Page 4 of Hell-Bound

But the friendship wasn’t one-sided. If there was anything Benji liked more than spinning tales, it was money.

One night, he snuck into the guest quarters and pushed Renata’s hammock, jolting her awake.

“Heya, Ren! Follow me! I have an idea.”

Renata, bleary-eyed, slunk out of her hammock and followed him up on deck. It was pitch black, save for the glow of three lanterns. The night sky was absolutely breathtaking—glittering like millions of gems and somehow wholly different from those in Vergessen, which looked dull in comparison.

“Hey! Ren! Did you hear what I said?”

“Ah. Sorry, Benji. No.”

Benji gave an irritated sigh.

“I said I found a way to get some money. See, I’ve been watching you. You’re like a dang cat when you move—you barely make noise! Probably because you’re so small,” he said thoughtfully.

Renata knew better than to mention their heightdisparity.

“So, the way I see it, we can both get good if you just sneak into a couple of chambers and snatch some coins. Maybe from old Simon?”

Renata couldn’t really remember much about the cultural connotations of money. But she did know that stealing was frowned upon.

“Benji, I don’t think we should be taking money. What if they kick us off the ship?” she whispered.

Benji waved her off. “Noway.Besides, Simon takes money, too! Remember when he was playing cards with Sean? Sean called him alying thief!”

She supposed that was true. Thatdidhappen.

“It’s all about strategy. Whoever has the bestskill,like in cards, gets the most money!”

Renata had no argument for this.

In the end, they both made off with a stash of gold pieces each, stolen from pockets, socks, and deserted cabins.

Benji was right, though. No one even noticed Renata as she slipped her hand silently into their trousers. Her favorite find was a small mirror that Jon Jon had left in his hat.

Renata had no particular plans for her spoils, but Benji told her that she would find something in no time and thathewas going to buy the best cakes in Ataria.

One night, as they lay together on the deck, Benji became wistful. “Say, Ren, what’d you buy if you had all the money on The Mortal Plane?”

She immediately knew what she should say.My memories!

But she hesitated. Renata felt she had to at least find out thereasonfor her affliction. Perhaps it was just some illness that she had unwittingly contracted one day. The medical magicians in a city as big as Ataria would surely have the cure.

Remembering her time with Benji onSea Walkergave her courage. It meant that no matter the answer to her affliction, she was at least still capable of making memories.Perhaps one day she would share the stories of Benji with another—keep them alive for him so they would never be forgotten.

Then, in her small moment contemplating her own menial memories, she stood purposefully, dusted off her pants, and made her way to The WhiteWhisper.

The entrance to The White Whisper had no door. Renata could hear the laughter and music wafting into the streets.

The violin music was jovial and sweet. The perfect music for a bar with a broken door.

Walking into the tavern, it was obvious that this was one of the rougher places in town, and yet the ball in her chest immediately began to loosen, and her fingers, previously clutching her bag, began to relax.

Most of the tables were occupied with a variety of different races and creatures. She saw other Half-Elves, Orcs, Gnomes, and one man she swore was just a noodle with eyes.

But no Fae.

She sighed, realizing she always got nervous around the Fae despite their shared features. For her, it wasn’t hard to tell them apart. Fae typically had longer, more pointed ears and pointed teeth. They also varied in some special features. Some had wings, others tails, some horns, but they always smiled.