> The village had begun to rot from the inside, with the Watch being cruel the downtrodden, especially those who were not human. Certain ears DID hear. Shadows move, and some were asked to move into the village to correct the problems.
> [https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04157-k139-gifts-of-justice](https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04157-k139-gifts-of-justice) -- Anon Guest
Doni had taken to leaving little gift boxes where the Hellkin girl often hid. He made sure nobody saw him do it, because that increased the chances that the Hellkin girl would actually get them. He wasn't always successful at the most important step.
"You there," barked the Watchman. "What're you doing?"
"Filling a contracted delivery," Doni recited. Ma had drawn up the papers, making them look official, and always had them with him in case something happened. "I'm charged to put this in a specific place and leave it undisturbed."
"Bring it up here," ordered the Watchman. "I need to check it ain't contraband."
"I believe it is a crime to interfere with the contracted deliveries of those who can afford such," intoned a new voice. "It is also forbidden to interfere with people in their legal employ." He was wearing black in deceptively simple robes. He seemed Human, but something was... odd... about his shadow.
"Get lost or get arrested," snarled the Watchman.
"What would be my crime?"
"Interfering with law and order."
"By pointing out the order of the law?"
"Fuck off!" The Watchman drew his weapon. Then he flew backwards fifty feet and fell to the ground, unconscious.
Doni felt like bolting for the Hellkin girl's hiding spot, whether she was in there or not. He froze, clinging to the parcel as the man in black turned his attention to Doni.
"Please do continue. I have questions for your friend."
Doni put the parcel in the safe spot. "She's not-- I mean... we don't talk. She doesn't trust. Auntie says she's like a dog who's been beaten too often."
"Wise woman," said the man in black. He waved his hand and was suddenly... _not_ human any more. A Hellkin with mauve skin, black eyes, and little pointy horns erupting from his brow. "She might trust me a little more."
"Watchman's going to _murder_ you," whimpered Doni.
"He can try," said the man in black. "He's going to be very upset when he finds out I'm an emissary of _Pax Infernus_." He had a very official looking leather seal in his _gi_, and his form matched his shadow, now.
"He should have asked who you were," agreed Doni. "And speaking of asking things... Uhm. I'd very much like to know her name. If that's all right."
"I'll see what can be done," said the man in black.
Doni would learn many things. What a Martialist was, what the little girl's name was, and the immense trouble that the town was in, now. And also that Adept Banneton was perfectly willing to teach martial arts to anyone willing to learn.
Doni and his new friend Fleur were the first to sign up.
[Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@umbra_media?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Christopher Bill</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/brown-cardboard-box-on-white-surface-5gSAWojmSpQ?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Unsplash</a>]
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