WHIT

42 - A LITTLE BIT

As night fell, the town guards dressed in black uniforms were patrolling in the streets and forced people who were sleeping outside their homes to go back in. They even went so far as to beat those who weren’t listening to them, starting with their legs. Even children weren’t spared. Some kids were especially stubborn, and they ran away from the guards, but after they got chased and beaten with sticks, they ran home, crying aloud.

A group of four guards were roaming in a street, and one of them saw Edgar casually resting on top of a branch. “Hey, you!” he called out. “What are you doing up there?”

The tone of the voice and that rashness dwelling in it reminded Edgar of the watchers back in Shushui, and his gaze darkened. “Mind your own business.” He didn’t even look as he responded in a cold manner.

“You bastard! You’re dead now!” the four of them rounded the tree, but they couldn’t climb the tree. “How did this punk get up there?” After struggling, they gave up on that idea and then started throwing stones at him. Edgar unsheathed his blades and kept blocking the stones with ease, further angering the guards. “You mugger! Get down, and let us beat you!”

Edgar then assumed a squatting position on the branch, looking icily at the guards. “Why are you guys barking like dogs? You think that’ll scare me? Or are you afraid that you can’t convince others without raising your voice?”

“Shut up, you fool!” the guards barked. “There is a curfew going on. One shouldn’t roam outside between eight to five in the morning.”

“So?” Edgar suddenly disappeared from their sight, and his voice then came from their backs, “You are going to bark your way through the locals?” The back of his blades was touching two of their throats, sending chills down their spines, and they swallowed dry saliva. “Those in authority should be more modest, kind, and respectful so they’ll set a good example to the commoners. But if you act like a big shot and think you can do whatever you want, then you’ll only be ruling people through fear. Nobody will actually listen to you from their hearts. Nobody will change for good.” He pulled the blades back and sheathed them. “So stop treating people like you own them.” He started to walk away. “There’s nothing wrong with disciplining a fool who disrespects your kindness, but if you always force them to obey you from the get-go, then sooner or later, blood will be shed. I know you guys might have a lot going with your jobs and all, but it doesn’t hurt to be kind to start things off with strangers. Like they say, a little bit of good can go a long way.”

The four guards were sweating, and they didn’t dare to stop him anymore.

At that moment, an old beggar with dirty pale blonde hair and a bent back was passing by. She was so old that most of her bones and veins showed up on her shriveled skin. Seeing her, they went and politely bowed and respectfully said, “Madam, there is a curfew going on. You shouldn’t be here.”

“Oh, I’ve just arrived in this town, so I’m not aware of that,” she said in a shaky, quivering voice, most of her being supported by the walking stick. “But if I can’t stay outside, where else can this old soul rest? This place and its people have long forgotten my scent.”

“Don’t worry, there’s an old age home nearby. Let me guide you there. Though it requires you to make an initial payment, I’m sure they’ll have an extra bed for one night.”

“That sounds great. Let’s visit that place then,” she said. “Guide me.”

One of the guards showed her the way, while the other three stayed back to resume their patrolling. And after the interaction with the old woman, they felt a strange warmth in their hearts. Normally, they would’ve scolded the old woman or would’ve ignored her altogether as it would’ve been too tiring to let their voices reach her ears, but now, they acted differently. And that didn’t feel bad. Of course, not every person would listen to a smooth-talk, but starting the conversation with a smooth-talk didn’t seem bad at all. After all, if that didn’t work out, then they could always use their canes.

Meanwhile, Edgar came back to the inn, but the main door was locked. He knocked on it a few times.

“The inn is closed. Go elsewhere!” the innkeeper’s voice came from the inside.

“Hoy, I’m living here in one of your rooms!” Edgar shouted. “Open the door!”

“What?’ the innkeeper came to the door and peeked through a hole. After seeing Edgar, he snickered silently. He walked away from the door again on his toes before speaking aloud, “I don’t care! We don’t open the doors till morning!”

“What?” Edgar was stunned. “You gotta be kidding me!”

“No, I’m not! Blame the Beast Tide if you want to blame, but don’t disturb my sleep!” The innkeeper then happily rested on his bed that he arranged right next to the counter.

“Tch,” after pondering for a bit, Edgar got an idea. He went around the building and stopped at a spot and looked up. The windows to his room were closed, but the windows, but the neighboring room’s windows weren’t. “Hehe.” He ran and climbed the wall pretty easily and grasped the windowsill and hung by the window. He did an easy pull-up and slipped through the window.

The room was pretty dark because only a small candle was lit near the bed, where a woman was rolling around, struggling to get to sleep.

He stealthily went over and picked up the candle.

Just then she opened her eyes, and seeing a ghostly face in the candle light, she screamed in horror. “Kyaaaa!”

“Aaah!” Edgar, too, got startled by her and screamed in response.

Their cries briefly woke up Fabby, who was in the next room. "What was that?"