Turning his attention to the small window serving as his only exit, Eis deftly shifted the weathered wood covering, revealing a sliver of the world beyond. The dim light of dawn filtered through the cracks, casting faint shadows upon the dusty floor of his sanctuary.
Eis' agile form moved with practiced ease as he exited the window. With a silent prayer to the gods of balance, he hoisted himself onto the window ledge, his fingers finding purchase on the rusty gutter that snaked its way down the side of the building. With the grace of a seasoned acrobat, he descended, his frame navigating the treacherous path quickly.
Eis landed softly on the street below. He had something important to do - a meeting with Geb at The Cracked Head, one of the few inns in The Belows. His fingers searched for the pouch of coins hidden under his clothes, and after making sure it was there, he headed for his goal.
With each step, Eis treaded cautiously along the muddy streets, his boots sinking slightly into the sodden earth. The rain had left behind a thick layer of sludge, turning the once firm ground into a treacherous morass. Puddles of stagnant water pooled in the potholes, reflecting the sky overhead.
Amidst the muck, scattered debris littered the streets like the remnants of a forgotten battlefield. Discarded crates and broken barrels lay strewn about, their contents spilled and sodden from the rain. Tattered scraps of cloth fluttered in the breeze, caught on the jagged edges of rusted metal and splintered wood. The refuse of daily life mingled with the rubble of despair, creating a tableau of desolation that mirrored the struggles of those who called The Belows home.
Few souls ventured outside at this early hour, their presence fleeting and furtive as they navigated the neighborhood streets. Some huddled in doorways, seeking shelter from the morning air's chill, while others trudged on with heads bowed and shoulders hunched, lost in their own thoughts and worries.
As Eis moved through the streets, he exchanged brief glances and more than a few curses with the handful of people he passed. Despite the grim and hostile atmosphere, an unspoken understanding hung in the air between the street's inhabitants: leave me alone, and I'll leave you alone.
After about an hour of navigating the muddy streets of The Belows, Eis finally reached his destination - a dilapidated building barely holding on to collapse.
The wooden door groaned protestingly as he pushed it open, revealing the dimly lit interior beyond. His silhouette framed by the entrance immediately drew the attention of the few lingering visitors, their weary eyes flicking in his direction with curiosity.
Inside, the air was thick with the pungent scent of cheap alcohol and sweat.
As Eis made his way towards the bar, he felt the weight of their stares bearing down on him like a leaden cloak. The runes on his left hand, etched into his flesh like a brand of fate, drew their attention.
And then, like a spark igniting dry tinder, one of the patrons called out, "Dead man walking!"
The other patrons laughed, a cacophony of derision filling the air with its bitter sting. But Eis paid them no mind, his gaze fixed on the owner, who watched him with impassive eyes.
"Hey, Ben! Your head is shinier than ever!" Eis remarked with a playful grin, leaning his elbows on the worn wooden bar and directing his gaze towards the middle-aged man's gleaming bald pate.
The owner of The Cracked Head met Eis' jest with a steady gaze, his expression unreadable. "What makes you think I wouldn't beat you even with those runes, boy? You're walking on thin ice."
Eis raised his hands in a conciliatory gesture, a sheepish smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Oh, come on! It was just a joke!" he protested.
"The Snake is looking for you," Ben continued, his voice devoid of emotion. "He said you owe him money, and death is no excuse."
"He will haunt me even in the afterlife, won't he?" Eis sighed, a note of resignation creeping into his voice. The mention of The Snake spoiled his mood.
"I suggest you pay him back. You know he wouldn't stop looking for anyone you were even remotely close to, even after your death. Don't be a burden after the end."
"I know, Ben," Eis sighed. "I'm working on it. Which reminds me... Geb is waiting for me?"
The owner didn't answer, just nodded in the direction behind the bar.
As Eis pushed open the door to The Cracked Head's back room, he was enveloped by the dim glow of the space, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows upon the worn walls. Two figures awaited him within.
One was Borus, a youth just a year or two his senior. His lively brown eyes were a rare beacon of vitality amidst The Belows.
Most denizens of this neighborhood bore eyes clouded with resignation and sorrow, but not Borus. His gaze sparkled with an innocence untouched by the hardships of their surroundings, as if he were shielded from the harsh realities of poverty by some unseen force. As soon as he caught sight of Eis, a bright smile graced his features.
"Eis! You look like you got beat up by the guards! Smile man! You will attract more good karma this way."
"It is still early. The guards may get their chance soon enough. If they can catch me, of course," Eis grumbled. Borus' perpetual optimism had always grated on his nerves.
