6 More Money is Coming

Oak plopped down beside Demenik and looked at the coins in his friend's open palm. He finished chewing his food burped. "What you plan to do with the rest of it?"

"I plan to spend it."

Oak rolled his eyes. "Uh, yeah, but on what?" His foot tapped Demenik dirty boot. "You bought some clothes, but nothing fancy. The boots still smell like the dead man they were likely pulled off of yesterday before the crook sold them to you, and your clothes have fewer holes but they are still dirty rags."

"That's the way it has to be."

"Why?"

"So that he matches his home." Mouse leaned against the wall across from them. Stick sat near him, eyes closed, hand resting on his quarterstaff. "To dress better than a street dweller and remain on the streets would invite an attack."

Oak nodded. "That's clever."

"No." Mouse produced an apple from beneath his rags and took a bite. "That's common sense. I worry about you sometimes, my large friend."

"Why?"

"Never mind. Demenik, you should buy a weapon. A small knife, perhaps."

"I don't know how to use a knife."

"I could teach you."

Demenik considered the advice before nodding. "It wouldn't hurt to learn a bit of self-defense."

"A leader should know more than any of his followers."

"I agree." Demenik picked the coins from his palm and divided them into four even piles. "If I ever meet a leader, I will pass along your advice."

Stick's eyes opened as he laughed. "Still denying that's what you are?"

Demenik shrugged. He held one pile of coins out to Oak and dropped them into his hand, then he stood and distributed the others to Stick and Mouse. He nodded and tucked the remaining pile into his waistband.

"What's this for?" Oak shook his hand and the coins jingled.

"Whatever you want."

"This is too generous." Stick held the coins out to his friend. Demenik shook his head. Stick sighed.

"Don't buy anything that will make you stand out." Demenik tapped his boots. "New clothes that keep out the cold are good enough. We don't need silk or jewels."

"Yet." Oak grinned.

Mouse looked at Demenik with genuine concern. "You have been more than generous with us already. Sharing your food is what we do, but giving us your money is not necessary. Who knows when you will get any more. You should hold onto it and make it last."

Demenik raised his eyebrows and smiled. "I got lucky. Money serves one purpose on the street and you know that as well as I do."

"Yes. Money is a prize to be stolen."

"That's right. The stuff we buy with it is less attractive and much more useful to us. I don't need all of this money, and I can't use it. You are my friends. It would be terrible for me to be warm and full while you shiver and starve beside me. Use the money to buy what you want. All I ask is that you spend it wisely."

Stick pointed at the small cache of food behind Oak. "Some of this will rot before we can eat it."

"All of you have other friends who would benefit from it."

Each boy nodded.

"Share it with them."

"Feeding the alley will be noticed," Stick said.

"I expect so."

"I mean by the Lord."

"I know."

The three turned as one and looked at Demenik.

"What did you do?" Oak asked.

"I paid tribute."

"What?" Stick stood and leaned his quarterstaff against the wall before coming to sit beside the other two boys. "Why in the seven hells would you do such a thing?"

"More money is coming," Mouse said.

Stick shook his head but saw the look on Demenik's face and raised his eyebrows. "Is he right?"

"If things go as planned."

"This doesn't sound good," Oak said. "You've fed us and given us money. We are now part of it, whatever it is. Is it something bad, Demenik? Are we to become robbers or murderers?"

"It has nothing to do with you. I swear it."

"What is it?" Stick asked.

Demenik did not answer.

"I believe him," Mouse said.

"Why?" Oak asked.

"In all the time I've known him, Demenik has never lied to me."

"Maybe you haven't known him long enough," Oak said.

"I've known him long enough, and I trust his character."

Stick looked first at Mouse and then back to Demenik before nodding his head. "I've known Mouse longer than anyone in the alley. If he trusts you, then so do I."

"Thank you," Demenik said.

"You may not expect anything from us," Mouse said, "but you can count on our help if you need it."

"Thank you. I appreciate the offer, but I am fine. What I am doing is safe."

Stick laughed and slapped his friend on the shoulder. "When money is involved, nothing is ever safe."