“I’m looking for Zalla.” He said, envelope in hand. He turned it to the side so they could see the green leaf seal.

The whores stared and chittered, eyes wide. If they understood what he meant, they gave no indication. One came forwards, arms wide, but Ethan weaved around her.

“No.” He said, hoping his tone would get across where his language couldn’t. “I’m here for business.”

His eyes swept around the room. It wasn’t very high class, as far as establishments went. The floors were packed with grime, as was to be expected of any inn or tavern. Barmaids served drinks, some more served food, and most of the girls served other things. Looking at it, it wasn’t hard to see why the sons of the harpy set up a base here.

Of all places, brothels were suspicious by nature, and just by being suspicious one could avoid suspicion. Who, after all, would be open about coming to such a place? Masks were common. Required, even. Here a man who attempted to appear honest would find himself appearing very dishonest indeed. And what if one was suspected under interrogation? Where have you gone, sneaking out so late at unholy hours? Why, inspector, I was at a brothel, they could answer. And a whore could testify to me being there.

An awkward conclusion to any line of questioning, if it was pushed that far, and it was quite the excuse to avoid any unwanted attention. Scandalous, maybe, but as long as the hands of the law were tied the sons of the harpy likely couldn’t care less.

He felt a tap on the shoulder. Turning around, he found a woman that was dressed almost comically. Giant, golden feathers adorned her silken dress, woven across everywhere that showed her curves and nowhere that didn’t. Heavy gold buttons kept the costume together, and the whore seemed a step too fast from undressing. She may as well have been. The transparent silk did very little in the way of hiding things. Anywhere else, it would’ve drawn all the eyes in the room, and maybe disdain in equal parts. Here in a brothel it was one sight of many, unworthy of mention.

“An interesting place to visit, for one seeking business.” Her voice was smooth and rich. It would’ve sounded like a noblewoman’s voice, anywhere else. But not here.

He couldn’t see her expression under the veil, but he thought he could see a smile. “I thought the same, when my friend gave me this. But I’m not too acquainted with how business is done around here, so I’m not one to judge.” He slid the envelope over. “I’m hoping you can introduce me.”

She snatched the seal off the letter in a practiced manner, and bit down on it. Her eyes turned, and then lit up. She giggled. “Of course.” And then she whisked him away.

Ethan found himself stumbling like a drunkard as she led him around, past the drunken brawlers and chittering whores. It seemed like some sort of peculiar dance, except one wrong step would lead to an unfortunate collision. No issue for his kidnapper, apparently. She wove around them all as if she’d been here her whole life. She might’ve been.

He found himself in a room soon enough. She shoved him onto the bed, and he could hear the scratching of parchment being lifted. He squinted. The room was dark. Wherever she kept the papers, he had no clue. There certainly wasn’t a desk anywhere.

“I am Zalla.” She said, her tone toeing the line between formal and informal. “Meetings will be coming through me, as are requests, plans, and reports for information. If anyone asks, you bent me over the bed and I squealed like a pig. Say otherwise and we’ll find you.”

He frowned. “That sounds ominous.”

She grinned. “Oh, you have no idea.”

There was an uncomfortably long pause.

“So, unpleasantries out of the way, who are you looking to meet?”

“If I said I was looking to make some connections with important people, how much would you laugh?”

He saw her tilt her head. “That would depend on what you have to offer.” Her green eyes met his, and he found himself scrambling for words.

“A pleasant exchange of greetings?” He tried.

She laughed. It would have been a pleasant sound, but it was more mocking than teasing. “Did anyone ever tell you that you are a very funny man?”

“Not a lot, thank you.”

Her smile faded as quickly as it came. “I hope you understand, good master, that this is not a game.”

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“Of course not.”

She went on as if he hadn’t spoken. “Those of us here, we are here for a purpose. Get the mother of whores off her golden chair and put a prettier arse on it.

“Of course, I-”

“You do not!” She snarled, eyes blazing. “You weren’t here, when she took everything from us. From me!”

Ah, how beautiful the human mind was. When you were so used to doing whatever you liked with impunity, mere privilege seemed like oppression. He had walked past beggar girls on his way here, and they didn’t even have whore’s clothes to keep them warm. He wondered what she would think of them.

But of course, he was here for business, so he’d have to be polite. He bowed. “I am sorry.”

