Their ship approached a small natural harbor within the city walls. It looked like an island surrounded by a gigantic wall. It left enough space for ships to move around the island.
‘How did they even build that wall?’ Faust thought while they entered the harbor. There were about two dozen piers that looked like streets. Each one of them was a small canal with a docking area for a boat or two.
The ferryman nimbly guided the boat between the house walls. Leona looked up at the buildings and marveled at the architecture of the white houses that towered up on both of their flanks.
After a minute they arrived at a small pier. Using a large rod the ferryman managed to control his boat between the walls before arriving in a small dock. There was barely space for 3 small boats the size of the one they were currently on. A few meters long.
The old man tied his ship to the bollards on the pier and helped the group disembark. Within a few minutes, they had gotten their goods off the ship. Faust looked around the pier and it was a beautiful, in his eyes, large residence.
Surrounding the pier were several iron doors, worked under beautiful arches of white stone. There were even small stables, all built into this complex and confusing system of doors and houses that merged into one another seamlessly as if it were a single large building.
Chiron looked around curiously.
“I have never been to Antioch.” He stated simply, looking around as if inspecting a piece of art in a museum.
Faust chuckled.
‘I think it will take a while to get used to him.’
Ronan took out a large ring of keys from his bag and unlocked a big iron door.
“This is our storage. Get the weapons and armor inside.” He ordered as he pushed the doors open.
It was big enough to get a small wagon in. A rampart led down into darkness.
“Faust? Can you bring the stuff down there? You have an easier time in the darkness.”
Faust shrugged and walked forward, effortlessly grabbing two packs of weapons.
“Sure.” He walked down the rampart into the darkness.
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Of course, he could see in the darkness. The rampart led down about 5 meters with locked doors on the walls all the way until he was down.
‘Looks a bit like a prison.’ He gulped when he saw the rows of doors on his sides. He reached the bottom, where it expanded into a long and wide room with several rows of wooden racks, as tall as him.
‘I’m surprised I am even able to walk upright in here.’ He snickered. Considering his height of slightly below two meters this was a justified consideration. He placed the weapons on one of the racks and went back up.
When he saw Ronan Faust wore a dry expression.
“Our warehouse looks a lot like a prison.”
Ronan laughed, tracing his beard with his right hand.
“That’s because it was.”
Faust was taken aback, his mouth opening and closing. Then he shook his head.
‘What the hell do I even reply to that? Great? Bad?’ he just picked up the next batch of weapons and carried it down. He was done within a few minutes. When Ronan locked the iron doors he looked at Faust with a grin.
“You must be wondering why this place has a prison.”
Faust threw his hands in the air and nodded helplessly.
“A bit random isn’t it?”
The Companion laughed.
“Not really. I bought this place from one of the 7 large criminal organizations in the city. They were in use not to long ago.” He shrugged, but when he saw Faust’s complicated expression he waved off. “Ah, they cleaned all the blood and other dirt. If you find anything just tell me, I will let them know and they will send someone to clean it up.”
Faust shook his head.
“I don’t really know what to say. Is it that normal in this city?”
Ronan nodded, finally understanding why Faust felt awkward.
“Well, I get that it's weird for you, but think about it, this city is undermined by criminal empires. There are only so many piers and residences. You really think they wouldn’t get their hands on all of these valuable residences like this one?” he gestured at the buildings around them.
“Until recently this was the base of a drug smuggling organization. A subbranch of the Tide of Blood.”
“Then how come we got it?” Faust asked and he couldn’t help but think about how Elena had told him, that the Venerable, Cao Ming, had taken over a branch of it.
“Money. A ton of money… and a promise. They don’t like a new superpower in their city… especially if it's taking over branches of it. They will in some ways… cooperate with us.” He sighed. The ferryman had long since left and they were alone, thus Ronan could speak this freely.
“Cooperate with criminals?” Faust raised an eyebrow, doubt visible on his face.
“Kid, in this city nothing works without the underworld. The only reason we own this city on the surface and the current arrangements of tribute exists is, because it is to the benefit of both us and them. We get money and they can resume their businesses. Neither of us has the resources or is in the position to fight the other.”
Understanding dawned upon Faust.
“So we are working with them against a common enemy… that doesn’t make us friends… we need their help?” he asked and earned a nod from Ronan.
“Yes. We need their intelligence, contacts and more to infiltrate organizations, gather intel and, if I negotiate right, I will be able to get their military assistance. Do I have to tell you about the strength of an assassination organization? In the environment of a city like this… assassins are more dangerous than elite soldiers.”
Suddenly Faust felt the strong urge to train.