The walk to the Silver Row as treacherous, especially at night. Tons of narrow streets and drunken lowlives waiting at every corner, almost like a maze filled with dangerous animals, just itching to grab their prey. It was not unusual to find yourself with a knife in your back when treading through such dangerous paths, and that's why
Isak had his eyes open and very attentive to every movement coming their way, always looking to protect
Eilerias and Lidia, with Ogden walking behind them as backup, an added layer of protection.
The Silver Row was one of the most exquisite and well known boroughs within the Outer City, a nest of drug dealers, brothels and cheap taverns - the perfect place for most of the poor people in
Alliria, looking for a bit of fun without a big fuss. The rich always steered clear of such parts, afraid to get their expensive boots in a place like that, but Isak had been to every corner and crevice of that town, and he learned something about them.
They all reeked of piss and death. All of them. From the extravagant streets that housed the important members of the Merchant's Guild of Alliria, to the well protected manors of the nobility, and even the dirty streets of the Silver Row... They all shared in that filth.
Isak held Eilerias' hand tightly, not as strong as to hurt her, but just enough so she would feel safe with his presence there, always reminding her that the shadows in the corners of the alleyways would never claim her, not while he drew breath. His fingers caressed the palm of her hand a few times, when he could feel her slowly slipping away in fear, her eyes trembling as she looked at some people like they were monstrous ghouls, waiting to lunge on them.
"Stay with me, my love." His voice was low but it felt like a beacon to her, drawing her away from her darkness as they walked those streets.
With a few pushes and intimidating glares towards a few strangers who were looking to get funny with the girls, Isak and the rest of the group arrived at their destination - Tanner's manor. It was fairly secluded, a bit far away from the ruckus of the main part of the Silver Row, in a more quiet and even somewhat beautiful flat land. The group saw two tall brutish guards protecting the entrance, a large and imposing gate that led to the rest of the front yard of the manor, with many statues and fruit trees in different colors and aromas. One of the guards took a few steps forward, driving his hand towards Isak's shoulder and holding him tightly, which prompted Ogden to reach for his short axe before Isak put his hand to the side, motioning for him to stop.
"We have an appointment with Mister Tanner." Isak explained nonchalantly, not caring for the menacing looks given to him by the guards. The other one spoke up, loud and rough. "And who the fuck might you be? What is your business with Lord Tanner?" Isak took another one of his calling cards bearing the mark of
the Cherry Rose Syndicate, throwing it swiftly towards the farther guard while his other hand reached towards the arm of the man holding him, effortlessly breaking off his hold while the man wriggled in pain.
"My business is no concern of yours." said Isak before walking inside the manor courtyard with the group after the guard recognized the mark and let them pass, his eyes heavy with fear. They recognized who he was, and Eilerias and Lidia could now realize the importance of a respectable reputation in a city like Alliria.
They quickly passed by the courtyard and reached the main hall of the manor, greeted by a servant who looked about the same age as Lidia, offering them glasses of water that Isak promptly refused, merely asking that she took them to Tanner's offices. With a educated bow, the servant girl led them all the way through the manor, with Isak inspecting a few of the paintings and other arts at display at the mahogany wooden walls of that great house.
The servant knocked a few times on the door before opening, giving them space to walk into the large room filled with strange trinkets, paintings and incense filling the air. Tanner was already waiting for them, cigarette between his fingers and a large smile on his face once he saw Isak coming inside, his brown eyes quickly surveying the room before he felt it was safe enough for Eilerias, Lidia and Ogden to enter. The servant girl closed the door and lent them privacy, and Tanner quickly poured some brandy in one of his glass cups, offering it to Isak.
"Mister Lavelle! You did not come alone... A pleasant surprise!" He said, hanging his cup in the air before taking the drink in one sip. Isak stood a few paces away from his desk, before Tanner motioned for him to sit, which he did with no protest. Ogden started walking around the room, admiring a few of the trinkets. He was surprised to see half the skull of a dragon, a truly marvelous, rare and expensive relic. "I've caught wind that you seek to expand your business to the docks, and as a man of your repute, I must assume that you have some big plans."
Isak nodded in response, making himself more comfortable on his seat.
"The docks are a good opportunity to grow, not only for myself, but for the Cherry Rose." He said bluntly, and Tanner already seemed to know what he was talking about. The syndicate's influence was reaching fast over the rest of Alliria, much to Isak's efforts. He saw how Tanner's eyes wandered towards Eilerias and Lidia as they stood behind him, a smirk forming on his lips. "And those pretty girls of yours... Will they be involved in our deal?" Isak clenched his gloved fists in the same instant, doing his best not to jump on that man's throat and rip it apart.
"I do not deal in human flesh." His voice was a bit rasper, with bits of anger on it. Tanner simply laughed, pouring some more brandy on his cup and drinking it in one go.
"Don't be so bland, young man. We all have our little... pleasures to indulge. And I fancy myself that white haired lady right there." He said, pointing towards Eilerias. Isak could feel the anger burning up his veins at every word that man said, trying to control himself not to blow up that whole place and damn that whole business to oblivion. He looked at Eilerias from the corner of his eyes, noticing how uncomfortable she was, before collecting himself and taking his glass cup filled with brandy, holding it in the air a bit while staring at it.
"You have a wife, don't you, Mister Tanner? Lady Florence..."
Tanner almost choked on his own drink, before looking at Isak with a puzzled expression on his face.
"She walks the bridge over the Eryon River every afternoon, taking some pieces of bread to the poor children near the border of the Inner City." He continued, and Tanner looked even more horrified, asking how Isak could possibly know that.
"Do not mistake me for the filthy scum you sometimes work with, my lord. Or your wife may find a few dangers along that river."
He looked at Tanner now, to find the man almost crawling in fear, sweat dripping down his forehead and cheeks as his hands trembled.
"Now, so we may conclude our business, I'll take those papers you prepared." Isak pointed to a few papers that were piled up in the side of his desk, along with a small parchment. Names of the people who controlled the docks, merchants of power and status, as well as scriptures regarding the purchase of a old harbor that Isak was looked to acquire. That would be his starting point in that undertaking, but he needed to buy his way into that circle, before taking over it completely.
Tanner put his stamp on the papers before handing them to Isak, who carefully grabbed them from his hands and got up from the chair.
"To your health, Mister Tanner, and to a profitable friendship." Isak raised the glass cup and drank it in one go, putting it down with a short smirk on his lips before turning to face Eilerias, his face already set again, his hand reaching towards her back in order to gently guide her, and the rest of the group, towards the exit.
They left the manor in a hurry, with Isak clearly still angered by that meeting and by the provocative words that Eilerias and Lidia had to hear back there, his jaw clenched and the veins of his neck bulging. When they were clear of the manor, Isak spoke up, his words low enough so that only Eilerias could hear them.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let him disrespect you like that."
They spent the rest of the walk back to
the Raven Club in silence, pondering about what had happened. That city was full of
monsters, hiding behind many different masks and personas. Corrupt merchants, greedy politicians, even businessmen with their 'hidden pleasures'... They were all monsters.
Isak just happened to have the sharpest teeth.
