feat: drafted forty-five through forty-seven
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@ -119,3 +119,7 @@ Linsan caught sight of Miska's hands. Like her cousin and Old Gab, she had intri
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> What secrets lie underneath that man's dress, hidden in the private shadows of his body only to be hinted at as he swirls across the room in glorious finery? I seek the answers, not brazen like the warrior I am, but as a thief stealing glances between the empty words with others. --- _One Mistaken Night_ (Act 1, Scene 8)
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Brook had combined the remains of the three tea cups into a single one and had poured in enough sugar that it splashed with every step. She moved with a smoothness that hinted that she had done the same many times over the years.
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# Guilds
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"So... Daddy thought this war between the Mechanics Guild, Artificer Academy, and the Pistons
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@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ Gab smiled broadly, revealing three missing teeth. "Oh, I loved that play. I saw
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Gripping her case tighter, Linsan forced a smile on her lips. "She does have a beautiful voice."
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Gab pointed to her cabin. Her entire hand was covered in faint tattoos that covered every inch of skin from fingertip to her elbow in a dense pattern. "Come up and talk to me. I have tea."
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Gab pointed to her cabin. Her entire hand was covered in faint tattoos that covered every inch of skin from fingertip to her elbow in a dense, multi-colored pattern. "Come up and talk to me. I have tea."
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"I really need to ask some questions."
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@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ Miska's smile grew more forced.
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Miska rolled her eyes.
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Linsan caught sight of Miska's hands. Like her cousin and Old Gab, she had intricate designs tattooed along her hands up to her elbows. The material of her shirt, above where the corset bound her, gave a hint that there were more tattoos along her sternum and belly.
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Linsan caught sight of Miska's hands. Like her cousin and Old Gab, she had intricate designs tattooed along her hands up to her elbows. The ink was shades of blue, green, and reds with plenty of others among them. The material of her shirt, above where the corset bound her, gave a hint that there were more tattoos along her sternum and belly.
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Linsan took a deep breath. Her mother had taught her enough to know that saying someone's name right was important. She cleared her throat. "Miska atoi Strali?"
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chapters/chapter-45.md
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---
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title: Challenge
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teaser: &teaser >
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While waiting for Miska and Brook, Linsan is challenged by a street busker to play.
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summary: *teaser
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---
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Linsan sighed as she sat on a bench near one of the city fountains. When they arrived in _Sicmla Rihemlan_ early in the morning, she had high hopes they would be able to find Tilbin or at least confirmation of their destination with Palisis. But hours of walking through the city, asking everyone she could find, there wasn't even a hint of the murderers.
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She rocked her violin case back and forth between her knees as she leaned back. The sun painted across her face and she signed again. Despite the clear skies, it was a cool day and perfect for walking around town. But she was tired of chasing after Tabil. The feeling of being lost rose up and she groaned.
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"Hey, you a student?"
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Linsan lifted her head to see a young man about her age standing a few feet away. He had a pair of drums on a strap around his neck and a dozen sticks in his deep pockets. There were scars around his neck and his hair flopped over one eye, obscuring it. She gave a tired smile. "No, just passing by."
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"That a fiddle?"
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"Violin."
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His shoulders sagged. "Damn, I was hoping for someone to play with."
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Her curiosity piqued, she sat up. "Can't play with violins?"
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He turned and waved dismissively. "You all sit like rocks on a bench, flipping your sheets as if you were someone famous. I'm sure you're great, I would just rather have someone moving."
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Linsan smiled to herself. Maybe a little playing would help her. "Is that a challenge?"
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He stopped and looked over his shoulder. His eye looked at her. "You think you can move?"
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Heartbeat quickening, she stood up. "Are you?"
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"Half and half?" She was startled by the question before she realized he was talking about money from busking.
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Even with Brook paying for almost everything, Linsan enjoyed being able to prove some of her way. She nodded.
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"Got a permit?"
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Her face fell.
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He grinned. "Don't worry, I have a plus one. Name's Ravel, but you can call me Rab."
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She picked up her case and walked over to him. "I'm Lin. And why do you have a plus one if you aren't playing with anyone?"
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Ravel waved his hand. "Oh, I like to challenge players. The problem is none of them are any good. Well, Valil over there is decent." He pointed to a trumpet player on the opposite side of the square, an older woman with about half a dozen people listening to her play an upbeat tune.
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He gestured to a spot at the corner. It had a number of signs but Linsan spotted a musical note on one of them, a busking spot. She had never seen a formal one before but her father had told her about many of the customs around them.
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It took her a moment to set down her case. She pressed the button and rotated it. The case popped open and her Sterlig shone in the sunlight.
