Chapter 34 The dealer

  POV ???

  I watch from a dark alleyway as they sling the two girls across the shoulders of two large henchmen in broad daylight. I knew following the dumb lugs around would give me some good info. I could gain the favor of that mercenary company if they survived rescuing their leader…

  POV Alice

  After Derek and Jean had spent the morning modeling for fun we went by the church in town so that I could discuss a few lines of scripture on the goddess of seasons with the priest. We walked into the church, stained glass windows portrayed the three goddesses. Athi the goddess of love, Tanl, the goddess of seasons and Eoth the goddess of war.

  After walking down the decorative rug and passing several pews we saw the priest dusting a corner of the room. He turned and faced us with a small grin on his lips as he addressed us.

  “Welcome to the church of Salin, what brings you to me? Do you wish to know of the scriptures or do you wish to simply have a moment of prayer?”

  He was a middle aged man, contrary to popular belief priests could be any race, age or gender for the most part as long as their hearts held devotion. One didn't even need to have the priest class to qualify.

  “I am Alice and these are my companions, I simply wished to discuss a few verses on the goddess of seasons Tanl.”

  “Ah yes, Tanl the goddess of seasons. While her scriptures are fairly straightforward she is certainly the most mysterious of the three. Now which verse was on your mind?”

  I bring out my book and flip to a bookmarked page and present it to the priest.

  “Section seven verse two. In particular the part where it claims the birth of the divine.”

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  The verse read ‘And upon becoming the culmination of a desire we were born into existence and gave life meaning. Others joined our side after many varying reasons.’

  “Ah yes, that particular verse… well its only speculation as only the pope would be able to commune with the goddess to affirm it but it speculated that they were once mortal. Or others that joined later were. After they reached a certain point they became divine and embodied a concept. Of course this is one of the most highly debated points in all three sets of scriptures but I'm certain it's a good point if nothing else.”

  I pondered for a moment, it was plausible. The goddesses were often portrayed as being human-like in features and they were all extremely kind and hands off with the affairs of mortals.

  “Thank you kind priest, I shall ponder this on my journey.”

  We both bow slightly and I turn to see Derek offering a prayer and Jean lounging on a pew looking bored out of his mind. After offering a quick prayer to the goddess of love we all leave the church only to spot a figure in dark clothes with a hood draped over his head. He looks expectantly towards us and waves us over. As curious as I was he definitely looked shady.

  “You lot, I have some information you need to know.”

  The man spoke, his voice smooth and unhurried.

  "I'm known as ‘The Dealer’ and I trade in information, I'll give you this much for free. Your mage and leader were kidnapped during their date by the black blades.”

  My fists clenched in anger. They truly were honorless, to kidnap a couple on their first date!?? I would have their hearts and serve them to the goddess of war.

  “Now, the price for where they are and how you would be able to potentially rescue them… I only ask that you owe me a favor for the future. Don't worry, I might seem shady but I have honor and I wont ask anything you wouldn't do anyway.”

  “We agree. Tell us how to save Sarah and Xion.”

  The dealer chuckles a bit before handing us dark insignias and a small parcel.

  “Everything you need to know is in there. The big one should be able to get you lot into the black market, getting your friends out is another thing entirely. Good luck, you'll need it.”

  After he finishes speaking he starts to fade like a mirage before entirely disappearing.

  “Fuck. Boys, we need to plan. Let's head back for now and hash out how we're going to do this.”

  We head back to the inn and schemed for a few hours before we figured out a way to infiltrate the black market.

  POV Xion

  I woke up feeling nauseous, my body protesting my every move. As I tried to scratch my head, loud clanking came from my arms. I was chained, my arms and legs were bound to the wall behind me, looking around I was in a cell with Sarah chained the same way I was. The cell was dingy and smelled like copper, dried bloodstains and small rags told a story that I hoped wouldn't be ours as well.

  “Well well, the pretty bitch is awake.”

  A pair of guards stood in front of the metal bars in front of us. They were both burly humans that looked very similar, twins probably.

  “And to think the boss wanted to sell both of them to one of the big dogs. What a shame, she would've been fun to break, right brother?”

  The second one chuckles as he eyes us up, licking his lips disgustingly. I pull against the chains only to feel them hold me tight.

  “Fiesty aintcha? Well tough luck sweetheart, those chains sap magic and are tough enough to hold a small behemoth. You dance to the boss's tune and he'll make sure you and your girlfriend make it to their client in one piece.”

  My hackles raise as I plan on how I'm going to kill this filth once I'm free. For now though I'd wait for an opportunity to free us.