Chapter 108: Not our problem.

They all watched Malia do her job and she explained that she had a medical history. "I did not study as much as I wanted to because there was no money. I am a low born, like those from privileged clans like to call us." She snorted. "As if such a thing exists. They like to act like their blood is special or something, but actually, we are all the same. Red blood and humans, all enemies of Somnivores. All trying to survive." It was on the tip of her tongue to add that she sometimes wished the apocalypse had never ended, because back then, it was humans against Somnivores.

Not a certain class of humans against all the bad in the world. But if she said it, then what would they think of her?

The men all nodded in understanding; they were all low-borns and they all had different dreams once upon a time.

"Well, you are good at treating wounds that is for sure." Crispus said.

Malia nodded, her expression softening into relief as she bandaged the wound with clean linen. "Vince is right. If those people in that village had not helped, blood-poisoning would have taken hold. Julian would have lost his leg. You’d be hopping on one foot for the rest of your life journey, kid."

Julia rolled his eyes. "I am older than you."

She laughed.

Crispus made a quick sign of the cross_ a habit that he still held onto whenever the danger knocked too close. "Thank the heavens," He muttered, letting out a long breath. "We do not need any more people losing body parts around here. My leg already looks like a patchwork quilt. I am saving up to get myself a bionic leg next year." He was already on the waiting list, thanks to Hunter.

Malia took one swift look at Big Vince. "You still haven’t told me what those people you met were like."

Big Vince rubbed the back of his neck, his adrenaline lowering by the second. "The people in that community_ they were nice. Really nice. Shared their herbal tea and everything. Of course, we didn’t drink it because we don’t drink things offered by strangers. But man, they were depressed and hungry. I still don’t know why they still offered us some of their meager food. We rejected it because we have more than enough here."

"Why don’t they have enough food?" Malia asked, wiping her bloody hands on a towel. "Did the meerkats eat their crops? Don’t they go out to trade? The land is not very fertile in the wild lands, but some persistent crops can grow."

"Worse," Vince sighed, a rare look of worry crossing his eyes. "Human pests. They told us about a rogue bandit group that terrorizes them constantly. They roll in every few weeks, taking their food, their energy stones, and even their people. Mostly young men and women. Mr. Kruger was crying into his meatless soup when he told me." He shook his head, the memory heavy on his chest. "It was pathetic to watch. These people have completely lost their spine because they don’t have enough people to fight back. Many of the people have deserted the place."

Crispus didn’t look up from his teacup. He took a slow, deliberate sip and blew away the steam. "That is tragic, Vince. Truly. But that is not Beast Valley’s problem."

"Not our problem?" Vince bellowed, nearly letting go of Julian, who groaned in protest. "Crispus, they saved Julian’s leg! We owe them a life debt, maybe we could help. That’s karma!"

"Karma doesn’t feed anyone in these hard times," Crispus countered smoothly, his voice cool and logical. "We are new here. If we go playing heroes for every small village in a ten-mile radius, we will draw the attention of the larger rogue sects. Or worse, those same bandits will turn their eyes toward our valley. We protect our own. That is the rule. Break it and you will have Hunter’s wrath to face."

Big Vince looked out the window toward the door, his jaw tight.

"Fine, for now," he said softly, the humor completely gone from his voice. "It’s not our problem for now. But a tiger that eats your neighbor doesn’t suddenly become a vegetarian when it reaches your fence. Who knows when they’ll decide Beast Valley looks like an easy target?"

The medical room fell dead silent, save for Julian’s soft, pained breathing, as the weight of Vince’s words settled over them all.

Malia took off the gloves. "Easy boys, that is enough arguing. Let us just wait for the Divine maiden to return. This is her valley and it will be her decision to make."

Crispus let out a short but deep sigh.

Big Vince nodded, he did not think that Zyra would let those folks starve to death. Divine Maidens were nice and generous; it was their nature.

****

The vintage clock in the foyer was ticking past 11:00 PM when Logan finally pushed open the front doors of his official residence. He was running on three hours of sleep, two cups of chamomile tea, and a profound sense of irritation.

Before he could even hang up his coat, a flurry of silk and frantic footsteps rushed down the grand staircase. It was his wife, Celeste.

Now, if this were a classic story told by poets in a fancy book cafe, the mayor’s wife would be so beautiful that kingdoms would fight wars over her.

Celeste, unfortunately, did not fit the bill. She was an aggressively plain brunette, inheriting the prominent nose and unfortunate jawline of the Craw clan. But what she lacked in facial symmetry, her family made up for in raw, terrifying political clout and money. The Craws practically owned a full town in Aurora Dominion and had a lot of political influence. If Logan hadn’t needed their backing to secure his mayoral seat, he would have gladly queued up to be the fourth or fifth husband to a prestigious, beautiful Soul maiden, dignity be damned.

"Logan!" Celeste gasped, throwing herself into his arms. Her eyes were puffy, raw, and fiercely red. "What are we going to do? What about Ritah and Ava? This is horrible."

Logan winced slightly as her forehead dug into his chin, but he smoothed his expression instantly, rubbing her back with practiced tenderness. "Shh, breathe, my love. Stop crying now."

Celeste pulled back just enough to look up at him, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I called my father. He’s furious, but... he’s willing to help. He said he can smuggle Ritah out of the border post tonight. He has a hidden courtyard in the southern peaks. She can live there comfortably, away from the Mystic Sanctum eyes. We can even fake her death if it comes to it and support her family forever if that is what it takes. Hurry up and call her, we are not leaving her on her own."

He moved his hand close to the back of her neck, wondering what would happen if he snapped it.