章 129: Gathering information & Morlocc the Gambling Monster
Time passed since Valen, and the other soldiers made their way in Amnemos city, and the brown-eyed soldier, along with the blue-eyed girl, could be spotted walking around the city's markets, like some simple people.
Picking up to the conversation of the people inside the market, Valen couldn't find anything interesting.
Moving along the stalls and stopping to look at goods together with Maisha, he would also listen to the people around him.
"Did you hear out? There's news circulating from outside the county that the other nobles began summoning their armies to fight a war." said one of the common people to a group of 2 people who seemed to be eating something from a stall.
"Hmm, really? But who would disturb the nobles so much to make them gather their armies and band together?" asked another random guy who stopped from eating.
"My friend who is a guard of Count Alderhine, serving as city guard of Amnemos told me about how Blood is most likely planning to overthrow the nobles in Sagletius. That criminal who has killed many innocent people since 3 years ago. Isn't his bounty 145.000.000 𝔅?" replied the guy who started the conversation.
"I don't know what to say, man, I've heard about this Blood guy, and while his poster looks quite creepy since it was drawn by someone, I heard some information from merchants of Dawn City who described the changes happening in Sagletius overall. This Blood guy changed the Forsaken district of Sagletius were all low life from all over the kingdom were gathering, into a prosperous city that rivals Amnemos." replied another random guy who seemed like a merchant who took a breakfast break.
"You are right, friend. If this person is as cruel and monstrous as the stories about him are, why would he even be bothered to rebuild that shithole into something like Amnenos? Not all info circulating, especially coming from the nobles, should be trusted. Have you ever heard something from His Excellency Alderhine talking about this criminal or viewing him as a threat to his rule?" replied the other second guy who stopped eating?
The one who started this talk looked a bit around himself and didn't give Valen or Maisha too much attention.
"Huh, you two are right. I've probably listened too much to my friend and those people scared by the wanted poster. I'll go back to my stall since my eating break is over. Take care, you two."
"Sure, man, don't worry about the two of us. I still have a lot of my goods to sell, so I might stay here until the night?" said one of the stall sellers to the one who started the conversation and got up after eating, moving toward his own stall.
After seeing his friend off, he noticed Valen and Maisha look around his stall nearby, and like any merchant with a brain on his skull, he asked them not letting the chance to have some of his goods being bought fleeing.
"Young man, young lady, what can I serve you with? Are you interested in any of the goods at my stall? I tell you in advance, this is the best quality goods you will ever find in Amnemos and Alderhine respectively. I have clothes for women and men, accessories, wooden sculptures, fabrics, fabric dye, anything you want."
Valen, who looked half focused in the direction of a stall full of goods, however, he was mainly focused on the conversation of the three merchants.
Maisha, who noticed Valen's moment of unclarity, responded to the merchant with a calm tone.
"Mister, you have some interesting wooden sculptures on your stall. How much is it for the small wolf, eagle, that winged person and the rest of them?"
"Hoh, young miss, you seem to like art. The master craftsman who sculpted would for sure be pleased to hear that such a lady actually put her eyes on them. The sculptures you mentioned are each at 2.000 𝔅 "
Valen, who regained his focus, when he heard the high price for some wooden sculptures, instantly cried out in his mind.
' Damn those cheap merchants, even here they are asking exorbitant prices for some simple things. How can you ask so much money for just some wooden things? Damn, my salary is 35.000 𝔅, and I have to risk my life and fight all sort of people while you sit on your butt and make 2.000 𝔅 per a figure?'
Yet, before he could even say a thing, Maisha, who moved to take in her hand the small detailed eagle, that seemed like a life-like take on the bird of prey, along with the wolf and the creature she still didn't know.
"I will take those three sculptures, sir. But before that, can you tell me what this creature is?"
"Ahh, sure thing, my lady. You don't seem to be from Kaysang, so I will explain it to you. That being you held in your hand represents a mythical being called Angel, or so it's how the craftsman who sculpted those things called. This will make it 6.000 𝔅 , my lady."
"No discounts, sir? Let's drop it a bit since it's my first day in Amnemos. Who knows, maybe I will come back the next day and check on your stall?"
Hearing her bargain and argument, the merchant looked at her with a tacit expression and didn't comment anything, as if he was Buddha searching for enlightenment.
After what seemed like some long minutes, the merchant said to Maisha with a smile.
"Sure, my lady, I will sell all of those sculptures at the price of 5.000 𝔅 is it good? I still have to make some profit since I bought them from the maker."
