The Value of a Life – Part 3

“Well, Mouse, you need more than 5 lives if you want to last long out here. You’ve got to find a way to earn more,” Zeno looked at him reproachfully. “And you’re not to play Russian Roulette again.”

Mouse just nodded, staring at the ground.

“Do you have any skills?”

The boy looked left, then right. He whispered, “I can pickpocket, Mister Zeno.”

Zeno sighed. “Do you have any legal skills?”

Silence.

What to do with a talentless boy, in this society where life must be bargained for with something of worth? Well, he had been a talentless boy himself, once. It was a long time ago, but he could still remember the feeling. The fear and hopelessness. And he could still remember the man who had given him a chance.

…

“I wasn’t sure you’d still be alive, you old bastard.”

A booming laugh. “You know as well as I that I’m more likely to outlast you. How long you live has nothing to do with age.”

Zeno clapped the stout man on the shoulder. “Isn’t that the truth…” he looked pointedly at Mouse.

His friend held his gaze and seemed to understand without words needing to be spoken. His eyes were solemn for a moment, but then he blinked and put on a smile for the boy.“And how did you get yourself stuck with Zeno here?”

“Oh, Mister Zeno helped me out, sir,” Mouse stated, not grasping the joking tone. “He’s really the one stuck with me. He’s a good sort,” he added firmly.

Zeno’s heart warmed at the boy’s defense of him. And it tightened anew with anger towards Mouse’s parents. He seemed a good child, not that even a bad child deserved the treatment he got.

“Ay ay,” the man held up his hands. “I’ve known Zeno since he was not much older than you, and I’m quite fond of him too.”

Mouse nodded, pacified.

“Now. can you pay attention and follow orders?”

“Well, I’ve never tried those things, but I’m sure I could, Sir.”

The man suppressed a smile. “Well, I’ve got a job for you, then. There’s just one matter we have to resolve first. You’ll have to visit the King.”

…

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Thanks so much for reading!

-Clever & WTF