Torak had managed to find someone stupid enough to tell them where the wolves lived.
The night was exceptionally young, and Torak walked the sewers of Arca's wealthy district with nothing but a single torch to light the way. He had been told to look for markings. He didn't know what the hell those markings were, or where to look, but another client had told him that the Wolves lived in the sewers. The Soot Wolves they were officially called. And they were a terribly powerful and effective opponent.
They had captured him last night, nearly gotten him all the way to an interrogation, until Torak had tripped, and gotten free of his bonds. This was as good a way as any to escape. Then, when he had escaped his bonds, he had killed all the Wolves trying to hold him captive. According to some, the Shadow Wolves had only lost three men, despite Torak's efforts.
Impressive, to manage to bring seven men back to full health, Torak thought to himself.
Down here, in their territory, he was vulnerable, and lost. He had no idea where to go, and nothing to follow. He had no weapon drawn and a torch in the dark. You couldn't be an easier picking.
The Blood Wolves moved in small packs, patrolling the entrances and exists around the Wolves' Den. They knew the tunnels by heart and did not carry torches or make a sound. A pack of three was patrolling this part of the tunnels when they spotted Torak.
Deftly, they slunk into the shadows of the sewers. All armed, the Blood Wolves' instinct was to kill, but a stranger wandering these parts of the tunnels would need to be questioned. If there was anything they hated, it was taking a man alive.
As Torak approached, two of the Blood Wolves silently moved in the shadows beside him and behind in. One stayed in front, so that they stranger was surrounded. Once in position, the Blood Wolf in back lifted his large, heavy hammer and swung it at the back of Torak's head with the aim of knocking the man out.
The other two trained their loaded crossbows on him, just in case there was any trouble.
Torak had not seen the two wolves with crossbows, but the one with the hammer was clumsy, and had let Torak catch a small peek. He had ducked the hammer swing, just to be met with two beautiful crossbows. Which were, unfortunately, pointing at him. He had drawn a dagger, but it clattered to the floor as he realised how wound up the crossbows were. Heavy armour punchers, and Toraks armour was light.
"Well, ya' got me, now what?" Torak inquired. He didn't want to fight and kill more wolves. He had garnered a deep respect for these people, and he was there for a reason. He wanted to join them. They were a powerful, well equipped, skilled group of people, and they had such grace to their manoeuvres and tactics. They were strong too. He respected them because they had a weighty name in Arca. The mention of Soot Wolves sent some packing. The rest ended up dead.
The Blood Wolves were not phased as Torak ducked the blow from the hammer. The two crossbows remained aimed steadily, one at the Torak's heart and one at Torak's head. And these were not intended to knock him unconscious. The third Blood Wolf recovered quickly and discarded the hammer, replaced by a third loaded cross bow.
"The rest of your weapons can join that dagger," the first Blood Wolf, positioned in front of Torak instructed with a cool, no-nonsense confidence. He had no need for useless bravado. "Nice and slow. And you can take off that tin hat. I like to see a man's eyes if I might have to kill him. If you follow orders and play nice, then you'll come with us. What happens after that is for someone else to decide."
"Of course. I see you are a man who commands with strength, and simplicity. I respect that, and as such, will comply." Torak removed his helmet, and dropped his sword, and offloaded all his crossbow bolts. He left everything on the floor but a single pouch, concealing a small bomb, should he need to actually hurt anyone.
The third crossbowman was very intimidating, and Torak traced the line of fire of the beautifully made crossbows. Killing shots, all three. They weren't playing around.
The Blood Wolf simply watched Torak impassively. He was not one to be bought with flattery. He gestured wordlessly for the third Blood Wolf to collect Torak's discarded weapons, while the other two crossbows never left their mark. When the third Blood Wolf was finished, he slung the satchel of Torak's belongings over his shoulder.
"Of course, you'll have to go blindfolded," the lead Blood Wolf told Torak matter-of-factly while the third Blood Wolf tore off a scrap of material from his own mottled clothing and tied it firmly around Torak's eyes. Then, producing a rope, continued to bind Torak's hands behind his back. "And bound," he lead Blood Wolf added.
Once this was done, they started down one of the dark, winding sewer tunnels. The third Blood Wolf leading Torak by pressing his hammer into the man's back. After a few minutes, the pack entered a small, dank, and heavily fortified room. After sitting Torak roughly down, the third Blood Wolf ran off to deliver news of the intruder, the door closing heavily behind him. The other two stayed watching Torak.
