FF Chapter 27

Luck sends an envoy to Evil, and deals are made.

Chapter 27

      The docks reeked of dead fish. Not unusual for docks, but just because it was normal didn’t mean it was good, and Jack hated it. He’d have to wash all his clothes later just in case Alex caught a whiff of the strange scent and started asking questions.

      He wandered around the old men and their boats.  He was looking for an unmarked building, a difficult thing when no buildings around him were really ‘marked’, and how exactly do you ask for directions to a place you don’t know?

      As he wandered aimlessly, he spotted a single familiar face; Malent Aba’don. She works for Evil. He thought to himself. She should know where it is. He walked right up to her and said. “Hey Malent, where’s Evil’s base?”

      The directness caught her completely off guard, exactly as Jack had planned. And she stumbled over her tongue trying to respond. “Oh-What-Why…do you want to know?” She finally decided on her answer,

      “Because Luck sent me as an envoy.” He said flatly. At a time like this he figured the most direct and honest answer would get him the farthest with a direct and honest girl.

      “…Really?” She said scrutinizing him. “I guess it makes sense for a gambler to work for Luck herself.”

      “It’s only gambling if you don’t know the outcome.” He said, slightly defensive.

      She shrugged it off “I guess there’s no harm in showing you the way. If you’re lying and anything happens it’s on your own head. Follow me.” She led him down some dark alleys. As they walked, Malent broke the silence.

      “Soooo…” She smiled fiendishly. “You work for Luck huh? Got something against the royal family or are you just in it for power and riches.”

      Jack shook his head. “My business with Luck is just that; business. My dad racked up debts with her. I work to pay them off.”

      “So your alliance with Luck is ‘nothing personal’ eh?” She smiled. “I think I get it now, why you say that all the time. It’s not an idea, it’s a wish. You’re scared of getting attached to anyone because you’ll have to betray them later. Is that why you’ve gotten so good at hiding in the shadows? That must be terrible.” She mocked.

      Jack met her gaze. She was high off her school popularity, and all the praise had given her an inflated ego. Jack smiled wickedly. He’d have fun deflating it.

      “Oh, and what about you?” he stopped and turned to face her. “Evil controls flames, yet you’re scared of fire. I’ve even seen you flinch at smoke. Does the heat bring back some bad memories? Is that why you try to maintain control around school, because you’re powerless at home? Being a weak little girl surrounded by living legends must be terrible. Is that why you hate Alex so much? He has a loving family and is stronger than you.”

      She grabbed his neck and pinned him to the wall. 

      He smiled sadly despite the threat “What? You can dish it out but you can’t take it? Go ahead, hit me. Try to take control. Prove me right!”

      Malent lowered her arm and turned away. “Follow me.” She growled. Jack complied, smiling. Malent was so much like Luck it was scary.

 

      They finally arrived at a nondescript wooden door that led to an ordinary stone building.

      How would I ever find this on my own! Jack cried to himself, before Malent knocked five times in a rhythm.

      “Who is it?” a voice called from behind the door.

      “Malent.” She responded annoyed at the procedure. No one would be stupid enough to try and break into Evil’s hideout, but Whar insisted on such precautions.

      They were let in, and Jack couldn’t help but notice the décor. The large hall had stone walls and ornate pillars. Dozens of soldiers sat at long wooden tables that were arranged in a large circle around the room. The tall-backed chairs were decorated with many furs, and a chandelier that appeared to be made from antlers hung from the ceiling. The whole place was illuminated by torches, candles, and raging fires. Soldiers cheered as, in the center of the room, two shirtless men prepared to fight. At the far end of the hall, at an elevated position, a single man sat with his feet up on the table. He was lazily playing the violin in an upbeat tune, pausing only briefly to occasionally drink from his goblet.

      The duo approached Evil’s position at the head table, and Jack saw that the Hand had removed his black coat and was instead in simply a red dress shirt with the top buttons undone. His physique in this form was that of an acrobat, thin yet strong, but Jack was well aware that appearance could change at any moment.