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Ravel whistled as he dropped a bucket in front of them. "That's a quick release case. You a combat player?"
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His question stopped her for a moment. "Kind of. Not very good though."
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"Got sonic powers?"
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She nodded.
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"How is the city resonance for you?"
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It was a difficult question to ask. When she was younger, she knew that every place had a magical resonance, a frequency of power that meshed with those who lived there. Foreign cities had different energies and she could feel the differences of power as a faint tickling in the back of her head where she couldn't scratch it.
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Thinking about it made it worse. She squirmed for a moment before pulling out her bow and inspecting the repairs. It looked ready to play but she hadn't tested it. "It's okay, I never felt it before."
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Linsan gingerly tested the tension on her strings and then stood up. Fitting the violin under her chin, she played a single hesitant note. It came out screeching and she winced at the name.
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Ravel exhaled hard, his hair fluttered up to reveal that his other eye was milky. "Not a good combat player, huh? You always take this long to get ready?"
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She shot a glare at him. "This is the first time I've played since I've repaired the bow. I'm...."
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"Just play."
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"What?"
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"Play." His hands danced over his drums. Fingertips caressed the edge for a moment and then he tapped a beat. "Come on. Give me something new. Anything."
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"Anything?" She said, her heart fluttering.
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Ravel tapped his fingers along the heads of his drums. With every strike, colors blossomed from the impact in bursts of blue and yellow. The beat was a simple one, three fast and then a loud one but it was also the opening rhythm for a tune she knew.
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Tensing, Linsan played the first four notes. She didn't use powers but the tones rang out with the clarity from before. The bow felt right in her hand, just a few grains off center from before. She almost sobbed in relief.
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He scoffed. "That's it?"
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His hands ran through a riff, eight notes a few bars into the song. With each strike, flashes of colors burst out in clouds around him. It was a complex song for a drummer, with winding beats and changing patterns.
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Linsan followed suite, playing her eight notes as she adjusted to the differences.
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Ravel responded, skipping his feet as he twirled around.
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With a smile, Linsan played her bit and kicked her foot up as she spun around.
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"There we go!" He played another few bars, skipping a few. He spun around and kicked off into another spin.
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Feeling playful, she played her bit and matched his moves, adding a hop to her spin. "Do you know the whole song, or just the good parts?"
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He responded while playing in bursts of colors. "Well, trying to figure out what you can do. So far, you aren't anything fancy."
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Linsan launched herself into her part before the colors faded around him. She focused herself into her song, letting the power spiral out of her and plucking at the clouds of color.
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The burst around him shot straight up in a flower of brilliance. She finished with a low sweep. "Just warming up." She was grinning.
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"Then, play!" He plucked a pair of sticks from his pockets and then burst into a flurry of beats of the song. The sticks didn't diminish his power and he was quickly surrounded by clouds of colors.
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The duet part ending, she joined into his song. He played fast, but she could keep up as they circled around each other, spinning and kicking. Her powers launched his colors into the sky until they formed a multi-colored canopy above their heads.
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Their challenge became one of dance but the music didn't stop. He mimicked her move and added one. She did the same, her body loosening up as she let herself be draw into the bliss of music and movement.
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She was dimly aware of a crowd gathering but her mind remained focus on keeping up with Ravel's song. There were differences, either wrong strikes on his part or regional changes. She kept her part up, playing and correcting to keep them in harmony until the song finally wore down.
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A cheer rose up and the patter of coins landed into the bucket.
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Ravel grinned. "Okay, you aren't half bad."
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She panted softly. "I could say the same."
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"Want to go big?"
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"How so?"
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"Equal shares if I call in others?"
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Linsan just wanted to play. She nodded.
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Ravel's smile grew wider. Then he turned toward Valil. "Oi! Grandma Toot! Get your ass over here! Equal share!"
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From the other side, a fiddle player called out. "What about me?"
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"Come on, we need it!" He glanced at her after he yelled.
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She nodded. Noticing that the edges of the crown were starting to drift, she started up a jaunty tune to delay as the two other players hurried over. A third, another drummer, showed up.
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They introduced themselves as they approached.
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"Valil."
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"Bok," said the drummer simply.
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"Strin." The fiddler player looked at her violin and then down to his scratched and beaten instrument. It had seen better days and she felt uncomfortable seeing the obvious repairs that were made with string and wire.
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She gave him her best smile.
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"Know Queenie?" asked Ravel. He beat a sample series on his drum. Linsan frowned until the Strin and Valil joined in; it was obviously a song they all knew. It took her only a few notes to realize it was _The Queen's Triumph_, a song about the neighboring country's Silver Queen.
