Jorge grinned and shook ALICE's hand. "'Course I know you, mate. You're the smart guy with the fucked-up fingers who just made the right choice."
He glanced back over toward Siro and gestured with his head for her to come along. "Let's go help the man out, kiddo. Oh, ALICE, this here is Siro. Don't let her age fool ya, she knows some things. Now, let's head on over to my room at
The Traveler's Lodge. Got everything we—" he opened the shop door "—holy shit, it's comin' down hard out there. Ah, don't matter."
Charles jumped down from the wagon outside the shop after Jorge opened the door. He walked past ALICE, Jorge, and Siro, saying in a gruff voice, "Excuse me."
Jorge had already told Nero about Charles. Just the relevant bits like 'He's gonna wanna talk to Sharon' and 'Don't fuck with him'. So Nero simply led the way for him down the hallway.
Sucked to be Sharon right now. She was gonna get chewed out hardcore.
Siro was standing a half-step behind Jorge, looking ALICE over cautiously. She tugged on Jorge's pant leg.
"Are you sure about—?"
"Alice is a guy's name too, Siro, don't be a dick." After a second, Jorge ruffled her hair. "I'm just fuckin' with ya."
Disappointment, mixed with a dash of frustration, on her face. "That's not..." She looked up at ALICE, a towering figure in comparison to her. "Are you...?" Another brief second of hesitation. "...a priest, sir?"
* * * * *
The Overlook Inn. Sitting atop the highest tier of land in Twin Rivers. A crown upon the village, if seen from below. And Zhang was back here again.
He stepped into the lobby. Took off his wet coat and folded it neatly over his arm. A few nobles from Reajh, or perhaps Uthlyn, stood near the front desk. Glasses of wine in hand, chatting about some high-class matter. The sort of clientele
The Overlook attracted.
Not the tall and muscular man standing next to one of the hallways. Zhang met eyes with him, and man made a small gesture for him to follow. And Zhang did.
The man led him past several rooms, arriving at one at the very end of the hall. An expensive suite, even by noble standards. Another man just like him stood by the door. Opened it for him, and Zhang stepped inside. The door closed.
Luna Terris, "LT" as she was commonly called, was inside in the spacious suite, standing between a table and a window. An apropros nickname. Despite not truly being one of Mr. Winters' lieutenants, she had as much power and influence as one—perhaps more. She was the accountant. Knew everything about Mr. Winters' business operations: all the safehouses, Ignis Root and Crystal Vane stores, refinement facilities, hidden money, favors owed, unmarked graves, smuggling routes, everything. Perhaps she had even seen him.
Terris glanced over her shoulder at Zhang. Black hair, black eyes, pale skin. Dressed in dark and fine clothes. The sort of person who belonged in a place like
The Overlook.
"Zhang Shin." She motioned to the cushioned chair by the table. "Have a seat."
"As you wish."
Once he was seated, she turned to him. Her voice had a certain sharpness to it. Pure business. Cold. Mere utterances from her had ended many lives, and she cared not for a single one. The perfect associate for a man like Winters.
"Has Sharon said anything more about The Maitri?"
"No," Zhang said.
"Has anyone unexpected come to see her?"
"No."
"Has there been any correspondence attempts?"
"None, as far as I know."
Terris folded her arms behind her back. Thought for a moment. Then said, "Reese was an expendable asset in this endeavor. But such an expenditure was costly, and Mr. Winters is concerned about his territories in the west. Mildly, but concerned nonetheless. And that means I must have something to show for this expenditure."
"I understand."
"Good." Terris walked toward the window, her back to him. "Has Charles arrived in town yet?"
"Yes."
Terris gazed out at the western Kilanthro mountains. "If Charles is unsuccessful, then I will spare no more time to waste on this matter. We'll deal with The Maitri if and when he decides to make another move."
"And Sharon?"
Terris turned around. Met Zhang's eyes. A callous look in her own. "Execute her. Specifically, Mr. Winters wants you to shoot her in the head. Between the eyes. A message, from him to The Maitri." She walked back up to the table. Crossed her arms in front of herself. "And this message will be
loud and
clear. I will be here, waiting to see the commotion in town for myself. I trust you will escape unseen by the guards."
"Of course."
Terris nodded. "You will be contacted if Charles fails. Good day."
She snapped her fingers, and one of the bodyguards outside opened the door. Zhang stood, left the suite, walked down the hall and across the lobby and stopped by the front doors of the inn.
His eyes trailed down to the floor.
And he thought on his sins.