Not Without Conditions

Chapter Twenty-One: Not Without Conditions

"A gilded cage is still a cage. Especially if the one locking the door is smiling."

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Villains don't always need fireballs or horns. Sometimes, all they need is the confidence of a man who's never heard the word "no." Torente walks into this chapter like he owns the place—and by the end, you kinda wish he didn't. Hope your blood pressure's ready.

"The Lakanbini told me there was an adept merchant here," Torente drawled, arms crossed as he scanned the room like it owed him rent. "But all I see is a flea market with delusions of grandeur."

He wasn't even looking at me. Just talking past me to Lakanbini Susan, like I was a stubborn stain on his boot. But then he turned.

His eyes locked on mine with all the warmth of a dead fish.

"You? Seriously?" he scoffed. "This is who the Lakanbini was talking about? You look like you barely survived puberty. What's next? A child merchant's guild? Are we handing out licenses like candy now?"

"You're right," I said, carefully, "I'm still learning. But I assure you, I'm a proper merchant."

"Proper?" His tone dripped with derision. "You're dressed like a fisherman's accident and you've got a toddler for staff."

"Tell me, does your 'shop' serve real goods or just flavored air?"

I glanced at Marikit. She was still standing beside me, small fists clenched, lips trembling. My body shifted, shielding her instinctively. He noticed. He grinned.

"How touching. Daddy merchant protecting his little assistant."

"What's her job? Emotional support? Street bait?"

I didn't take the bait. But my jaw was locked tight enough to creak.

"And this dump," he continued, sweeping the room with his gaze. "Your guild hall? It looks like a repurposed barn had a midlife crisis."

Then he spotted Tina.

"Ah. Of course. A demi-human receptionist. I assume she handles the cleaning?"

He wrinkled his nose. "Explains the smell."

Tina stiffened. Her fox ears twitched.

"Yes," she said, trying to stay composed. "I do the cleaning. Every day."

"Every day?" he said mockingly. "And it still looks like this? Gods above. What are you scrubbing with—your tears?"

Tina opened her mouth to retort, but Torente kept going, tone now soft, cruel.

"Where I come from, demi-humans at least know how to mop a floor. But I suppose here in the sticks, even beasts are allowed to pretend they're people."

And then he dropped it.

"Demi-humans who can't even clean properly should be put down."

Silence. Thick, suffocating. Like the room had inhaled and forgot how to exhale.

Tina's eyes were wide, her breath a shudder. Yara growled low in her throat, her fingers twitching near her dagger. Tak and Daks exchanged pale, horrified looks.

My fists ached. Blood tickled my palm. I bit my cheek hard enough to sting.

Lakanbini Susan stepped forward. Her voice, when it came, was strained steel.

"Sarimanook welcomes all its people, Mr. Torente. Perhaps your capital sensibilities aren't suited for our values."

"No, no," he said. "I love the countryside. The lack of standards is refreshing."

He turned back to Susan with a wolfish smirk.

"Tell me, Lakanbini… is that title inherited? Or is mediocrity an elective around here?"

Susan blinked—visibly rattled. But she recovered quickly, pivoting the conversation.

"Perhaps you'd be more interested in the goods Pepito sells," she said, shooting me a silent plea.

I pulled a lighter from my bag and passed it to her. She offered it to him like a lifeline.

"This is one of his inventions. It can start fire instantly. He's the only supplier."

Torente examined it, flicked the cap, and watched the flame come to life.

"Huh. Impressive. At least the products are smarter than the people selling them."

He blew out the flame.

"The Lakanbini has her uses after all."

"I'm glad you think so," Susan said, trying for poise. "As Lakanbini, I formally recommend Pepito's shop to be in partnership with your guild."

"A recommendation from a local noble?" he chuckled. "How quaint."

And then, casually, like he was flipping a coin—

"Fine. The Guild Master gave me full authority. I accept your request. Dehin's Goli will open a branch here."

Susan's face lit up with shocked delight. For a moment, everyone dared to breathe.

"Truly, Mr. Torente? You'll allow it?"

"Certainly," he said, pausing just long enough for hope to blossom—

"However… I have several conditions."

He smiled.

The kind of smile you see before the trap springs shut.

TO BE CONTINUED.

MINI GLOSSARY

Lakanbini – A noblewoman or matriarch, acting as the political leader of Sarimanook. Equivalent to mayor, but with deeper cultural roots.

Demi-human – Fantasy beings with part-animal traits (like fox ears or tails), often subjected to racism.

Dehin's Goli – A mega-adventurer guild from the capital, infamous for power grabs and cutthroat deals.

Whispering Seagulls – Sarimanook's struggling local adventurer guild.