Chapter 58: Too surprised to be angry

Chapter 58: Too surprised to be angry

Dantes walked into the Vixen with Jacopo tucked comfortably in one of his new jackets pockets. In the entryway, Alessa was leaning sultrily against a wall, her half-lidded orange eyes glancing up at him slowly.

Oh, Edmond. I thought you were a customer.

Well, the days not over yet.

She chuckled, and that turned to a cough.

Dantes politely waited for her to finish. You alright?

She nodded. Just a stubborn cough. It was a bit better after the Priest left, but it always seems to come back.

Ill get you some water from the bar. Youll lose customers if they hear you cough too much.

She seemed about to argue, but was forced to stifle another cough instead. Dantes walked into the Vixen proper, passing Decker who was tapping on a particularly boisterous patrons shoulder. The soft pink and purple curtains had been put back up, and the table that theyd eaten breakfast at that morning removed. There were a few customers, drinking and chatting with the girls who were doing a good job of pretending to be interested in what they had to say. He felt a small pang of empathy for Sera who was pretending to laugh at a young sailors bring me my brown pants joke, as if shed never heard it before.New novel chapters are published on

Another sailor was talking to Tieara, who was sitting in his lap.

Yeah, they locked down everything even close to the Underprison. Heard it from the merchant whose cargo we were loading. No one knows whats going on, but he swears he saw a giant tree in that direction.

Wow, thats so interesting, said Tieara, sounding far more bubbly than she had at breakfast.

Dont worry though, said the sailor, Ill protect you.

Im sure you will, with those strong arms, she said, giving his wiry bicep a squeeze.

Dantes stifled a chuckle at that. Hed heard whores be subtle, and hed heard them be as blatant as Tieara was, and in both cases, the men rarely noticed that they were being manipulated. He anticipated shed be making good money that day. The information hed mentioned about the underprison was also interesting. It seemed like the guard was trying to maintain calm about what had happened, but how long would that last with a massive tree growing in that direction? He wondered if Mondego knew yet, and found himself torn about it. He wanted the element of surprise, but he also wanted to make him afraid.

When he reached the bar Zilly was already pouring chilled water into a glass. Dantes nodded at her, and she nodded back. Hed need to be wary of her, her ears seemed keen even for an elf. He walked back and handed the glass to Alessa, who took it gratefully, then he started to walk back toward the bar. Decker stopped him.

The Madame wants to see you. She was expecting you some time ago.

Dantes shrugged. Lost track of time. Ill eat something, then head up.

The Madame insisted. I will have Zilly bring you something.

Dantes sighed. Alright, alright. Hed been of a mind to meet more of the girls, or trying to get Zilly to share a drink with him. He knew objectively he had more practical things to do, but hed missed women for a long time, and it would probably take him some time to not make trying to get their attention, by coin or by wit, a priority.

Decker nodded, and moved back toward the front door. At least he wasnt made to escort him all the way up the stairs. Dantes knocked twice when he reached Veras door.

Come in, Edmond.

He smirked. Shed always had that talent. Could recognize anyone from their footsteps. He walked in, and closed the door.

I believe Id left word that Id return at noon, and wanted you to wait for me?

You did, and your people faithfully gave me the message.

You do know I was only asking for your own safety?

I do, but did you expect me to stay inside? Ive been cooped up for far too long to just sit around.

Once you were in the prison, he seemed to change remarkably quickly. He traded on his family name, and is now a magister of the lower court.

Dantes was almost too surprised to be angry for a moment, before he realized that if Danglars had those kinds of connections it was very probable he couldve gotten Dantes sentenced to forced labor rather than the Pit. They didnt just throw anyone into the Underprison. It was for murderers, rapists, political enemies, repeat offenders, the worst of the worst. Hed attacked a councilmans wagon, so that was more than enough to justify him being thrown down there, but five years of forced labor in the camps and fields outside the city, or even being sold to a ship in need of crew, all of that wouldve afforded him more options than the Pit. More freedom, more of a life.

And, as I mentioned before, last I saw of Gaspard I had him beaten and thrown in the gutter. I think I did hear something about him doing jobs in midtown still, but he hasnt had the success of the rest of your fellows.

Dantes sat silently for a few moments. It was a good overview shed given him. He had the information he needed to get started, but still needed more specifics, and he needed the right tools for the job. Gold would help, as would a new source of favor, and perhaps a new gods blessing.

There was a knock on the door.

Vera shifted her expression from grave to pleasant, and Dantes adjusted his body language to mirror it.

Come in Zilly.

The woman walked in, carrying a plate of hot sliced meat, veggies, and bread. She walked over to them and handed it to Dantes who took it gratefully. The smell of it reminded him immediately of the fact that he hadnt eaten since breakfast.

I was just expecting some cold meat and bread. Thank you.

She nodded. Welcome, and walked out of the room.

Dantes resisted looking at her as she walked away, grabbing a piece of meat and placing it on a slice of bread.

Vera looked at him with an eyebrow raised. In a whorehouse you pick the one woman with a different profession to have an infatuation with.

Dantes kept a straight face, swallowing his first bite before speaking. No idea what you mean auntie.

Sure, dear. She moved to start her kettle and ready some tea as he ate. There was another reason I wanted to talk to you. I know I said youd be able to stay free as long as you need, but it turns out I may need you to do some work for me.

Oh? asked Dantes.

Decker needs to take the afternoons at home to help his father. I want you to act as our bouncer for the first part of the day.

Dantes laughed. Im not exactly as intimidating as Decker.

Vera nodded. True, but youre not exactly welcoming looking either. Decker actually signaled to Sera to tell me that you may be a serious threat when she went to tell me you were here.

Dantes raised an eyebrow. He was dangerous, but he was also just under two-thirds Deckers size. Though he was certainly more muscular than hed been when he went into the Pit, thanks to Merles tips. He spared a moment to think of them. He left them all the tools they needed to control the pit, and he hoped he wasnt the only one to escape, but hed done all he could at the time. At least thats what he told himself.

"It's risky for me auntie."

She nodded. "I know, but the city's big and I haven't seen anyone you know around here in quite some time."

He thought about it for moment. It was risky, but he wanted to help out if he could. Didn't want to leave the help she'd given her unreciprocated. He could also post a roach or rat outside to make sure that it wasn't anyone he knew approaching. I can do the job auntie. As long as I have the nights to myself, and early mornings. Temporarily of course.

Thats fine. Deckers mother would normally take care of his father, but she needed to take extra seasonal work in hopes that they could save enough for a healer.

Whats wrong with his dad?

She shook her head. Saddest thing, he was crippled by a Kobold of all things. Had four different chairs smashed over his back.

Dantes swallowed his food, keeping his expression neutral as he remembered Mez telling him about the fight that had gotten him thrown into the Underprison. Sounds like the kobold was a real bastard.