Val and Yetta leaned against the building and waited for the others to join them. As Mira approached, the group of Wilted Rose bowed gracefully to her. Ref, Poppy, and Terra went back to Vimgraunt with the majority of their found treasures. The dwarf father and son, Tegan and Grandy, boxed to pass the time as Amethyst escorted Mira.
“Yetta,” Mira looked to the elven archer, “You found one of them?”
“Yes, Leader,” She nodded, “A warehouse by the docks. She leaves after the port closes for the night.”
“The other is in the red-light district,” Val nodded, “I found the brothel he tends to stay at.”
“The last one is already in the jailhouse,” Tegan caught his son in a headlock, “It seems his people are working on getting him out by the morning.”
“That will be the easiest,” Mira looked past them to the homely looking group of men, “Are you all sure of your choice?”
“Yes, Lady Mira,” One of the men stepped forward, “Many of us are the last of our families. After our travels, we gladly join your tribe.”
The older man was round about the waist but had thick biceps from years of manual labor. Mira imagined his plump stomach was from years drinking. He only had a simple white tunic and pants, and basic sandals for shoes. Many of the once enthralled men dressed the same. She knew this is what many thralls wore in Agrowl because she had worn something similar when she was there.
“What is your name?”
“Seth, Lady Mira.”
“Just call me Mira,” She looked at the men behind him, “Are any of you fighters?”
“Some of us,” He scratched at the peeling sunburn on his balding scalp, “Others are merely deckhands with minimal experience in much else.”
“I do not need all of you to fight with me tonight,” She scanned the crowd, “If you have never killed another man, see Yetta. She teach you how to get information quickly. Then, Tegan and Grandy will teach you to fight. If they do not think you are ready, then you will not raise a blade in my name.”
“You are kind, Lady Mira,” Seth bowed his head, “Many of us expected tonight to be our last.”
“You are entering a war on my behalf,” She counted the large group of forced sailors, “One day, you will die. You may not live long enough to take a lover, father children, or find your own way in life. My hope is that you do not regret your choice to stay in my care.”
“We were property before you came to us, my lady,” He cleared his throat, “We did not expect any freedom. You have granted us a life we could’ve only dream of.”
“I did not ask for the captain to dismiss your enthrallments,” She looked to the orc, “He granted you that. I am only accepting your allegiance.”
“Thank you…” Seth looked to Bo, “Captain Bobabano.”
Both the men knew that the orc cared little about thralls. They knew the situation the thralls were in before Mira came onto the ship. Bo felt a pang of guilt when he looked over the homely men. He guiltily bit his lower lip and nodded curtly in response.
“Seth, have the experienced men meet with Val. She will split them into the groups,” She waved everyone away while she thought of her next steps.
Mira glanced over the posters pinned to the wall behind her. Hangral’s underground activities were ran by three major groups. Each group had a de facto leader that Mira planned to bend to her will or kill. A dwarf woman with the nickname “Jenny” oversaw the Sword Serpents. A human man named Darvin oversaw the less-than-savory businesses under the Scarlet Knuckles. A dwarf man named Bragnoun ran a group of hirable killers called the Jade Tears.
The Sword Serpents oversaw the docks and skimmed off the taxes, the goods, or anything else that their leader deemed necessary. The group cooked the dock books and always bribed officials well, so the guards generally left the area alone for the bandits to run rampant. Jenny took over the group of sailors turned thugs with a coup from the last leader. Mira knew the woman would likely be killed instead of agreeing to her terms.
The Scarlet Knuckles ran the red-light districts of Hangral. Though that business wasn’t illegal, robbing the johns after their paid sessions was. Many of them became little more than petty thieves and robbers. Darvin, their leader, owned most of the brothels, bars, and gambling rooms in the lower districts. He wasn’t well known for anything outside of his appetites and his spinelessness if there none of his men were around. Mira knew he would likely do anything to stay alive and in her favor.
The last group was a bit trickier. The Jade Tears were hirable mercenaries, assassins, and jobs outside the eyes of the law. This was the group Mira wanted to take over completely. If she needed information, they would be trained in ways to get it. The Jade Tears were likely to know anything about Isaan in Zrud, as their reach expanded to factions in other major cities. Conveniently, their leader sat in a prison cell. As she recognized the name and the scar of the man on the poster, her plan was made.
“Jenny first,” Mira tore the paper from the wall and examined the woman’s face.
“Why?”
“She will die before letting anyone would overthrow her,” Mira handed the paper to Yetta, “We will have to act quickly so word doesn’t spread to the next victim. You are in charge of this group.”
“Honored,” Yetta grinned large enough for the elf’s missing teeth to show.
“Then, Darvin,” Mira tore the paper from the wall, “Find his third in command.”
“Why not the second?” Bobabano asked.
