" My, my, I can't believe that commander Aston Sablethorn would grace us with his presence. Even a lowly old man like me had heard the brave conquest of Mr. Aston!" A crooked old man walked toward the Sablethorn's party while clapping.
Aston was shocked at first but immediately got angry because no one dared to call him by his given name in or outside this city unless it was a higher ranked noble. It was an unspoken rule of respect that seperated commoners from noble born like him!
Chaucer immediately saw the change in his mood and hurriedly explained," Young lord don't mind him. He is ignorant about noble customs." How could let the bridge burn before he got his reward?
If either party started fighting, the corporation would end which would be a big loss for him! He glared at Silver which immediately made the old man stop talking.
" Yes, yes, lord please forgive my glib tongue." Old man acted innocent but Aston could tell Chaucer was the one that brought upon the chance in his demeanor.
" What are you doing? Prepare a room for our guest and chase away those bastards! Make sure they keep their mouths shut!" Silver immediately gave orders to his subordinates. Despite being old, his body wasn't hunched back. Aston could feel an aura similar to his old man looking at him.
Everything was quickly arranged, Aston was dumbfounded once again when he entered the small house. It looked small from outside but inside it had the same luster as noble castles, gold chandeliers, vintage furniture and even exquisite paintings? It looked like Silver was the unspoken king of the slums!
Anyone could tell that most of these things were stolen or looted from merchants and other nobles. Aston mind was filled with disgust seeing there were even slaves inside serving foods and drinks. Their eyes looked lifeless, they didn't even care about his appearance walking around like they didn't even exist.
Old man sat down on a makeshift throne with one leg up while several girls came out from behind the curtain taking their place beside him. They were trying hard to please him while ignoring the guests.
Seeing Aston look at him, Silver waved his hand making more girls came out swaying their hips making their way toward him. He immediately knew what Silver was trying to do.
" No need! We are here on business so stop with this empty charade!" Hearing him Silver grunted asking everyone to leave. He was only testing the nature of the young lord that he heard so much about but as expected, the stupid lord was smitten by a village girl not even putting other girls in his eye.
" It seems the rumours are true. Why go through so much trouble when I can help you procure anything according to your taste? Smuggling them inside the castle in not a issue to." Silver said nonchalantly.
" Don't play around!" Chaucer yelled out. This old fart was trying to undo all his plans.
Aston didn't know that Chaucer sent a messenger pigeon right before they left especially telling Silver what to do during the meeting. He was to cooperate with Aston in return, Chaucer would open up a special trading route using which he could transport his counterfeit and illegal goods without fearing of getting raided. But looking at Silver's playful appearance, Chaucer knew he was planning something insidious!
" Shall I first hear about the clients request? It's not everyday I have the chance to serve nobility." he laughed condescendingly. Anyone could see it was a blatant lie!
" We need few of your most agile man. Those that are good at deception and sabotage. The price is not an issue." Aston didn't want to entertain his antics he went straight to the point.
" They should also know to follow orders and know a little about monsters. Young lord would provide ample support during this mission." Chaucer added. It was to remind him again because he already detailed everything that Silver had to prepare in his secret message.
" Price, ah, price. My men are expensive."
" How many gold coins?" Aston asked. He knew the sly old man was trying to jack up his fee.
" I raised everyone since they were little. How could you put any price on their life? I know you are trying to send them on top of that horrid monster infested mountain. I will have to send my best man if they ever have chance to do what even your loyal knights can't." His tone was dim but it had mocking undertone attached to it.
" Bastard!" Chaucer struggled to keep himself compose. These thieves were too much, why is he making such a big deal instead of readily accepting it?
" Bastard? You fat pig, I heard you lost your hand. Is that why you are so grumpy?" Silver laughed out loud not giving Chaucer any face.
" What do you want?" Aston asked again. If not money, there must be something that he needed or else he wouldn't have agreed to this meeting.
" A village! That village!" Silver yelled out. He sat straight looking Aston dead in the eye.
" Are you trying to hide in that village because you fear about the Sericin's invasion? Isn't it childish to think that if Redwater fell, the mountain wouldn't be any safer." Aston didn't get angry, instead ask for his reason.
" You don't need to think about it. Isn't it a good deal? I heard there are barely fifty people there. Once you capture their 'princess' why not force others to move with her. It could be granted as a wedding gift for the lady. I heard she is particularly fond of her people. It's a win win situation for both of us." Silver didn't deny or agree with his assessment. He had his own plans with the village.
" Young lord! You can't do that! He is just trying to go after our interest!" Chaucer panicked. The village was suppose to be handed to him, wasn't Silver just gunning for him in the end? Is the old man had a grudge against him or something?
" Shut up! Is it more important that capturing Mera? Can't you too just figure what to do with it after we conquer that place? You are suppose to be 'friends'!" Aston didn't really care what happened to Chaucer. His usefulness already expired long ago!
Silver laughed out loud, he already knew that the deal was done. They had to hash out details of the plan but in the end that village would become the new base of his gang of thieves!