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With a grin, Linsan played her part firmly. Her bow swung as she danced over the complex introduction and then slowed into the first quiet part of the song.
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They all stared at her.
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She slowed, wondering if she had started the wrong song.
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Then Ravel shrugged and grinned. "Apparently there were some notes we didn't know about. Well, boys and girls, I say Lin leads. Good?"
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With a round of agreements, they launched themselves into the next song. Linsan lead the way, twirling and dancing with Ravel as the others joined in.
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It was quickly clear that Ravel was a performing drummer and the others couldn't keep up, but there were smiles and Linsan slowed and let the songs focus on each one in an attempt to encourage them.
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Coins clicked into the bucket, a few of them bouncing off their bodies when they danced too close to it.
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Linsan laughed as she spun and kicked and wove around the others. Her bow never stopped moving as the tones rose up and sent the brilliance of clouds high above them.
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Other illusions added to their song: little silver flowers growing up from the cracks underneath her feet, flashes of lightning in the cloud above her, and the smell of citrus that trailed behind her in clouds.
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Along with it came prickles and itches of magic in close proximity. It wasn't painful, but she couldn't help but notice them as she sailed around.
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The song ended and another started. Then another.
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In the middle of one, she noticed Ravel dump the bucket into her case to empty it and then set it out again. He winked at her.
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There were only two more songs before Linsan felt a beat shaking the ground.
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Miska stood to the side, clapping along with the beat. Heat shimmered above her as she grinned. Reflexively, Linsan used her measured clapping as a metronome to keep the song moving steadily.
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When it finished and they all gave a bow to the applause, she had to hold up her hand. "No more. My friend is here." She gestured to Miska who approached.
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Ravel glanced at her and then did a double take. He stepped away from Miska. "But she's..." His jaw clamped and he looked down. "Leaving?"
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"I need to be somewhere."
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"Well," his smile returned. "You were a worthy challenge, Lin. Feel free to come back any time. I'm sure you won't keep up next time." He rapped along his drum and bursts of blue surrounded him.
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Valil panted. "Shares?" She looked nervous.
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Linsan looked at her and saw repaired clothes and thin shoes. The other players, including Ravel, looked the same. These were buskers who struggled to make ends meet. She was a woman with a rich friend. She had more money hidden in the case than any of the musicians probably saw in a year. With a sigh, she scooped out the coins from her case as her mind spun furiously.
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Ravel knelt down and poured all the coins into a pile between the five players. "Strin, want to sort? Five even piles."
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Linsan made a decision. "Four."
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He looked at her sharply.
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"Keep my share, you need it."
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"You played better than most of them."
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She gave him a hard look. "You all need it more than me."
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Strin knelt down next to them. He tapped four fingers against his palm three times.
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There was a tickling of power and then the coins rolled away from each other, forming four loose piles in front of the players. Two coins spun in the center until Ravel pushed one to Valil, one to the other drummer, and then added a coin from his pile to Strin's. "Fair is fair, you all were great."
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Valil and the drummer snatched up their share and hurried away.
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Ravel stood up. "What's your play?" he asked Linsan.
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She blushed. "You need it. I have plenty right now."
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"No, I don't like charity."
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"It isn't charity, Rav. Money is what I'm looking for."
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"What is it then?" he said in a tense tone.
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"What?" she asked. Then she shook her head. "Don't worry about it."
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"Tell me. I won't let you give away your share."
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"Rav."
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"Tell me or I'm dumping all my money in your case."
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Linsan rolled her eyes. "Fine. I'm looking for someone driving a big black car, a Black Thunder. I don't know if it came through here or not, but I'm hoping."
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Ravel's attitude softened. "Damn, I thought I could help. I haven't seen any. Have you, Strin?"
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"No, they don't allow cars this far into the city. Someone you know?"
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"A man I'm hunting. He..." she didn't know how to explain either the murder or priceless violin with a street musician. "... set a fire using magic with his guitar and---"
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Strin gasped. "Three guys with fire powers!?"
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"Y-Yes!"
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"I saw someone like that! On the south side! I wanted to check out the guitar but he must have thought I was trying to steal it. He chorded the strings and hit me with a burst of fire. And then one of his friends chased me off."
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Strin rubbed his arm. "I just wanted to hear it. All I have is my Fetpahin here," he said as he hefted his fiddle.
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In that moment, if Linsan had her shares, she would have dumped them on Strin. Instead she hugged him tightly. "Thank you! That's exactly what I need."
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Strin smiled hesitantly and hugged her back, his fiddle bumping against her back.
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She separated quickly with a blush. "S-Sorry, I need to go."
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Ravel leaned forward. "We're good?"
