The Council doesn't exist.
The thing that attacked the gala had been by itself that night, and its continued rampage in Lumeer had also been a series of lone wolf attacks. Either a shock trooper for the Council while they bargained for whatever it is they're after, or a disaffected agent gone rogue after Shaker offered his olive branch. Hopefully the latter, my master, at least, had assumed the Council was going to be satisfied by the offer. But now there's these things. Maybe a remnant of something before everything got squared up, or maybe getting back to Lumeer and thrashing everyone in the bathhouse until they squealed is in order. Putting the thought aside for a later day. For now, today is payday.
“You weren't kidding,” Magpie says, grin on her face.
“I'm shocked myself. When he said fifteen I almost panicked. Fifteen hundred would've been an insult, but fifteen thousand is a whole other level. I was figuring we'd maybe get nine.”
“So what are you buying? And what was that thing you picked out?” Referring to Kate's gift.
“It's for a friend. She's an Empath, and they have automatic regeneration, which sounds great, right? Well, apparently, it makes it so you can't get drunk.”
“That's awful,” she says, horrified.
“Yeah, it's complete crap. So this thing here is sort of a novelty item, it simulates drunkenness. It's got a certain amount of charge before it runs out, and then you toss it, but I think I may be able to keep it going forever, so I was planning on testing it tonight. If it works, it works. If not, got drunk. Win-win.”
“That sounds like a great thing to test. You mind if I help?”
“You're more than welcome. I figure a rechargeable gift is better than not. What was that thing you picked out?”
“This,” the girl pulling out a small rod, “is a pitch pipe. It helps to get pitch perfect.”
“What's that for?”
“I'm in the House choir.”
“You're in the what?”
“The House choir.” Her reiteration not helping, and my blank look momentarily putting her at a loss. “You do know about the nightclub, right? Heaven's Gate.” Shrugging. “They'll probably have you start helping out there when we get back. One of the big reasons Bee and I even joined Ishtar was because of the club. We ended up talking to some of the musicians between sets and they recommended we join up. Bee plays piano - he's really talented - he's actually playing for some theatre production the House is putting on in couple weeks.”
Ishtar's nightclub. Been inside maybe a handful of times. The light and sound enchantments are top notch, even if the ambiance isn't my cup of tea. And the drinks are way too expensive. My last visit had been on business, which caused something of a scene. Not officially banned, but haven't been back since. She's in the House choir? Guess something like that is possible. The Houses have been putting on that event for the Winter Festival these past couple years and, from listening to her in the tent over, the girl definitely has a set of pipes. What's this House even like? There's the nightclub and, obviously, there's that, but otherwise my only real interaction with them has been on this trip.
“That's cool. How good are you at singing, anyway?”
“Well, I was pretty good, but I'm definitely out of practice. I did it for years growing up, but then I went to college and that fell by the wayside - and then I got accepted into the Academy. I've been practicing to get on stage, but getting assigned to this trip made that harder. But with this thing” the girl giving the pitch pipe a shake, “I'm going to be able to step up my game. What are you planning on getting?”
“I dunno. I figured we'd divvy everything up before worrying about that, and then before getting around to me I still need to get another souvenir.”
“Okay,” she says, “assume it's all split up and you've got your other souvenir, what would you think about getting, then?”
“In that case, nothing exciting. Some new clothes. Definitely another pair of shoes. Then, probably-” pausing to think “probably an upgraded hatchet. A knife is nice for in town, but out in the field a handaxe really has a certain something, you know what I mean?” Magpie giving her own shrug. “This bank has got to be around here somewhere. What are you going to do with your share?”
“Um, similar to you. Clothes and shoes,” she says. Then pointing. “That's looks like it.”
The building very similar to the one back home, with only a slight difference in color. Getting out of the sun. Very similar in here, too. A couple more plants, but the tiles are arranged in the same colors and in the same pattern. The teller could be her suntanned twin.
“Hi, I'd like to cash this note. Paid out in gold.”
The teller examining the note, her finger touching on the value written, then going to Urasu's signature. Pulling out a ledger from underneath her counter and flipping through some pages. Comparing the two signatures. Closing the ledger and stashing it away.
“Ms. Macarthy,” she says, “this is a large amount so I'm going to need to contact my manager in order to get authorization to have someone get it from the vault. The fee for cashing this is one hundred fifty silver, leaving fourteen thousand eight hundred fifty-” Suddenly stopping, with visible annoyance crossing her face. “There is also the matter of the fines you have accumulated. Two counts of assault within city limits, one against a citizen, and one your compatriot. Fifty silver for the assault in the Hulark district, and one hundred silver for the assault in the bazaar, which leaves fourteen thousand seven hundred silver. In gold, one hundred forty seven gold pieces. Please wait over there because this may take some time.”
Going with Magpie to sit in some chairs while the teller wanders off.
“Those assault charges are coming out of your share.” Magpie giving my shoulder a playful punch.
