Introductions

Snuggly wrapped in warm blankets and a body not quite his own, Willy was feeling quite well. He was seated in a big comfortable sofa that seemed to almost swallow him in its cushioned embrace and was holding in his hands a steaming cup of tea which expunged thick healing fumes that seeped into his nostrils.

In front of him there was another sofa similar to his own which for now stood empty and beside it there was a polished oak table with a steaming teacup and a little blue plate filled with crunchy tea biscuits which Willy didn't really dare to try.

Instead, he was focusing his attention on the rest of the old warehouse that loomed around him.

Judging from the type of construction materials it seemed that the building was newly made, this and the fact that it was a warehouse led him to believe that he was in an industrial complex in the seventh ring of the City, near one of the many watering canals that passed through each section of Kingstown.

It had to be, the City was actually built around the spring that flowed somewhere from the top of the mountain, and as it slowly expanded people started to regulate its flow, make water ponds and excavate underground wells, whose water supply they then added to the flow of the creek.

This gave Kingstown plethora of wells, small aqueducts that were used for water supply, and in some places, like said warehouse, even wider, deeper canals that were big enough for a small boat to pass through, and those were used for transporting goods from one part of the city to another.

These canals, gutters and sewers trickled slowly from top sections of the city, down to the outer rings, hugging each wall they passed like an ever-descending snake whose head split apart upon reaching the outer ring and scattered around the countryside in plenty other, smaller streams that watered surrounding fields and orchards.

It was of course a given that in some poorer districts the quality of water degraded into something resembling thick and dirty mud, that was not quite water but was still liquid enough to flow slowly ever downwards and outside of the walls.

From the thick sound of slowly flowing water outside he concluded that the warehouse they were currently in was built in one such district, and Will actually had some clues of where exactly they were, but alas, he couldn't be absolutely certain without having a look outside.

There were not many locations like this one in the city, and there was one relatively near the place he got ambushed so he supposed that's where they took him.

The place in question was a complex of several old warehouses that fell out of use with improvement of other water canals and roads, and a decline of business opportunities which followed also had its consequences on local population which either fled to other neighborhoods or stayed and embraced the life of cutthroats and thieves who soon filled the empty places. However, someone recently bought several docks, warehouses and other industries in the district, and since then many structures were renovated or outright brought down and built again. Which additionally brought down the number of possible locations he could have been taken too.

Willy finally felt some heat reaching his toes and he grabbed the teacup a bit closer to his face, still looking around into the surrounding shadows. He could have tried his hand at escape, but with recent developments he barely dared to breathe loudly, let alone escape from the madman that abducted him.

Warehouse itself was made of hard wood and stone, with thick support beams everyway he turned to, its ceiling loomed somewhere far above his head, and its solid walls and big wooden gates were barely visible in the distance and through the surrounding gloom.

All in all it would be completely empty if not for the small pile of crates stashed in the corner of its far wall and his own comfortable little corner, which looked completely out of place in this dark and soggy place.

"Feeling better?"

He jerked in surprise and turned to his captor who appeared out of darkness and casually poured himself some tea while taking a seat on the other side of the table.

Reluctantly, Willy spoke.

"Yes…for a dead man I'm feeling quite well."

The boy chuckled from his seat.

"You aren't dead, Willy. I just reshaped your body, put a few pieces in the right places and that's about it. If you listen carefully, you will notice that your heart is still beating, and besides, if I did make an undead out of you, you'd know it. Believe me."

His other captor, the older one, came into view carrying a tray filled with fresh doughnuts and set it on the table.

"Who the hell are you people?" Willy asked in disbelief.

Stuffing his mouth with a doughnut, the boy turned to him and mumbled through a mouthful of sweet bread.

"Mphh auh forgout.."

Swallowing hard he forced the food down his throat and took a swing of tea, coughing slightly.

"Ah, excuse me. I'm being rude, didn't even introduce myself."

Willy watched as the boy straightened in his sofa, his chin rising proudly upwards as he looked at him over his nose and importantly proclaimed:

"I am Prince Edward, son of Emperor Leonard, eleventh son in the line for the throne, the greatest mind of the kingdom. I am the protector of the empire, and the only chance humanity has for survival. Behold me and obey."

