He found Lola on a side alley, on her knees with her face in her hands, crying. He knelt by her and she flinched back, before realizing it was him.

“I’m” *sob* “I’m so sorry!” she cried.

“For what?”

“For” *sniff* “for not telling you.”

“Lola” Jack started “there wasn’t a need to tell. We’re friends. You would have told me, when you felt alright to do it.”

“I’m so sorry!”

“Lola, stop it!” Jack said, putting a touch of firmness in his voice. “You made no mistake. The only one at fault here is that asshole and his friends. …and maybe me, for not blazing up his crotch instead of the ground.” He muttered dejectedly.

That got a small laugh out of her.

“I didn’t know you could to that.”

“I didn’t know either.”

She looked at him, wide-eyed.

“But what would you have done if it didn’t work?”

“Looked like an idiot, I guess.”

That got a second laugh out of her.

“Don’t speak like that about yourself. But yes, perhaps try out Skills, before using them.”

“I’ll try and remember that.”

“And fail.”

“And most likely forget, yes.”

Some of the tension in the air got erased by the easy banter, but Lola asked Jack to sit next to her, before telling her story.

“You don’t have to do this, you know? Wait a little if you want or never tell me at all. It’s your story.” Jack said, shrugging.

“No, I… I want to do it. I… I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about my class. No! Let me finish. I am sorry. I’m a |Harlot|. But you should also know how I got this class.” She said, sadly, but firmly.

“Alright, Lola. Tell me.”

“When my parents died in the attack, I was younger. We were never rich, you see, my parents were Scribes. Though, only my mother had the actual Class. Not much want for letters or numbers back then, but they earned enough to have a decent life. They were even saving up coin to open a shop. Then… they died.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright. It’s in the past.” She tried to smile, but failed. “After they died, I tried to work. I never had a profession or Class, but I did what I could. But… I was still a child. I spent more than what I earned, a lot more. Not on only food either, I spent money on clothes and the like. Unnecessary things. A lot of people were rebuilding and I guess they upped their prices accordingly, when they saw I had coins to spend. But the main part is on me.”

Jack could only listen quietly, fearing to interrupt even to say that it wasn’t her fault. That she was only a child.

“I realized I was out of money one day, when I had someone deliver me bread and couldn’t pay for the full amount.” She sighed. “I was so stupid! Even a child should know they are running out of money, but I never paid attention. I was grieving, true, but if I am honest with myself, I was also spoiled. I didn’t realize the cost of living.”

She stopped for a second, to gather her breath and perhaps courage, before continuing.

“When it happened, I didn’t know what to do. I tried rationing, if you could call it that, but I knew it wouldn’t last. Around the same time, a boy had been courting me. I was too young to date, I knew that. My father always said I would be old enough to date, when I would be older than him.” She laughed sadly.

“He saw my condition when I started begging people for food. I kept working, but it wasn’t enough to feed even myself. The boy started coming around my house, always with good food, sometimes with a small present. He was always suggesting I go with him in the forest or to his barn. I always refused, but… he always came back.”

Jack started to have an idea about who this boy was.

“The next winter was harsh. And long. Long enough some people even started rationing their own food. I didn’t have food to ration, so that was less of a worry for me.” She tried to laugh.

“It was on that winter, when the boy came to my house again. He brought me some food and asked again if I’d go to the barn with him. I told him it was cold enough in my house, why would I want to go outside. It was true, too, I didn’t have enough money for firewood. I had to make do with a blanket. He then asked me, what if he came back with enough firewood to last me the winter.”

She was weeping now, slowly, but Jack still didn’t interrupt. He had a feeling she had never told this story before.

“He did come back. Paid men to bring wood in my yard. Coals too. Even a basket of food. When I went to take some wood for the fire, he asked me, what would he get in return for that. I… I didn’t have anything else. I was so cold. So. Cold.”

She looked at Jack, when she spoke next.

“So… I gave him the last thing I had. I gave myself to him. It… wasn’t nice. I hated it. I hated it, hated myself and hated him. But I was no longer cold. Nor hungry.”

Lola looked back at the ground.

“He came around more often after that. Sometimes with food, sometimes without. He must have thought he’d paid enough. Because he always claimed his prize.”

“I didn’t get a Class then. It was never offered to me. I think it was because I hated what I was doing. At the time, I still dreamed of being a |Scribe|, like my mother. That ended when his mother found out.”

