Pawns and Bishops

chapter 36

Pawns and Bishops

Autumn could still feel the fading warmth from Shima as she laid lifeless on her shoulder. For a while she struggled picking up the dead weight, throwing Shima over her shoulder Autumn marched up the sand to Shima’s wheelchair, gently placing her into it. She folded Shima’s hands over her lap and lowered her head. Adjusting how she sat in the chair, giving off the appearance she was sleeping. She had to find Ki, this was his friend, he would know what to do. There was so much to process, Autumn couldn’t find the time to think about Shima’s parting words. She tried to stay focused and not draw any attention to herself, not letting her emotions get the best of her.

She pushed Shima up the road, passed the kids playing stickball. Their laugher still filling the evening with energy and excitement. Autumn noticed Atif and Haiden hanging out front the Orphanage as she slowly approached. She didn’t blink, trying to keep her eyes from watering. Atif turned away from Haiden and looked over her shoulder, down the road catching sight of Autumn and Shima.

“Oh, no.”

Haiden’s eye shifted toward Autumn as she furiously stood up.

“Autumn are you crazy! She shouldn’t be out of bed!”

“Haiden, its too late for that now, look, it is written all over Autumn’s face.”

Atif interjected, preventing Haiden from saying anything else. She ran down the stoop and raced to Autumn. Haiden vanished inside the Orphanage looking for Ki.

***

“Lorenzo my boy, come on in, take a seat.”

The chairman called out, lifting his arms in the air waving the young mafioso closer. His manager and supervisors took up various positions along the bar and tables lining the walls. Their eyes watching Lorenzo close as the doorman patted him down. Stepping closer with the painting in hand, Lorenzo remained cool, collected. Presenting an aura of belonging, like he had been there before. He pulled out the chair, taking a seat in front of the chairman.

“Thank you, chairman for seeing me I won’t take up much of your time. I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday and present you with this gift.”

Lorenzo reached for the painting and passed it over the table. Chairman Ferrazzano smirked, taking a sip of his old fashion, he stubbed out his cigar. He reached for the painting, grabbing it with care. He held it up admiring its condition and its elegant frame. His eyes widened with excitement, he had received a multitude of gifts today, but none like this.

“Where did you get something like this kid, you guys see this!”

The chairman looked around at his subordinates with a demeanor of an excited child. Lorenzo

smiled to himself, removing a cigarette from his ear and placing it on his lips. He looked around gauging the reaction of the others. Some of them seemed genuinely impressed, while others showed hints of distaste and jealousy toward Lorenzo. They were subtle hints, hints that would go unnoticed by an untrained eye.

“Someone unimportant owed me a favor, and when it came time to collect, he had something I thought would look wonderful in the lobby of your office.”

Lorenzo lit his cigarette, answering the chairman’s question, he took a quick puff and exhaled. The chairman admired the painting a little more before handing it to his advisor. He was stern with him, telling him to take it to his office immediately and to be as careful as possible. The chairman leaned back in his chair, looking over his shoulder toward Fio” the Gent”. Waving for his supervisor to bring over a glass for Lorenzo. He turned his attention to the hot shot sitting in front of him. He was just a trainee and already he was earning better than some of his full-time associates. The chairman didn’t let it show, but he was counting his lucky stars such a worker fell into his lap. Grateful talents such as Lorenzo’s didn’t get snatched up by a rival organization. An empty glass was placed on the table by Fio, and the chairman reached for his bottle of spirits only for Lorenzo to beat him to it

“No chairman Ferrazzano, allow me.”

Lorenzo stopped his superior, grabbing the bottle he pulled out the cork, and poured both a glass. The chairman sat back in his chair and smiled, looking around the room at his men.

“Look at this kid, dotting his I’s and crossing his T’s, who was your father? The way you move, your etiquette, it’s all old school, very traditional.”

Lorenzo didn’t speak for a moment, instead choosing to indulge in his cigarette as he placed the bottle of spirits down before answering.

“couldn’t tell you, never met the man.”

He looked the chairman in his eyes, knowing very well the man that had a hand in his father’s assassination was sitting right before him. He kept his composure as he gave the chairman his sob story, a falsehood laced with bits of Truth.

“I’m a child of a whore, who eventually died from illness. I grew up in the south side, in the orphanage. So, I’m but a leaf on a tree that doesn’t know its roots.”

He flicked the carbon tip off his cigarette into the ashtray. Wrapping his hand around his glass he raised it in the air.

“To you, chairman Ferrazzano and the Snake Organization, happy birthday, cheers!”

The chairman along with the other members in attendance raised their glasses not only to the chairman on the day of his birth, but to their organization. One by one they threw back their drinks. One after another the sound of their glasses slamming against wood echoed throughout the backroom.

“Ayyy what can you do? You can’t choose the people that brought you into this world, just as much as you can’t choose the cards you were dealt. But you my boy, you, you play your card well.”

“Thank you, chairman, I appreciate that truly but let me not beat around the bush and come straight out with it, The tournament.”

“What about it?”

“I want your blessing to participate; I have a sizable contribution to give to the pot in return.”