Some time passed before the door opened again and now two more Blood Wolves entered the room. At first no one said anything as the Red Jackal took stock of the intruder. When someone finally spoke, it was a female voice that said, "Strip him. I don't want any surprises."
OOC: Hope all this is fine. Let me know if not and I'll modify something. Also, feel free to play out the NPCs taking the rest of his things if you want to. (Or not, obviously, if you don't).
Torak had no idea how to escape. He knew which way to run, and had memorised the path back with footsteps. He reluctantly got stripped, the armour itself weighing a fair amount, and thus, him lacking in clothing underneath. Just something to keep him half decent.
A female wolf. No doubt high in the command chain. His magic was still working at least, so he could teleport is necessary. Although that wouldn't get him very far.
"Lovely cold room you have here. I'm freezing in case you were wondering, don't want to lose too many minor appendages to frostbite. The armour usually keeps me warm. To whom am I addressing?"
In response to Torak's question, one of the Blood Wolves removed the man's blindfold. The room, he could now see, was small, lit with only one torch, and with thick walls and a substantial door. And, for the first time, he could see the woman. The new Red Jackal had been to the healers since the events leading up to her recent promotion, but she had opted not to be fully healed and a jagged cut ran down the side of her face, beside the light hazel eye that didn't match its opposite brown eye, healing on its own time. She'd left it as a reminder to what were now her Blood Wolves of why she had been promoted, and what she would and would not tolerate in her inferiors.
Zahi gestured to the Blood Wolf who'd wielded the hammer gathered up the rest of Torak's belongings and, after a quick and quiet conference with Zahi, left the room. A loud clank followed as he locked the door behind him.
"I heard about the stunt you pulled with the Shadow Wolves the either night," the woman told Torak matter-of-factly. Her tone was confidently business, but not yet threatening. She was, rather, explaining the situation to him. "So to save you the energy, you may as well know that I've taken the precaution of bringing you to a room that locks from outside and cannot be entered or exited by magic. I suppose you could try to kill us in the room or to take us hostage to further whatever your motives are, but Blood Wolves do not negotiate, whatever the stakes. So it wouldn't profit from it."
She waited patiently for a moment to make sure that Torak understood and wasn't going to cause any trouble.
"Now, you must realize that there aren't many options for people who come down here uninvited. Especially when they so rudely refuse their first invitation," she said with a faint, wry smile, referring rather tongue-in-cheek to Torak's incident with the Shadow Wolves the other night.
"What made you decide to come to these tunnels, specifically?" She didn't yet specify if she was asking after Torak's motives or information.
"Ah... Zahi I believe? I am well connected as well, the Red Jackal. An honour, truly. I am here because only three of your men were killed in my response to your invitation, despite the fact I severely hurt all ten men. You are all strong, and those who are weak cannot join, or die. You use tactics that most military tacticians cannot comprehend, you have made a name for yourself that means even my, rather modest Serenian reputation is overruled. I had to threaten a man's pregnant wife to find out who one of you was. I also know of this Rufus, the man who captured me, and the Gold Jackal, and I believe the Coyote as well. It took me several nights of severe interrogation. After that, one of them told me which shops were fronts. And so, I broke in. I have no interest in a fight." Torak smiled at the woman.
"As such, I wish to join you."
If Zahi Akello was surprised that Torak knew her name and (quite recently earned) rank, she did not show it. She listened to his soliloquy about the Soot Wolves in silence, her expression impenetrable. But when Torak stated his intention to join, she raised her eyebrows in mild interest.
It was intriguing, she thought, how much effort he had seemed to put into finding out about them. Almost like an obsession. The Red Jackal was always wary of people whose interests ran too deep or too passionately or too urgently. Surviving, doing her job effectively and well... those were her interests. Still, it seemed to Zahi that if Torak's sole intention was to join the guild, he took a rather long way about it. Not to mention a foolish one. While this pack of Blood Wolves had done well to capture rather than kill the man, not all would think twice before killing an intruder. She wasn't sure, yet, what to make of it.
"Ah," she said after a long pause. "Well, that isn't for me to decide."
She would have to send for Rufus. Admitting an adversary would have to be his call. But she didn't send either of the Blood Wolves on hand yet. She was in no rush.
"But as a token of your good will, you can tell me which man, and which pregnant wife." It was likely that the Shadow Wolves may already know, but she would have to deal with Torak's informants either way, and she wanted to hear it from him. Then she would send for Canis Rufus.
