After walking for most of the day, the Dwarfs made it into Castell. As soon as they walked into the bustling city, Grumpy was in his element, and he automatically began to analyze everybody he saw. He noticed four thieves casing the streets, and they saw the Dwarfs. Before they could get any ideas, Grumpy flashed a sign that they were his. The teens stared at him, and he made another surreptitious sign, indicating his rank in the guild. Alarm flashed over their faces and they withdrew at once.

All of this was done within three minutes of entering the city, and the brothers had no idea what had just happened. They strode through the city, oblivious to the underworkings that were going on all around them. Grumpy followed them through the streets, his mind processing everything around him. Unfortunately, that also included the valuables that he could snatch. He became uncomfortably aware that he was in a state of hyperawareness, something that had once been as easy as breathing but which now seemed complicated and exhausting.

Grumpy was relieved when they paid for a large room in an inn and were alone again. The quiet room was a reprieve from the overstimulation of the city. He sat on one of the beds and exhaled, already exhausted. Bashful hopped up beside him.

"Golly, you look tired," he said, not unkindly.

Grumpy grunted and looked away, his eyes lingering on the packs where he knew the treasures lay.

"I'm tired, too," Bashful continued. "Too many folks I don't know."

"Yep," Grumpy said shortly.

Bashful frowned at him but before he could say anything else, Doc pulled out seven small sacks of coins and passed them around. Grumpy was bewildered and stared blankly at the outstretched hand when Doc offered him one.

"What's this fer?"

Sneezy snickered. "Whatever ya want."

"Why?"

The brothers smiled, thinking he was joking, but he continued to look confused, and they quickly realized that he was serious.

Doc stepped over and pressed the pouch into his hands. "You worked with us all autumn and half the summer. A worker deserves his pay."

Grumpy stared down at the plain purse, something he'd slit a thousand copies of, and a strange feeling filled him. For a moment, he couldn't move or think. For the first time in his life, somebody was giving him money to spend on whatever he wanted. He knew that food and necessities would be provided for if he went back with the brothers, and if he chose to do so, he wouldn't have to worry for another year. He could literally buy whatever he wanted.

The silence stretched on to the point where the brothers began to grow worried at Grumpy's odd expression, and Bashful hooked his arm around his shoulders.

"You okay?"

Grumpy blinked and looked up. "I cain't take this."

He tried to hand it back, but Doc refused to take it. "Nope. It's yours."

Grumpy looked around at the kind faces, then he nodded and set it on the bed beside him, almost afraid to touch it. The brothers went back to talking about the family that was coming to visit, and Grumpy watched them settle in. He was glad when they went downstairs for supper, carefully making sure to be the last one in the room. With a burst of magic, he sealed the room so that nobody else could go in or out through the door or the windows. With that extra protection, he gladly followed the brothers down into the main hall.

After supper, Dopey wanted to go out and get something with his tiny bag of coins. The Dwarfs all went out to browse the wares, and Grumpy found himself being dragged from merchant to merchant while Dopey's eyes searched for something fun. He didn't mind too much, and as he watched the brothers each make a small purchase, he became aware that they had no idea how to haggle. Sleepy trudged over with a dark expression while Dopey was looking at a tray of tarts. Doc noticed.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Was tryin' ta get some a the shoppin' done. Dern shopkeeper wants too much fer cloth again."

Doc flushed and pulled at his collar. "I could try…" All of them knew how that would go.

Grumpy squinted over at the shop to see the shopkeeper was a plump older lady.

"Which 'un did ya want?" Grumpy asked.

"Gonna need three bolts. Don't much care what colors. Overcharged us last year."

Grumpy pushed Dopey into Bashful's arms and strode over. The brothers followed curiously and watched as he climbed up onto a crate. The woman looked at him.

"What do you want?"

"Three bolts. How much?"

She glanced at him then the group of watching Dwarfs. "Like I told him. Sixteen silver each."

Grumpy snorted. "Ya wouldn't charge a human that," he stated bluntly. The Dwarfs' mouths fell open.

She colored, shocked by his boldness. "So?"

"So I want a fair price."

"Fair for your kind," she said sourly.

"It ain't and ya knows it. Twenty-one silver fer all three," Grumpy snapped.

Offense crossed her face. "One gold, seven silver, sixpence," she snapped and Grumpy smirked.

"Done."

The woman blinked in surprise then scowled. Grumpy had won. Sleepy hurried forward and paid the shopkeep, who allowed him to select the cloth. Grumpy hopped down and waved, but the woman rolled her eyes. Grumpy followed suit and followed the brothers down the street.

"How did ya do that?" Bashful asked.

Grumpy snickered. "Didja want a turn?"

Bashful turned scarlet. "No. No, I couldn't. But that was awful impressive."

