Orchids return home was marred with conflict. Traipsing through the little Capital surrounded by a grim-faced squad of the Banner, he had drawn eyes at every step. Feeling embarrassed at all the attention, he wore his cloak and tried to cover his face while rushing home.

Jensen had shadowed his every move to make sure that he was never beyond arm’s length. The fight against the Knights had reduced the strength of Jensen’s squad by half, reinforcements were still being arranged for, so in the meantime with Jensen’s insistence they were assigned as Orchids personal guard.

Entering the house, he’d been interrogated by his parents about his activities over the last few days. Their questioning was to the point and it had been clear that they were reasonably certain about what he had done. Denying all their accusations he had tried to deflect their inquiries about the Banner onto Justain, claiming the Prince was concerned about his safety and had provided the security.

His parents were having none of it, knowing for sure who the mysterious Lord of Purple was. The accusations and denials intensified until the whole family was shouting at each other, Sun wailing in the corner at all the anger. Eventually Sofia was resigned to the fact that since he was going to be moving to the academy, it was his right to act. She had however made clear that he was not to involve his little sister in any of his activities.

The fact that he’d started acting illegally disappointed his father, and Iris made no efforts to hide his feelings on the subject. Orchid tried to justify his actions by pointing out their ability to improve the District but his father had always strictly adhered to the letter of the law and his anger led to them not talking for long stretches of time.

Sun became subdued as she sensed the tension between her family and took to quietly playing with her dolls more often. Seeing her like this made Orchids heart ache but he was too angry at his parents to reconcile, since he was confident in his actions. At least that’s what he showed to everyone, his doubts about fighting and people nagged at him constantly. Trying to resolve some of his problems he assigned two of the youngest Banner mercenaries to guard and accompany Sun. She instantly took to her new playmates and had them happily playing games within minutes.

Despite their anger with him, his parents weren’t willing to turn down extra protection for their daughter and that seemed to placate them to a certain extent.

Having reached no resolution on the issues that plagued him, he eventually left his house and returned to the purple syndicates headquarters that some witty person had decided to name the Flower Palace. Taking his personal belongings from his home in preparation for joining the academy he brought everything into Black Eyes old office which had been turned into his bedroom. Once he had finished setting up he called Erben over for a short discussion before leaving for the market.

* * * * * *

Instead of heading to the Grand Pavilion like usual Orchid picked up some grilled Raktak for himself and Jensen’s squad before sitting under the Linaya trees. Taking out a banner from a large leather bag he strung it up along a branch. ‘Formation and device maintenance, fees negotiable. Satisfaction guaranteed’ the banner read.

Sitting on a small mat, he spread a cloth in front of him, placing some small trinkets down alongside his scribing tools. Leaning back against the fountain he started to nibble on his skewer while staring at the passersby.

“What’s this for boss?” Jacob asked him from his left. Orchid had been stunned to discover that underneath his helmet Jacob was one of the most handsome men he had ever seen. He looked more of a prince then Justain. Anna had been infatuated with him since she saw his face and even Rat would glance at him out of the corner of her eyes when she thought no one was watching her. His features had not endeared him to any of the men in Orchids group, himself included.

“It’s a way to relax, Prince.” Orchid responded in a surly fashion.

“That’s not my name boss.” Jacob was already resigned to the nickname.

“I know, but if I can have an absurd nickname then you can as well. Since you’re my guard that is.”

“I don’t understand either boss.” Jensen added from the other side.

Orchid kept staring at the people walking around the market and gestured at them.

“This is a strange city. A strange Kingdom even.” He began.

“There’s something about this place that seems to gather momentous events and people. This city has been rebuilt so many times that if you were dig down deep enough you’d find layers and layers of old buildings. The Veilmaster and Silver Knight were both born here and their actions ended the Age of the Gods. Even before that as far back as we can determine many events that affected the continent happened here.”

Shaking his head, he looked up. “That’s not to say that everything that happens here is important. However, there’s enough evidence to suggest that something in this city influences the events on the continent.”

All the guards were listening to him in fascination at this point, barely watching their surroundings.

“The Professor calls it the mana of fate. I think it’s just the accumulation of so much magical force and activity in this place that people just gravitate here.”

Pointing at his guards with the skewer he continued.

“Whatever the case, we live in an important place. With the opening of the Gate, my intuition is telling me that events are going to circle around us, not just because of what I just said but also because we’re the second largest nation on this continent.”

He stopped talking and adjusted the items on his cloth.

“So how do we face it? That’s the question I’ve asked myself many times in the past.”

He sighed. “But, I have no answer.”

Taking another bite of the skewer he considered his next words. The guards were all staring at him in surprise, all semblance of acting as bodyguards gone.

“Since I don’t know what we have to face, we just have to gather as much power and influence as we can. The Banner joining me was a surprise, a very pleasant one, but a surprise nonetheless. Some of you are unsure about following a child like me. I can’t guarantee much beyond the ability to pay you guys regularly and some really, really, really, interesting events to come. There’s no doubt in my mind that we’re going to change the world, the only question is how.”

Orchid finished speaking and munched on some more Raktak while once again gazing at the people in the market.

Jacob swallowed, and spoke quietly. “Boss, that doesn’t explain what we’re doing here”

“Oh. Well, we’re here to sell some maintenance and devices.”

“Is it for practice?” Jensen asked softly from the side, his voice impressed.

“Practice? No, no.” Orchid said. Seeing that they weren’t satisfied he added. “I like it here, watching people and fixing things. It helps me think and the last few days have been rough, so I wanted some time to think. I mean, this is one of the best places in the city, the fountain keeps the place cool, the Linaya trees are magical and provide a soothing effect and most importantly you can find anything in this market.”

