Closing the windows, I sighed at the setting sun.

“You said you’d be quick,” I complained as I latched the little metal lock to secure the windows.

Honestly it was pointless. Anyone who could climb to these windows didn’t need them to be unlocked as to get in. They’d simple break them. But I’d hate to be the one who let intruders in simply because I hadn’t locked up properly.

Before I stepped away, I studied the little cactus plant sitting on the ledge beneath the windowsill. It was a little… greener, it seemed, since I had been given it. But I didn’t water if often. Merit had made it very clear that I should only give it a little water, and sparingly.

Which was why it was still here in my room, and not on the roof. Merit said it would have died if we had replanted it up there in the garden. It would have drowned from all the rain.

A plant.

Drowning.

“The world is full of weird things,” I whispered as I glanced at my finished painting.

It was still on the easel, even though I kind of wanted to replace it with a fresh blank canvass.

I had hundreds of paintings to finish, after all. I knew it’d take me years. Especially once Vim and I returned to traveling together. So I wanted to use every moment I could to paint… but…

“But moments with others are precious, too,” I whispered as I stared at the two I had painted.

Spending my free time painting here in this room was not the best use of my time. There were people here I needed to spend as much time with as I could. Especially since those in the paintings I wished to repaint and replace were gone too.

Those I wanted to paint were the very proof that I shouldn’t waste all my time alone, painting the past.

Why waste time on those gone, when those still alive were still here?

“A hard choice,” I whispered.

Especially when there were those like Vim who could cry just by seeing those very paintings.

They were gone, based off Vim’s telling of them.

Rungle and Stumble.

Stumble was an odd name for a young girl… The origin of it was obvious, but…

How did they know she’d stumble often? It wasn’t like she’d be stumbling around while a baby.

Although getting lost in thought as I stared at the painting, I still heard the light footsteps approaching my room.

A tiny moment of my heart increasing its pace came and went, as the realization that there was no way it was Vim came quickly.

Vim’s footsteps were rarely heard, and when they were… they weren’t that light and soft. The whole world noticed when he allowed it.

Although not the man who had promised to return quickly, I wasn’t too unhappy to open my door and find Merit beyond it.

She smirked up at me. “You’re very perceptive.”

“I am?” I wasn’t sure if she was teasing me or not, based off that smile on her face.

“I’m glad you’re dressed this time. Get a hat on, and a jacket of some kind. We’re going out,” Merit said.

“We are?” I asked, but quickly went to oblige. Go out? With Merit?

Threaten me with a good time.

Hurrying over to my dresser, I quickly put my leather hat on that Lellip had made me. Then I put on the heavy cloak that had the Animalia’s emblem sewn onto the back of it.

As I got ready, I was about to turn and ask where we were going… then realized the mistake I had just made.

Standing still, motionless… was Merit.

A few feet from the door, in my room.

Staring at the painting.

Uh oh.

Going as still as her, I tried to think of what to say or do. Vim had asked me to not let anyone see this one. He had specially asked me to try and not let anyone see it and…

Merit suddenly took a deep breath, and all of my worry shattered and turned into concern as I watched my friend start to cry.

“Um…” I hesitated as Merit stepped forward, her eyes never left the painting even as they filled with tears. Even as her face scrunched up.

A few moments passed as Merit stared up at the painting. The easel wasn’t that tall, but it was still taller than her. Luckily she had come alone… wait… sometimes Sofia came here with her…

Stepping past her and the easel, I did my best to not stare too much at Merit’s face. It was wrought with emotion, which was strange since she was crying so quietly.

Going to the door, I peered around the door frame to make sure no one else was nearby. Once I was sure, I went ahead and closed the door.

With a small sigh I took off the cloak I had just put on. I held it on my arm as I stepped up next to Merit.

So she knew them too.

“I’m painting… those that were lost. In the fire, in Ruvindale,” I explained to her.

Merit shifted, and her head turned a little. As if to look at me… but her eyes never left the painting. “The fire…” she whispered.

I nodded. “I spent several months at the Sleepy Artist… as you know. I saw a lot of the paintings there, while I was there. And… well…” I stopped talking as I realized I wasn’t sure exactly what to say.

After all maybe this was not something I should be doing.

To me it made sense. I could remember those paintings in detail. I had the skill to paint them.

