A Guide to Kingdom Building

Chandea, Year of Severus, 16, I.R., the 1st day of Winter, Broken Springs

------------------------------

"It's too dangerous to go out now, kid." Adaloun sternly answered the distraught child.

The child wiped the snot dangling from his nose all the while looking at the far end of the dark vastness of the forest.

"B-but my family…" The child's voice trembled. "T-they would—" He bit his lip and without saying another word, he went back to the snowy path, digging at the snow as fast as he could to advance his distance.

But he was just too weak to move another footling further. The child collapsed on the ground once again, Adaloun had to pick him up in his arms once more. The child felt cold. The poor boy shivered as the harsh winter breeze blew its icy breath.

Adaloun's skin prickled, albeit he was never bothered by the cold. However, he couldn't jeopardize the child's safety out in the cold.

"We have to get inside and get you some warmth." Adaloun commented sternly. "You will freeze yourself to death here."

The boy gritted his teeth and wanted to oppose his suggestion, but he was too weak to do anything at that point. Adaloun carried the boy back to his shack and placed him in front of the hearth. The fire cracked gently as the boy silently sobbed by the fire.

Adaloun scooped some snow outside and boiled it in the hearth.

"I don't have much," he said as he poured the melted snow on a cup. "But this should warm your body."

The boy simply stared at the steams in the cup for a moment before sobbing once again.

"Kid, I am certain you will die if you risk yourself out there." Adaloun sighed.

"B-but my sister would die tonight if I wouldn't deliver the firewood." The boy's mouth twitched in frustration. "I can't let her die…not tonight…not ever."

Adaloun silently listened from the kitchen, sipping on his melted ice. The boy sobbed once more and helplessly stared at his window, into the snow-ridden ground outside.

It frustrated Adaloun that the child had to go all of that to save a life. The child reminded him of an aspect of himself that he wanted to kill, all along… being selfless. The least he could do was to not let the child experience that traumatic event as early as now.

"You'll die before you get to them." Adaloun said. "It's no use to walk on this thick snow. You should know that yourself, you did it twice and failed miserably. The third time wouldn't be a charm either, it will only cost you your life. Better do it tomorrow, once it clears." He went to his bed and fixed it for the child to sleep on once again.

"She'll need the firewood now! She's freezing to death!" The child shouted hysterically. "Please, she'll die." The child knelt in front of him. "Help me, save my sister." He begged.

Adaloun quietly took a sip at his boiled water. "There's nothing that I can do against this—"

"Liar!" The child said. "You never flinched when the cold air blew earlier. I have lived here all my life and most of the people here would shiver at that breeze that blew earlier. You didn't! Not even a sneeze!"

The child's comment shocked Adaloun. He had never seen a child that was as observant as that child was. Adaloun clicked his tongue and approached the child.

"You have nothing to offer me." Adaloun said. "I am a former mercenary; you will have to pay me in coin if you want my services." He smirked.

The boy stared at him with his big bright eyes. The boy's mouth twitched as he began to pat himself looking for coins that Adaloun knew he didn't have.

Adaloun clearly knew how underhanded he was to the child. Of course, he knew the child didn't have any money in the first place. But he urged himself to say it to the child in order to deter him from heading outside the snow.

The child was still patting his clothes, rummaging the brittle cloth he had to find any form of money he could find.

"See?" Adaloun said sarcastically. "If you can't give me a gold coin then, you stay here for the night. I will give that to you for free."

"But, Aelia will…" The boy mumbled as he looked at the hearth longingly.

Adaloun sighed. "So, I advise to you stay—"

"I can pay you!" The boy said without any hesitation.

"Oh? So, you're giving me a coin upfront?!" Adaloun sipped his water.

"No, I don't have any coin." The child said in a soft but willful voice.

The child suddenly grabbed a thin twig of glowing ember and pointed it at Adaloun. "But I can be your slave."

Just as the boy was about to burn his arm, Adaloun, rushed over to him and quickly grabbed his arm before he was able to brand himself.

"ENOUGH!" Adaloun threw the firewood back to the hearth. "No one needs to be enslaved tonight… or better yet, not ever!" He said as his memories of being a slave came flashing back.

"I will do anything for my family!" The boy's voice was filled with conviction.

"You would." Adaloun nodded. "Obliviously." He unhanded the child and clicked his tongue.

The boy caressed his arm. It seemed like he unfortunately squeezed the poor boy's arm too hard. But the boy never seemed to mind the pain. The boy's eyes met with his. Without uttering a word the boy's gaze meant a thousand thank yous to him.

"Are you willing to help me?" The boy asked.

"Yes." Adaloun took a deep breath as he began picking some left over firewood he had stored. "But are you sure you can take on the cold?"

The boy looked at him. "Yes. For her, I will."

Adaloun shook his head as he cracked a grin. "What's your name, kid?"

"Squeakers." The child answered. "People call me, Squeakers."

"Weird name you have." Adaloun answered while taking his stinky blanket and offering it to the child.  "Wrap this around you. You'll going to need all the warmth in our journey."

Squeakers nodded and wrapped the blanket over his body.  After finishing that, Adaloun opened the door and place the bundle of firewood on his back. He called out Squeakers, who rushed out of his house as quickly as he called him.

"Where to, boy?" Adaloun asked as he gazed at the two bright moons hovering over the sky.

"It's east of here." Squeakers pointed at the direction. "Right past those tall withering trees."

Adaloun raised his eyebrows. "You live there?"

"Yes. I do, mister!" He answered.

"I have a name, Squeakers." Adaloun answered back.

"Oh! Sorry, mister but I don't know yours." The kid said.

Adaloun thought about for a second and realized how ridiculous he was at that moment. He should've agreed to the child's plea in the first place, but he couldn't resist it. There was something in the boy that reflected a piece of him and hated that he wasn't able to control himself in his presence.

The boy's eyes pierced into his as the child waited for his answer. What should he call himself this time? He was certain that Adaloun wouldn't be a good fit for him. In fact he wanted to erase that from his memory.

After a long thoughtful moment, he finally thought of a name.

"Nullus." Adaloun said.