No, as Lan looked around, he found that Ganin was very much not alone, which was made worse by him being with almost everyone he didn’t want to see. Eliza and her three shadows: Dara, Mai and Charlotte, the noble whose name Lan thought was Lawrence and two others.
Aaron and Oris. Lan had known them since they were all boys. But when Dell took him in, they, like most, had taken his not being allowed to see them as a slight
At some point, they had decided that antagonising him whenever they could, made for a good pass time.
‘You should watch where you’re going.’ Ganin spoke in a deep tone. ‘It’s been a while. Too bad I couldn’t be there to say goodbye,’ Of all the people Lan had known, none unsettled him like Ganin.
Though the man rarely showed emotion, something in his eyes had terrified Lan as a boy. But now, what were the eyes of a man that would beat a child compared to the killing intent he had seen in the eyes of the Razerwolves?
No, now, when he looked at him, Lan couldn’t help but smile. Because now he knew why Gannin’s punches had seemed harder after he had shown up with a broken nose. A break that hadn’t healed right, leaving him with a noticeable crater in his rock-like face. To Lan, it made all the beating worth it, seeing his father's handiwork now.
Not getting the reaction he was used to from Lan, Ganin’s face soured, but the noble spoke before he could go on.
‘I am here on behalf of Master Dell.’ Lawrence stepped past Ganin and crouched in front of Lan, only to frown as he looked at him. It only lasted just for a moment but long enough for his eyes to betray a hint of confusion, which only seemed to upset him even more. He wasn’t the only one. Eliza's face had been twisted into one of spiralling emotions before she looked away when she realised Lan had noticed.
‘With everything that happened,’ Lawrence recovered, painting on a smile. ‘Dell didn’t have the chance to tell you that he expects the one thousand gold by the end of the year.’
‘One thousand? What the hell are you talking about?’ Lan demanded, still trying to keep himself under control. It was too soon to see any of these people again, and it didn’t help that Dell seemed to have more in store for him.
‘It seems that little incident in the store room you caused led to a lot of goods being destroyed,’ The noble shrugged. ‘It only seems fair that you pay for it, right? But it’s not for me to say what is fair. Although I did offer to be the one to collect the debt and to show that you are willing to cooperate, I think it a good idea to hand over what you have on you.’
For a moment, anger boiled through Lan’s mind. There was no respect between them, but this was ridiculous. Even if he had burned down the storehouse, there was no way that everything in there would have come up to five hundred gold. If that wasn’t enough, Dell was trying to say that he had somehow gained a debt of another five hundred gold dragons.
Knowing what he knew now, Lan was sure Dell would have faked records backing his claim, if not now than over the years in preparation. No doubt this was just a way for him to wring out a little more from Lan, or he was just twisting the knife. Whatever it was, Lan wasn’t going to just accept it.
‘That’s very kind of you, but I am afraid that I have not received a note of the debt or of your role as an advocate. Until I do, I am going to have to refuse.’ Lan answered, somehow managing to sound professional as he worked his way back onto his feet.
‘I’m telling you now,’ the noble said, smiling at Lan.
‘Forgive me if your word means little to me. As far as I know, I have just been cornered by a group that is now asking for money in the middle of the street, even for a noble that doesn’t look good if we were to draw the guard's attention. So once again, I will have to refuse.’
‘You think guards would take your word over mine?’ the noble asked, his words dripping with amusement.
‘Even nobles need to prove their claims. Can you prove your claim? My Lord, it seems you don’t even have a note. Not even The Duke can demand payment without evidence of a debt.’ Lan said, not adding that the son of a noble who had to become a merchant was the farthest thing from a duke. Nor did he need to, as Lawrence’s smile cracked, and the anger Lan had seen the last time they met surfaced again.
‘You may be right. But it will be hard for you to make your case after I have Ganin here beat you unconscious. By the time you wake, you will be standing in front of a magistrate who dines at my family home once a month, and I can assure you that you will have to pay more than a thousand gold. Now I suggest you hand over what you have.’
This time the smile didn’t return; even if it had, Lan knew he meant it. Lesser- noble or not, he was dealing with a different world from Dell now. If he really had a magistrate in his pocket, then there wasn’t much that Lan could do.
But if he wanted to play a merchant's game, then Lan would play.
If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
‘Are you still speaking as Dell’s advocate?’ Lan asked, matching the noble's tone. ‘If you are, then I would suggest choosing your words more carefully. I don’t ever remember saying I had any coin.’ Lan said, which was the truth. ‘But if I did, then it wouldn’t look good if I felt like you were threatening me on his behalf.’
‘Liar!’ Aaron shouted, missing the point, as the few people around them tried harder not to notice what was happening. ‘I overheard his mother and the other women talking about the hairpin that she has always worn. I am sure she would have gotten at least a few gold for it.’ Eager to get in good with the noble, Aaron went on like a fool even though Lawrence ignored him.
‘Well, are you going to continue to deny it?.’ He said, leaning to whisper in Lan’s ear. ‘If you can’t show that you are willing to be a good boy, I am sure that we can get the money some other way…’ He looked thoughtful before grinning at Lan and leaning in again. ‘Doesn’t your brother have a fiancé? I think I have seen her around. A pretty thing… I am sure I can find someone to pay a good deal for some time with her.’
