Chapter 7: Leo, the Rat

Chapter 7: Leo, the Rat

[A/n: If you leave a comment on the chapter, you will help promote this novel.]

It all became clear to him now, he's in one of those tavern/brothels that he heard about on the way to the Northern District.

The "Honey Saloon", according to Jordi, is one of the most hospitable and the best salons in this area.

"No customers yet?" Leon asked.

"Not this early." Jordi wasn't the one who replied but it was rather Jessica.

She walked downstairs into the saloon with her long black ponytail waving around as she seemed in a good mood. The way her body moved was a marvel of its own as her assets rubbed against the skirt of her red dress that was tightened by a corset pushing up her jiggly puffs which were struggling out the cleavage. Even with the high boots that covered up to her knees, parts of her hips were exposed showing not only most of their charm but the finely detailed tattoos that artistically appeared on other parts of her body such as her neck and shoulders.

"Miss Jessica has that effect on people." Jordi said with a silly awkward smile.

"What effect?" Leon asked.

"You know that shock on your face. She isn't the most expensive girl in the saloon for nothing."

" Whatever!"

Leon switched his attention to the warm soup and the rye bread drinking and eating not minding anything else.

"Want some swill?" Jordi asked.

"Swill?"

"Alcohol."

"I don't drink."

Leon may have seemed like a sharing character a while ago but that when he wanted to cover his backstory a little. He loved the looks of a vagrant he's in as long as it keeps him safe from any more search from the knights. Now he needs information for himself.

"How big is this district?" Leon asked. Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

"What kind of question is that?" Jordi furrowed his brows asking.

"I mean It took me a lot of time to cross from where I arrived in this district. Say I want to find someone in this district but I don't know where they live exactly, how much leg work will it take me?" Leon fashioned the question to suit his situation.

"Just give up." Jessica spoke from across the hall as she was cleaning the area behind the saloon's bar.

"You heard right, you won't find anyone without having at least an address." Jordi affirmed it.

"Well no worries."

The question he just asked was to affirm how long will it take for a search party to look for him. The truth proved to be satisfactory.

If the knights tried to force a search by using posters and fliers then they are as dumb as it gets. He'll simply leave on the first sign of trouble.

All he needs for now is to lay low.

[A/n: If you leave a comment on the chapter, you will help promote this novel.]

"So" Jessica came from the bar and sat in front of Leon, "You're paying or begging?"

"Excuse me?" Leon frowned at her attitude.

"You were penniless when we fished you out. How do you plan to pay the Madam?" She asked.

Leon looked between Jessica who was between picking a fight with him and acting like she's some big shit around the place and Jordi who seemed to be very meek around her.

"How much?" He asked Jessica but kept an eye on Jordi.

"A shilling."

Hearing Jessica and watching Jordi react as if he was shocked by her price tagging, Leon turned to her with his brows raised as he dipped one more piece of the bread in the soup before eating it with a provocative attitude.

"I suppose you are not haggling?" He asked.

"This is not where people haggle." She replied.

"Where's that?" She tilted her head a little not remembering any place with the name.

"It's right next to Giza, only the river separates them." Leon said nonchalantly, "You don't know where they are?"

Ruth shook her head.

"No wonder. It is far away."

Just as he described it to the fruit vendor the other day, he used the same trick once again. The Key to creating the perfect deception is to never lie. Many people are insightful enough to tell when the other party is lying and thus this deception works around those people.

"And what brought you to the capital, Leo?" Ruth asked.

"Call it a chance, fate or whatever. I got separated from my family in an unfortunate accident and I thought about starting a life in the city." He replied.

Ruth listened but she was noticing how Leon was looking around, checking his surroundings and putting together his words. He was wary and on guard which is a plus in this place.

"And what did you do for living before?" She asked.

"Gravedigging." He said.

"Sorry."

"The people I called my family are Gravediggers, Cemetery Keepers, Funerals and such." He said.

Ruth nodded. The profession was indeed ominous but a hooker is the last person to shame others for their career choices. Not even the decent criminals would want anything to do with gravedigging.

"At least any job would pay better than a Rat's job." Ruth said looking at Jessica who returned a yellow smile.

"If it exists." Leon murmured.

Ruth's curiosity seemed to has been satisfied. She then switched the subject to end the conversation.

"You're interested in a Rat's job, boy?" She asked Leon.

Hearing her, Leon frowned a little especially when Jessica, who was standing behind Ruth, started shaking her head lightly to him and Jordi seemed nervous. Leon turned to Ruth and asked.

"What does a Rat do?"

"Whatever a Rat is told to do. I need someone to do odd jobs so don't worry about the job until you sort your matters of course." Ruth said.

Leon realized that this job is not anything better than a slave. Street Bosses would normally reel in vagrants and urchins to do these kinds of jobs and control them through various means.

Leon knows this very well, Shady grew up that way.

"Do I get the Madam's favor if I become your pet Rat?" He asked.

"Heh! Even the Dogs in the streets will watch over for you, boy." She said, "That said, I provide food, shelter and reward if you are smart enough."

"Good offer." Leon said as he dusted off his hand and clothes of the bread crumbs and stood up, "I'll take it."

"You sure?" Ruth asked.

"Totally." He said, "Should I go down on my knee and swear an oath?"

"Not at all." She stood up as well and handed Leon back the Silver Shilling, "Buy yourself something nice to wear and assist Jordi in his chores. You're now a Rat"

The moment Leon received the coin, he bowed down comically yet as Ruth turned away, a strange message appeared.

[ You have gained the title {Rat} ]

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