Politely ignoring the fact that the madman was completely bat shit insane, Willy forced a dumb expression on his face and blinked stupidly at Edward. Turning towards the man at Edwards's side he silently inquired the identity of his other captor, waiting to be introduced to what was very possibly another lunatic.

Seeing his gaze shift towards him the man started to speak.

"I am Samu…"

"This is Samuel, he is my slave, and he is addicted to me." Edward interrupted, and Samuel lowered his gaze apologetically towards his master.

"My lord, as I said before, I assure you that my service is absolutely voluntary. I would follow you to the ends of the Earth if you so commanded, and I am anything but a…"

Edward interrupted him once more, looking sadly at Willy.

"It's heartbreaking, really. He doesn't even comprehend the circumstances by which he was bound to me, you see."

Looking a little bit desperate, Samuel tried to persuade his master again.

"My lord, I'm quite certain that…"

"He is my Guardian, you understand…"

Edward continued, not paying much attention to his servant.

"…and only recently I got the chance to study the connection between us, and the way we are bound together. Results were quite…morbid, so to say."

Samuel sighed sadly, abandoning any hope of changing his master's mind.

Willy cursed inwardly; what little hope he had dispersing completely. Of his captors, the younger one was clearly insane, but Willy hoped that at least his older accomplice was capable of rational thought. No such luck it seemed, one madman was bad enough, but a madman with a servant…yes… well, no break for our old Willy.

Slightly curious himself of the insane revelation that Edward just blurted out, Willy decided that it was best to gather more information on his kidnappers. Anyone who tried to appease the insane was also insane himself, Willy knew. But he didn’t really have a choice right now, and longer he kept them talking the more he would know about them. So couldn't do anything else but to ask.

"How so?"

Eager to explain, Edward pulled his sofa a little bit closer, talking animatedly.

"Ah, well for starters; did you know that every living being is actually magical in nature?"

Not really caring about the question of a psychopath, but being greatly concerned for his wellbeing, Willy played along.

"No, I can't say that I did."

Not even acting like he cared about his answer the deranged madman went on.

"Well, it is so, every living thing is born with some magical potential. Humans of course, are no exception, it is our innate magical nature that enables some of us to use magic, you see. And technically speaking, with enough training and good enough education, every man would be able to use sorcery to some degree."

Nodding his head in pretended understanding Willy agreed. Aside from being crazy, his captor was also most likely a mage of some sort. It was useful to have it confirmed to a degree at least, not comforting but useful nonetheless.

"That is interesting." He supplied helpfully.

Beaming at him with unrestrained joy, Edward continued.

"Yes, I think so too, but anyway, when I first started studying the bond between my Guardian and myself, I thought it had something to do with soul binding. It was a natural line of thought to pursue, what with all the "bound for life of servitude" and what not. So, imagine my surprise when I discovered the truth of things..."

Willy waited in expectation.

Edward took another sip of tea and started to distractedly nibble on a biscuit.

Silence dragged on.

"So, what was it?!"

Edward turned to him.

"Hmmm, oh right. It was magic."

He concluded while licking his finger clean of sweet bits of biscuit.

Willy didn’t like this conversation. Ohh no, didn’t like it at all. He knew people, knew the maestros of lies and deception, the casual conversation, little pauses and acts they used to reel in the victim of their next plot. He himself was an adept in the skills, and damn it if this didn’t feel like he was being played. The insane persona, the looney talk, a capable servant… Willy scrubbed clean all of his opinions of the boy in front of him. The man was insane, yes, but not as crazy as he presented himself, there was a method and a reason behind his behavior, Willy just couldn’t see what it was.

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"You see my Samuel here, like every other existing guardian, has a unique magical aura. Among other things it enhances his growth, regeneration and enables him to develop certain skills to the peak of human ability. Unfortunately, it is flawed in its nature and it constantly resonates in search for a similar aura that would mend its imperfection…”

Bending slightly forward over the table, Edward stuffed his face with another biscuit and glanced at Willy to see if he still had his attention.

