a happy life in this city, and then on our farm. Who knew the young Beth Willows would adventure outside of Frost City and not marry into the big clans. Instead, she would laugh and milk cows with her amateur farmer of a husband. Besides, recently, and not just for a few times, I think the Heavens smiled at us. To compensate for our losses, we chanced upon a remarkable group of children."

"Remarkable my foot. Did you forget how they nearly killed your husband that day by surprising him to death? I could have died instead of fainting from the shock. The others are a task by themselves, but it's the shrewd, low profiled brat you need to pay attention too. Did you know after training Lucy and spending time on the farm, I nearly forgot about returning to this place? If not for you and my lost brothers, the fire in my heart probably might have died. That troublesome boy, however, always stoked and fueled it to this day."

Mrs. Thomas smiled while stroking the short grizzle on the face of her mumbling husband. With all his grousing and arguing, she knew those children occupied a high position in his heart. Even for her, she considered them like her own, and also the larger extension of the farm residents as her family.

"We both know we cannot press our stay at the palace. Sahara has already done enough for us, and with the Empress present, this is the best etiquette as an unfamiliar guest. I know all this is simply a means to keep me and my daughter safe."

"It may be so, but my heart still aches when I see you in this condition. What if something happens? This was, and still is, your home."

Her husband mused. To bring his wife so close and yet remain away chewed away at his heart. Mrs. Thomas paused while her hand dropped onto the table. Unnoticed, her fingers tightened around the knitting and then relaxed. Exhaling softly, her eyes gazed at the incompleted scarf and yet seemed distant.

"Since we arrived, it has taken all I have to strengthen my will. Maybe if things occurred differently, I might have acted differently. Especially during the banquet of the princess, I nearly ran over, but then when my eyes fell on those two, my heart hardened."

Her fingers trembled slightly as she tilted her soft snowy neck to gaze at the man she married.

"Every evening, Doug sends over a little girl who informs me of all that happens during the day. Sue helps me whenever a question pops into my mind. My heart remains on edge because of the upcoming five year House competition. I fear a few of the weak Ancient Houses will lose their titles and lands this autumn."

"We cannot do anything until the boy arrives. Even Doug and the others have their hands tied in that matter. At, present, your safety and my family, is all that matters to me."

He replied while pulling her closer into his embrace. Resting her head on his chest, she nodded.

"No matter. As for keeping us safe, you have worked hard. The little girl in me who became excited during her small adventures wish Wang and his brothers were not so hopeless in trying to locate us. I think, Thomas, that you have no idea the power your children wield."

She looked up while flicking a lock of golden curls behind her delicate ear.

"From what Amanda divulges, one move from Doug and the trades and lewd lifestyle of those men would grin to a halt. A sentence from Sakura could probably drive them out of Frost City, or at least relegate their Clans to poverty. As for Sue, a tear would decimate their nine generations. Do you know of any other Lady residing in a slum shack who guides such capable children?"

"Hmph, the way you speak sounds like a gang leader. Speaking of which, where are those children of yours?"

"Singh is still bedridden with the cold so Doug sent for Amanda and Sakura for help. The Alchemist Guild is in an uproar over some new pill, and Sue is in the middle of it. Sally and Brella are residing over at the Tower Mages since they said they wanted to learn anything new to share with Old Hodge when they return. Elder Shi from the Tower has promised to look after them. Do you remember Apprentice Tye? Apparently, he will also be coming to Frost City."

Mrs. Thomas replied while tapping a finger to her lip.

"Remind me to thank Doug later."

Mr. Thomas said. He was well aware that Singh had recovered enough to move around with help from Daisy. The real reason Doug sent for his daughter and Sakura was to keep them at the center of the slums. Not even a beggar could hobble into the surrounding streets under the eyes of the Behemoth Gang.

The only reason the group did not find temporary shelter for Mrs. Thomas next to them was that they preferred she lived in a better environment near the outskirts. Even so, one would think twice to stroll down this lane, considering the number of malicious looking thugs roaming around.

A thought popped into his mind on recalling the words of his bewitching wife. His left hand found her petite shoulders as he locked eyes with her at arm's length.

"Does this mean we are all alone for the rest of the evening?"

