The Lorem Milites

01

It's a dark fall day. The clouds prevent the sun from breaking through, the sound of rain dripping into buckets in most houses a well known sound. The slums of Lyra aren't very high on the King's list regarding repairs or upkeep. We lose a lot of people each winter due to hunger and the cold, so we try our best to prepare during fall. 

"Aye, Juno dear, mind lending me a hand?" It's Conan, our neighbor. He's an old guy, grey beard and dirt smudges all over his face. A bit harsh mouthed. He has a small pig farm, but it's getting harder to manage as he grows older. Says the cold hurts his joints. ''Sure Conan, what do you need?" He exposes his rotting teeth with a big grin. "Can you go to Finn, get some dried meat from his father? I'd do it myself, but.." I nod and he gives me a few coins. "Whatever this'll get me." Finn is my friend, we grew up together, and his father's a butcher. I put up my hood and walk over to his place, trying my best to ignore the beggars on every corner. Even though we don't have the money ourselves to help others, I can't help but feel guilty.

 I look up from under my hood, and see the massive castle on the hill, just a few miles from here, towering over everything else. I wonder what the people's lives there are like, if it's really as great as they say. 
Finn's dog, Bones, is the first one to greet me. The big mutt happily wags his tail and excitedly turns circles until I give him a few pets, his fur wet and knotted from the rain and mud. "Juno!" I look up and see Finn standing in the doorway. "Come on in, the fireplace is on." When I enter the shop he gives me a hug; he smells like sandalwood and smoke. 

"So what brings you here?"

"Well, Conan sent me to get him some dried meat." I take off my hood and hold up the coins. He counts the coins and shakes his head. "I'm sorry Juno, but this won't get him any meat. Some dried fruits and nuts at best." I frown and take back the coins. "Did your father raise his prices or something?" He pours a cup of tea and gestures me to sit down on a wooden stool. "Yes, we had no choice. Food is getting scarcer each year, the hunters up hill make it difficult. We couldn't afford our rent if we hadn't raised the prices." By the hunters up hill he means the King's hunters. They're better equipped, and there's a lot more of them then there are of us. It isn't fair, but they don't care as they look down on us and take every opportunity they can to make our lives even harder. I can see the stress on Finn's face, from the dark circles under his eyes and the frown lines between his eyebrows, to the way his shoulders drop as if they are carrying the weight of the world. I take his hand and look him in his eyes. They always remind me of the forest.

"One day, I'm going to get us out of here. I promise." He squeezes my hand, but then gently pulls away and averts his gaze. "You shouldn't promise the impossible Juno. And why would you even want to work for the King? Look at what he does to us." Finn has never hidden his disgust for the King, or his opinion about me wanting to join the LM; it's an elite fighting force, and they've sworn to protect those who can't protect themselves against demons and other threats.

"It's not impossible, stop saying that. And yes, look at us. We are already under his reign, so why not try to make the most out of it?" I grab his chin and make him look at me. "They have tons of food, hot showers, soft blankets. Can you imagine that? And I'd be able to protect the ones that can't protect themselves. Is that really so bad?" He  pulls me up from my chair and grabs both my arms. "It ís impossible." I try to get away from his grip, but he doesn't let go.  His gaze softens while he looks me in the eyes. "You can't even get me off." When he sees the look on my face, he lets go of my arms. "I'm sorry Juno. I know you mean well, but it's just not realistic." I know that there is truth in what he is saying, but I refuse to believe that this is it for us. "It's fine, I don't need your support. Now if you don't mind, I'm going to tell Conan he won't be having food before it gets dark." I strut outside, trying to keep my composure.