Grumpy shrugged as the others smiled at him, but he was pleased that his skill was so handy. As they passed by a shop, a shot of magic went down Grumpy's spine, and he turned and slammed his elbow into the back of a thief's knees. The thief went down hard, and Grumpy pinned him by the throat to the building. He stared at the boy as the brothers spun to gawp at him, and he could see the hunger in the boy's eyes. Grumpy snorted and reached down to pull out two gold coins. Without a word, he shoved them into the boy's hands and turned and walked away. He pushed past the brothers without a backward glance, but they stared openly at the boy, who only had eyes for Grumpy. He looked down at the money in his hand, a confused, yet infinitely tender expression crossing his face. Then he looked up and saw the watching Dwarfs. Panic flashed across his features, and he clenched his hands around the gold then bolted like a frightened rabbit into the throng that walked the streets.

The brothers stood there and looked at each other as Grumpy continued down the street, still buzzing from the shot of magic. He protected his money automatically, and no thief would be able to steal from him. Somebody much taller than him fell into step beside him, and he glanced over to see Bastian, a thief he was well-acquainted with.

"Heya, Ivan," he said. "Where have you been? The missus isn't too pleased with you."

"Nearly died fer that witch," Grumpy said acidly.

"What happened this time?" Bastian asked seriously.

"Eh, I gots chased out. Never saw my face. Thought I was a kid. Fistfight earlier in the ev'ning. No money fer supper. Hadn't eaten. Tried to get it. Dumb cat. Arrow wound. Ran away. Flashed forward. Woods. Nearly died. Again."

Bastian listened to the succinct description, his pace and expression never changing. "How are you alive?"

"Grumpy?" Doc called from behind him. "Where are you?"

Grumpy looked back to see the Dwarfs hurrying along. He cringed then looked at his friend, and that got a reaction out of Bastian. "Wait. What?" His expression turned to shock. "Do you know them?"

"Shut up and blend," Grumpy hissed, shoving him hard.

Bastian obeyed at once, turning to peruse the nearest seller's wares. It happened to be a bakery, and he waved away the shopkeeper by saying he was just looking for now and would need a few minutes. Grumpy knew very well that he was being observed and listened to as the brothers finally caught sight of him and hurried over. Dopey held up a cheese tart, grinning. Grumpy couldn't help it. He snorted.

"Ya really think ya deserve that?" he asked.

Dopey shrugged and took a bite out of it, his blue eyes shining with glee. Grumpy shook his head and yanked the boy's hat over his eyes. The brothers laughed then Doc focused on Grumpy.

"Anything in particular you're looking for?"

"Nope," Grumpy said.

"Well, then let's head back. We're all wired, um, tired, and we need some rest if we're going to begin selling the jewelry tomorrow."

Grumpy resisted the urge to slap Doc for his stupidity. He saw Bastian shift and angle himself better to meet Grumpy's eyes. Grumpy pressed his lips together.

"I think I saw somebody I know," Grumpy said. "I'll catch up with ya later tonight."

Worry clouded the brothers' faces and they looked around the bustling streets. Everything was so different from their quaint, quiet little cottage and they were uneasy with so many people around.

"Are you sure?" Doc asked.

Grumpy softened. "I knows what I'm doin', Doc. I've lived in cities my whole life."

"Well… try and be back before dark," Doc said.

Grumpy nodded and watched as they turned and disappeared in the crowd. Grumpy turned and tossed a silver coin down, which the baker snatched up as Bastian grabbed two pastries.

"Thanks," he said, handing one to Grumpy. He peered at him curiously as they began to head down the street again. "Where did you get so much money?"

Grumpy licked up some of the sweet cream filling and squinted at him. Bastian continued to gaze at him expectantly. Grumpy exhaled.

"I… I worked fer it," he admitted, the sentence feeling strange coming out of his mouth.

Bastian blinked then jerked his thumb back over his shoulder. "With those Dwarfs?"

"Um, yes."

"Doing what? Are you learning how to be a smithy?"

"Nah. That's the Warnoks. Them's Estodiens. They make jewelry an' stuff," Grumpy said.

Bastian stopped, and Grumpy did, too. The human stared at the Dwarf with his brows knitted and his forehead creased.

"Are you okay?"

Grumpy hesitated. "Not really."

"Want to talk?"

"Want a drink?" Grumpy countered.

"If you're buying," Bastian agreed, and he steered them down to a pub. Over a pint, Grumpy covered the basics of what had happened to him after he was wounded, and Bastian listened in astonishment. Grumpy was notorious for being closed and defensive with most people, and most of the guild considered him off-putting. There was a select group of thieves and orphans who thought very highly of him, but he was unaware of their attitude simply because he was skittish and thought himself unworthy of any attention. Cold and gruff, most people stayed away. Bastian was not most people. And he was amazed that these Dwarfs were not most people either.

"You're fond of them," he finally said, a note of awe in his voice.

Grumpy flushed, but he didn't deny it.

"What will the missus say?" Bastian asked.

"That I'm the weakest," Grumpy replied at once, his eyes on the table.

Bastian knew the meaning of that, and he shook his head in astonishment. "You love them."

Grumpy shrugged. "They's almost…"

"Family?" Bastian asked delicately.

Grumpy nodded once, his eyes on his mead.

"So we are not stealing their jewelry," Bastian said sensibly.

"That ain't what I'm worried about. They can make more a them. It'd be a lean year, but they could manage."

"They have something else?"