“…And so, when Samuel first stumbled my way some ten years ago, certain pieces of my magical aura melded with his, pieces fell in place where once there was nothing and he finally felt complete. It's been that way ever since, and he can't really help it, no Guardian can. It's why they need to constantly be near the object of their compulsion…”

Slowly chewing on a next bite of biscuit, Edward made a face of pure bliss before humming softly and wiping his hand of off his expensive shirt.

“…So, to put it simply, he is addicted to my mere presence."

Willy stared wide eyed at him. It was insane, of course, it was crazy, everything the boy said was. But with everything that happened to him… that was done to him… if even a bit of what he said was true... He looked at Samuel, at the way he listened to Edward, amused at the antics of his master… Willy looked, looked deep and saw that glint in his eye. It was subtle, maybe just a figment of his imagination, but it was there, the same thing he saw in the eyes of his customers, in the eye of those with a need… if even a bit was true…

"Does anyone else know about it?" Will asked.

A genuine question this time.

And ahh, he realized. Ahh…there it was. He had been had. He was no mere observer of the insanity anymore. One real question, a small consideration of truth, it was all it took and now he was no longer on the outside of the conversation, he was active listener. And that was where the slippery slope begun, didn’t it. That’s how they always got you.

Edward smiled.

"My father I suppose. What with the fact that he is the most powerful entity in the entire empire, and yet he had no sworn Guardians for the past fifty years, I am pretty sure he knows how to mend their aura too. He is far too soft hearted you see, and it would be just like him to release his most loyal servants just because they had no choice in obeying him."

Samuel turned to his master.

"My lord you speak like you disapprove of your father's actions, and yet you too threatened to free me of my service as soon as you learned this."

Edward sighed.

"I didn't threaten you Samuel, I just said that I don't like you being addicted to me, and that I would find a way to free you from your would-be chains."

Samuel sighed tiredly, looking like he would roll his eyes if it didn’t offend his liege.

"I am not addicted my lord."

"For all intents and purposes, you are, and therefore you are a liability, Samuel. Which is why I have decided to free you from your need of me, and then have you willingly bind your very soul to my will."

Samuel gave it a thought for a few seconds and answered.

"As long as I am in your service."

Willy felt the beads of cold sweat slowly roll of his back.

"No worries…” Edward spoke happily “…if all else fails I will just kill you and put your soul into a flesh construct, that way you can serve me even beyond death."

Samuel seemed to cheer up at the thought.

"As long as you deem it wise my lord."

Willy stared at them in barely disguised horror.

"What do you even want from someone like me, anyway?"

Edward shifted his attention back on him.

"Oh that's right; we got a bit sidetracked didn't we. Well, back to business then, shall we. Now listen carefully to what I'm about to say, all right?"

Willy just nodded; it was not like he had much choice anyway.

"It's not like you have much choice, anyway." Edward cheerfully said and continued.

"And truth be told, I don't actually want something from you as much I need you Willy, and don't worry, I'm not lying to you, I find it's a bad way to start future businesses. Thing is Willy, I am a spider, I build webs, create connections and make deals, and right now, in the web that is Kingstown I have none of those things."

Willy wrecked his brain in desperation, going over every little detail he managed to gleam from Edward. There was still some hope here.

"So you need a player of your own."

The monster smiled.

"Exactly so Willy, and you are the lucky man."

"Why me?"

"Because you are that perfect blend of cowardly bastard, thief, and a scoundrel with morals low enough to do just about anything necessary to survive, and yet you are intelligent enough to understand the rules of the game, and why you benefit from them."

Willy stared at him in suspicion and horror, he would either live or die tonight, this was clear enough. This Edward wanted him, Willy was not stupid enough to believe he needed him, from personal experience he knew there was always someone else who could do the job, no one was irreplaceable. In this moment however he wanted to make himself as valuable as he could. There was a good chance he could survive this, but he had to gleam more information. He didn’t trust Edward, he didn’t act like someone his age, didn’t seem like a noble, but if he was a prince…

"You say you are the emperor's son?"