So I should.

But maybe…

“Did you know them?” Merit asked me.

“Rungle and Stumble? No. Vim had to tell me their names,” I said softly.

Merit took another deep breath. I heard her shiver as she did. “I see.”

I gulped softly, and dared a glance at her. She was still crying.

This was strange.

Somehow I felt more uncomfortable than even when Vim had been crying. Though he had not cried as hard as she was now… she seemed like she was a hairsbreadth from actually breaking. If she began sobbing I’d not be shocked at all.

Then of course I’d probably start crying too…

“I never saw this painting,” Merit whispered.

“Oh…” I awkwardly flinched. I should be able to say more than that, come on Renn!

“Rungle was a good man. Pirta wasn’t the smartest but she was a good friend, too,” Merit said.

Pirta… Maybe the mother?

It was interesting to hear the same thing from her that Vim had mentioned, though. He had also said that Rungle had been a good man.

A few moments passed in silence as Merit studied the painting. She kept crying, but had a smile on her face as she did… So I didn’t worry for her too much.

While Merit studied the painting, I stared at the spot near the young girl’s head. In her hair, there was a tuft. One I didn’t think I had painted properly. I could see it in my head, when I brought the memory of the painting up… but something about the swirls in her short hair were off to me. Maybe they didn’t go to the left, but to the right…

“What do you plan on doing with this? When it’s time for you to leave?” Merit asked suddenly.

“Huh…? Oh… Uh…” That was a very good question… it was far too big to carry, even if I wrapped the canvas up…

“Can I have it?” Merit turned to look at me.

I stood up straighter, and wasn’t sure what to say.

Merit smiled at me, and then blinked a few times… and I noticed the dryer eyes after she squeezed out her last few tears. “I’ll hang it up in my room. To keep it safe,” she said.

“Oh… I… I’d be okay with that, I think. I’ll have to ask Vim though, Merit. I’ll be honest I actually haven’t thought about what to do with the things I paint once I’m done with them,” I said.

I should have. It was so obvious. I wanted to replace what had been burnt… to preserve the memories. Yet how could I do that while on the road?

“I can tell. I’d say maybe hang it downstairs, but…” Merit sighed, and then shook her head. “They were my friends. Not theirs,” Merit finished.

Oh…?

Merit frowned, then looked away and began to wipe her face off with her forearms. “Let’s go. Or else I’ll stand here all night crying,” she said.

“Right…” I nodded, and wasn’t sure what to feel about that. Should I feel bad, or take that as a compliment?

“Vim told you not to let anyone see it, didn’t he?” Merit asked as she headed for the door.

I nodded as I went to putting the cloak back on.

“Of course he did. He’s gentle that way…” Merit paused before the door, with her hand on the handle. She glanced past me to the painting. I waited patiently as she studied it for a moment once more.

“It’s finished, Merit… so if he says yes you can have it now,” I said gently.

“Hm… You paint really well. Is that the only one? Other than that village you painted?” Merit asked.

“So far yes. I have another blank canvas I plan on using soon, for another,” I said with a gesture to it. It was near the bed.

“Who are you painting next?” she asked.

“Honestly Merit… I don’t really know any of the people I plan on painting. I hadn’t even known their names, until Vim saw it a few weeks ago,” I said.

“I see. That makes sense. Let me know when you start the next one. Can I watch?” Merit asked as she opened the door.

“I… I don’t see why not. Since you know now, anyway,” I said with a small laugh.

“You shouldn’t be so intent on keeping secrets, Renn. I know you want to be like Vim, but really,” Merit said with a sigh.

Leaving my room, I chuckled as I closed the door behind me. “Rather than secrets, I was just hoping no one would notice it so I didn’t have to worry about it,” I said honestly.

“That’s one way to live, I guess! Usually backfires often, though,” Merit gave me a kind warning, but the way she was talking told me it was far from serious. She was just making small talk, mostly.

“Is it strange, Merit? That I… What I’m doing?” I asked her.

“You’re very strange Renn. You wish to join Vim. You’re even attracted to him, for crying out loud! Painting… or well, doing what you’re doing isn’t that strange compared to your fascination with Vim. So don’t worry about it. If anything I’d personally say it’s very sweet of you,” Merit said.

“He is a little plain, but he’s not that bad,” I said as we rounded a corner.

