by Char Cam
“Ya scheming’ shote of a blitherin’ warthog! Yer workin’ wi’ them and ya se’ me up!” Haro accused in a voice as cold as the underworld of the deepest ocean. “Ahll strike no deals wi’ tha likes uh yu.”
“Well, now. There’s working together and there’s working together,” Cryson said in a ruminating fashion while stroking his chin. “We’re working together, but we’re not working together, if you know what I mean.”
“Well said, well said,” Bliztarf said admiringly.
“So you’re the business tonight then?” Alvaro inquired.
“Yep. That’s my potential business partner you have there and it just wouldn’t be good business to let you carry her off.”
“You can have her back as soon as we get some questions answered,” Alvaro stated.
“Hmmmm. Mayhap I have the information you’re wanting. Information is my business after all.”
“All right,” Alvaro said, speculatively. “We’ll give it a shot. Two question’s for the prize.
“Ifn yer referin’ at me, AH AINT NO BLEEDIN PRIZE!”
“Ya are at me, Luv,” Bliztarf assured her. “Pretty sure I’m fallin’ for ya.”
A spat of invectives followed that had two of the men fighting grins. The other just sighed and smiled. “Tha’ di’ it. Ahv dun fallin’ in luv.”
“Again? That’s two in one day.”
“I know,” Bliztarf frowned. “Wha’s wrong wit’ me?”
“Nothing, my friend. You’re just a dwarf in his prime. Now. Back to business. What do you know about Frankenzoid, Cryson?”
Cryson sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “He’s bad news. Really bad news. Worse than Milly could dream of being. He’s a Gamer. Fire mage. Earned five Golden Tickets and he’s using them consecutively. Went rogue his second day in. This is week three of ten. He likes to kill and burn bodies. Everyone is running scared, but they can’t touch him ‘cause he owns everyone. Most think when his time is up, he’ll be removed, but he’s got himself buried so deep here, he might just make it permanent.”
“Part B of the first question. Where can I find him?” Alvaro asked, his voice sharp as a Japanese Samurai sword.
“Sewers. But you won’t trap him there. Tunnels branch off in every direction. Only a few know what goes where and when passages are open or blocked.” He pointed to Haro. “She’s one of the few, but I can’t let you take her. Best thing is just to hire her. She’ll charge you an exorbitant fee after this little episode, but it can’t be helped.”
“If ah even take tha job,” Haro hissed.
“Yull take it, Woman,” Bliztarf predicted. “Yer a business woman. Besides, some a tha people he’s burnin’ are yers. He’s lookin’ fer ya. He’s also hirin’ himself a li’l army. Goin’ after The Shard, he iz.”
“Pu’ me down,” Haro ordered. Cautiously Bliztarf released her. She turned swiftly and had a knife to his throat in a blink. “Touch me ever again and ahll make good on ma promises to split ya from stem ta stern.”
“Ghaaaa. Is this what its like for you Cryson? I’m a sick puppy because ahm, uh, really happy ta see this Woman.”
“You are a sick puppy,” Cryson chuckled. “Good luck.”
Haro backed away, ignoring the whole dialogue. “When ya say The Shard, are ya speakin’ of tha Family or tha Shard itself?”
“Oh, he wants both. That is blatantly clear,” Cryson said bluntly. “Just imagine the power he’ll have if he only gets hold of just one of them. Both?” Cryson shook his head with worry. “He’ll establish a new threat of power that will reach right out to the other world. It’ll shut this whole existence down.”
“Which could be his goal,” Alvaro said grimly. “He’s gotta be in contact with the HoSafes. Weaken the Izanpuf dynasty and swoop right in and take it all.”
“Which makes our quests more immediate than we cood have ever thought,” Bliztarf said bleakly. “Don’ tha make ya feel special?”
Silence reigned for several moments as the quartet considered implications.
“All right, then. Ah forgive ya the grabbin’,” Haro said forthrightly. “This iz more important’ than justifiable insult. Bu’ before we go on,” she said turning to Cryson, “ya were ta give me proof about’ how good ya are wi information. The deal was telling’ me ya could fin’ ma HQ.”
Cryson took from his inner jacket pocket a rather ornate pen. He gave it to Haro. Her eyes widened then turned into slits of anger, then grudging respect. He knew she recognized that pen as the one she kept in a glass display case in her office. “Fine then. Deal. We’re partners. Train ma people. Later, ah wanna know ‘bou’ this.” She fisted the pen, then tucked it away. “You liaison wi’ these two. Ahll be sendin’ ma boys an girls tomorrow evnin’. Thay’ll be bringin’ ya uh time for meetin’ again. Mayhap ma contacts will have more ta add an’ ya cun bring me full inta wha’ you have.” Haro turned and walked into the night.
“I know what your second question is Alvaro. I’m on it,” Cryson promised gravely.
The three men looked at each other, gave solemn nods, then they also faded into the night.
“We found the guy that’s been askin’ all the questions.”
“Its about time! Send in the boys. Burn the body. Call me when it‘s done.”
“You got it, Frankie.”
“Don’t call me Frankie. And how many times I gotta tell ya? NO NAMES OVER THE CRYSTAL!”
“Uh, uh, right, Boss. Um, I’ll call you later.”
Hours later…
This is Enforcer Crantz. We got several bodies piled up just north of Firebird Lane. Looks like they belong to the man your boss is after. I put a damper in the area, but you better get here fast before it wears off and they start rezzin.”