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"Yes!" she said as she quickly packed her instrument. Then she made another choice. Shoving her hand into the tight gap, she pulled out a small stack of bills that her parents had hidden in the lining before she sealed her case and straightened. Without inspecting the money, she roughly split the five cukdin bills into two piles and handed each one to Ravel and Strin.
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Both of their eyes grew wide as they stared at the brightly colored money, the stiff card-like material sticking out from their fingers.
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"I can't thank you enough!" she called before Miska and her ran off.
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---
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title: Pistons
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teaser: &teaser >
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Miska and Linsan head to the Piston mechanics to see if they could find out any more information.
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summary: *teaser
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---
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Linsan didn't know exactly where she was going, but just knowing Tilbin was in the city gave her hope. She headed toward the south before she realized that Miska was leading the way. "Do you know something?"
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"There is only one mechanics shop in this part of town. A bunch of *bagatos* running a Piston shop."
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"*Bagatos*?"
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Miska smiled grimly. "Men who lie out of their assholes."
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Linsan smirked.
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"They told me that it wasn't a woman's job to work metal. I was going to let that slide since they have hearts of brick, but if they know about the Black Thunder, I need to ask again."
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Linsan hurried along. It didn't take them long to get to a beautiful building painted a bright blue. It had faux pistons on either side of the three large doors leading inside. The design was simple, about on par with a stage decoration, but it was a clear indication of which guild the mechanics were associated with.
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Even with the cool day, they were wide open as a dozen men worked on two cars inside. They looked rough, with greasy hands and stained clothes.
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Miska went for the middle door. "Gentlemen!"
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A man underneath the vehicle, a narrow-wheeled car with a tall smokestack and large boiler, pulled out and sat up. "Back for more? This isn't a place for you, Girl. Get your tattooed ass away before someone gets hurt."
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Miska's expression darkened. "I was willing to let that pass but then I found out you lied to me."
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Scoffing, he stood up and shoved his hands in his pockets. "No, I said it wasn't any of your business and to get out before I spank you because you're too big for your britches."
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Mistake stopped in front of him and glared. "You service that Black Thunder that came into town?"
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He jaw tightened. "Still ain't your business, Girl."
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"I need to know."
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The other mechanics spread out around Miska and Linsan.
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Fear prickled down Linsan's spine. She lowered her hand to her latch, mentally preparing herself to pull out her instrument.
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Miska stepped away, toward the side of the garage and the other car. The second one was twisted and bent, the metal broken. The damage looked almost as serious as the Glasscoaster from earlier but only on the surface. Linsan could see that the engine appeared to be intact.
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The men followed as their leader spoke.
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"Now, I don't care how offended you get, I'm not going to tell you anything. Pistons have pride in their business."
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Miska stopped near the decorative piston. "I plan on asking more aggressively. Maybe negotiating."
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He scoffed again. "I doubt a simple country girl like you has anything of worth."
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Miska signed and the air around her began to warp. "Maybe, but let's start with a simple offer."
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She took one step back, spun around. The air around her began to crawl as the heat blasted away from her. She punched the side of the decorative piston and there was a powerful thud as the metal burst open. Splatters of molten metal spread out as she tore out a hunk of the softened metal as her fist continued through.
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Miska followed her punch, stepping into the entrance of the garage and stopping in front of the devastated car. Holding up her hand, she glared as the paint smoked way leaving red metal that brightened. "Now, behind me appears to be a fully functional Daster engine. Those run... what... ten thousand cuks at the earliest."
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The men's mood changed in an instant, from a threatening to surprise and fear.
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"Now, I'm betting I can put my fist through that engine faster than you can stop me." Miska clenched her hand and the remains of the piston dribbled out of her hand.
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The supervisor held up his hand. "Now, listen, Girl, you---"
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Then she smiled brightly, her anger disappearing in a flash. She patted the twisted frame. "Or, you give me an hour to shape this metal and save you the two days it would take your men to do it."
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Everyone grew silent.
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"I don't care about getting paid and I'm sure you'll still charge the time, but I want to know about that Black Thunder and I'm willing to earn it." She wiped the last of molten metal from her palm on her trousers. The fabric smoldered before it cooled.
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The supervisor glanced at Linsan who still had her hand on her case. Then he turned back. "Why?"
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"Because those men killed someone. They need to be brought to justice."
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"Then let the guards do their job."
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"It was in a different city and you know that authority ends at the city boundaries."
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The supervisor shook his head. "Guild laws say I can't---"
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Linsan spoke up with an idea of her own. "But does Piston want to be known for servicing murderers?"
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His head snapped toward her.
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She hefted her instrument. "I'm pretty good at busking and I'm sure I can come up with a catchy song. Give it three... four days until I can have everyone singing it in this city."
