A human child hidden in a small cubby made of stone throws fireballs at the powerful wizard and hir friends. The child is calmed, the ones there are not the hunters. When they come out, everyone sees what they're protecting. Skinny, frightened, other children, some wearing chains, who've been on the run far too long. -- Anon Guest
It looked like a small crack between the stones of the pass, with just enough room nearby for a band of travellers to stop for a camp. No travellers usually stopped here. Not any more. All that remained of a once amenable area was a plane of burned and blasted stone and earth. People called it cursed, and tried not to camp there.
People who camped there were never seen again.
Therefore, a casual observer might safely bet that Patience Vylstok was doomed for laying down his pack in the middle of it. He stood tall and calm and announced, "I mean you no harm. I have come to help. I am a follower of Wraithvine the Wanderer. Whatever your need, I can help." He made the sign of two kind hands. "May I help?"
The response, like all other responses to everyone else who came to this spot, was a ball of flame aimed his way. Hellkin do not burn easily, and those who have studied even some Martialist arts burn even less from attacks like that. Patience summoned water with his natural Druidic talents as he came to a rest.
He took out a sprig of holly tied to a sprig of mistletoe from his pocket and encouraged them to flourish, making good berries on the spreading branches. "Whoever you are, you must be hungry. Nothing grows here any more."
Ah. There. A grubby face almost blending in with the scorched stones. Any less perceptive soul might have mistook them for another burned rock in an area full of burned rocks.
Oh gods, thought Patience. That's a fucking baby.
"It's going to be all right," cooed Patience. A few steps forward, until a hand also appeared with a gathered and prepared magic. Then he gently placed the branches down and backed well off. "I will not harm you."
They held each other's eyes for the better part of an hour, then the rest of an undersized, underfed, and overdirty child of perhaps eleven or twelve emerged from the crack between the stones.
Patience knelt on the ground. Habitually assuming the position of surrender. Ankles crossed, hands on his head, he watched and lived up to his name once more.
Two, three... five. Seven! One by one they came out and gathered as many berries as their hands could hold. Some instantly scurried back to the crevice. The largest among them lingered, handing their berries to one sprite who had a slightly scorched basket.
The same child who had first emerged.
Patience couldn't help but notice that many of them still had manacles on their wrists. Their leader had scars on their wrists and ankles that came from worrying at manacles for far too long. There was even a line near their neck that came from being locked in stocks. He couldn't help but notice that many of them still had broken chains attached to their wrists and ankles. So many manacles bore scratches and dents from repeated efforts to break them. So many legs and arms were scarred from the misses.
Runaway slaves.
Runaway child slaves.
Their leader, likely older than twelve, remained in the clearing. Long after the berries were gone and one near-toddler dragged the branches into the crevice. They edged closer to Patience and remained well out of lunge range. Taking the measure of him.
"People who do that sign," the kid gestured in mimicry of Patience's former one. "They leave supply packs in unburned areas. They leave things. Useful things. Sometimes clothes, too. You really one like them?"
"We knew some people were living in fear," Patience offered his holy symbol for the child to inspect. "We had no idea who, how many, or why. I understand so much more now that I have seen you. You feel safe here, and I understand you need a place of safety above all. Would you like some help. I can grow more of those berries. I can mend broken things. I have also acquired a magical item that can unlock as many as five things per diem."
"No snatchin'?"
"No snatching. I will remain in plain sight at all times, if you so wish."
"Not in the jakes," winced the kid. "Gross."
"As you will," Patience couldn't help but smirk. "I also won't pretend I can order you around. I will only offer advice, and teach what I can."
"Y'ain't gonna fit in our crack," scowled the kid.
"Bet a copper?" Patience smirked, and changed himself into an adorably fluffy cat.
"Just when we thought nothing could get weirder," muttered the leader. "Name's Punch. After what I did t' the overseer."
Patience would introduce himself to all of them once they were inside.
[Photo by boris misevic on Unsplash]
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