Internal: Viperpath (volume 1)

(35) Gates of Destiny

The following morning, real work began for Kahina and her son. The pair began observing the Amirate's capital more closely while walking and asking around for possible job opportunities. Just a few minutes past midday, they stumbled upon a slightly run-down bakery currently seeking to hire new workers.

"All things considered," its owner, Musa, pointed out during the almost-cordial interview, "we still manage to retain two stalls, one of which was situated just a few blocks away from the capital's Hikma Academy buildings. Have you had experience in bread-making before?"

Kahina admitted that she had. "Bread's our staple food back home... though I'd never made 'em for sale."

"Not something you can't learn, though," Musa went on genially after a pause. "Either way, your daily job would mostly consist of, you guessed it, making bread and selling them; sounds simple, but wait 'til you've learned a bit more. As further incentive, I'll allow up to four bread in any given day to be kept for your own consumption; some of them you might also give away as alms. Sound good?"

"But my son?" Kahina asked with a touch of anxiety. "Between makin' bread and sellin' 'em, which trade might ya get to teach him first?"

"Why, whichever he should like! He's old 'nough to stand watch in a stall and hawk the wares too, aye? Seems like the exploring type, too. On less-enterprising days he might switch to molding dough or gettin' grain just fine, I daresay. What say you, boy?"

"Guess I'll stand watch," Thorvin replied with a grin. "Do I get to pick which stall I'd be doin' it in, too?"

Musa raised an eyebrow before flashing him a good-natured smile. "I'm feeling especially generous today. Take your pick."

"Awesome!" Thorvin pumped an excited fist. "The one near the academy grounds, then, please! Should be fun to watch kids 'round my own age buzzing 'round; 'nough words, and some might even drift my way!"

Musa sighed with satisfaction as he sank back in his seat. "Now that's the kind of spirit I'd be more than happy to welcome, Kahina. You raised him well, what more can I say?"

The mother dipped her head politely. "I gather the lad's just tryin' to prove himself worthy o' yer trust."

"Ah, come now, you're being modest. Welcome aboard, for that matter; for the wage of one hundred and fifty risnas between yourselves per month, effective tomorrow, you two are hereby hired."

Kahina beamed at this, bowing. "We, kind sir, hope not to misplace yer trust! Can't thank ya 'nough!"

On their way home, however, the mother seemed to have second thoughts about letting her boy stand watch on the stall... only she hadn't the courage to put it to words.

She had not gone north only to escape her father Yasnar's clutches, in truth; it had also been to stay just out of reach of a certain Urdin's forces. This warlord-turned-Amir had been particularly zealous in the matter of infidel subjugation, not to mention those even remotely associated with the late King Tharion... and here she was, deep in his capital, with a boy who all but fulfilled that fatal criterion!

Then again, she tried to convince herself still, we would have Mira to back us up... would we not? Besides, would Urdin really pay him any mind if all Thorvin should do was guard a paltry roadside stall..? That's right, no reason to put the foot down... yet.

"Ah, right!" the boy's excited whoop just then almost made her jump. "Before we get to sellin' bread for real, Mom, whaddya think if we're to buy some ourselves, huh? Look, there's a stall up ahead! Some taste o' that stuff, if ya will..?"