Chapter 25: Omertà

“The mafia? What’s that?” Delwyn was confused. She watched Vito spread parchments around on the conference table in front of them.

“It’s a type of organized group from my world. They work in secrecy, and they take no prisoners,” Vito explained. Parsifal, Galien, Iris, Kaelyn, and Holly joined them for their meeting. “For now, the Silver Oak Guild needs to go dark. Renaudin wants to keep us quiet, and we can’t give him a target.”

“And this 'mafia' is better for us?” Holly asked.

Vito nodded. “I’ll register the DeCapio Famiglia at the Adventurers’ Association. That name will protect the Silver Oak Guild until the job is finished.”

“And just how is the job ‘finished’?” Parsifal asked, skepticism clear in his voice.

Before he could answer, an urgent knock at the door drew their attention. “Come in,” Vito called.

Elion and his mage apprentice, a shy young girl named Amelsia, entered. “A receptionist from the Adventurers’ Association delivered a message. Renaudin accused us of attacking Orinis,” Elion began his report. “Elder Reinfar tried to object to the accusations via long-range communications, but Renaudin convinced a few people at the Association that Greye threatened him and his family into compliance. The Association is launching an investigation, but I don’t think they’ll finish in time before Renaudin attacks us again,” he warned. “Our friends in the capital have already taken refuge in the safe houses. They’ll report to us when they can with new information.”

Vito’s anger bubbled just beneath the surface. Iris took his hand into hers and gave him a reassuring smile. “I will testify to the truth. You will have the Holy Church’s full support in this matter.”

He smiled and placed his hand on hers. “Thank you. That’s a relief.” He saw movement in the corner of his eye. Turning, he saw Amelsia sneeze, though she was entirely too quiet with how animated she seemed. He shook his head and returned to his attention to the table.

“As you can see, our situation is dire. Even with the church’s help, this is a life and death battle, and I intend to win.” Vito pointed to a set of plans for the Renaudin mansion. “I paid off a disgruntled butler to give me these and just about anything else I wanted when I gave him a sack full of gold coins. We know where each door is, and we have the keys needed to open them.”

“You intend to fight him in his own home?” Delwyn asked.

“No, I intend to kill him from here, on this wall that has a clear line of sight to his ballroom.” He pointed to the two points on the plans. “In the chaos, a few of our people will be able to search his office for evidence and clear out most of his treasure hoard.” He pointed to the office and vault. “Naturally, we’ll need disguises, but my new contacts will provide those when the time comes.”

Iris released his hand and fumed. “Theft and murder? That’s your plan? It’s…wrong!”

“Not to mention impossible. The mansion is too well protected for arrows to get anywhere near Renaudin,” Kaelyn interjected. “Barriers, highly-ranked mages, he’s almost impervious in his home.”

Vito pointed to a diagram of a weapon. “That’s where this comes in. It’s called a rifle. It’s a weapon from my world. It releases very small metal objects faster than any archer can release an arrow.”

The group was visibly surprised. “Really. We’ll see,” Kaelyn seemed almost offended.

“It’s still wrong! You can prove your innocence during the investigation,” Iris insisted.

Vito shook his head. “Renaudin wields too much influence, and we would be long dead before our innocence were proven. That’s the way of this or any world,” he explained. “He plans to use our downfall for his ascension. We’re simply reversing his fortunes.”

Iris was frustrated. “I understand the desire to defend your family, but I still question the need to rob him afterward.”

“It’s for our ascension,” Vito began. “Renaudin may not be working alone, and determined noblemen can find anyone, even our hamlet. We have to leave, at least for now.”

“You want us to leave our home?” Holly lamented.

“For now, mother. We won’t abandon our home, I swear it. We just need a more defensible position until we expose our enemies and clear our names.”

“Where do you propose we go? Orinis would accept us, but they’re far too vulnerable,” Parsifal questioned him.

Vito pointed to another parchment. It was much older and illustrated a ruined manor. “The Darkmourn Manor,” he answered, alarming his friends.

“The S-Rank dungeon? That’s safer than here?” Delwyn was incredulous. “Not even an S-Rank guild would go near it.”

“It won’t be a bone lich we run into there; it’s a genuine lich born of a powerful dark mage,” Kaelyn added.

Vito nodded. “It’s also the only place of interest near Orinis, and I believe Renaudin set his sights on it. I’d like to know why,” he explained. “This is also a great meritorious deed that will allow us to meet with the king. If we can provide evidence of a conspiracy directly to him, we can save ourselves and expose the true criminals all in one move. We’ll also honor Greye and prove him right when we outcasts succeed where even nobles fail.”

Parsifal sighed. “In the absence of any other plan, we’ll accept your proposal.”

Vito grinned and nodded. “Good. Since my name isn’t known around here, I’ll be the boss, or don. Parsifal, you’ll be my advisor, the consigliere. Delwyn, you’ll be my agent in the field, the underboss. Galien, Kaelyn, and Elion will be the captains, the caporegimes.”

His friends didn’t understand his words, so he pressed on. “For now, Renaudin is holding a ball in two weeks, that’s when I’ll take the shot from this point on the wall,” he pointed to the plans. “I’ll just need to find a blacksmith we can trust to build the rifle and bullets.”

Delwyn opened her mouth to speak, but Parsifal cut her off. “What about Renaudin’s son, Aden?”

“Aden is a greedy fool. He’s long been at odds with his father over his wasteful spending and shameful attitude. He’ll flee to the family summer home before his father’s body is cold,” Vito replied.

Delwyn cleared her throat and spoke. “There’s a dwarven blacksmith named Gloribrean at the Broken Reaver. Renaudin slandered his name and ruined his business after refusing to pay on a contract. If you pay him enough, he’ll build you whatever you want.”

Vito thought for a moment. “Greye invested in the Hiyrophant Forge, right? Do you think they’ll let us borrow the place for a while?”

Delwyn grinned. “They loved Greye. They’ll let us use whatever we want if it’s to avenge him.”

Vito nodded. “Good, I’d like you to make the introduction,” he turned to Parsifal. “The butler named Edgar works for us now. I want you to meet with him and get a list of the nobles attending the ball in two weeks. We’ll need their security measures because not all of the guests will be from Kyrenia,” he explained. “That messy situation works to our favor. Our teams will be able to get in dressed as guards and servants, especially with Edgar and his people helping.”

He turned to Galien. “That’s where you and Kaelyn come in. Edgar will tell you where you can find the uniforms. Until then, I want you all to familiarize yourselves with the plans. The vault and Renaudin’s office won’t be easy to reach, but the chaos I’ll cause should provide sufficient cover. Parsifal will lead the office team, and Delwyn will lead the vault team. I’ll leave it to you to recruit those teams.”

“Sounds like fun. I do like taking shiny things that don’t belong to me,” Delwyn quipped.

“As long as that includes useful magic artifacts like sacred wards, have fun,” Vito instructed her.

“Sacred wards?” Iris questioned him.

“For Orinis. Renaudin would only have the best sacred wards available. I think Orinis could put them to better use and replace the substandard ones they have to use now.”

Iris seemed surprised, then she sighed and offered a weary smile. “It’s good that we can provide far better protection for them.”

“We? You’re going to help?” Vito expected her to return to the church right away.

“Yes. I won’t leave you now, not when you need all the help you can get,” she promised.

Vito took one of her hands and smiled. “Thank you.” He stared into her pure blue eyes and lost himself for a moment. She maintained his gaze and smiled.

“Should we get started?” Delwyn asked as she placed her hands on Vito’s and Iris’s shoulders.

“What?” The two were startled.

“The mission. Should we get started?” Delwyn asked innocently.