"When they were alive, they were called the Johnson's. Annabelle and Timothy. One of your store front owners. I covered my tracks. All those who you would consider traitorous are dead. I figured a group like you would cover your tracks and find your weaknesses, so I disposed of them. They lie dead in another man's grave. The grave was filled in today, and they were buried another two feet down. No-one will find them. They will appear missing. And I sealed up the entrance to your system from their shop. Fire bombs are useful when they burn down buildings and seal a trapdoor shut. That was my final gift to you. I caved in their basement, to hide you entrance. And that is how I got in." Torak smiled at the woman. The coldness in his voice was beginning to physically form steam as he breathed.
"So you may have to find another store front, but the guards believe the fire was caused by a fire place. I left two skeletons in their house, although if those skeletons are burned, they will appear to be missing. People will assume they are buried under the basement rubble, and no attempt will be made to dig that up." Torak shuffled, testing his bonds. They may as well have put him in stocks.
Though she showed no outward reaction, inwardly, Zahi frowned at Torak's story. The Red Jackal was no sentimentalist, but Torak's actions seemed a tad... overboard. And, in the end, Wolves who went overboard were her problem. Zahi had no problem with violence, but for her violence was a tool. And, like any tool, it had to be used correctly in order to be effective. Any butcher knows that if he uses his best knives indiscriminately, they will blunt.
And too many 'disappeared' families and firebombed storefronts... Well, it could attract attention. Unwanted attention. For a moment, she considered just giving the signal to the Blood Wolves to fire their crossbows. But she decided against it. Maybe, if properly managed, Rufus could make this arrogant man useful.
Ignoring Torak, Zahi called one of the Blood Wolves over to her. "Mikhail, confirm these events with the Shadow Wolves. Then go tell Rufus that we've caught this tin man for him, and that he's applying for a job. At his leisure, though; I don't think anyone here is in a rush," she flicked her mismatched eyes to the barely dressed Torak who had already complained about the cold. "Then you can take that loot," referring to the collection of Torak's armor and weapons, "to the treasury. If he joins the pack, it will be redistributed to him as the alpha sees fit."
The Blood Wolf nodded and waited at the door. At Zahi's command, the Wolf outside opened the door and it closed heavily behind the Blood Wolf. And then the clank of the lock.
"I suppose the Johnson's would have had to be dealt with," she conceded levelly, turning back to Torak, "but it probably could have been done without damaging Wolves' property. If every thief and thug interested in joining fire bombed the ways into these tunnels, we'd have none left. The guild has recruiters, which I'm sure you know since you seem to have gone through a lot of trouble to find out about us. Why not go through one o them?"
If Torak was going to leave this room alive, Zahi decided, she wanted to know what motivated him. And she certainly planned to keep an eye on him.
"After my stint with the members of your organisation the other day, I figured I would just get killed. Especially after I tried to kill 10 of your men, and actually killed 5, two Dirus' and 3 Shadow Wolves. I figured you would want me dead. Do not think me a mindless butcher. I need to be more refined, yes, but I am working like I have for most of my career as an assassin. I value strength, and the power of fear. You hold those values high, and I admire that. That is why I have done as I have. I could be stronger. Much stronger. But not alone. Let me prove my worth, and I will show improvement, and as much strength as I can." Torak was selling himself now. This hadn't gone to plan, but the conversation panned out in a similar way. She had said that the room could not be exited via magic. He wondered if that meant just the walls. Perhaps, he could teleport in the confines of this room.
He focused his mind, on the spot in front of Zahi. And he teleported. So the walls were shields. Excellent. He was still bound to the chair, but he had moved. It was enough. "You said I cannot exit or enter this room magically. You never stopped me moving around inside the room magically." Then he summoned more energy and teleported back.
A fraction of a second after Torak teleported, Zahi's knife was at his throat. The pressure of the blade wasn't enough to be an immediate threat, but rather a way of saying, 'Don't push your luck.' She didn't, however, follow him when he teleported back to the opposite side of the small room. She sheathed the blade, her gaze intent on Torak.
The other Blood Wolf looked like he would be only too happy to release the crossbow bolt now aimed, once more, at Torak's head.
"You could still get killed," she warned with a slight edge in her voice, "so I would save your tricks, assassin. You won't profit from them here."
She held her gaze on him for a few moments longer to make sure she was understood, then perched herself on the low stone ledge of the room. She crossed her legs and continued in a more casual tone, "As for your worth, I'm not necessarily the one you need to prove it to."
