The Start of... Something

The dimming sky made the shadows cast by the tall alleyways that much darker as we traversed through the filth, our footsteps echoing softly around the area as we made our way back towards one of the cleaner, more visited portions of the lower residential area.

I appreciated the heavy weight of the dagger against my leg as I walked, enjoying the reassurance of being armed with something besides my wits and experience, and having something to keep myself safe going forwards.

The world could be an uncaring, cruel mistress, and I had experienced her cold touch too many times before to understand the importance of having a weapon on myself at all times.

My new shadow remained as close as ever now as we traveled back towards our temporary shelter, the familiarity of the paths and scents soothing them slightly the closer we got.

Emerging into the wide clearing, I glanced around from the entrance of the alleyway before stepping out cautiously, my eyes scanning over the few people traveling the roads and returning to their homes as I searched for any threats or suspicious people.

I made my way towards the bridge and sat against the stone structure, my back resting against it as I stared out over the river, keeping my hearing focused as I took a moment to relax, easing my cramps and sore muscles from a long days work.

Taking a seat beside me, the red eyed child looked out over the river as well, before they turned to stare at me in silence.

For a few moments I ignored their gaze, but eventually I sighed and glanced at them, asking "Is there something you needed?"

Pursing their lips, they turned back towards the river and remained quiet, making me sigh again as I continued to rest.

"Teach me... how to deal with those thugs. Like how you did."

The raspy voice that I had seldom heard made me sigh yet again, my fingers drumming against the dagger resting against my thigh as I observed the ripples inside the water created from the small fish swimming around.

"Teach you to how to protect yourself? Why should I? What's in it for me?"

Frowning at me, they fixed me with their red eyes for a few seconds, thinking over their answer.

"I'll be your follower... lackey."

"Why would I need a lackey? I can do well enough on my own."

Their frown deepened, and they stared at me in confusion as they muttered "Two is greater than one. We are young now, sure, but... what about in a year? Two years? Surely you realize there is no hope remaining on your own in these slums..."

I frowned too, looking back towards them as I asked "Why would you assume I'll stay here? I could always leave, find something better for myself."

They shook their head hard, their matted black hair bouncing around as they replied "Nowhere to go, not for 'rats' like us. Kicked away, shunned. No identification. No one would take us in, not even the churches. Where would you go? A new slum? For what reason?"

"Identification? Ah, for... 'course..."

Rubbing my chin, I shook my head as I cursed inwardly, my neighbor providing me a rather useful nugget of information.

Identification... something to verify citizenship, perhaps?

Or just something to make things smoother inside the government.

Not something I could forge just yet, since I have no idea what system they use, nor what is needed and what makes it, so...

"Damnit. That's a pain..."

I rested my head against the bridge, still feeling the gaze of the red eyed child beside me.

"So you want to be my... 'lackey'? Wouldn't forming a gang be counterintuitive? Strength in numbers, sure, but that sort of affiliation leaves a bad taste in normal people's mouths."

"And? Why should we care about the 'normal people' when they don't care about us?"

I opened my mouth to reply before falling quiet again, half agreeing with them as I tapped my fingers against the dagger again, finding reassurance in the cold steel.

What sort of opportunities would that open for me, and how much work would be required for it?

Gang wars and territory disputes, backstabbing members, keeping everything under my control...

Sounds like a pain in the ass honestly, but everything has benefits to warrant some cons... most of the time, anyways.

A group of people loyal to my strength, willing to do as I say would be the primary benefit, which would include tithes...

If I trained them and managed their strength, couldn't I create something wonderful?

Knowing what they were good at, weak to, unable to do... those would be perfect leverage, especially if I formulated it in a way that gave me the ability to manipulate everything in the way I wanted it to go; not everyone wants to bite the hand that feeds them, especially if that hand is complimented by a very big, painful stick.

Loyalty through a mixture of fear, respect, admiration and more would go a long way, I suppose...

"Ah... sure, fine, whatever... I could use the workout, I suppose, but I'll make the final decision at the end of everything, alright? No promises... Now go get some sleep. Shoo."

I brushed them away, making them shake their head again before getting up from my side of the bridge, allowing me to slip beneath the stone structure and sprawl out.

My ears remained perked for any approaching sounds as I lay there, listening for anything that might be danger as the sun finally set, leaving the city shrouded in darkness.

Thoughts of what was to come fluttered around in my head, and I was curious to see just what I might be able to do with this weak body tomorrow, as well as what my neighbor might be capable of too...

This might be the start of... something great, maybe?

Or something worthless, who knows.

~~~

Ooh~

A more brusque version of Tiberius, perhaps~?

One that's more... physically demanding, perhaps..?

Mmm...

~~~