For a moment, Lan regretted not having brought his spear. Whatever came after would be worth it if only he could have driven it into the man’s neck. Instead, he focused on his anger.
‘Are you still speaking on Dell’s behalf?’ Lan breathed, his skin hot to the touch as he fought to stay in control. This time, Ganin grabbed the noble by the shoulder before he could put his foot in it. ‘I suggest you listen to your minder; he may need his hands to count to ten. But even he knows that your words will affect Dell’s claim, and trust me, your word will mean a lot in front of a truth stone.’
Even if the court didn’t have one, Lan would sooner spend every coin he had to get one than give it to the pompous joke of a noble. ‘Let Master Dell know that if he thinks that he is getting a copper out of me, it will be through a magistrate’s command. And if you are stupid enough to act on your words.’ Lan found his words coming on their own. ‘Then you should kill me now while you still can.’
Maybe he saw the same thing that Leah and the others had when they looked into his eyes. Maybe he was just looking for a reason. But for a moment, Lawrence Looked like he would draw his sword on Lan before pausing and looking over his shoulder at Ganin, who once again looked ready to intervene.
‘Oh, this anger. Perhaps the two of you are closer than future in-laws.’ Lawrence said, shifting the target as he raised his voice so all would hear. So Eliza would hear her expression growing dark. For some reason, that was worse than pity. Not only was she looking down on him, but now she felt justified in doing so. ‘Is that where you got that mark on your cheek.’
Mark? Lan thought, momentarily thrown off his anger by the comment.
‘I don’t have time for this.’ Lan turned to leave.
‘I don’t remember giving you permission to leave. I think you have forgotten who you are talking to. I think now I’ll take whatever you have on you to remind you who I am.’ Lawrence smiled again.
Spend your points and just shut him up, a voice screamed in Lan’s mind.
‘My lord seems to have a problem remembering.’ Lan said, facing the noble head-on. ‘Not even a duke can take without reason.’ Even if he wanted to, it was clear to Lan now that Ganin wouldn’t let the noble kill him and get in the way of Dell’s plan. This was just an attempt to save face. But after his threats, Lan wouldn’t even let him have that much.
‘I bet he wasted it on a woman.’ Dara squawked, shredding the tension that had built up between the two.
At this, Lawrence’s smile turned into a grin as he thought he had found a new vein to cut.
‘Well, Lan, did you spend the money your mother sold her treasure for on a woman?’ Lawrence asked.
‘Just look at him. What other reason would there be that he is so defensive.’ the mind-searingly obnoxious girl went on.
‘How could anyone be so pathetic.’ He said. ‘You can keep whatever you have left. I wouldn’t want to touch it knowing where it has been.’ With that, Lawrence turned to leave, and the others followed in his wake.
All but Eliza, who stopped in front of Lan. As their eyes met, she could only hold his gaze for a moment before anger flashed on her face, and she looked away while Lan just stood there numb to it all. Whatever it was that she had to say, the sooner she did, the better.
‘I will come to see you today… so we can sign the annulment agreement.’ She looked up as if just doing so caused pain like Lan was the one who had wanted all of this. Like she was the only one that this was hurting. Like he had forced her into the arms of another man, and now he was throwing everything they had away.
That, more than anything, made Lan chuckle, making her flinch.
At least her father would have the guts to own his actions. Lan couldn’t wait to be done with all of them. With a sigh, Lan looked at the sun. It was already hung low in the sky. But Lan still had time to do what he needed to.
‘I am staying at the Silver-haired maiden inn. If you find me anywhere, you’ll find me there.’ Lan said and turned.
‘Lan?’ he heard her call, but his mind had moved on to more important things, and there was something that he could not end the day without doing.
But before that, Lan took some time to find a fountain with a reflective basin and saw a change in his gaunt face. What he saw formed a pit in his stomach and made him wish that he hadn’t looked because blissful ignorance was better than what looked back at him.
Contrasted against pale skin was a pair of red glowing lips. Lan’s face threatened to swallow the shining red mark, his face burning as he tried and failed to wash it away. When that didn’t work, Lan opened his tome. Next to his image was a small pair of lips.
[Status effect: Lovers Kiss – A magic-infused kiss used to remind one of their lover's affection no matter where they may be. Be warned, the Lovers Kiss mark can cause strong emotional reactions from those who may see it, from jealousy to increased attraction or confusion from those who cannot see magic like children. Once the recipient sees the kiss, it will vanish in ten seconds.]
As the counter appeared, Lan watched as he remembered the day's events.
‘Weirdo face…’ he said to himself before bursting into laughter. ‘Damn, that crazy woman.’ At least now he knew who had paid for his room.
Thinking back, that wasn’t all the mage had done. The way that the thugs had fallen for his lie so easily made sense. Lan had a glowing sign on his face that said, “Don’t mess with this idiot,” not to mention why everyone had been looking at him funny the whole day; everyone had been reacting to him through the spell's influence.
He didn’t even know where they were now, but somehow, they were still managing to help him. As the mark disappeared, Lan found holding on to his anger impossible as he made his way to Cawl’s shop.