Chapter 213- Unwilling Compromise (Patreon)

Unwilling Compromise

The foundation of the northeastern quarter of Frost City lay on a small rise. Apart from the knoll at the center of the city, it occupied the next highest elevation. The crisp wind blowing down the panoramic mountains, untainted water hauled from the invigorating wells, and sanitary streets due to innovative but ancient underground sewer tunnels established it as a prime location.

The noble houses, clans, and merchants, who lacked the power to construct mansions near the Emperor's Military Palace on the central hill, settled here. A mansion, keep, or manor, in the noble quarters of Frost City thus served as an invisible dividing line. Only the truly powerful on the continent staked a claim to this piece of prime property.

"The similarities to Frost City and the Capital are truly astounding. But Merchant Kim did say back then that the Capital was built by copying the style of this city."

"Remember when Mrs. Thomas taught us the manners befitting of nobles? She said this ancient city is probably the basis for all the others built within the short lifetime of the Empire. Can you imagine living the life inside these halls, Singh?"

Currently, Doug and Singh stood near the gate of one such mansion in the early hours of the morning. The entrance opened out to the busy thoroughfare leading to the east gate of the city. The location placed it among the lower strata of noble houses but still within the confines of the coveted division.

"His Lordship will see you now. Please, follow me."

The returning guard said while beckoning them to follow. This mansion belonged to Lord Arash, a well-known merchant who dabbled in every imaginable trade. His countless transactions placed him as a known face among the nobles in the city.

Even the procurement officials in the Military knew of his name. This also included some of the stationed Generals. By regularly hosting social gatherings, Lord Arash consolidated his prestige as a magnanimous tradesman.

He also monopolized another position.

The guard led them to the tradesmen entrance of the mansion and then waved them over to a steward. A shrewd-eyed fellow received them with a nod. Alone in the foyer, Doug displayed a small token before the man nodded. The wiry man, navigated the lamp lit, stone corridors and down a flight of steps. A wide hall with a low ceiling greeted them, complete with rows of dungeon cells on either end.

Rusted hanging chains and clamps on the walls added to the gloomy atmosphere. Within the confined bowels of the earth, no one might think a winter sun began rising in the sky. The steward halted under the arched stone entrance while speaking for the first time.

"The leader of the Behemoth Gang."

"Please!"

Doug glanced at the guiding hand and bowed slightly in reply. An antiquated table failed to engross the wide yet low ceiling hall. Undeterred by the king-sized chairs nor their occupants, he walked over to a simple three-legged stool. During the induction of the Behemoth gang into the Bloodnight Society in autumn, he visited this hall.

Back then, the members agreed with his request to leave the obsessively carved, oversized chair next to him empty. Unknowingly, that decision aided him today.

A man dressed in a simple yet exquisite purple robe occupied the chair at the head of the table. The few occupied chairs contained men of different characters and trades. Each one had a guard standing silently behind them while two men stood behind the head position.

The thump of a block on the table converged the eyes of the gathering to the smiling, bald man at the head.

Lord Arash, a prominent figure among nobles in Frost City, and an equally infamous figure among the underworld.

"This meeting will be called to order. The others have sent word they cannot attend."

He turned a pair of benevolent eyes towards Doug.

"Last night, a man allegedly belonging from your gang, unsheathed a sword at the Silk Flower House. The consequences of actions demanded the lost of a hand. On losing the fight, however, he tried to hide behind the power of his gang. This is acceptable and within the codes of the underworld."

Lord Arash passive voice suddenly turned harsh.

"The Society, however, maintains its mystery even among the gangs. Our rules consider it blasphemy to speak about our name to others."

He slammed the block on the table with a force unbecoming of his figure. The loud thump echoed in the stone chamber before dissipating.

"Luckily, the one hearing it at the time belonged to the Society. As per the code of the Bloodnight Society, one who speaks the name of the Society to the ears of the public must face the consequences. The Boss of the gang is also required to provide a suitable explanation."

Lord Arash cast his eyes on Doug as his actions caused the present gang leaders to follow his gaze.

Not even an entire day had passed since Lin's body turned cold. When Singh received the terrible news and rushed to the venue, their companion had died. To make matters worse, a group of men surrounded the establishment, locking down movement completely. Only after identifying himself as the owner did he gain entry.

Singh stood gripping his hands into a fist which turned his knuckles white. His narrow eyes focused on the head of the table. A clatter interrupted his hostile gaze as Doug rose from his stool. Clasping his hands he bowed slightly before speaking.

"The member of my gang who uttered the words of the Bloodnight Society has died. Last night, we also paid recompense to Lord Arash, Boss Jink, Boss Gran, Boss Dermal, and the Nightglow Gang. Those members also decided that we pay half of our yearly gains as a tithe to be divided among the Society."

Doug glanced around at the faces who had arrived conveniently to drive the negotiations and squeeze out the unreasonable demands. Under normal circumstances, he would never agree but for the last month or two, his mind remained muddled. A letter sent by falcon from Limerock had him reeling. Twice he nearly succumbed to pressure to discard this task and hasten towards the south.

His eyes landed on the clouded, blinded eye of a wide, burly man wearing an intimidating, heavy fur coat. This Boss Krall of the Nightglow Gang had even recommended he ceded the Silk Flower House.

