Chapter 29

Walking the market was a nice change of pace. Honestly it feels great to not think about situations that will result in our deaths. I guess that's why there is so many people down here. They don't have to think about the problems around the world. Its nice to live carefree.

"Ivalyo look! Food from the land of the sun!" 

"The what?" "Its the region in the south east of the great ocean beneath us." "Kon'nichiwa. Welcome to our establishment."

"Greetings." 

"My name is Aisha. Would you like?" She points out all the food that was foreign to me. Alie asked for every mean on the menu. Laney asked who is paying for all of this? "You of course. I don't have money right now."

"Haha. R-right."

Alie appetite is greater then mine. She eat most of the food Laney had bought. After our meal we walked around the market for awhile. There was so much different culture here from around the world. It was strange honestly to see things of a different world.

"Look at that." We had made it to the center of the market. In the middle was stone statue of women holding up a candle.

"The white witch." 

"She meant a lot to people. Even to thieves." "Did she do some for them?" "The white witch was symbol of love and prosperity. During her travels she blessed many thieves. She understood why people stole and tried to fix many injustice."

"I thought her message was to have people come to understanding?" 

"Everyone has dirty secrets Ivalyo." 

"What do you Laney?"

"The white witch never killed anyone in her life. Though we aren't sure. She never had any companions so. But she helped thieves and only thieves hide from those they stole from. During that time she taught the peasant's magic and gave them knowledge to live. She tried to show them a better way to et even with those who wronged them."

"And what they actually listen to her?"

"Not all of them but the ones who did continued on the lesson she taught them and passed it on to them. Before our time the thieves guild never used to kill and only tried to what they needed to. But over time the world was changing and the guild need to change as well. So now killing is allowed but only when necessary."

"So the white witch was responsible in away for creating the thieves guild?"

"In a way. The criminal world see her as mother. Just like the rest of the world does." "Hm. I still don't get it."

"Its fine....most people will forget anyway."

Looking at the statue reminded me of my own mother. "What does the candle mean?" "She had only one life and to her life was like a candle. It burns as long as the wax there so it will stop burning soon. She wanted people to live there life to the fullest."

"...I see." Its the same as my mother. She did revered her a lot. Hm? My nose...what is this? "What's wrong?" 

"This smell. This smell...its smells like roses." "There are only common people here. They don't value smelling good. This could only mean an imperial is near by. Can you follow it?"

"Yeah. But what are we going to do if we find them?" "Nothing of course. We have to follow the rules. Right now we should understand our enemy better and see what there planning. So can you show us the way?"

"Follow me." The scent had led us down a tight ally. We hid behind a wall when the scent had gotten stronger. So who ever it is was close by. I signal to them to step back while I peak over the corner to see the imperial. 

A figure wearing a cloak slowly walked down the road with a large sword on his back. The imperial stops and turns his head to a store on his right. Revealing a mask of dog he wore. He continues down the road and turns on the right to go down another road.

"Lets go." We walk at a pace so we wouldn't lose him in the city or to notice he was being followed. We pass the store he was looking at. I stop to see why he stopped to look at. It was dress shop for women. Kind of strange for some to stare at. "Ivalyo lets go." 

The imperial makes his way into a tavern and heads to the second floor. "Put on your cloaks. Lets act natural." Once we were inside we made our way upstairs. The imperial sat near the edge of the rails. He was obviously waiting for someone.

We sat in booth near a window. "Think you can hear them from here Ivalyo?" "I should. I need to focus." Using magic near someone with a higher rank can easily be detected by them and this persons mana is no doubt is strong. So using beast-men attributes can help.

We ordered food to make look like we were regular customers. 15 mins later another induvial walked up the stairs and sat in front of the imperial. "Explain to me Eric. How is it that one bastard is stopping every assassination on you sent after taking our gold."

"No lecture me right now. I'm already stressing enough about it. Those two individuals are strong the elf and that lightning bastard are hard to deal with."

"We don't need excuses Eric."

"What? You want your gold back? I'm more then happy to give it back." "What?" "The thieves guild will catch on to us soon. And as leader of my merc group I don't want to lose everything. Those Boogeyman assassins are become more uncontrollable as of late. Because of those two people protecting those the castle."

"...Sign. I need them to focus.....then we should deal with them first." "What do you suggest?" 

"My leader has suggested a joint attack on the castle. We notice how weak you all are. So we will help."

"..."

"You already know there patterns now. And we should attack them separately. I am told one of them is a elf."

"Yes. I believe the elves are hold up in a warehouse in the city." "Hm. Its great opportunity. Have the Boogeyman attack the place. Kill every last one of those vermin's."

"My men will not join. I have no quarrel with that nonsenses." "Fine. I need more information though on the thieves guild."

"I need more pay. If the guild finds out I've been giving information on the market. They will feed me to rats."

"As long you stay discreet."

"Right." He stands to leave. "We attack the castle during the day of the Lazare kingdom attacks the city. He hands him a paper. Details on the attack and payment."

"..."

We left the building once they were both gone. We still don't have the full information. Who was that the imperial was talking to.

"Well at least we won't have to wait for Vlatka's information." "Maybe she knowns who this Eric is." "Of course she does. All leaders of every organization here in the black market must may a tax and report to her."

"Then lets head back to the guild."

When we got back to the guild Vlatka was wearing a bathrobe. Me and Laney tried to look away but she found it annoying. "You sure about this? Eric."

"Who is he?"

"He's leader of large mercenary army. Meaning he fights in battles. He comes to me for funding his army and that's usually it." "If he has an army. Wouldn't that be alarming to you?" I asked.

"Please kid. I can crush his army with me alone."

"He some how connected to the Boogeymen."

"It must be a business thing then if he's connected to them. What they get out of it is unknown to me. But if he is selling information to them then this whole situation has changed for the better."

"You can go after him now right?" 

"I can. I can establish martial law now and go after any who has been dealing with imperials. But only if they have been conspiring against the rules of the black market."

"Still its an opportunity."

"We need to move in silent. Eric has information on the where abouts of the imperials and where they will be attacking. So we to be discreet."

"Do you need our help?"

"Its best you stay out of it for now. I won't pass martial law. Not yet though. I still need proof of his betrayal to us and I don't know if the imperial is still in the market and we don't want to alarm him. Tomorrow every leader will come here for daily reports on the business side of this system. I will have him captured tomorrow. For now you either stay tonight or go back the choice is yours."

"Every second counts. We'll stay tonight."

"Then get some sleep tomorrow will be quite the show."