“He would have someone he trusts as his right hand,” She folded the paper and slipped it into Val’s hands, “The third is someone he doesn’t know he can trust but is useful to him. You can handle the man. I hear Darvin would find you most attractive. Use that to your advantage.”
“Ugh,” She groaned.
“I’m not asking you to bed him,” She held a hand up to stop the woman’s thoughts, “Just that he will probably try.”
“What about the Jade Tears?” Val asked, “Shouldn’t you be worried about them?”
“I have a feeling their leader found himself the safest place he could,” She smirked, “If he knew that the wraith entered the city, it wouldn’t be long before it sought out him.”
“Should we prepare to strike him immediately after?”
“Let someone tell him, then I will arrive,” She pulled his poster from the wall and slid the paper in her pocket, “He will want to know what he is up against. When he does, he will either pledge his allegiance, or be ready to die.”
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“Shall we get started, then?” Amethyst clapped her hands together, “There will be a group at each location, ready to go. They’ll handle the aftermath after.”
“I think it may be wise to make yourself an alibi, Mira,” Yetta cleared her throat, “It wouldn’t look right if the wraith immediately attacks the city underground the first night you are here.”
“What do you suggest, then?”
“I have an idea,” Val took the last large gulp of her drink, “But… you may not like it.”
“What could possibly be that bad?” Mira narrowed her eyes.
“Well…” She motioned to orc that stood protectively behind her, “There is a man openly interested in you that has a room in the palace with numerous gossipy staff about.”
Bobabano smirked mischievously, “Oh, I like this plan.”
“What exactly are you suggesting, Val?”
“It’s known the man fancies you,” She chuckled at his reaction, “If you trollop about the palace for a while, I’m sure nobody would question where you –”
“My mermiana,” He interjected, “What Val’s suggesting is that I make a grand display of bedding you.”
Mira rubbed her hands down her face in annoyance. The group around her murmured approval at the charade, but nobody openly spoke to agree. She closed her eyes and thought of anything else that would give her a better defense. When nothing came to mind, she grunted.
“You don’t like how eager he is for this, do you?” Encante chuckled, “It’s a good plan. You may even have fun. Agree.”
“Fine,” She decided to trust the voice in her amulet, “Let’s do it.”
Everyone stopped and looked at her in amazement. She furrowed her brow at their immediate silence.
“What? I said let’s do it,” She set her hands on her hips, “What is the plan?”
“You’re fine with that?” The man beamed happily, “I’ll whisk you away and–”
“No. It has to be an enormous spectacle that will be gossiped about for weeks. It’s got to land in the papers, even,” Val held up a finger, “They can’t imagine she would be anywhere else besides your bed. We need a plan. How much gold do you can you spare?”
“As much as necessary,” He shrugged, “Why?”
“Because we will need to get as much attention as possible across the city,” Mira rolled her eyes, “Val, I’m sure I can take it from here.”
“Can you?” Val chuckled, “I don’t see you being very loving towards the man. Maybe pretend he’s the knight—”
“Isaan had me trained on how to seduce men, in case it was needed,” She cut her off, “I can act very well.”
“And how good was that training?” Amethyst laughed, “You aren’t exactly the affectionate type. You act like you can hardly stand him now, especially after this morning.”
Mira turned to an enthusiastic Bo. She placed her hand against his chest and softened her stoic face. She batted her lashes softly and placed another finger against her lips. When she looked up at him with a gentle, delicate eyes, he blinked in shock. She leaned in to whisper playfully. The back of her hand brushed his chin and she giggled flirtatiously. Bo placed his hands on her hips and pulled her towards him. A feminine squeal left her lips at the act and she threw her head back in laughter.
The entire display looked as if the couple was eagerly on a date in a new city.
“Disgusting,” Val snorted sarcastically, “That will work better than it should.”
Mira slide the shawl from her shoulder and handed it to Val, “Take this back to my room before you start your assignment.”
“Then, we will wait for you to return before we begin,” Amethyst nodded, “Or should we go ahead?”
“Meet me at the docks in three hours,” Mira stepped from him and looked over them, “Until then, make sure Seth and anyone able is trained up.”
“Only three hours?” Bobabano raised an eyebrow, “That’s hardly enough time.”
“You won’t be able to keep your hands off of me past one,” She smirked seductively.
He grabbed her hand, “I think I can last longer than that.”
“Just make it back to the palace before you two get too far in each other’s pants,” Val laughed, “Take whatever room there you want and destroy it.”
Bobabano wrapped his arm around Mira’s waist and led her down the packed streets of Hangral. She laughed brightly as he whispered in her ear and picked up trinkets from different vendors to give to her. Mira twirled her hair between her fingers and flirtatiously spoke with him in his native tongue. Most couldn’t understand the boring nonsense they talked about, but it came off as romantic. He enjoyed the way her hands traveled down his arms as she let him guide her. The sultry look as she spoke to him made him ready to start the grand display.