"Lord Arash agreed last night to word the contract for our tithe to cover three years of payment. This agreement also covers the lives of the two witnesses. Both girls will be released to us to serve in the gang forever. As a member of the Society, we accept this punishment for breaking the code."

Doug remained standing as he bowed across the table. Lack of strength against some of these hungry members forced him to concede. Last night he and Singh were further humiliated within their own business place. Boss Jink had then demanded they offer one of Lin's hand as punishment for unsheathing his weapon.

In front of their faces, the skinny man who killed their companion hacked off the hand and fed it to Boss Jink's chained, pet Jaga. The short, plump Boss Jink constantly remarked about how his pet might suffer indigestion. Doug had to harness all his willpower to prevent himself and the others from retaliating.

"Leader Doug has only recently joined the Society so I have agreed to show leniency. Hopefully, if the Behemoth Gang can weather this storm, they will join us during the summer at the villa gathering."

Lord Arash smiled.

A cough, followed by a hoarse voice sounded.

"Lord Arash, I know the punishment for the Society is harsh but the Behemoth Gang is young. Heavens can even testify that they only learned of the Society at the end of summer. Why don't we remove the tithe from the upcoming year so they can stabilize their foundation?"

"I also agree with Boss Salvol. Besides, according to the reports it was, after all, a member of the Society who heard the name."

Lord Arash turned towards the two old men at the table. Boss Salvol operated among the merchant quarters and harnessed considerable weight. The old man dressed in a thick winter robe seemed like a commoner but controlled one of the most powerful gangs in the city. Boss Tusk on the opposite end, appeared like a true ruffian, with leather armor and stitched mangy fur. Clothing befitting the man who owned a third of the taverns within the city.

Lord Arash sighed.

"Boss Salvol and Boss Tusk show true compassion for our members. However, we must realize that though we are bound by the Society, we must adhere to the rules. We have already reduced the demands considerably. Any more bending will mean breaking the code."

"Lord Arash speaks within reason. The Society has always comprised of the best, successful, and ruthless gangs within Frost City. It is no secret also, that only the Boss and two or three of his subordinates know about the Bloodnight Society. This is what happens when rookies become inducted into greatness."

Boss Gran voiced his support. Last night Lord Arash sent a message to him, requesting his participation in mediating conflict. Luckily he decided to leave inspecting the new slave girls and walk over. The lanky, hawk-nosed man had been instrumental in driving Doug into a corner with his harsh demands.

"Boss Salvol, we have all been talking about taking it easy or bending the rules. The code, however, of this ancient society yet requests something of significant value. Any betrayal or mention of the Bloodnight Society by a seated gang in public, demands the Boss of the gang offer his left hand."

Until now, Boss Dermal remained silent. His natural gruff, bellowing voice cut across the table. The hulking man controlled the largest stable in the city while terrorizing his competitors using his gang. Naturally, they went by the name Horse Gang. His saucerlike eyes on a round, expressionless face masked his intentions while making him an unpredictable opponent.

Lord Arash would have liked nothing better than to support this code but he knew Doug escaped on a technicality. A clear but ancient voice drifted out from one of the empty cells.

"The Boss of the Behemoth Gang has the right to contest that particular code. Unfortunately, he is not present."

A wizened old man stepped out from the shadows with his hand clasped behind his back. Clothed in a simple robe, none would expect the owner of a tea-house to step into a dismal conversation. Ignoring the stares, he paced to one of the dangling chains on the stained wall. For a while, he gazed with a reminiscing expression at the massive iron hook embedded in the stone.

"When the Behemoth Gang received the token, young Doug made it clear. His Boss had yet to arrive in Frost City. As such the rules must be followed."

The old man turned to face the table while his deep, bright eyes inside a wrinkled face swallowed their vision.

"The Boss of the Behemoth gang has until the summer assembly to dispute the rulings. Should he not appear then the token will return to the Society and the seat reopened for challengers..."

***

Only when Doug entered the back room of the orphanage did he begin cursing loudly. Slamming his fist on the round table he vented his pent up anger.

"They played us like a broken fiddle..."

"Broken fiddle? Those bastards planned this from the beginning. Clean-cut Harky. That's the scoundrel's nickname who did all this. He is a Sersen employed by Lord Arash, and also one of his right-hand men."

Singh replied. He had been glaring at the skinny man standing beside Lord Arash during the meeting.

"We have no choice but to yield to their ridiculous demands. Our subordinates have yet to complete their basic training. Currently, our information network surpasses that of even the Blind Beggar. But we lack power..."

Doug said as he controlled his heavy breathing. He looked at Chong and the others who joined them in the room.

"Singh, continue the partnership with the Churches Union. At the end of winter, we must save as many grateful souls as possible. I want to know the movements of anyone affiliated with the underworld. Chong, continue the sewer tunnel mapping. I and Singh will handle training our footmen."

His face turned grim.

"Since we have achieved this much, I will not abandon it. Elder said the Boss risked the Bitzer infested roads to return to the farm. No use in worrying about it now. We will build the foundation because come summer, I want to see their faces when MY Boss steps foot in this city..."