Grumpy pursed his lips but made no response. That was response enough.

Grumpy swallowed a mouthful of mead, then he looked up sharply. A feminine figure was coming toward them. Grumpy sucked in a breath and Bastian nearly choked on his beer.

"Hello missus," he choked, turning to cough.

"You have certainly been absent long enough, Ivan," she said coolly.

"Calida," Grumpy said evenly.

"Where have you been?"

"Nearly died again," Grumpy said blandly.

She lowered her hood to reveal a mane of long, straight, red hair, and cold, green eyes. She studied him, and he fought a shiver. She could always read him so well. And he knew she'd been listening. But how long has she been there? She cut to the chase.

"You owe us for not reporting back. I think their treasures will be sufficient."

Grumpy spoke firmly before he could stop himself. "Hell no."

A sharp glint came into her eyes and she leaned forward. "No?" she asked delicately.

"No. I ain't gonna do it."

"You owe me your life, Ivan. Remember that."

"Yeah? Well then I done paid enough. Cuz I ain't worth much. And you've said it yerself a thousand times."

Calida did not like being spoken to like that. She sat back and tapped her fingers on the table.

"You aren't worth much," she finally agreed, and a painful surge spread through Grumpy. "But tell me. Those Dwarfs you speak so fondly of. Do they know you're a thief?"

Grumpy flushed and looked away. Calida nodded and leaned forward.

"They will never understand you. Never. You belong with us."

Grumpy shook his head hard, again and again. "No," he growled. "I won't. I won't. Not ta them."

Bastian watched with apprehension as Calida grew angry. She reached forward and snagged Grumpy's beard, yanking him into the table. He met her angry green eyes with his frightened brown ones, wincing with pain as she kept a tight grip on his beard.

"You are worthless," she hissed. "You have always been a thief, and you will always be a thief. When they learn what you are, they will throw you away. And then you'll come crawling back to the guild. Perhaps I will forgive you then."

She threw him backward, and he barely kept his seat. Bastian didn't look at Calida as she pulled up her hood and walked away. Grumpy shivered and swallowed the rest of his pint.

"Ivan…"

"Don't," Grumpy croaked, turning away and wiping his eyes on his sleeve.

Grumpy had another pint as he sat there with Bastian, trying to figure out who he was. Because Calida was right, in a sense. He had always been a thief. From the first memory he had, he had always been snatching. His sticky fingers had earned him praise, and so he'd gotten good at it. His value had only come from stealing, and he was more valuable the better the stolen goods. But was she completely right? Would he always be a thief?

When he left the pub, he was quite tipsy, and he headed through the streets, automatically marking thieves and women of the night who were walking around selling their own type of wares. He was so confused, so angry. What was he? Who was he? Could the brothers ever forgive what he'd been? Bastian left him at the inn well after dark, and he made his way upstairs. Doc was relieved to see him, and they welcomed him in like family.

Because they don't know what you are.

Grumpy was a bit drunk, and he curled up on a bed, blearily watching the brothers as Sleepy told a story by the fireplace. They were so much better than him. They hadn't noticed a thousand things to steal as they'd made their way through the streets. They were healthy. They were happy. They were a family. And he wasn't a part of it.

And you never will be.

Grumpy turned over and closed his eyes, but all he saw was all the treasure that had passed through his hands. A sense of desire filled him, and he fought the urge to give in. But he was nothing but a stinking thief. He knew that. He also knew he'd had to much to drink. The world seemed to fade around him, and he blinked tiredly then fell asleep, his dreams full of gold and gems. They were not the good kind, but he couldn't wake up from his feverish fantasies. He was bad, he'd never be anything but a thief. He wanted gold, he wanted treasures. Just to touch them and hold them…

"Grumpy?" a gentle voice asked.

"Eh?" he asked, struggling to open his eyes.

"Had a bit too much?" Bashful asked gently.

Grumpy grunted, struggling to fully wake up, but his brain was in a fog, and he shivered.

"Come on. Let's get ya in yer nightshirt," Bashful said, helping him up.

Even moving was difficult, but between Bashful and Doc, he managed to undress and slip on his nightshirt. They tucked him into bed as they got ready to sleep themselves. Grumpy watched them, treasures and greed still floating in the back of his mind. The candle was snuffed, and Bashful climbed into bed with him. Doc slept at the end of the bed, and the other four were sharing the second bed. That was a benefit of being in a human town. So much more space.

The brothers were quickly asleep, and Grumpy struggled to stay awake. He couldn't go to bed with a sense of greed. It never ended well. The allure of shimmering, sparkling treasure was almost too much for his alcohol-soaked mind, and he pressed his face into the pillow, willing away the greed. But he was so tired, and he couldn't fight sleep for much longer. As he battled to get rid of the greed, Calida's words came to him.

"You have always been a thief, and you will always be a thief."

Shame welled up inside of him, and tears wetted his pillow. She was right. He didn't want it to be true. But it was. He wanted treasure. And the treasures that lay hidden in the packs called sweetly to him. After an unknown amount of time, he fell back into feverish dreams of glittering jewelry and shining gold. And the greed took hold.