"You understand that I mean you no disrespect? I am merely interesting in proving my worth to the Soot Wolves as an organisation. I understand that if I am accepted I will be your inferior until I earn my place. And I do not wish to have to watch my back. So can we discuss these problems now? You never know, you might learn to like me." Torak laughed, leaning back in his chair. Torak wanted to be released from his bonds.
"If you release me, I swear to harm no-one. On my honour as an assassin and a human, I will harm no-one. On my honour, name and life." Torak motioned with his head to his bonds.
Who did he think he was, her boyfriend? 'Can we discuss these problems now'... Why not all sit on the ground, holding hands, and talk about their feelings?
Zahi gave a short laugh that was also a little bit of a scoff, leaving a small, amused smile on her face. "It isn't important if I learn to like you or not," she told him simply, still faintly amused. "It's my job to keep an eye on other Wolves. And you," she pointed out, "aren't a Wolf yet."
She shook her head, looking at him if either he were stupid or he thought she was stupid. "No, you'll be released if Rufus decides you should be released," she told him calmly. "Your honor, name, life, word, dick - whatever you want to swear on - don't mean anything to me."
"Well then, when will Rufus get here then?" Torak sighed, bored. This was beginning to tax his patience, and he was soon going to fall asleep.
"He'll get here in his own time," Zahi answered, "he's a busy man."
She watched him carefully, but did not say any more. She found it a little amusing that after 'several nights of severe interrogations' the man was losing his patience now. But she didn't say so. No point in antagonizing him. He was an interesting character, though. Very hot and cold, it seemed to her. One minute selling himself for all he's worth, the next in a silent huff. He'd be interesting to watch, if Rufus let him live.
"Haha, I would say I was, but clearly I am not." Torak chuckled. "So what is there to talk about? I am sure you want to pass the time while we wait. Ever play a foreign game called Black-jack? It's an interesting little game that I am very fond of. If you would get some cards and untie me, I can teach you to play. No bets, just a friendly first game."
Torak had recently found he enjoyed playing card games, and found it was a good waste of money he didn't spend. He wasn't particularly lucky, but he did well at blackjack.
The messenger found The Red Wolf in the common area of the Den. He was having a drink and chatting with Heinin and Wag.
The large and muscled Wag had turned down the role of Dirus recently, saying he preferred his job of keeping rabble rousers in line in the bar. He had a fondness for knocking heads, and preferred not to carry more weapons than his wooden cudgel and leather sap.
Heinin had been the Coyote at one point, but with all the connections he made, he decided to step down into the easier position of the lead fence. He was the best at moving goods, and he was happy not to have any real responsibility.
These were the two wolves that Canis Rufus spent most of his time socializing with. This was of course because they were both secretly Shadow Wolves. Wag garnered information from the loose lips of drunk Wolves. Heinin picked up useful information from all the deals he was making. They were on a very short list of Wolves that Rufus didn't question the reliability of their reports. They had never failed him, and he was glad to have them. The two of them often worked together, filling in the holes in each others information to paint a much clearer picture for Rufus. Tonight, though they laughed and joked as they drank, they actually were talking in complicated code. They were relaying a tale of deeds that were making Rufus angrier by the moment. It seemed this Torak Val Korra, had tortured and killed loyal Wolves. Nobody dared to make such moves against the Wolves. They were well established, respected, and feared. Sure they only had stepped into the light, and become public knowledge since the man, whose secret name was Theodore Wrenthis, had brought them such great success and filled their ranks to bursting, but those that dwelt in the dark underworld of crime should know better than to cross them. What was more, Black-skull apparently wanted to join. If that was the case, the fool had gone about it all wrong. You don't kill Wolves and then ask for admittance.
The real problem was that one with skills such as his would be useful. Very useful. If he could be kept in line, abilities like his would be excellent for work as a spy amongst the Shadow Wolves, and he would make an excellent Night Wolf. Wild animals were often hard to control though. They were all Wolves here, all predators, but they followed the rules of the pack. If wolves over fed on their prey they would soon starve and the weak would be culled. The same was true for Soot Wolves, they had to balance themselves with the ecosystem of Arca's society and economy. Could this wild animal be tamed? Or at least controlled well enough that he could be a useful tool?
He saw the Blood Wolf messenger approaching and raised a hand to silence his drinking companions. "I take it you were sent to bring me news from Canis Simensis about the 'Tin-Man'? Well the Wolves in the Shadows have already brought me this news. I am happy he was not killed on the spot. Everyone involved in his capture drinks on me tonight. Now fetch Chora and take her to the holding room that was prepared for Torak. I will be there waiting for her with Zahi."
