Ashes and sea salt

Chapter 37

Ashes and sea salt

One by One they placed flowers in the makeshift vessel, giving their parting words to their fallen comrade. Keyon was the last one to say his goodbyes, taking his time, choosing his word carefully. Words he kept to himself, a silent tribute between the two long-time friends. Along with his rose, Keyon laid his two old swords to rest. Cursed Items of his past, his first steps in letting go. Lorenzo approached with care and Keyon released the anchor to the vessel. He watched as it started to drift away from the dock. Keyon took one last look at Shima as she drifted away underneath a veil of beautiful flowers. Lorenzo handed Keyon a torch and watched him toss it onto Shima’s parting vessel. Slowly the tinder and accelerant caught, slowly the boat started to burn to the backdrop of the setting sun.

With eyes full of tears the party watched the sendoff, watching as the tides took Shima away and into the night. First one to walk away was Lorenzo, followed by Haiden and the two brothers. Atif and Autumn hung back a moment longer with Keyon, watching the last glimpse of Shima’s dying light disappear over the horizon.

“Come on Auttie, let’s give him his space.”

“Go on ahead without me, I’ll just be a moment.”

She didn’t fight with Autumn, respecting her wishes she walked off the dock and toward the colony. Leaving Keyon and Autumn the only two remaining watching the ocean. Atif walked up the stairs leading to street level and caught a glance of Locke and Ki taking cover behind a car and trash can respectively.

“What are you two weirdos doing?”

Ki grabbed Atif by the wrist and pulled here into cover, so she too was concealed. She was confused about the whole situation, and the two brothers’ expressions didn’t help. They were focused, their attention never leaving the dock as Autumn and Keyon stood there.

“Shut up Atif, he might hear you.”

“You think his going to make a move, you think he is going to tell her.”

Locke anxiously peered out of his hiding spot looking down at the dock.

“Hey! What’s going on you guys know something you’re not telling me.”

“They know each other Atif, Keyon is from Autumn’s past her real name is Viyah.”

“What, you got to be kidding me! How are you so sure of that? How long have you known this?”

Atif questioned Locke, her attention now glued to the situation on the dock.

“I’ve always had my suspicions, Shima confirmed them. It’s their scars primarily, Keyon has the same scar as Autumn. The scar they received in a beast attack that separated the two of them many years ago. Atif it is important that we let this happen naturally, the sudden shock could affect her psyche.”

She nodded, taking Locke’s warning to heart, she didn’t outwardly admit it, but she was happy Autumn was getting something positive out of this whole ordeal. Atif knew she put her sister through a lot these past couple of weeks, abandoning the village, the whole Busaya incident. Being dragged along with Atif’s call to adventure and through it all Autumn pushed through, never wanting anything.

“Kezonto.”

She mustered the courage to let his name slip from her lips, stepping closer toward Keyon. He finally broke his gaze on the ocean in front of him, turning to face Autumn. Her eyes, he could read them like a book, full of doubt, uncertainty.

“Yes, Vi…err Autumn, right?”

He played into her amnesia, catching and stopping himself from saying her true name.

“I’m sorry about Shima.”

She paused for a moment, staring at the eyes she only seen in her nightmares. The nightmares of the young boy she was often plagued by. But these eyes held something different than those of the young boy. Her resolve changed and Keyon gave her his attention.

“Shima told me you’re the only one that can help me with essence corruption.”

She didn’t waste time getting to the point, attacking her issue head on. Keyon was aware of this development thanks to Locke.

“How much has Shima told you about it, we can start there. Come on let catch up with the others, we can talk along the way.”

He stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked up the dock toward the colony. Autumn looked out toward the setting sun one last time, smiling in Shima’s direction. She followed behind Keyon up to street level were the others awaited them.

“Come on guys, were going to be late for the celebration of life Lorenzo set up for Shima at the restaurant.”

Ki waved over Autumn and Keyon, drawing them to the grouping stationed on the corner. They tried to keep their spirits high, deciding to celebrate Shima’s story rather than mourning its conclusion.

***

“Send the message, we will hold the sit down during the celebration of life. Tell everyone to meet up at Brother Shuckers in one hour. Also, have Luna go there with some of her lady friends to entertain the fellas, Thanks Bruno, sorry to spring this on you suddenly.”

“Still don’t get why you’re extending these strangers so much generosity. But the preparations will be made.”

He sat back in his chair, cigarette between his figures. Opposite him sat Bruno, the two casually spoke to one another within the confines of Lorenzo’s office at the Orphanage. Orphan counselor by day, organization member by night a nice cover for the Mafioso.

“Those strangers in mourning right now, could waste this whole colony at a whim. New Aurora, the organizations don’t stand a chance against these monsters. Best to be on the right side of that wrath. Plus, they may still have use to us.”

