Chapter Seventeen

 

“Good thing we opted to do the dungeon tomorrow,” Stern said, glancing at Vulk’s room.

 

Cammie sighed. “Sorry. I’ll make sure he’s good for then.”

 

“Is he going to do this in every city?” Trish asked Cammie.

 

“He…” Cammie trailed off, then exhaled deeply. “Probably.”

 

“There’s a reason,” Stern said softly, having felt the sadness, shame, and anger from Cammie.

 

Trish glanced at Stern, then gave her attention back to Cammie looking at the table. “One day in each city is fine, but it might be better if he explains it to the rest of us. At the moment, he’s not making himself look like a solid crewmate.”

 

“I’ll try...” Cammie whispered.

 

Cyra touched her hand. “Most of us know personal pain. You’ve heard my story, you can guess Stern’s, and Trish is reborn with her own story. None of us will cast aspersions for things that came before.”

 

“I should talk to him first. It’s not just my story... it’s our story.”

 

“Okay,” Stern said. “Trish, let’s give them a day. We agreed to skip running today, as it was. We all have things we want to do.”

 

“Yeah, we did. I just worry his behavior in this regard will get worse. We all know it can,” Trish said. “Cammie, we don’t expect him to bare his soul. You don’t even have to tell us the whole story. We just need to know that he’s not going to end up in the bottom of a mug or bottle.”

 

“Okay,” Cammie said. She looked up, glancing at each of them before giving a tentative smile. “I’ll try my best.”

 

“Which is all anyone can rightfully ask,” Stern said. “Mom always said, ‘you can only ask a person to try. It’s up to them to take the next step.’”

 

“Well, breakfast is done,” Trish said. “Cyra and I have a few places we want to stop at.”

 

“Would you mind if I came, too?” Cammie asked.

 

“We’d be glad to have you,” Cyra said.

 

“See you all back here for dinner?” Stern asked as he stood up.

 

“Or before,” Trish said. “If we get back before dinner, I’m going to ask around and see if a solo caster is about. One who will be okay with our group.”

 

“We got lucky in Waterrock,” Stern said. “I’m not sure we’ll be as lucky again here.”

 

Cammie flushed with embarrassment— Stern was saying it was lucky to have her and her brother, and Vulk was drunk in bed.

 

“I think he’ll be okay, Cammie,” Stern said. “Even if he isn’t… we were still lucky. See you all later,” he added before heading away.

 

“He’s not wrong,” Trish said.

 

“Alchemist first?” Cyra asked as Stern left the suite.

 

Stern looked down to find Pawly beside him. “Coming with me, huh?”

 

Pawly meowed at him.

 

“Like old times,” Stern smiled sadly before he started walking. “Bank first. I need to make sure I can keep paying the crew.” Going downstairs, Stern wondered if his parents had envisioned him using the savings that they’d given him the way he was going to use it.

 

The random conversations dimmed when Stern went through the taproom. The bartender was an infernal woman who gave him an appraising look as he went past. She’d clearly heard about him, however, as she didn’t radiate worry or fear like others, though her brow contracted upon seeing Pawly beside him.

 

“Hey, the cat—” the infernal started to say.

 

“A summons,” Stern told her, looking back, stopped by the door.

 

“Interesting,” the woman said. “Fine. Sorry to stop you.”

 

Stern gave her a nod, then left the inn. Pawly chuffed as she walked out beside him, her tail up and ears turned slightly to listen behind her.

 

The walk to the bank was a bit long, as it was nearly on the opposite side of the city. Stern’s mood had dipped, and he was back to his usual slouch as he walked. Pawly just trotted along beside him, meowing to the children that made excited sounds upon seeing her.

 

The imposing structure was made of the same marble as the temples. The major difference was that the pillars out front had gold flecks in them instead of black and red veins. Other than that, the bank also had more windows along the front, allowing natural light to help illuminate the lobby. Inside, lamps hung from the ceiling, adding additional lighting.

 

Stern got into the small line to see a teller. Waiting for his turn, he met the eyes of the single guard in the building. The elven man frowned and headed toward Stern.

 

“Sir?” the guard asked, coming to a stop a few feet from Stern.

 

Stern turned so his Walker badge was visible. “Walker, sir. Just here to conduct business.”

 

The elf nodded slowly. “Irregular?”

 

“Yes,” Stern said. He was a little confused, as the guard was curious more than anything.

 

“Ah, no offense… my daughter is, as well.”

 

Stern softened when he felt the emotion from the guard. “Sorry, sir. Did you need something?”

 

“Will you have a moment, after you’re done, to talk?” the guard asked.

 

“Yes,” Stern said softly.

 

“Thank you,” the guard exhaled in relief. “My post is right over there.” He pointed to where he’d been standing.

 

“Yes, sir.”

 

It didn’t take long for Stern to reach one of the two tellers. The woman’s eyes went wide and fear radiated off her. Stern tapped his badge and gave her a strained smile.

 

“Walker?”

 

“Yeah. Irregular, not blighted.”

 

The woman glanced at the guard and exhaled slowly. “I see… I’m sorry, sir.”

 

“Happens… a lot.”

 

The teller’s face heated and she looked down at the counter. “Of course.” Clearing her throat, she looked up at his eyes. “How can Delta Trust help you?”

 

“Withdrawal,” Stern said as he put his hand palm up on the counter.