“What? No. This whole thing was a group effort. Besides, they were both justified.”
“That guy in the bazaar, sure, but what about what you did to me?”
“You sleep like a log. I tried everything else before resorting to that.”
“I doubt that, somehow, but whatever.” Stretching out her arms and resting her hands behind her head.
Waiting a bit.
“Hey, so one forty seven divided by eleven isn't even,” she says. “It's thirteen and change.”
“You're right. Do you really think everyone else is going to want to be bothered with silver?”
“That'd be a lot of silver to bring back in the first place. We should probably save them the trouble.”
“Right. We'll be doing them a favor. Let's see, eleven times thirteen leaves four gold left, so two each for running around and getting it. More than fair.”
“More than fair,” she agrees.
Waiting some more.
“We're going to need to be very careful getting back with this.”
“Yeah?” she says, glancing around.
“You ever had to wait so long to get money at the bank?”
“I've never cashed a note that big,” she says.
Had cashed a number of larger notes back in Lumeer over the years. The largest had been for an oversized two-handed axe that sold for just under forty thousand silver to the pawnshop. Walked over to the bank afterward, here is your money, sir, minus the various deductions for fines, and then on my merry way. Out of sight. Perhaps this is simply more paranoia, but when has paranoia last steered me wrong? Could serve to listen to it a bit more.
“I've got a bad feeling.”
“How bad a feeling?”
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
“It feels like every extra minute we spend waiting means killing at least one more of those jabbering fucks on the way back. I think we're up to fifteen already. That's how bad a feeling. ”
Looking around the bank. The teller watching us. Noticing our glances and the woman looking at the front door. A guard across the way less obvious, but also looking around. Waiting another minute. Unease growing.
Magpie squeezing her eyes shut and hiding her face. A muffled, “Ffffffff-” Uncovering her face. “You may be right. Do you think that Urasu guy set us up?”
“Him? Possible, but I doubt it. One of the others, maybe. How many different red dragon heads did you see while walking through town? I counted five.”
“I saw six. The one with the smoke, the one with the claw, the one with the eyepatch, the one with the mustache, the one with the forked tongue, and then the other one with the claw.”
“There were two different claw ones?”
“One of them had one claw sticking up.” Sticking up her thumb. “And the other had two.” Making a V with her index and middle fingers.
“You didn't see the one with the flower in its teeth?”
“No,” Magpie sighs, “I don't remember seeing that one.”
The two of us immediately reaching a similar conclusion: this has gone bad. The girl standing and starting to limber up. Picking myself up and confronting the teller. “What's the holdup?”
“I'll check and see what's going on,” she says. “Please wait right here.”
Waiting at the counter for another five minutes, glancing around the bank. The teller returning.
“Ms. Macarthy, I sincerely apologize for the delay, but they'll be right out with your funds. You can wait over there.”
Resisting the urge to leap over the counter to slash the smirk off her face. Instead heading back over to Magpie and kneeling down. Tracing.
“Alright, we're here.” Tapping on the left, marks appearing. “And the place we need to get to is over here.” Tapping to the upper right. “First we've got to get back over this river. We're not heading anywhere near the bazaar.” Making an X off to the north. “Fuck that. When we get out of here let's head south, then east to the river, then back north and over the bridge.”
“We could use the south bridge, instead,” she says. “They've got to know where we're staying and the north one is the more direct route.”
“Yeah, but that'll take longer, and it'll give them more time to get people in position.”
“Do you really think they need more time? We're totally at their mercy. Unless...” The edge of panic leaving her voice. “We're thinking about this wrong. Let's not take the money. We'll open an account right now and deposit it, and then come get it later with more people.”
“That...” Trying to find a hole in her logic. It sounds like a smart, safe play. Nodding in acceptance. “That's a good plan.”
Both of us walking back to the smug teller.
“Listen, this is taking way too long. How about we just throw it in an account and we'll come back and pick it up later when you guys are ready.”
Amazing how fast the smugness vanishes.
“Ms. Macarthy,” she says, “I understand you're undoubtedly busy, but it should only be another few minutes.”
“That's right, we're busy people, so I'd like to deposit it. Thank you.”
“Well...” the teller nodding thoughtfully, “if you insist. Since you're not citizens, and because your status is, well, since you're Outsiders, there are going to be some additional fees, as well as some restrictions on your account. Unless you've recently become citizens and I'm simply not aware?”
So full of shit, of course you'd be aware.
“What sort of fees, and what kind of restrictions?”
“Nothing too terrible,” she says. “First, there's a flat fee for opening the account, one hundred silver. Then, as a non citizen there is a one percent fee on all deposits, but in order to open the account you have to demonstrate that you've established residency and are currently working. As far as restrictions, however, Outsiders must keep a minimum balance of at least ten thousand silver in the account - as a sort of insurance policy for any potential indiscretion. Please understand that while you're welcome in Tasnanca, some of your compatriots have caused incidents in the past - you, yourself, have caused two incidents just today - which is why these restrictions have been implemented. With a track record of good behavior that reserve amount can, and will, be adjusted downward, but not any time soon.”
