“Thank you for telling me all of that. It means a lot that you shared your story. How about we go find a place to eat?”And come up with a plan. No one should have to live like this, not even in Hell. The Emperor doesn't know it, but he just brought a butter knife to a gun fight, and it's going to be a lesson he won't forget.
Chapter 23
Steve
In my quiet corner of Realm Seven, we don't want for anything. The whole Realm operates on atake what you needbasis. I give additional help to my vendors when they need it and maintain a safe environment for almost all species when they swing by my tavern. If we don't count the ananea incident that happened recently, then it's been years since there were any real threats. It's not an extravagant place, but we offer warm beds to sleep in and a meal to fill your belly. One of the most popular meals we offer is a goulash. It’s filling, and we can vary the recipe depending on the harvest. Sitting here now, though, with Terico shovelling clear broth and bread into his mouth, groaning as if it's the best food he's ever had, is the moment the veil is fully lifted to the atrocities that have taken place here.
It wasn’t just the water. That was only a fraction ofthe punishments that were dealt. The impish suffered to the point that fighting back seemed like the best alternative to starving. The uprising left them defeated, and if this broth is the best food a restaurant can drum up, I hate to think what each household is living off. With our lodgings in the small part of the city designated for inter-Realm travellers, we’ve eaten relatively well, not realising the rest of the city is deprived.
Terico leans back in his chair, his eyes closed as Bellator whispers in hushed tones to the owner. Rosie has barely touched her broth, choosing to nibble on a crust of bread. Her face fell while we ate, her eyes glistening as she watched Terico eat.
“This is the best day ever!” Terico exclaims, patting his belly, sighing gleefully.
“We’ve been so lucky to meet you as well,” Rosie smiles.
“Terico, I have some friends coming I’d like you to meet,” Bellator says softly. The restaurant door opens, and a couple walks in. They hold hands as they look over our table, cementing their gaze on Terico. He has the biggest grin as he stares at Bellator. It's comforting in a way to know his spirit has not been broken like so many others.
Getting up from where I sit, I move to stand behind Rosie, watching as Bellator introduces Terico to his new caregivers.
“This is Gentry and Sellic. Both were mightysoldiers who fought more than one battle at my side. I have asked them to keep an eye on you. Check on your mother, and if you need to, you may live with them.”
Terico’s eyes begin to well, quickly looking at us all before staring at the floor. “You don't want me?”
Rosie breaks away from where she sits, running to cradle him in her arms. Bellator, taking a knee behind her, encircling them in his arms.
“You are so wanted, little man. Don't ever think you are not.” She sobs, small fingers clutching onto her.
Gentry moves to where they are huddled, his hand outstretched, holding a beautifully woven hat. Badges representing each of the battles he risked his life for. Terico rested his head against Rosie's shoulder, looking the two strangers over. You see the way his brow dips for an instant. The moment he decides to pivot on his current journey to start a new one. Both imps smiling wide when he takes the hat, looking it over.
“You have so many,” he whispers. His small fingers trace the edge of each badge.
“I do,” Gentry smiles. “If you want to know a secret, Sellic has even more badges on his hat. He even has a medal.”
Terico’s eyes widen, his whole face lighting up as he lingers in Rosie’s arms before stepping toward Gentry. Sellic raises his arm slightly, testing the water if Terico will take it, and he does so without hesitation.The heaviness in the room lifts, and everyone stands as Gentry takes Terico's other hand. My shoulders sag, the relief washing over me as I watch the bravest small imp enter into his next chapter.
Nodding my thanks, Gentry turns and waves goodbye as they pass the restaurant window. Terico is talking the ear off Sellic already. He will be well cared for. Turning, I see Rosie pressed against Bellator's chest, slow, controlled breaths coming from her.
“Steve,” she rasps, and I immediately move behind her, pressing my front to her back as Bellator and I make a Rosie sandwich.
“He will be fine, Princess, I promise he will be.” I try to comfort her.
Bellator reinforcing, “They are fine soldiers who have wanted a family for a long time. He will be loved, Soulbound.”
“I'm okay, or I will be… we need to do something. I can't live with myself if I see another child forced into that position.”
“Impi, the children are Impi, but yes, we need to do something…” My voice trails off as the faint sound of clanging metal grows louder. Shouts and stomping, no, not stomping,marching, so loud that impish begin to open their windows and doors, trying to see what's happening.
“It is time.”
It could be a twin thing, or it could be intuition, but Bellator nods to me, a whole conversation sharedwithout words.Save her. Love her. Figure out a way for us to be together. Save the impish. Save the city. Rosie's head flies back, her eyes red rimmed from crying. The first guards turn the corner, coming into view, and they don't waver in their path.
Of course, we were watched. There are not many places two orcs and a human can hide without being found.Not that we were hiding.I watch my brother caress his bonded’s face, taking in every inch of her, every detail, before pressing his lips to her forehead.
“I will return to you bonded. No matter what happens, believe that I will return.”
Pulling at his head, she tries to climb higher up his body, begging, “What if I unlock the collar?”
“There are too many guards… we need the impish, Rosie. If you have the impish, you have the power to change.”
