Spice Benedict

They took Joe on what felt like a tiki tour through the city, weaving through streets that all looked the same.

It didn't take long before Joe sensed they were being watched. On the rooftops and in the alleys, eyes followed.

"Friends of yours?" asked Joe.

"Sorry?" said Blake.

"Amateurs are tailing us."

"Oh," said Blake, "We always have people keep watch."

This continued until they encountered a string of buildings, at which point Blake made some absurd animal call.

In response, a boy's head popped over the ledge of the second story and lowered down a ladder after confirming who they were. Then they lowered a sack tied to a rope. Courage entered the bag as soon as it touched the ground, his own doggy elevator.

Blake grimaced at the thought of using his broken hands to climb, but he made no outward show of it.

Joe found the whole process silly, "Quite the security."

When Joe got to the top, he witnessed what could only be described as a rooftop neighborhood. Wooden planks acted as sketchy bridges between the buildings. There had to be over 20 children playing games, picking nits from each other's hair, and lulling about in general.

When they saw Blake come home with Clare, they all stopped to regard them and the strange man they had brought along.

Joe wagered the eldest of the group was 14 at most, yet even they were still small. Given how malnourished they were, it made sense.

One of these elder kids, a girl with strikingly similar knotted brown hair and facial features to Clare, rushed up to them with concern. Joe could immediately discern that this one was the leader.

"There you are!" she said, "We've been worried sick. Never leave without a buddy!"

Blake lowered his head, "I'm sorry, Fae. There was no time. They were after Clare."

Fae shook her head, "It's okay. What matters is you're home and safe." She said, but Joe caught a scowling look.

"What of your hands! You know we can't afford a healer."

After Fae gave everyone a good mothering, they introduced themselves to Joe, and he suddenly found himself the center of attention. Joe sat on the roof in the middle of their circle and tried not to feel awkward.

Only when Clare had recovered enough to function did she break the ice.

"Thank you for saving me."

"Don't mention it. Your friend did most of the work. I was passing through."

"No way," said Blake, "You guys should have seen it. Joe was like, 'Woosh!' and 'Waaah!' and 'Zing!', and they dropped dead like Bleh!"

Joe crossed his arms, "Death is nothing to get excited about."

"Are you kidding? That was the most amazing thing I ever saw! How did you learn to do that? Could you teach me?"

"I'd rather just get my information and be on my merry way," said Joe, "So what's this place supposed to be? The runt resort?"

It was Fae who answered. Clare had fallen asleep on her lap. "We're orphans. Trying to survive alone is too dangerous, so we became a family. There are lots of runaway families like us all over Tyrosh."

Joe nodded, "Makes sense. But what's up with this place? It feels like people want to rob and kill you everywhere you go."

"That's Tyrosh for you," said Blake, "For us, anyway."

Joe hummed ponderously, ['Now that I think about it, Gulltown had a form of this casual, dog-eat-dog mentality. Maybe this is how it is in all cities? This is George R.R. Martin that we're talking about.']

"Who were those men? What would they have done to you had I not walked past?"

Blake shivered. Fae answered, "It was probably a roundup gang."

"A roundup gang?"

"Everyone is always trying to get more slaves. Wealthier families can afford to send out groups to round us up. Blake might have been made into a pit fighter or a dung shoveler. Clare would be sold to a pleasure house."

Joe scratched his chin, "Now your security makes sense. I truly have found myself in a hell hole."

It suddenly turned into a game of a million questions directed at Joe. They wanted to know who he was, where he came from, and what was in that green sash at his side that looked suspiciously like he was carrying a baby.

He was happy to answer anything about himself. Still, Joe took care not to mention Lucas, their plans, and especially not the dragon egg.

Blake gasped, "You're a knight?! No wonder you're so strong!"

Even though they had nothing, the children insisted they feed their guest. Fae broke off a little bit of cheese from a measly chunk and gave it to Joe.

"Thanks. . ," said Joe. He had no intention of eating what little they had, the poor sods. A rat scurried to Joe, raven black with a red rim around its beading eyes. It was the most giant rat Joe had encountered, and something about its swagger told him it was the meanest.

Without noticing it himself, Joe instinctively held out the tiny chunk of cheese while he was telling his stories. The children gawked with wide eyes at the very notion. That food was precious!

But for some reason, no one spoke a word of protest. On the contrary, they watched in the way kids do when they think something magical is happening.