“Mrs. Winnow.” Jack spoke, a quiet fury in his tone.

“Mrs. Winnow. You see, Louis had been spending quite a bit of money on me. Not much, by what they have and he managed to hide it at first. But when he bought the wood and coals and food, his father noticed the drop in money. I’ve never heard what his father had to say about that. But I saw his mother’s reaction.”

“She came to my house and started yelling. Yelling at me, yelling at her son, yelling at the broken-down house I lived in. It was the only time I heard her berating her son in public. She asked him why was he spending money on a girl he hated. I was inside my house then, too afraid to come out, but I heard it all. Including his reply. I heard their discussion, right outside my house.”

She stopped again, but when she next started talking, there was a hint of steel in her voice.

“It learned that, in the beginning, Louis had managed to convince his mother that I was a peasant. That I was despised and that I was taking advantage of good people, for their coin. That I should be shunned. He convinced her and his mother, in turn, convinced others. I noticed people gave me little coin for my work and that they never gave me good prices, when buying food. I thought it was because life was hard, not because someone had whispered venom into their ears.”

“Why did he do that?” Jack asked.

“So he could be my champion.” Lola laughed a bitter laugh. “So he could swoop down and claim me, after the entire world had rejected me. And he did! He claimed his prize in the end.”

“His mother probably knew the truth, but couldn’t let others know about any of this. Wouldn’t stain her family’s reputation with the deeds of her son. So, she started talking with people, gossiping, arguing, threatening. Until the entire village thought I was a whore. Until I woke up one day and saw that I was given a Class. |Harlot| Level 1.” She said, mockingly.

“Wait? Given? But I thought you had to accept Classes? How was this ‘given’ to you?”

“I thought so too. And it’s true, for most, I think. But some Classes can be given to you, if enough people think it to be true. At least, that’s what I came to believe. Mrs. Winnow knows the secret, but she never told of it. I think… people have to truly believe you are something, before you are made that.”

“So… what happened next?”

“Oh, the story became true. Mrs. Winnow had poisoned the minds of the villagers against me. They believed I was a |Harlot| and so I was. Nobody would give me work. Nobody but her.”

“But… why did you work-“ He stopped, when she saw the look Lola was giving him. It was the first look that said ‘Are you stupid?’ she had ever sent his way.

Jack felt he deserved that look.

“She gave me work, because I worked cheap. She knew the truth, so it didn’t bother her. But the others… Even today, most people look down on me. Some have grown to like me, but in the beginning, I would have been spat on, for even walking down the street.

“But that’s horrible! I get that they were lied to, but didn’t they see the truth? That it was just a false story?”

Lola smiled at him sadly.

“They didn’t see it, because in time the story became reality.”

Jack swallowed his words.

“You heard what they said. That they have paid me. After that happened, I couldn’t find work. The coin Mrs. Winnow gave me was only enough to pay for a meal a day. Half the time, not even that. I tried to get another Class. I failed. I wrote with charcoal on walls, until my hands were black. My Class never changed. In the end, when I was fearing starvation again, I gave in.”

“The offers never stopped, you see. Louis still came to my house, yet I hated him, so I refused him. Others came too. Until… one day, I gave in again. I gave in to Louis. And then to others. That has been my life, up until now.”

She looked at Jack again, sadly, but determined.

“My name is Lola Marnnel. I am Level 9 |Harlot|.”

Jack starred for a second. And grinned.

“My name is Jack. No last name, as of yet. I’m a, soon-to-be, |Jack-of-All-Trades|.”

“Stop that!” she yelled.

But she laughed.

“Well then, Lola Marnell. Your story is safe with me.”

“Thank you, Jack. I feel… freer, now that I’ve told you.”

Jack looked at her smile and made her a promise.

“I’ll make a safe place in the forest. Not just from monsters, but from people like these. I’ll make it a safe place for you and I and Mrk. And any other outcast. This, I swear to you.”

Lola looked at him for a second, before bursting out in laughter.

“…ah, what?”

“Sorry, I am so sorry.” Lola said, giggling. “You just had a really serious expression on your face. Never saw you look like that before.” She laughed again, before smiling. “But it is a good dream, Jack. A good purpose.”

“Right. Well, err… thank you. Now, should we maybe get out of this alley. I think some people use it as a toilet.

She nodded and sat up. Sitting up himself, he led the way out of the alley, before he heard her voice again, muttering.