Edward just laughed in delight.

"And there it is Willy, that spark of intelligence I was just talking about. And yes, if it means anything to you, I am, in the fullest meaning of the word, Prince Edward, son of the emperor."

Willy was now sweating like a pig. After a noticeable pause of hard thinking, he answered quietly, with obvious fear in his voice, and with just a hint of resolve accompanying it.

"If you're thinking of destroying Kingstown in any capacity, then count me out. Might just as well kill me, I'm not helping you destroy my home."

Edward was looking at him in amusement.

"And once again you pleasantly surprise me, Willy; I knew I picked the right one. Do you have any idea how few people would have the courage to answer like you did just now? All of those bastards you wear as your skin would have sold me their own mothers by now."

Willy grinned sickly.

"Oh, you can have the bitch if you want to, but I'm not giving you Kingstown."

Edward choked on his tea spraying it all over the table; laughing and struggling to catch some air as he waved his hand in dismissal.

"No need for that, Willy." He laughed. "But, as I was saying, I have no intention of harming the empire, it is too big to topple and even if had the power or desire to do so, its fall would most certainly crush me as well. That would be, of course, if I wanted to bring destruction to it, which I don't. Dead empires are unbelievably boring, trust me, I wish no harm upon it. Quite the opposite, I want to save it."

"By becoming an emperor?" Willy guessed.

Edward frowned in disgust.

"Eh, not in a million years. I dislike responsibility of any kind, so the role of a simple prince suits my needs just fine. No, I have no such plans, and yet I need to have streets under my control."

Confused, Willy asked him in disbelief.

"But what for? You have money already, not to mention royal blood and all possible connections you could need, what the hell you need me for? Why is the empire in danger, anyway, why are you, of all the people trying to save it, and what from? I simply don't understand why you need me."

With a knowing smile on his lips Edward answered him.

"Ah, Willy. I have seen much in my life, you know. And if I learned one thing about empires, then it's that whenever they shift, they do so at the bottom, not the top. That is why I need you to get hold of the underworld, which means drug trade, alchemy, prostitution, thieves. Whatever kind of illegal activity exists in the city I need you, and through you me, to have a hand in it."

In misery, Willy asked him:

"So, you want me, to become the kingpin?"

This time deathly serious Edward nodded in conformation.

"Yes, exactly so."

Holding his hands out, as if he wanted to show his thoughts to the world, Willy cried out in desperation.

"But that's impossible!"

"Hmmm…" Edward mused. "... how so? There have been others before, if I'm correct. I think there is one in power right now actually. With political and financial backing I could provide, not to mention other arcane means of solving problems I see no reason why it wouldn't work. But, do voice your concerns; you had more interactions with these people than I did, so I will trust your judgment on the subject."

Furious and desperate Willy tried to explain.

"Yes, there have been other kingpins before, that is exactly my point. There "have been others before", but they are not here any longer are they now?"

"Your point?"

"My point is that every single bitch and bastard that stabbed or murdered their way to the top died quite horribly soon afterwards. Sometimes just a few days after they climbed to the position of Underboss. Thing is, no one lasts as kingpin for long, it's a place surrounded by conniving, backstabbing, violent bastards and murderers, of which every single one is shooting for that very spot. Longest period someone survived as King of the underworld is five years, and that was way back, when I was just a toddler."

As if he found it completely reasonable Edward answered him.

"So then don't be one of those violent murdering bastards, earn their loyalty if you must, buy it, if all else fails."

Willy looked positively sick at just the mention of word loyalty. Shaking his head in disbelief at how someone could even mention the word when talking about the underworld.

"It's been tried too, there was one poor bastard who ruled with a gentler touch. That one, all sweet words and treats, he lasted two years before his lover gutted him in his own bed. Took his position then, he did, but didn't fare any better."

In silence Edward thought for a minute.

"Well, get your own marionette then."

"What?"

"Your own marionette, you must know at least a dozen violent individuals who wouldn't mind sitting in that chair for a year or two, right?"

Willy thought for a heartbeat.

