The boy's chest began to heave with excitement as he fervently looked around the small room that, again, would be his for the next three days. His breath continued to increase before he was forced to step back and lean against the wall. Salty tears began to fill his young eyes as he slid down the slightly rough wall until he was sitting with his knees up to his chest. He certainly had never gone without essentials at the orphanage, none of the children had. When it was possible, specifically around the various seasonal celebrations, the children even received small gifts that ranged from sweets to small toys or other objects with an emotional connection. Yet, there was still a sense of loss for each child, though the degree varied, and it was that loss that fueled a type of emptiness, a feeling of not having a place in the world, despite the orphanage's best efforts.

Despite being a less than pleasant feeling, and generally not one a person would look for, over time it had become familiar to Ethan and the other children. The younger an orphan was when they came to the orphanage the stronger the emotions of emptiness and aimless wandering were later in their lives it seemed. Many of the kids would talk about it late into the night trying to find out why they felt the way they did despite all the efforts and care they knew were given from the orphanage on their behalf. Many even dealt with feelings of guilt from what they perceived as their own selfish thoughts and feelings. Now, despite the unfamiliar feelings he was currently experiencing being those of positivity and the result of his continued efforts, it was their very nature of being unfamiliar that was causing him such grief. Mortals of any age, let alone a child, fear the unknown and unfamiliar, their sense of normal being crushed right before their eyes.

As approximately 30 minutes passed Ethan Kipley, the 13 year old would be adventurer went on an emotional white water rapids adventure of excitement, anxiety, guilt, uncertainty, terror, and back to excitement. All of this was accompanied by an extremely ugly and distorted face as large tears and snot seemingly flowed freely from his eyes and nose. He hugged his legs tightly against his body, crushing his chest with his knees, while leaning back against the solid wall subconsciously seeking a solid support to help prop up his body. Shortly after his wet emotional ride ended back at excitement he tried to clean his face off as much as possible with the sleeves of his shirt. While it helped to clear the snot and such he managed to cover his face in smears of wet dust and plaster. Clearing his throat and randomly hiccuping from the physical outpouring he carefully got to his feet and finally took stock of the room.

Large support beams stood along the parameter of the room every 10 feet or so with plaster covered stone and mortar between them. The mostly smooth walls were bare except for three oil lamps hanging around the room at various locations. One was on a small nightstand next to the single bed, while one was hanging by a small window located in the center of the wall across from the door, next to where the third and final lamp hung also hung on the wall. Under the window was a small table with a drawer and chair that could be used for eating or working he supposed. Further down the wall with the door was also a thigh high two drawer cabinet next to a chest of similar size.

Despite his desperate need to clean up he couldn't help but move over the chest with increasing curiosity. Kneeling down in front the piece of furniture he noticed an unlatched lock with a key sticking out of hanging from a metal clasp. He slipped the unlatched lock from the clasp and opened the chest to reveal, well, an empty chest.

"So much for treasure." He thought to himself with a small smile.

Noticing a small piece of scroll on the bottom he reached in and pulled it out. On it was a simple explanation of its purpose.

"For personal item storage. Chest it bolted to the floor and only has one key. Loss of key will result in additional fees and possibly extreme pain. - Badger"

Ah there was his typical response to bodily harm by a woman; he audibly gulped upon reading the piece of parchment and quickly returned it to the bottom of the chest. Taking a deep breath he couldn't help himself and tried to move the metal reinforced wooden chest. It didn't budge... at all. Well at least it was secure. Standing he moved back to the door to pick up the pack that had fallen from his shoulder when he collapsed and took it over to the table by the window. Enough late afternoon light was coming in through the window that he didn't need light the lanterns to see inside the pack as he moved things around.

After carefully removing his second pair of clothes and placing them on the bed he also took a few coins out of his small leather purse placed them on top of the voucher that sat next to the clothes along with the key to his door. He then went over to the chest and deposited his pack with his remaining items and was about to shut the door before thinking of something. Kneeling down he undid one of the leather ties on the front of the pack to pull it free before finally shutting and locking the chest. Walking back over the bed he slipped the leather strap through the holes on the end of the keys and knotted it off after creating a loop large enough to slip it over his hand and onto his wrist with a bit of effort.

"There!" He said to himself with some pride in his idea.

After slipping the small amount of coins into a small pouch hanging from his rope belt he rolled up his clothes with the voucher tucked carefully in the folds and moved to the door. After closing it behind him he locked it and then made his way back downstairs to the main floor. About halfway down the steps his mouth began to water as the smells associated with the preparation of dinner began to tease his nostrils as the scents twisted and danced from the fireplace and kitchen. A "Grrrrrrr!" Suddenly erupted from his stomach by the time he got to the bottom of the steps.

Author's Note: Please see the following summary for recent changes/corrections I've made to the existing chapters as of 11/6/20.