Chapter 53: Chapter 53: The Alliance
"Well, Silly billy, you should know what we are here for. You're a smart boy."
"I'm going to count to three and if you don't voluntarily give up those lovely coins then we are going to use force."
Ethan said with a wide smile on his face, and his hands on either side of his cheeks creating a V shape, making his face look slimmer.
"One…"
"Two…"
"Two and a half…"
Augustus dropped the coins.
"Perfect!"
"I love your work. I bag the golden one, it will complete my set. Gold, Silver, Bronze and Copper." Ethan said as he started to reach out for the coin.
"Why does it even matter? Coins, a coin, as long as we have four, we can get out of here."
"It's a standard, brother, you won't understand."
Just as the boys were about to pick up the coins.
"I wouldn't do that if I was you." Surprised it was Augustus who had spoken.
"And why not?"
"Because the moment you pick it up, you will have the green line across your chest."
"So what? That is what that commentator said anyway."
"He also said that if you see someone with the green line across their chest, you should target them."
"And…"
"Do you really want people to be targeting you?"
"Would you really want others from our team to use all means necessary to take the coins off you?"
"Or others from other teams to steal from you?"
"Do you even know where the exit is?"
"Do you know how to leave?"
"Um…no."
"Good."
Augustus knew that this was the moment. He did not want to lose his coins, and he did not want them to just take it and walk away. It would be so hard for him to get the coins back. He was throwing everything he could to try and divert them from taking his coins.
"Then how are we going to leave big brother?"
Evan turned to Augustus, looking at him straight in the eye.
"What do you propose? Since you seem to have thought out everything already."
"What I am thinking, is that we form an alliance, we are from the same team, and we should look after each other.
"The two of you are brothers so you most will look after each other correct?"
"I'm listening…but, this doesn't solve the issue."
"Exactly" mumbled Ethan as he picked up the gold coin on the floor. What happened next was immediate, a green line shot across his chest, and a bell rang in the background.
"Good Riddles, Yuk!" Ethan dropped the coin and the line disappeared.
"There is no way I am going to pick up that coin. It makes my stripes look out of whack."
"It's so disgusting, I look am wrapped with a dirty carpet. Eww…"
"Ethan. Now's not the time."
Augustus seeing what was happening took the opportunity to speak again.
"Don't be silly Ethan, you look like a banquet of flowers, it makes you look very vibrant."
"Good one Augustus, why didn't I think of that?"
Augustus turned back to Evan.
"Look, I am happy to give you all my coins, but I wouldn't be looking after you if I allowed you to take it."
"Instead, what I propose is that I can hold the coins for you. Like a bank, instead of you holding the coins, and revealing to others that you have the set."
"The coins will stay with me, while we try to work out where the bloody exit is."
"And if you run?"
"It's not like I can outrun you if you weren't in those heavy armours earlier, I am sure you would have reached me in no time."
"I am big, I am round and worse of all, I am a slow mover."
"But what I can offer is my experience in castles, I practically lived in one with my parents until they abandoned me."
"Have you ever lived in a castle?"
"Do you know that there are lots of hidden passages, secret tunnels, and even secret passages that allow you to move quickly between the rooms and even leave without people knowing?"
Ethan looked towards Evan as if thinking deeply about what was being proposed to them. Seeing that they were listening to him. Augustus continued to sell it to them.
"It's completely up to you, it's your choice, you can just take the coins and be off, and maybe I will see you after this test if we both make out of it alive."
Augustus had learnt from his parent, that in order to sell something, he had to always give the choice to the other side, even if it was not really giving them a choice.
"Brother, I think he's got a point."
"Imagine all those guys chasing us while we are wearing our heavy armour. There is no chance we could outrun them."
"They will be on top of us like maggots! How disgusting."
"I could outrun them."
"Evan, it would be horrible running in that smelly armour. Did you learn anything?"
"The loud tingling noise, the sweating, and the horrible smell of sweat and to top it up we could barely even see through that hole."
"Whatever."
"Then it's settled." Augustus took the chance to close the deal. "We will form an alliance."
"Ethan and Evan, you are the knights and I am the bank."
Augustus made both Evan and Ethan feel a leap in pride.
This worked well for Augustus. A cold bead of sweat dripped down his back. He got to keep his coins, and possibly can even use them to get the additional coin. It also meant that he was going to be protected.
"Brother, he is a lifesaver. For that, I propose that we should help him get coins too. We are an alliance. It sounds so cool. Like a game of superheroes."
"Fine."
Even the gods were on Augustus's side. Who would have ever thought that getting robbed would work out to be in his favour? Augustus now had two friends, and they promised to work together so that they could all escape together.
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