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Miska's shoulders shook as she struggled not to laugh.
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He glared at her. "What makes you---?"
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|
||||
A loud hissing noise interrupted him. He looked back to see Miska had her hand on the vehicle hood. The metal was already turning red underneath her grip and the paint blackening.
|
||||
|
||||
One of the mechanics lowered his hammer. "Boss?"
|
||||
|
||||
The supervisor sighed. "Fuck me on a pike. Fine. Two hours of work and I tell you what I know."
|
||||
|
||||
"I start working, you start talking, my friend leaves and I finish the job. Your men are menacing and I don't trust them."
|
||||
|
||||
The metal under her hand grew brighter.
|
||||
|
||||
"Prove you can work."
|
||||
|
||||
With a shrug, Miska lifted her hand from the hood. Leaning over, she picked up a twisted rod of metal and snapped it clear from the vehicle.
|
||||
|
||||
The supervisor groaned.
|
||||
|
||||
Her hands shimmered as she pumped the metal in her grip, sliding up and down with hard strokes. As she did, the metal grew hotter and began to shift. A few moments later, she twisted and straightened it out. Turning back, she measured it against a spot on the frame and worked to fit it into place.
|
||||
|
||||
The other men stared at her in shock.
|
||||
|
||||
"Get to work!" snapped the supervisor then turned to Linsan. "My name is Caver. What do you want to know?"
|
||||
|
||||
"Anything?"
|
||||
|
||||
"Not much to tell you. They wouldn't give us a name but they had a guild services guard. That's an agreement where they aren't allowed to use another guild mechanic but get discounts on our services. We offer it---"
|
||||
|
||||
"Please, sir?" Linsan interrupted.
|
||||
|
||||
"Well, I can't give you their number but I can send word that they are accused of murdering someone. Let the higher ups know what happened."
|
||||
|
||||
"Anything else?"
|
||||
|
||||
"Whoever ruined their car did an impressive job. The metal was sheared clean off and most of the joints were busted. It took us hours to repair the holes and scrape away the scorching."
|
||||
|
||||
Linsan smiled at the description of Brook's and her abilities.
|
||||
|
||||
"I had three full crews working full time for a day on it. We had to pay a premium to the Mechanical Guild for some supplies and two of their forgers, but they paid everything without question."
|
||||
|
||||
"Then, they have lots of money?"
|
||||
|
||||
Caver shrugged. "Maybe, but they had to go to the bank twice to pay for everything. Final bill was just shy of sixty thousand cuks. Twenty went to those damn thieves over at Mechanical."
|
||||
|
||||
Linsan perked up. "Bank? Which bank?"
|
||||
|
||||
"I'd have to check." He looked around and then beckoned for her to follow. "In my office."
|
||||
|
||||
Linsan hesitated, then called out. "I'm going into his office."
|
||||
|
||||
Miska looked up from where she was straddling the frame and pulling it back into place. "Be safe."
|
||||
|
||||
The other mechanics were still staring at her as Caver and Linsan threaded their way into his office. It was crowded with paperwork, tools, and boxes. He had a small safe in the back which he opened before puling out a black bag. Pulling out a bank note, he handed it to her.
|
||||
|
||||
Linsan looked over it. It was a thousand cukdin note with the Ralonix Network embossed on the corners. It had an address near the center of the town.
|
||||
|
||||
She was holding more wealth in her hand than she could imagine. It felt like she should have background music welling up behind her or at least a choir singing for the drama but she was neither on a stage or feeling any joy. It was blood money. She asked for some notes and wrote down the serial numbers from a couple of the notes.
|
||||
|
||||
"Did they really kill someone?"
|
||||
|
||||
She looked up and nodded. "They robbed a bank in Cobbler's End and killed the manager."
|
||||
|
||||
"And they sent a girl and a tribal... excuse me... two girls to hunt him down?" Caver sighed. He had thinning dark hair plastered to his head. When he ran his hand through it, it stuck up in little spikes.
|
||||
|
||||
"The manager was my friend's father. They also stole his Black Thunder to escape."
|
||||
|
||||
"These are dangerous men."
|
||||
|
||||
"I'm not going to fight them," she lied. "I just going to find them and have the local guards arrest them. I just need to know where they are going."
|
||||
|
||||
"Stone Over Moon Waters."
|
||||
|
||||
She froze and stared at him.
|
||||
|
||||
"That was what they needed. Enough to get them to Stone Over Moon Waters. I heard them talking about a sale in eight days, I assumed it was for the Black Thunder. It is a beautiful car but they weren't concerned about looks, only that it could drive."
