Kael didnt sleep.He went back to his room at Mrs. Hemlocks boarding house and sat on the thin matress, watching the sky fade from black to gray to pale orange dawn. Every time he closed his eyes, flames came. Heard Maya calling him. Smelled smoke, burning flesh.Four-thirty, he gave up trying.Valdris streets quiet this hour, just lamplighters putting out magelights and few early merchants with stalls. Kael pulled coat tight around him, hiding scars on left arm. People stared when they saw them—pity or sick curiousity. Hated both same.Thornbeck Bakery sat corner of Market Square, squat stone building warmth glowing thru windows. Baking bread scent hit Kael hard, stomach clenched tight. Hed finished Miras honey roll on walk home last night. First food in two days.Almost turned around. This was stupid. What doing here? Girl met ten minutes on bridge wasnt fixing him. Nothing could.But feet carried him forward anyway, and before mind changed, he pushed door open.Heat washed over. Split second, panic grabbed chest—fire, burning, cant breathe—but then he got it. Ovens. Just ovens. Not flames eating family home. Not mothers body in doorway, collapsed reaching Mayas room."You came."Mira behind counter, flour dusting cheeks, wild auburn hair in messy bun. Looked suprised. Pleased too."I..." Kael didnt know how to end it."Give me five minutes. Tea on counter—help yourself." She dissapeared thru door to kitchen probably.Shop small, three rough wood tables, shelves with yesterday loaves marked down quick. Corner, biggest gray cat Kael ever seen sprawled on burlap sack like he owned it."Thats Ash," old man said coming from back, wiping apron hands. Broad shoulders even old, thick gray beard. "Dont let lazy fool you. Murdered dozen rats this month least.""Master Thornbeck," Mira called kitchen. "Stop harrassing my guest!"Old man—Thornbeck apparantly—studied Kael sharp eyes. "Your the Ashborne boy."Wasnt question. Kael nodded stiff."Good bread there," Thornbeck gestured shelves. "Helped feed your family years. Mother always got rye on Firstdays. Said your fathers favorite."Words knife between ribs. Musta made sound, cause Thornbeck face softened."Griefs a bastard," old man said. "Dont ask permission. No rules. But its proof you loved them, boy. Counts for something." Clapped Kael shoulder—careful left—and headed ovens. "Mira! Stop dawdling! Cream rolls wont frost themselfs!""Im showing Kael around!" Mira came out two mugs tea, pressed one in Kael hands. "Come on."Led past counter, thru kitchen where three bakers worked smooth rhythm, out back door small courtyard. Bench against wall, set for morning sun peeking rooftops."Sorry bout Master Thornbeck," Mira settled bench. "Means well. Wife died eight years ago. Sometimes think thats why took me on—needed fuss over."Kael sat beside, cradling mug. Tea strong sweet. "You said five oclock.""I said work morning shift starting five. Didnt promise entertainment." Grinned. "But now your here, make yourself useful.""Useful?""Ash needs feeding. Bowl by back door, dried fish in bin. Hell pretend starving, dont give more two scoops. Fat enough already.""You want me feed your cat?""Want you have something to do," Mira said quiet. "Small tasks. Easy ones. Just enough focus keep bad thoughts away few minutes."Kael stared her. "You planned this.""I hoped. Didnt plan. Difference." Sipped tea. "After Finn died, people kept saying stay strong, keep busy. But didnt tell how. No actual things. So figured myself. Small tasks. Feed cat. Sweep floor. Knead dough. Little anchors when rest felt drowning.""And think feeding cat fixes me?""Gods no." Mira laughed. "Think it gets you next five minutes. Then sweep courtyard, another ten. Eat breakfast us, twenty more. String minutes, suddenly survived day."Sounded too simple. Too easy.But Kael found himself standing, found fish bowl, scooped while Ash popped from nowhere demanding yowl. Cat wound legs, purring small engine, didnt care Kael scars or pain or broken inside."Two scoops," Mira reminded.Kael added third spite. Ash seemed approve.Returned bench, Mira had plate fresh rolls—warm still, butter melting soft centers. "Eat.""Im not hungry.""Stomach growled three times last five minutes. Eat anyway."Kael picked roll. Bit. Bread perfect—light fluffy honey hint. Nothing like charred nightmare smell."Master Thornbeck wants know if need work," Mira casual. "Delivery boy quit last week. Just run bread morning customers. Easy money.""I dont—""Need it? Maybe. But we do. Old Gretchen Slope Street barely walks, orders loaf every other day. Silverton estate six dozen rolls every Seventhday staff. Someone delivers."Kael studied her thru tea steam. "Why you doing this?""Cause sat that bridge year, no one stopped. No one gave reason walk from edge." Mira met eyes. "Maybe lost less time grief if someone had. Maybe not. Figure worth trying.""Im not charity case.""Good. Offering job, not handout. Min wage, three mornings week. Actually work." Held hand out. "What say, Kael Ashborne? Want deliver bread?"Scars arm ached. Chest weight not lifted. Maya scream echoed mind back.But Ash purred feet, roll warm hand, Mira eyes challenge wanted meet sudden.Kael took hand."Three mornings," he said. "Trial basis."Miras smile could lit whole city."Deal."