'Hmph, you probably got them at a cheap price, but this price is good too. In this way, we don't look suspicious if we buy something from the people here. We even eavesdropped at their conversation in the process.' thought Maisha to herself while she planned ahead her next move so the infiltration wouldn't be felt by the guards and people.
"Ahem, dear? You hold the money with you. There's no problem if we buy these nice sculptures, right?" said Maisha in a loving tone to Valen, who still felt this was a ripoff, yet he also figured what Maisha wanted to do, and with a calm, warm tone, he replied.
"This is nothing, my dear. If you like those sculptures, it would be a good souvenir."
As he said that, Maisha gave a sweet smile that mesmerized some guys passing by the market stalls, who stopped to look at her and start whispering.
"Damn, have you seen that tanned chick? She is really hot. She is probably some noblewoman from another kingdom visiting our kingdom."
"For sure, while her clothing seems simple, this is probably to not attract too much attention on herself, yet she can't mask her beauty. Tsk, she also seems to be taken, so annoying. Hah, it's so hard to encounter these types of beauties."
"What are you talking man, don't we have little Countess Aria?" said another guy to the one who sighed when seeing Maisha along with Valen.
He made a weird expression on his face and said with an awkward tone to the guy.
"Man, you are creepy. Countess Aria is still only 12 years old. Make sure you don't say this thing to the city guards, or you will be taken to the prison for a week."
"No, no. You've misunderstood man, I'm referring to the fact that we will also have a jewel in our city soon. Seeing the Countess along with Count Alderhine at the festivals always brings some ease in our minds."
"Sure, man, stop talking about this weird stuff. The Countess is still young, and dumbasses like you shouldn't be around her to disturb her peace." said the citizen who passed past Maisha and Valen to the one who seemed to admire the Alderhine Aria.
Valen, who paid the merchant for the sculptures that were taken by Maisha, bid his farewell along with her and started moving toward other parts of the market.
Getting some distance from the merchants and entering a part of the market that was less frequented by the people, Valen said to Maisha.
"Good planning Maisha, I got a bit lost in their conversation at first. Right, have you heard those guys who passed by?"
"Yes, they talked about some young girl who is Countess Aria. Your reports only talked briefly about her, as a girl who appears by his father's side whenever there are festivities. She should be our target if we want Alderhine to collaborate with Prince Vlad, but how do we even approach her." said Maisha to Valen in a quiet tone while looking a bit at the eagle.
"We need more information on the Count's mansion, how guarded the place is and so on. Where should we go now? I heard there are some places where people would bet to see chariot races at this place called Hippodrome. I think it is a good location to search for more information."
Thinking about what Valen said, she still didn't know what the chariot races looked like and could only agree with him and follow along.
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Hours passed as the split group of soldiers began their information gathering, Bors who moved to the city's taverns, didn't have much luck to get meaningful information.
Seated on a table of a tavern establishment with Morlocc and Kane, the golden eyes young man said with annoyance in his tone while he was drinking a mug of beer.
"These damned drunkards can't even tell me some interesting information. Fuck, I even had to spend half of my salary on buying people their drinks so I can make them talk. Tsk is so annoying I can't rough them up, so I make them talk without spending my money, just like in Sol with those syndicate bastards."
"Brother Bors, if you would do that, it could spell failure for us. We aren't in our home territory." responded the young man who had distinct features that would give him the appearance of a frog.
"Ahem, I will not do that, don't worry. Still, it is annoying that I had to spend 10.000 𝔅 from 15.000 𝔅 I took with me. Hah, my little sister will for sure whine about this." sighed Bors while drinking on the beer, looking around the tavern at other people who he brought some drinks and were currently in a happy state.
"If it's required, I have with me 9.000 𝔅. Should we go to a casino and gamble a bit? Maybe we find some people there who know things." suggested Kane when hearing his two mates discuss the spending.
"It is too risky and exposing. But it's worth a shot. If I see any suspicious guys, I will take them out." replied Bors while downing the beer mug.
As the three soldiers agreed to the plan, they walked to the tavern counter where Bors placed a 500 𝔅 coin and thanked the boss of the tavern for the hospitality.
"Thanks for the beer. By chance, can you recommend a good place to sleep for the night?"
Hearing this, the tavern owner looked at Bors and the other two and said in a casual tone.
"I should have a place, next to my tavern, that it's not taken by any customer. It's the small house at the back of the tavern. I used to store my goods before extending my tavern, so now it's probably collecting dust and spiderwebs."
