Trouble in Silver City

Veronica and Hyde were stuffing themselves with lunch when the knocker at the front door sounded. Ms. Allison dutifully went to answer while the siblings looked at each other. Veronica set down her utensils and stood.

"Izit Fader?" Hyde asked, his mouth stuffed with food.

"Chew and swallow first," chided Veronica. "I can't understand a word you said."

Hyde obliged and repeated, "Is it Father?"

"I don't think so," she replied. "He said he and Mother would be back late afternoon. This is much too early for them to return. I'm going to go see who it is." She headed towards the foyer at a brisk pace.

"Wait for me, sister!" Hyde hastily dropped his utensils and ran after her.

In the foyer, Veronica saw the maid close the door after a word of thanks. As the maid turn around, Veronica caught sight of a worried face.

"Sister!" Hyde ran up behind her and hugged her arm. He peeked past her expecting a guest.

His shout alerted the maid. She quickly put on a smile and greeted the children. "Have you finished your meal?"

Veronica's eyes narrowed. Her gaze flicked to the door and back at her maid's face. "Ms. Allison, who was that?"

"Nobody, dear," the maid replied. "Just one of the local patrol team members. A riot broke out in the mining district. He was just going around telling the neighborhood to remain inside until it's settled."

"Isn't that where Father and Mother are?" Hyde piped up.

The concern in his voice was evident. Veronica stared into the maid's eyes, silently asking for the answer. The maid, flustered by the honest question and Veronica's gaze, responded, "Don't you trust your father? He is a strong man and a practiced swordsman. He'll protect himself and your mother."

"Of course!" Hyde replied. Veronica wasn't as naive, but the maid didn't let her voice her concerns.

"Come," the maid said as she took hold of their shoulders and steered them back towards the dining hall. "Let's finish lunch."

**********

"Are you absolutely sure? I'm just a viscount. I can't just make such accusations without hard evidence. Even then, it'd still turn half the nobility in Silver City against me." Daniel Gilen paced back and forth in the narrow alley, his brain trying to process the information he just learned.

"I'm confident, my Lord," Kayne replied. "Everyone here knows the mercenary as the source of dreamland water. My brother and I followed him to the docks and saw him trade with Rats. We stayed close and eavesdropped on them. They definitely said the dreamland water was sold to them by a noble."

Daniel threw his head back as he thought. He used his fingers to massage his temples. "Gah!" he spat out in frustration. His hot breath visible in the cold winter air. "Alright. I'll send some of my men to the docks this evening. Have them try and root out the Rats. Hopefully, they'll be able to bring back something."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small pouch. As he pressed into Kayne's hand, the sound of coins could be heard. Kayne's eyes widen. "My Lord..." he started.

Daniel silenced him. "For your help. You and your brother risked your lives, especially since a noble is involved. Ten silvers is hardly adequate compensation. Take it."

Kayne humbly accepted it. "Thank you, my Lord."

As he stowed the coins in his tunic, he heard loud shouts further up the street. Daniel cocked his head toward the noise, trying to listen. "What's happening up there?"

"Protesting, my Lord," Kayne replied. "You know of the collapse in the mine last week. The owner announced that he would only compensate the freemen. Left us refugees here to rot." He couldn't keep the anger out of his voice. "You best get you and mistress out of here, my Lord. I feel it's going to get ugly soon."

Daniel nodded. "Good luck, to you and your brother both."

"To you as well, my Lord."

They parted ways. Kayne slipped out through the back alleys while Daniel returned to the busy street. From there, he walked to the entrance of the nearby church. The mining district was poor. Its local church could hardly compare to the one the Gilens generally attended in the commerce district. The wooden walls had greyed from age and smoke from the smelters. The rusted nails stood out among the smokey grains. Instead of stained glass, broken wooden shutters covered the windows.

Five guards idled outside. They wore simple leather armor and matching bracers and helms. Swords were strapped to their sides. Daniel greeted the captain of his guard, "Sir Ashton. Any problems?"

"None, my Lord," the knight responded with a slight bow. "But there may be some soon." The grey-bearded knight glanced up the street.

"Are you regretting coming in simple leather armor?" Daniel jokingly asked.

Ashton smiled. "Of course not, my Lord. Leather is enough against shivs and rusty daggers. It's also warmer than steel. In this weather, it's more likely I'd freeze to death than be stabbed to death.

The rest of the guards laughed. Even Daniel nodded with a grin. "Get ready to go then. There may be some work for you tonight, but for now, we're leaving the mining district."

Ashton simply nodded, stepping aside to let Daniel into the church. The temperature inside was noticeably warmer, but not due to the fire. The main hall was filled with refugees, injured from the mine collapse. The usual pews were pushed to the sides of the room to make room. Nuns walked about comforting the patients the best they could.

As Daniel passed by, the sisters politely acknowledged him with a bow and he responded in kind. He noticed that most of the refugees were missing limbs. The luckier ones only had broken arms or legs. Regardless, these men were dead men. Even if they survived the winter, they could only become beggars. No one would hire a worker with a lame arm, much less a missing one. Daniel pitied them, but there was nothing to be done. Only witches had powers that could regrow limbs, or so he'd heard. If there were such a witch... Daniel let the thought trail off. Best not to have errant thoughts in a church.

He found his wife feeding a young man simple wheat gruel. As he got closer, he noticed both his legs were missing. His wife noticed his worried expression and stood. "Daniel, what's wrong?"

"Abigail, we must leave. There's trouble brewing up near the mine."

"What?" Abigail's brow creased. "I haven't finished yet. Just a bit-."

A nearby sister interrupted, "My Lady. We appreciate the help you've given us. However, your Lord husband is correct. You are no longer a commoner." She took the bowl of gruel out of Abigail's hands. "It's not safe for you here."

"But-" Abigail tried to rebuke but was silenced by a sudden cry. Sounds of panic leaked through the walls of the church. Everyone turned towards to the entrance, trying to see the commotion.

"Go. Your children are waiting for you," the sister insisted.

Abigail finally acquiesced. She took Daniel's hand and he led them swiftly out of the church.