Lorenzo was pushing his luck, he knew better, he knew only made members of the Organizations could make the journey across the ocean to Leena’s fortune. But he had to try; everything he had been working toward was riding on the next words out of the chairman’s mouth.

“How sizeable of a contribution are we talking about here Lorenzo?”

the chairman wondered and Lorenzo grinned, taking another sip of his drink, he studied Lorenzo. But there was nothing to see, nothing he could pick up in his current state. Four glasses deep, the chairman was beginning to see double.

“One hundred gold pinions, seventy silver and ninety-two bronze.”

the chairman didn’t flinch and instead picked up his cigar from the ashtray and reignited the cherry. He took long puffs of the cigar, looking around the room, observing his men, gauging their reactions. Some of them were displeased and mumbled their discrepancies to one another, while others just smiled and enjoyed their drinks.

“The balls on you, how would I look, what would our brothers say? Me allowing a trainee to go Leena’s fortune. My brother, heaven’s rest his soul.”

“Here we go again.”

The chairman looked to the side at Huncho and with a single glare and witnessed the manager straighten up. Regretting his pervious statement. He elbowed Alba, the supervisor closet to him to keep his mouth shut, trying to play if off. The chairman continued once the complaining in the background died down.

“My brother heavens rest his souls, built Leena’s from the ground up. An organization haven outside the reach of New Aurora. All five Organizations operate within its limits; there are rules we all must follow. Why should I break these rules for you?”

***

A young man stood alongside a food vendor, observing the comings and goings of the colony’s northern entrance. His job was simple, keeping an eye out for Keyon and Locke so he could direct them to the safehouse. He chucked the butt of his cigarette to the ground, adding to the pile accumulating at his feet. He rolled back the sleeve of his dress shirt and gazed at his watch. He had already been posted there for hours, but he remained diligent. He wouldn’t have to keep watch much longer, with the sun setting the young man knew his shift was coming to an end.

His hunger finally got the best of him, turning his back to the gate he faced the food vendor closest to him. Ordering a bowl of stew and rice, he took a seat at the stall, occasionally glancing over his shoulder as he kept his eyes out for Keyon. A hot bowl of stew was placed in front of the man alongside it, a lengthy piece of bread. He stirred the stew slowly, mixing the ingredients, being careful not to spill a single drop from the bowl. The young man placed a couple of silver pinions on the counter for the chef. Breaking off a piece of the bread and dunking it into his stew.

Keyon kept his head down, shrouding his facial features in darkness. Walking through the northern gate of the colony, he avoids eye contact with the posted guards. Locke and Sebastian did the same, not wanting to be spotted now after all the checkpoints they avoided on the journey back to Coastal Garden. Lorenzo’s scout swiveled in his stool, bowl of stew in his hand. Taking his attention away from his meal he laid eyes on Keyon, recognizing him as one of the men Lorenzo escorted to Busaya. Not wanting to lose his target, the scout started shoveling the hot stew down his gullet. Stuffing what remained of his chunk of bread in his pocket, wanting to save the rest for later. he approached the group of three men from behind, a sense of urgency in his step. Lorenzo had mentioned that there would be two men, not three. Who was the third man, he wasn’t part of the plan but if he was traveling with Keyon and the other man he had to know them on some level. The scout walked alongside Keyon and whispered to him.

“Follow me, Lorenzo sent me.”

The three men looked at one another before following Lorenzo’s scout down an alleyway. Cutting through the Northside’s narrow streets, the guide lead Keyon and the others toward the orphanage. Lively sounds from the block party echoed throughout the northside, as instruments sounded out into the early night. Locke’s eyes shifted side to side, watching the various groups of colonists as they passed. Some gave glances of fear, while others tensed up at the sight of Keyon. Still wearing his battle armor, he looked like a soldier to the colonist.

“We need to get you off the streets and fast, you stick out like a sore thumb.”

The guide peeked around the street corner, keeping an eye out for any patrols making their way around the block. He waved them forward once the coast was clear. It didn’t matter if the colonist saw Keyon and the others, but if New Aurora saw them, it would be another story. Navigating the back roads of the colony center, Keyon caught sight of the charred remains of the stand Roland and Seth blew up. He stopped for a moment and silently observed the arrangement of flowers and toys piled up at the base of the destruction.

“A memorial for the father and son you guys killed.”

Keyon looked over his shoulder at the guide, unaware that Roland’s Diversion had casualties. Or maybe he was, choosing to ignore it, accepting it as a necessary evil. He grew disgusted with himself, the way he was thinking back then and even now. The guide kept walking not wanting to waste any more time standing around. Locke and Sebastian followed close behind the guide, giving Keyon a moment to himself before he joined the others. Venturing through numerous side streets and shortcuts the group arrived down the road from the Orphanage. The guide chucked the remains of his cigarette to the ground, stomping it out as he walked past.

“The Orphanage is just ahead; you’ll be able to clean up and get a change of clothes. The others are there as well.”

