themonasnovels Chapter 65: Midtowner born and raised
Chapter 65: Midtowner born and raised
Chapter 65: Midtowner born and raised
It was very late when Dantes made it back to the Vixen, but not so late that it had closed for the night. He shifted back into his normal self in an alley a few blocks away. It took longer than it had the last few times, and was more painful. When it was over he collapsed, breathing heavily with sweat dripping across his body. That was the longest time hed been in ratform, and apparently it came with consequences. He took a quarter hour to steady himself, but when he stood it was on shaky legs that took another ten minutes to calm. When he felt ready, he exited the alley with Jacopo comfortably in his pocket.
The street was busy with sailors and drinkers lining it and having a bawdy time. A bard was singing the old What do you do with a captains daughter? song, though hed added in a few very creative lyrics to the mix which a small crowd seemed to be truly transfixed by.
Dantes walked into the Vixen to see Decker, and one of the whores he hadnt yet met. A broad shouldered girl with a plain face that was made striking by bright purple hair that fell in waves down past her shoulders. She had to have some kind of gnome or fey in her somewhere up the line, but aside from the hair, there was no other indication that she wasnt human.
Hello ser. she said with an awkward curtsy.
Dantes held up a hand. You can save that, Im not a customer. Im Veras guest, Ed.
She nodded. Oh, thats right. Sorry.
Its fine, you dont have to apologize.
Oh. Sorry.
Dantes stopped himself from reiterating and just gave her a small smile before sliding past her and making his way to the bar, exchanging a nod with Decker as he moved.
Zilly was sliding a tray of drinks toward what looked to be a first mate that took the platter and made his way toward where his captain, and the other officers were seated with what looked to be the majority of the Vixens employees.
Theyre pirates. They captured a Viscent steam galleon, said Zilly as he approached her, predicting his question before he even asked it.
Dantes raised an eyebrow. They captured one? Steam Galleons were the Viscents prized vessels. Massive military vessels that could move without wind and cut through the seas like a knife. Hed seen only one, its black hull lined with cannons had left a distinct impression on him.
He looked back over at the patrons. They were clean for pirates, clearly organized, but the idea of them capturing a Steam Galleon was hard to process.
Im guessing the city bought it?Follow current novels at novelhall.com)
Zilly nodded.
Well, Ive always thought of myself as the charitable sort, he gave her a wolfish grin, his willpower weakened by a long day of effort. It was going to take some time to make up for five years. There was no reason not to enjoy what hed missed in the midst of getting revenge for missing it.
Dantes stood over his pack, and began removing everything hed stolen from Pacha and laying it carefully out on the floor. Hed sent Caressa back to her room with some silver and a bit of advice on leaning into her lack of experience rather than pretending to be something she wasnt. Shed seemed to be receptive, but he had a feeling Vera had likely given her the same advice so who knew if it would take.
Hed been careful when hed taken the documents to make sure that they were sorted in such a way that he knew how to lay them back out. He started with the picture of Mondego, then came the picture of Mercedes, then he got to people he didnt know as well. They were a motley mix of orcs, dwarves, mutts, and even a few elves all scattered below him, and then mostly more mutts at the very bottom. He recognized a few as old gang heads who Mondego must have subjugated somehow, and below them were some other familiar faces. The majority of them near Mondego himself were brand new though, younger from what he could tell.
He kept pulling out notes and pictures, and stopped when he reached a face he didnt recognize. It was familiar. Dark haired mutt with average features, his gray skin shaded in with charcoal. Between broad and skinny, with the eyes kept light. He flipped over the picture to see the name Dantes, written on it. He frowned. Had Pacha seen him at some point or was the sketch based on what other people had said of how he looked? He searched for the corresponding notes.
Dantes
Orc/Elf/Human/Dwarf (?)
Former leader of Mondegos old gang. Currently in Underprison. Minor player, but sources indicate he is mentioned frequently by Mondego.
Request input to have him located for questioning in the Underprison.
Minor Player huh? Well, not for long. Though he once again wondered why Mondego was still mentioning him at all. He had paid to have the Consortium not help him to escape, and to keep him from communicating with the outside, and now this? It didnt make any sense. When you have someone thrown into a hole with no way out, the point is to never have to think about them again.
He went through the rest of the notes, finding one near the bottom for Danglars, and below even that one he found Gaspard.
Gaspard
Orc/Elf/Halfling (Favors halfling)
Cutthroat. Formerly in Mondegos gang. No mentions. Has been beaten attempting to speak to Mondego. Currently in hiding for killing a young woman in uptown. Asked the investigation to let me speak with him if he was found.
Below that was a list of common haunts that Gaspard frequented. That gave Dantes places to monitor. There was a possibility that he had left the city, but that was unlikely. Just like Dantes he was a midtowner born and raised. He didnt know anything else.