Mistakes

--Gatix--

It happened three hours later while I was walking past a merchant selling fancy rocks. After the seventh trip, I've seen all the bazaar has to offer. Merchants selling "holy stones" that were just salt rock, merchants selling what looked like fruit, merchants selling trinkets, and a guy fleecing everybody with party tricks. I liked him: his act was good, and he didn't try to sell me anything.

But after three hours of wasting time, I was glad when somebody slipped a note into my hand. The problem was I couldn't read a word of it. We hadn't encountered enough writing for Nev to translate their alphabet. Thankfully, I didn't need it. Nev found our courier in record time. It wasn't long before he entered an isolated space, and I saw an opportunity for our discussion.

Which I started by putting my hand on his shoulder when he wasn't looking. “Got your note.”

“Shit!” His skeleton threatened to jump out of his skin. “Are you kidding me? What if somebody sees us?”

“Didn't your note say to meet you?”

“Five hours from now... in the alley on the west side!”

“Oh...” I glanced at the paper before crumpling it and throwing it over my shoulder. “I'm not waiting that long. You're here, I'm here, so let's get down to business. Who are you, and what do you want?”

“I go by Salfi the Shadowless in certain circles. I am part of a society that would like to... enlist your services.”

“In what regard?'

“That depends on those higher than me. I am only the messenger in charge of recruitment. I... connect those who that are interested to parties that may... assist.”

“Uh-huh, let's say I'm interested. How would this connection take place?”

“Before that, an... offering must be presented. A show of commitment, as it were.”

Oh boy, here we go. “I think I know where this is going. You probably want me to kill somebody and deliver that person's head, finger, or random body part. That would show my commitment and be used as leverage if I get out of line. Correct?”

“Seems you understand how this works. Good, it makes things easier.”

“And who is it I should kill? Probably the alchemist or the old man, hmm?”

“The old man. He has no use and only lives as permitted by forces above his control. Which have now decided otherwise.”

Mistake number one: don't threaten somebody who has been kind to me. “No.”

“I'm sorry?”

“Get somebody else to do it. I'm not interested.” I started to walk away, but a hand wrapped around my arm. Also known as mistake number two. “You have five seconds to let go of my arm.”

“I don't think you understand the benefits of this situation.”

“Like what?”

“The mind of a skin-walker is an... interesting thing. It focuses on the present, but history, no matter how dreadful, tends to be forgotten. It would be terrible if everybody were to be... reminded.”

And that was mistake number three. “You're trying to blackmail somebody that looks like a Dread Knight? Do you realize how insanely moronic that idea is?” I cut him off when he tried to utter another word. “You're not the only one that knows a bit about history. I know what I resemble. I also know your name will change from Salfi the Shadowless to Salfi the Legless if you don't get away from me, right now.”

“Please, I am protected against all forms of ma-”

BANG

Heard that one before... I re-clipped Fang to my hip, ignoring the cacophony of wails as I walked away. I scanned the marketplace upon returning but I didn't find anyone resembling the parasol lady from before. I wasn't too worried, she would undoubtedly make her appearance again. The bigger problem was what to do next: the sandstorm still covered the bazaar in its rage, so my path out was blocked. And walking through the market again was liable cause for insanity.

“Hey Nev, what do you think we should do next?”

“The alchemist asked you to report suspicious activity to him. I'd say your encounter is viable.”

“I was hoping not to stick my nose into other people's business.”

“In that case, you can go to the old man's house for a nap?”

“Not tired yet; guess the alchemist it is.”

***

“You have returned sooner than expected.” The alchemist raised an eyebrow when I opened the door. “I do not have any more sulvarium for you if that's what you're wondering.”

“I wasn't expecting any. I'm here about the other thing.”

“See anything suspicious?”

“Some idiot tried to blackmail me into killing the old man. You'll find him in an alley behind the main market. I doubt he'd be going anywhere fast.”

“The idiot have a name?”

“Called himself Salfi the Shadowless. I suspect he might apply for a name change.”

“Agent, I am detecting a strange energy signature from...”

“Oh, Salfi.” I did not expect the alchemist to sigh.

“What do you mean?”

“Gryp” A mass of tendrils exploded from the ground to wrap themselves around my chest as the alchemist snapped his hand forward.

“What the-”

“Gooi!” He flung his other hand forward. A large object I would forever swear to be a cauldron shot past him to slam against my head, sending me into the realm of unconsciousness with a loud clang.