Somehow, learning that Mira found her “friend” attractive and kissed him infuriated Bo. The man didn’t deserve her for a moment. He could at least provide for her. Bobabano knew the truth and would always stand by her –not Jonen.
As Bo pulled her into a bar, he grabbed her hips and pinned her against him. He looked at her for a moment before he pressed his forehead against hers. He tried to drown out the music and merriment behind them and focus on the powerful woman in front of him.
“Are you going to kiss me?” She whispered.
“You would let me?” He smirked.
“You are supposed to be seducing me, Bobabano,” Mira ran her fingers through his hair and placed his captain’s hat on her head, “So far, I’m unamused.”
“As you wish,” Bobabano turned and grabbed a stein.
He held it high and called to get all the attention around him. He threw a small bag of coins on top of the bar top and shouted to get the entire establishment’s attention. He winked at her before stomping his foot.
“Raise a glass to my woman tonight! Sing her praises with me,” He jumped down and walked to her, “Drinks on me!”
The bar cheered and Bobabano dipped Mira to kiss her more dramatically. She giggled as the hat nearly fell from her head and he swept her off her feet. Bo grabbed his hat and sat down with Mira on his lap. He greeted the few people that walked towards them as he kept his attention on her.
“How was that?” He chuckled in her ear, “Dramatic enough.”
“You enjoy this,” She cupped his face in her hands as she chided him, “Entirely too much.”
“What?” He squeezed her against him, “I can’t show off my woman?”
Bobabano grabbed a stein from a passing barmaid and downed as much as he could before he looked to Mira again. He paused before he nuzzled his face into her hair and kissed her neck. The stubble along his chin tickled her. His fingers danced along the hem of her blouse as he moved it to touch her bare skin. Mira placed her hand over his to approve. He reached under her shirt and grabbed at her sides. She took his hat from his head and held it in front of them as she leaned into him.
“Bobabano, do not be afraid,” She ran a hand through his hair and pouted playfully, “I will follow your lead.”
“If you say so,” His hand found the back of her head and he pulled her lips to his.
Mira heard the jealous murmurings behind her of women that wanted her place. Bobabano was considered a brilliantly handsome and generous orc. His reputation as sea captain that saved many ships from pirate attacks and gathered fish for Agrowl spread through Zrud before his arrival.
His mouth opened to deepen their kiss and she pulled away. Mira bit her lip and let her hand trace along his chin. She had never been so affectionate with anyone. The only man she kissed before that night was Jonen. Now, her lips constantly met with the Bobabano’s in a tavern to give her an alibi. It felt different to her, but she wasn’t sure in what way.
“Your lips are much softer than I imagined,” He smirked.
“Yours… as well,” She blushed.
He delicately placed his lips against hers. Bobabano stirred as she deepened the kiss. His hand pulled her closer with the small of her back and pinned her against his lap. His small, carved tusks poked from under his lower lip as their mouths met.
Mira could tell he enjoyed having her this close and affectionate. She squeezed her hips against him, and he laughed. His hand travelled under her shirt and he squeezed her breast. She swatted at him and narrowed her eyes.
“You’re an ass.”
“If we’re stating the obvious, you have a nice one,” He smirked and groped her again, “Look around. Tell me other men aren’t doing this to their women. It happens in bars.”
She scanned the room and couldn’t disagree, “You don’t have to be so smug about it.”
He laughed, “You’re so small and innocent.”
“Innocent?”
Bo moved her hair from her neck and nuzzled his face into her. She huffed at him until he teasingly bit into her neck. She squeaked at the sensation and pulled away to give him a bewildered look. He smirked at her response.
“Oh, you liked that?”
“Shut up,” She buried her face in so he couldn’t see her embarrassing blush, “Shut up!”
Bo laughed and drank from his glass again, “Make me.”
“I would already be jumping his bones by now!” A woman scoffed as Mira pulled away from him.
He titled his hat towards the woman, “I appreciate the offer, but this spitfire is the only woman that can handle me.”
The woman squeaked at the notice and Mira threw her head back in laughter.
“Bobabano, it’s not nice to tease,” She trailed a finger down his chest and played with few strands of hair visible between the folds of his collar, “Besides, you know I can’t keep up with you every night. You’re just so giving it’s hard not to be exhausted when you finally let me sleep.”
A dark blush crossed his face as she spoke so sultrily about him, “Shall we keep moving, my mermiana?”
“Where next, Captain?” She finished the drink he handed her, “Where else will you take me? Shopping? How much money am I allowed to spend?”
“For you? I’ll get you anything you want,” He kissed her and placed his hat on her head, “Let’s continue our date.”