Lorenzo slid Bruno a tablet across the desk and he scrolled through it. Going over the bounties of Keyon and the others.

“Looks like the others got tangled up in Deathwatch’s exploits.”

“These numbers are ridiculous; she looks like she couldn’t harm a fly. I imagine that what they’re spinning in the press isn’t the whole story.”

“C’mon Bruno you know better than that, dude killed the founder of New Aurora. The streets of Busaya ran red that night. They are going to do their best to bury this. More importantly we have the leader of the entire rebel movement hiding out here. This, could prove problematic if word gets out.”

“I think we should just wash our hands of this whole situation; we have too much riding on our plans for the feast. Let’s not forget what we all have gone through to get here, and to throw it all away on strangers.”

Bruno let his grievances be heard, reminding his chairman what it cost to get even this close to accomplishing their dream. Lorenzo finally lit his cigarette, taking a long pull thinking over Bruno’s words. He felt the same, but the opportunity, the connections that they could gain. Rexlacon was a heavy player on the outer continent and connections like that had the potential to boost their organization’s legitimacy.

“I want the pot, Bruno; these guys can make that happen.”

Lorenzo stood up from his chair, casually walking to the door of his office. Bruno stood up, pushing his chair in and walking out of the office when Lorenzo opened the door.

“Where not just going to clean house, were going to pull off the greatest heist ever. Setting up the foundation of our organization for future success.”

The two friends walked through the front lobby of the Orphanage, out into the streets of the southside. Their next destination, Brother Shuckers, to join the others at the celebration of life.

***

“Brother Shuckers, this must be the place.”

Haiden looked up at the weathered neon sign that hung outside the establishment. The rest of the party wasn’t far behind approaching the eatery in small groupings. Locke took the lead, talking to the bouncer that stood outside the establishment.

“Ortega party of six.”

The bouncer stepped aside and pulled back the curtain, allowing the party to enter. On the inside were elaborate displays of food and drinks. Music from the jukebox saturated the air within the four walls. Members of Lorenzo’s outfit were already there, drinking, playing cards and enjoying the festivities their boss had provided.

“Looks like the party started without us.”

Ki looked around and smiled, taking in the sights around him. The outfit members scattered about noticed the new arrivals. Small pockets of conversations died down and the establishment grew silent. Outside the music playing in the background and the occasional echoes of glassware clashing, nothing stirred. A chair scrapped against the ground and one of organization members stood up, raising a glass.

“To Shima.”

The other members of the outfit followed behind. Standing up and raising their glasses, they waited for the new arrivals to receive their glasses for the toast. Locke, Ki, Atif, Autumn, Keyon, even Haiden were given glasses. The party rose their glasses, joining the others.

“To Shima!”

The entire establishment burst out into a shout and the music intensified around the party. With Shima’s celebration of life in full swing everyone in attendance threw back their drinks. The party dispersed, mixing with the others, enjoying the food, sampling all the drinks. Soon Luna, Bruno’s younger sister, entered Brother Shuckers with a handful of girls from the neighborhood each holding a flower in their possession.

“AYYY, LUNA!”

“What is going on boys, now girls don’t get ahead of yourselves, before you get your drinks and mingle make sure you pay your respects.”

Luna was stern with her request, this wasn’t just some party, some gathering. There was a certain amount of respect that had to be taken with this type of celebration. Flower after flower were placed at the makeshift memorial situated at the center of the bar. Keyon was the first to observe the new arrivals gestures. His burgundy eyes shifted about, watching everything, trusting nothing.

“Kezonto.”

His focus was broken, hearing Autumn’s voice snapping him out of his pessimistic mind state.

“Don’t call me that, its Keyon.”

He took a sip of his drink, he didn’t make eye contact with her, instead he watched the ice dance in his glass. It was all too fresh, and Autumn was a lot more eager than he had remembered.

“Shima never called you Keyon.”

“Shima knew me.”

He stopped himself, shocked, the chain of words escaped his mouth. Already he was resorting to his old ways. Always guarded, never giving an inch. She was thrown off, was she too abrasive. She didn’t know.

“I’m sorry, this is hard to explain.”

“You seem to be doing a good job at it, the conversation doesn’t end went you want it too, that’s childish.”

One glass deep, barely a sip and the tamer found her heart.

“Now Shima spoke highly of you, don’t prove her wrong.”

When did she get this fieriness about her? This wasn’t the Viyah he knew. The Viyah he knew was timid, played with animals, things of that nature.

“Look, it took me years to learn to channel essence corruption and all its applications. It’s not something that you can learn overnight Autumn. You’re going to have to take a long look into yourself, into the void in your soul. Because if you can use essence corruption, you have one.”

He took another sip while watching the barkeeps shucking away at the oysters, he glanced to the side at the others. Ki snuck his way into a card game; Locke was admiring the paintings on wall explaining the different painting techniques to Haiden. Atif was learning about beer from organization members. The difference in tastes, weight and the ways they were crafted. Autumn hung on to the words Keyon was saying, looking at the glass she was barely drinking from.