The raven-black rat approached skittishly at first, sniffing itself closer as if to confirm Joe as a good person. Satisfied, it stood on its hind legs and, with its hands, touched Joe ever so lightly on the fingers in which he held the cheese.

"Hmm? Hungry, are you?"

Joe granted the cheese and scratched its head as it nibbled away. When it was done, the rat gazed up at Joe with gratitude. Their eyes met.

"I take it that means we're friends now. I think I'll name you Benedict." Joe said.

He gave the rat a wink with his left eye. And to everyone's astonishment, Ben ran happily in circles a few times before climbing up Joe and perching on his shoulder.

"Woahhh!' the children collectively gasped.

Blake couldn't believe his eyes, "How did you do that?!"

Joe chuckled, "We became pals, of course."

Joe's eye went milk-white, and so did Ben's.

"Looks like the spice market is nowhere in the area. It's outside of this rat's territory, at least. You really pulled a fast one on me, kid."

"How can you tell?!"

Joe smiled. His thoughts went back to his time in the North, how eagerly the children of Winters Town asked about his Shadowcat.

"It's generally wise not to expose your strengths and weaknesses to others, let alone strangers. A cat will pretend they are the picture of perfect health in the wild, regardless of their injuries. This is to ward off predators.

"That said, those who wish me harm would have at least some knowledge in their libraries, so I guess I'll explain the basics.

"They call me a 'Skinchanger'. Those with the blood of the first men may enter the mind of animals, given they are skilled enough to do so. It's a little more complicated than that, and results vary depending on the person—"

Joe had to stop himself before he got on a roll of explanation. He had no idea what kind of stuff these children might say about him should they be caught and tortured. Maybe it was paranoia, but better safe than sorry.

Joe sighed, "In any case. I can't talk anymore until I have something to eat. It's time to make good on your promise and show me the spice market."

"Blake is going nowhere in that condition," Fae asserted. "I'll take you."

"Whatever. Hurry up. I'm starving."

And so, Fae guided Joe through Tyrosh. Courage came with them, as he always did when one of the sisters left their hideout.

"Are you sure it's okay?" asked Joe, "You said so yourself that you guys use a buddy system. And if you got caught, I don't think the others would survive."

Fae remained casual, "They'd survive. We're a lot tougher than we look. As for me, well. . . I have you, don't I?"

"Who said I was coming back to the hideout?" Joe said.

"I thought knights protect little girls?"

"Literally, 1 in a thousand are that chivalrous. Most knights are cunts. Don't listen to the songs."

To Joe's delight, Fae opted to take them along the waterfront. He always liked those who took the scenic route.

Joe took note of all the grand temples. "For a city of slavers, you lot sure are pious. It looks like damn near every religion is worshiped here. And what's this?"

He pointed toward a fountain in the distance.

"The Fountain of the Drunken God," said Fae, "We don't follow a single faith like you Westerners."

"The drunken god!" exclaimed Joe, ['There you go, Tyrion. Maybe there is a god of tits and wine after all.']

The number of pleasure houses they passed was staggering. STD after STD.

"Has there ever been a slave uprising?"

"There must have been at some point. We hear stories about what happens if we try to rebel when we are young. None of those are pretty."

Joe thought back to that episode when Dany led a revolt in Mereen. It seemed more common in those parts. Then again, those attempts failed until Dany came along, and she had to supply those slaves with weapons.

At one point, a red priestess stood on a crate and preached to a large crowd.

She talked in a queer High Valyrian that Joe could hardly understand (he never cared about Maester Luwin's lectures on the matter).

All Joe could tell was that this red priestess had a lot of charisma. The masses ate up everything she said.

Joe stopped, and Fae did the same. They stood far in the back of the crowd, listening.

"Any idea what she's saying?" Joe asked.

"'Lord, cast your light upon us. For the night is dark and full of terrors.' The usual stuff," said Fae.

Then the red priestess stopped, her mouth agape, her clouded eyes open wide. For a moment, Joe thought she might be having a stroke.

That was until the priestess pointed directly at him, and everyone turned their heads toward Joe.

"!!!"

Silence. Dead silence. Every hair follicle on his body stood in attention as he instinctively reached for his blade.

"Is this part of the gimmick?" whispered Joe.

"No. . ," said Fae, "Something is wrong. We should get out of here."

"You don't have to tell me. This shit's creepy as fuck!"

Joe picked Fae up in a fireman's carry and sprinted without warning. His strides were long and quick, and each landing caused Fae to go 'Oof'.

