Snuff Fairies

Part One

'YOU'VE BEEN WITH US a week or so now, haven't you, boy?' Artin Merryweather said as he gently patted Helmund on the shoulder. Helmund hated being called 'boy', even though that technically was what he was; he'd much prefer it if people called him by his actual name. Helmund wasn't that difficult to say, was it?

'Yes, sir,' Helmund replied, not wanting to correct his boss. The truth was that he'd been working in the Falconwald Silversnuff Mill for around a month now, and all he'd been allowed to do in that time was sweep and find other ways to clear up after the more experienced workers. On his first day, he'd been handed a broom and had pretty much been left to his own devices ever since. The others only noticed him when there was a boring or dirty job to do and most of those involved cleaning up the remains of dead rats. Mr Merryweather kept a cat on the premises to keep away the vermin and the creature did a good job, but it didn't always eat its kills. Often, it liked to leave them for the workers as presents. The workers of Falconwald Silversnuff Mill obviously looked like they didn't know how to fend for themselves. The cat was simply called Cat; Mr Merryweather wasn't the most imaginative of people. 

'Marvellous,' the man replied. 'In that case, it's time to give you a bit more responsibility.' Helmund wasn't sure if he was pleased about this turn of events or not. He quite liked fading into the background whilst still getting paid. It made for a somewhat easy life, even if it did involve touching many a rat carcass. 'I need you to work the night shift.' 

'The night shift?' Helmund hadn't even been aware there was a need for a night shift.

'Yes, night shift. As you know silversnuff is a valuable and desirable commodity. Many folks want it, but not all are willing or able to pay for it. We've had a few instances of stock going missing overnight, so I thought it was about time we had someone on watch. You, my boy, will be our very first nightwatchman.'

If folks were breaking in regularly to steal Mr Merryweather's stock, this felt like a huge jump in responsibility. A jump Helmund wasn't sure he'd be able to do. 'So, what am I meant to do if someone comes? Tell 'em to go away? Got a feelin' that if folks ain't bothered about breakin' the law to steal silversnuff, they won't think twice about breakin' the law to give me a bruisin'.' Helmund winced, a mixture of thinking about said bruising and remembering that he'd just answered back. 

'You'll be fine, boy. Besides, I wouldn't leave you here all night on your own... Cat will be here... and... er....' Mr Merryweather looked around the mill until his eyes came to rest on one of his workers. 'Winnie will be here too.'

Helmund suspected Winnie had no idea that she was going to be roped into working this new night shift and he wasn't sure how useful she'd be in chasing off would-be thieves. She was a nice lady, but she was getting on in years. She reminded Helmund a lot of his grandmother; they both had kind faces, calm temperaments, and were highly likely to offer you a sweet treat if they were in a good mood. He supposed she could always distract the thieves with a biscuit or two. And, unless the thieves were mice or rats, Cat probably wouldn't care in the slightest.

But instead of voicing all this to his boss, Helmund simply said, 'thank you.' He'd already answered back once, it wouldn't do to do it again.

'Marvellous,' Mr Merryweather said. 'There is just one thing...'

'What's that, sir?'

'You won't be getting paid for this.' 

Wondering if he'd heard the man correctly, Helmund paused for a moment. 'No pay, sir?'

'No pay,' he confirmed.

'Then, no offence, sir... but why should I do it?' All thoughts of not answering back had disappeared.

'Young Helmund, it would appear that you have a simple choice to make here. Either you do as I ask and watch over the mill this evening or you lose your job entirely. I'm sure your mother wouldn't be pleased with the latter.'

The old bastard had a point, Helmund's mother would be livid.

'I'll do it, sir,' Helmund said, but he didn't look the man in the eye, instead choosing to study the well-swept floor. 

'There's a good lad,' the man said. 'Just know that it won't be forever.'

'It'll be more than one night?' Helmund asked. 'What about my normal work? When will I sleep?'

'We'll figure it out. You can sleep in between sweeping,' Mr Merryweather replied.