I see..." I replied. Analysis had always been one of my fortes and that's what I did right now. As she stared at me waiting for me to continue, I looked her up and down. Immediately I concluded I had to cough some payment. Not only did she have many connections, she had a pretty powerful physique and stance and although it couldn't be called a combat stance, it was still a stance that allowed her to react and respond to most situations. She could quickly shift into a combat ready stance if need be, but it wasn't a posture that showed open hostility. She looked pretty well off for an orphan; she could even pass off as a very poor child from town if not for her head and face. Her hair was matted with black debris, and her eyes said everything about her. People say the eyes are the doors to a person’s heart, and I agree. They told me many things and her eyes said a lot; that she was just trying to make it by and would not actively seek a fight, but would fight if she needed to; that she had yet to give up on this world and unlike many orphans, her anchor to life was the hope to a better future; that she could be as vicious as 'Mad Dog' if she felt threatened. Her eyes also had the crafty glint of the intelligent and clear minded, the hardness that showed a cold and ruthless heart and the hunger and desire to survive, but that wasn't surprising; any and every orphan who has survived a year in the slums will get that, not to mention after a few years. Speaking of which, I've been living in these slums for over 6 years now already, which makes me one of the old boys.
"You done staring?" It only felt like I had been analysing for a few seconds, but it must have been longer since my brain is still a bit out of whack. Her mouth formed a hard line at the continues silence.
"Sorry, and yes, I'll cough up. How much do you want anyways?" It was customary practice for her to take about 3 days worth of meals if she saved a life, and 1 day if it was a minor injury.
"Give me a weeks worth of meals and we will call it even." I felt my jaw dropping after I heard this. What was with the biased treatment? Was it because I was somewhat famous and she knew I could afford this? Was it because she hated me and secretly wanted to exploit me? Was it because she found out that time I made someone in the slum pay for information on where to find a doctor?
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"Isn't that a bit overly expensive?" I questioned.
"Maybe, but its pretty cheap payment for me to help and house a wanted person who sneaked into the royal castle. Not to mention stealing a treasured artefact and helping a convicted criminal."
My mouth continued to drop after hearing that. How did they find out about me? No one saw me come and go, the alarm was only raised after I had already left. My befuddled expression must have been very funny as she suddenly giggled and laughed. Her eyes glinted with happiness, kindness and caring as a smile blossomed on her lovely face. Now that I had a second look, she was actually quite the beauty once you took out all the blemishes, dirt and soot in her hair. Wait a minute, why was there kindness and even caring in her eyes?
Did she fall in love with me? No that's not possible, we've rarely seen each other. Did she find out about my 'help'? No not possible either. She had her back turned back then when I chucked the brick and I was already lying flat on the roof when she realised the last guy had been killed. Also she should have not discovered the times when I have silently manipulated information.
I stared at her askance. Seemingly realising her state, she blushed dark red; similar to her hair and coughed twice.
"You talk in your sleep." She mumbled. "You also mention some things while you were in your hallucinating state.” So that's how she discovered so much...everything fell into place...
"How much did I say? What did I even say?" Being an information broker, I was a treasure trove of knowledge and secrets. It would seriously not be funny if critical information was leaked. She smiled again at my cautious reaction.
"Nothing much." She blushed again and looking down shyly said, "Thanks for last time. I always felt my settling was too straightforward and that someone was helping me from the shadows. We could be considered even, as we each owe one and another a blood debt. Also if you take me with you when you leave the slums and city right now, I'll make sure to forget everything I've seen and heard and won't charge you anything for being saved by me. That's a pretty good deal right? You probably already know, but I never break blood deals."