Chapter 3 - Do We Roll Over

A week later the whole team gathered at Lucien’s home. Lyris, Abdo, Luden and Lucien himself. Today’s subject: Luden’s numbers. The oh so important subject.

“We’re on track.” Lucien concluded. He slumped into his chair, and drank from his cup until he was out of breath, exhaling sharply before letting his arms dangle off the armrests." Lucien is tired beyond measure, as was the rest of the team. A full eighteen hours of work. Lyris buried her head in the desk, not a single thought in that head of hers. Luden laid on the carpeted floor. Etiquette was the last thing any of them were thinking about. Abdo however did not stop. The occasional hard clink of stone was heard as Abdo sifted through stone tablet after stone tablet. He was looking for information, anything that would provide an edge for Luden to ensure his ascension. From the carpet, Luden tilted his head towards Abdo. He pushed himself up, and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. Abdo obeyed his silent command and stopped working but after he stacked the tablets neatly. “Lucien, call for Harald. We break bread.” Lucien’s response was a simple clap. That was more than enough; a battalion of servants entered. Some were empty handed, some carried dishes and some carried refreshments. Servants that carried nothing, cleaned the desk with precision and speed, instantly removing all tablets, pens, papers, and whatnot. Next up dishes and refreshments were placed on the now empty tablet. In the mean time, the team washed their face with some water magic, something they desperately needed. Water washed across their face, ripping heat from it, cooling them off. A gentle breeze circled them as the servants cast a simple spell cooling them further, and of course, relaxing them. “Enjoy your meal.” The servants said with a bow before leaving.

They loosened up significantly, even more than before. Energy returned to their faces as they took bites. Luden loved Harald’s cooking, one of the main reasons he suggested Lucien’s home as the venue. Although, it tasted better than before. What was it he wondered. A new spice? A new ingredients? A different technique? What could it be?

“This is better than last time. Far better.” He said. A statement, sure, but it was definitely a question.

“Harald told me nothing was modified. Though, he did mention your exhaustion would be the perfect seasoning.” Luden and Lucien shared a smile.

“Whatever it is, Harald is adept at this.” Lyris praised as she took a spoonful of krill. “Of course. Harald made note of your specific preferences after the first meal.” He did make a wonderful choice in making him the head chef.

“I had my doubts about talent from Crest Way.” Lyris affirmed her praise before glancing at Abdo who took notice.

Lucien observant as ever despite the exhaustion from work and of Lyris’ attitude caught the glimpse. “Was I not proof enough?” A hand to his heart, “You break my heart. I hope that seeing Harald and Abdo’s performance can convince you of the district’s talent.” He said with a smile. He internalised a sigh, grateful to be able to diffuse the situation as quickly as he did.

“Well, then,” Lyris raised his glass. The other three followed suit. “To Luden’s ascension!” She announced, a final jab at Abdo and admittedly one at Lucien though he’s unlikely to take offence. But only two voices repeated Lyris’ chant. Luden was silent. Evidently, he disagreed with Lyris. The tablet remained silent, as Luden stared at his glass.

“Everyone’s contributions are valued.” He said with a soft smile. “You all pulled your own weight, many times over. I know your effort. But, it is time we stop.” His smile crept wider. “We have until Itanna! Right now is the month of Tide, we still have three months!” Abdo pleaded. “I do not see us succeeding.” This caught everyone by surprise, Luden included which turned into an amused chuckle.

“Then we can handle our deposits tomorrow an–” Luden raised a hand, cutting off Lucien. “Later. For now, we rest. Really rest, enough talk of business.” Lucien nodded to Luden and they continued to eat. “What I promised all of you will be paid in full, Lucien, your payment will be doubled. Take tomorrow off, and return the day after.”

Luden’s utter sincerity at his surrender was something they all felt, no one could challenge his decision after that. Besides, they had no right to. It was his decision after all. Though all agreed with his decision, not everyone respected it. When Lyris’ carriage finally disappeared into the night it was time. “Speak.” Lucien command simply as he leaned against the massive wooden door, adorned with his crest, an “L”, forged of platinum. For a High Handelaar it is quite a simple entrance all things considered.

Following his lead Abdo and command, he spoke plainly, and quite brazenly. “I know the terms of our deal. But, I must be entitled to a portion of rewards, am I not?”

