The Town Ch 3

Dime led Kaga to a mostly empty room with only a bed and a closet. As he stepped in the heavy air tickled his nose. The tiny bedroom had little to no natural light source and the floor creaked as he walked in.

“So, this is it for now. When we have more time we can make it a tad more welcoming but please bear with it for now. And now lay down please, you must get bitten by Ray so you can understand the language.”

Ray slowly slithered out of Dime’s clothes and went near Kaga’s neck. The scarp fangs shined in the corner of his eyes then a cold puncture made him grit his teeth. It was just a second but the image of the mask started to twist in different ways.

“You will get better by tomorrow. Now sleep.”

He could finally understand the little white snake that went back on Dime’s covered arm. Kaga closed his eyes and instantly went to a deep slumber.

“Now we can get to work. Ray I want you to find at least tree inns where the customer base is mostly mercenaries, knights, or blacksmith. The price doesn’t matter.”

Dime stormed downstairs her wine-red hair flowing by the speed.

“Tealla, prepare five noble gowns by next week and a suitable bodyguard uniform.”

“Heard!”

“Ramir, when you deliver the next round of herbal tea ask around for the best blacksmith in town. Not the most expensive, the best.”

“Roger.”

“Mathilda was one of your clients these days someone from the southern barracks?”

“Yes. What should I ask him?”

“Everything. The personnel number, the equipment, how to get accepted, who can use the training ground. I want to know every last detail.”

“Will be done by tomorrow.”

“Great. Mira please organize the information we got already about their budget limitation.”

“Okay. Where are you headed to?”

“Training. Gotta look convincing right?”

She stormed off. Everyone looked at each other, nodded then got to work. If Dime gave orders they started right away. They would put sleep or eating behind, because when Dime was in a hurry every second mattered.

The next morning Kaga freshly opened his eyes. He couldn’t remember the last time he slept trough the night. Must been ages…

“Good morning sleepyhead. Breakfast is ready.”

Mathilda basically shook him out of the bed. Her eyes had dark circles under but she was moving swiftly.

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Kaga went to the kitchen and everyone had the same dark circles. Some were even yawning. But he didn’t ask anything, the night must have been busy.

Dime staggered in with wet hair and clothes. Kaga couldn’t take his eyes of her. Her dishivered hair that clung to her wet clothes and the red lips under the intricate mask looked otherworldly.

“Hey ramhead stop drooling at the Lady and eat your damn breakfast!”

Tealla snapped at him. He looked the worst out of the bunch. His fingers shook as he hold his fork and Koga could see little punctures on his fingers.

-What the heck was he doing?

“Report, after asking the soldier he revealed, that the information was right. They really had their supplies taken by the Norden border and they couldn’t say anything because they bought it originally. Talented personnel were also presented with higher paying job opportunities there and only a few remained in the south. Most of the personnel now is rooky. The acceptance is a long process, but everyone can use the training grounds with the supervision of Commander Patrick Kusneu which is between 3pm-5pm.”

“Great job Mathilda. Mira did you get anywhere?”

“Yes they have very limited budget. They can certainly not afford weapons on their own. But I found a policy where they can lend soldiers as bodyguard for money. Mostly used in transportation.”

“Nice, Kaga when you're done eating, we will be heading out so be ready. Okay now everyone finish eating and go back to your duties.”

Dime was waiting for Kaga in front of the door now in fresh clothes and with neat dry hear. She grabbed a cloak for Kaga too. When he arrived she didn’t say much just to follow her.

Now in broad daylight the streets were much more visible for the eye. It was still the southern side of the city, but freshly baked bread aroma lingered in the air. Shopkeepers were selling their goods, costumers chattered latest gosips and kids ran around the flowerpots.

They arrived at a ready made clothing store. The building had two stories, big glass windows were mannequins wore stylish colorful outfits and a line of people that seemed never ending. The owner was waving at them from a distance. His sleeves fluttered from movement, his chocolate brown eyes parkled as soon as he spotted the redhair woman. The man seemed to be in his fourthies, but looked like a chataloge picture. Perfectly fitting garments, polished leather shoes and minstrel hat with a blue feather. His smile screamed shady business to Kaga.

“My Lady, so good to see you again, it has been ages. It is always a bleesing for me whenever your feet takes you to our humble establishment. Who is this gentleman escorting you?”

“Michael, its good to see the business blooming. He is a new member of ours Kaga. Take good care of him. You will be seeing him often.”

“Pleasure to meet you, I’m Micheal business partner and devoted follower of the Lady. Please come on in, seems like the bighorn is in need of some clothes.”

Kaga just nodded politely. He was taken aback from the overly glib toungled welcome.

Then the private room became busy. Sweets, tea, snacks and many more were delivered on silver plates while he tried on dosens of outfits. The expensive smell of parfume lingered everywhere. Michael would lick Dime's shoes if she asked for it. She sat confortably on a green velvet sofa while checking Kaga's every look, nodding along the owners presentation.

“We will take them all. Oh, and Michael are you interested in making uniforms for the southern soldiers?”

“Of course Master Dime, please think of me whenever the opportunity arises. Your insights are what's keeping the poor me in business.”

As he bowed a greedy twisted grin could be seen on his face. It made Kaga nauseous, like the nobles he had to cater for before.

“Good, but I’m yet to become a Master so when others are around please call me “Lady”.”

“Yes, ofcourse my Lady.”

Dime gave a few coin to the busboy to take the clothes home for them.

“What was that about?”

“You mean Michael? Well I helped him with some business and now he thinks I'm the pixie of luck for him. ”

“That’s why we didn’t pay for anything?”

“Oh dear he gets much more valuable things from me than money. When I see a potential client he is the one I recommend. You still don’t know but my business partners always get a piece of the cake. He is just as greedy as he is good in his craft, honestly the perfect combination. Best to keep man like that by your side, and never ever just give them money. You'll learn fast enough.”

Kaga shut up. He just realized how much he still didn’t know about this masked woman before him and what he really got himself into.