Author's Note: Good to see that even in my (I think) trope laden story, I can still pull the rug out from under people. Now, if only I could ration my time properly instead of going around hunting Raki in TW:WH2. Working on a passion project is hard when you work three quarters of the time, and balancing that with relaxing game time isn't making it easier on me.

Still, I hope you enjoy this chapter.


Chapter 63


Carol broke a beam of salvaged wood across his knee and tossed it into the crackling fire underneath an iron pot. Being in a backwards town had it's benefits; They didn't have to try to jury-rig a way to heat large amounts of water, as the people had need of ways to bathe themselves without relying on sewage systems. It wasn't strictly a small settlement thing to not have the amenities of modern life, but it certainly was the case more often than not. It all depended on how long they were established. Small settlements set up within a year or so were very unlikely, whereas ones like his had it set up as it had been around for a good few decades or so.

The reason why he was tending a fire to heat water was because of their new addition. When Nicholas had found her, his experience as a parent had kicked in. The girl, who couldn't have been older than eight, had been well on her way to emaciation, but surprisingly not dehydration. Carol was grateful for the fact he'd brought multiple canteens, and had donated as much as Nicholas requested, which still wasn't much. And neither was the MRE he'd cherry picked and requested from Russel, who for once didn't put up much of a fight. And after the girl's needs were taken care of, after she'd finally fallen asleep...they realized she stunk to high heaven.

It was to be expected, she'd been there for...Carol didn't know how long. Only in the morning did they actually explore the basement to find a bunch of spare wrappers for food not too dissimilar to what they carried, and an area with...well, the lightest he could put it was 'human waste'. Still, for her to survive that long, trapped under her own house with Grimm on the surface, it was something to be commended. Her presence was still confusing, however. He sighed, and turned his thoughts to something else. Mainly dipping a bucket in the hot water and fastening it to the system of ropes and pulleys they'd hastily thrown together to give Nicholas some privacy to help the girl bathe. Sky was there, too, as he was the oldest in his family and had helped his mother bathe his sisters in their early years.

Which left Russel, Cardin, and himself performing the combined task of heating water for the bath and keeping an eye out for the Grimm. The Grimm hadn't been sniffing around, much to Carol's relief. He supposed it was because the girl was no longer scared out of her mind, and didn't have any reason to come to the village. The clattering of a bucket made itself known, and so he grabbed it and filled it with some of the hot water, tugging on the rope to signal the full bucket. The thing was lifted, disappearing into the washroom at it's apex. Carol sighed, turning back to the fire. "How much water does a little girl need? She barely reaches my damn knee."

"She's not that small. I get your point, though." Russel said, using his dagger to carve something into a piece of firewood. It seemed to be an amorphous blob of some description, but Carol supposed he wasn't really aiming to do anything but make kindling shavings. "Guess it's kind of to be expected. She's been here how long without anyone to take care of her?"

"Three weeks." Cardin informed, making Carol whistle lowly. "Just wish they told us that we were looking for a damn kid. I wouldn't have messed about so much."

"Yeah." Russel agreed, rotating the block of wood in his hand, before sighing and letting it drop. "You'd think they'd have given this priority over the other missions. I mean, don't get me wrong, I like being a hero as much as anyone else, but this feels like something that you'd send a group of licensed huntsman out on. Just makes me think they don't really value their kid that much."

"I don't think it's because they don't love her, dude. Actually, it's because they do that they lied about it." Carol looked between Cardin and Russel, a look of understanding coming across Russel's face.

"What do you mean?" Carol asked. Downgrading the quality of a team sent out to rescue their daughter made no sense to him. Wouldn't you want the very best to make sure that your kid came to you as safe as could be? A team of licensed Huntsman seemed more apt for it than a group of kids and a handler.

"Well, really, it all comes down to the almighty Lien. Not much else to say besides that."

"Oh." Russel intoned. "That- Well, it makes sense, but damn. That's shitty." Cardin just nodded, blowing a jet of air through his nose. Carol echoed it, frowning.

"That still didn't explain anythin' for me."

"What do you mean? Oh, yeah, forgot you wouldn't know about this stuff." The fact that Russel didn't ask why told Carol that he was probably figured it out already, or was told. "Okay, so, basically, when the Hunters network gets a mission, they sort it by difficulty, or more accurately, payout. The more dangerous or important the mission, the more the team of Hunters get compensated." Russel paused to take a breath, and Carol could tell he was about to go full lecture mode, which was surprising considering Sky usually loved to do it. It didn't mean it was any less headache inducing, so he held up a palm to stop him.