Merit grinned as she let loose a laugh. It sounded good, better than usual. More real.

Maybe crying earlier made her more emotional.

“Should we be leaving even though Fly will be showing up soon?” I asked.

“Brandy and the rest will take care of her, it’s fine. Plus we won’t be too long,” Merit said.

I nodded as we reached the metal doors that protected the Society Housing area. Merit easily opened the door, and I closed it behind us.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“The Sunken Barrel,” Merit said.

“Oh?” I couldn’t help but grow excited.

“You’ve been there already?” Merit asked as we headed for the stairs.

“No. But Reatti’s told me of it. She said a lot of us go there, that the food is good and the owners are members,” I said.

“Well, quasi-members. Something similar to your eastern girl,” Merit said.

“Right,” I nodded. Yes. Some members didn’t see the human members as actual members.

It was interesting that Merit was one of them.

But maybe not, at the same time.

Maybe it was her age.

It did seem the older one was the more that they hated the humans…

But that didn’t explain Vim, if that was the case.

Fly didn’t seem to like humans at all, but that was likely thanks to her circumstances.

She was too inhuman to blend in with them… so of course they’d be seen as enemies. Real ones.

“Shouldn’t we wait until Vim gets back?” I asked as we headed down the stairs towards the main lobby, the one between the bank and depot.

“He’s the one we’re going to see, Renn,” Merit said as she glanced at me. She was walking down the stairs in front of me, so it was a little odd to see her look up at me the way she did. She just tilted her head back, as if she was staring up at the sky. Hopefully she didn’t trip.

Merit easily made it to the bottom of the stairs without a fumble, and I smiled down at her. “Still… he asked me to stay, with you and the rest just in case, while he’s gone…” I said.

“I’m sure he did. We’ll not be long. And the Sunken Barrel isn’t far. It’s only two streets over,” she said.

“Okay…” I nodded. I wasn’t sure if I really liked the idea of leaving the Society so defenseless… but…

Well…

Even if I was here, it wasn’t really like it was defended anyway.

I was no Vim. Not yet, at least.

And Merit…

A few of the human workers waved at us as we left, but none of the Societies members were in the main lobby. Were they at this sunken barrel place too?

Glancing at the very young looking girl I was walking next to as we crossed the street, I wondered if Merit really was as strong as I thought she was.

It was so hard to believe, based off appearance alone. She barely stood half my height, and looked scrawny enough to weigh even less than half than I did.

Not that I’d say such a thing, of course. Not aloud. And least of all to her.

“Do you plan on painting a lot of… them? Renn?” Merit asked as we rounded a corner, heading deeper into the city.

“As many as I can remember, yes.”

“I see. You have very good memory. You paint well. You even got Stumble’s freckles right, I think,” Merit said.

Oh? She meant the few under her eyes, near her nose. A few dozen of them, though I wasn’t sure if I really got them as right as she was saying I did.

How could one really remember such minute details? On people…

Wait. Merit said she never saw that painting. Which meant she was comparing that painting to her memories. Of the people themselves, not a painting of them.

“You said you never saw that painting before, Merit?” I asked her.

She nodded. “I spent most of my life in the south, after joining the Society. I… well… I tried to help the Society create a kingdom, during the war. So although I met many of our members, especially those from that time period, I didn’t spend much time this far north so never saw such things. I’ve only ever been to the Cathedral twice, you know?” Merit explained.

“Really?” My mind whirled as I absorbed the information.

A kingdom.

Vim had mentioned such things before.

So she had been a part of that…

“See? Not far at all,” Merit pointed in front of us, and I groaned.

Not far indeed. I had barely noticed. Down the street, across from us, was a well lit building. It had people coming and going from it, and it seemed they were…

“I see,” I understood the place’s namesake as we approached the sunken stairwell. The entrance was a large staircase, which headed into the ground… to what was undoubtedly the basement of the building.

Merit and I walked around a small group of men, who were deep in conversation, and entered the Sunken Barrel. As we descended into the underground restaurant, I took note of the wooden planks that made up… well…

Nearly everything. The floor. The walls. The ceiling. The oddest part was it all looked… old. Too old. Most of this city was stone. A pretty, clean, stone… yet here was a wooden building. One I was used to. Or well, more used to, than the normal ones here in Lumen.