“Thank you, Jack. For everything.”

Jack liked to think he wasn’t embarrassed enough, that he couldn’t stammer out a reply, but he got beat to the punch before he did.

A boy ran across the street, before noticing them and stopping for a second.

“A fire for a fire, bitch!” he yelled at them, before running away.

“Louis.” Lola said, behind Jack.

“I think he did something.”

Suddenly, he could hear voices screaming, coming from one direction.

Fearing the worst, Jack took off, with Lola hot on his heels. They ran for what felt like an entire day, dread mounting in him. He finally reached it, when he saw the source of the yelling and the crowd that was gathering in front of it.

Lola’s house.

Burning.

“NO!” he heard her scream behind him.

The blaze had already taken over the entire roof and most of the walls. To their credit, the villagers didn’t simply stand around idly while it was happening. Already he could see men and women with buckets, throwing water on the flames.

“Everything I had was in there!” she cried. “I have to go in.”

She tried to step forward, before Jack caught her.

“Lola, no! The inside is already burning! You’ll catch fire if you go in.”

“But… everything- all I had left from my parents is inside. Please!” she begged him.

“No!... I’ll go. You just stay here and I’ll dash in. Don’t-“

“Stay put boy!” one of the villagers told him. “That house was already half collapsed, if it falls down on you, you’ll be dead even if we do manage to put the fire out.”

“Jack, please!”

“Sir, please! I’ll be quick-“

“You’ll be quicker than flames? Stay here!”

By this point, the man was blocking both Jack and Lola from advancing.

“Let us, go, please!”

“Lola, no! Sir, please, it’s my life I’m risking. I’ll be fast, I swear it!”

“Boy, you’ll be dead by the time you pass the door!”

Jack was about to respond, when a loud crack interrupted his plea. Everyone looked as one at the house which, with a deep groan, collapsed in on itself.

For a second the only sound that was heard beside the flickering flames was Lola’s sobbing.

The man turned to stare at them, not unkindly, before he spoke.

“I told you so, son. I’m sorry.”

And left to help the people throwing more water onto the flames and around the house. It seems the villagers were wary of the fire spreading.

“Lola, I’m so sorry. I… I’ll help you any way I can. We’ll rebuild it. Make it bigger.” Jack tried.

“It’s not that.” She shook her head. “It was this house that mattered. My parents left it for me. Their clothes were in there, those I haven’t yet sold. My mothers’ inkpot.” She cried hard then. “Everything!”

At a loss for words, Jack could only stare at the burning wreckage.

“I’ll kill him.” He finally said, voice cold.

“No, Jack.”

She understood who he meant, even without his name being spoken.

“Why? He did this. You know he did!”

“We can’t prove it. Maybe some folks will believe, but… we can’t prove it. And if you hurt him, his mother will ask for payment. And… I have nothing left.”

His face softened at that.

“But we have to, Lola! He burned down your house!”

“Who did?”

Jack turned to see the same man that held him and Lola back, approaching them.

“I heard you talking, boy. You know who did this?”

There was a serious look in the man’s eyes.

Of course. The fire could have spread. And he’s a normal man, not a monster. Of course, he’d care.

“I do, sir. It was a boy named Louis. Louis Winnow.”

When he heard that, the man’s face changed. Some incredulity, but not much. The main emotion displayed on his face was wariness.

“Mrs. Winnow’s son? But- Why would he do this?”

“He’s been treating Lola badly. Calling her names, making fun of her. We got into an argument with him today and after he ran off, we came here to find Lola’s house burning.”

“Well- I mean to say- Look son, your friend has a reputation around these parts. It’s not my business, but everyone knows what trade she plies. It is was a problem about… payment, then I could believe he’s called her names. But he wouldn’t burn down her house.”

Payment?!

Jack could feel his temper rising again, but couldn’t afford to alienate his only possible ally.

“Sir, please believe us. We saw him running away from here and when he saw us, he said ‘a fire for a fire’. It means something, doesn’t it?”

“I… I don’t know what to say, son. Louis doing this?” the man asked, clearly conflicted.

“But why’d he say that?” a woman asked, clearly eavesdropping on the conversation.

“Because he tried to set me on fire. He attacked me!” a voice called out.

Turning around, Jack saw Louis had returned, flanked again by his lackeys. And right behind him was his mother.