She took a few breaths, and soon her face was warm and teasing again. “So, what is it that brought you here? Have you any… contributions for us?”

“In terms of gold and murder, I must confess I have very little. Although in influence, perhaps not so much. You see, I have somewhat impressed the queen with some of my stories, and she is keen to listen to more of them.”

“Oh? And what shall you do for us? Make her upset, perhaps?”

“Why, a storyteller can tell all sorts of tales, and in doing so suggest all sorts of schemes. Take the tale, for instance, of the sailors of Agrabah. The city was poor and struck by poverty, the only wealth flowing in from ships by the sea. So the wise queen made a plan to enrich her people, building more ships and having the poor take to the galleys. In just a few years her kingdom was rich and prosperous, and known for sailors all over the world. See, almost a perfect example of what Meereen could look like.”

“A fanciful tale.” She drawled, tapping her long nails on the table. Click. Click. Click.

“Indeed. Now, suppose this storyteller had a friend. A man who owned many ships, or otherwise could build some. And the man agreed to the training of sailors instead of the shipping of cargo. For a price, of course. These sailors, poor and uneducated, sail from Meereen to Yi Ti, learning their work in the galleys all the time. And once they reach the ports of rich merchants and great captains they are now worth a good amount as galley workers. The Meerenese captain can thus schedule a change of employment for these sailors, so long as the merchants of Yi Ti can provide gold.”

The clicking stopped. “An exchange of gold for their services.” Her eyes spun. “Permanently?”

“Oh, of course not. Merely as long as they would like to stay. Why, if it were permanent, it would be slavery! And you know just how much the queen hates slavery.”

A wide grin was spreading over her face now. “Of course. But how shall the, shall we say, productive details of this arrangement be hidden?”

“Oh, quite easily. A guard force can be hired. For the pirates, of course. They must be well armed, well trained, and certainly not unsullied. What use are spear eunuchs in ocean battles? You will require archers, slingers, and all manner of trained combatants that can only be found amongst the nobles that once were the sons of the harpy.”

“Perhaps. But she will have to trust them first. It seems to me that our agents are held in low esteem. Her shininess is just as likely to trust a wolf.”

“Oh, really?” Ethan’s voice changed. He cleared his throat, and stared down. “Please, your grace.” He intonted, voice full of faux wisdom. “These poor men. All they want is gold.. Pay them well, treat them fairly, and soon they shall love you as much as your freed slaves now do. Why mistrust them? It seems to me they are perfectly honest men!”

“Honest as killers can be.” Zalla snorted.

They shared a laugh.

“And if that is not enough, perhaps we can arrange for some sellswords. Or free men, with their families taken hostage. It would not be difficult to find men willing to keep secrets.”

“These men’s families shall be suspicious.” She said, but he could see her eyes were shining now. He had her hooked.

He shrugged. “Oh, that’s quite simple. Have them write letters, send money. A few pretty coppers in exchange for the silvers they’re making us. Have them boast of how good life is, and maybe even save for a voyage. I’m sure they’d be happy to have their families join them in their success and prosperity.”

“Oh.” She gushed. “The profits that could come from this. Yes, yes. Who would you-”

“Whoever is interested. Or, I suppose, their representatives. Although I must caution against using untrustworthy men. If they send any man, I must assume I may trust them with the details and the profits.”

She blinked, and her grin only grew wider. “Why, I’ll schedule a meeting. Good Master… ah, pardon, I’ve never even asked your name.”

“Ethan Ming, of the distant lands beyond Yi Ti.”

“Your trade?”

“Many. Although for them, only a few parts matter. My talent lies in seducing the foolish with empty promises.”

She smiled. “Why, you are scaring me, good master. The girls in our establishment all say the same.”

He gave an easy chuckle. “Why, we are so very similar. Even so, to the masses men of my trade go by a different name. They call us politicians. If you ever find yourself in need of employment, feel free to seek me out. You will fit right into the trade.”

“Me? Oh, please, no. I’m not nearly charming enough.” She leaned forwards to give him a rather charming peck on the cheek.

“Pardon my lack of manners, but if you ever find yourself in need of employment, our pleasure house will be honored to have you. There will never be a lack of willing girls.”

“You want me to be a pimp for you?”

“Why, no! Such impolite terms. No, a recruiter. I confess to being one myself.”

“Me? Oh please, no. I’m not nearly manipulative enough.” He smiled back.