The Elderly Man's Past (3)

The crowd, having already been a bit cramped, didn't bother worrying about the bumping around of another child in the mix. Though, a few were worried about their money being stolen. Though, that was an unnecessary worry. After all, the common folk wouldn't have much as it is. 

The actions of the few in the crowd, who gripped their coin purse's a bit tighter didn't go unnoticed. He might have been a younger man, but… It wasn't just luck that he managed to survive the last stampede. 

"So it's time then… Good, I'd kind of like this. A laid back job is always nice to have after a life threatening experience like that day." The Swordsman mumbled with a soft sigh. 

The boy came right up to the fruit stand. With an expert grip he grabbed 3 fruits before the swordsman stood up. 

"Hey there boy, what are you up to? You know that stealing is wrong, right?" The Young swordsman said with a smile leaning down a bit. "Why don't you come with me for a little chat." He added as he was about to place his hand on the boy's head. 

The boy seeing this, didn't hesitate to flee. He turned instantly and bolted at top speed. The swordsman whistled softly for a moment watching the boy get away. 

"Wow, he really is quite fast. And he is still holding onto the three fruits he had taken already. Such ability at his age… Oh, I suppose I should catch him now." The swordsman chuckled. 

In the next moment the swordsman practically disappeared in a gust of wind. He went running after the boy making sure to keep an eye on the boy as he ran. A smirk came on his face, one of thoughtfulness and curiosity. 

"If that boy can run like this now… Just what could he be like in the future if given the right training? I've got to know. Huh, so that's what the vendor was talking about. Training the next generation." The swordsman thought just as he caught up to and then grabbed the child. 

"Huh! Let me go! You big bully!" The boy mumbly yelled while flailing about. A fruit stuck in his mouth was the reason why he was mumbling. 

"I'm not going to hurt you. I'm actually curious, you know that stealing is wrong but yet you've stolen every day. And openly too, why is that?" The young swordsman asked. 

"It's not wrong! I'm doing this to survive! My dad died in the stampede! And my mother died years ago! If I don't steal, how am I going to live! And my friends too!" The boy yelled, munching down a bite of the fruit and then catching it again. 

"Hmm, so you've got others to provide for too? With the skills you have now, with just the right touch you could… How about you become a guard for the city?" The Young swordsman suggested wrapping the boy with his left arm. "Oh, don't try to struggle out of my grip, I can hold down some pretty tough monsters by myself." He chuckled as the boy tried to wriggle out of his hold. 

"Ugh! Let me go!" The boy mumbled as he tried to struggle out of the hold, in vain of course. "Wait, what do you mean become a guard? I'm too young to do that! 10 more years before I can even sign up with a guardian's approval… Something that I… I don't have…" He said, letting a few tears come down out of the corner of his eyes. 

"Well then, I'll take you in. I'll even train you so you can use those skills of yours to their fullest. That danger sense you got is also quite interesting. So, how about it?" The young swordsman asked, with a smile, grabbing the fruit out of the boy's mouth so he could give a proper answer. 

"Only, only if my friends can too!" The boy said.

"Of course. Now then what's your name?" The swordsman asked. 

"Ralond!" The boy said, with a slightly more cheerful look on his face. 

"Well, little Ralond. First let us go and pick up those friends of yours. Then go back to the fruit vendor and apologize for the stealing you've done." The swordsman said. "Oh, how many are there?" He added. 

"I have two friends there. A girl and her little brother… He's too small to be alone so she stays with him. Oh, but what was your name?" The young Ralond said, opening up fast. 

"Me? You can call me Ken. Let's go find those friends of yours." The swordsman answered with a warm and kind smile. 

~ An Abandoned Home ~

A girl was hiding in a far corner away from the door to the outside. In her arms was a little boy. The girl was barely 6… Maybe even 5. She was young and clearly struggling. The boy in her arms had some similar features to the girl, enough that it was clear they were related. While related, the boy was much younger. Hardly older than a year. 

Knock… Knock Knock…

…

Knock Knock Knock

The girl heard the knocking at the door and got up holding her little brother. The door opened revealing that it was her friend Ralond and another figure. 

"Ralond… Who's… who's that?" The girl asked, trembling slightly, holding her little brother tighter. 

"He caught me today… His name is…" Ralond started to answer. Stopping when Ken interrupted him. 

"Are you…" Ken started… It can't be… Is that his daughter Ken's left hand clenched behind his back, only for a moment before relaxing once more. "I'm here because I made a promise to young Ralond here. In exchange for training him. I am to take his friends in and shelter them. You'll be able to live in a warm and safe environment. Where you won't have to worry about where your next meal is going to come from. But I'll leave it up to you. Will you come with me? I know my wife would be quite happy to take care of you." He explained, kneeling down with an extended hand.