“You want to understand the emotional triggers, anything that will set you off. So, think back to when you discovered that you had essence corruption, any freak moments of utilizing it?”

“There were two different times I experienced it, once outside of Busaya, seeing the dome I’m not too sure. The second time I can explain a lot better. It’s the one that haunts me the most.”

***

“I want to thank you all for coming.”

Lorenzo stood at the head of the table. Welcoming the new arrivals to the backroom of Brother Shuckers. One after another he greeted them, shaking their hands and directing them to their seats. He pulled out a chair of his own, sitting at the head of the table. He reached for his cigarette and lighter, giving the others time to settle in. Lorenzo lit his cigarette, taking a long draw and exhaling smoke through his nose. He let the drinks be poured and the waitress to leave before he spoke.

“For years now, we have played the long game. Just so we could have this moment before us. Lao, Alicia, Lex, Francis your time undercover is almost over. Everyone in the outfit has made sacrifices, but the efforts of you four have allowed this dream of ours to become something tangible. Something within reach and for that I’m grateful. You all have climbed the ranks of your respective Organizations; Lex even runs operations for the Rooster organization.”

“Not to bad for some street punks, huh.”

Lex let out a laugh, looking around at his fellow orphans. Lorenzo smiled, taking a sip of his drink, taking a puff of his cigarette.

“Not too bad at all everyone.”

“We are just waiting on you Lenny, what’s the hold up.”

Alicia probed, leaning back in her chair, she gifted her boss with an arrogant smile. The other members of Lorenzo’s upper management lavished in the fact that all of them except Lorenzo were full-time supervisors or better in their respective organizations.

“It’s coming, Chairman Ferrazzano is making his rounds, petitioning the other chairmen for their blessings. You already have the blessing of the Roosters; I expect the others to follow suit.”

Lex revealed to the group, on the streets he was known as Alexander, but he was known as Lex to the one closest to him. They let out ooo’s and awe’s laughing at Lorenzo’s expense. He laughed along with them, none of it bothered him in the slightest. There was no ill will, just an atmosphere full of love the siblings shared amongst one another.

“Now that you guys got that out of your system, let’s get down to business.”

The laughter around the table died down. Giving Lorenzo the floor to explain the plan for the feast of Saint Caprini and Leena’s fortune.

“During the feast, the tournament specifically we will hit the managers of the four Organization and the chairman of the Snake Organization. With upper management out of the picture, the employee body will fall into line. With New Aurora’s occupation of the colony times are tough. We all have mouths to feed, and people will do anything to make sure that it gets done. Thanks to your undercover work, we understand how to move the goods, run the pleasure houses and gambling dens. Thanks to your work, not mine, we have good relations with the tradesmen and women throughout the colony. With that information comes power and with that power we will take over Coastal Garden’s underworld.”

“What’s this thing Bruno was telling us about, taking the tournament pot, explain that.”

Francis spoke for the rest of the outfit, sipping his drink, eyes on his chairman. He was eager to hear his answer, fortune favored the brave in Francis’ eyes, and he prided himself on being such. Bruno had given them bits and pieces of Lorenzo’s elaborate scheme. The rest waited for an answer, and Lorenzo knew that. Choosing to let them stew in suspense a little longer.

“Our friends out there are some of the best fighters I’ve come across. They are also some of the most wanted people I’ve ever come across. They need a way off this continent, do they know that yet, probably not. The tournament allows me to facilitate that journey across the ocean. In return, three of them will fight under my card and one of them will win it all. It’s a sure thing. With my inside knowledge of that fact, I will run up the side bets, things of that nature to fatten the winnings.”

“That’s a lot of pinions to move back to Coastal Garden how to you plan to manage that with all the chaos?”

Lorenzo put down his cigarette in the ashtray, waving his finger in Lex’s direction.

“That is my surprise, just know you and the pinions should be arriving at the same time in Coastal Garden. We all know are roles to play, from here on out it will be radio silence till our arrival back in Coastal Garden. As for the tournament betting, you’ll know the signs and how to bet.”

Lorenzo stood up from his seat and raised his glass to the members of his upper management. This outfit was more then that, they were his family all left behind and abandoned as children. Together they made a family of their own, and together they would experience success.

“With that being said, there is something that I want you all to know.”

He paused for a moment, looking around at his brother and sisters.

“Our goal of control and operating an organization of our own is the main objective. But I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you I have a personal stake in this. You see Chairman Ferrazzano is my uncle by blood. My real name is Lorenzo Ferrazzanno, the son of Alonzo Ferrazzano the infamous underworld boss and true chairman of the Snake Organization. That is why My Uncle and the Snake Organization will be mine to dismantle.”