He said as his eyes skipped between her and the vacant bedroom door.

"Not quite."

She smiled in reply.

As if to answer the question, a sharp ping echoed out. Mr. Thomas narrowed his eyes to see a slightly glowing bird exit the bedroom. In one claw it dragged a tiny cauldron riddled with holes and twice its size. Blinking at the man, it gouged into the rim of the iron and scooped up a beakful of the metal as if it was soft clay.

"Deviants...I'm surrounded by a bunch of deviants."

***

Amanda extended her palm as she watched the orb of light follow while hovering over it. Within two breaths, the chalk colored glow dissipated. With a melodious laugh, she then smiled at the speechless faces of the six young men standing across the table. Seeing their mouths open and their eyes searching for words, Sakura cleared her throat from the stood beside the fireside.

"Actions speak more than words. There you have it. Magic by Big Sis. She is yet far from being able to cast a fireball like a mage. Soon, however, she will attain that level."

The brunette teen explained.

Her words created a shuffle as they broke the paralysis delivered by the previous display. Doug felt for the bench before he slowly removed the load from his shaking knees. Sucking in a few long breaths, he eyed the alluring golden-haired beauty and then shifted his gaze to the smaller girl in the kitchen.

"Nothing less from the Boss...How? Forget it, give me a moment..."

The young man paused. Once, in a village slum, he considered himself the shrewdest leader of dauntless companions. Since then, he had traveled far and conversed with even the inner guards of the Six Great Houses of the Capital. He and his companions had long perceived that the person they considered Boss to contemplate on a higher realm. Whenever they thought his progress peaked, he terrified them by climbing another level.

"Miss Sakura...I mean little Boss, are you saying the Boss wants you to teach us magic?"

Singh asked before coughing into a large cloth. His watering eyes remained fixed on the little girl. He and Doug had spent enough time adventuring together to know what was on his leader's mind.

"Correct. Whether in Frost City or back at home, Chu says its time to increase the strength of our core. Our home is growing at a rate where we might not recognize it when we return. To prevent others from seizing what we toiled through sweat and blood, we must become stronger."

"But magic... won't we get into trouble with the Tower?"

Chong added.

"Yes, we will. That is why we must only use it as a trump card when our lives are in danger. Frost City is a door we need to close for Mr. Thomas. Once completed, we will return home. Of course, Chu says if any of you wish to remain, then arrangements will be made. If those in our Behemoth Gang and the orphans don't wish to accompany us, they can remain to supervise and grow our foundation."

Listening to the words from the girl, the men exchanged glances. Even if they were to live in a mansion within the noble quarters, they would want to return home to the farm. Confined within a large cage could not compare to the freedom to move and work for their own betterment.

Furrowing his brow, Doug turned to Singh. Unlike the others, this tall companion of his had found a soulmate in the city. Understanding his thinking, Chong and the others twisted their neck towards Singh. Until Sakura said those words, they never contemplated what they would do in the future when it came to this lifelong companion.

Feeling their gazes, Singh cleared his throat in the cloth.

"Why are you looking at me like that, you idiots. Priest Faust from the Church of Nature has been talking about retiring so a younger priest can manage the church. He has already decided that whenever we leave for the farm, he will accompany us. I told him the Boss would be more than happy to build a church for an experienced priest who can cast sealing spells and the like."

"Hey, so what does this have to do with you? Are you staying?"

Fole asked. Singh scowled on being interrupted.

"During the days I spent in bed at the church, Daisy and I chatted. Since Priest Faust was like a father to her, and knowing from me that our village lacks a Healer, she has decided to follow him to the village. Naturally, I will have to be the one to guide and escort them."

"Stop beating around the bush and say you begged her to follow you, man. We're all friends here."

Green said. His words unleashed a barrage of snickers.

Doug smiled on hearing his companions.

"Ok, since the Boss wants us to become stronger, then tell us what he wants us to do. Knowing him, he will not wait until he becomes old like those Mages to cast a fireball."

"Hehe, you know him so well. It's time we do a little digging. Send word out. I want to know if the Military killed any Blitzer Demons at the nearby villages and where their cores are buried. From the Dusk and Dawn forts to the villages south of them, I want all the cores. Let me explain..."

****