"There's no problem concerning this, boss. So how much for three days?" asked Bors, not lingering too much on the problem.
"That would be 4.500 𝔅 for all the house for the entirety of your stay."
Bors felt his heart ache a bit when he heard that amount of money. Turning his head at the other two guys, they instantly guessed his problem and took some money from their pockets and gave it to him.
With 3.000 𝔅 in his hands and bringing another 1.500 𝔅 from his pockets, he placed everything on the tavern counter.
"This is everything, boss."
The tavern owner took the money, and took a key from his pockets and said to them.
"Hope you like Amnemos guys. Don't get angry at the condition of the house. There should be some sealed blanket's who should be clean since my last stay there."
"Sure thing, boss. Take care of yourself." said Bors after getting the key to the house and later leaving the tavern along with Morlocc and Kane.
They walked past the tavern and got to another neighbourhood close by, at which there was a small brick house that had its windows covered in spiderwebs.
"This is the house, Bors?" asked Morlocc, a bit skeptical.
"I really wonder too. This house seems too good. Compared to how shitty the houses under the syndicate were, I could even sleep along with the pigs. Now let's see if the key works at unlocking the doors." said Bors, who arrived at the front door of the house.
With that said, Bors introduced the key in the lock and didn't find anything strange because it fit perfectly with the lock on the door.
After unlocking the door, the three entered inside and could see a dusted house, visible a place that hasn't been used in a long time.
"Hey Kane, can you start cleaning the house while Morlocc and I go out to check on the gambling dens?" asked Bors waving his hands to take the webs entering his face.
"No way! If we clean this place, we will do it together. Otherwise, I will not move even a finger."
Bors looked at Kane sharply, giving him a threatening look, but his colleague didn't back down and stared at Bors.
"Fine, let's start Morlocc, we don't have all the time in the world. Do it superficially, since we weren't paid to clean it." said Bors, after easing his stare at Kane and walking to a place with shelves.
Opening those shelves, he noticed some dusted packages. Opening them, Bors found some blankets and other cleaning fabrics.
Throwing them with annoyance, he was the first to start cleaning the place while the other two also didn't shy away.
Minutes passed, and Bors voice could be heard in the dusted room, coughing a bit.
"Morlocc, open the doors, you idiot. Do you want us to asphyxiate with some dust?"
"Ahem, ahem. Brother, there's some spiders on the window, the big ones, and they also seem venomous."
Walking toward the window and looking a bit at his colleague, he turned his focus at the spiders who were hand size and seeming to mind their own business.
Yet, Bors didn't care about that and with a ruthless grab, he took them in his hands and throw them on the ground before stepping mercilessly on them.
"Was it that hard to do that? Ahh shit, I should keep them alive and make some barbeque with Valen." sensing the other two gazes next to him, he gave them an angry stare and asked.
"What? Do you find me strange for eating snakes and spiders? It's decent protein as long you don't eat their venom glands or don't get bitten by their fangs."
"No comment." replied the other two as they started cleaning back after Bors opened the windows.
.
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Done with the cleaning after what seemed an hour or two, the soldiers exited the house with a bit of satisfaction and dusted off their clothes.
"Let's go to the gambling den, guys. Morlocc, you are the one betting since you have some crazy luck. We will ask people around for information."
"Aye, brother. Can't you stop using me to make money? I don't think I am that lucky. Right, Kane? Kane?" asked Morlocc again, his mate.
With some awkwardness, Kane starched his head and replied. "Morlocc is not that you are "that lucky" you're the luckiest man when it comes to gamblings. By what shit event or fate, I have no, clue but you are betting this night."
"Fuck. Do you even know how weird I feel being stared at by all those rich guys? You don't know, then let me tell you."
"Not now, Morlocc, let's get going. Less talking."
.
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The boys found the gambling den after asking some guys who they brought some beer, and once inside, they had to pay an entrance fee.
Paying that Bors and Kane got to the questioning job, which was truly a pain in the ass for Bors. Kane didn't seem to react weirdly until they heard a big roar going inside the gambling den.
"This frog-like bastard, by what chance? Did his mother drop him in some shit when she gave him birth? He roles the roulette and nails the numbers like he knows the future!" said some guys with a loud voice, which made Bors and Kane say to one another.
"That lucky fuck once again unleashed himself and probably took all their money. Let's get down and see the situation. If a fight starts, we need to back Morlocc."
"Isn't it obvious, Kane? Let's get down. I don't want my golden frog to be harmed by an idiot." replied Bors while following other people attracted by that roar coming from the lowest level of the gambling den.