It smelled like food and wine, and there was a thick smell of burning candles. Scented ones… ones that stunk a little, but was better than the stink of ale.

“Aye, Merit!” A portly man greeted us at the bottom of the stairwell. He was big enough to nearly block the large double-doors that led into the building.

“Shalt. Lose some weight already,” Merit said to the man as we passed him.

“As soon as you grow an inch, I will!” he laughed as I nodded in greeting to him. He nodded back, and quickly looked away as to address and greet some people who had followed us down the stairs.

The world became noisy as we entered the establishment, and I quickly felt as if I had returned to the northern lands.

People were all over. Most seated at square tables, situated on top of wooden barrels, while the rest were lined up along the bars, which seemed to line nearly the whole place. It looked as if there were three separated bars, one for each wall.

“Hm… do you see him Renn?” Merit asked as we paused a moment.

Oh. Right. She was too short to look around well enough… Although most people were sitting, thanks to her height they may as well be standing.

Quickly looking around, I stopped studying the place as to find Vim quickly.

At first I didn’t, but then I noticed a familiar movement. A lifted hand, waving at us.

“In the corner, that way,” I said to Merit.

She nodded and hurried towards Vim. She seemed to know her way around, based on the way she understood. Maybe Vim always sat in that corner. Wouldn’t surprise me… Vim was a man of habit.

Wading through the tables, I noticed that there were a lot of barrel themed things here. Not just the tables, but some of the chairs were fashioned out of old barrels too. The lamps were designed like little lit up barrels, and there were barrel trash bins all over.

“You ordered already?” Merit complained as we reached Vim and his table. He sat alone, but the table was already littered with plates and cups. Probably enough for more than just us three… were more coming?

I couldn’t help but smile at Merit as she grumbled a complaint while she climbed up on one of the chairs. Like usual, she chose the biggest and tallest one to use. Even though there were three available, and one would have been nearly perfect height for her.

Sitting next to her, across from Vim, I glanced around the table for…

Yes. There. I couldn’t help but smile as I reached over to grab the delicious fruity drink.

It was in a large cup, and I could tell by how cold it was and the lack of anything floating on the top of the liquid’s surface that it was fresh. Vim had likely ordered the food shortly before we arrived.

“Sometimes I hate it when you remind me how long we’ve known one another,” Merit complained as she too grabbed a drink.

Vim didn’t seem too bothered by her words as he watched Merit take a drink and pull a plate of bread closer to her.

“Do you mean he got you what you wanted?” I asked after taking a nice long drink of what I had wanted.

“Yes. Makes me realize how simple I am,” Merit said as she started to stuff her mouth with bread.

Simple… did she mean that she enjoyed the simple meals, or that she only really ever ordered the same things so it was easy for Vim to remember her preferred dishes?

“If that’s the case I’m simple too,” I said as I went to take another drink.

“You’re talking as if this place has more than a handful of dishes, Merit. Really,” Vim sighed as he shook his head.

“Shush. Did you get it?” Merit asked with a mouthful.

The seriousness in her voice made me pause for a moment. If not for the mouth full of bread one would think she was upset.

Without a word, or a nod, Vim pulled something out from beneath the table. Maybe it had been on his lap…? It was small, and black and…

“A book?” I asked as I watched him hold it out to Merit over the table.

I startled when Merit shot upward, making the table shake and plates clatter as she childishly grabbed the book out of Vim’s hand.

“Haha!” Merit took the book with a huge smirk. She was full of glee as she hurriedly opened the book to a random page, and seemed to read something real quick. After only a glance, she shut the book quickly and then closed her eyes and shivered violently.

“Merit?” I worried for my odd friend. So many emotions so quickly were not normal for her.

“Thirty two years!” Merit sounded as if she was about to cry again.

“Thirty two years…?” I asked worriedly. What was wrong?

“Since the last one. The last release,” Vim said as he picked up a knife and fork, to go about cutting some meat.

“Release…?” What did he mean?

“It’s nearly twice as big as the last one, too! Oh what joy!” Merit squeezed the book close to her chest, squirming in joy. She looked like a child more than ever, yet… there was a strange hint of maturity in the way she was smiling.

“A member of ours writes stories. They’re popular among the Society,” Vim said as he finished cutting up his meat and began to eat.

