Ali learned that Ryu made up a lie about competition to make him do the delivery. What the man hadn’t counted on was him returning with the big order which was a huge blessing in disguise. While death was the price for not finishing the order, the reward for completion was well worth it as the head of the Rashedi Residence was willing to pay, especially if his daughter was involved. As agreed with Aok, the earnings would be divided up between the three of them. He and Ryu got the lion’s share at forty percent each while Aok was paid the remaining twenty percent.
“I know I’m helping but forty percent is a lot,” said Ali.
“See it as an investment,” replied Ryu. “I see a lot of promise in you and I’m certain there will be plenty of work in the future. Hard to keep you here if you feel underpaid, right?”
With plenty of motivation to get the work done and done well, Ali kept up his routine until he and Ryu completed the entire order. Due to his low level in wood carving, he only succeeded in bringing two of his wood carvings to life. The other ones needed Ryu to do the finishing touches that almost changed his carvings into something completely different. Upon completion, the two of them carefully packed everything in a crate and stored it in the warehouse.
“We don’t want to deliver too early or they’ll give us less time for the next order. Better to have some buffers”
After that, Ryu told Ali to go back to Aok to do work there. Once they reached the day before the deadline, he would deliver the wood carvings to complete the order. As he returned to Aok’s shop, the teenager felt a little empty.
Do I miss wood carving that much?
Ali found himself so accustomed with the knife in his hand that being idle didn’t suit him. Since the day was still early, he asked Aok for work as soon as he returned. After updating the man on the completion of the order, Ali was given a list of items to be completed before the month ended. Most of the tasks involved delivery which he happily accepted. What he didn’t miss from wood carving was the long hours of sitting still. His body simply couldn’t adjust to such a lifestyle, especially when he had been very active all his life.
“Did you hear what happened in the Badger Sector recently?”
Ali stopped to listen when he heard someone mention the faction sector on his way to making his third delivery. He was hoping it was just some random gossip but his gut told him that something terrible had taken place.
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“I still can’t believe the Rashedi head was ambushed and currently stuck in bed.”
“I heard he might not survive tonight given how serious his wounds were.”
“Who would do that? Are there people wishing for a death wish by antagonizing such a powerful family?”
“The Rashedi family is done if their head dies. It’s not like they have anyone else powerful enough to challenge the other families. The balance are shifting with the Rashedi family being a relic of the past.”
Once the conversation of the Rashedi family concluded, Ali resumed his next delivery. Upon finishing that, he returned to Aok and shared what he learned from the people on the streets. A part of him hoped that these were baseless rumors spreading in the slums because people liked to exaggerate stories they heard from someone else. It didn't take much for rumors to take a solid foothold, especially if people had too much times on their hands.
“They are correct! These aren’t baseless rumors and the future of the Rashedi family is at risk.”
“What happens if he dies? Will another family take over?”
Aok explained the power struggles of the various families and how a power vacuum would attract other families like how irresistible a complete carcass was to a bunch of vultures. He still suggested they deliver their goods to see if they could still profit from the situation. After that, they should cut all of their ties with the Rashedi family unless they wanted to get involved in the inevitable conflict. As long as they appeared an ordinary merchants, they shouldn't attract the wrong attention.
“Will the powerful families attack those in the slums if they deem it necessary?”
“What’s stopping them?”
Ali could see Aok’s point. Unlike the faction sectors, the slum was free to anyone as it belonged to no one. Since it belonged to no one, any family could do whatever pleased them and fall back into safe territory. The slums were only safe as long as it didn’t become a battlefield for the powerful.
“I’ll go see Ryu immediately!”
The teenager dropped off what he didn’t deliver in the storeroom and immediately went to Ryu’s store. The man didn’t appear surprised to see him. Instead, he led Ali inside and told him to deliver the goods. At worst, they weren’t getting paid and their only gain from the order was Ali acquiring his new abilities. Ali headed out at once with his permission slip. This time, he could sense the tense atmosphere at the border where the guards inspected those crossing. It was clear that everyone in the Badger sector could sense the storm that was coming. The teenager got through the border check easily and ran straight for the Rashedi residence. At the gate, he presented the order to the guards, expecting to be refused entry. He waited several minutes before a guard exited the residence.
“You are fortunate that our head is willing to pay for the order. Come in and keep your mouth shut!”
Ali followed the guard into the residence and, before he knew it, they arrived outside the building where the Rashedi head was resting. The place felt a lot colder than last time and, when he saw the girl, she was no longer her cheerful self. Seeing this scene, he wondered why he was summoned at all.