"Right away sir," the messenger said as he rushed off to take the orders to the healer.
"Well gents, keep up the good work. We'll have drinks at our usual time again tomorrow."
"Of course sir," the two said in unison before going back to their duties.
Canis Rufus finished the last of his ale in one long take, let out a deep sigh, and stood from his stool at the bar. "I've never been fond of assassins Alko. I put up with Jarrett, and now it seems I'll be bringing this Night-shadow into the fold. Why must I deal with these blood dealers?"
"You have never wasted a tool that you could put to good use Theo."
Canis Rufus growled at the use of his given name. "You know I don't want you using that name Alko. You are the only one to know that name that I have spared, don't make me kill you old friend. Just because you saved me a number of times when we were boys does not mean I won't remove you if I feel you're a threat." He turned without awaiting a response from the bar tender, and headed to a meeting he would not enjoy.
OOC: Sorry this is so short - off to post-SCOTUS celebrating!
BIC: Zahi shook her head at Torak. "Right, no bets. You're staying where you are."
Torak sat and waited for Rufus to show up. "So who is Rufus really? I have heard rumours abound of his identity, or is the information not privy to even the highest ranking members of your organisation? Have you ever met Canis Rufus? I did do my homework as it were, haha."
Torak was genuinely trying to enter some sort of discussion, but he didn't think Zahi would bite. He could feel it in his gut.
With every new word out of his mouth, Zahi was finding it harder and harder not to give the signal that would release her Blood Wolf's crossbow bolt. Just a wave of the hand. She indulged herself for a moment by visualizing it. But, she knew, resigned, that opportunity had passed when she'd sent word to Rufus. Now what happened to this Torak was his decision, not hers. At least for the time being.
As it was, she gave Torak a cynical look. "If you had done your homework, as it were," she repeated coolly, "then I suspect you wouldn't have to ask."
And if you really think you're going to bait me into telling you, then it casts some serious doubt your your 'worth' to this orgnization, she thought to herself, but kept it to herself. She rarely said more than she needed to.
Walking along to the holding cell, Rufus meditated, and focused on his control. Needless killing was something that really upset him, especially of innocent women and children. Annabelle was a kind woman who looked after some of the urchins that had been taken in as wolf pups. The child she carried would have been a second generation Soot Wolf. Those were rare, and valuable. Timothy's shop was an excellent front. He sold all kinds of meat pies that were popular amongst the guards of the city. One might think it a bad idea to have guards frequent a den entrance, but who would suspect it.
He didn't rush as he traversed the tunnels to where Torak was being held, and Chora caught up a bit before he arrived. "Did you call for me for the usual reason, or is someone actually injured," she asked with real concern. "You know I'm not fond of your techniques."
"I'm sorry Chora," Rufus replied flatly, "I'll be quick about it. I'm not fond of it either," he said, without any discernible sincerity. The truth was he wasn't fond of his methods, but they were effective, and really that's all that mattered to him. There was no pleasure or disgust attached to it, just thoughts of efficiency.
They arrived not long after, and the Blood Wolves guarding the door let them in without hesitation and he signaled to have the door left open. He nodded to Zahi, and approached Torak, but ignored him, looking to Chora. While Rufus focused on channeling the power of his eye patch to only block Torak's magic, Chora took out three potions. Red, green, then blue, she drank them down in quick succession, and a soft yellow glow began to emanate from her. She took up a stance, her feet spread and her head bowed. Arms extended toward Torak, palms facing out, she began to mutter in magic gibberish. A sea foam green glow started in her hands and then shot as a beam, connecting her to Torak. As the healing energy swept over Torak, Rufus went to work.
He was sure Zahi would have heard of his methods, but this would be the first time she would see this first hand. He stepped up to Torak and kicked him fiercely in the chest knocking him and the chair back. Rufus then picked up the chair and smashed it against Torak, shattering it to pieces. He proceeded to viciously beat the man kicking him, and clubbing him with parts of the chair. With the healing energy coursing through him, he would feel every wound as he received it, but none would leave lasting damage. After a few minutes of this, Rufus pulled his long knife from its sheath in his left underhanded grip and stabbed it into the soft flesh of Torak's right thigh, and held the man down with a knee on his chest. With his right hand he reached into a pouch and grabbed a wooden block with magic emblems carved into it, dropped it next to Torak's head, and then pressed the hand into Torak's throat.
