KEVIN'S POV
"Ehmm.. A brothel is...", What the fuck is this? Damn Theo. Edmund kept staring at me, eyes wide awaiting an explanation. "Ahem.. Let's get this over with first, I'll tell you later", I said as I tucked his face away.
And what has gotten into Theo since yesterday. He's been acting so strange. Like a completely different person. Ah. So many things going on too fast. Its giving he a headache. Suddenly, he's strong and so decisive. It's a good thing but it's just strange. Theo has always been shy... And suddenly he speaks so well and is so strong. Did the beating from yesterday and almost dying push him past his limits.
He's been a weird one, that Theo. White hair that only nobles bloods should have and a good intuition growing up. We've been together since childhood and he's not caused trouble, not even once. The only reason he got so beaten yesterday was because he tried standing up for Edmund. As the older of the group, I've always looked after them.
The plan was solid. I hope everything goes as planned. "Hey, Ed..." I turned to look at Ed, who was rummaging through some clothes, "Why are you going through the clothes again? Can't you go like this?"
"Uhmm.. doesn't this look too rough if I'm going to meet those soldiers. Maybe a neater one would work?" Edmund responded, still rummaging through the clothes. Well, he's got a point. Those big headed soldiers would not let him come close with what he's wearing. "Make it fast", I replied. "Okay", he answered as he pulled some neater clothes from the pile.
"Ed—", I said again before leaving, "remember, don't get distracted. This is important", I added. "I know", he replied. "Theo's going to teach me how to punch walls too when we get back" He adds proudly. When did Theo tell him that? Nevermind. I just want this to get over with as soon as possible.
"How's this one?" Edmund asked as I proceeded to move out. "It's good" I replied, barely glancing at him before I left. Anything's fine, as long as it's not what he's currently wearing. We don't really have anything fancy.
----
"Hey Kevin. You called us here?" One of the boys in the group asked. I'd told one of the boys in slums to call the other boys together. "There's words that you've messed with some of Garrick's men", another added.
Ha. The slums. Rumors spread very fast around these parts. Well, that's what we're relying on. "Those are not accurate" I tried bluffing my way out, "Jimmy said he saw that Theo dude fight them off. That makes it sound true enough to me", another added.
I shot a glance at Jimmy. Always carrying rumors, with his big mouth. He hid his face away. I'm going to make him pay for this.
"Ahem", I cleared my throat before talking, "I called you guys out here to help with something important—" I added, looking at them as they stared. "What's so important? For obvious reasons, we don't really want to be seen near you and the others".
Shit. Keno. This headache. He acts like a little boss because he's under some of Garrick's gang members. A mere errand boy for a lackey that feels pompous. He's got a bit of an influence on the kids though.
"We don't want to get our asses handed to us", he continued "or, do you guys?" He added looking at the others. This pighead just ruined the mood. Now I can't say the plan involves Garrick's men and rumors. I wasn't going to say the whole plan. I guess this is a bust. I'm not going down that softly though.
"Okay. I understand what you're saying" I replied, "I called you all here to tell you some important information" I added. "Important information?", Keno asked, kind of surprised.
"Yes. One that'll benefit those who act right" I replied. Keno gave me a suspicious look, but I could see the intrigue in his eyes. Gotcha, little punk. "So, what's this important information? Some of us have important missions to be doing", He added. Important missions my ass. Acting like some high rank adventurer, look at this punk feeling himself.
I looked around, motioned them to come closer and in a low voice, "Do you know that Garrick and his men found a treasure in their last mission?" I could hear the gasps amongst them. Their eyes widening.
"Bullshit—" Keno cut in, "Where did you hear this from?". Time to bullshit some more. "The men that Theo drove off yesterday, they said it while they were harassing us. They were heavily drunk, I guess it just slipped out. How do you think frail Theo could shake them off?" I replied.
"Well, yeah. There's no way weak Theo could drive Garrick's strong men away. They must've been drunk shitless. Even I could beat Theo to a pulp", he replied, flexing his little muscles to his minions. Haha. Beat the Theo that left a fist mark on the wall without getting injured. Bet.
Good momentum now though, I should continue.
"They said, they kept it on their warehouse close to the outskirts of town so that those Gustav bastards would not be able to get to it" I added. There it was. "Hmmm..." Keno thought for a bit, "Nobody talks about this", he adds looking at the others then motions to his clique to leave.
Sorry Man, that's what makes people talk. That statement. Their eyes were already shining. They looked like they couldn't wait to tell the next person they met. Beautiful. I guess we're done here. "You all better be careful" I shouted to them as they left.
Ah. I almost forgot. "Jimmy" I called, looking at Jimmy as he tried to sneak off. He flinched and turns slowly around to me. "Ermm.. Kev..." He replies stuttering. Look at this little fucker. "Why don't we have a word, Jimmy" I added moving closer to him. He turns around and was about to run after the other kids as they left. "No you don't", I said, holding him by the shoulder before he leaves.
"If you do, I'm going to tell that Shop keeper that you were the one that stole his bread" I added, "That bread was meant to bring profits for him and his kids to survive on Jimmy—" "You know what will happen if I do" I added.
He looked terrified. Good. "I'm sorry Kevin...", he said, "I didn't mean to tell them. I'm sorry" he added pleading.
"Don't worry about it Man, you just have to do something for me" I replied, patting his shoulders and smiling at him. He looked at my face, a bit of fear in his eyes, "wha.. what can I help you with?" He asked.
"Oh. Nothing major. You know what I just told everyone about?" I asked, "Yes" he replied, nodding. "Good. I know you heard it well. Do you want me to repeat myself?" I asked, holding him firmly by the shoulder. "Uh.. No..", he replied. "Good, good... You just have to help me spread that more, okay?" I replied, "You're good at spreading rumors, no?" I added. "Uhh..." He was going to say something more but I pressed down on his shoulders some more.
"And while you're at it, spread one more thing. Say that Gustav and his men are planning to attack the warehouse at the outskirts of town." I replied smirking, "we've got to look after one another, yeah?" I added.
"Thank you Jimmy, now we're even", I added with a big smile and watched him run off.
Now, that's settled. I should get to the other phase of the plan. Rumors spread like wildfires in the slums. I'm banking on that right now.
I moved towards the next area. I told anybody I could meet in my way that Gustav and his men were planning to attack. This should kick things up and make it smooth. After running around for a few minutes, I could see some of the runners in the slums already running about. I guess the plan's working.
I sat at a corner and watched how things were going as I could see them run around. Ah. I haven't visited Old Man Kyne in 3 days. He promised to give me the whole encyclopedia of demons and monsters when I came back.
Old Man Kyne has been teaching me about monsters for the past month. He seems really knowledgeable about Monsters, like a veteran adventurer. He's kind to everyone and has a good sense of humor. I don't know much about his background since he's been secretive about it but I guess I'll know more about it going forward.
I stood up and moved towards his house. Nearing the place, I could see a group of people gathered at the place. What's happening? I stopped and asked someone coming from the place, "what's happened?", "Hah... Those Garrick gang bastards...", she replied, "what happened?!" I said, fierce, my heart thumping as the thought of something dangerous happening to Old man Kyne sunk into my chest. "Kyne, that poor old Man.. he stood to protect a girl from being harassed and was pushed. Poor man fell down and died" she replied walking off
What? Died? Old Man Kyne, dead? I could feel the world narrowing, my heart thumping faster. I could hear the heart beats. Shit. I ran towards the place. What was this bullshit? The people gathered at the entrance were too much and I could see adventurers at the door. I should take the back door.
Goddammit.