A/N: Hopefully this chapter makes more sense. Thanks to anyone that took the time to read the first chapter. =)

Kieta- (and anyone else who might have gotten me confused) I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make it seem like I didn't think that drugs were a big deal…(that is hardly the case) what I meant was that I didn't think it was very big in my story. Just thought I'd explain.

Chapter Two: Nurmai

The dark, damp hallway that led into Nurmai and Kalic's living quarters was narrow and smelled of sweat and unnamed small creatures. A smile twitched at the corners of Kalic's mouth whenever he thought about all those rich nobles and what they would say about his home. It was not the best place to live but it was better than where Kalic had previously been living. At least here there was a semblance of shelter. Streets and sewers did not hold the most forgiving folk. Kalic pushed open the old, rickety door to the main room where the tiny fireplace and a roughly made table were located. Nurmai was sitting at the table and looking into an engraved box.

Nurmai was not that old; he had to be somewhere in his mid-twenties, possibly early thirties. But if one did not see his face, you could easily mistake him for a much, much older man. For his hair was snow white, as were his eyes. The paleness of his features were sharply contrasted by Kalic's dark brown hair and black eyes. Kalic was only fifteen himself, or something around there. He didn't know what his birthday was and it didn't really matter; the passing of each year was just that passing of another year of hell.

Nurmai snapped the box closed and turned to face Kalic as soon as he entered the room.

"What'd you get fer me t'day?" His voice was low, and smooth but his hand rested almost nervously on the box he had been examining.

Kalic walked over to the table, careful to move around the opposite side, away from Nurmai. "Some pretty things, but you can't have them till you give me the Haresfoot." It was something that Kalic had learned early on; never hand over the loot without having you share in your hand. Nurmai had a funny way of "forgetting" to give Kalic the powder if not prompted by the boy.

Quite suddenly, Nurmai jumped up, knocking over his chair in the process. Kalic backed away from the table as Nurmai started to come towards him. He kept backing away until his back was pressed against the wall.

"What makes you think," Nurmai growled, his fist tightly clamped on Kalic's shirtfront, "What makes you think that a little nothing like you could ever keep something from me? Don't you think that I could just use you however I pleased and not have to give you a damn thing?" When Kalic did not answer he slammed the boys head against the plaster wall behind him.

Kalic mentally hit himself. How could he be so stupid? How idiotic was it to just walk in, make a snide comment, and expect Nurmai to let him get away with it? He refused to admit it, but still the thought lurked in the corners of Kalic's mind: maybe he was getting just a little to dependent on the Haresfoot. Nurmai leaned in closer, his nose almost hitting Kalic's. His breath reeked of things that Kalic would not care to guess.

"Now, you will give me whatever you have, all of it. Right now or else I will beat the crap out of you then leave you for the scum and the rest of your kind to finish off."

He tossed Kalic to the floor and gestured at the table. Kalic got to his feet and emptied the contents of his secret pockets. He had no doubt that Nurmai would not swiftly do as he had threatened. Nurmai looked over the contents: several full purses, 6 rings, and an assortment of various coins. Kalic shifted from foot to foot, not sure what Nurmai would do when he was in a mood like this one.

Nurmai scoffed, "This is crap. I can't do anything with this." He threw a handful of coins at Kalic's head. "It's worth nothing!" This was a gross understatement and both knew it but Kalic was not about to argue. Kalic looked down at his feet.

"I'll go out and get more…" he trailed off, not sure what Nurmai would think of this.

"No, there's something else I want you to do," a thoughtful look came into Nurmai's eyes. "Yes, something else…"

Kalic looked at him questioningly, forgetting that he was not in a good position.

"I have a job for you." Nurmai looked pleased with himself.

"You will go to the palace and kill someone for me."

A/N: mwhahahaha! Cliff hanger! (or at least I think it is.) please review even if you didn't like it, I'm curious to see what people think.