|
||||
|
||||
Eight days. They were going to sell Palisis in eight days. A swelling of sorrow rose up and her vision blurred. "T-Thank you. That's exactly what I needed to know."
|
||||
|
||||
Caver put the notes back into his safe. "Look, if these men are arrested, send me a notarized notice. I'll have them banned from Piston services for life."
|
||||
|
||||
"Thank you."
|
||||
|
||||
"Do you know how to find the Ralonix bank?"
|
||||
|
||||
She didn't. He gave her directions.
|
||||
|
||||
Outside, she waved to Miska who was still the center of attention. Even in a few minutes, the front of the vehicle looked considerably better.
|
||||
|
||||
"Be safe," Miska said before she returned to work.
|
||||
232
chapters/chapter-47.md
Normal file
232
chapters/chapter-47.md
Normal file
|
|
@ -0,0 +1,232 @@
|
|||
---
|
||||
title: Authorization
|
||||
teaser: &teaser >
|
||||
Brook uses her contacts in the bank to get more information about the money transfered to pay for the Black Thunder.
|
||||
summary: *teaser
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
Linsan hurried down the road, weaving through the press of people. Her eyes scanned the front of buildings until she came up to the marble entrance to the _River Bank Trust_, the Ralonix location. She stopped at the bottom of the stairs to catch her breath.
|
||||
|
||||
She wasn't sure what the bank could do or tell her, but it had been a while since she sent a note to her parents and Brook maybe inside since it was her father's network.
|
||||
|
||||
She straightened and steeled herself to go inside and look for her friend.
|
||||
|
||||
"Lin!" Brook called from behind her.
|
||||
|
||||
Surprised, she turned to see Brook at a café with a wrought iron fence around the steps. She sat with a slight arch to her back and looking poised.
|
||||
|
||||
Panting, Linsan crossed the street.
|
||||
|
||||
Brook had three cups in front of her. Two were still filled but the third had the milky brown that she favored in her drink. She smiled and gestured to the seat across from a blue purse that matched her dress.
|
||||
|
||||
Linsan chuckled. "Your drink sweet enough?"
|
||||
|
||||
"No," Brook said with a wrinkle of her nose. "There is a shortage of sugar here and they would only give me two lumps for each cup."
|
||||
|
||||
"So you ordered three and combined them?"
|
||||
|
||||
With a grin, Brook tilted her head. Then she looked over Linsan. "You look sweaty. Is something wrong? Did you find Miska?"
|
||||
|
||||
Linsan described her visit to the Piston mechanics. As she did, Brook's smile faced to be replaced with a hard look.
|
||||
|
||||
When Linsan finished, she stood up and worked her way out of the café's outdoor seating before leading Linsan to the bank. "Come on, I have questions."
|
||||
|
||||
"Can they tell us anything?" Linsan felt a little lost as she trailed behind her friend.
|
||||
|
||||
"Normally no, but I have a small measure of authority with this network." She straightened her back and then strode through the front door as if she owned the building.
|
||||
|
||||
Inside a guard stood up. "Welcome back, Lady Kabisal. I thought your business with us was concluded."
|
||||
|
||||
"New information has presented itself. Could I speak to Lord Smal again?" Brook spoke with a haughty tone that Linsan remembered from earlier years, it was proud and confident and demeaning at the same time.
|
||||
|
||||
"I'm sorry. Lord Smal is currently at lunch. He will be back---"
|
||||
|
||||
"This is important."
|
||||
|
||||
The guard looked annoyed.
|
||||
|
||||
"Very important," Brook said.
|
||||
|
||||
His look didn't improve. They stared at each other with hard looks.
|
||||
|
||||
Linsan wanted to sneak out but she couldn't take Brook next to her and the guard watching. Instead, she looked up at the vaulted ceiling and the carved pillars. The bank was far more impressive than the one at home, but it looked impractical and the acoustics were poor with so many hard, flat surfaces.
|
||||
|
||||
Finally the man relented and gestured to leather-bound chairs next to a door. "Please wait over there, Lady Kabisal. I will see if he is amenable to interruption."
|
||||
|
||||
"Thank you," snapped Brook.
|
||||
|
||||
As the guard headed to a nearby counter with an employee standing behind it, Brook lead Linsan to the chair. She sat down with a straight back and stared forward.
|
||||
|
||||
Linsan look at her friend.
|
||||
|
||||
The little muscles on Brook's face were tight but they quivered. She could see Brook's eyes glistening as if she was fighting back tears.
|
||||
|
||||
Gingerly, Linsan rested her hand on Brook's. "What's wrong?" she whispered.
|
||||
|
||||
Brook worked her mouth for a moment and then leaned over. "This morning, I tried to make a withdrawal using my... my daddy's code book but it didn't work."
