Powerful Kindness

Night fell over the town beneath the castle, and with it, a Traveler crept in. Clad in a hooded cloak, he wandered through the dark, empty streets, searching for a place to spend the night. He passed closed shops and a few houses where lights flickered within. Finally, he came across the local Inn. Stepping inside, he saw only a few men finishing their mugs of beer and an innkeeper behind the bar, wiping down the counter.

“Good evening!” the Traveler greeted him. The innkeeper merely muttered something under his breath. “Would you happen to have a room available?” he continued.

“As many as you like. They’re all vacant. No one wants to stay in this dump anymore.” The Traveler gave him a puzzled look.

“You must be from far away,” the innkeeper added. He took a set of keys and led the stranger upstairs.

“It’s not much, but it’s a place to sleep. If you need an extra blanket, there’s one in the chest. There should be enough wood to last until morning, but I can bring more if you wish. Usually, guests pay in advance, but you don’t look like the type to run off without paying, so I’ll let you settle in and you can pay me in the morning.”

“Thank you, that is very kind of you.” The innkeeper nodded and headed back down to the bar to wash the glasses and lock up. It wasn’t long before the Traveler came back down.

“How much do I owe you?”

“Three gold pieces a night.” The Traveler placed twenty gold pieces on the table.

“Will this cover five nights plus dinner?”

“And breakfast, too. You really must be from far away.”

“It depends on how you look at it. I’d like to stay for a while and see the town. Perhaps even find some work.” He smiled and returned to his room. He couldn’t sleep—and perhaps he didn’t even want to. He climbed out through the window onto the Inn’s roof and watched the empty street. Suddenly, he heard footsteps and shouting in the distance. He quietly slid down the roof to the veranda and climbed down the ledge. A girl came running from around the corner, glancing back and gasping for breath. The Traveler pulled her by the arm into an alleyway and covered her mouth so she wouldn’t scream. She stared at him in terror. After a moment, her pursuer appeared.

“You won’t escape me, you brat! You’ll be mine regardless!” The man was clearly intoxicated, and when he saw no sign of her, he gave up and left. The Traveler took his hand away from her mouth.

“Are you alright?” he asked.

“Yes. Thank you. I should get back.”

“To him?” he asked with a bewildered expression.

“No. Home.”

“I can walk with you, if you like.”

“No, I’ll be fine. Thank you.”

“What was that all about?” he persisted. The girl sighed.

“That was my future husband...” The Traveler looked at her in shock and shook his head. “My father owes him money and we have no way to pay him back. So, he asked for me instead.”

“And your father agreed?”

“No. But to pay him back, he would have to sell the mill and move elsewhere. So, I agreed.”

“What is your name?”

“Klára.”

“A pleasure to meet you,” the Traveler said, leaning toward her. In that moment, she saw his face in the light.

“Your Majesty, forgive me. I didn’t know,” she said fearfully, bowing low.

“Come now, stand up. How did you recognize me?”

“I help at the castle once a week, Your Grace.”

“Call me Kristof. I am Richard, but everyone would know who I am immediately if I used that name. Can this stay between us, please?”

“As you command.” Richard sighed.

“That wasn’t a command, but a request. And forget who I am. From now on, I am just Kristof.” Klára nodded and hurried away. Richard climbed back to his window and remained in his room. There was much more happening in the kingdom than he had realized. He had known for a long time that the Royal Advisor was robbing the entire realm, but he had no idea how bad it truly was. That was why he had decided to leave the palace for a while—to see what things were really like and find a way to help the people. The King had been pleased by his determination and advised him to remain a stranger for as long as possible.

He woke up quite early the next morning. When he went down to the common room, the innkeeper was just taking the chairs down from the tables.

“Good morning. I hope you slept well.”

“Good morning. Yes, though I couldn’t stop thinking about what you said yesterday.”

“I say a lot of things...”

“That no one wants to stay here. In this dump.” The innkeeper sighed.

“I’ll make you some breakfast, what do you say? And then we can talk.” Richard nodded. Before long, the innkeeper returned with fragrant scrambled eggs, a piece of sausage, and bread. There was hot black coffee in the pot. Richard inhaled the aroma of the food and coffee. The innkeeper watched him for a moment and then sat down.

“I hope you enjoy it. What did you say your name was?”

“Rich... Kristof,” he said, pretending to choke on the first syllable.

“Well, Kristof, it wasn’t always this bad. I remember times when the kingdom flourished. Life was easier for everyone. Perhaps the King is simply grieving for the Queen and leaves everything to the Advisor, who robs everyone blind. Hopefully, his son won’t let himself be manipulated. But who knows. No one has really even seen him.”

Richard grew sad at his words. He finished his breakfast and asked no more questions. He set out into the town to see what it looked like in broad daylight. The shops were open but mostly empty. The only bustle was around the bakery and the marketplace. His attention was caught by a small boy lingering near the fruit. The boy clumsily snatched an apple and tried to run, but the vendor grabbed him by his hood.

“Not so fast,” the vendor said, but by then Richard was already standing beside them. He was impossible to miss, being taller than everyone else. He took the apple from the boy’s hand and reached for another one. With his other hand, he held onto the boy, who was trying to slip away unnoticed.

“How much?” he asked the vendor.

“Twenty groschen.” Richard reached into his pocket and paid him. Then he took the boy aside.

“Do you know that stealing is wrong? The vendor had to grow these, so he deserves the money.”

“I know,” the boy said shamefully. “But I didn’t even want it for myself, but for my sister. My mom only buys us one once in a while.”

“Where is your mother now?”

“At the bakery.”

“Come on then, I’ll take you to her,” he said, picking the boy up and handing him an apple. His mother was just coming out of the bakery.

“Oh, Filip! What have you done now? I’m sorry if he bothered you,” she apologized.

“It’s no trouble,” he said, setting the boy down. Filip ran to his sister and gave her the apple.

“Filip, where did you get that?” Filip hesitated.

“From me. And this one is for you,” Richard said, handing him the second apple.

“Oh, that is very kind of you. I’ll pay you back.”

“There’s no need.” The woman looked at him gratefully. “Can I help you with your shopping?” he asked.

“You’re new here, aren’t you?”

“Is it that obvious?”

“No one here has offered to help in a long time.”

“In that case, it’s the perfect time to start. I’m Kristof.”

“Hana. I don’t live very far, and I don’t have that much to carry.”

“And do you have everything you need?” he persisted. Hana laughed.

“Not by a long shot, boy.”

“So, where to now?”

“Home, Kristof. You’ve done more than enough and I thank you for it, but don’t trouble yourself with me any longer,” she said and walked away. Richard stood watching her until she disappeared from sight, then continued on his way. A short distance from the noise of the center was a school. This made him happy—but not for long. Several children ran out into the yard, followed by their teacher. He stepped closer and spoke to her. The children immediately surrounded them.

“I suppose it’s not so bad when you have so few of them,” he smiled at her. She smiled back.

“Do you have experience? It is easier, but not effective. I only have them here once a week. Sometimes I manage twice.” Richard looked at her, confused. He didn’t even know what to ask. “I’m the only one teaching, and the headmaster takes a few classes sometimes. I can’t have everyone at once.”

“Does no one want to do it?” he asked.

“It’s more that no one can afford to, and parents need the children to help them. Especially the older ones.”

“Hmm... it seems nothing in this kingdom works as it should,” he sighed.