Dragon Realm Scorch

Guster walked through the long, extensive corridor. His head pounded with each echoing step and his vision partly blurred from his left eye being swollen shut. Only yesterday he’d woken up in a garbage pile; bruised, broken, and without his coin purse. Had he been any more sluggish to awaken, his other belongings might have been taken by street urchins as well.

The walls were a dingy brown and were crusted with old dust and mold. The ground had the occasional rat scurry from a crack in the wall to another. The air smelt of a stale musk and the hall was dimly lit by a set of lamps every few paces.

“Are you sure you’re up for this, Guster?” asked Siv. She limped, tailing slightly behind, clutching her bruised side.

“Maurice has always had de back of a Laroux. I promise, I won’t cause any problems… dis time.”

“This time?” Siv arched an eyebrow but Guster didn’t bother to respond.

The two halted before a large man. Between the low light and his own injuries, Guster could not make out what the man looked like, only that he was huge and bulky.

The man put out his giant hand and pushed Guster backwards. “You ain't allowed here no more.” He looked once at Siv and opened the door. “Welcome back, Siv.”

Siv nodded with a smile and walked inside. “Sorry, Guster.”

Guster popped his loosened jaw in agitation. He already knew he wasn't welcome in the Tunnel Bar, not after certain activities he became involved with. He adjusted his jacket, still torn and reeking of sun baked, rotten fruit. “Brunos, ain't it?” started Guster. He waited for the bouncer to nod before continuing, “No one's blamin’ dem for kickin’ me out. What ole' Guster did wasn't right, but I forgive you.”

Brunos scrunched his face in confusion, but before he could respond, the bounty hunter went on, “And I know dem boys were all free men under protection of de Tunnel Bar, but dey all came back to you in one piece.”

Brunos opened his mouth once more, but Guster was quicker., “And before y'all say dat dey escaped, y'all need to look at de bigger picture. Dey be here and free again. So as you can see, Guster be an innocent man because he did no harm. And as a wise man once said…” Guster put on his most solemn expression and held out a hand of peace. “No harm, no foul. So, what do you say, Brunos, we savvy?”

A long pause followed before Brunos stepped aside and pushed open the large, beachpine door.

“Much obliged, Brunos,” said Guster as he tipped his hat and entered.

***

The Tunnel Bar was an upscale establishment found in the dampest and dankest of places. A sparkling gem in an otherwise grimy sewer. Guster and Siv walked into a circular room decorated with portraits of once great nobles covering its brick walls. Comfortable leather-bound chairs with velvet cushions rounded a small fighting ring where beautiful young men fought tooth and nail for the affection of the patrons. Off to the side was a fully stocked bar with a thin man dressed in a violet vest and a short, trimmed mustache shaking up tasty cocktails. The room was lit by a deep red glow from a large, ornately decorated chandelier.

The bounty hunters passed the young men beating each other into a bloody mess and made their way to a seated man. He was handsome, yet aged. His peppered-gray hair was wavy and he had a small tuft of hair just below his bottom lip. He wore stark white clothing and gold tinted spectacles. On either side of him were a set of shirtless male escorts. The man stared up at Guster's battered face before raising an intrigued eyebrow. “Guster Laroux, as I live and breathe!” he said, his accent was close to Guster's swamp drawl, but more refined.

Guster looked down, removed his hat, and bowed. “Maurice Benoit, it's been a minute, hasn't

it?”

Maurice gestured to the male escorts and introduced, “Boys, I would like you both to meet Guster Laroux. We used to do business when he ran with his father.” He turned back to his guest. “I would offer you a drink, but I sense you are not here for pleasure. What can I do for you?”

Guster grinned politely towards the escorts and waved a hand to his partner, “Maurice, you remember Siv? We used to run for Airenfal together.”

Siv gave a wry smile, letting Maurice kiss her hand.

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“I am happy you two overcame your differences.” He pushed his spectacles with his finger. “So, what do I owe pleasure of this visit?”

Guster rested his hat back on his head and clapped his hands. “I need a favor. Work your magic to find me someone.”

Maurice dismissed the men before responding. “Mister Laroux, you know my talents are only reserved for Master Airenfal, and we both know neither of you no longer work for him anymore.”