|
||||
|
||||
"I-I don't understand. What is that?"
|
||||
|
||||
"It's a pad of authorization codes, you use the top one and destroy it once you use it. It lets you make large withdrawal or transfers safely. When... when he was gone, I took his book from his office before leaving."
|
||||
|
||||
"You're stealing from---"
|
||||
|
||||
Brook's eyes widened and she planted her gloved hand over Linsan's mouth. "Shush!"
|
||||
|
||||
Leaning forward, she continued. "I'm not stealing, it is legally my money and my inheritance. I get one sixth of what he left, my mother got half and my sisters split the rest. I've been keeping track of the amounts to make sure everything lines up when we get back home."
|
||||
|
||||
Linsan said nothing underneath her friend's trembling hands.
|
||||
|
||||
"But the code didn't work today. It also didn't work in the last bank either. I thought I had it memorized wrong, but I didn't. That meant that they either burned the book or someone else has a copy. I did a withdrawal with my own account, but there are fees that daddy didn't have to pay that I do."
|
||||
|
||||
Linsan pushed Brook's hand down. "You're afraid that they stole more than his car?"
|
||||
|
||||
A tear formed on the corner of Brook's eye. "Y-Yes. I need to know. With your serial numbers, I can---"
|
||||
|
||||
Movement caught Linsan's attention. A slender man was striding up to them, followed by the guard and a portly gentleman with a thick patch of gray hair. She nodded and pulled back.
|
||||
|
||||
Brook wiped the tear from her eye and stood up. "I'm sorry to interrupt you, Lord Smal. I pray this will only take a few minutes."
|
||||
|
||||
Smal, the slender man, stood in front of her. "Explain," he said curtly.
|
||||
|
||||
"I got confirmation that the men I'm looking for used this bank for large transfers."
|
||||
|
||||
Smal sighed. "As I told you, Lady Kabisal, privacy rules will not allow---"
|
||||
|
||||
"No, but I have serial numbers of the scrip that was issued and I'm allowed to request the authorization codes used for the transfer."
|
||||
|
||||
The slender man closed his mouth. He had a short cropped beard that twitched as the muscles in his neck flexed.
|
||||
|
||||
Brook snapped her finger toward Linsan.
|
||||
|
||||
Startled, Linsan pulled out her notes and handed over the numbers. "It's the numbers on the bottom---"
|
||||
|
||||
"I know how to read our own numbers," he said sharply.
|
||||
|
||||
Linsan bristled but said nothing.
|
||||
|
||||
Smal handed Linsan's note over to the portly man. "Please hurry up, my lunch is getting cold and I want this disruption."
|
||||
|
||||
"Yes, sir."
|
||||
|
||||
As the other man left and the guard returned to his post, Lord Smal gestured to the door. "Please, sit in my office."
|
||||
|
||||
Brook lead the way and they filed into the room. Inside was much larger than Linsan expected for a windowless room. It was easily twice the size of her bedroom with a desk made of dark wood and thick carpet. Three cushioned chairs were arranged in front of the desk.
|
||||
|
||||
Lord Smal circled around and then sat down in his chair. He leaned back and stared at Brook.
|
||||
|
||||
Brook properly sat down, moving with a poise that looked nothing like the woman who sat behind the wheel of speeding car. She was elegant and refined, more like Linsan's mother.
|
||||
|
||||
Neither said anything as they waited.
|
||||
|
||||
Linsan struggled not to fidgit.
|
||||
|
||||
When the door swung up, she jumped.
|
||||
|
||||
The aide handed Lord Smal a thick stack of papers.
|
||||
|
||||
He nodded to his aide. "Shut the door behind you but remain close."
|
||||
|
||||
A moment later, they were alone again.
|
||||
|
||||
Lord Smal sighed as he paged through the paperwork. His eyes scanned through the intricately decorated pages filled with numbers and phrases that Linsan couldn't decipher as they flipped past.
|
||||
|
||||
Brook sat there, her eyes shimmering again and her muscles tight.
|
||||
|
||||
Linsan reached out and took her hand.
|
||||
|
||||
Her friend gave her a sad smile and wiped the tears.
|
||||
|
||||
After a few minutes, he shook his head. Taking one page, he set it down on the table. Spinning it around, he pushed it toward Brook while keeping his fingers on the paper. "All of the transfers were authorized by this number."
|
||||
|
||||
Brook looked over. Then a sob tore out of her throat as the tears flowed. She flipped her hand to squeeze Linsan's hand tightly.
|
||||
|
||||
Tears of her own blurred Linsan's version.