      Whar was at his side, as usual, but the general was just as professional as ever. They both acknowledged the two kids approaching, and Evil sat up to greet them. “Hello Malent. Come to join us for a meal?”

      She looked at his plate and shuddered. On it was some of the most deadly foods in the world, and his cup was filled with poison; immortality had its perks, and Evil seemed to revel in pushing his to its limit. “No thanks.” She politely refused.

      He chuckled to himself “Too bad. And who is this young man?”

      Jack pulled a card out of his pocket; Malent wasn’t surprised to see him flash his signature jack of spades. “I’m Jack.”

      “Hm…tell me Jack, which of these two fighters do you think will win?” he gestured to the two shirtless men squaring off in the center of the room.

      He stared at the contestants. Both were strong, with beast marks on their arms. “The one on the right.” He said finally.

      “Why would you say that?” Evil asked, smiling.

      “Because the man on the left is winded.”

      “But what if they have a different number of beast marks?”

      “Then the fight is already decided, and it would be no fun to watch, yet the crowd is cheering like either of them could win.”

      Evil leaned back in his chair and drank his glass of poison. “Finally, the weakling earns her place. In all her years at Yanus Academy she’s only sent me three potential recruits, all of them useless, but not you. You have an eye for talent, and a mind to match. I like that. That girl lets her pride cloud her judgement.”

      “Like Luck.” Jack murmured.

      Evil and Whar both went silent. “And what would you know of my sister?” He asked, his eyes narrowing.

      Jack felt the temperature drop around him, and couldn’t help but wonder if Evil could control that too, or if it was just out of fear. “She sent me as an envoy. She has a deal to offer you.”

      Evil raised his hand, the torches flared up for a moment before quieting down, and the whole room went silent. He leaned in to Jack and asked “Really?” His intense interest made Jack a bit nervous. “What is it?”

      “Luck says ‘you get Alex, I get Eira’.”

      Whar and Evil looked at each other and both thought for a moment. Their expressions shifted slightly; they’d known each other for so long they could simulate a conversation without even having to speak.

      Eventually Evil nodded, and turned back to him. “Alex would be an interesting addition to my army. What do you think of the arrangement, Jack?”

      “As Alex’s roommate, I don’t think he’d be very willing to work with someone called ‘Evil’, especially if that person was partially responsible for getting him exiled from his home.”

      Evil almost laughed. “You speak very honestly, for someone in an enemy base.”

      “No, I’m just not stupid enough to lie to you.”

      “Hm. ‘Evil’ is just my name; no one gets to choose their name, which is rather unfair since it labels you for the rest of your life. Although you seem to own yours, ‘Jack’. Your card routine is impressive. If you ever grow tired of my sister I would be happy to find a place for you here, I could even decorate those arms of yours with some nice red lines.” He smiled, but Jack knew that smile. It was the same one Luck wore when she told her guests to try another round of cards, they might win this time. It was the smile of a crocodile.

      “As enticing as that offer is, I have a debt to pay with Luck first.”

      “Too bad. Well, when that’s over I hope you reconsider my offer. For now, tell my sister that I’m interested, but not committed. That is all.” He dismissed Jack, and Malent showed the boy outside.

      As they made their way back to Yanus Academy, Evil and Whar discussed the offer.

      The general spoke first. “A very crafty scheme. She knows we want Alex, but she can use Eira to try and usurp control of the throne, especially if we take Alex and his destiny out of the picture.”

      “Yes…no doubt she’d turn the city into a base from which to unleash waves of Dan’darun upon the mainland. She might even level the city if she wishes.” He took a casual sip from his goblet.

      “Eliminating the only roadblock between EK and the rest of the world would certainly cause more work for us.”

      “But that boy might just be worth it. He has potential, and a well-trained ageless can kill over thirty Dan’darun in a single day. What’s your record?”

      “Eighty-nine.” He muttered.
      “Oh yes.” Evil smiled. “So close to ninety, but not quite there yet.” His voice trailed off as he became lost in thought. He rose, grabbed his violin, and began to play a slow tune. Everyone else was silent. Evil was in a good mood, and no one dared disturb him.