Prologue: the slums of Carcossa (4)

After a painfull 20 minute walk, we finally arrived at the family house.

It was actually property of Sheryll's father, since he bought it.

But he never shows himself around, so it was basically the family house.

"Still living in the same old place I see"

Billy knew that much was obvious.

The only remotely possible way to get a new place to live was to either get a tutorship at the selection.

Or get indebted twice.

But I am not as stupid or desperate as the people who actually do such a thing.

However I undestood that he was just trying to make conversation.

After all, he did went sailing right after mums passing.

So it was natural that he was worried about whether we could manage to survive on our own.

"Did you perhaps expect a nice new home at Arkham perhaps?"

I said looking at him with a playfull grin and a fuck ton of sarcassm.

"Honestly, it would have been nice"

"Wait, you serious?"

"Of course I am, you should have been of age already, so why haven't you yet?"

"actually it is because of my age, this year will be my blossom winter"

"Bloody Queens! really? I thought you where already 18 winters old"

"Nope, almost though"

It really seemed like something unreal though, this year I could finally trial for a tutorship and have a chance to go to a better district.

Which meant access to libraries.

I have never been in one or seen one, but I used to ask mum about every single detail she knew.

She would talk about how anyone can just enter one no matter the age or circumstances.

A place filled to the brim with books, hidding their knowledge at every corner.

Where the collective knowledge of the many literate hae been stored.

A sanctuarium.

To me a boy who ahd only ever read one book his entire life, such a thing felt more magical than any spell that the greatest untarnished could cast.

And Billy knew that.

"After you"

Bill's words brought back to reality.

Out of the magical land of what my mind depicted as a library, to door to my run down, decrepid home.

"Ah, yes"

I opened the door and hanged mums vest in a chair.

"Rhylie, you wont believe who's body I found on the alley today"

"Hmmm, was it the old hag from a few blocks south?"

She said, coming towards the entrance.

"That damn witch is still alive! I am starting to believe she's as unkillable as I am"

Sheryll froze.

When she had finally realised who it was she raced to the door jumping into Bill's arms.

"You are one tough mother fucker you know that?"

She said with teary eyes and a breaking voice.

"Why do you think I became a pirate love?"

She giggled.

"So you stumbled upon Al at the market?"

I felt a chill down my spine, and if darkness had suddenly swallowed me hole.

The money was gone.

And all of the potions broke when that asshole was beating the crap out of me.

"Yes, actually"

'Please don't fucking say it, please I beg you'

"And you will not believe what my eyes saw, hell even I still dont believe it"

'Billy you asshole'

Bill reached for his pocket and took out something.

"No fucking way"

Sherylls eyes began to flicker between a purple color and her regular muddy brown.

When I realised what it was my jaw dropped.

I had never seen a real one in my life and neither had Sheryll

It was a singular shard.

Or in other words.

A fuck ton of money.