Satisfied with his answer they went back to guarding while Orchid lounged in his place.

This little set up of his was an irregular fixture at the market square. As he’d explained he always came here whenever he wanted to think. People would come and buy the little devices, which were small toys that produced flashing lights or animal sounds, or to fix their magical devices that were breaking down. Little children especially enjoyed the light and colour and since Orchid sold it at cost price it was affordable even for the average family in the city.

“Aren’t you going to lose money like this boss?” Jacob asked after a mother and daughter purchased one of the sound creating devices.

“I’m selling them at the same cost as the materials, I’m not profiting but I’m also not losing anything.”

“Why?” Jacob refused to let the subject go.

“The guilds would price these devices almost 10 times higher than the cost of the material, claiming it uses a mages valuable time, but then for something as small as this no one would buy it. It’s just a toy Prince.” Orchid sighed as he thought about the way the guilds set their prices.

“Still, you should profit a little at least.” Jacob muttered.

Orchid just grunted in acknowledgement.

* * * * * *

5 days until the festival. 15 days until the Academies new year.

He twisted one of the light devices to demonstrate the flashing lights to a group of very young children.

Inadvertently I’ve ended up with a retinue of sorts. That opens up all sorts of interesting possibilities.

Checking the young soldier’s sword with damaged engravings while he watched in anxiety, Orchid ran his fingers along the engravings, channeling mana to relink the destroyed areas.

Why can’t dad just understand, his brand of dry logic just won’t work. I have to do this to protect everyone.

The storage box was made of a cheap material and had collapsed so he replaced the material and reinforced it a little while the old man kept nattering on about the origins of the item.

Have to figure out what the weapons from the repository are.

Watching the despondent woman walk away after discovering that her device couldn’t be repaired he went back to scribing and creating a new set of the toys that had been sold out.

I should find some way to earn some crystals on a steady basis, the District will probably be a sink once Justain starts improving it.

Lost in his thoughts Orchid didn’t realize that his purple eyes were almost glowing in intensity as he planned and reflected on events. People who walked up to him for some service were hesitating , feeling an eerie pressure emanating from the purple haired boy.

* * * * * *

The sounds of revelry drifted up to Orchid’s position on the roof from the banquet they’d thrown in celebration of occupying the Red District.

He’d slipped away a short while ago with a small jug of wine that he’d taken from under The Professors watchful eye.

Why is he so obsessed with wine? I’m the one who picked this stuff up today in any case. Plus, except this particular type the rest smell and taste pretty weird.

Sitting on the tiled roof and looking up at the night sky, Orchid tried to relax. His arguments with his family were still troubling him and he had found it difficult to spend so much time with other people. He’d managed to distract Jensen by discovering that the fanatical man had a weak spot for very bitter ales. Dousing him with as much as he could get his hands on, he’d left the drunk squad leader arm wrestling a spear before leaving as quick as he could.

Rocks new moustache had turned from a joke into a permanent fixture, refusing to even take it off when he went to bathe.

The idiot even came to me to find a way to fix it in such a way that water won’t make it fall off. He still refuses to tell me what it’s made of either.

Anna had been hounding Jacob much to the handsome man’s chagrin, as various women casually surrounded him against a wall, refusing to let him go.

The Professor was drunk, not much could be said about a person who likes wine so much.

Feeling that he was sighing too much these days Orchid took a sip from the terracotta jug, letting the flowery flavors fulfill his senses.

I think I understand when writers talk about enjoying alcohol under the moonlight.

A whisper of sound came to him and a cold blade was laid against his neck.

Freezing for a moment, Orchid exhaled deeply and spoke, his voice only slightly shaking,

“Have you come to kill me, Rat?”

“What if I have?” That was the coldest tone he’d ever heard from her, and he considered her words.

“I don’t know.” Staring at the moon he took another sip.

“You don’t care about your life?” she sounded surprised.

“Of course I do, there’s lots I want to do.” He touched the blade gently before adding. “You’re my friend Rat, and I have to protect you.”

“Do you think by saying something like that I’ll forgive you?” She snapped.

“No, Liz. I may be justifying myself, but I will fix all these problems and make sure all of us are happy.”

“What gives you the right to decide for us Orchid?’ The blade was removed from his neck along with her exasperation.

“That wasn’t just me Liz. The rest of us have tried to persuade you on multiple occasions, and time was running out so I planned some drastic measures. Rock would miss you a lot if you didn’t join the academy.”

Glaring at him as she sat she lashed out. “That was unfair Orchid. My feelings for Eizen are none of your business.”

“He’s my closest friend. I’ll make sure you two end up together so that both of you can be deliriously happy in each other’s company. By the way what do you think of the moustache?” He was really curious of her opinion on the ridiculous item.

“I don’t like it.” She whispered, head hanging in shame.

“Ha! I knew it. Fool thing looks like a rabbit is trying to find a place to rest.” Orchid chuckled.

As the Rat sheathed her blade she raised her eyebrow and demanded. “How did you know it was me?”

“I’m the one who put the formations on your blades, so I can sense my work. Also, never use a crafters items against them, we have many methods to mess with them.” He held out the jug to her and she snatched it and took a swig.

“What’s this flowery taste?” She smacked her lips and handed the jug back.

“Like it? It’s from a small winery down south.” He bragged.

“Decent.” She replied.

“Am I forgiven?” He ventured.

“A little bit, some more wine and it will be a little more.” She laughed hair swaying in the wind.

Handing the jug back to her they chatted while sharing drinks and gazing at the stars.