Ambrose almost felt like skipping down the path as he travelled through the city. His body felt so refreshed, so light, he'd had no idea that he had been so warn down. He paused as he was about to turn on to another street.
If I was this bad, then…
He took his coin pouch and opened it, counting the coins with his finger.
It is my money; I can do what I want with it.
He felt a pang of guilt thinking about the money he had already spent on himself, could he justify spending more on something that didn't benefit the group.
He decided he would consider it while he made his way to his new destination, even though the fact he was taking a detour probably assured he would.
He had to double back on himself to reach the back alleys he had to navigate down. He expected that when he reached the open kitchen, he would have to wait in line to talk to Tyrus, considering based on the sunlight cascading into the thin alley between the tall buildings it was the time when the food was served. Meaning when he came to the open brick yard, he was confused to find it deserted.
Ambrose stood where the alley opened up into the area, looking around, trying to process the strange site. He slowly walked up to the window where his old friend normally provided food to the hungry and homeless. The wooden shutters were locked closed; he knocked but got no response.
"There's no one there."
Ambrose jumped slightly at the voice. He turned and found it source. Behind him was a boy, if he hadn't recognised his face, the stump where his right forearm should have been made him instantly recognisable.
"Hello, I haven't seen you for a while." He said, crouching down to be at eye level with the boy. "Do you know where Tyrus is?"
The boy shook his head. "Three days ago, he just didn't open up. A lot of us waited to see if he would, some people even tried to hit the window to get in but they couldn't."
Ambrose looked back at the window. Tyrus hadn't missed a day serving since he began running the kitchen. Even when he had gotten sick and he had helped him, he still took lead in the cooking and serving.
"And no one has seen him since?"
Again, the boy shook his head.
He stood and looked around. "Where is everyone?"
"After a couple days people stopped coming." The boy replied, flatly.
Ambrose nodded. "If I show you something, can you promise not to tell anyone else?"
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The boy seemed hesitant but nodded.
Ambrose walked over to the window and ran his hand underneath the windowsill in front of it. He found what he was looking for and pulled the small catch. As he did there was a clunk from the shutters and with a small push, they opened.
He climbed in to the window and lifted the boy in after him. After a brief look around the kitchen they made his way to the door at the back of it. There was a front door on the other side of the building that led into Tyrus's small home but this was the only way Ambrose knew that he could let himself in.
"Hello, Tyrus?" Ambrose called out as they opened the door.
The house was dark; the curtains were drawn and no candles were lit. He walked over to one in a holder and using his magic he lit it.
"Wow" The boy said at the sight of the magic.
He looked at him and smirked. "Don't be too impressed, that's about the best I can do."
Using the candle for light he began to look around the room. It wasn't a big living space only containing a bed and a small table and chairs.
"We can open the curtains?" The boy said as Ambrose brought the candle close to parts of the room to illuminate them.
"We are not really supposed to be in here, best not to."
The boy nodded and then continued to follow where Ambrose was looking.
"I think what you saw seems right. I don’t think Tyrus has been here for a while, at least a few days."
"Well, where is he?" The boy asked.
Ambrose looked at him, the concern barely hidden on his face. "Come on, we better leave before someone realises we are here."
Once they were outside and the shutters were locked up again, Ambrose staired at them, trying to think where his friend could be.
"When do you think Tyrus will be back, I'm hungry."
The small voice snapped him out of his thought; he turned to look at the boy. He was so small, he could have only been a year or two older than Reenie. He was heavily considering bringing the boy back to camp with him, but thought for now he might have a better idea.
He opened his coin pouch and took out a coin, crouching he gestured for the boy to give him is hand.
"You never told me your name?" He asked as the boy did.
"I don't know"
Ambrose paused. "You don't know your name?"
The boy shook his head.
"Well, you need a name, how about…" He looked around, trying to find something that would give him some inspiration. A cloud moved and let the light hit his eyes bringing his attention upwards. "Sky?"
The boy considered it for a moment before smiling and nodded.
"Ok, Sky it is then." Ambrose placed the coin in Sky's still outstretched hand. "Do you know the butchers that is not far from the main gate?"
Sky nodded
"Ok, take this straight to them and tell the butcher that Ambrose sent you, give him the coin and tell him I have asked he make sure you get some food every day. Tell him once this money had run out to just take some of the money from what he owes me from the deer." He ruffled the boy’s hair. "You got all that?"
The boy smiled "Yep."
"Ok, if he doesn’t believe you, just tell him I will send the magic bunny after him."
Sky laughed and then at Ambrose's gesture, quickly ran off.
Ambrose stood smiling to himself, He felt that his decision was the correct one, they just didn't have enough built to house anyone else at the moment. Once they had built more, he may come back and offer for Sky to stay with them. He had never thought about having children, but felt if he was going to do something with the gift he had been given, looking after an orphan like himself was a fitting goal.
He turned back to the closed window and his smile faded.
"Tyrus, where are you?"

