CHAPTER 70: PROPOSAL

Wind grave was one of the many settlements on Yari, it was not so different from Astoria, aside from the much lesser crime rate. Another thing to notice was its close proximity to their target.

H

"This is the place" Zeke muttered as they arrived In front of a small store in the middle of town. Pushing the door open Enzo and Zeke stepped into the store and went straight to the attendant who was serving drinks.

"We are here to see Second-Cleaver. Is he in?" Zeke asked the attendant inquiring the whereabouts of an individual...

That individual was to be the guide to Astoria

While he did this, however, Enzo was more drawn by a scene happening right in the corner of the store.

"Your muscles are so big, mister. What kind of build do you have?"

"His skin is also so fresh, like a baby’s bottom."

"Come on ladies, there’s enough of me to go around."

On a couch, seated inconspicuously, a man sat being slowly caressed by two beautiful women as their bodies tightened around each other in a clump of skin and sweaty heat.

’Perverts’

Enzo couldn’t help but curse at this scene as he watched the man grab one of the ladies inappropriately from behind. These things weren’t supposed to happen out in public.

"Why are you staring, kid? Want in on this action?" All of a sudden the man looked over at Enzo and asked with a mocking look.

Clearly the kid was inexperienced, if not why would he be staring at him and his women in such an obvious manner?

"I..." Enzo quickly threw his face to the side then whispered into Zeke’s ear.

"Huh?" Zeke, who suddenly heard Enzo’s words, turned to the side and witnessed the scene too, becoming pissed.

"That’s him all right..." Zeke sneered

That fucker stood there watching him ask the attendant one hundred and one questions while he sat there looking pretty. This was no way to act, especially for someone of his stature.

Storming over, Zeke folded his hands in front of the man and two ladies, a look of displeasure evident on his face.

"Ah? Zeke, long time no see." the man, seeing the look on his face, rubbed his hair sheepishly.

Yeah, the two of them knew each other, well to be more correct, they knew each other from Earth.

Second Cleaver here was an exalted weaver from the northern Isles, he had worked with Zeke’s father before and Zeke got to know him from there, forming a friendly bond.

That’s as friendly as a bond between a kid and a mercenary could get.

"Yeah... don’t you have a wife, man?" Suddenly Zeke broke into a disgusted smile then asked a question that froze the entire store.

Crickets

30 seconds later, the two ladies left the storefront cursing vehemently at Second Cleaver with the worst words they could think of.

"You’ve always been an asshole," Second Cleaver cursed as he made his way back to the couch. "Sit," he offered, pointing at a two-seater opposite him.

Enzo and Zeke casually took their seats opposite him and smiled.

Business

"So, you want to turn Astoria on its head? First off, I need to know what drug gave you guys the balls to think of such a suicidal plan; my dealer has been giving me shit lately." Second Cleaver spoke with a tone that was comical but also wasn’t.

Vegar wasn’t just any thief; he was essentially the lifeblood of that cesspool of crime called Astoria. Everyone in that city was in one way or the other related to the thieves’ guild.

Oh, you’re not a member? Your brother is. Ahh, not a single member of your family? Then your sister’s husband is....

Thieving wasn’t just an occupation there; it was a way of life. A disgusting, ill-moral way of life, but a way of life nonetheless.

"It’s our school project," Enzo responded, passing over a flyer to Second Cleaver.

"Huhhh..." Reading it over, Second Cleaver shook his head.

"Dual Moon, those bunch of crazies. It makes sense," he added.

Who in the Northern Isles didn’t know of the crazy people in the mountain peaks? The one in particular, Inkous, had nearly killed a few city lords just for looking at his students funny.

"Anyway, I’m not afraid of a one-on-one with Vegar; he’s newly ascended, I can take him. ... 800 years of lifespan."

Second Cleaver immediately stated his price, a skewed smile creeping onto his face.

An absurd number

"I know what you’re thinking, but I promise you, you’re getting a deal here. Vegar might not be the city lord of Astoria, but his power far exceeds him."

"Think about it: how does a city with 70% of its population having some sort of affiliation to thieves even function? Everyone’s taking money from everyone, and the common thing among all of them is Vegar. He controls the economy, and trying to kill him is the same as trying to take food from the mouths of those in the settlement..."

They will all turn on you in an instant."

Second Cleaver explained.

"You two might complete your project and never come to Yari again, but this is my store, I’m not going to abandon it. My risk has to fit my reward."

Hearing his words, Enzo couldn’t help but understand where the astronomical price was coming from; this really was a problematic mission even for an exalted weaver.

"Of course, since Zeke is my friend, I can do a discount..." Seeing the two of them not budging enough to pay up, Second Cleaver tried to adjust.

"We can source 300 years at best, Waris, you have to help." Zeke suddenly spoke, calling Second Cleaver by his actual name.

He had proposed they take this project because they had an upper hand; it didn’t mean it would be easy but at the very least... they couldn’t just fail it.

"Uhh, that’s too low... Tell you what: four missions, you’ll accompany me on four missions here on Yari, then you’ll add 300 years on that. Fair?" Second Cleaver proposed.