The girls giggled as the car slowly slid down the tracks, down a ramp into a tunnel.
The cars moved by cables, most likely connected to a steam engine somewhere. The state of conservation was deplorable, and the smell of oil and animal fat used to lubricate the gears was nauseating.
The dark tunnels were lit by tar torches, which did nothing to ease the smoky and foggy atmosphere.
The trio went through a few chambers, but Glax couldn't understand what he was seeing on his own. Luckily, Uniq and Arin were explaining what they knew. In the past, all that was part of the factory, but the place had been taken over by some people who made the place what it was today. Glax already guessed that a kind of mafia took charge of the abandoned facility.
They said duels with prohibited weapons were not uncommon, but they were not the only illegal entertainment. He heard shouts and muffled gunshots. He tried to guess what kind of weapons they used. Because of the echo, he had no way of knowing.
The trip ended when they reached the edge of the cargo platform, outdoors. Glax welcomed the gust of wind coming from the river, clearing his lungs. Some men were there to welcome the wagons and assess who was arriving, like low-budget Cerberus.
Glax and his friends had glasses in hand, and Hikesias was right behind, carrying two pitchers of wine. The best wine in The Rust. The Guide stepped forward, holding the pitchers under each arm.
"Make way for my boss Neo, who came to visit this place in search of fun."
Did it help that Glax was showing little signs of prosperity? A Hermes #4 purse by Kratosia Saddlery, Nike sandals, and all teeth in the mouth?
Or was it the beautiful half-naked girls in his arms? And a 'servant'?
With a raised eyebrow, the bald man - occasionally he found this style around - took them to the Elevator door. There was music - drums, strings and even a sound that looked like a church organ. Apparently he would have to update the playlist... after he got used to the type of music they liked here.
Glax could tell that Arin and Uniq were overjoyed, just by the way they lifted their chins and their lips immediately pouted as if they were ready to take selfies for their stories. His arms were heavy, as they would not let go of him.
Even before entering, Glax knew that part of the gunpowder smell was coming from there.
The freight elevator was large enough to have become a ballroom. There were games and a circle in the center, where Glax supposed the duels should take place.
Some looks turned to the door and their arrival, and the expressions became curious. Glax noticed that most of them wore firearms at the waist or chest. And he knew they were real weapons.
'Uh-oh'.
"I think we should renegotiate my service fee at an extra 50% for the dangerousness," Hikesias groaned at his side, but took a pinch from one of the girls to shut up.
His eyes searched for Medon, trying to guess who he was among the present people.
He soon spotted a candidate. The guy was surrounded by people and acted like he owned the whole fucking place.
He wore many braids in his blond hair, he was thin and tall, and his clothes were not extravagant like that of several of his companions. Like Glax, he wore a short tunic and stylish sandals, but also shiny gold earrings and bracelets. The man looked at him immediately, which made his small court look in the same direction as well.
"So," Glax asked Arin casually, "How is one supposed to have fun here? And who is the man I should be talking to? "
They nodded, silently pointing at the blond guy.
But the guy decided to meet him in person, as he was coming towards Glax.
'A curious cat wanting to show dominance ...' He practically heard Sienna's voice speaking. She used to look out the apartment window and liked to narrate the exciting life of the animals in the neighborhood while he was playing video games.
The thought of her made him blink with emotion. He frowned, trying to focus on the present.
This Medon was already standing in front of him, analyzing him from top to bottom.
"Uh, friend… To what do we owe the honor of the visit? I don't remember seeing your face around here before…"
"Neither half the face, I suppose," Glax winked at him.
Medon was stunned for a moment, then laughed, showing his teeth as sharp as Proctius'. "No, not even half the face. Was it a big damage?"
"Enough to make my Mom cry," Glax shrugged. "I'm Neo. Are you Medon?"
The other man nodded with amusement, looking at Glax's small retinue. Then he said,
"You are assertive! I see you came from the north, from your way of speaking."
'We are not even in the capital and you are already calling me a hick…' But he showed no reaction.
"I am looking for a specific commodity. Let's say I don't have much time, so they gave me your name."
"Ah, I see." Medon turned his back, casually, and began pacing the room.
The idiotic strategy of the other guy pissed him off, but there was nothing Glax could do at the time. Then he followed him.
"It's a pity, Neo, but I don't usually do business with strangers."
It was like a bucket of cold water thrown in Glax's face.
"Uh, okay, but ... I understand your position. We have to start somewhere. It will be bad luck if I made a poor impression, but so the gods wanted to."
Medon did not reply,
"But if I wanted to stop being a stranger tonight, would that be impossible?"
"Ha." Medon turned, again with a sarcastic smile on his face, "Do you really think you can do this in one night?"
"They say that a relationship of trust or mistrust starts instinctively the moment two people see each other. And you're saying you don't trust me ..."
Medon blinked. "What?"
"Why, you offended me, Medon of Stapolis." Glax continued quietly, raising an eyebrow, "I cannot, under the Principles that guide our people, ignore that you, by refusing to do business with me for no reason, offend my honor. You admit that you have never seen or heard of me and still, you say I am not a person worthy of trust."
Arin and Uniq let go of Glax's arms slowly. Hikesias grimaced.
"I didn't say I didn't trust you. I said I don't do business with strangers ..." Medon's eyes narrowed. Of course he knew he was being manipulated. As Glax suspected, keep face and the idea of honesty was important even for a gangster. How would the business thrive if he did not keep at least a facade of reliability?
"good thing you trust me! I also trust you enough to look for you for business! You were highly recommended. And since we have mutual trust ..." Glax smiled.
Medon smiled too. But his eyes did not smile.
"You have a sense of humor. For a moment I thought you wanted to provoke a duel."
"Don't worry, Medon. I didn't come to duel or something. I just want to do business..."
"Hm." The Dealer motioned for him to place his order.
Glax approached. "I need a certain amount of gunpowder. A barrel."
"Uhn, you have quite a hobby in progress!"
"Kind of," Glax replied. "How much do you get, and for how much?"
"Hm. Although I 'trust you', Neo, a powder keg is a lot. It's not cheap."
Glax had no idea of the cost, and got worried.
Medon spoke in a soft voice.
"Your reaction tells me you were not prepared for a high investment. Are you sure you even know how to handle a weapon, how to make your own bullets?" He was visibly testing Glax, due to his order. Glax didn't imagine trying to buy a powder keg illegally was so complicated. But, to be fair, he never did anything illegal in his life before.
"I didn't think it was a problem for you. As long as you have that amount. About the payment, we can see to it later. Can I see the merchandise?"
"Ah! Well, I don't have much up here with me, you know. It's a material that needs to be well stored. But you can see it ... Later," Medon put an arm around Glax's shoulder, leading him somewhere.
"Later? Of course!" Glax laughed, trying to hide his nervousness. "After what?"