"That wooden block is what prevents your magic but lets Chora use hers," Rufus lied, "it targets whomever I will it to. Now. If you were a Wolf, I would not have beat you, you'd already be dead. We do not kill unless it's necessary, and the penalty for wanton and unnecessary murder is death," Rufus turned the blade in the wound, "self preservation is the usual reason we kill, and the only group of wolves exempt from this is the Bloods. Of course I trust Zahi to keep her Wolves in check, she understands strict efficiency. I prefer the streets not run red with blood. We don't want the citizens to pressure the guards into actually bothering us," he turned the knife again, "our relationship with them is good. We have several guards in our ranks in fact. You would also be dead if I didn't think you'd be useful. If I ever hear again that you killed a pregnant woman who wasn't immediately threatening your life, I will make you beg for death. We are thieves, not butchers. If you want to spend your days killing, you're better off joining the Sirens," Rufus gave the long knife a third turn, "but I think its too late for that. With your thirst for blood you'd probably fare well in the Blood Wolves, but I want you to learn discipline. You are going to be a Shadow Wolf, a spy, silent eyes and ears to the Wolves. You won't be fighting unless you can't escape or your mission is directly obstructed by violence. With that teleportation ability, you shouldn't have to kill too often. Some Shadow Wolves have the honor of serving specific Wolves. You will report directly to the Red Jackal. If you step out of line, Zahi will kill you without hesitation. She's quick, decisive, and as cunning as a jackal," Rufus grinned at that, "learn well from her." He then let go of Torak's throat and grabbed the useless wooden cube, depositing it back in the pouch.
Rufus drew out his long knife and the wound stitched closed immediately. While all his aches pains and wounds would be healed, Torak would be mentally exhausted from the experience. Rufus wiped the blood from the knife off on Torak's smallclothes, then stood, sheathing the blade. He turned and gave Zahi another nod. He knew he didn't have to give her orders, she could handle it from here. Chora looked completely depleted from maintaining the constant healing on Torak, the yellow glow entirely gone now, and Rufus offered her an arm in support as they left together. The Blood Wolf guards sealed the door as soon as they had exited and the Red Wolf and the healer made their way back to the Den.
"That wasn't so bad this time, now was it?"
Torak took the beating as well as he could, but it was excruciating. Torak didn't make more than an a grunt or cough through the whole thing, and Torak knew that the wooden block wasn't blocking his magic. It would be odd to carry a wooden block just to block magic. Better to enchant something with more practical use, which was either a necessity, or a conscious choice. Like Canis Rufus' eye patch. It was very well concealed. And to focus it on something that he wanted, he just simply had to point it. Very clever.
Finally the beating ended, and Torak put himself on his side, just to recover from the pain. No injury had come to him, just a lot of pain. After the pain subsided, Torak got up. His clothes were bloodied. Bastard, ruined my crap clothes, Torak thought to himself.
"If you could let me out of my bonds please? I would like to get to work." Torak thought he might as well try and show some initiative. The beating he had just gotten was unlike any other, and for that, he respected Canis Rufus, and would not try and uproot his well earned command, but would keep it where it was.
Oh, how Zahi now regretted not killing Torak when she had the chance.
The Red Jackal had watched with dispassionate curiosity as Rufus carried out his interrogation. She had, of course, heard of these methods, and she was interested to see it done. It was certainly direct. A little heavy-handed, a little theatrical... But that, after all, was how you made an impression. She wanted to interject that she certainly did not think that Torak would 'fare well in the Blood Wolves.' A third for blood was the last thing she wanted in her Blood Wolves. An ability to kill or beat easily, yes. That was obviously a necessity. But a Wolf who was bloodthirsty was a Wolf who was sloppy and undisciplined, as far as she was concerned. She had made it very clear when she assumed her new position that those were trains that would not be tolerated.
If one of her Blood Wolves had pulled the stunt Torak had with the Johnsons, she'd have killed him herself.
Zahi was not convinced that Rufus was making the wisest decision bringing the assassin into the Pack at all, but she silently agreed that he would make a useful Shadow Wolf. Until Rufus had added, "Some Shadow Wolves have the honor of serving specific Wolves. You will report directly to the Red Jackal."
Zahi's mouth opened to protest, but she closed it immediately. She would not, of course, challenge the Red Wolf on this. But a smoldering look in her eyes betrayed that it was not a task she took on with any great joy. She wondered if this wasn't something of a test - or perhaps even a punishment - after the way she'd ascended to her new post. She had a hand, in a way, however indirectly, in the late Red Jackal's death. Perhaps those actions had sent the message that her loyalty wasn't blind. Suddenly she wondered if this wasn't the Red Wolf's way of handling both Torak and her.
