Bud rubbed his temples. "Am I supposed to believe that I will die within four years?"
Ron blinked at Bud's question, his eyes widening minutely before going back to normal. "Young Master," his benign voice held a warning to it.
"They need to know. Bud's power is useful and Glenn is a powerful mage." Cale kept his eyes on the two in front of him and let his will and determination show in his reddish-brown orbs. "What I am going to tell you can never leave this room. If the wrong people hear what I'm about to tell you, it will be signing my death." Risks needed to be taken to sow the fruits of partnership and he was willing to risk his truth to gain powerful allies.
Beacrox appeared just then carrying plates of food that they had not ordered. They actually had not had the chance to order anything yet because a server hadn't stopped by to take their order.
Steaming plates of food were set in front of them, starting with Cale then Bud then Glenn. Cale looked down and instantly recognized the cooking. He decided to not even think about how Beacrox had even commandeered the hotel's kitchen.
After everyone had eaten and the dishes were removed, Cale began his tale. He left out most of the details and only touched on the most important events. He didn't expect this to be enough for them but it was all he had at this point in time.
Bud sat back in his chair. "I need a drink." He then pulled a flask out of his spatial pouch and took a swig of what was likely alcohol.
Glenn looked over at his partner and shook his head in flabbergasted annoyance. "You don't honestly believe this, do you?"
"It's too crazy not to believe," Bud said simply. He then turned his vibrant green eyes onto Cale. "What do you need me to do? I'll warn you now that I can't be at your beck-and-call all the time because I also have a guild to run."
"That's fine," Cale said with a shrug of his shoulders. He fished out his list of targets from his spatial bag and handed it to Bud. This was turning out better than he thought it would. "This is the list of people I have compiled that might have the ancient power I need. I need you to 'sniff' them out for me when you have the time."
Bud took the paper and glanced down at it. "Anything else?"
"Nope. You agreed easily," Cale couldn't help commenting.
Bud got up from his seat. "It seems to be the only choice. I don't want to die and I sure as hell don't want him to die," Bud pointed to Glenn who was now standing up. "You are also the only person I've met who can out drink me."
Cale had revealed to them that Bud was set to die in four years time while Glenn would die in twenty-some-odd years. He knew death was always a good motivator so that was why he used that card even if he was a little reluctant to do so. And as for the out-drinking, well, he could out drink anyone except for maybe a god. He also thought that that was an interesting way to determine whether or not to put their trust into someone.
They said their goodbyes before parting ways. Before Cale was able to leave the hotel, his communication device went off.
He hunted Glenn back down and asked him to connect him to the call, which Glenn grumbled about but did it anyway.
The screen flickered on to reveal Marcus's hagrid looking face. "Young Master," he greeted upon seeing Cale.
"What came up?" That would be the only reason why the assassin would call him.
"He showed up today." An intake of breath could be heard from Cale's end. It seemed that his hunch was correct and Venion Stan finally paid a visit. "I was able to record everything," Marcus's face turned grim and his frown deepened. "I'll forward the video to you."
A frowning Felicity with burning brown eyes popped into view. "He's one sick fucker. We're taking him out, right?"
Cale shook his head. "We're going to let the crown take care of this. We want Marquis Stan and Venion to lose everything and that can only happen through legal means."
After the call was cut, Cale thanked Glenn and left the hotel.
"Once we return, purchase everything we might need to free a dragon," he told Beacrox.
"Where do you want me to get the supplies from?"
Cale cocked his head as he thought about it. Wasn't there a bastard child of the Flynn Merchant Group in their territory? "The Flynn's bastard child. I'm not sure where to find him or what his name is but I do know he looks like a chubby, golden piggy bank."
Ron and Beacrox snorted at his description. "I believe he owns a bookstore that sells tea," Ron informed his son. "Is there anything you need me to do?" Ron asked Cale, probably sensing that there was a reason why he was sending Beacrox to grab the supplies instead of him.
Cale nodded. "You must know of someone who can forge realistic documents that cannot be told apart from real ones." He knew that Ron had to have known someone, otherwise he wouldn't be able to sneak into the Western Continent to work. "I need a document created to link Arm to Marquis Stan and the Tolz'. Let's say the illegal selling of a dragon's egg. Also add a document pertaining some of Venion's connections to the black market."
Ron's benign smile turned a little wicked. "Yes, Young Master. Is there a particular Arm member you would like to use?"
Cale thought about his options. The members that he knew of who would most likely pull a stunt like selling a dragon egg would either be the Blood Crazed Mage, Redika, or the Dragon Halfblood. Redika would probably be the easiest member to deal with, he also knew his name and some information about him unlike with the Dragon Halfblood.
. . . .
A few days later, a small stack of documents was laid on Alberu Crossman's desk. Each stack was labeled. There was one labeled Arm, one labeled The Stan Agreement, and one labeled Venion Stan.
The file labeled 'Arm' held some basic information about an organization named Arm that had taken over the Eastern Continent's underworld. There was also basic information on the head of the organization, Cale Barrow, also known as White Star, and some very basic information about his curse. There were also pictures, names, and basic information on a few of the subordinates that worked closely with White Star. They included Sayeru the Bear King, Dorph the Lion King, the Spearman, the Dragon Halfblood, the Animal Tamer, and The Blood Crazed mage, Redika. There were also some Illusionists in the mix.
The file labeled 'The Stan Agreement' held documentation proving a deal between Arm and Marquis Stan. Included in the document was a layout of the Tolz Villa and a cave located behind it. Also inside the file was a recording of Venion Stan torturing a baby black dragon.
Alberu felt his blood boil as his anger overcame him. The dragon was small and its majestic scales were broken and bleeding. He watched as that hideous teenage bastard sat there and ate a lavish meal while the dragon was being whipped as its blue eyes stared off into a corner in curiosity. It was staring exactly where the person who was recording this had to be.
The third and last file held various documents that linked Venion Stan to the black market. There were even a few documents that held specific details to some extremely shady deals.
Alberu felt his lips quirk up into a smile. Whoever it was who had left these files with him gave him exactly what he needed to remove Marquis Stan and his most likely heir out of his hair. But he would have to prove that this information was correct first, and he really hoped it was.