Guster wanted to reach for Maurice’s collar, but he quickly stuffed his hands back into his coat pockets in frustration. “I ain't workin’ for Airenfal, yeah, but I am doing work for de Network. How about you cut de bullshit and give me a break?”

“My, my, Mister Laroux, you’ve developed quite the temper,” chuckled Maurice. “Alright, I’ll humor you. Who are you chasing these days?”

Guster sighed. “I need to find de Night Whisper.”

Maurice barked a laugh. “Oh my, I bet you are regretting freeing her now, aren't you?” Maruice quickly changed the subject as Guster glared at him. “I can find her, but it will cost more than you are accustomed to.”

Guster reached for his spare coin purse hidden in his jacket. “Just tell me how much I owe you.”

“Two hundred.”

“I ain’t got that!” Guster looked at Siv who shrugged. “We don’t have that! It used to be a hundred sendetti. Why de price hike?”

“You used to work cheap for bounty hunters like us, Maurice,” said Siv, “Can’t you give us a deal, for old time’s sake?”

“What can I say, I have grown fond of a finer lifestyle.”

Guster snarled as he finally let loose the urge to grab Maurice by the collar. He shook him violently. “You scrawny, rat-faced scumbag. You don't know de week I've had. I'm going to beat your face 'till it caves in!”

The Tunnel Bar went quiet. Drinks stopped halfway to meeting mouths. The fighters in the ring ceased their contest and watched with fear and intensity. All eyes were on Maurice. Guster could feel the ominous silence. The security around the walls stood stiff, but no one came to stop him or rescue the man he held. Guster looked back at Maurice. His spectacles were knocked

loose, revealing eyes that flashed with a golden light, but had no discernible pupils. He seemed blind, but Guster felt as if the strange eyes stared straight into him.

“Guster let go of him,” whispered Siv.

“I got dis handled, Siv.”

“Release me, Mister Laroux.” Maurice’s tone stern but flat. Monotone in nature.

Guster’s muscles strained as he lost control of his own actions. He quickly dropped Maruice, as commanded. Maruice crawled back into his chair and adjusted his spectacles, once again hiding his eyes. “Do you know why you have such an easy time within the Network's inner workings, Mister Laroux?”

Guster swallowed hard, he hated this. He hated talking about his father, “Cause of my ole’ man.”

“Because Richter Laroux was an honorable man, Alanna rest his soul. He worked with the Network, built up a good partnership with us. You are not your father, and frankly we are all growing tired of you rampaging around and taking advantage of our hospitality.”

“I-” tried Guster.

“You want to find the Night Whisper?” interrupted Maruice.

“Ye-” stuttered Guster, unable to get a word in.

“She has made a name for herself as a Silent One. Lost Dawns, that is where you will find her.”

Guster paused, waiting to see if Maurice would speak again. He squirmed with embarrassment.

“Away with you, Mister Laroux. Your time with the Network grows near, I suggest you make the best of it.”

Guster bowed and walked away. He was unsure what just happened, but wise enough to know he might have been inches from his own death.

***

Guster and Siv slushed through the sewers, both silently reflecting what had just transpired.

“Go ahead, say what you got to say!” snapped Guster finally. He stopped and turned around

to Siv.

“Alright, you want to hear what’s on my mind?” exploded Siv.

“Dats what I said!”

“Nothing’s changed with you!” she sneered, poking her index finger into Guster’s chest, “You still take advantage of the Network- you’re still that same spoiled child!”

“Hey, I get things done!” shouted Guster, pushing Siv against the wall, “I do whatever it takes to get paid!”

Siv pulled out a needle, brandishing it under Guster’s chin. “You think Maurice is just going to roll over for you? You think the Network is just going to look away this time?”

Guster punched the wall besides Siv’s head. “I’m a damn Laroux!” he roared, “My ole’ man broke his back for de Network and dey ran him straight into de ground. I don’t owe dem a damn thing!”

Siv pushed away Guster and started to walk off again. “You’re so full of yourself! I can’t believe I thought this would go differently!”

Guster was silent. He ran to catch up and pulled her shoulder to face him. “Wait, you breakin’ up our partnership again?”

“Guster, I can’t deal with you,” she said, “You’re on your own.”