Of course, she realized, this was probably the wisest position to place Torak in. The easiest way for someone to keep a close watch on him. Someone with the ability and authority to kill him. She returned Rufus's nod when he left, the displeasure gone from her face replaced by simple consent.
When Rufus had left the room and his footsteps faded down the hallway, the Blood Wolf with the crossbow snickered at Torak. "Heh, sounds like you won't need all those weapons of fancy tin coat anymore."
He was silenced by a look from Zahi, but she appreciated his comments.
"Well, it looks like I'll get to keep an eye on you after all," she said to Torak, ignoring his request. She waited several moments, considering him and what she would do with him (and letting him be uncomfortable for awhile longer), before nodding at the Blood Wolf to undo Torak's bonds.
Torak stretched his arms and groaned as he got up. He was in immense pain, but it was purely residual.
"I would at least like my armour back? My weapons, can wait, as you have said, but my armour cannot. It has enchantments which allow me to do my work. And I hope you don't mind if I continue working my original job on the side? I will try and conduct said job with more finesse though." Torak stretched again, standing.
"No, you can't," Zahi answered firmly. This was going to be a chore. "And you're not in a position to tell me what can and can't wait. If you can teleport without your armor, which you've already shown you can, then you're already a step ahead of most Shadow Wolves. At least in terms of a starting point. You'll have to learn to do the rest without magical enhancements. Like everyone else." This wasn't strictly true. Some Wolves did, of course, employ magical items. But those weren't the ones who bought their membership with the blood of other Wolves. And, anyway, plenty didn't. And none wore such conspicuous armor. "If you haven't realized, that armor stands out. Soot Wolves don't stand out. And Shadow Wolves especially don't stand out. You'll have to learn to blend in and work like the rest of us."
At this point, Torak had said enough ridiculous things that she wasn't nearly as surprised as she ought to be when he asked if he could 'keep his old job.' Still, she felt like she was dealing with a child.
"Soot Wolves don't have 'other jobs,'" she explained sharply. "You are no longer an assassin. You're trading now in information, not blood. You work for me now, not for yourself. If you do any thief's jobs, the spoils of that will go to the Treasury. You keep nothing. Do you understand? The Guild will deal back to you relative to what it thinks you're worth."
"For now," she continued, "you'll be reclothed with standard attire that blends into the streets of Arca and that will be less... bloody than what you have no. And you'll be issued a knife. For now, that's all. Like Rufus said, when you can teleport, what more do you need?"
She raised her eyebrows, as if inviting him to disagree. Not that she'd care, whatever he said.
"These are the terms you agreed to when you entered these tunnels, Torak."
"I, with respect, ask that you understand that my armour is precious and personal, and only fits me, as is the magic upon it." Torak nodded in silent protest against being given clothes that he would not like. But he had no choice. He would earn the armour back, or die. And he would not let the other wolves claim stake in his armour.
"Now that the petty details are sorted. What is my first job?" Torak was eager to get to work, and in his mind, he knew not to give up his moonlight job. Assassinations were part of his life. Even if he had to give his money over to the Soot Wolves. He didn't need money. It was nothing to him to have money. The respect of being a good employee was everything.
"Let's get some things straight," Zahi said flatly, no longer hiding all of her annoyance in from voice. Now that he was answering directly to her, he may as well know that he was not impressing her. "None of these details are 'petty.' Nothing that we are discussing here in this room is petty. For you, in fact, all of these details are a matter of life or death, and the faster you figure that out, the easier it will be on all of us.."
"You can forget your armor. It's not part of the picture, period. If you bring it up again, I'll see personally that it's destroyed. I don't care if it would make you the best fucking spy in Arca. For now, it isn't being returned to you. Do you understand?"
She gave him a meaningful look. This wasn't a question of how valuable the armor was or wasn't. This was a question of Torak's ability to shut up and take orders.
"Now, you said earlier that you wanted to prove your worth to this organization, right? Well, despite what I said then, it turns out I am the one that you have to prove it to after all. So I'm going to give you some advice, in hopes that you listen to it and this trial period of yours," she said this deliberately to make sure that he understood his position was in no way guaranteed, "is a bit less painful for both of us."
"Look at Niklas here," she gestured to the Blood Wolf accompanying them. "Niklas is very valuable to me. He does exactly as he's told: quickly, efficiently, and without complaint. He's smart enough not to make demands of his superiors and to be firm and fair with his inferiors. I trust him because I know that he's loyal and disciplined."
