It was with fresh eyes Tia saw Kiramone as they left the Far-Land Inn, little Anshar waving his cheerful goodbye. She saw the tremors present in the audience, the shakes, dilated pupils, sweating, and restlessness as they stood and cheered at the brightly-clothed performers. She began to notice the quick darts into the back streets, popping a dark grape-like pill into their mouths as they crouched behind bright advertising banners, and the withdrawal symptoms resolving quickly. They would then return to the scene as though nothing had happened. She could spot quick hands exchanging money for small, suspicious-looking wooden boxes that likely contained the same drug so many people were taking. Gold pieces flowed like water from the pockets of those dressed in tatters and covered in grime, all for those strange pills.

She was quiet, leading Enusat in step behind Master Anu and Aplaa. The carrier lifted its head haughtily at the jostling of the crowd. It became obvious that there were pickpockets among the peers. A small hand here, a quick dip there and a flash of a gold or silver coin piece would disappear into the crowd. She could see the hands belonged to little street urchins with frail, thin limbs and huge, gaunt eyes. They were like little shadows, flitting between people and not leaving a trail behind them. They dared not touch the Windcaster, for that was a punishable offence, but the tourists, spectators, and tradesmen were free for grabs.

"What yer doin', ye lil' brat!" yelled one hefty, muscular foreman as he plucked a young child out of the crowd. The little boy struggled in futility, spindly legs kicking in the air. He was wearing a tattered tunic with several poorly-repaired rips and shoes with more hole than shoe.

"Lemme go! Lemme go!" he squeaked, pounding his tiny fists against the grown man's beefy forearm to no avail. The foreman replied by shaking him, making him squeal. A gold coin dropped onto the ground.

"Ha! Ye lil' thief!" There was disgust on his bearded face. "Fink ye can just steal from me, eh? Well I'mma report ye to the ministers, ye 'ear? Ye'll get a proper whippin' fer this!"

"I ain't a thief!" the young boy said in a shrill voice. He was slowly turning purple as the man's hand clenched; the boy's legs still kicked in the air.

"Do not, Tiamat!" Enlil slapped a quick hand onto Tia's shoulder. Her fists were clenched, although she hadn't realised her intent was so obvious. She turned in indignation.

"He is innocent, Enlil!" She was torn between keeping her word to Master Anu and rushing in and blowing the man off the face of Dernexes. Everywhere around her, people passed as though nothing out of the ordinary was happening. They all continued with their eating, joking, talking, trading, not batting an eyelid that a young street boy was being physically assaulted right in front of them.

"He is not our problem." The boy's tone was absolute. "We cannot act whilst with Master Anu, or we risk misrepresenting him."

"But–"

"He is not our problem."

"What happened to you freeing all the oppressed?" she said with all the vehemence she could muster, flushing.

He eyed her steadily.

"I have told you already. If I am to save one, I am to save every single one of them. He is one of thousands in this city. This is not the place to start."

She glared at him.

"Can I help you, gentlemen?"

The two snapped out of their argument at the sound of the old Windcaster's smooth, peaceful voice. The crowd, which had gathered around the man and the boy, fell silent.

"Ah, ye a Windcaster?" The burly man bobbed his head respectfully at the sight of Master Anu's light blue cloak. "Just this 'ere kid be stealin' from me, sir. I've a right mind ter get 'im whipped, sir, I 'ave!"

"And you have every right to," Master Anu said agreeably. "But would you not say it would make you more merciful as a grown man to let this boy go, and warn him to never steal again? The lenience would make you a greater man, no? He is nothing more than a child and you, a grown, respectable man."

The foreman, who had seemed so angry moments before, actually appeared to consider the Windcaster's words.

"I guess you's right, sir," he said, rubbing his chin, letting go of the boy's neck. "I got me money back an' all. Guess I could let 'im off."

"And he would never go near you again, would he, now?" The old man's blue eyes twinkled down at the boy as the latter carefully picked himself up, checking his body for damage. He looked up and bobbed his head in affirmation, the fear still etched on his young, dirt-streaked face. "Shall we shake on that?"

He shook the young boy's hand. When he let go, Tia could see a flash of delight and surprise on the urchin's face as he quickly shoved his hands into his pockets. He gave another frightened bob of the head at the muscular foreman and disappeared quickly into the crowds.

"Thank you, good sir," Master Anu said.

"No, thank ye fer the wise words, Windcaster, sir." The man bowed.

Master Anu did not say a word as he re-joined the group, pulling Aplaa along again.

Mommu looked too terrified to speak, cold sweat glistening on his forehead. Enlil was still as broody as before. Tia opened her mouth, but then Mommu pulled her aside, an anxious expression on his round face.

"Do not get in trouble again, Tia," he begged, pulling Kuri behind him. The grey-haired carrier eyed the crowds with apprehension, its stubby tail twitching with every bang and shout. "You have barely recovered."

"It is not right though," she said, falling into step with her trainee partner. "Do you not feel it, Mommu? They should be looking out for each other but they are all here for their own profits. Everybody is doing what they are doing for greed."

"People have families to feed, bodies to be clothed," Enlil reminded her.

"We can barely look after ourselves, we should not involve ourselves in other people's business," the grey-eyed boy said, biting his lips.

"I think it is disgusting how selfish people are," she said, unswayed. They passed a mage on stage, twisting animal shapes in their air out of mist with Wind, drinking in the uproarious cheers from the crowd. "Those poor people starving in the back streets, little children having to steal to feed themselves – why is nobody looking out for them? Why does nobody help?"

"Why, indeed." There was an intense look on Enlil's weathered face. "With all their wealth and power, you would have thought they can spare a coin or two to feed hungry mouths instead of pocketing it. Look at King Ea–"

"Hush, Enlil!" Mommu cut in, a terrified look on his face as he swivelled his head all around, as if expecting the king's army to storm him. "You must not speak such treason, especially in public!"

The boy merely scoffed at him.

"If you are too weak-minded, people like him walk all over people like you. This is how he stays in power."

Mommu said nothing, a stung look on his face.

"You are so mean, Enlil," Tia said with a frown. "Mommu just did not want you to get into trouble. You did not have to call him names."

There was a sullen silence as they neared the gates of the city. Tia no longer looked at the flashy shows, enticing food or flamboyant festivities or the beautiful performers. To her, the glittery, ostentatious appearance all reminded her too clearly of the darkness lurking behind the colourful façade that is Kiramone: the deception, the slyness, and the greed. Behind the yells of excitement and anticipation, she could hear the callous disregard for the poor and the temporary relief of their own deprivation in the entertainment. Each wild whoop paved one more step towards their death. Each pumped cheer was one more soul harvested. She covered her ears and moved quickly onwards, Enusat trotting at her heels, the enlightenment too much for her to bear.

"It will be all right, Tia," Mommu said, bumping her shoulder affectionately. She gave a small moan. Her shoulders visibly loosened as they passed the main gates of Kiramone and moved away from the to-and-fro rush of people. The pressure on her chest was relieved somewhat.

"Master gave that little boy some money, did he not?" she whispered, mounting Enusat. The carrier's pert ears twitched. Mommu smiled back at her in his usual sympathetic manner, grey eyes warm.

"Master Anu is a good man."

"He is."

As they departed, Tia felt an almost mournful stir in her heart. Without her realising, she had grown up a little. She had taken her first step into the adult world.