Mila had half-expected to be led to the room where they had met Naran for the first time. Instead, she was standing in a comfy workroom with book-filled shelves on all sides. In the middle of the room was a desk covered with documents and writing utensils.

The room owner was currently kneeling in front of a small altar with a picture of a beautiful woman walking through bountiful fields with forests in the distance.

After taking the seat, Mila fingered one of the closer papers. It was filled with numbers. “I would have thought running a gang would not require so much paperwork.” She began the conversation.

Naran huffed. “Then you have thought wrong.” He got up and sat down on his soft-looking, luxurious chair. It was the most impressive thing in the room. “Checking and double checking ledgers, personal and inventory lists is a daily necessity. Half of my days are cooped inside this hole, sifting through shit my people bring me.”

“Isn’t it something you can delegate to someone?” Mila conversed.

“Yes. Normally that would be the case. Unfortunately, well-educated people are a rarity in this occupation. Trustworthy ones are even rarer.”

Mila nodded. “I suppose you are right. I had not given it much of a thought before.” She admitted.

“Oh? I find it hard to believe.” Naran leaned back. “With the smell on you, I think you have plenty of experience dealing with people like me.”

“And what smell that would be?” Mila looked into Naran’s eyes.

“An assassin.” Naran grinned. “A good one. One who rarely isn’t tied down by someone powerful.”

“No, no, Sir Vakano. You are certainly mistaken.” Mila shook her head. “I may have killed those men, but I am no assassin.” She had worked towards becoming something similar for a while now, though.

For a moment, Mila wondered how this man could claim she was one with such confidence. Then again, her actions certainly painted her as someone used to working in shadows.

“Of course, I didn’t want to imply anything untoward against the young lady.” Naran backtracked. “Now, how can this old man help you?”

“Oh, besides helping with information on my friend's current circumstances?” Mila tilted her head, feigning innocence. “I do appreciate your people getting it.”

“Yes, that.” Naran nodded while he opened a drawer and pulled out a stack of papers. He then slid them over.

Mila grabbed the sheets and started to leaf through them. Naran’s people proved to be quite adept at gathering the information she needed. Or perhaps it was because of how corrupt the city was?

Whatever the reason, Mila gained the plans for the building Andrew was held in. Guard shifts, their posts and patrol paths. There was information on people who could be dangerous. Profiles on people who were better left alive and people who were wanted dead. And there still was more.

“An impressive work,” Mila noted.

“It is.” Naran agreed while uncorking a bottle. “Don’t tell Cici about this. She hates it when I drink this late.”

“I won’t.” It was an easy request to fulfil. “But why such a care for what she thinks?”

“That’s easy. Because my men love her.” Naran grumbled. “She has dated a good amount of them, at least for a day or two. I wonder how she does it? They always part without any bad blood between them.”

“An interesting predicament,” Mila noted but didn’t care. She kept reading. “Miss Cecilia is certainly an interesting person.”

“Yes, yes. Interesting is one way to put it.” Naran kept grumbling. “Anyway, I added information on that Guard Captain’s house there.”

“I see…” Mila found the mentioned information and glanced over it. Nothing special.

“Helly will want that painting in one piece. How did she even figure to ask Mortimer for it? The boy probably annoyed her in one way or another.” Naran guessed.

Mila didn’t have an answer. “Perchance, would you also have information on Mortimer’s father's old house?”

“Hmm, perhaps?” Naran supposed as he looked at the messy shelves. “Somewhere. I certainly did plan to burn the place down. Never actually did it. The fucker managed to die before I could get to him. But…”

Mila knew what was coming and turned her full attention towards the man.

“You already owe me.” Naran pointed out the obvious. “And before I give you more, you have to prove it is worth it.”

“Something can be arranged.” Mila allowed. “But, I have to ask.”

“Please do.”

“Why so much trust in us?” Mila asked plainly. “With the situation in the kingdom as it is…”

“Do I think you are a spy?” Naran began to laugh. “Why should I care if you are or not? I am more worried you are serving under that ass’s Oispio’s secret service. Although I heard they were gutted. Probably a lie. They always spread one rumour or another.”

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“A unique perspective.” Mila tried to follow the man’s thought process. She didn’t know enough. It was impossible.

“Whatever. You are not serving Tordgo. If I were to bet you are a spy, but that does not mean we can’t work together.”

“It worries me how easily you speak of treason.” Mila pointed out. “Especially during the time of war.”

“I don’t owe Tordgo shit,” Naran growled. “Not after how they treated me.”

Once again, Mila had trouble evaluating the man. On one hand, she had seen him plan ahead, his organisation seemed to run well, and his subordinates seemed to trust him.

On the other hand… “You are being awfully forthcoming with information, Sir Vakano.”

“You find that suspicious, yes?” Naran smirked. “It’s always the same with your kind. Always looking for the hidden trap.” He added. “Well, there is none. The years have taught me to deal with someone like you - honesty is the best choice. Being caught in a lie could mean a dagger in the back.”

“A dangerous gambit.”