Getting down, they could see Morlocc, who had his hair slicked back and had his shirt being opened up, revealing his worked body, making him look tougher than when he was covered by the army uniform. If you wouldn't look at his body, you could say he was some protagonist from the gangster movies betting everything on the table.
Bors could see Morlocc from a distance, say with a bored tone.
"Don't try to insinuate that I cheated because this is your place, your games and rules. Are you backing down from your debt?"
"Hmph, don't be arrogant, brat. Let's play another game, and this will be the last one, for all the money you've won and mine." said a middle-aged man that seemed like a noble from his attire.
"What game do you have in mind?" asked Morlocc with a tone that didn't sound as confident as moments ago.
"Poker. Everyone who gambles should know this game. There are also not many chances to cheat this game when you are watched by so many people. What do you say, frog bastard, will you play the money you've won at the roulette, exactly 750.000 𝔅?"
"Ahem, I think my friend had enough playing for this night. Maybe tomorrow, gentlemen. Would you still be here tomorrow?" said Bors as he moved past the people watching Morlocc and this middle-aged man.
Hearing and seeing this newcomer, who had sharp golden eyes, that seemed quite cold, belonging to a killer, the middle-aged man alternated by looking at Morlocc annoyed and later at Bors, who didn't show any emotion.
"Sure thing, young man. As long you will not run away from this challenge, I will wait. In all poker games I played in Amnemos, I am unmatched."
Bors didn't bother myself to take in all the bravado and taking Morlocc and the money briefcase, he was followed by Kane, moving outside the gambling den.
After they left, the sight of the middle-aged man, a man who had a large scar running to his left eye, got closer and asked respectfully.
"Lord Hadolt, should we dispose of those bastards who dared to take your money?"
"Don't. That golden-eyed brat is the real deal. You will just make enemies, which I hate the most in my business, making enemies. Especially with people I know nothing about."
"Should we at least follow?"
"No. It will look suspicious. Those three will come back on their own, don't worry."
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On the other hand, Bors and Kane stared at Morlocc who seemed a bit embarrassed after exiting the gambling den, and as they walked out, he began closing his shirt and ruffling his hair.
"Sorry guys, when I start gambling is like I am not myself. I either gamble to take all their money, or I am the one losing all the money."
"We saw you, don't worry. Right, you managed to make quite the big sum of money, 750.000 𝔅 that's probably the entire money if we take all the money from the boys in the company. Sigh, we better keep this part out of Captain's ears, or he will for sure take our money since he is that much of an annoying bastard." said Kane while holding the briefcase that contained the money.
Bors looked at Morlocc and Kane and could only smile a bit when hearing their comments.
They began walking toward the city's square, but Bors still wasn't so relaxed because he felt that those gambling den guys would target them.
Yet as the three moved in the cover of the night toward the square that contained a decent size fountain, they began looking for Valen and Maisha, but there was no sign of them.
"Brother, I think that cheat probably took the babe to have some fun." said Morlocc to Kane while finding out that there were still no signs of Valen.
"I doubt Valen is a serious guy, especially when he works. However, I can't say for sure. With that chick sticking close to him, he might start fooling around."
"Shhh. I see something between you two." interrupted Bors, who looked to a location where there was a young blonde girl who was followed by a woman who was wearing maid clothes, along with 2 guards.
"What is it, brother Bors? Have you found Valen?" asked Morlocc when seeing Bors turn all quiet.
"Something better, I think I found the key to this mission success, Alderhine Aria. Let's follow after them from a distance, and if we get a chance, we shall act. The Wolf pack styled attack, got it?"
Morlocc and Kane looked in the direction Bors was staring and found the young blonde girl, who seemed to be about 12 years old, accompanied by her guards and maid. Instantly when they checked this, their atmosphere changed.
"Aye, brother. Who deals with the guards?" asked Kane?
"I will. You and Morlocc kidnap the little girl and maid and bring her as quick as you can to the house we brought. Here's the keys, Kane."
Tossing the keys from his pockets, Bors got up from where he was standing and began walking toward the path the blonde girl took, followed by the other two soldiers.
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A/N: Hope you like those chapters that don't focus on Vlad, but the secondary characters of the story.
Would you see such a scenario being played out in reality, as it happens in the story?
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A fun question for you guys. Would you wish to have Morlocc luck at gambling?
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Join my discord for talks and discussions. https://discord.gg/CMsHqJVDVD
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Thanks for reading my story!
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