Sharing a glance with Magpie. “We need to discuss this for a moment.”
“Take your time, Ms. Macarthy, Ms. Upton.”
Moving a couple feet away and putting our heads together.
“I'll keep the guard occupied if he comes, you go with her to get the money.”
“What? Are you sure?” Uncertainty, and undeniable excitement, warring.
“We could claim residency, maybe, by saying where we're staying - I doubt it, that's simply a stalling tactic - but even if she accepts it they want to hold ten of the fifteen. That's crazy. It's our money. Imagine going to a bank - a real respectable looking establishment, with a whole bunch of columns out front and a spit shined floor - and after you deposit your money they simply decide not to give it back. They'd deserve to hang, on principle, with that kind of false advertising.”
“Yeah, but...”
“Do you really want to leave here empty handed?” A small shake of her head. “Have you really been enjoying yourself these past nine months?” Another shake. “Do you really like serving drinks at some club, forced to jump at everyone's beck and call?”
“It- could be worse,” she admits. “But no, not particularly.”
“Then I need you with me on this, because I can't do it on my own. Let's get what's ours and then slip out of this noose before it has a chance to tighten up any further.”
Magpie clasping my offered hand and both of us going to the teller.
“Alright, scratch that deposit request. We'll take the money now.”
“Excellent,” the teller says, her victory once again secure, “I'm sure it'll only be a few more minutes, so-”
“Now you listen to me, you fucking bitch, I don't know what you're trying to pull, but if you don't get that money right now I'm going to slice off your skin in strips.”
“Threats like that are, uh...” Magpie vaulting over the counter and crouching down. The guard across the way, seeing movement, looking over.
“Get moving,” Magpie says. The teller momentarily frozen in place, staring at the girl's drawn knife.
“If you would please...” The teller looking over at the guard. Trying to. Trying to avoid my eyes. He's not going to save you. Deciding to turn the screw one more turn.
“You know, I know what happens every time I die, but I've always sort of wondered where things like you end up after I kill 'em. You want to do me a favor and help me find out?”
“I-” nervously swallowing “will see what's taking so long.” The woman and Magpie heading in the direction of the vault. A few moments later the guard coming over.
“Excuse me,” he asks, “is there a problem?”
“Not anymore.”
The man glancing around, puzzled. “Where's your friend?”
“Bathroom.”
Frowning at me. Looking around again. There are currently no laws being broken because this isn't actually a robbery. The guy squinting in suspicion, then heading back to his spot across the way. A couple minutes later Magpie, simultaneously triumphant and furious, returns with the teller.
“We good?”
Magpie patting her pack. “It was just sitting in a bin. Waiting.” The girl vaulting back over to this side of the counter.
Pulling out my knife and pointing it at the woman. “If we run into any trouble out there, I'll make sure to come back for you.”
Not so smug now. Some of these things in this town have no respect and it's long past time they learned some. Opening the front door a crack and peering out. High midday sun, just about noon. The street not very busy. Some of them walking around, but by no means a crowd. The two of us sliding out the door and skirting along the building's edge.
“Someone just pointed at us,” Magpie says. Glancing back. Two men, a bit of a ways away, clearly looking in our direction and starting to follow after.
“We need to get to the north bridge before word gets out, so let's get there as quick as possible. You ready? Let's run.”
Both of us sprinting east a short ways to a cross street. Turning to head north, but a group of three men slightly more than block away showing obvious surprise at our appearance. Forcing us to stop short. One reaching into his pocket and throwing something. Not wasting any more time and the two of us bolting east - the expanding web splatting on the ground behind us. A sudden feeling of indigestion in my guts. Getting to the next intersection, taking a right and heading south. Out of sight of our attackers, and continuing to move, but my intestines starting to twist, causing my breath to come in short gasps through clenched teeth. Oh shit oh shit. Stumbling, hitting the ground. Magpie pulling me back to my feet and helping to pull me along. The pain fading, a spot of bad gas, as the spell is warded off. Getting back up to full speed, zigzagging through the streets, heading east and south. After several more blocks, with no obvious signs of pursuit behind us, slowing to a fast walk.
“We've got to,” panting, trying to catch my breath after the extended sprint, “get across the river.”
“Then what? They have to know where we're staying, so we can't just head in that direction.”
“I don't know. Maybe loop around and come in from the east.”
Double-timing it further south, and east. Getting to the southern bridge and starting to cross. Glancing back. No pursuit. A tense moment on the other side of the river, looking this way and that, but nobody coming and no projectiles flying.
“How about we head in there?” Magpie indicates a nearby building. An inn.
“If one of the Urasu is after us I don't think we're just going to be able to lay low at a place like that.”
“That's not what I'm thinking.” What is she- oh, the symbol on the corner of the building. Entrance. “Let's avoid them entirely. I assume you're not going to mind going through the sewers, right?”