The Outcast by Alexander C. Hoffman

Author:Alexander C. Hoffman [Hoffman, Alexander C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2018-11-29T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21: Rowan

“You must stay with us!”

“I cannot do that,” Rowan replied. His response was not taken well by either Maude or Nel. They had finally arrived in the city of Lior, and Rowan had made the decision to go his own way, disappointing the two women. Only Ganda, who stood to the side, acknowledged that Rowan was free to do as he wished.

The two women waited for him to say more, perhaps to justify his choice or offer some reason for leaving, but he did not.

“Why do this thing, challa? Why be stubborn?”

It spoke volumes that Maude did not react to the words of her daughter. She always chided Nel for calling Rowan by that term, but not this time. In this instance, she agreed with it.

“I will not impose upon you further. And besides, I wish to be on my own.”

“The last time you acted in this way,” Maude said, “I found you near dead in the desert. Have you learned nothing?”

“This is different.”

“Is it?”

“You are bothering him, my l’Shahl,” Ganda said. “He does not wish to live with us and that is his decision to make.” The two shared a look. They seemed to communicate silently before Maude finally looked away.

“Fine! I defer to you. He is free to act as he chooses, however unwise his path may be.” She turned to look at Rowan, eyes pleading. “Will you not listen to me? I welcome you into my home. You could come and, if you changed your mind, leave at a later date. Once you know the ways of this city.”

It was a very tempting offer, one Rowan truly wished he could accept. They had been very kind to him, and he wished he could stay with them and perhaps repay them in some way. But he could not, so he shook his head no.

“If you refuse to stay with us and must instead choose to go your own way, then you must know of the public houses. There are many throughout the city—more than we who live here care to admit, though fewer than are needed. You will go to one of them. Stay there and be safe.”

Rowan looked to Nel, confused.

“She speaks of the public housing. There are shelters within the city for those who are…without.”

“You mean the homeless? The beggars and the poor?”

“The unfortunate, yes. They are looked down upon in our society, for we are a merchant class.”

“They are looked down upon because they require handouts,” Ganda interjected. Nel and Maude each shot him a look. Nel’s was harder but Maude’s was the one to make him cringe.

“How can you say such words!”

“Peace,” he said, holding his hands up defensively. “I meant nothing bad by my words. I only say that those unable to support themselves have been given a means to survive. They may deserve pity, but they do not deserve our money. No more than is already taken by the king.”

“Long ago, High King Ladolen ordered that communal residences be built so that no man or woman in his city ever be without shelter,” Nel explained.

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