Chereads / The Arslan Chronicles / Chapter 60 - Part Two - New World - Chapter [053.2]

Chapter 60 - Part Two - New World - Chapter [053.2]

The city twisted and turned it was like a maze - but he knew where to go.

Finally he was there - it had seemed like a few quick steps, but Arslan was heaving. 

He stood before the entrance of the under bellow, a place where basically all of the immoral things where legal - a place of no crime, where even you're closet brother can betray you in the name of self preservation.

Arslan had been born here, or at least had been brought here for he did not know his own parents. And instead was raised by a guy named Gangplank - to who he quickly understand as to name boss from an early age. 

As a kid Arslan served many purposes for the boss - like petty pickpocketing, and doing things like crawling amongst the upper drafts of places the boss had beef with and deactivating the electricity so that the boss and his men could rush in and take the place under the dark. 

And so the boss actually grew to like Arslan - in his teens Arslan participated in the ring - winning boxing matches and loosing some others. However not without some kind of agreement. 

Some type of agreement that would satisfy the boss - and then the boss would share it with his crew men and some with Arslan too. 

Until one day Arslan had everything he ever wanted - all the riches in life, and the luxury's all the benefits.

And so everything was in it's right place.

Until Arslan set out on a journey, not before turning his hair electric yellow. 

The boss insisted. 

Arslan was always a pretty boy. 

And a boy the boss considered like his own son.

Arslan was dreading what was to come - but he knew he had too, otherwise it would all be for naught.

So he entered the place - the atmosphere changed instantly - like a thousand eyes crept up on him. 

There was silence - but he knew he was being watched.

He kept his head down - but suddenly he had more than enough.

"BOSS!" He shouted at the top of his lungs. There were snickers in between the crowd.

"I request a boon under the brotherhood law!" He shouted - gasps rung around.

A tiny light in the distance suddenly became a scorching hot flame that ran towards Arslan laughing and crying like a demented demon.

"And what makes you think you can ring a boon under the brotherhood law from ME! - Son?" A voice ran in front of him as the fire stood only inches in front of him.

Gangplank a frail and pompous looking man. He hung a beer belly in front of him and had an almost circular motion to his back. His right arm was made of metal - his left leg a stick.

The last word rung through his lips like a cold ice pick sharpening itself against chalk.

Gangplank was his name.

Arslan stood proudly and bravely. 

Gangplank had a fire affinity, he was using a spell around him - intimidating Arslan.

Gangplank hadn't seen him in forever ago.

"Because I'm your son boss - or at least something like it - and my Shepard needs my help!" Arslan said sternly. 

Gangplank lost his temper and died his fire down. 

After it was all gone he looked smaller than before.

"You're - Shepard?" Gangplank said with almost a tiny voice.

"You know him?! Aiden?" Arslan suddenly perked up.

"I do know him - Sir Aiden.- he's all over the papers - it's anything anyone is talking about - wait - are you two like a thing?!" Gangplank suddenly sasses up.

"Umm - Yeah," Arslan said shyly. "We've actually sworn inamorato to each other." Arslan rubbed the back of his head. 

"No - No - No," Gangplank seemed disappointed. "Not the inamorato!" Gangplank circled around.

"You married the guy!" Gangplank turned around making a weird face.

"Yeah -" Arslan sniffled. 

There was a moment of silence between the two. 

"You know I don't do inamorato - I only touch the ladies," said Gangplank. 

"I know - I believe we already talked about this - like I said - I like both - just sometimes - it's a lot easier with guys - they give me stuff and treat me nice - and things are just less complicated -" Arslan mentioned.

"We have - I'm sorry - you're right -" the crewmen just raised an eyebrow. 

Inamorato was widely accepted as a form of love and marriage across the land of Eldoren, and it's a ceremony that applied to both genres. It wasn't uncommon to see same sex couples with that title.

However many women moved away from the practice half a century ago. 

Men, especially guild men, still hold on to that tradition.

The tradition was allowed to stay by the women in charge at the big castle in Eldoren.

Let's keep an open mind.

And treat each other with empathy.

Women use marriage instead. 

"So this boon you mentioned?" Gangplank returned to the point. 

"Are you willing to do a little favor for me?" Gangplank said.

"Yeah - name it!" Arslan said in a heartbeat. 

"It involves diving near the under dark, you ready?" 

"As I'll ever be - what will you have me do?" Arslan questioned.

"There's this stink spirit I need taken care of," 

Arslan sighed and looked defeated. 

"Again?!" Arslan said.