Chapter 121 - Day CCCLII, Part II

I headed straight to the main hall, just to find Vesa, Nadia, Shavonne, and Haf working. Cleaning and ascertaining how much they need to restock on alcohol, other drinks, and food. I caught them by surprise.

- You have some balls to show your face here - said Shavonne - If Aisha...

Then she saw the chick in my hand.

- Holy shit! Is that a chick?! - And she ran straight to me.

She stopped not more than a single step before me and leaned forward to put her face on the same level as my hands with the bird in them. She smiled at first, but then it turned into a laugh.

- How did you get it?! Arent you the cutest...

- I have brought thee this chicken of peace! So we shall bury the hatchet, and leave in peace from now on! - I said with as much glory in my voice, as I could muster.

She looked at me with pity painted all over her face. The bird remained strangely calm like it understood its safe.

- Ok, maybe that joke didn't work. But still... I brought you a chicken. Well... I brought Nadia a chicken.

She was approaching slowly, and my words brought a smile to her face.

- Awww... You are so sweet - moaned Shavonne.

I had no idea if she was talking to the chick or to me, cause her face remained next to the thing, as she was slowly patting it on the head, with a single finger.

Nadia came closer, and also lowered herself to take a closer look.

- Does it have a name? - she asked with eyes focussed on the little yellow ball of puffy feathers. 

- No. I actually thought that maybe you would like to name it?

She looked up, at me, and shyly smiled. She was so damn beautiful.

- Is it a rooster or...?

- I think it's a rooster - I replied.

For some reason, I just knew. There was this thin thread of connection between the two of us. Me and my chicken.

- How about... - She thought for a moment, biting her lower lip. - Tamazi? Tam for short.

- That sounds great - Shavonne said. - Little Tami. Cute little Tami. Aren't you the cutest?

She even modulated her voice to sound like a crazy cat lady.

- Tamazi it is - I declared. - I also have a request. Since I don't really have time to take care of it, and I for sure can't take it with me to hunt... Could you do it for me?

- Yes! - She almost yelled.

I smiled a little and gave her the chicken.

- I brought some grain for it. I'll bring some crystals to cover for the food tomorrow, ok?

She nodded, not even looking at me, that's how fascinating the chicken was for her. Shavonne was the same. Only Tam didn't seem to be happy with the outcome.

*chirp* *chirp*

He yelled at me.

- You have to stay with Nadia, ok? I'll visit you whenever I can, ok?

*chirp*

Seemed to me like he agreed. It was strange, but this chicken definitely wasn't a regular one and seemed to understand.

- Now you can also talk with the chickens? - Shavonne asked, looking at me like I was some kind of idiot.

- I summoned it, so we have some connection.

She laughed.

- Mighty chicken emperor Peter.

- Shut up - Nadia grunted. - And you, Peter, come with me.

She grabbed me and, while still holding Tam in the other, and pulled me to the stairs.

- Just don't fuck in front of the poor chick! He is too young! - Shavonne shouted after us.

Nadias topped for a moment, to send her a pretty scary glare, then we continued up, to her room. After entering I closed the door.

It was a small space, filled only with a single bed, and a desk covered with papers full of calculations, names, and numbers of deposited points. Client records.

She put Tam on the bed and came closer to me.

- We are not... I didn't forgive you yet - I said with a cold tone sounding firmly in my voice.

- I know - she replied and backed by a half step, still remaining relatively close.

I grabbed the grain from my pocket and gave it to her. She took it.

- Aisha... She is angry at you. I'm not sure if she will allow you to enter tomorrow, and girls are definitely gonna tell her you visited today.

I nodded slightly.

- She is railing up some people. - She continued. -  As far as I know, she didn't contact Blue yet, but that's definitely an option for her. Especially now when you guys left her and others with just scraps. I don't want to tell you what to do...

- Then don't.

There was a moment of awkward pause between us.

