Cyril

The light never reached past the dusty soot lying on the wooden frame. Nor did it ever decide to bring warmth across our skin. Cold brooding winters—that’s all one got an invitation from.

“Devil’s Damsel!” The driver smoked his cigar, a thick smoke leaving his dark lips. “Get your buffoon arse out of my cart, old man!”

I had to hold my tongue down, stifling a laugh as the master woke up from his sleep. “H-Huh?”

The driver coughed, taking another smoke. “You wanted to get dropped here, didn’t you?”

The master shook his head. “Ah, yeah. Right here.”

I looked around, rubbing my frozen hands cold. The forest surrounded the snowy path. There was no sight of houses. The only visible light was the oil-lit lantern of the driver.

“You ought to be kidding me? Where’s the bloody town?” The master looked down at me.

“We’ll have to walk through the dense cover. The snow has blocked the path to the town.” He nudged the sleeping Eric awake, pulling out a couple of coins as he stuffed them in the driver’s hand.

“Oh, we’re here.” Eric rubbed his eyes, accidentally touching his bruised eye. “Ouch!”

I bit down my bruised lip. “Still in pain?”

Eric glared at me. “I would be careful if I were you, skinny.”

“Still, I was able to screw your arse.”

He scoffed, holding the master’s bags along with his as he exited the cart. “Come on, we have a long journey to walk.”

I followed him, getting my big sling bag on my shoulder. “How long exactly?” I questioned, staring at the master as he took out an old oil lamp. Eric fished out a lighter, flicking its flame on as he lighted the lamp.

“Thanks for the ride, Robert.”

The driver shook his head, another smoke of his cigar. “Next time, get a bit healthier kid. Perhaps someone like Eric.”

“Think of him as a cheap freebie. But with benefits.”

“Hm, really?”

“I’ll tell you the whole tale—” I couldn’t hear their conversation anymore as Eric pulled out an old scarf and wrapped it around my neck.

“Cover yourself up properly. You can use this. I have an extra.” Eric fished out another one, wrapping it around himself.

“He must be paying you enough to afford this.”

“How much is enough for you?”

“Enough to not starve and die of cold.”

“How long until we reach there?” I huffed a breath, my warm breath mixing with the cold air. “We have been walking for thirty minutes.”

“Hm, good sense of time.” The master remarked, pulling out his fifth cigarette. He flicked his lighter on, burning the tip of the cigarette. He looked at Eric. “He’s pretty smart.”

Eric rolled his eyes, adjusting his hold on the lamp. “That’s what you had said to me years ago.” He looked behind and held my arm, pulling me with him. “Stick together if you want to live.”

“There are animals?” I questioned, the darkness surrounding me looking more sinister than I thought.

“Why? You scared?” He chuckled, fastening his steps as I held his arm.

“Ah, slow down.” A distant howl was heard. “I-I’m tired.”

“Yeah, sure.” He slowed down a bit, just enough for the master to be walking along the rim of light.

The snow felt like sand, only rather than getting it dirty on your clothes, this could also kill you.

“So, why is it called Devil’s Damsel?”

Eric sighed, adjusting his shoulder. “The town was formed years ago by men and women who ran away from being convicted of witchcraft. Hence the name, Devil’s Damsel.”

“So, you would rather make a deal with the devil to survive?”

Eric stopped in his path, whose light was no longer needed by the master.

“They ran away to find a new home. Even if it meant meeting the devil.”

“Now,” The master flicked his lighter, his cigarette long finished. “Enough with the devil talk. Walk faster if you want some food in your stomach.”

The door of the pub slammed open, a drunk man stumbling out as he threw creative insults at the waitress.

“Bloody shack, look at you! Not giving respect to someone older than you!”

“If you mean yourself, I beg your pardon I must laugh my heart out first.” She held her stomach, fake laughing loudly before her face changed back to stoic. “Now, about that . . .”

“Mind feeding me first?” The master called out, gaining her attention as a smile came upon her face.

“Fuck, so the news is true.” She pushed aside the drunk man, walked down the stairs and hugged him.

“About what?” He pulled away to stare at her.

“The kid. You really got another one after swearing your heart that you wouldn’t.”

“Well, technically speaking, I didn’t buy him. He was for free.”

“But you’ll still pay me.” I said, gaining the woman’s attention as she got to my eye level.

“What’s your name, young man?”

“Cyril.”

“Pretty nice name. Hope you have been going along with him.” She signalled towards the man.

“I don’t even know his name—”

“—which isn’t necessary.” He cut me off, dragging me by the arm as he pushed me to her. Her soft fingers got hold of my shoulders. “Feed them. Put the money on the tab.”

She scoffed. “At least pay half of the money you owe.” Eric had already made his way to the pub. “The old man isn’t happy with the huge amount you have on the tab.”

He grunted. “Fine.” He fished out a couple of coins, handing them to her. “The rest is coming soon.”

She had her eyes widened, staring at the coins as she put them in her pockets. “Just what hell of a job did you do in the mines?”

“Might have killed and saved a life.”

“As always.”

“Just feed the little one enough.”

The master walked away, not a single glance towards his abandoned duckling.

“Well, come on. You heard the old guy. He wants you well-fed.”

“Will you feed me enough?”

She shrugged. “I might feed you enough to treat you to a feast.”

The bell chimed, the door getting shut due to the cold air.

“Ah, might have to work a bit more on it.” The master drew in his notebook, a short pencil stuck above his ear. “How was the feast?”

Eric yawned, rubbing his eyes. “Well cooked and seasoned. I swear I could almost list out all the spices used in her secret recipe.”

“I don’t think she would appreciate that.” I nudged his arm, earning a groan from him. “Besides, you need rest.”

“Correction, you both need rest.”

“But—You said I had to learn stuff—”

“—which can happen tomorrow. Eric would be kind enough to teach you.” He took a small pebble from his desk and threw it at a dozing Eric.

He fumbled and nearly tripped his leg. “W-What?”

“Sleep. Might have to share, both of you.”

“I’m not having him on my bed.”

“Eric.”

“I might kick him off.” He folded his arms.

“Try that and you might find another bruise on the other eye.”

“You—”

The master slammed his hand on the desk. “Move to your bed otherwise say goodbye to your salary.”

At his words, both of us knew what was in our favour and silently moved to our supposed bed.

“Now, take the side towards the wall.” Eric removed his shoes, putting them under the bed as he went to the small bathroom. “I would suggest tidying yourself up before going to bed.”

“I don’t have much clothing.”

“A face wash would be enough. Don’t forget the hands and feet.”

I shook my head. “Wouldn’t even ever forget about it.”

After following Eric’s instructions and a lecture on his sleeping habits, both of us lay comfortably on the bed. A thin blanket covered us both, ensuring that we won’t die of the cold fast. Rather, a painful death awaited us.

“So, how does it feel?” He questioned, putting his arm under his head.

“An upgrade from the cellars we had.”

“Feels like ages since I ever had heard about them.”

“You used to work in the mines?”

He shrugged. “It wasn’t for long though. Soon, he found me and took me under his wing.”

“So he usually roams the mines in search of a kid who can help him?”

“Meh, more like to save your arse, he took you in. So you better pay back.”

I adjusted the blanket. “Don’t worry, I plan to do it.”

“Well, good night, Cyril.” He closed his eyes shut, slowly dosing to sleep. “But tell me, how does it feel here?”

I felt the soft blanket under my fingers. “Feels like a warm welcome.”