Stories! Suddenly I too was very interested in the small black book Merit was holding close.

Yes. I’d protect it with such fervor too.

“This is the fourth installment of this series. The second series, so far,” Merit happily told me.

“Wow…” I tried to think of it. Thirty odd years for the fourth… so…

Hundreds of years?

I couldn’t imagine waiting that long. But maybe that was what made it so good… “Wait, is that what Brandy wanted you to get?” I asked Vim.

He smiled and nodded. “She didn’t want you to know so she could read it first, Renn. She’s selfish like that,” Vim said.

“Indeed! But I had a favor in stock, haha,” Merit giggled happily as she looked at the book, studying its cover and spine closely… there didn’t look to be anything special about the black leather, but maybe there was something unique about it.

“Did Fly show up before you left?” Vim asked after swallowing a bite.

I shook my head as I watched Merit groan while doing her best to not open the book and start reading it. It looked as if it was taking great effort for her not to open the book and begin reading here and now.

“I don’t get it either, Renn. They’re not even that good,” Vim said, likely noticing the amazement upon my expression as I stared at Merit.

“Huh…?” I flinched as Merit glared at Vim, losing her happy smile.

“Shut your filthy mouth,” she scorned him, the malice was thick enough in her voice even people nearby at other tables turned to look at us.

I ignored the odd looks as Merit nearly growled at Vim, who smirked absentmindedly as he ate.

“So… is the uh…” What did they call themselves…? “Authors? Is the author here in Lumen?” I asked. I’d like to meet someone who wrote books.

“No. Only Vim knows who they are. He’s a jerk,” Merit said as she started to move cups and plates away from her, as if afraid the book was going to get dirty or ruined if she didn’t.

“Rude,” Vim said.

“You are! He says there are only two series… but I’ve heard the rumors. You’re a bastard, Vim,” Merit said.

He frowned, which made me frown too. “Rumors?”

She nodded quickly as she pulled the book even closer to her chest, as if to shield it from Vim’s eyes. “There are more books out there, I hear. He’s either hiding them or destroyed them, because he’s a cold bastard,” Merit said.

Glancing at Vim, in search of some honesty or at least some understanding of her words… Vim only shrugged. “They think because I don’t like them, I’ve allowed some to get lost to time or something. Which is ridiculous. Just because I don’t like them doesn’t mean I’d destroy them. I’m not the church,” Vim said.

“Ah… right? He believes in free will… I don’t think Vim would destroy books,” I said.

“He destroyed those paintings, didn’t he?” Merit asked me.

My heart nearly stopped.

He had.

Vim sighed as I joined Merit in her glaring.

We glared at him together, until a waitress walked by. She must have known Vim and Merit for they exchanged pleasantries as she did so. Plus she didn’t ask if we needed anything, implying she knew Vim would ask if we did.

“Hmph. Though I suppose I shouldn’t badmouth you too much. You did bring this, and honor your promise, at least,” Merit then said.

“I keep the ones I can,” Vim said.

“Promise?” I asked him.

He nodded. “An old one. What… you said thirty two years? So almost thirty years, then. Please don’t ask for interest,” Vim said.

Merit chuckled as she glanced at the book in her hands. She smiled warmly at it.

“Why not read it?” I asked. Waiting that long… I’d have opened it the moment I got my hands on it.

“Shut your mouth. This is precious, Renn. It needs to be savored. Treasured. Plus…” Merit’s face contorted a little. As if she wasn’t sure if she wanted to glare at me, or smile.

“She’s too kind to be the first to read it,” Vim said after a moment.

“Oh? Why? It doesn’t look that big, shouldn’t take too long,” I said. I bet she could nearly finish it by the time we finished eating.

“Everyone will want to read it, Renn,” Merit said softly.

“Hm…” Vim nodded.

“Why not read it together then?” I asked. That sounded wonderful. One person could read it aloud, and everyone could sit and listen together… the thought of it was fascinating.

“We do. But only after everyone has a chance to read it alone,” Merit said.

“I see…” I frowned at her answer.

Vim put his knife down, seemingly done with his meat. There were only a few pieces left. “Everyone enjoys books in their own ways, Renn. Do we have the first volume of the series here, Merit?” Vim asked.

