Sporemageddon

Black Mould - Twenty-Five - Questions Under Duress

Black Mould - Twenty-Five - Questions Under Duress

Debra looked between the two of us, then cleared her throat. Well, Im going to be off. You two have fun.

Thanks, Debra, I said. I flashed her a quick grin. No point in antagonising one of my friends. Besides, this was something of a favour. I turned my attention back towards Eight-Three-Eleven. I thought my own lack of a real name was weird, but here was someone whose name was just a few numbers. So, uh, I began.

I could only see Eight-Three-Elevens eyes, but I had the impression she was smiling. Debra asked me to check on you. She said you were a helpful kid, doing your part to keep the people around here fed.

That wasnt entirely true. I was keeping most of the produce I made for myself. I wasnt about to shoot myself in the foot, though. I do what I can, I said.

Cool. So, whats your name? she asked.

Dont have one, I replied. What about yours? Is it really Eight-Three-Eleven?

Thats my name, she confirmed with a nod.

I frowned. Its not Eight Thousand Three Hundred and Eleven?

She shrugged. It could be. You could also call me Eight-Three-One-One, but I like Eight-Three-Eleven best. The girl looked past me, which wasnt hard. She was I was going to guess maybe thirteen, fourteen years old? She was a good two heads taller than me, so I couldnt exactly stop her from looking into my farm. Is this where you work?

Yeah, I said. I grow mushrooms. For eating.

And for killing, she said.

What? I asked.

Her attention dropped down to me. You know, two of them died.

Two of whom? I asked.

The Undercity Gremlins. Was that their name? I know that they came here and paid you a visit.

I could feel my heart thundering in my chest. Could I take her? She was taller, probably in better shape. But she was just one girl. I had a knife still. I licked my lips. Talking first. Stabbing the wandering priest lady second. They werent very nice, I said. They came here, shoved me around, stole some of my stock. Set me back a few weeks.

So you poisoned them? she asked.

They poisoned themselves, I said. Its not my fault that they ate everything they stole without seeing what the consequences of eating some of those mushrooms would be. Did they really die?

Eight-Three-Eleven eyed me for a while. I was supposed to come here a week ago. But I hesitated. I didnt know what to do, exactly. Killing people is well, its certainly illegal, if nothing else. So I asked my mentor what to do.

Is their name Eight-Three-Ten? I asked.

Her eyes crinkled at the corners again. No. Its Five-Oh-One-One. Hes been my mentor for years now. Hes very wise and is a respected acolyte of Galen. He told me that sometimes, to bring the greatest mercy, you need to truly know what is happening. That means doing some research. So I asked around. Turns out that the Undercity Gremlins have been causing a lot of trouble for a lot of people around here.

I crossed my arms. What do you want from me?

Just to talk, Eight-Three-Eleven said. You know what happened to the two that died?

I can guess, I said. I ate some of the same mushrooms as they did. I know what they do to you.

Youre not dead, she pointed out.

I rolled my eyes. I ate a lot less, obviously. And it was a close call.

So you didnt know that what theyd eaten was poison?

I shrugged. Who knows? They stole the mushrooms after breaking into my place. You worship the god of mercy or something, right?

Galen, yes, she said. Its more complex than just that, but essentially hes the god of mercy.

Is there a god of ironic deaths?

Eight-Three-Eleven laughed, head tilting back and shoulders shaking. No, I dont think there is, she said. Some of the tension left us, and I felt myself chuckling along with her, though really it wasnt that funny. The two that died? They came to our temple near the Gutter. Asked for Galens mercy. I well, anyway. I wanted to know what caused it all, so I started digging. You get a lot of freedom as an acolyte of Galen, though youre kept pretty busy too.

And, what are your conclusions?

They deserved it, she said. Maybe they could have changed and become better people. But in the end, they received Galens mercy and thats all that matters.

Whats Galens mercy? I asked.

She tilted her head. I guess youre a bit young to know. How old are you?

Four, I said.

She nodded. Galens mercy is when someone cant go on anymore. Sometimes theyre in too much pain, sometimes its emotional. Sometimes theyre just too old to keep on going. They can ask for Galens mercy, and an acolyte will give it to them. Its considered an honourable way to go. No matter the crimes and sins committed in life, those who ask for Galens mercy are given a peaceful, polite repose.

I nodded along. What about the rest?

The rest?

Of that gang of thugs. The Gremlins.

Eight-Three-Eleven shrugged. I dont know. I imagine they wont be too pleased with you. But then, the Gremlins arent a big group. The two that died were important, I suppose. Its possible another, bigger group will swallow them up.

And in the meantime, I still need to worry about being attacked, I said. Nothing changed, really. Except now I know that when they come for me next time, itll be with the deaths of their friends justifying their own actions.

The acolyte scowled. I hadnt thought of that, actually.

How did you know that they were poisoned here? I asked.

I asked them a few questions, before they received Galens mercy. We give those taking the mercy some medicine, made from poppy and well, nevermind that. It makes people more lucid, removes any lingering pain.

So some sort of opiate, I guessed. Morphine, or something like fentanyl or heroin. They were all more or less similar. I wasnt sure about the lucidity part, but then, I wasnt a pharmacist, and they might have been mixing that with other medications. I appreciate the warning, I said. If thats all you came here for, then well, I have a lot of work to do.

What kind of work? Eight-Three-Eleven asked.

I gestured behind me to the farm. Im still fixing some of the damage. And Im trying to grow more and better food. This place doesnt have enough food for everyone. At least, not food thats inexpensive enough for everyone to afford.

Eight-Three-Eleven stared. Okay, she said.

Okay? I asked.

She nodded. Yes. How can I help?

I blinked. What do you mean?

How can I assist you? What can I do to help you feed the people here?

Why would you help? I asked.

Because Im an acolyte of Galen. Part of my duties are to travel across the city and provide help to those who need it. Youre right, there isnt enough food to go around. I doubt youll be able to grow enough to make a big difference, but a small difference is no less worthy for being small. Thats what my mentor always says. So how can I help?

A minute ago you were accusing me of murder, I pointed out.

She nodded. Yes. And Im increasingly convinced that you did it on purpose.

And now you want to help?

Yes. She laughed. You really dont know much about Galen.

I dont know anything about him, I said truthfully.

Well, maybe I can teach you a little then, as a favour for helping. In exchange well, I often have to help families who just dont have enough food to go around. I dont think I can feed them with just mushrooms, but every bit helps.

Youre strange, I said.

She nodded. Maybe. Were optimistically pragmatic. We help to be helped. Mercy is mercy, regardless of the source.

So what, youll help anyone as long as they help others?

Murderers, extortionists, even some people who are outright cruel, she said. Well help them if they display mercy for others. Personally, Id rather help those who are kind for the sake of kindness, but I havent found many of those around.

I worked my jaw as I thought. Did I trust this weirdo? No. Not as far as I could throw her, and I couldnt even lift her without breaking my arms. Did I need help? Probably. She seemed well-connected, at least.

Okay, I said. I raised an arm to shake. Its a deal.

She laughed again. Wrong god, but Ill accept.

We shook.

Now, how can I help?

Do you know how to garden? I asked.

Nope.

In that case I need places to grow more mushrooms, and I need to know more about the Gremlins, and the rest of the city too. You can even preach a little if you want. That usually got the religious type all excited. Judging by the glimmer in her eyes, that was a bullseye.

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