Discovery & Distraction

When Kai was finished showering, Mr Walton was waiting outside impatiently.

"Start up the shop for me while I shower, it'll only take a while." Mr Walton rushed into the bathroom while talking at an extremely fast pace.

"What?" Kai blurted out.

"The delivery is going to come in a minute or so. Take the boxes in and set them near my workbench. Afterwards, from the yard take in the chopped wood logs and put them in the furnace. And then, take some money from the counter to buy us both some breakfast." It was an insanely long speech of instructions. A surprise how someone could even remember all this.

Almost instantly, there was a series of constant knocking coming from the main door that reached Kai's ears. He quickly collected all the boxes one by one. They were heavy but manageable. 

Kai went out to the yard and saw the logs already tied together by Mr Walton in the time he was showering. He carefully carried each bundle of logs into the house. He used half a bundle of logs and stuffed it into the furnace that was filled with ashes. 

Everytime he breathed, he could feel the dust flying to his face. Kai coughed and continued putting in the logs until it was half full. He brushed his hands together to get rid of the remains before moving onto his next task.

Taking some copper coins from the counter, Kai left through the main door and into the streets. He still didn't fully know the whole outline of the village. The only food store he knew was at the houses at the edge of the village where he entered from.

So Kai decided to go for a long walk. From what he knew, Mr Walton's shop and house is in the heart of the village. 

In a few minutes, Kai had finally reached the pathway he knew of. He looked at the house that he was first invited in. Through the windows, he saw a familiar thin black tail swaying from left to right.

Before getting carried away, Kai focused his attention back to the path and continued forwards for a while before reaching the holy grail of food shops. 

There were steam buns, freshly made bread and newly pressed waffles. The smell danced in the air, entering a suspecting victim's nose, alluring them.

Kai was about to head for one of the shops before he spotted something familiar. He went out of the village zone and through the barrier. It made a soft water droplet sound.

The branches beneath him broke. He continued as he pushed the twigs and leaves away from his face. He walked quite a distance before he saw a sign. 

'UNDERGROUND PRISON. ENTRANCE NOT PERMITTED TO UNAUTHORISED PEOPLE.' In a large bold font. It was intimidating to say the least.

He looked forward and saw a dark steep staircase leading downwards. At the end of it stood a rusty and old metal gate. 

Kai stood there for a while and looked around. Though Lithia did say the guards had been dismissed from protecting the village, some were still in charge of the chaos in the prison. 

He stared hard at the metal gate. The gears in his head turned. He stood up and left, turning around. "I'll be back." He murmured, finding his way back to the village.

He proceeded to finish his last task before running back to Mr Walton. He had probably taken too long, doing some sightseeing. 

It was going to be..a good distraction.

Kai reached the shop, astounded to see how many people were already queuing up outside in a line. He opened the door and felt the eyes of people glaring down at him. They must've thought he skipped the queue.

He walked into the shop and could immediately hear the lively chattering of Mr Walton with the customer along with the sounds of the sizzling fire.

"What took you so long?" Mr Walton complained, rushing over and eating the waffles. He quickly returned back to work with small bits left on the corners of his mouth.

"Who is that?" The customer asked, eyebrows raised as he watched the child eat.

"My new helper. He's a nephew of mine."  Mr Walton answered immediately, he sharpened the sword on a metal block handily. 

"Really?" The customer walked towards Kai and leaned down to get a closer look. He was about to advance even further before a clang sounded through the whole room.

In a nonchalant manner, Mr Walton declared, "I've finished. Please pay up and take your leave." 

The customer collected his newly sharpened weapon and took out a sack of coins and placed them on the table, he looked back one last time and walked out.

"You okay?" Mr Walton asked, seeing how Kai was frozen on the spot.

"What can I help you with?" 

Mr Walton made a weird angered expression and looked around the big store to see what Kai could do. "Unpackage those boxes and arrange the items in all those cabinets on the wall." 

In an instant, Kai got to work. He tore up the boxes and opened the cabinets, putting the identical stuff that matched the material into one cabinet and another.

He did this till he was tired and until the sun went down. Kai could feel his eyes getting heavier, his hands slowing down as his work got less accurate.

"Did you get enough sleep?" Mr Walton asked, concerned. The shop had been closed early for today as he needed to reserve some time to custom make an important order.

"Yeah. I need to finish this box, I'll complete the rest tomorrow." Kai shook his head and blinked a few times before focusing back on his work.

Someone knocked on the door a few times. They paused and did it again.

"I'll get it." Kai stood up and walked to the door and took off the tag and tiptoed to see who it was. Lithia Argentia. He immediately took the keys off the shelf and unlocked it.

Mr Walton stopped what his hands were doing and looked at the entrance, as the guest stepped inside the shop as if it was her house.

"What is your reason for yet another unexpected visit?" Mr Walton teased, pulling out a chair for her. He saw her stumbling and struggling to sit on the chair. 

Finally, Lithia managed to sit down with a small faint smile on her face. "I'm sorry for bringing the boy unexpectedly over yesterday and leaving without a reason." 

"No, it's fine. I understand your situation currently. Tell me, is Claude getting better?" 

"I'm not quite sure. Bringing Kai inside our home ticked him off quite a bunch. I wish this month could pass by soon so his anxiety dissipates for a bit and Kai can hopefully return back to my house." 

Mr Walton looked at Kai and shook his head. He looked at Lithia and tapped his fingers on the counter. "There's no need. I don't mind having the boy as a helper. He's been a great companion for the last few hours."

"Really..? But won't it trouble you?" 

"No. In fact, he's been doing rather splendidly taking care of small chores. He'll be able to start working at the furnace soon."

Lithia heaved a sigh of relief. "I'm glad." She looked at Kai and smiled. "I hope you don't mind staying here for a while.. I need to get things sorted out with my grandson."  

"Mhm." Kai replied, finishing up. He was about to leave before he saw a particular green emerald necklace on Lithia's neck.

It wasn't anything special and out of the ordinary but he couldn't get rid of the tingling feeling it gave him the deeper he stared. The essence swirled around in the necklace.

"I'm going to rest. Thanks for coming!" Kai said with a smile before walking off.

Mr Walton frowned and looked at Lithia. He could've sworn Kai was looking at something intensely until he made that weird expression. What was it?

"Well, after seeing he is all fine and you're okay with the current arrangements. I'll take my leave before Claude figures out I'm missing." Lithia got off the chair and took a few small steps back as she regained her composure.

"Are you okay?" Mr Walton rushed to help her. 

"Yeah. It must be from overworking on paperwork today. I'll take a good break and get myself back in top shape." Lithia replied enthusiastically. That couldn't even hide her fatigue.

Lithia said her goodbyes and left with a stagger.