Candle Wax

"Stop that boy!" A deep voice shouted over the loud, crowded marketplace. Adney dashed in between the clamor of people, running from the angry shop owner. He clutched the bag of stolen goods under his arm, careful not to damage the contents. Slipping under a cart of hay and pigs, Adney slowed his breathing and held still to avoid attracting the attention of the merchant. He cursed himself for being so close to getting caught. Suddenly the cart began to lurch under the weight of the reins man climbing up to his seat. With the crack of a whip, the cart started forward. Adney clutched to the boards above him to no avail. A large pothole wiped out his efforts of staying hidden and he fell onto the hard cobble road.

"You!" The shop owner yelled as Adney looked up. "You're coming with me!"

***

"Look, I'm sorry for taking those tomatoes. Can you let me go now? I have things to do." Adney grumbled.

"What do you have to do? Snatch from other people's market stalls? You're just lucky I didn't take you straight to the workhouse! I'm not letting you off that easy, no sir! To make up for the hassle you've given me, you're going to do some work" The shop owner commanded. "You can start by arranging the apples onto those tables." He pointed.

Adney groaned. The man was obviously not letting him go soon. He stood up and began placing apples into the woven baskets on display. He considered pocketing a few of them in his bag, but the shop owner had such a close eye on him, that he decided against it. Adney worked all afternoon.

"My name is Mavon in case you were wondering." The shopkeeper said after a long silence and lack of customers.

"I wasn't wondering, but my name is Adney." He replied.

"Where are your parents? A boy your age shouldn't be on the streets. You're only what, thirteen?"

"No, I'm nearly fifteen. I got no parents, never even met 'em." Adney said while sweeping loose hay out of the market stall.

"Oh I see." Mavon said quietly. "Well, that's enough work. Take this." He held out a loaf of bread and an apple wrapped up in a cloth.

Adney slowly grabbed the bundle. "Thanks." He apprehensively mumbled.

"I could use some extra help maintaining the shop if you're interested." Mavon proposed as Adney was about to run off.

"Maybe... I'll think about it." He replied.

***

Adney did show up at Maven's market stall the next day. The the day after, as well as the next day, until he came so often that it was rare when he didn't show. At the end of each day, Mavon would give him some food or a few coins as payment. As the weeks became months, the two became good friends. Mavon always was concerned about Adney. He was too young to be alone on the streets of such a dangerous city. On a particularly cold autumn evening, Mavon offered to let Adney stay at his home with his family. Adney was unsure about encroaching, but was grateful for the offer and accepted. Mavon and his wife grew very fond of Adney and felt like he was almost a part of the family. As soon as winter came Mavon's wife, Ivy, insisted that Adney come and live with them permanently. Adney loved Mavon's family as if it were his own.

***

        The years came and went. In almost the blink of an eye, Adney was seventeen--the age of becoming a man. Everyone was at the dinner table celebrating Adney's birthday, when Mavon announced some big news.

"I was in the town today, and there was a notice saying all brave men, who would dare try to, could attempt to kill the phantom beast haunting the king's daughter. The reward is a position as the king's advisor!" Mavon exclaimed waiving the rolled parchment in the air.