Cold and dark, the winds were still, Richard's feet stepped across the narrow alleyway, little torn out tents were scattered on the sides, they sheltered the homeless poor people from the breeze
Marching forward he had on thought in mind
"I must map my way through, everything else will be smooth if I manage to do so" thought Richard to himself, his eyes rolling from one side to the other
The frail men, women and children stared at him, too exhausted to make a move, some greedy eyes kept watch on his backpack, although it was merely filled with books, for them they thought of it as a moving vault
His white and grey robe, his clean face and body coloured with fake dirt, there is a difference, a great one between who inhabits the filth and who cowers behind it
He knew he was under watch, but what kept him worry was the torch lights, until now no man held a flame, wish meant any source of light is the guard's
And he was right, going into a split street he noticed a light coming from the right, followed by footsteps and a conversation unfolding
Thinking fast he decided to hide in the corner, hugging his backpack he crawled into a corner covering himself with his dark coloured robe
The guards passed by as the first one said
"He kept going into the streets harassing both women and children, no matter how many times they hit and brought him back inside"
"I heard they got rid of him in the end, many merchants reported of how their work got interrupted by his uneven and creepy voice, his tears spread fear amongst the children as well" said the second as they passed through
Richard stood up slowly making sure he made no sounds, picking up his backpack hiding beneath the dirty robe he continued to walk forward
The deeper he went the lor complex the map he made started to be, making uncompleted ends to be discovered in the future, connecting whatever parts he thinks he circled back on
No scent of light scratched the ground, the night sky was visible with both the stars and moon's light pushing through, but their efforts were in vain
Richard had that one uneasy feeling as if the same eyes kept watch on him over and over again, however when turning back all he saw was broken spirits laying on the grounds
"Hello gentleman!" said a voice from the side
Richard turned his head spun around looking for the source of it
"Down here, young man" the voice whispered once more
He stared down to see two eyes looking back at him, coming from a crack in the barrack's wall, just beneath and behind the tents wish covered most of that hole hiding it from the public
"What the…!" Richard was shocked, for a second his mind had the thought that this is no human being, but as the tent was pushed to the side, the hand that did so was one of an old lady's
Her face was mapped by the passing years, her eyes barley open as her hair fell down covering most of whatever was there to show, a demon of some sort you'd say
"It is rude to not accept a lady's greetings, especially and old one like myself," said the mysterious women
Geeting back to reality Richard replied "Oh, sorry I was just Uhhh, confused. I don't mean to be rude but, … How?"
"Oh, don't worry, I get that question allot" said the mysterious women crawling out of her spot "How do I keep my hair so soft and queen like? Well of course, I am just that good" giving him the side eye
"But your hair is black" said Richard, although it was obvious that dirt covered most of it
"You're imagining it" she replied
Her old cover was a rob, black of colour, her back held the weight of time, each year dragging her closer to the grave, with her wooden stick she moved forward dragging her own backpack behind
Opening it showed random rubbish filling the insides
"Who are you?" asked Richard
"I am the queen, of this kingdom!" she said with her hands open, seating the ground with her backpack open before her "Now, choose your pick, these are the finest goods your eyes will ever witness"
"This kingdom…" said Richard Staring at the mud pot messing both handles, the rusty home-made knife, the kitchen tools scattered inside, Richard without hesitation "You're a crazy witch selling trash to strangers—Ouch!"
Not allowing him to complete his sentence, she used her crutch to hit what laid between the legs
Standing up she said "You need to learn something, boy, you, are a feast"
She walked around him putting her stick on his backpack she said "Whatever you hold here, is food for them, even if it was to be a weapon"
She used her crutch to rais his hand from the ground saying "Your muscles are one of a baby, so you won't be able to use it anyways" , she hit him on the wrist
She moved his face around with it saying "You look more like a girl, wish you might be" mocking how flat his chin was
She stood before him and spoke saying
"You look more noble than my highness, with those clothes of yours, if you hold food, it will run out or get stolen, but if you hold gold, you must know something"
She pulled big pouch from her backpack, heavy and huge, she dragged it removing the little string atop, inside of it, little iron coins filled the brim, a hundred, maybe two if we are being generous
"Once you pull out a coin of yours, you'll reveal where you are from, wish cuts your life short believe that," said the mysterious merchant
"And why do you think so," said Richard
"I had my eyes on you since you stepped inside this womb, and I believe I am not alone in that "she said looking behind him
Turning back quickly he noticed a couple of eyes fleeing the scene
"Now, one coin to make you disappear of their sight, another to get your hands on our currency" said the old women as he stood there hesitant "Come one now, you don't have another choice"
Richard sighed "How many for a golden coin"
She opened her eyes wide with a smile of excitement she said "100, or you can say half what's in here"
Richard reaching into his pocket he brought out 3 golden coins as she smiled uncontrollably
He said "hand the pouch whole, and give me some clothes to fit in while you're at it"
"As you wish, noble child" the Mysterious women said pulling out an old dirty robe, as he wore it, she went towards his backpack opening it up
"What are you doing?" asked Richard
"Handing you the coins, duh!" replied the women
"Give me the pouch I will handle it" replied Richard
She stared at his open hand and without hesitation she poured the contents inside
"As if I'd hand you my pouch, crazy bastard" said the old women wrapping it up and hiding it once more "Now, get ready, we are moving"
As he finished, she went towards the hole she dragged herself from earlier and said "Lets go"
"What is that?" said Richard
"My tunnel, and your way out of their eyes," said the old women
"How do you expect me to fit in" replied Richard
"You'll pull your backpack behind you, while I push mine forward" said the old women going inside "If you want to roam the streets be my guest, I may find you an apple to bit up, and a sign to put your self on sale"
Thinking about it looking both ways he followed her in, the tunnel narrow, sharp edged, full of rats and rotten food, some bones were there as well
"Who, made this?" asked Richard
"I did," said the old women, Richard looked at her dumbfounded
"Well actually, I made the order" she continued
"To whom?" asked Richard
"I don't like talking about it, but the way is long so…" she said
Taking a deep breath clearing her mind she continued "It, was a weird man"
"It?" said Richard
"Indeed, his eyes were no humans, so was his shape, he made on request, to not spy on him" she said
"And how long did it take him?" asked Richard
"Seven days, and all my savings, but the investment was worth it" she replied "I made that back in 5 years, fleeing the thieves and being one at the same time, it is definitely worth it"
"Wait you're a thieve?!" said Richard in shock
"We made it, come and help me pull my backpack" she said escaping the conversation
As he made it through, he crawled out into a dark room, with little light coming out the door
"Welcome to, The Centre, now pull it out" she ordered him
As he started to use all his might, suddenly the wall felt s if coming closer at fast speed to his face, he was hit in the back of the head
As he fell flat, blood colouring half his face, she stared him as men surrounded the place, slowly he went into sleep, and there it became pitch black