 

The woman nodded and placed a tablet on his palm. After a moment, she took it back and looked at it. Her eyes began to widen, continuing until they looked about ready to pop out of her head.

 

“Yeah, please don’t mention it,” Stern said softly. “I need ten gold; three in gold, six in silver— mostly small, please— and the rest in large copper.”

 

“Right away, Mister Masterson,” the teller exhaled as she rushed off.

 

Stern watched her go and sighed. He was sure he wasn’t going to get out of this without something complicating things.

 

A couple of minutes later, the teller came back with a rotund man. The man wore an expensive suit, and his ears were porcine in nature. “Masterson, a pleasure to have you here in our bank,” the man nearly squealed.

 

“I asked her to keep my name quiet,” Stern said a bit tightly.

 

“Ah, apologies,” the pig lykian said. “Would you come with me, please?”

 

Stern exhaled slowly, shaking his head. “I’m sorry, sir. I have other business to conduct today. I just need the money, please.”

 

The manager looked disgruntled, but nodded. “Of course. Pay him.” With a snort, he stormed off.

 

The teller watched the manager go, then gave Stern an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, sir. When we withdraw anything over five gold, we have to notify him who the account is for. When he heard your last name, he all but ran out here.”

 

“Yeah, lots of people want something,” Stern said. “I don’t blame you.”

 

The teller was relieved and began to stack the coins onto the counter, counting them so he could see that the amount was correct. When she finished, she gave him a smile. “Will there be anything else?”

 

Stern slipped the gold off the counter and quickly secreted them and the few large silver into his belt. With that done, he pulled out his coin purse and put the rest of the money into it. “Nothing. Thank you. Have a good day.”

 

“You, as well, sir.”

 

Stern turned away from her and went straight over to the guard. “Sir?”

 

The guard looked around, then held up a hand. He turned to the closest teller. “Mike, tell Steve to get out here. I need to step away for a bit.”

 

“Sure thing, Joe.”

 

“It’ll be just a minute, okay?”

 

“Sure.”

 

Stern moved to the side and looked over the bank. He watched the various people who came in to do business, mentally guessing why each was here.

 

“Sorry, Joe. Go ahead,” Steve said as he approached.

 

Joe gave the other guard a nod. “Thanks. I’ll be back in a bit.”

 

“Sure, sure.”

 

“This way, please,” Joe said, heading toward a side door.

 

Stern followed him, curious as to what the bank guard wanted. The door led outdoors to a small picnic area. An overhang covered the table and chairs there, giving some shade to the break area. Joe took a seat and motioned at Stern to take the other.

 

“Okay,” Stern said, “what’s up?”

 

Pawly jumped onto the table and flopped in front of Stern, but her eyes were on Joe.

 

“It’s odd to see a cat following someone around like that,” Joe said.

 

Stern could feel the worry radiating off the guard, and he knew a clear evasion when he heard one. “You wanted to ask about irregulars, didn’t you?”

 

Joe jerked, eyes going wide. “How did you know?”

 

“Can’t think of any other reason you’d ask to speak with me. It’s fine. Just start at the beginning.”

 

“My daughter… she’s like you. We fear what she’ll have to endure,” Joe spoke hesitantly.

 

“And what she might be like?” Stern asked, phrasing it as nicely as he could.

 

Joe jerked again, but then nodded. “Maybe a little of that, too. She’s so pale and thin. We thought she was sick, but the sisters say she’s healthy.”

 

“I’ve looked like this from birth, too,” Stern said. “She’ll always be pale and thin, which makes us look a lot like the blighted. It means she’ll deal with a lot of fear and hatred. Shower her in love and give her a place to be safe. That’s the best thing you can do for her.”

 

“Of course we will,” Joe said a little hotly before looking away. “Sorry. We will, but will she be… dangerous?”

 

“Depends on her perks, like it does for everyone else,” Stern said. “Pawly, here,” he stroked Pawly’s belly, “has been with me since I was a child. She’s one of my perks... my oldest friend.”

 

Pawly purred loudly and wiggled, enjoying the attention.

 

“I didn’t have any terrifying perks when I was born. I did have one for empathy, which makes being an irregular harder. I pray to the Goddess your daughter won’t have to endure that.”

 

Joe blanched. “Goddess, that must have been torment.”

 

“Yes. Honestly, your little girl will be a little girl. The only thing you should have to worry about is how everyone around her will treat her. Get her out to meet your friends and neighbors and have her meet the other children her age. If she’s known ahead of time, she’ll have a much easier time of it.”

 

“Okay, yes, of course,” Joe nodded. “We’ve been worried about doing that, but it makes sense.”

 

“How old is she?”

 

“Not even a year, yet.”

 

“Perfect,” Stern smiled. “You’ll do fine.”

 

Joe exhaled. His relief was clear on his face, and even clearer to Stern. “I feel like a right fool now. Your parents did this with you?”

 

Stern shook his head. “We moved too often. I didn’t have friends like your daughter will. Her path will be much easier than mine.” Standing up, Stern patted Joe’s shoulder. “May the Goddess bless you and your family.”

 

Joe bowed his head. “Thanks.”

 

“Glad to help,” Stern said. “Come on, Pawly. We have a long walk back to the inn.”

 

“May the Goddess watch over you, Walker,” Joe said. “Safe runs.”

 

Stern gave him a nod as he headed away with Pawly trotting along beside him.

 

Joe watched him go, then stood up. He was ready for the day to end so he could go home and see his little girl.