Arthur had known about the title Wintertide Guardian as soon as it appeared.
After all, he had chosen the title himself-
"My lord, I've spread the title 'Wintertide Guardian' as you instructed.
As planned, we'll introduce the title 'Wintertide Blesser' tonight.
Tomorrow morning, I'll press the newspapers to feature both titles frequently in their front-page headlines."
Hughes reported everything in detail.
He was one of the first four teenage boys at Wiggins's side who had been old enough to help.
Hughes was immensely grateful to Arthur.
Not because Arthur's arrival had given them enough food and warm clothes.
But because Arthur's arrival meant their older brother Wiggins no longer had to take risks.
They knew how their older brother Wiggins supported them.
Wiggins, Rat Street's number one Golden Fingers.
With his skills, Wiggins could have lived very well.
But looking after these kids who shared no blood ties with him had left their older brother struggling at every turn.
And them?
They worried constantly, too.
Their older brother was indeed Rat Street's number one Golden Fingers.
But the previous number one Golden Fingers had been beaten to death in the street.
They didn't want their older brother to suffer the same misfortune.
So, as soon as Hughes could lift a club, he had started fighting for territory on Rat Street.
And that had been the first time he had ever seen his older brother lose his temper-
"I'm a Golden Fingers, but you can't be one!
You have a better future than I do!
I'll find a way to send you to school, to make something of yourself instead of being a rat on Rat Street like me!"
His older brother had struck him as he shouted those words.
Not hard.
His palm had landed on Hughes's back with no