|
||||
|
||||
For the first time, Lord Smal looked surprised. "Is there something wrong?"
|
||||
|
||||
Brook opened her mouth but only a strangled noise came out.
|
||||
|
||||
Linsan spoke up. "I think that is Dukan Kabisal's authorization code."
|
||||
|
||||
Brook nodded sharply as another sob ripped out her throat. The tears were rolling down her cheeks as she gasped for breath.
|
||||
|
||||
"I failed to see the connection."
|
||||
|
||||
Linsan cleared her throat. "He was murdered by the men who made the withdrawal."
|
||||
|
||||
Lord Smal's eyes widened but he said nothing for a long moment. Then, he grunted before he spoke. "Pardon me?"
|
||||
|
||||
"Dukan was killed by three men who robbed the Cobbler's End branch of this bank network." Linsan was surprised how calm she was as she spoke. "They used magical fire when they stole something priceless, a family heirloom, from the bank vaults. They also had stolen his vehicle and apparently his code book also."
|
||||
|
||||
His eyes flickered back and forth for a moment. "Those are serious claims. Do you have any proof?"
|
||||
|
||||
Brook fumbled for her purse but her fingers slipped. She was still sobbing as she tried again.
|
||||
|
||||
Linsan eased it off her shoulder and opened it up. Among the makeup, a surprisingly large stack of cukdin bills wrapped in strips of paper, she spotted familiar paperwork from the investigator. It had been another lifetime for Linsan since she saw it. Pulling it out, she unfolded it until she could get the notes.
|
||||
|
||||
Lord Smal took it gently from her hand and began to read.
|
||||
|
||||
Brook's sobs died down as he paged through the papers. Finally, he got to the end with a long, dramatic sigh. Leaning over, he ran a bell that stood on the corner of his desk before pulling out the last page of the notes.
|
||||
|
||||
His aide entered.
|
||||
|
||||
The lord handed over the page. "Verify this, rush order on the bank's account."
|
||||
|
||||
"Yes, my lord."
|
||||
|
||||
The door closed with a click.
|
||||
|
||||
The lord looked at Brook sharply. His expression was stormy as he stared at her.
|
||||
|
||||
Brook sniffed.
|
||||
|
||||
"I presume the code you tried to use was from his book?"
|
||||
|
||||
Brook hesitated and then nodded.
|
||||
|
||||
"That is clearly in violation of our network's regulations."
|
||||
|
||||
"I-I know."
|
||||
|
||||
Linsan felt a sick feeling in her stomach.
|
||||
|
||||
"You realize you have put me into a situation where I must respond to that in addition to dealing with this." He tapped the investigation papers on the desk.
|
||||
|
||||
Brook's hand tightened on Linsan. "Y-Yes, my lord."
|
||||
|
||||
The aide knocked.
|
||||
|
||||
"Enter," commanded Lord Smal.
|
||||
|
||||
"The code is valid, my lord. Duly authorized."
|
||||
|
||||
"Very well. Start an priority order."
|
||||
|
||||
The aide looked surprise and then pulled out a notebook with multi-colored pages.
|
||||
|
||||
Brook inhaled sharply.
|
||||
|
||||
"Seal the accounts of Dukan Kabisal, Brook Kabisal, and the rest of their immediate family. No withdrawals, no transfers, no deposits. On my authority."
|
||||
|
||||
Brook let out a choking noise.
|
||||
|
||||
A muscle in the aide's cheek jumped. "Yes, my lord."
|
||||
|
||||
"Emergency order."
|
||||
|
||||
The aide flipped to the next page in his notebook.
|
||||
|
||||
"Burn the codes for Dukan Kabisal authorization code. Request apprehension if anyone tries to use it. On my authority."
|
||||
|
||||
"Yes, my lord."
|
||||
|
||||
The lord looked directly at Brook. His voice was barely contained fury, "Emergency order. Brook Kabisal of Cobbler's End has been banned---"
|
||||
|
||||
Brook let out another sob and closed her eyes tightly.
|
||||
|
||||
"---from Ralonix network and properties until an investigation has been completed. Details to follow. On my authority."
|
||||
|
||||
"Yes, my lord." The aide ground his teeth together as he finished scribbling the order.
|
||||
|
||||
Lord Smal stood up and crossed his arms behind his back. "You have one minute to leave my bank. Otherwise, I will have you arrested."
|
||||
|
|
@ -45,6 +45,7 @@
|
|||
"Sterlig",
|
||||
"Sterlig's",
|
||||
"Sterligs",
|
||||
"Strin",
|
||||
"Tabil",
|
||||
"Tilbin",
|
||||
"Tirain",
|
||||
|
|
|
|||
Loading…
Reference in a new issue