"Yes, that would be right."

"So put them on the throne in your stead, orchestrate a few betrayals and put your people where you want them. Once they start becoming independent just replace them with someone else.

"But I'm not sure if I'll be able to do that."

Edward rolled his eyes.

"You won't be doing it alone, you dolt. You will have me backing you, so don't worry too much."

Willy sat, cowed, sheepishly rubbing his hands together while thinking things over.

"I guess I don't have much choice, do I."

"None at all."

"And what if I decide to betray you?"

Edward smiled.

"We both know you are not that stupid, and aside for the fact that you are the one who profits the most from this deal, I also implanted a black-bone inside your chest, it’s a sort of magical spike to explain it simply, which will pierce your heart if you ever… hmm, start doing things I disapprove off."

Willy gulped.

"Now Willy…" Edward continued "…to give you some motivation in the days to come, let's talk about the threat that is looming over our bellowed empire."

"Yes, what about it? I hardly see anything more threatening to it than you at the moment."

A merry laugh bubbled out of Edwards throat as he leaned back in his seat, amused he asked.

"Well then, tell me. What do you know about the gods?"

"Gods?"

"One and only Willy, the gods."

"I don't believe in gods."

Edward took another sip of tea.

"You should Willy, because it's one of them, or its followers that we will have to check and control if we want the things to stay all nice and quiet.”

Willy looked stunned.

"What do you mean?"

Putting down his empty cup Edward replied.

"Exactly what I said, if you think that I am terrifying, wait till you see what followers of dark goddess could do to our precious kingdom."

"Dark goddess? But it doesn't make any sense. What do you mean by gods…?"

Edward stared at him.

"I said I wouldn't lie to you, so best we clear the stakes right now. There are eight gods Willy, seven we know of and one goddess that was bound in the void four thousand years ago by the combined power of the First King and all the gods combined, and now someone is trying to set her loose, or at least inconvenience anyone who supports the current state of affairs."

Willy stared.

"I don't believe you."

Edward waved his empty cup melodramatically, motioning towards Willy.

"You don't have to, for all that its true I do understand that it sounds crazy, but your belief doesn't change anything, truth is truth and that is final. I am just notifying you of the people and the problems we will be looking out for, that is, if you do decide to take my offer and work with me. But if your belief is stopping you from trusting in what I just said, do take in consideration that just this morning I ripped your soul from your old body and put you in another one. Think about that for a moment and ask me if I had a good reason to do it."

Willy was almost broken at this point, he didn’t want any of this, didn’t want to believe it, he was just tired, just wanted to go back to his life. But it wouldn’t happen wouldn’t it, not like he wanted, even if he survived.

"But, but how do you know all this. How do you know it’s true?”

"Ahh…" Edward sighed, appearing a little more somber than a moment ago. ".. I had a talk with my father, among other things, but that is unimportant. But to get back on the matters of importance, I believe we have come to an agreement of sorts you and I. In next few days we will talk more on the subject, but before we part ways tonight I do have one more question for you before we finish this little conversation, so do tell me Willy. What do you know of Lyrium?"

Willy squirmed uncomfortably in his seat.

"Not much, really."

"No?"

Trying like hell not to admit any guilty he shifted his weight this way and that. He didn’t like this line of questioning; thinking back on the vague rumors surrounding the royal palace that surfaced around recently, and his part in the black market, it gave him a bad feeling, he could deny everything and play stupid but he feared it would just be wasted effort.

"Willy? You are aware that I know it was only you who sold Lyrium on the streets in these last couple of years, it’s not exactly a subtle drug."

"I don’t know." He whispered quietly.

"You don’t know what, Willy?"

Willy shifted, rubbing his hands while looking exceedingly guilty.

“I’m not guilty of anything...”

He proclaimed, and continued.

"…I.. I never knew to whom it goes, or who buys it really. I don’t even know if its Lyrium really, I never saw the merchandise myself, I swear, I only moved the thing and passed it on, I didn’t have anything with the thing…really, it’s true, you have to believe me.”

It was clear Edward didn’t believe him.