'Oof oof oof!'

At a safe enough distance, Joe turned the corner.

"Huff. . . Huff. . . Holy shit."

"Let me down!" Fae demanded.

"Oh, sorry."

"What was that about??" asked Fae once she was on her feet.

Courage mimicked her assertive tone, "Woof!"

"How the fuck should I know? Those R'hllor freaks give me nothing but questions. Lord of Light? More like Lord of Shite. Let's get out of here. I think I can smell the spices!"

Joe was right. By now, they were nearing the western point of town where the elite and merchant classes shared their market borders.

The spice market was much grander yet somehow less cramped. There weren't a thousand market stalls like that on the East End.

Instead, the stalls were more like stores. Big enterprises that covered half a block. Each more or less offered the same goods, give or take some differences.

Even the walking lanes were significantly broader and more pleasurable to traverse. Less populace, it felt, but no fewer people than the East.

The difference was that you weren't trapped in a crowd so crammed that casual sexual harassment could occur. No 'oopsie' squishing of genitalia against a stranger. The air was lighter for it, a pleasure to breathe.

Joe's eyes lit up as he appreciated the market. He took a big whiff, "You smell that? My god. . . I never thought I'd ever see the day."

The amount of variety at the spice market was astounding.

"Oh, the aroma! I never thought I'd smell these exotic spices again. Cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom, just like old times!"

"Coriander and cumin! It's been ages since I've tasted their warm and earthy essence. These will certainly elevate my dishes."

"Aniseed and fennel seeds! Finally, I can add that subtle licorice flavor to my creations."

"Look at the variety of peppers they have! From mild to fiery, these will bring the perfect heat to my dishes."

"Fresh ginger root! The zing it adds to dishes is unparalleled. This is truly a cook's delight!"

"Turmeric! Such a vibrant color and distinctive taste. That golden hue I missed for so long."

"Vanilla pods! I can't believe they have these here."

"Saffron! The most precious spice in the world. Just a pinch will transform any dish into a delicacy."

"Nutmeg and mace! Their warm and nutty flavor will enhance my savory and sweet dishes."

"Fresh basil, thyme, and rosemary!"

"Paprika! Finally, I can add that lovely red color and mild smokiness to my stews and sauces."

"Mustard seeds and fenugreek! The complex flavors they bring are hard to replicate. My dishes will be so much richer now."

"Lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves! These citrusy delights will elevate my dishes to a whole new level."

"Peppercorns! Simple, yet essential. It's incredible how much a good grind of fresh pepper can enhance the taste."

Joe's mouth was an ocean of saliva. It had been so long since he had the ingredients to experiment. It made him think Tyrosh was the best place in the world.

['Paradise. This is paradise. Paradise on earth!']

Fae and Courage watched Joe waltz around the spice market with arched brows. It was strange to see someone so hysterically passionate about spices.

"Fae! You got any money?" said Joe.

"Have you been listening? We're dirt-poor orphans, remember?"

"Right! My bad. I got lost in the sauce for a moment there. Okay, the solution is simple enough. We just need to find the biggest asshole in the market. The kind that deserves to get robbed."

But at that moment, just when Joe was about to cry tears of happiness, something tugged at his brain.

Like a ghostly cord attached to his forehead and yanked viciously, suddenly Joe's eyes rolled back, and when he came to his senses, his left eye remained milk-white.

What he saw in his mind's eye was a panicked scene. The runaway family was frantic.

["It's a roundup!"]

The voice was Blake's.

Joe shook his head.

['Hang on a second. . . This is from Ben's perspective. That rat must have called me for something. What's happening back at the hideout?']

"Uhh. . . Fae?" said Joe, "This is bad. I think your hideout is being raided."

"What?!?!?!"

"Yeah. . . Don't ask me how I know, but. . . It looks like trouble."

Fae went pale as snow, "It's a roundup. We have to hurry back!"

Joe groaned, "Now? But we just got here. Didn't you say they could handle themselves?"

"This is different!" cried Fae, "They must have somehow found our hideout. But even if they did, they don't usually attack where we live. They snatch us on the streets. It must be retaliation for what happened earlier. We have to hurry!"

This time, it was Fae's turn to drag Joe along. Although he felt some form of responsibility, given he got involved with Blake and Clare. . , to abandon that glorious spice market almost brought a tear to his eye.

Joe stretched a hand to the market as he was being tugged away.

"NooooooooOOoooOooo!"

"WOOF!"