“Luden either is or isn’t the Khaga Tajir. He can’t be ‘a little bit’ of it.” Lucien smiled. “You cited our deal, therefore you know its terms. I won’t deny you your right to bargain, but, I can deny you your proposal.” Lucien now moved to shut the door, literally cutting Abdo from the conversation. But, Abdo slammed his hand into the door, a thunk was released as it swung back. Had Lucien not caught it in time, it would’ve slammed into the wall.

“Please!” A single word washed away Lucien’s fury. It was late, he was tired. All he wanted was a shower and to sleep till next year. “I-I need this. For them!” He had never seen him this vulnerable before. However, as if it was a blunder all tenderness vanished from Abdo’s voice. “Luden can roll over if he wishes, I could careless. But I need your network. I need it!” Lucien could not overlook this. There was something more to his cry, to his begging. Despite it all, he was a merchant. And he will do what merchants do best. “Tell me, why do you need it? What for?” He bargained.

“That’s not important!” Abdo raised his volume further, “You know that I can tap into your associates and start more businesses to earn more. That’s all I’m willing to say!” Try as he might, Lucien had something else in sight.

“Off with the facade.” Lucien commanded coldly. “You know that I am in control. You will answer whatever I ask of you. Understand?” Abdo wore an expression of frustration and surprise. After all, Lucien had never acted like this towards him, not even once. What’s the difference now?

“Is it because Luden’s campaign dissolving that you’re doing this.” Abdo questioned.

“Is it because Luden’s campaign dissolving that you’re doing this.” Lucien turned his words against him, like a mirror, this completely silenced him. “Good, you understand.” Lucien uttered after a moment of silence. “I will repeat myself once more, if you do not give me a satisfactory answer, this is over. Understand?” He waited for Abdo to agree before proceeding. “Good. Why do you need it? What is the source of your desperation.”

Abdo’s veneer of fury dropped, he answered truthfully. “I earn for one reason: My family. I wish to provide, I wish to give them the best. The best is found in the Opus Crescent. I wish to move them there.”

“What is the best to you? I k–” Lucien was immediately cut off but Abdo. “Best to me? No, no. Best to them. This is all for them, this has nothing in it for me.” He swiftly correct him. This was a gold mine, and Lucien was more than happy listening to Abdo. “My coin is for them, they have free access to it, and yet they refuse to. Coin will provide all: Food, shelter, entertainment and yet they wish for none of it. Perhaps they are unsatisfied with this meagre life.”

Lucien could not help but break out of his cold veneer himself, he was laughing, and quite loudly I might add. Abdo could do nothing but watch. Lucien finally stopped, not because he had something to say but because he was coughing. “Are you done?” Lucien nodded through his coughs which were finally subsiding.

“Meagre? Moving your family from Crest Way to Prime Way within a year is meagre?” Lucien chuckled. “If that is considered meagre, I’m afraid the Opus Crescent is far below your standards.” Lucien sighed and pointed to his own forehead. “Is it what Aurora would want?”

Abdo clicked his tongue, eyes narrowed. This time his anger was no mere facade. “What do you know of Aurora?” The two maintained an amicable distance from each other but now Abdo stepped forward, looking up at Lucien who was slightly taller than him. “You would judge her needs and wants after spending a few hours with her? Do not assume you know better.”

Lucien raised his hands, “That was a poor choice of words, I admit.” That was awfully careless of him. “What I meant to say is this: Would Aurora wish for you to work yourself to the bone to move them to the Opus Crescent.”

This was a far more indirect way of phrasing it but it was too late. There was silence as Abdo took in Lucien’s words. However, it dragged on for too long. “What I mean to say is this: Why would they continue to hunt and forage despite not needing to?”

Silence once again returned, which was preferred. It served many purposes, including being able to send Abdo home. Which is exactly what Lucien did.

“I can’t tell you the answer. It couldn’t be more obvious.” He told him before turning him away, but before the door could shut completely, Abdo got in one last word. “Roll over if you wish, I will take no part in it.” As Abdo disappeared behind the door. Lucien paid no mind to it, despite his calm delivery.

Abdo toiled in his carriage as it was being drawn back home. The rhythmic tapping of hoof against pavement could be heard. Along with the sound of raining against the metallic body of the carriage. It started raining a few minutes into his journey home. He leaned back, enjoying the craftsmanship of the seats. It was a mistake to not ensure at least a portion of Lucien’s network up front or some other contingency. He worried about this exact scenario, sure that it would not come to pass. Come to pass it did. The cold fogged up the window, and he saw his own reflection. He stared into his own eyes, glancing into himself, his true self. A smile crept up on his face. He had work to do, though its success isn’t assured, he had work to do. His work.