The group ascended the front stairs of the building, pushing the door open and walking into the lobby. Walking into a sea of confused faces, Keyon looked around at the kids, he listened to the sound of voices in the distances. Lorenzo’s man talked to the receptionist and her response was grim. Locke and Sebastian looked at each other than to Keyon, fearing the worst. The three of them moved up the main staircase toward the second floor and the source of the shouting. Walking down the hall Keyon noticed Atif consoling Autumn, rubbing her back and holding her sister close. Keyon walked pasted the two of them as they looked up, finally noticing the new arrivals. Now wasn’t the time for Keyon to interact with Autumn. He had to see Shima, hoping he at least made it in time to be there in her last moments. He knew she wasn’t going to make it, the way she was talking, her final wish, but he had held hope. A hope that was shattered when he walked through the threshold of Shima’s room. Standing over Shima, Haiden tried to frantically to revive her with essence laced chest compression. She was giving it all she had to no avail, but she wouldn’t give up. Even when Ki pleaded with her to stop, he pulled her away only for her to push him back.

“I can bring her back, I just need a little more essence. Instead of fighting me why don’t you help me!”

She snapped at Ki, maybe it was the sense of guilt she felt for the whole situation. Being the first one to tend to her, she questioned if she might have made a mistake that led to further complication.

“Haiden, she is gone there nothing more you can do, you did your best.”

Ki looked over his shoulder, Haiden soon followed getting a good look at Keyon as he stood in the doorway. Ki lowered his eyes, he was hurting too, Shima was a childhood friend to him too. Ki, ever stoic knew there was nothing more that could be done left the room. He placed his hand on Keyon’s shoulder as he walked pass, swallowing his emotions. Haiden was still frustrated with her inability to save Shima, doubting herself and her abilities to be an effective medic. She punched the wall before making her way out of the room.

“I’m sorry, I tried, I really did.”

“You did what you could kid, remember this one is on me.”

Keyon walked closer to Shima’s bedside, pulling a chair closer he took a seat by her. Taking her hand in his, he held it tight. His burgundy eyes, bone dry stared at Shima in her eternal slumber. Outside Shima’s room the group of companions sat in a moment of silence for a fallen friend.

***

He held her waist delicately with one hand, and her hand in another as the two slow danced. The live band’s music bounced off the many buildings surrounding the chairman’s birthday. By now, the streets of the northside became illuminated in the warm glow of the oil lamps that lined the various street corners. Lorenzo masterfully spun the young lady, pulling her back in like a yo-yo. Once again, the two locked fingers, noses barely apart, Lorenzo looked into her eyes and grinned. The music stopped and the young woman looked at Lorenzo wide-eyed, shades of rose brushing her complexion. He let go of her hand, he let go of her frame and for a moment the two conversated.

After exchanging information the two parted ways, with the young woman joining her friends. Lorenzo went his own way walking over toward a table that was being occupied by fellow trainees of the snake organization. Taking a seat at the table, the men collectively chuckled as they sipped their drinks and playing their cards.

“Deal me in the next round.”

Lorenzo threw four silver pinions into the pot, grabbing the bottle of spirits off the table. Pouring the men each a glass before he poured one for himself. He lit his cigarette, occasionally looking off in the distance at the beautiful young lady from before. She was gossiping with her girlfriends, staring. He took a quick puff, shifting his sights to a new arrival and the sizable entourage with him.

“What is he doing here?”

“Chill out, he is here showing respect to the chairman. He isn’t the only one all the managers are here, not just Alexander.”

Lorenzo said nothing, choosing to absorb the information that was being given. They looked over their cards, looked over their fellow players, the conversation proceeding.

“Alexander of the Roosters, O’Connor of the Rams, Madam teal of the Dragons and Harlem of the Ox.”

“Yeah, the chairman invited them as a show of good faith after the raids. All the organizations lost a lot in not only the raids but these group of stick-up kids.”

One of the trainees added to the conversation between the other two as the wagers were placed on the tables. Lorenzo flicked his cigarette, taking a sip of his drink he watched the men’s cards play out. He was intrigued by the information he was receiving; the organizations were growing wise to Bruno and the others. His secret regime of soldiers hitting organization stash houses and supply routes. This could become a problem and with everything slowly falling into place he couldn’t afford any hiccups, not now. He just hoped the war chest he had been accumulating would be enough, it had to be.

“Can’t have any further bad energy between us, not with the fest of Saint Caprini days away.”

“Man, what I wouldn’t give for a chance to go Leena’s, just once I have to see it with my own eyes.”

Lorenzo felt the same, but he didn’t express it, he wanted to see Leena’s too. He wanted to see the colony his father brought into existence, the colony he lost his life over. He felt the tugging of shirt and looked down at the young boy wanting his attention. Leaning down, the child whispered something into Lorenzo’s ear. He looked at the child and nodded, receiving the message he was sent to relay. Tipping the boy and sending him on his way, Lorenzo finished his drink and stood up from the table of trainees.

“Something came up, the four silvers are for you boys enjoy.”

Pushing in his chair, Lorenzo walked off, leaving the party to head back to the Orphanage.