Venturious and Miz'raenil: Partnership

“I ain't a bodyguard for hire.” Miz'raenil said.

“Oh no,” Venturious said. “I have plenty of bodyguards. Not quite as formidable as you but they get the job done. No, I am looking for some muscle to re-acquire a lost…let’s call it an artifact, of an associate of mine.”

“What kind of artifact?” she said, leaning forward. “I won’t risk my life for some busted bit of pottery no matter how ancient.” she added.

“It is complicated to explain here and now.” Venturious said. “I am not fully privy to all the details, should you take the job I can assure you that you will be paid handsomely and it will be well worth your time. The only thing I can’t provide for you is the details of said artifact. My associate however can, or at least attempt. Frankly speaking I did not fully understand when I was told the details aside from it being quite important and quite magical.”

Miz'raenil thought for a moment. “I don't know anything about magic items.”

Venturious shrugged slightly. “I know it's important to my associate, he is providing my secondary service in exchange for my resources, and I am willing to pay for the help to achieve a mutual goal.”

Miz'raenil raised an eyebrow and blew a cloud of smoke from her hand rolled cigar. “What kind of pay are we talking about?” she asked.

Taking a look around but still looking unbothered by the people around him, despite how threatening their presence was. “I prefer to not discuss matters of payment with so many ears around.” he said.

Miz'raenil laughed, “What…” she said looking around the same way “Do you think you’ll get robbed?” she asked, half sarcastic.

“I am sure they would try,” he said, emphasizing the last word. “However I don’t see it going well for the one who does try,” he added.

That got another laugh from Miz'raenil. “You are brave for such a small human.”

“I know I can handle it, bravery has nothing to do with it.” Venturious said.

“Bold I like you.” Miz'raenil said. “What kind of job are we talking about? Can you at least tell me how we’ll be getting this ‘thing’ back for your associate?”

“Standand stuff.” Venturious said. “Hoping for the standard smash and grab. Though the less ruckus the better. Be that leaving no witnesses, or being like a church mouse that’s up to whatever the plans made by my associate require. That is up to his discretion.”

“Who is this ‘associate’.” Miz'raenil asked. “You make them sound like some big mover or shaker.”

“Nothing like that I assure you.” Venturious said. “Frankly speaking they are a nobody, less than a name in a crowd. But he has some fairly grand ideas that could change some very big things. I won’t lie and say I want to be a part of that, but I see the opportunity in it. And that it has value and I want a chunk of that value.”

Miz'raenil shrugged her shoulders slightly, signalling the women to either side of her to let got and she stood. “Let's go. We can discuss my payment in private. And before I agree I want to know who else I will be working with.”

“That is fair. Though you will not be given all the details until you have agreed to the job.” Venturious said.

–

Venturious led Miz'raenil through town, out of the more shady places. Never one lowering his head or avoiding eye contact, even with the more dangerous looking figures lining the alleys. Eventually taking her through the market district. He stopped for a moment and spoke to a woman working one of the stalls, she seemed happy at his interaction and handed him something, and he rejoined Miz'raenil.

“Protection payment?” she asked.

“Candied pecans,” he said, popping a few into his mouth. “I am not some common thug.” he said, before adding. “Respect goes much farther than fear. If they know I can truly provide the kinds of things I say I can. For example, as you stated, protection. I do provide protection for people on the market street. But I do it because business begets business. If they can’t make money I can’t make money. Common criminals causing problems, causes me problems, I deal with the source not the affected.”

“Quite altruistic of you.” Miz'raenil said as she looked around. “Where are we going?”

“Craftsmen’s district.” he said, leading to a smaller warehouse with no door out front, but a set of stairs leading down. “Watch your head.” he said. She only needed to duck the door frame, inside the room was huge. They stood on a sort of landing with stairs going deeper but the ledge looked out over the whole workshop to the roof. This warehouse looked to have once been two maybe three floors but the food had been removed to make room for the large machines, forge, and long tracks that crisscrossed along the support beams.

“What does this guy make?” she asked, still trying to take the scene in.

“Some kind of mining equipment.” Venturious said, over the pounding of a hammer somewhere below.

The hammering stopped. “I said I needed a few more days before I would be ready. I’m working with misfabricated parts and half broken equipment. It'll take some time.” Lux said, his voice an equal mix of tired and annoyed.

“Lux, I think I found a solution to one of your problems.” Venturious said, “Is it safe to come down?”

“Safe as it always is…” he said, followed by a shuffling of heavy sounding metal objects, and a loud clatter of chains sliding along the track above. “Okay come down.” he sighed. “I need a break anyway.”

Venturious led Miz'raenil down the narrow stairs to the workshop floor, all the while Miz'raenil marveled at all the strange things. A gawking fascination less like an interest and more like seeing a carriage crash.

“Lux, we might have a solution to the problem of defensive power for the extraction.” Venturious said. “This is Miz’raenil. She’s a champion of the fight pits, and quite capable.”

Lux studied her for a moment before turning back to one of his long work tables and crossed something off a list. “That’ll make my job easier,” he said. “Do you have a weapon?” he asked, looking around. “I can probably make you a decent enough knife.”

Miz’raenil put up her hands. “I haven’t agreed to anything yet. I need to know what I’m going to be doing and what I’m going to be risking my life for.”

Lux sighed, and told her the whole story or at least the important parts.

She looked between them. “Half the pay upfront and we get started tomorrow.” she said.

“The sooner the better.” Lux said, “Hold your hand in a fist.” he said, and confused she did, and Lux drew someone on his work table in chalk. “I’ll have you a knife by tomorrow. Get here early.” he said.

Venturious shook his head. For some reason this Lux guy was respectable. Maybe because he knew what he wanted and would do what he had to to get it. “You heard him. Get your affairs in order. Meet here tomorrow bright and early.”

Miz’raenil didn’t argue, she just walked up the stairs and back to the street. To prepare for tomorrow.