"Just get to the point, don't waste my time with pointless bullshit." Russel rolled his eyes, and Cardin stepped in.

"Using what Russel just told you, a rescue mission is more expensive than an asset recovery mission. The Evergreens just lost their home and settlement, and if they didn't have good insurance, they won't have much money. A recovery mission is probably all they could afford."

"I thought you said the Hunter network assigned mission's costs. Do they not pay for them as well?" Carol asked.

"Now he's interested in how missions work..." Russel bemoaned, causing Cardin to smile.

"Anyway," Cardin started,"-most of the time, yes. The council funds the Hunter network, which in turn pays Hunters their wages for the mission. However, citizens can still put up private requests for whatever they want done. Those don't have cash ponied up by the government, so it's something that has to be spotted by the client themselves."

"And what, the Council just lets people die if they can't pay?" The familiar anger rose up, bringing his blood to a simmer.

"Not exactly. The Hunter network will still accept rescue missions, and will even pay for them..." Cardin trailed off, which didn't reassure Carol.

"But?"

"But since the client, usually the parents, can't pay for it, the Council deems them insufficient parents, and puts them into the adoption programs." Russel said, smiling sadly. "And while I can say the system didn't treat me that badly, for a girl who already had a family and would have been taken from them? That doesn't seem like it would end well."

"So, what do we do, then?" It was probably illegal to lie about the purpose of the mission, as bureaucracy loved it's legislation, but what was the alternative? Let the child be ripped from her parents just because something shitty happened to them?

"We just keep our mouths shut." Cardin firmly stated. "As far as the council will be concerned, the request was fulfilled and they'll have their money. The Evergreens get to be a family again, and none's the wiser."

"Huh. This is weird. A lie someone can actually feel proud about." Carol muttered, before something occurred to him. "What about Nicholas? What if he decides to do 'the right thing'?" As if there was anything 'right' about turning a kid into a soulless relocation program.

"I...don't really know. Honestly, I'm hoping he just goes along with it. He's a father, so I think he already understands what's happening." Cardin said, honestly. There was a rattling at the door of the house, and he shushed the rest of them as the three occupants exited. First came Sky, happy to be out of the house, then Nicholas, and peeking out from the door frame was the little girl. Carol and the rest of his team stood up from their seats, moving over to the front of the house. The girl stepped back slightly, peering up at them from the darkness of the house's lobby.

"C'mon, don't be shy, Lacey." Nicholas coaxed softly. "They're here to help you, too." Cardin and Russel both gave earnest smiles to the girl, and Carol looked away. His grins ranged from 'sadistic' to 'shit-eating' with very little in between. Besides, he felt uneasy around the brat. Looking forward to the future and having his own kids was one thing, but actually interacting with them in the present was difficult for some reason he couldn't place. He was brought out of his ruminations by something tugging on his pant leg. Turning back, he looked down to see the bright eyed girl herself staring up at him with eyes reflecting the sun behind him.

"Your hair's pretty, mister." The girl complimented. His hair was dirty, unkempt from being in the elements. He probably had fragments of dirt, timber, rocks, and gods knew what else in the rat's nest he could call his braid. 'Pretty' wasn't exactly how he'd describe it, and if he did, he'd use a fair few curse words interspersed between other non-flattering ones.

"...thanks." He muttered, finding it hard to look into her brown eyes. Her tattered and frankly disgusting dress was replaced with a white linen one, and her braided pigtails weren't pockmarked with detritus like his was.

"Are you going to get me to mommy and daddy?"

"That was the goal, yes." Carol looked to his teammates for help. They just stood on with slight smiles on their faces, the bastards. Frowning, he turned back to the little girl. "Look, I ain't exactly what you would call 'nice', so you should probably stick around anyone else here."

"But you are nice, mister." Carol snorted.

"Kid, I've said a handful or so of words to you. There's no way you can know that." She just smiled a megawatt grin, displaying the gap between her front teeth proudly. He sighed, but allowed her to remain as he looked up to his team. "If you're all done silently laughing at me, how about we get movin'? There ain't no point to standin' around when we can be getting closer to pick-up area."