“My son told me what you did, you vagrant. You attacked him with a Skill. Nearly torched his feet.”

Jack would have wanted nothing more in that moment than torch his feet, right then and there. And more than just his feet. But that was not how he would win this crowd over.

“I did no such thing. I set fire to the ground between us, so his gang wouldn’t attack me and Lola. They were trying to steal my hatchet.”

“Please.” the woman sniffed. “As if my family needs to steal anything. It is you, boy, who looks like someone that steals for a living.”

“Jack’s right.” Lola said. “Louis cornered us and-“

“Silence, whore! We all know you spread your legs for a living. You have no right to speak to us decent folk.”

“You have a Skill, boy?” the man from earlier asked. “What Class are you?”

“He’s a Jack!” one of the lackeys spoke. “We heard it, we did! He’s a Jack!”

That seemed to get the crowd’s attention, until one man spoke.

“He said that’s just the name his parents gave him. Bad joke, if you ask me.” He said, nodding at Jack.

It was the first man he saw and talked to, when entering the village. Whether the man liked it or not, Jack was suddenly grateful for calling him ‘sir’.

“He looks like a Jack to me.” Mrs. Winnow raised her voice. “But that isn’t the important matter. What is important is that my son has been attacked.”

“What’s important is that Lola’s house got burned down, by your son!”

“He did no such thing. And if you try to spread that filthy lie again, my husband will kick you out of the village and bar you from entering again.”

Jack saw some people rustle at hearing that.

“Son, tell people your Class. If they hear you’re not a |Jack|, they might believe you.” The man that held Jack back told him quietly.

“Mister Veil. If you have something to say, perhaps you should say it louder so that we may all hear.” Mrs. Winnow archly said.

“Just wondering about the boy’s Class, ma’am. Not many can conjure a fire. Been wondering if he practiced magic.” The man lied.

“I’m not a… a magician sire. Nor do I have any such Classes. I’m a |Forest Cook|, which is where the Skill came from. And |Forager|.” Jack said, feeling he should neglect to mention just how many Classes he actually had.

“I live in that forest over there, that’s why I have this Class.”

Jack could see the villagers nodding appreciatively, when hearing about his Classes, before looking uncertain when learning that he lived in the forest.

Like hearing about a natural born talent, that was just a little bopped in the head.

“And how could I be sure you’re telling the truth boy? Are we supposed to just trust you?” she laughed.

Jack was about to suggest setting fire to her hair, when Lola intervened.

“A truth spell? Or…”

“I said silence, whore!” Mrs. Winnow screamed.

“She’s not a whore!” Jack screamed back, getting fed up with it.

“That, she is.” A new voice said. “I can attest to the truth of that myself.”

It was Mr. Norn who spoke. The tavern owner. Looked like he was just thinking out loud, before seeing the others looking at him.

“What? It’s not like you lot haven’t went to her!”

“Thank you, Mister Norn.” Mrs. Winnow said, a touch forcefully. “A possible Jack and a whore. Their word against my family’s. Does anybody believe them?”

She looked around, but most people just shook their heads or looked down.

“There’s no truth spell?” Jack tried again.

“No one in this village knows magic, son.” Mister Veil said. “And no one has any magical trinkets either.”

“I have something.” Someone said.

Looking on, Jack saw Elia appearing from the crowd, looking rather winded.

“Sorry about that, I ran here when I heard what happened, then ran back to my shop, when I heard what was being discussed and finally ran back here.” She grinned, speaking all the words in one breath.

“For… what?” Mr. Veil asked.

“Oh, right.” She fumbled in her pockets, until she pulled out a clay vial. “It’s a potion. It doesn’t compel someone to tell the truth, but it makes it harder to lie. Thought it might help!” she said, giving a not-at-all subtle wink to Lola.

Jack groaned internally.

Great. Lola’s got friends, but her friend is as subtle as Mrk is.

“I see. Well then, we could solve this issue rightly quick.” Mr. Veid said. “Let the boys drink that thing and answer some questions.”

Jack did in no time. Almost gobbled the entire thing up, before Elia told him only a sip was enough. He got asked whether he was a |Jack|, if he really did have those Classes and if he really lived in the forest.

By the end of it, people looked torn between being wary and impressed at the strange boy. But when the time came for Louis to drink, things didn’t go so smoothly.

“No. I’ll not have my boy drink something made by a lowly |Herbalist|.”

“I’m Level 17!”

