Chapter 10 Chapter 10 5 vouchers The street outside Syrria Academy of Arcana was wide , way broader than the crowded market lanes down south . Shops lined both sides , popping up after the academy was built , moving over from the southern bazaar . They had everything a student could want - pens , paper , everyday stuff . Rumor had it some even offered " help " with Runecraft homework , if one caught their drift . Students were suckers , no matter the time period . One school , and it kept a whole street in business. By afternoon , the place was buzzing with students hanging out . Lorrayne blended in , just another face in the crowd . She strolled along , scoping out the scene , before slipping into a quiet bakery that looked like it hadn't seen a customer all day . Talk about bad timing . The owner , a burly woman , was fixing a bread cabinet , smacking nails with - what else ? -a crusty , blackened loaf Whack , whack , whack . Spotting Lorrayne , she chucked the bread - hammer into a basket . " Hey , what's up ? Need something ? " Lorrayne Lorrayne's eyes flicked to the loaf - turned - tool , and she cringed , her teeth practically tingling . " Uh , two white loaves , please . " " Coming right up ! " The woman wiped her nose , grabbed two fist - sized loaves , and slapped them on the counter . " Ten coppers . " Lorrayne stared at the bread , now sporting some grimy black fingerprints . She held back a groan . Hygiene around here ? Total lost cause . She paid , took the loaves , and stepped outside , grimacing as she tore off the dirty bits . No trash cans anywhere , so she dropped the scraps next to a scrawny dog and backed off . Big mistake . A shadow shot out from an alley , slamming into the dog as they both dove for the crumbs . " Arf ! Arf ! " the dog yelped , scrambling for the scraps . " Mine ! Back off ! " a voice snapped . " Arf arf arf ! " Lorrayne squinted . The shadow was a kid - a scrawny , dirt - covered boy , tussling with the dog over the crumbs . The boy came out on top , shoving the bits into his mouth and licking his hands clean . The dog , pinned under him , whimpered and lapped at the dirt for whatever was left . Lorrayne's stomach twisted . The dog was all bones , the kid barely better off in his tattered rags . Hard to tell who was worse off . " Quit licking the ground , " she said , stepping closer and holding out a loaf . " Here , take this ." The boy froze , shrinking back , his light brown eyes wide with fear . It's for you . Go on , Lorrayne said gently, pressing the bread into his hands . He swallowed hard , hesitated , then grabbed it , giving her a quick glance before cramming the whole thing in his mouth , nearly choking as his eyes watered The dog , finally free , darted into the alley , barking like crazy Lotraybe opened her mouth to say something but settled for a sigh . " What's the point ? she thought . Tell him to slow down ? The kid's so starving he's practically wrestling dogs for scraps . No way he's gonna take it easy . Besides , even if he did , it wouldn't keep the food safe She'd already clocked a few bigger , rougher - looking street kids eyeing them from the shadows of the alley 13/0 D P Chapter 10 She still had one loaf left , but her appetite was shot . 0 0 She split it in half , handed one piece to the boy , and kept the other as she headed for the alley . " Don't ! " the boy yelped , not daring to grab her skirt but clearly freaking out . B 5 vouchers When she glanced back , he shook his head like his life depended on it . " Not the bread ! I mean - there's bad news in there ." Lorrayne's eyes snapped to the alley . Her ears picked up a faint clink of metal . " Relax , " she said , keeping her voice steady . " Whoever was there's long gone . " She ruffled the boy's hair and crept to the alley's edge , peeking in . A puddle of blood stained the ground . The dog lay in it , its soft fur soaked red , its chest still . Lorrayne hurried over and knelt down . A single , clean cut across its throat . One swing , one kill . A shiver ran through her . That swing wasn't for the dog - it was for her . Who'd the old Lorrayne tick off to deserve this ? ' She racked her brain but came up empty . Gently , she lifted the dog's body from the blood . " Sorry you got mixed up in this , " she muttered . The boy was still waiting outside , fidgeting like a nervous wreck . " I - I can bury it for you , " he stammered , twisting his fingers . " Three coppers . Wait , one ! " " Not burying it , " Lorrayne said , stopping in front of him . " I'm gonna burn it ." " Burn it ? " His eyes went wide , horrified . " Cause if I bury it , you'll dig it up and eat it , right ? " she said , her tone soft but blunt . The boy's head dropped , his fists tightening . " Look at me , " Lorrayne said , crouching to meet his eyes . " You saved my skin today . That might put a target on your back . You regret it ? " He lifted his head , his misty eyes burning with something fierce . " Nope , " he said , his voice rough but steady . " Not one bit ." Lorrayne studied him , a spark of understanding hitting her . This kid was sharp . The street was crawling with bigger , meaner beggars who'd seen him score that bread . A scaredy - cat would've saved half to avoid a beating , handing it over to the others . But he didn't . He ate it all . Either he wasn't afraid of a fight , or he'd rather take a punch than back down . Either way , he had guts . " What's your name ? " she asked , straightening up . " Don't got one , " he mumbled , tense . " Orphan " Yup " " You're a clever one Lorrayne said with a grin . She dug into her coin pouch , pulled out the ninety coppers left from the bread , and hauded them ØVEL From now on , you're Roman , " she said , 1tis eyes lit up like Lanterns . " You taking me on as your servant ? " " Nali , " Larrayne said , her pretty face breaking into a dazzling smile . I'm gonna make you my Knight . But first , you gotta pass some Chapter 10 Roman's breath hitched , but his eyes blazed like wildfire . " I'll ace any test you throw at me ! " " Don't get too full of yourself , " she teased . " Test one: stay alive for the next three days . I'll come find you after . " " Piece of cake ! " he said , puffing out his chest . " Cake ? That guy might come back for you , " Lorrayne said , leaning in with a playful smirk . " You messed up his plans , y'know . " " I ain't scared , " Roman said , staring hercompletar el pensamiento , sus ojos brillaban como linternas . " Anything else ? " Lorrayne chuckled . " Yeah , I need a badass bodyguard . Think you can find me one ? " You mean a Sellsword ? " He thought for a moment , then looked up . " I know a guy . " A real tough Swordbearer named Troy . I can take you to him right now . " Title: ReelTalk EP 40 - Contract Lovers & Heartbreak CrushReel's ongoing romance series, Miss You After Goodbye, continues to captivate on the latest ReelTalk episode. Haley Lohrli dives into her daring new character, while Ben and Josh share insights into their own memorable roles, promising a blend of laughter and heartwarming moments. Exploring themes of love, loss, and unexpected connections, this episode delves deep into the intricate relationships that drive the narrative forward. As the stars reveal their on-screen chemistry and off-screen camaraderie, viewers are in for a treat with each unfolding scene. What sets this episode apart is its ability to balance humor with poignant storytelling, offering a refreshing take on modern romance dynamics. Dive into the world of Contract Lovers & Heartbreak, available to read at CrushReel for a journey that promises both entertainment and emotional resonance.