Book 3 Chapter 14

Roe glanced once again at the nervously fidgeting man sitting across from him before letting out a sigh. He didn’t even bother looking down at the small pile of gems the man had put down, and instead rolled his eyes over to the white-masked figure standing in the corner.

The fidgeting man noticed the motion, gulping audibly as sweat beaded his brow, “Mr. Ro…”

Roe’s eye’s snapped back, “Alloy…” He growled, before picking up one small diamond to examine. He shifted it back and forth carefully under the light, looking unimpressed.

“Yes... Mr. Alloy, I’m sorry, umm… Like I said the mine has had some results but…”

Alloy held up a hand, rising as he stood and moved across the office towards the bar. He moved with familiar motions as he prepared two glasses. Opening the decanter, he lifted it to his nose, taking a long sniff before breathing out in appreciation.

He filled the two glasses, moving back towards the table with them in hand. He set one in front of the pudgy man…

“Ah, no than…” He started, but Roe ignored him, setting the glass in front of the man before moving to sit. He sniffed the glass once again before glaring at the fidgeting man and his still untouched glass.

The man almost let out a yelp from fear, raising the glass quickly with a muttered word of thanks. He sipped it gently, yet was still left in a coughing fit as the burning liquid terrorized his throat.

Roe nodded at the sight, sipping his own drink as he leaned back before motioning a hand towards the pile on the table. “Now, Idor… Tell me, is this supposed to be just a sample? A taste of the beautiful riches that the mine I put you in charge of has reaped within this first month? Because if so, while I appreciate the presentation, I prefer you deliver the haul all at once. I wouldn’t want you to endanger yourself carrying them for longer than needed….

“Ahh... No uh, Mr. Alloy, Sir...” Idor gulped again tugging fretfully at his collar. “As I was saying, while the mine has produced some results, it has not yet reached the ability to fulfill the quota…”

“I heard what you were saying the first time Idor…” Roe said, taking another drink before setting the glass down as he locked eyes with the squirming man in front of him.

“I just thought that I must have misheard and wanted to give you the chance to clarify, because from what I did hear… Your saying…” Idor shrank as Roe’s voice rose with each word, “In an entire month of working that site… The site that my best surveyors say is teeming with diamonds the size of my fist…” He held up a meaty hand, waving it grandly towards the quivering Idor before motioning towards the small pile of gems, “This paltry shit stain… Is all you have to show for it?”

“Sir! I promise you, this first month may not have been…” Idor suddenly yelped, ducking as Roe’s glass came sailing towards him, smashing into the wall with a crash and covering his with its remains.

“DO YOU TAKE ME FOR A FOOL?” Roe yelled, standing with both hands against the desk unhidden fury in his eyes. “YOU THINK I HAVE NO EYES? OR NO SENSE? DID YOU THINK YOU COULD WALK INTO MY FORGE! MY CITY! AND CHEAT ME?”

“No Sir!” Idor wailed, “I swear Mr. Alloy this is all I have, I don’t know if the survey was wrong or if my foreman is the cheat, but I swear to you I would never do such a thing. On my honor Sir…”

The words seemed to deflate Roe, his breathing slowing as he glared at the panicking Idor, before he suddenly smiled. “I believe you Idor, I know you’re not the type to steal from me, but you see why this is a problem yes? My surveyors have never been wrong, and a month is a lot of time…”

“No, of course Sir, then it must be the foreman. He was a new hire that came recommended to me. Please allow me to go back and I’ll have him dealt with immediately Sir…”

“Good Idor, good…” He walked over to the still shaking man, lifting him to his feet as he dusted off shards of glass from his shoulders. Look at you Idor, you’re a mess. Here, rest here for now, take the chance you regain your wits, then do what must be done alright?”

“Yes Sir!” Idor answered enthusiastically, nodding his head up and down. “Of course, Mr. Alloy, I’ll have that foreman strung up like a pig and have your diamonds to you in no time…”

"Good Idor, I’ll be counting on it… I’m off for now but I’ll be waiting on your report all right?”

“Yes Mr. Alloy of course, please have a good day…” Idor bowed, not daring to look up as the larger man left the room.

Roe nodded cheerfully at the man before turning to leave. As he did so he glanced at the white-masked figure still standing in the corner, nodding his head once before he left. He closed the door behind him and didn’t get far before the screams started, muffled though they were by his carefully built office, they still followed him as he made his way down the hall.

He made his way to the waiting carriage and quickly climbed in looking over documents and paper as the attendant served him another drink. As he arrived at his home, a fashionable mansion set not too far from his workshops he let out a sigh of relief. “It’s done?” He asked the open air as he exited the carriage.

“Yes, Idor will certainly be more careful in the future…”

“Good... He’s a fool and a cheat, but he’s good with numbers and the others have stolen too many of my workers…”

The white mask simply nodded as he followed him into the home. As they walked into the main hall though they slowed, feeling something was off. The usually busy mansion was eerily quiet, with not a sound of person nor beast.

Roe let out a frown, “where are...” He stopped, noticing the three individuals sitting at the top of the stairs, staring down at him. One was a young boy with dark hair and an arrogant expression tapping his foot impatiently as they arrived. Another a meek-looking young woman, yet she held a hammer that seemed far too large for her as if it were weightless. Lastly, sitting with a sly grin on his face was the person Roe least wanted to see…

“How’s it going, Roe… Oh sorry, Alloy…” Torvus corrected himself sarcastically, before nodding towards the white mask next to him, “Yori, you look well...” He continued his smile not reaching his lifeless eyes…