With the sun now lowering itself towards the horizon, the city was bathed in the faint orange light of dusk, barely lighting up the streets that I wandered as I searched for a decent place to crash.
For the time being, I needed to get place to call home, a steady income of food and coin, some safety, a weapon, and a bath of some kind.
Right now, I needed to put some work in to be able to reach the life that I wanted to live; one of laziness and relaxation as I did whatever I wanted to do whenever I wanted to do it.
So, I kept myself a few blocks by that church and searched the streets for a comfortable, out of the way and secluded spot that was free from people, be them passerby's or residents.
If I could be near a well or any other source of water, that'd be even better...
Continuing to be ignored by the citizens of this city, I meandered around for a bit before finding a spot that fit my bill quite well; a wide, deep river canal had been carved into the earth, with bridges crossing above it and connecting one part of the city to another, all whilst Mana Crystals purified and cleansed the water continuously.
One said bridge was built atop a grassy knoll, and the tight space beneath it was perfect for one person; a steady supply of water and cover from the elements was nice, and if I began to pile some stones or dirt on one side, I could create a 'walled off' area for myself, since no one would check beneath the bridges.
Approaching the waters edge, I crawled under the bridge and sprawled out on the cool grass, sighing in bliss as the soft green blades of grass enveloped my body, providing a sufficient cushion for the time being.
I fit perfectly beneath the bridge, a few feet of space on either side of me as well as a foot and a half above, meaning I could at least crawl around with this small frame.
Returning to the land outside, I looked around the various houses and buildings before finding a bucket, which I 'borrowed' from its owner and filled with the rivers water.
By this point the sun had fallen entirely, leaving the city shrouded in darkness that was barely illuminated by the various Mana Crystal lanterns hung at the corners, whilst candle flames danced in the windows of the houses.
Dipping my hands into the bucket, I splashed my face with the cool water and sighed, already feeling refreshed as some of the sweat and grime was washed away.
I began to quietly clean myself off, before I smuggled myself beneath the bridge as I washed my shirt, not wanting to be seen by a passerby.
With a clean body and semi clean clothes, I sprawled out once more beneath the bridge, only to jolt up as a rock plopped into the water beside me.
Looking around, I saw another child across from me, apparently having the same idea I did as they huddled beneath the bridge, their expression hidden beneath a mask of shadows.
"Find your own bridge..."
Their voice was raspy and low, and I frowned as I whispered back "You have that side, I have this side! Deal with it..."
A soft grunt swept over the water, before silence reigned once more, making me feel a tad awkward.
Either way, I finished what I needed to do and returned the bucket to its rightful owner, laying myself down under the bridge and closing my eyes.
Sleep welcomed me quickly, though I was awakened a few times by a whimper or cry of pain, as well as general paranoia as I slept outside, but I managed to get a decent rest as the sun began to rise again.
The river was occupied by the various people, their ankles bathing in the soothingly cool water as they cleaned their clothes or washed their faces, talking to one another as they prepared to go about their day.
Watching warily from beneath the bridge, I waited for the people to finish up before exiting from my new 'home', stretching out my tense muscles and enjoying that familiar burn that came from a morning stretch.
Cracking my joints, I let out a blissful groan as I loosened myself up, only to curse softly as I avoided the swift rock sent towards my chest by my new neighbor.
"This is my bridge."
Their voice crossed the water once more, and now that it was morning I got a better look at this grouch.
A child the same age as me, I was looking at a scrawny, unkempt child with midnight black hair and almost feral red eyes, their sharp edges and frown making for a rather intimidating appearance despite their otherwise unthreatening frame.
Of course, on doesn't need to be overly muscular to be strong, let alone if your weapon of choice is a river stone that you flicked towards your target.
I narrowly avoided yet another swift stone, hissing "What's your problem?! You take that side, I take this side! I stay on this side, you stay on that side! Deal?!"
They narrowed those sharp eyes before gritting their teeth, sending another stone hurtling towards my skull.
"Oh for..! Damn brat!"
Ducking beneath it, I listened to it clatter against the brick walls behind me before lifting a stone of my own, contemplating what I should do.
I mean, I was actually a few dozen years old, so as their elder I should be more accommodating and understand, show them the right wa-
"OW! What the hell was that for?!"
Glaring at the child across from me, I didn't hesitate as I whipped the stone in my hands towards their shin, returning the blow that they dealt me.
Yeah, I don't care if who I just hit was a child!
They started it, and they harmed me first; I'm going to take advantage of my appearance and hit them back!
It's only fair!
They hissed in pain as a thin gash opened on their shin, blood trickling from the wound as they stood there, caressing it.
"Yeah! That's what you get! I was offering peace, y'know?! I still aim; let's stop this and just share this bridge, alright?"
I tossed the other stone in my hand down onto the shore, showing them my empty palms as I ignored the thin scrape alongside my calf, trying to reach a peaceful solution with this little grem- ahem, child.
Sneering at me, the child just turned and began to hobble away, favoring their left side as they tried to stymie the blood flow from the right leg.
It wasn't a deep wound, so it should scab over soon...
Still, I just sighed and raked a hand through my own dark black hair, pursing my lips as I watched them move away.
I guess... that counts as a territory dispute?
And it went in my favor?