Geb, the third person in the room, wasted no time getting down to business. "You're not going to do anything to attract attention. It's time to discuss the plan," he stated firmly, his tone brooking no argument.
Taller and broader than Eis, Geb possessed a strength that seemed to emanate from every sinew of his muscular form. His fists, like hammers, had earned him a fearsome reputation in The Belows. A reputation that had more than once proven invaluable in getting Eis out of trouble.
Something more. Geb was like a hero in The Bellows. In a place where everyone only looked out for themselves, this man had helped countless people and sometimes didn't even ask for anything in return. If judged by reputation alone, Geb and The Snake were tied. By reputation only, of course.
He was like the big brother Eis never had.
Something within him rose from the depths of his soul, but he quickly suppressed it. Eis' family was not a subject he wanted to ever think about again.
"Have you got them?" Geb's voice cut through the haze of Eis' thoughts, pulling him back to the present moment.
The two nodded silently, their hands delving into their hidden pockets to produce a meager pile of copper coins that clinked softly as they landed on the worn tabletop. Geb's expression soured as he surveyed the paltry sum before him, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. "This won't be enough."
"We could try our luck at the market at noon. Perhaps another coin pouch will provide what we need," Eis suggested, his voice tinged with a hint of optimism.
He really wanted to be helpful to this man. Even his share of the coins didn't tempt him as much as the fact that he could help Geb get out of this place and start a new life.
"We can't afford to take that risk," Geb countered, rubbing his temples. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." Eis retorted.
"Then perhaps we should include others," Borus interjected, his gaze fixed earnestly on Geb.
"Who do you have in mind?"
"The brothers," Borus replied, his tone confident.
"I don't trust them," Eis muttered darkly.
"You don't trust anyone, Eis. Not even us," Geb said with a snort of amusement.
"Except Narni," Borus added with a mischievous grin. "How is your girlfriend?"
"She's not my girlfriend!" Eis protested, his cheeks flushing slightly.
"Of course not, Eis," Borus replied with a wink. Turning back to Geb, he adopted a more serious demeanor. "I'll speak to them. We'll have the coin by evening."
"How sure are you of your contact?" Eis said, changing the topic. We don't want to end up like Muri and his gang." He shivered just thinking about it. Their heads still stood impaled on spears at the city gates. Even though Eis hadn't known them personally, their names had echoed through The Belows like a cautionary tale. They had pulled off a daring hit on a wealthy house in the trade district, a score that should have set them up for life. But instead, it had brought them only death.
"Don't worry about it," Geb answered simply. "My contact is as invested in our success as we are. There will be four people in the carriage. All of them wealthy merchants. There will be no guards to complicate matters. It's going to be smooth and easy."
"I don't like it. Midday on the Imperial Road? There are too many variables at play. I'm already a goner, but what about you two?" As Eis said these words, their eyes focused on his left hand.
"How much time do you have left, Eis?" Borus asked with a frown.
"Nine days," he answered casually. "Enough time to tie up loose ends. Who knows, maybe I'll even splurge on a room in The Red Dragon. Live like a noble for a day or two," he added with a wry grin. "Assuming, of course, that your information about the gold in the carriage is accurate."
"Don't concern yourself with that," Geb reassured, though his gaze remained fixed on Eis' hand. "More importantly, don't tell Narni anything. She is not one of us, Eis! Always remember that. Narni was born and raised in the trade district, and even if you had known her for years, she could never truly understand us."
"Don't worry, Geb." Eis sighed. "I will keep my mouth shut."
"Good." Geb nodded with a smile.
"Then it's settled," Borus stood up. "We will meet tomorrow near the southern woods. Geb, you will have the coin till the end of the day. You just need to get the device from the Alchemist guild. The rest depends on us and luck, and I feel pretty lucky." He grinned.
Eis and Geb nodded in agreement.
They immediately split up as they stepped out of The Cracked Head and into the streets of The Belows. Eis felt a sense of unease gnawing at the edges of his consciousness. The weight of his impending demise hung heavy on his shoulders, each step forward feeling like a countdown to the inevitable end. Putting on a brave face and acting cocky can only go so long.
Yet, despite the creeping dread that threatened to consume him, Eis couldn't help but marvel at the twisted irony of it all. Perhaps, he mused, if he hadn't already accepted his fate, he would have been more worried about the intricacies of their plan and the myriad ways it could go awry.
But Eis refused to dwell on the uncertainties that loomed on the horizon. Instead, he gritted his teeth against the onslaught of doubt and fear, forcing himself to focus on the task at hand.
'What could possibly go wrong? Did I just jinx myself? Too much overthinking!' Eis scolded himself, forcing a smile. It was time to set aside the doubts and focus on something practical.
"Time to get some food." He muttered to himself.