Chapter 9: Investment in victory

Wiping and donning his spherical spectacles, Mormont strode with poise and assurance. His short hair appeared to have fallen out in a tough spot, with one white hair row standing out against the grey. He had the appearance of a crazy scientist who had transformed into a supernatural being for amusement; his canines had vanished and were replaced with straight, pointed teeth that shone brilliantly when he grinned.

"Evening boys, Mrs. Michelle can I have a drink?" He bent, crossing his legs, bowing his head, resting his left hand on his breast, and extended his right hand horizontally.

"Sure, what do you want, pup?" inquired Mrs. Michelle, wiping another glass.

Mormont gave the woman a smile as he removed several huge banknotes and placed them next to the glass. He also said:

"The next two rounds are on me, and I'll have a treat at sunrise," Mrs. Michelle said, smiling as she prepared the mix.

Rail grinned and enquired,

"What is the catch?"

The young person with the blue Mohawk, Kalan:

"I know the catch; we get free drinks for something worthwhile"

Mormont got his drink and sat between them on the bar stool, which was a mix of dirty brown and red in a three-layer pattern, with the red on top. Nevel and his companions were sipping a pristine white mixture that appeared to be ice-filled milk.

Nevel put down the drink and enquired:

"You lied to us when you entered, Matthews don't know anything about this"

"Wow, you pick up on things quickly, and he knows that I went somewhere, but he doesn't know where it is," Mormont, sipping the delicious morning, remarked with a faint chuckle.

Rail took a cautious sip and stated, "So this is munity."

Mormont replied, gesturing for another drink, "Oh the kitten is a bit slow but smart."

Rail's change softens, and he reverts to a short youth with pink hair, freckles, and red eyes. He grinned and quickly drank:

"Don't test me dog"

"In the same manner you handled that hair?" Mormont inquired, glancing at Nevel.

"I am here to talk to you"

Nevel drank and put the glass down, added: "Before the deal is negotiated, can I trust you?"

 Mormont downed his drink and put his glass upside down and signal for Mrs. Michelle to give him the peanuts: 

 "No, Mutineer can't be trusted" as he opened a peanut and threw the shell and ate.

 "So why should I trust you?" said Nevel looking at Mormont who adjusted his glasses and looked at Nevel and added: 

 "His name is Brandon Wilson and he is an old friend of Matthews"

"Friend with a Husk, why am I not surprised?" Nevel remarked, not impressed, but a mental struggle was starting.

'F*ck, that puppy. He wouldn't tell me about his old pal in order to protect him. It will make a good scope and headline that the next Alpha of the Karma clan is now Husks' protector. Wait, why am I thinking about this? Now I have a name, and all I need is where he lives.

Kalan drank in silence, as did Rail; they, too, were thinking along the lines of name and place of residence. 

Nevel got up and enquired,

"Is this your catch huh"

"Wow, you've caught on once more, but let me tell you something in response. Since my family is successful, it is customary for them to contribute to my success. They began working in the educational field to earn money and make contacts for me, but once I reached a certain age, they would leave the field and pursue other endeavors.

In other words, they worked for my success. Since I was granted power rather than having earned it, I reasoned,

"Why don't I try something that can get me power without anyone being wise?" I became Matthew's right-hand guy after joining his group in order to gain influence and power. After imparting wisdom and a plan of action for his dominion, I asked myself, "Do I have power that I have attained or have I been given power?" Hey, I don't have the power I desire, so I came up with a scheme to get something out of the pack by just working in the shadows, with Matthews alone receiving attention."

When Nevel heard this, he grinned and said,

"Your point is?"

Mormont stepped up from the stool, his hand lingering on the bar table, looking at Nevel and smiling:

"I like to invest in victories that bring power; investing in you guys grants me favors." After saying this, he lifted his hand from the stool, leaving a piece of paper behind. "All right, gentlemen, have a good evening and night now." Mormont turned to leave the pub.

With a grin, Rail accepted the paper and gave it to Nevel.

"It's an address, Nevel"

Nevel returned the piece of paper after nodding:

"Mrs. Michelle, go investigate the area; where is the Rando? I'm famished."

Kalan and Rail exited the bar, leaving Nevel and Mrs. Michelle. With a smile, Mrs. Michelle continued,

"Just around the back"

Nevel went around the bar table and said what followed:

"You are coming too right? ; one meal would be enough"

Mrs. Michelle's attitude soured:

"Do you want me to cut off the mouth and tongue that you are going to use?"

Nevel joked as he stepped back, raising his hands:

"I was just a suggestion, nothing much"

Nevel exited the pub via the backdoor, while Mrs. Michelle began cleaning up the lingering mess of empty drink glasses, broken chairs, tables, and so on.