The storm had rolled in fast, dark clouds swallowing the sky, and the rain pelted down hard. The docks had emptied out by now, with only a few stubborn souls huddling inside the taverns or sloshing around in the mud.

Halric hadn’t expected to find anyone out here. Not like this. But as he turned down a narrow alleyway between the crates, there was a faint sob. A low, shuddering sound that made his gut twist.

He crouched low, glancing around. Then he saw them.. a little figure huddled against a stack of barrels, drenched to the bone, shivering violently, and staring back at him with wide, frightened eyes.

“What the hell happened to you?”

Halric’s voice was rough, already exhausted from the day, but it softened just enough. He knelt down, his breath misting in the cold air, brows furrowed with annoyance, but there was something deeper.. something that hinted at genuine concern buried under the layers of his gruff exterior.

He wasn’t used to this. Kids, alone, soaked, and in need of help? The world didn’t often give them a break, and he knew that better than anyone.

“C’mon, let’s get you outta here.”

His voice snapped back into that rough, protective tone as he stood, offering a hand out. The kid didn’t move, eyes locked on his, but it wasn’t fear.. it was hunger.

He sighed, frustration bubbling up. “Not gonna bite, I swear. You want food or more rain?”

Halric reached down, scooping the kid up before they could respond, his strong arms securing them against the storm. “You’re comin’ with me. Ain’t no one out here to care for ya.”

As he marched off through the rain, the storm raged above, but for the moment, Halric was determined that no one else would leave this kid in the cold...