We could have been friends Ch 16

Nalaka left the mansion exited. Her mouth kept creeping up no matter how hard she tried to hide it. The scary Lady had a wonderful plan as always. However, she wasn't sure the kids should know about it, because it was... morally questionable to say the least. She had suddenly became very busy again for the next week.

***

"Diiiime! Ray wants to go to the soldiers toooo!"

Dime was still on her first tea in the morning, but the little snake was already hissing in her ear nonstop. It didn't bother her much though, it was like a parent hearing their kid as background noise. She took a big sip of her cup and finished the drink. She put down the cup and took Ray in her embrace.

"Calm down Ray. Of course you can come."

She stroked Ray's head.

"Ray don't pester the Lady too much in the morning. She had a long night."

Mathilda who looked like her yesterday ceremony didn't happen at all scolded the white snake. Tealla didn't skip a beat to nag the shaman too.

"Says the one who jumps around the house since the crack of dawn. Old hag, you looked much worse than her, yet you just can't sit on your ass for a day."

"Oh my Ostrara, a speaking peacock! Are those under eye bags a permanent accessory of yours? If you have time to bully this old woman you could be sleeping more."

The usual back and forth between them was just the usual morning rutin. Dime took a glance at the children if they were eating good, then to the man with ram head. She felt that Kaga was much more comfortable with the loud mornings than before. Her head became much cleaner since she started to drink the tea again.

"Kaga and Ray will come with me to the meeting."

After Dime started the planning, the others shut up instantly and listened with great attention.

"Mathilda after you are done with the fields, I want you to get us two attendants. One female one male. They should be tight lipped and in good physical condition, the race doesn't matter. It would be best if they came from Thaleds."

"As you wish my Lady. What age range should I look for?"

"Young enough to be here for at least a decade. Next, Tealla. Did you get the dresses done? We will need them tomorrow."

Tealla lifted his tired gaze and smiled awkwardly.

"They still need some finishing touches, but it should be done by tonight."

"Great, then take care of those. Mira free up some assets, around 3-month worth of income and give some of that to your brother. Ramir, you need to make some low-grade healing potions. With the money you receive you should be able to buy all the ingredients."

"How much should I make?"

"About five hundred."

Ramir swallowed and nodded along Mira. He suddenly looked very pale. Dime knew that it was a big quantity even if it was only low grade, but it had to be done. She didn't like gambling. She would make sure to have as many cards up her sleeves as she could when it came to negotiation.

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***

The Commander was tapping on his desk looking bored. However, Luca knew that this was rather a sign of impatience. The mysterious duo should be here any moment. They were eager to know what kind of meeting would they hold.

"Commander, what do you think they will say?"

"If I knew it, I wouldn't be sitting here waiting for two brats."

The Commander was cold as ever, Luca thought it might be better to just shut up. He stood next to the desk when tree double knock alerted him. He knew what those meant. Information guilds used them as a way to signal their arrival. It was the first thing they learn after becoming a dealer and only they know the technique to make the perfect rhythm, no outsider is allowed to learn it, and the dealers take this rule very seriously. So, the only logical conclusion would be that someone who is or used to be a dealer is here.

"Huh show off. Let them in."

The Commander just scoffed at the obvious display of their affiliation. He actually thought that the girl was clever to use this trick, but he mustn’t show this in front of them.

Luca opened the door and instead of two cloaked silhouettes, a man with ram head and a woman with long red wine hair and a mask stood outside.

"Please come in. The Commander is already waiting."

The woman confidently walked towards the Commander without hesitation and sat in the sofa that was prepared for negotiations. The commander sat in the other sofa opposite to her, only a coffee table separating the two. The two escorts were standing behind their masters.

"I'm glad you could take time for us from your busy schedule. I'm Dime and the guy next to me is Kaga."

"So, Dime when are you going to take of the mask? It's quite disrespectful to you hosts not to show your face."

Commander Kusneu was anything but welcoming, but Dime just smiled politely. She had this throw at her a million times.

"My day-to-day life is spent while wearing this mask, even at home. There is no need to see under my mask since no one would never see me without it."

"Okay I won't ask it anymore. So why are we here at this table?"

His deep voice sent chills down Luca's back. This was his official, 'don't waste my time' tone.

"I think the real question is what would you need from this table?"

"What do you mean?"

The Commander's face became stern. He hated politics so he would much rather this kid tell him what she wants. However, Dime's smile only widened.

"To be frank with you this place is a rathole. You don't have proper equipment even for training, your soldiers go around with bandages all over. There is no real security in this place and most of your men are yet to come age."

The old man's face twitched, his jaw clenched. His aide was absolutely horrified. But she just continued with a smug smirk.

"Not to mention the absolute lack of discipline and training. You want to protect the southern region? How exactly? Throwing pebbles at murderers isn't the most effective way to catch them. Or are you planning to multiply, so you can be anywhere at the same time?"

"Watch your mouth young lady you seem to take a joke."

Her body language asserted dominance, like she could crush these people in front of her and they should be grateful for her to choose not to do it.

"What is it then if not a joke? You can't do shit yourselves yet playing high and mighty. I can solve all of your problems. You can stay here as the Commander of course. All I'm saying we should help each other. The world is too cruel not to take this opportunity Commander Patrick Kusneu."

The commander felt as if the woman's twisted energy started to rumble toward him. She was only spouting nonsense, yet it made him feel like he was standing right front of the Last Crack and the freezing wind was trying to turn him to an icicle.

"We aren't for sale. You have some nerve to come here, insult us then ask for our cooperation. I thought you were some wanna be information dealer trying to strike big time, but you are just a delusional brat. So, what if we have scarce resources? We always had, and guess what? We are still here and so is the city. Now get the fuck out of here!"

"Too bad we could have made a good deal for both of us, yet you chose your useless pride Patrick. C’mon Kaga we should let the gentlemen think about their life choices a little. When you have calmed down and come crawling to me for help, remember. We could have been friends. Send Luca to where he lost our tail if you need us. Have a wonderful night gentlemen."

Before they could say anything, Kaga lifted Dime up and disappeared in the night. The Commander was outrageous.

"If you ever see them, make sure they will be brought to me Luca."

"Yes, sir."

They still didn't know that the one they were just talking made no empty treats or promises.