Desperately, Willy tried to smile apologetically but his face shifted into something that more resembled toothy savage grin of a crocodile than anything else.

Edward sat back and sighed, rubbing his forehead in frustration.

"Fine, fine, have no fear, I am not mad at you. Its not like you had the brains or the ambition for it anyway…hmmm…” he mused to himself “…. We will talk more of it later on, but for now you will need to give me the remaining supplies."

Willy sagged in relief.

"Ahh, of course my lord, of course."

"And as for who supplied you with Lyrium, I will need names Willy."

Willys terrifying grin of apology stretched even further as he tried to excuse himself.

"I am afraid my lord, that I was speaking the truth, I don't rightly know why Lyrium got to the Kingstown nor who actually had it before me, its… it’s all really complicated really, it was an opportunity I took more than anything really..."

"Explain then."

"I never really bought it from anyone per se, it's more that I had, ehh acquired it through… let's say less than stellar means."

"You stole it?" Edward supplied.

"Well, it wasn't exactly stolen, it was more that it was given to me indirectly, by a third party, who in turn had stolen it from someone else."

"Mhm."

"But I did inquire my lord, I always keep track of where the goods come from, else I cross someone I shouldn't. And Lyrium in question was first taken from an imperial cargo ship, through rather violent means I must say."

"And who did the job?" Edward inquired.

"Mercenary group, called "dead rats", rather capable fellows, I worked with them before and had never regretted it."

"And where are they now?"

"Rotting at the bottom of the canal somewhere, last I heard."

Edward took a deep breath.

"Hmmm, it fits the bill; sounds like someone did a nice little cleanup operation there."

Hopeful and pleased to add more to his report Willy continued.

"I did speak with their leader, a few days before the "accident", my lord and he had some interesting things to share."

"Do go on."

"First of all, their informant, I never found out who it was, supplied them with the information of a “Big order” passing by one of the river ports in the city of Bansemouth, it’s a city some hundred miles east of Kingstown. The goods were ferried by the means of a ship named, "Orchid", interestingly enough, their slip instructed them to only take crates marked by the seal of Crystal tower, as they supposedly contained the biggest wealth, and then to bring them over to Kingstown for a sale to an unknown buyer...”

Edwards eyes narrowed, he knew the name of that ship, heard it before in memories that he acquired a few weeks ago.

“…Well, their little gig went sideways and under, of course. The Crystal tower didn’t fancy anyone taking their stuff and Dead rats severely underestimated the security, which is not surprising what with the cargo being Lyrium. To make things short, before being gutted by the gang the Crystal tower mages burned most of the Rats to the bone, as well as the ferry, which hit the river bottom and got both sunk and stuck. Now, the survivors dragged themselves back and of course I, the good soul that I am, took them in, helped them and paid them even. All for a little info on the location of the ferry. A few days later, and with a couple of employed gangs I had the crates fished out and hauled from the wreckage to the Kingstown… And that’s about it. Oh, and the Dead rats disappeared shortly after, I don’t really know where they are but the word is they got offed. To tell you the truth I’m not surprised that someone tried to get them after a fuckup like that, but there were some capable fellows among the survivors so I doubt they are all dead. But if they are in hiding, they are long gone from Kingstown and no one will get them out of their holes. “

Willy talked on.

"As for their boss, A fellow named Henry…”

Edward frowned.

“…He did make it out alive from that night, but when I asked him about the name of his informant, he refused to tell me who it was, but he did say it was a she, and that she paid in royal coins."

Edwards' eyes grew cold as he whispered.

"Adriane..."

"The what now?"

"Nothing." Edward said as he rose from his seat.

"Go dress yourself, night is almost upon us, and we don't want to be late."

"Where are we going?"

Turning to him once more Edward answered.

"I told you before, didn't I, we are going to get a few more corpses."

Confused, Willy asked again.

"But where, you already killed everyone, where do you plan to go…"…"my lord?" He quickly added.

Turning away with a cold smile on his face Edward replied.

"To the ring fights of course, after all it's where the best materials are found. And tomorrow, me and my sister are going to have ourselves a little chat."