Chapter 33

Gasper, Viper, and Lucas put their hands on top of each other on the table then swore to come to each other's aid in times of need.

A deserter and a mutineer, Gasper scoffed to himself. Thank all the gods that my survival doesn't really depend on their sincerity.

"A new pact is formed," Viper clapped his hands twice. "May it persist for eternity."

"We won't live for eternity, you fool," Lucas said with a snort. A frown was painted on his face as if the pact had achieved nothing for him.

"Don't mind what he says," Viper told Gasper. "His temper is still speaking for him."

Gasper didn't respond. He didn't feel any anger from Lucas. It was as if the former knight just didn't care. He didn't care about Edith. He didn't care about Harland. And he certainly didn't care about Viper and his little pact either.

Gasper found himself wondering why Lucas talked to other chiefs and attended these assemblies in the first place, but he realized the answer quickly. Lucas was likely trying to avoid being the enemy of all the crews at the same time. If he just ignored everyone, he would be viewed as an unknown. He would seem like a threat without a known time of eruption, which would set everyone against him.

Lucas stood up and glanced at Viper. "You can keep celebrating your pact. I will be on my way."

"May you have a safe return, Lucas," Viper said.

Lucas just nodded to Viper in response. Gasper received a nod from Lucas as well and he returned it before former knight left the room.

"Well," Viper sighed. "This didn't go as I had expected, but the result isn't so bad."

Gasper nodded and was intending to leave to, but he stopped. "Those ears you have in Ard."

"Ah, regarding that," Viper said. "I just remembered a very lucrative offer that you should hear."

"Offer?" Gasper cocked his head.

"Yes," Viper said. "If I may ask, where do you sell the goods you rob from merchants?"

Gasper grew silent. He'd told his men to collect tolls, but never rob the merchants. It wasn't like there were many merchants passing through the basin every day. But there were some who braved the infested Viscounty carrying light goods and hoping to avoid the bandits or at least pay them a toll and pass.

"It seems that I have asked too much," Viper said apologetically. "No matter. The offer I have is better than any other methods you might have. That is if you have any, of course. There is a certain merchant in Ard who doesn't mind buying what you may call unclean goods."

Gasper was surprised this time. A merchant that could get robbed goods through the gates of Ard? That wasn't a simple matter, even if the goods were small and light. Buying the goods from bandits and somehow selling them in Ard without being noticed was nigh impossible for an ordinary merchant. "Which merchant?"

Viper shook his head with a wry smile. "We never met him. Each time different people are sent to us from Ard to collect the goods and deliver the gold. That's all. Even the people sent seldom speak. This merchant buys goods from all the crews except the Silver crew."

"And that merchant is your ear in Ard?" Gasper asked.

"Indeed," Viper smiled. "For instance, right now, we know that the Viscount is planning something with a mercenary band called the Red Rain. That is why we invited you to the assembly. We don't know who he might attack next. No crew was certain of faring well if they were attacked by the Viscount's army. Now he has a mercenary band to fight beside him too. If we don't all fight together, we will suffer the same fate as the former chiefs of the east."

"True," Gasper nodded, trying to look uneasy. "Do you know when the Viscount is planning to attack next?"

"No," Viper shook his head. "If we did, it would be much simpler. But let's discuss those matters when they come. You still haven't listened to the offer."

Gasper leaned back in his seat and pricked his ears.

"We call the merchant Canary," Viper said. "He's sent someone asking us to inform you of his offer."

"Canary?" Gasper raised a brow.

"It's the golden bird, after all," Viper shrugged. "And he did bring us a lot of a gold."

"What's his offer then?"

"It's very simple," Viper said. "He will buy any goods you have at half their price. You won't even have to deliver them. His men will arrive at your camp and take them off your hands."

Gasper thought that this was the most important news to deliver to the Viscount. Even Master Rudolf who'd stood motionless since the beginning of the assembly seemed to be listening to Viper's words intently.

"What say you?" Viper smiled.

Gasper waved his hand indifferently. "I will think about this matter, then inform you of my decision later."

"Very well," Viper said.

Gasper stood up and mustered a smile. "I'm glad we've come to an agreement today, but I ought to return now."

"Likewise," Viper said, standing up. "It has been a fruitful night. Safe return to you."

Gasper shook Viper's hand and walked out of the room then left the house. Master Rudolf followed him out into the darkness and they found their two horses tied to an aged tree. They untied and mounted them, trotting towards the larger house where the torches were burning. Half his men, who were around the house, mounted their horses as soon as they saw him.

He soon led them out of the village and towards the place where he had left the other half of his men. There, he assembled all of them and rode back to the camp.

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Eight nights before the planned assault on the Silver crew, Gerald was with Arthur, Robard, and Uncle Rudolf in his study. He leaned on the table with both hands and ran his eyes over his aides.

"As expected, the bandits have united," Gerald said. "What was not expected, however, was that we had a Canary in Ard."

Arthur rubbed his chin, his eyes narrowed and fixed on the floor. He seemed to be contemplating something, but obviously still hesitant to speak.

Robard frowned and cleared his throat. "This merchant, my lord. We have to find him; otherwise, the bandits will never run out of gold. There are always brave young merchants trying to pass through the basin with light loads. That means the bandits will always have a source of coin."

"Her," Gerald muttered.

"My lord?" Robard said, puzzled.

"It's not him. It's her," Gerald explained. "Canary is someone you all know very well. It's Grina. I believe you had doubts as soon as you heard Uncle Rudolf's words, Arthur, yes?"

"Indeed, my lord," Arthur nodded. "Only Madame Grina has the power to get those goods through the gates of Ard unnoticed. She has also been trading goods in Ard for a long time. It wouldn't be difficult for her to sell those stolen goods in the dark."

Robard frowned again, this time furious. "My lord. I don't understand why you won't let me act against your cousins. They have crossed the line time and again. They should at least be imprisoned."

Gerald chuckled. "I agree that the risks that come with imprisoning Grina are no longer more severe than the risks that she brings on her own. But why should I take any risks when I can cut her limbs off and corner her slowly? It won't take long to find proof of her treason after that. If I simply imprison her and her brother without proof, then I invite division in my army, garrison, and even among my civil servants. Disposing of the most prominent figure among the branches of my family will only alert the other members of the family, and possibly make them hostile too. They are everywhere. In the army. In the garrison. In my keep. They are in every corner of Ard. I can't remove all of them overnight unless I commit a massacre. And even if I had the gall to do something like that, I wouldn't do it to my own family, Robard."

Robard grew silent and his expression turned apologetic. "Forgive me, my lord. My ignorance has made me rash."

Gerald waved his hand. "It's understandable. Grina's actions are indeed infuriating. But now we know where she gets most of her gold. Trading with bandits doesn't only enrich them, but her too. It's time to sever her relation with them. And now is the perfect time for that." He looked at Uncle Rudolf. "There are a few more things I will need you and Gasper to do, Uncle Rudolf."