Death Cap - Fifteen - Visiting the Dregs of Society for a Post-Birthday Murder

Death Cap - Fifteen - Visiting the Dregs of Society for a Post-Birthday Murder

Death Cap - Fifteen - Visiting the Dregs of Society for a Post-Birthday Murder

I started to graft my new mycelium to other subjects almost as soon as the strands had grown long enough to try.

Unfortunately, Id discovered a few issues as I experimented with fungal grafting.

First, the big one. While I could graft a hybrid mushroom with a non-hybrid, the results werent always great. The non-hybrid mushroom tended to be the most... impactful of the two for whatever resulted.

Second, combining two hybridised strains resulted in a fat load of nothing. Were my hybrid strains sterile? Semi-sterile? I wasn't sure. Maybe if I still had my [Fungal Grafting] skill Id be able to combine two hybrids together, but as it was, my experiments in that direction were nothing but a waste of time.

Finally, Id discovered that I didnt have the time or resources to combine every new mushroom with each other kind of mushroom I had and also all of the previous hybrids. It was going to be an issue eventually, but I didnt expect it to happen so soon. Just with the newest mushroom type added to my collection, I had literally dozens of possibilities available.

Too many for my meagre farm to support. At least, not while still growing food-mushrooms and running other experiments. Time was also something I had in limited supply. I could find new farming locations, but... well, that would take time too.

I had other things to take care of.

Autumn slowly turned to winter, which had me away from the farm for a little while as things cooled off and my growth was put on hold.

That didnt mean I was entirely idle.

The day after I turned seven, I was going to commit my first pre-meditated murder.

My first step in that direction though, was getting informed. I visited my farm and collected a bagful of mushrooms of the edible sort. Just a nice mix of whatever I had left over. I hadnt done much selling in the last couple of months, but that didnt mean mushrooms would stop growing. If I didn't use the mushrooms I collected soon, theyd go bad.

At that point, giving them away cost nothing.

Of course, I kept a few more lethal samples on myself, some tucked into the thick knit jumper Id made for myself. It had lots of pockets. And I had a matching scarf and toque. With my nose red from the cold and my freckles standing out, I was probably as cute as a button.

Hopefully that would be enough to distract people from the fact that I was carrying enough poisonous material on me to kill an entire garrison.

I crossed the city at a decent pace. My first stop was the union warehouse, the one where Id met Markham. My goal that day wasnt him though, it was one of his underlings.

The union was protected by the usual bunch of ruffians. Young men in ratty coats and mittens hovering around a fifty-five gallon drum filled with scraps of wood and fire. The warehouse doors were closed, probably to keep in whatever heat they had.

Hey, I said as I came closer.

So, what do you want? Dregs asked again. He scratched at his chest, sturdy nails digging into a shirt that was probably white once.

Got a place we can talk without being overheard as much? I asked.

He sniffed, then gestured to the side. I followed him. Unlike the last time Id come here, this time I had a knife in easy reach and more toxic mushrooms ready to pop if someone jumped on me. It would suck, and I wasnt sure Id survive my own poison, but at least anyone that attacked me would die too.

Dregs idea of a quieter place was under the main office of the warehouse where Id met Markham. It was pretty dark, with only a bit of light coming in from the other side of the room. A few hallwalls darkened the place even more. Still, there was a straight line of sight to the front door, and I didnt fail to notice that a pair of rifles were leaning up against the wall.

So? he asked.

I licked my lips. I need information on the Bluertons. The sort that you can only get from a member.

Dregs tilted his head. You intend to join them? Humans dont usually hire kids your age for jobs that will let them keen in on things.

Join them? I grimaced. No, I wanted to question one of them. I know that tortures rarely effective, but I have a few ideas on how to make it work better. And I have some anger to work out.

Dregs grinned. Oh! Well, why didnt you say so? Youre looking for targets?

Exactly, I said. Someone the bluertons wont miss too much to start. I dont want to do this too stupidly.

The hobgoblin nodded. Yeah, I hear ya, kid. He rubbed his hands together. In that case, Ive got my eyes on a few scumbags that the boss said I couldnt just off. Real dirtbags. You wont even need to feel guilty about killing them.

I wasnt planning to, I said. Guilt was an emotion for people who could afford it. I was too poor for that by half. Got anyone easy? I want to make this something of a practice run. Get used to things, make mistakes now so that I can avoid them later.

Dregs tilted his head to the side, and one of his long ears twitched. You know, fresh killers arent usually so careful.

Im a different sort of fresh, I said.

He chuckled, then looked around. Fine. I want to see what you can do. Follow me, Ill show you someone.

I scampered to keep up with the hobgoblin as he stood and took off without waiting. Wait, who? I asked.

His names Dogbeater, and theres not one soul in this shithole of a city that likes the man. Youll be doing the world a favour, trust me.

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