Christine scowled. "Well, you are no use as a fighter like that. So I guess you'll be our lackey, a servant."
"Hey! I'm a member of this adventure just like you!" Mike felt his cheeks flush.
"No, you're a dirty peasant boy who is tagging along in hopes of becoming an adventurer one day." Tye appeared next to Mike. "And this is what you will stay. You won't be able to get clean, rid yourself of the lice in your hair, clean your teeth, or brush your hair. The only clothing you can wear is that filthy loincloth, though you can go naked if you want. You're at the tipping point age-wise, so you can act like a kid or a servant. You will be pretty much invisible in this society, with no rights and no social standing. As far as the others are concerned, you are a local kid who they bought to serve them."
Mike suddenly realized that the others were frozen, not seeing or hearing anything. "But how can I help them like this?"
"You're a perfect spy, a good climber and able to fit into small places. And you'll find that you know how to take care of animals, and live off the land."
Christine and the others unfroze and she scowled at him again. "I told you to build us a fire for supper, Arkan! Get too it, boy!"
Mike blinked, then scurried off to find dry wood for the fire. She had called him Arkan! He was trying to figure that out while he gathered wood, and wasn't even thinking as he built the fire. Something he had never done before, but somehow he knew that the wood was perfectly positioned and ready. Joe lit the wood with a single wisp of fire from his mouth, and Mike left to get water from a nearby creek while they prepared supper.
It was strange to see his reflection in the rippling water. He was a dirty, scrawny kid, coarse featured and not too bright looking. Arkan. What would happen when the adventure was over? Would Tye take him back like this? Hopefully at least able to clean up. Funny thing was, Arkan didn't mind the smell or his appearance. It looked, well, normal. He knew he had looked different before, but this was now. He shrugged and filled the water skins and returned to camp.