“Yet, I still live.” Naran’s expression turned smug. “Even right now, I still live.”

Was Naran telling the truth? Mila weighed the possibility. She believed he was. After all, while their interactions had not been extensive, he had earned a chance to earn Mila’s trust. There was no need to reconsider now.

“I must concede to you this point.” Mila slowly spoke to add more time to think.

“So, about the favour…”

“Before we continue.” Mila stopped him. “Is your group associated with… What was his name? Brandy, I believe? Yes, what are your thoughts and plans regarding this man.”

Naran stretched his chin. “Brandy? Not much. Your friend rescued the girl from Brandy’s place, didn’t she?” He recalled. “Why? Do you have plans for him?”

“I might have.” Mila eluded. “Of course, it may change depending on what you have to say.”

“Sounds like a trap.” Naran was apprehensive. “I wonder what would have happened to me if I was friends with poor Brandy.”

“I take it then that you have no close connections to the man.” Mila was relieved. She didn’t want to fight the man.

“No, luckily not. We couldn’t see eye to eye regarding several issues.” Naran wetted his lips with the half-forgotten wine. He put the bottle back on the table and cleared his throat. “Well, he isn’t the worst either. His territory is near mine, so we did butt our heads…” He trailed off. “And there are some places I would like to take over. We could extend our tunnel system further. Hmm…”

Mila didn’t rush the man. She continued to go over the information she was given. A part of her attention never left the man, but he was content to just sit and contemplate. A few minutes later, Naran seemed to be ready to continue. Mila folded the sheets and tucked them under her cloak. “So?”

“I am not going to lie. Brandy’s demise would be very beneficial to me.” Naran confessed. “But he is dangerous.”

“Compared to you, how dangerous? Does he have powerful bodyguards? Does he live in a fortress?” Mila wanted to know. “I have a lot of questions regarding the man. But most importantly, would his death make us even?”

“Hah!” Naran barked. “Even? The targets I had in mind were small fish compared to Brandy! If you did him in, I would owe you!” His face twisted into glee.

“Honesty doesn't suit you, Mr Vakano.” Mila jabbed, knowing he would not take it to heart. Despite her reservations, the man was easy to deal with, all things considered.

“Oh, don’t be like Cici.” Naran now scowled. “Besides. You would likely take care of Brandy even without me agreeing it to be a favour.”

“Perhaps, but the question would be when.” Mila returned the honesty. “And the sooner it happened, the better for you. After all, having a better grasp on the city would mean safety for you and yours, wouldn’t it?”

“Too much attention isn’t good either,” Naran whined. “It wouldn’t be the first time one of us got too greedy and became a head shorter.”

“And yet, you are going to exploit the chance.”

“Definitely!” Naran laughed.

“Then, about the Mortimer’s old place.” Mila returned to the previous topic. “I believe my offer earns me that information.”

“Yes, yes.” Naran got up from his seat and started to rummage through one of the shelves. The needed intel wasn’t there. He repeated it to another shelf before finding a yellowed envelope under a thick notebook. “There it is.” He handed it to Mila.

“Not a lot.” Mila weighted the envelope in her hand before opening it. There were only a few pages tucked in there. One of them was a plan for an expansive building with scribbles all over it. Another had premature plans. She looked at Naran with a raised eyebrow. “You had a plan to piss on his valuables?”

Naran had the sense to appear ashamed. “Well, that was right after he died. I had a lot of pent-up aggression in me.”

Mila continued to read. “This one seems to have been hatched earlier. Sneaking excrements in the man's food?”

“Look, Zemny was cautious and surrounded by bodyguards. I had just lost my arm.” Naran waved his stub. “I was desperate. Just a small amount. A tiny bit. A smidgen.”

“How current is this information?” Mila chose to not comment. “Any changes?”

“Well… The man who took over Zemny’s property isn’t much better. A shitty noble that is trying to avoid contributing to the war. I don’t know much. Mortimer will know more. Or ask Barcy if you can find him.”

“I will.” Mila nodded. “Anything else I should know?” It was a prudent question, but she had gotten most of what she wanted.

At this point, Mila wanted to return to Isabel’s side and see what she was up to. Her girl had stayed with Kanna. It irked her how she found the poor girl’s presence unsavorable. It wasn’t like she NEEDED all Isabel’s attention, but…

“I guess there are a few things.” Naran supposed. “Wine?”

Mila paused. “A glass, if you would.” She decided. The thought of her girl spending time with another didn’t quite sit well with her. She wouldn’t get drunk, but a little alcohol would do well for her nerves.

“Just a second.” Naran opened a drawer and found a dusty glass. He blew into it and then poured the wine into it. “Here.”

She should have known not to agree. Mila still took the glass and tasted the drink. It was fruity and mild. Not at all what she had expected. “It’s good.” She was surprised.

“Right, now, how about we talk about our future?” Naran smiled. Mila’s praise had improved his mood.

“Let us.” Mila agreed. She wanted to return, but it was business first for the night. She wouldn’t commit to anything, but having the option wouldn’t hurt.