“Just the first and third. Brandy took the second to the Bell Church a few years ago and we haven’t got it back yet,” Merit said.

Sitting silently as Vim and Merit talked about who has what books, and when the last time Merit had seen them… I couldn’t help but smile at them.

How neat. They were talking about something so precious, yet shared willingly and openly with the whole Society.

“Why not make copies?” I asked after a moment.

“They think it’s rude to the author. But that’s dumb,” Vim said.

“It’s not! You’re just…” Merit was about to lambast Vim with profanities, but went quiet as a nearby empty table grew full. People were sitting down.

Seemed most of the place was getting busy. But it was now dinner time, so it made sense.

“I’ll get you the first one, Renn. I think Magda has it now. You’ll suffer having the third and fourth in reach, but not the second... but it’s better than nothing!” Merit told me.

“Thanks,” I nodded and looked forward to it. Hopefully I enjoyed it just as much as she seemed to.

“And so!” Merit nodded as she then turned and got off her chair… seemingly as to leave.

“Huh?” I sat up, and wondered if she meant we really were going to leave now… but…

Glancing at the table of food, and my cup which was still half full…

“Take the cup, Renn,” Vim said gently.

“But…” I glanced at a nearby plate of honey soaked ham. It smelled delicious.

“Come on! I said we’d not be long, remember?” Merit ushered me to hurry, but I knew she only wanted to get back quickly so she could get to reading.

I sighed and nodded, but not before grabbing a few pieces of bread from the plate Merit had been eating from.

The bread was still warm, which was good… but also made me sad that I wouldn’t get to enjoy the rest.

“See you later,” Vim said with a light wave.

“Not coming?” I asked as Merit turned and headed for the exit.

He shook his head. “I’ll be done in a minute. I want to talk to the owner before I go,” he said.

Owner of the restaurant… right. They were members. And unlike Merit and the others, Vim saw the humans as genuine members too.

“Alright…” I nodded and turned, to follow Merit.

She was gone, for a moment… until I found her again. She was now near the door, impatiently waiting for me.

“She’s quick when she has a purpose,” Vim said with a chuckle.

“I see that,” I said as I hurried to catch up.

It took a little longer to get out of the place than it did to get in, thanks to it being fuller. In fact the stairwell was so crowded that Merit and I had to nearly hug the wall and handrail, thanks to how many people were waiting in line.

“Oh I can’t wait… The last one ended so painfully, you know,” Merit mumbled as we headed out onto the street.

“I’m sure this one will be worth the wait,” I said to her.

“For sure! The weight of it alone tells me how great it will be! It weighs more than gold!” Merit happily lifted the book, enthralled in it as if it was a beautiful moon.

She looked beautiful with that happy smile on her face. I’d have to thank Vim later. And the author of this supposed book.

I had made her cry earlier, so this was definitely…

“I swear. Ending on a death is just so rude. I mean really, who does that! And…!” Merit began to rant about the last book, which I somewhat tried to ignore… since she seemed to forget I hadn’t read any of them yet.

And because of me doing my best to not pay attention… I only noticed once it was too late.

Merit didn’t notice either. Out of the corner of my eye, as the sack was being put over my head, I saw and heard Merit still blabbering on about the book. She was walking in front of me, and didn’t see them come out from the alley to our right. From slightly behind us.

Although I hadn’t noticed until they were already grabbing me… I still fought back. I still did my best. I swung my cup, with all of its precious fruity drink, and hit one of the men in the head. It cracked and broke upon impact. He stumbled… but the three others didn’t falter. In fact my efforts to stop them from grabbing me only seemed to make them even more serious.

Taking a deep breath to shout for Merit’s attention, and hopeful help, I just barely got it out before the sack covered my head fully… and something was wrapped around me. Rope, likely. It was wrapped quickly and tightly… tightly enough that even I couldn’t fight it. So tight it hurt my tail.

I felt my hat slide off, but at the moment the last thing I cared about was being seen by anyone… as I was lifted off my feet.

Several hands held onto me, and even though I squirmed and tried to get free it was pointless.

Screaming, I heard Merit’s voice. I heard shouting. But it was fading. Moving away.

I was being carried away.

Kidnapped.

And the pointy claws digging into me even through the thick sack, the stench of sewers, and the guttural growls of beasts told me exactly who my kidnappers were.