Page 26 of Storms & Sacrifice
“Actually, I’m an orphan.” Liss’s and my eyes go wide. “No, no! It’s okay. I was raised by the church. I’m not even sure if I reallyaman orphan or not.” She tries to give us both a cheerful smile.
“I am so sorry, Corrine. I had no idea.” I feel like such an asshole right now. “Is there anyone else you wanna contact? Someone from the church?”
“Oh gosh, no. I can only imagine what Father Mitchell would say about this.” She shakes her head quickly. “Thank you, though.”
“How else are you doing?” Out of everyone in here, Corrine is probably who I’m most worried about. “Nate said they have you transcribing books?”
“Yes! It can be a little monotonous, but some of the books they have us working on are very informative. A lot about the history of the city or local customs. It’s really interesting! Not that Nate thinks so.”I recall his complaints.“I also joined this really nice Bible-study group with some of the other...prisoners.” She hesitates on thelast word.
“There’s people who follow the same religion as you in there?” Khazak did mention that before.
“A couple! It’s not a ‘Bible-study’ exactly—it’s open to everyone,” she starts recounting happily. “We all get together and recount stories and fables from our faiths, and then we compare to similar tales in others. There are so many parallels in scriptures from all over the world. It’s fascinating!”
“That’s great, Cor.” I smile as I listen to my friend tell me about one of the few bright spots in her life, wishing I could somehow make itbrighter.
“I’m a horrible friend,” I croak as I leave the labor camp with Khazak.
“Why do you say that?” He follows after me, soundingconcerned.
“Because I’m out here partying while they sit in jail.” I almost wish Ihadwoken up hungover, then I’d at least feel as bad physically as I do mentally. “I almost missed seeing them today because I was up all night drinking and dancing at a bar and on a dancefloor my friends set up!”
Things are silent for a moment. “I understand why you feel guilty, David, but this is beyond your control.” The logical side of me knows that’s true, but the rest of me wants to yell at that side to shut up. “Even though I know it does not feel this way, their predicament is not your fault, nor can you help the way your own has worked out. Even as misguided your attempts have been, you have done your best to help them.”
“It just feels wrong to be having fun while they toil away in there,” I grumble, stuffing my hands in my pockets.
A hand rubbing my back tries to offer me some comfort as we return home. It’s still pretty early, and we don’t have anywhere to be just yet, so after a small breakfast, Khazak coaxes me back into bed for a nap. I’m still tired from the morning, so it doesn’t take much before I’m drifting off next to him.
“Feeling any better?” Khazak asks when he feels me wake a few hours later.
“A little.” There’s still some guilt, but I guess it’s settled. “Still wish there was something I could do to help them.”
“You have done and tried to do a lot for them, David. Including severalillegalthings you were nearly rearrested for yourself.”Oh hey, there’s some more guilt.“You have done all you can. The rest is out of your hands.”
“Yes, Sir.” I sigh.
“Come. We have a busy day ahead of us.” He leads the way to the bathroom. “I am going to show you a few cleaning techniques to prepare for our ‘demonstration’ atBrull’s.”
“Can’t I just use the charm?” That thing is unbelievably handy.
“Normally yes, but we will be getting dinner right after, and we will want to save it for our plans in the evening.” That sounds a little ominous but also like it will probably be fun.
“Yes, Sir.” I’m not supposed to use the charm more than once a day, but my butt also doesn’t usually get this much attention in a single day.
After showing me what to do, I take a shower that isfarmore thorough than any shower I have ever taken before.Never had to flush myself out before.Definitely prefer using the charm for that sort of thing. After taking a shower himself, Khazak dresses us in outfits similar to yesterday’s, though this time with a shirt to wear over my harness, at least temporarily.
After reattaching my leash, we leave for Brull’s. Things seem even busier than they did yesterday, and the afternoon is just getting started. There’s less dancing and partying given the hour, but just as much drinking as none of the bars look empty. When we reach the shop, there’s a crowd gathered outside, milling around a small wooden stage that’s been set up in front of thebuilding.
Brull is on the stage, adjusting equipment. There’s a small table with some items on it, a familiar looking padded bench, and a frame made of thick wooden beams, larger than a doorway, with a set of small metal hooks along the inside. Brull himself is decked out in his own gear, wearing a harness similar to Sir’s, the bottom resting against his big green belly. He’s got a pair of black leather pants on, but the only other things he’s wearing on his upper body are a thick black armband on his left arm and a pair of gloves. I don’t think there’s a single thing on him thatisn’tleather. Not a bad look,honestly.
“Khazak!” Brull calls when he notices us. “Glad you couldmake it.”
“Would not miss this for the world, friend.” Sir steps up to the side ofthe stage.
“All done setting up out here. Let’s go in the back so we can go over everything.” Brull turns to the crowd. “Show starts in five minutes,everyone!”
The crowd shouts happily in response as the three of us move into the shop. There are a few customers, but most people are outside waiting for the show to start. The people I saw working behind the counter yesterday are still here, and we step past them into the back of the shop where weare alone.
“So, you decide on a game plan?” Brull turns to ask Khazak.