“Even so. Louis will not be drinking it. I understand that what came to pass was a squabble between boys. It is normal for their age, so I will not ask for retribution. But that will be all.” She said, turning to leave.

“That’s all?” Jack screamed. “Lola’s house got burned down! You don’t want him drinking it, fine, let one of his friends do it, then. They’ll know who did it!”

The crowd nodded at that and Mrs. Winnow shared a short, meaningful look with her son.

“No.” she said, after a second.

“What-“

“But,-“

“Mrs. Winnow, perhaps-“

“I said, no! If any of you have a problem with my answer, you can take it up with my husband.” She glared at the crowd. “And Miss Elia, I believe you should use your products more wisely. After all, not all herbalists are allowed to work in a village such as ours.”

Elia flinched, as if struck.

Jack could see it around him. People knew what Louis did and they weren’t happy about it. Even those who judged Lola for her ‘profession’. But none spoke about it, out of fear.

“But what am I supposed to do? I lost… everything?” Lola cried out.

“You’ll come with me, Lola. We’ll build you a house in the forest.”

She cried at that, but it was all Jack had to offer.

“About that.” Mrs. Winnow said, a nasty smile on her face. “That boy is not of this village. He can live wherever he wants. But you are! I’m sure my husband would agree that, if you were to leave the village for the forest, your house… well… land will become forfeit.”

She shared a second look with her son, before continuing.

“But I am prepared to offer you a place, girl. I’ll let you live in my house as a live-in maid. Food and shelter for you. It’s more than you deserve, but I pity your situation.”

“Yeah.” Louis spoke up for the first time. “I’m sure we’ll find a use for your talents.”

Jack waited for the inevitable refuse, but it didn’t come. He turned to look at Lola and saw she was frozen.

Is she actually considering this?

“Lola, no! Why would you want this? You know what they mean!”

“But… Jack, I can’t lose the land too. I want to come live with you, I truly do, please believe me! But the house is gone and that land is… is really is the last thing left, Jack!” she said, though there were no more tears left to cry. “And if I lose it, I’m not part of the village anymore. They can keep me from entering!”

“Lola… I get it. Your parents lived here. But this... This will break you. I can’t let you do this.”

She seemed to think about what he said, consider it and accept it. She opened her mouth, but-

“She can live with me.” Elia said.

“What?”

“It will be a little hard, especially in the winter, but we’ll make do.” She shrugged, like it was the simplest thing in the world.

“I… I have food!” Lola said, raising her bag.

She wasn’t smiling yet, like she couldn’t get herself to believe this wasn’t a dream.

“There we go!” Elia grinned. “That makes it easier for a week or so. Besides, I feel I’m about to come into a whole lot more business!” she said, winking at Jack.

He grinned in reply.

Subtle as a tree falling. But a good person.

“You should reconsider, Miss Elia.” Mrs. Winnow said. “Some people might not want to buy your wares, considering who it is you are hosting. They might feel your products are touched by her taint.”

“I’ll make sure to wash them twice, then, Mrs. Winnow.” Smiling, like the entire undertone flew right over her head.

Mrs. Winnow didn’t like that, but she left, taking her son and his lap-dogs with him. The other villagers dispersed as well, a few even muttering their regrets for Lola’s loss. Lola herself left with Elia, telling Jack she’d see him soon and stumbling every few steps, like she was drunk. Elia helped her walk, seemingly amused and chattered to Jack about what he should look out for in the forest.

Stunned, Jack made his way back to his clearing.

He didn’t know what to think, except that people are… people. Some nice, some indifferent and some… deserving of being burned alive! He felt she should introduce Mrs. Winnow to the Nymph, if he ever got the chance, though. Two rabbits and all that.

Jack reached the clearing when the sun was almost set.

“Jack. Mrk didn’t know if you wanted Mrk to come after you. Mrk waited and thought, but waited.” He babbled. “I sharpened spear and made clubs for attacking. And made planted plants. And made food. Mrk tried to be busy. But waited. Is Jack alright?”

“Yeah, buddy, I’m alright.” Jack tiredly said. “It’s just been a long couple of days.”

“Mrk will listen to story. Jack wants anything.”

“Yeah. What’s for supper?” he grinned faintly.

And Mrk started a convoluted story about his ordeals with finding, cooking and ultimately eating food. Before chittering happily at his new hatchet.

It’s good to be home.