Chapter 43: How can I help you?

Chapter 43: How can I help you?

The Shadow Cats eyed the weapons, Jayson with curiosity, Jayk with suspicion, and Zak with obvious desire.

Dantes ate another spoonful of stew from his bowl, it was surprisingly good, Jayson was a talented cook. He gestured to the weapons, Take whichever you want. Theyre elven make, good quality from what I can tell.

Zak stood and took the longsword from the group of weapons with little hesitation. He gave it a few test swings, and Dantes could tell almost immediately that he actually knew what he was doing. He went into a stance, and worked his way through a brief form with it, one that looked familiar to Dantes.

You were a guard? he asked, surprised.

Zak nodded. Well, I joined up for a job that Jayk had come up with. Didnt work outthe training was good though.

Dantes took another bite. He hadnt considered how theyd gotten thrown into the prison, and asking was taboo, but a job using a plant in the guard? That was ambitious. It made sense given how theyd approached him and handled the jobs hed given them though.

What did you mean by backup? asked Jayk.

I need to have a conversation with the Consortium. I dont expect any actual trouble, but I feel it will help to have you at my back with fresh weapons. These in particular.

Where did you get them? asked Jayk.

Their owners tried to kill me. I killed them first.

And why did they try to kill you?

The Consortium sent them to.

Jayson let out a whistle. And you want us to go with you to talk to them holding their weapons? Thats uh, ballsy.

Whats the pay? asked Jayk.

Dantes raised his eyebrows. The weapons are the pay. You know the value of steel down here. I think thats more than fair considering that all I need from you is to stand with me and look intimidating.

Jayk shot Jayson a look, and Jayson opened his mouth to speak.

Well do it, said Zak before Jayson could say anything.Read latest chapters at nov(e)lbin.com Only

Jayson sighed. Yeah, well do it. He paused for a moment and gestured to Dantes bowl. How is it?

Very fucking good actually.

They made it to the Undermarket without trouble. Their new weapons, numbers, and reputation kept the scavengers off their backs as they made their way through. The kobold and dwarf guard at the Undermarket's entrance eyed them warily, but made no moves to stop them as they entered. Dantes made his way directly to the Consortiums headquarters at the far end of the market. It was the largest actual structure, built against a far wall that Dantes had been told was linked to a small tunnel which the halflings and gnomes went through to reach a number of chambers accessible only to themselves.

Next to the front door standing in a booth attached to the building was a dark haired gnome wearing spectacles, a simple black tunic, and a bored expression answering questions from a red faced man regarding how he felt he was swindled and shouldnt owe the gambling debt he had.

Well, if you take a look at this paper, youll see the problem, said the gnome.

I mean, I cant read, but I know my name when I see it.

I can grant you complete control of my supply of fruit, and willingly hand over all control of my portion of the alcohol trade to the smallfolk consortium.

There was coughing behind him as Jayson was taken aback by his statement.

The Executive nodded. Interesting. Thats a high value proposition. Wed be willing to offer a sum of gold, or perhaps some high value goods. For that price we may even be able to acquire you a personal changeling to do with as you please.

Dantes mask of friendly confidence almost shifted to an expression of disgust at that last statement, but he held it together. A handsome set of offers, but not quite what Im looking for.

Rumpert nodded. Okay then. No reason to waste further time. Tell us what you want.

I know that the consortium is able to smuggle people out of the Underprison. I want out.

Rumpert stopped making notes in his ledger, and gently placed his pen next to the ledger. Surely you realize if we had a way out, we would simply use it ourselves?

Dantes shook his head. No, the business you do here, and the business you do with people above for the people here is too profitable. It avoids taxes, gives you access to a place to safely store illegal goods, and lets you keep your imprisoned people safe. Besides, Im not claiming that you have a tunnel to the surface that you can just walk out of, Im saying I know you can occasionally smuggle out individuals.

Rumpert closed the ledger, and looked up at Dantes. Im afraid thats not something we can do for you. Though Im willing to hear other offers.

Dantes shook his head. Come now, we both know that you only have my booze here now. It makes you a nice chunk of copper every day, and in the long term the gold you save without me involved is significant. My request is not unreasonable.

Rumpert shook his head. You dont understand. We can get certain people out of the Underprison. Usually one or two per year due to the high cost of the bribes involved and the logistical effort required. Your offer is a little low, but not unreasonable for the request youre making and normally we could work to find a way to make up the difference. The issue is that we can not do this for you.

Me specifically?

Yes.

Why not!? Dantes felt heat build in his face and fought the impulse to stand and slam his fists on the table as he asked the question.

Rumpert sighed. As you mentioned earlier, we work with people on the surface as well as here in the prison to make things happen. Typically families pay us to make sure their relatives are well supplied here, and to transport messages. Other times, we are asked to kill a prisoner whose enemies can only reach him through us. In very unique cases we are paid specifically to not do things for certain prisoners in order to make their lives harder. These are my favorite kinds of deals due to the high value, and low effort involved.

And someone paid you to not work with me? But Ive been trading with you since I got here.

Rumpert nodded. You were never forbidden from trading or working with us, but two years ago we were paid specifically to never aid you in escaping and to not allow any communications to reach you.

Who? asked Dantes, clenching his fists with enough force that his nails began to dig into his palms and make them bleed.

Hmm, let me check something. The Executive re-opened the Ledger and scanned a few pages. Looks like he didnt pay to stay anonymous. He looked up at Dantes. It was a man named Mondego.

Dantes could hear ringing in his ears, and his vision went red for a moment, but he let out a long slow breath. And you cant be convinced to renege on this deal?

Rumpert shook his head. Im afraid not. Its Feybound, witnessed by one of the Hidden Folk. If we broke it, we would be cursed.

Dantes forced himself to open his hands and lay them flat on the table in front of him. Our deal regarding the sale of booze stays the same. He stood up and held out his hand, his palm dripping blood onto the table.

Rumpert didnt hesitate to stand and shake it.

Dantes started to roll up his sleeves, and when he was done he pointed at Grimald. Lets circle back around to me beating him.