"You may have some neat tricks, Torak, but your'e not worth shit to me if you can't fall into line. Every Wolf has to earn the trust of the pack when they join, but you're starting out with something of a handicap. Rather than having given us any reason to trust you, you've given us several not to. You've killed several Wolves. Showed that you're inclined to recklessness and needless theatrics with your dealings with our shop keepers. And mostly behaved like a sulky, obstinate child since arriving. You're going to have to work very hard, and very carefully, to overcome that. And not by popping to-and-fro around the room like a street magician. But by doing exactly as you're told, and nothing less... or more."
"So," she crossed her legs and leaned forward, propping her chin on her fist, "here is what I'm telling you to do: The Blood Wolves have two primary functions. First, to protect the Guild from threats from within - Wolves who are getting too greedy, or mutinous, or out of control, attracting too much attention to themselves - and second to protect the Guild from threats from without. Other criminal operations, gangs, thieves, and so forth. Obviously the bigger organizations are already watched pretty carefully. But you never know which small organizations might get bigger. So I want you out on the streets of Arca, mixing with small-time thieves and black market dealers and the like. Then you can report back to me - oh, every three days, let's say."
It was a task designed to bore him. But Zahi wasn't interested in learning about his physical or magical strength. She wanted to see if he could exert any self-discipline. If he could actually follow orders and put just as much effort into a job he thought beneath him as any other.
"And you'll do it without raising a single finger against anyone unless they are directly threatening your life. Not. a. finger. I don't want to hear that you've harmed or killed anyone, on or off the job. If someone insults you, walk it off. If someone challenges you, walk away. If someone threatens you, try to walk away until you can't. But again, since you already demonstrated you can teleport, I don't think that will be a problem. Don't let me hear you've gone against me on this, Torak." She gave him a long, measured look. "I'm sure that will be a challenge for you, and it's meant to be. Show me that you can rise to the challenge, and I won't discount you."
"Do we understand each other?"
She wanted to hear him explicitly agree to what she'd laid out for him before she let him out of the room and into the Den. If he wouldn't, she wasn't going to lose the opportunity to kill him here.
"I understand completely. Quick formality note, do you have title? Is there a formal title I should call you? An organisation structured like yours would only know equals on a first name basis from what I have seen, not superiors. So what might I call you?" Torak smiled. She was showing phenomenal strength. He was enjoying the scolding more than anything. They clearly didn't know how to discipline him at all. He was still going to keep his side job. He would claim no affiliation. But he would not give up his profession.
Zahi's eyes narrowed. She had the distinct impression that he was not even remotely listening. The 'quick formality note' just confirmed her suspicions, as far as she was concerned. She had no use for a personal spy or whatever this was meant to be that neither respected nor listened to her. But Zahi didn't seek respect or status through beatings. While of course the Blood Wolves, as part of their business, regularly employed non-lethal violence, she viewed that as a necessity of the job, of dealing with small-time crooks and Wolves with first and minor offenses. When dealing with her own, she thought this a bit brutish and, frankly, a waste of her time. Either you listened, or you didn't. Either she'd kill you, or she wouldn't. Zahi Akello didn't mess around with beatings.
"You can call me Red Jackal," she finally answered. She didn't, in fact, care what her inferiors called her, and several Blood Wolves called her by name. What she was called mattered hardly at all to her. All she cared about was the work they did and the manner they did it.
Then she turned from Torak to the Blood Wolf Niklas. "Take him to be issued standard street clothing and a knife. Bring him around to the Shadow Wolves and the Gold Jackal. I'm sure they know all about it, but I want them to all have a good look at him. Stick with him for a few days. Make sure he's acclimating."
She gave a call for the heavy door to be unlocked and the Blood Wolves outside complied immediately. This was the signal to Torak and Niklas that they were dismissed. She said no more. She'd already done a great deal more talking than she normally did. She wasn't going to repeat herself. Let him listen, or not.
Torak complied, with about as much acceptance as possible for someone of his nature.
"Of course Red Jackal. So I get outfitted, and go and blend amongst the black market dealers, report back to you every three days. Understood." Torak already had a plan as to how to join the black market thugs, and to report in on them. If the Wolves could keep his joining of their organisation a secret, he could use his guise as an assassin to appear to be a customer, or potential employee even. He could get in close, listen and learn.
Torak walked towards the door to go and get suited up for the job.