- I just don't want you to use violence, and you are not giving her another choice.

There was a lot of truth in her voice. The worst part was, Aisha could definitely rail enough people to potentially win with a group occupying the goblin cave. Especially with Blue's help. That's definitely a move he would do.

She, on the other hand, would go after me. I just knew it. But this decision wasn't an easy one, because there would be no going back. It would be the second war. Just like in my dreams, the city would be set on fire.

- I'll resolve it -  I answered after a moment.

I had an idea how to ease the conflict a bit.

She wanted to say something more, but I just left. I couldn't stand her company anymore. I still loved her, but this feeling made me uncomfortable. After what she's done, I had to go with logic, not what my heart was telling me.

I walked outside, catching few curious looks from girls, just to find Alice and Haf feeding the kitten with milk. Their attention was so focused on the animal, that they didn't even pay the slightest attention to my person. I passed next to them and moved thru the alley, heading to the city center.

Taking a little stop, to punch the wall of the nearest building as soon, as they couldn't see me. My feelings... I just couldn't understand them. She betrayed me, yet I wanted to forgive her so damn badly. It was stupid. I couldn't allow myself to just do it so easily.

I was not sure if she is really on my side. It still could be a facade. Little performance, for Aisha's advantage.

I collected myself for over a minute and then resumed walking. I needed to talk with Hatta, but he was for sure out, hunting. I ended up doing a bit of a stroll around the city center, swinging few times to grab some food or drink, but mainly keeping my distance. I tested the summoning skill a few more times, taking it slowly and minimalizing consumption of mana.

The effect was few more flies, beetles, and a slug. All of them were pulled into this world just to die. It made me feel bad as soon as I realized it. Mindless cruelty.

When the night started to finally fall upon the city, I headed to Hatta's office, located in the Wuxia headquarters. I had to wait a bit in front of the door because they had a meeting. Eventually, it ended and I found myself in the room, lighted up by many olive lamps and candles, with him.

He actually started before me.

- It's good you came. We have a bit of a problem.

- Well, depending on what you say, we might have a two.

He nodded slowly.

- People are riling up. Aisha made some moves. Zora is in. I don't know who else, but it definitely will end badly if we won't do anything.

- Good.

He rose his eyebrows, clearly surprised by my words.

- So we only have one problem. - I continued. - I already thought about it. Bushido should switch with Aisha and Zora every other day.

He snorted.

- There is no way he is gonna agree to this.

- Bushido can clear the wolves' territory on those days. I and Will still are gonna take the den though. It's a sacrifice we all have to make if we don't want the second war.

He took a deep breath, and nodded again, slowly.

- Yeah. Unfortunately, yeah... We are not recruiting fast enough to put them in a worse position. People not associated with any major group are gonna support them, not us. Ok. I'll talk with Nobuo to come forward with this proposition. I believe the two of us shouldn't contact Aisha personally.

- Maybe you are right. I learned today, that she is furious at me. Probably also at you and Will, but Nobuo might be a different case. He has a chance, especially with his formal, and respectful attitude.

- Ok. I'm on it, and you... You should probably be somewhere else. Just for a good measure. I don't want her to see you before the talks will start.

- I know. I'm going home. It's time to sleep for me anyway. Good luck.

- Thanks.

With the short meeting done, I went outside and directed my movements towards home, but that was not the end of the day for me. Andy appeared out of nowhere. I caught him by the corner of my eye. He had a blowpipe in his hand and shot me with a needle. Poisoned one.

I could grab it with ease, but instead, I allowed it to hit me. Why? First of all the device was very close, second of all I had my cleansing skill, that I actually never properly used.

It worked like a charm. He actually stood for a moment watching me, but nothing happened.  So he just bolted. I didn't chase him, though. Why? Because I thought it might actually be an opportunity to build up my legend. I wanted them to be terrified, so they would leave me alone.

It was not the smartest idea.

The day came to an end with 310 861 points remaining on my account.