"About that..." Sky started. "So, since we kind of, and by 'we' I mean Cardin, broke the bridge, we're gonna have to take a bit of a detour."

"How long?" Cardin asked.

"Somethin' about three days extra. Gotta go all the way around to where the ravine narrows enough to cross over."

"Well, that sucks. You got a route planned?"

"Yep. All depends on how many Grimm are milling about. Though it's not too bad, according to the map there's a lost settlement on the way. A couple of buildings should still be standing, as it's only been about five or so years since it was overran." The group all took a moment to stand in silence in remembrance for the poor place. "At least we aren't gonna have to pretend like we're cave dwellers again."

"No, we just have to camp in another city of the dead. That's much better." Carol spoke, sarcasm dripping off of his words. Russel punched his shoulder, then pointed down towards the girl who was now staring at the ground. Ah, shit. Good friggin' goin', Magnusson. "I mean, uh...it's a figure of speech. I'm sure that everyone got out just fine."

"Really?" Carol hesitated at her now hopeful face returning, eyes still shining bright with innocence. A little white lie couldn't hurt, would it?

"Yeah. They probably had a comms rig or something set up and got out just fine." Her smile returned, something that had his chest feeling warm. He ignored the feeling, clearing his throat. "Anyway, how's about we get moving? And someone take the brat from me."

"Alright," Nicholas said, chuckling to himself. "He's got a point, even if he's just uncomfortable." Carol shot a glare over to the older Huntsman, then realized what he was doing. Luckily, it only caused him to laugh. "I'm sure she wants to see her mommy and daddy as soon as possible. Now, come here sweetie, I'll give you a piggy back allll the way there." The girl whipped around to face Nicholas, clearly eager for...something, Carol couldn't tell what. She hesitated, though, and continued grabbing his legging.

"Can he carry me?"

"Oh for the love of-"

"Of course, sweetie." Nicholas smiled at the little girl, but then he moved his eyes to Carol and leveled a stare that bore into him. Carol swallowed, message received. You are going to give this girl a piggyback and you are going to like it, young man. "Isn't that right, Carol?"

"Yes, sir." He said, grumbling and kneeling down. Sky walked over and began pulling his cloak up and ruffling it around Carol's neck. "The he-" He caught himself. "-eck are you doing?"

"Armor isn't comfortable, dude. Just making it a bit more...well, comfortable." The fabric bunched up around his neck, it began to become increasingly warm and uncomfortable.

"Well, I hope it's worth it to her." A weight was placed on his shoulders, and he grunted. "I thought you said 'piggyback'?"

"And what did I just say?" Sky snarked, referring to his observation of armor. Grumbling, Carol stood up, the girl shrieking lightly and dissolving into giggles. They don't pay me enough for this...wait, they don't even pay me! If he drank, he would wish he had a canteen full of booze right now, but as it stood, water would have to do. A pair of hands appeared in front of his vision, reaching for his canteen. He sighed, but allowed her to guide his hands up to her all the same. It wasn't like he was hurting for water, as he'd taken the liberty to replace what he'd used before with the town's well, but even still, the goal of drinking was to actually drink it. As it stood, a small stream of water was hitting his head. Carol was sure to level a glare at anyone who dared laugh at him, though it didn't stop them from doing so.

"Alright, change of formation." Cardin began. "We're not going to be going in a line anymore, we've got someone to protect now. New marching pattern is going to be Vacuan Diamond formation; Russel, you're in front. Nicholas and I will cover the left and right sides, respectively, and Sky will cover the rear. Carol, you're in the center and designated packmule."

"Yeah, yeah. Let's get moving before my back starts to buckle." Carol said, gaining control over his hand and his canteen back. He closed the cap on it, and placed it back on where it was hanging off of his belt.

"Oh, what, is a widdle six year old girl too heavy for poor Carol?" Sky simpered, digging at Carol.

"I'm not six! I'm eight!" Lacey protested from his shoulders, making Sky snicker even more.

"Right, right, I'm sorry. An eight year old girl is too heavy for mister tough Mantler!" Lacey gasped.

"You're from Mantle?"

"Yep."

"Is it cold up there?"

"Very."

"Is it hot down here for you?"

"Also very." Carol looked to his team, who was now surrounding him in marching order to help with the little girl. Unfortunately, they all just turned away with smiles on their faces. Bloody traitors.


End Note: Same business as it always is.