Both Sides Of The Coin [Aurin]

[Erratum]

Both Sides of the Coin

Ash 59, 123

Valentin Valentin's reign of terror continued throughout Valensier. Business after business was hit, rich and poor alike huddling in dark offices, staring at their doors, fearing that inevitable *knock knock knock* which signaled that their time had come. The OIR wrung blood from every stone, and when the auditors departed each victim's books had a lot more red in them. Still, as each shell-shocked taxpayer reeled in the wake of the terror, none realized that they were all very, very lucky.

Because they weren't Allstead Shipping Company.

The auditors descended upon the shipping concern like a swarm of locusts. A dozen men and women marched into the (now sparsely-appointed) offices like an officer corps, each bearing the terrible tools of destruction for which they were known; pencils, pads of paper, measuring tape, and tiny black books filled with dark financial truths. They terrorized the poor majordomo until he was nothing but a sobbing wreck, they held select interviews with the captains of each dock team at the railyard, and asked a million pointed questions of the concern's flummoxed accountant, though he fared rather better in terms of his dignity. Valentin himself made a point of tracking down Frau Allstead and asking difficult questions about her life, her relationships, her deceased family and so forth. At the end, the auditor made it exceptionally clear that the OIR had not been fooled by any of the staff's protestations and explanations- and a reckoning would not be postponed indefinitely.

They contacted Darus of Haqs that very evening. Louis Gerhard's firm, blocky hand gave no indication of the horrors the trio had just faced, or the pressure applied to push them into Aurin's clutches. It said only:

Darus. My employer has consented to take you up on your offer. Meet me at the trainyard tonight to discuss procedures and remuneration.

Upon hearing this, Valentin only smiled, and said to Aurin- "The wheels of the gods grind slowly, but they grind extremely small. Take him for everything he's worth, and watch for the knife at your back."

[Aurin]

The face was that of Artur Darus, but the vulpine smirk was pure Aurin Kavafis.

For flavor, he had undergone an intense interrogation by none other than the fearsome Valentin Valentin, the better to show anyone watching that Darus was not working with the OIR, but just another victim, perhaps more so as he was Haqsian rather than Gelerian. But he had made Valensier a regular port-of-call and improved the local economy, as well as putting stupid smiles upon several ladies and even a few gentlemen.

He was, for the most part, accepted and welcomed here. So much ground work had been laid that he already intended for his interests to move through Valensier in the future in case he might make use of that sentiment in the future.

But for now...

He tapped his nose. "I will have eyes on the back of my head," he promised.

Rather, he would be sembling for all he was worth, ready to act rather than react.

As soon as most people would have called it 'night' rather than 'evening,' he was at the train station. His clothes were more sober than usual, but he was hardly dressed as a cat burglar. Of course, those who tailored his clothes, his costumes, did so such that he could parkour the fuck out of whatever situation he found himself in whether he could vault out magically or not. He hadn't always been a Railrunner, and he didn't let old skills grow rusty just because he had other options available to him.

In any case, he walked with his head uncovered, red curls flashing under every pool of gaslight. Gerhard hadn't been precise about the meeting location, so Darus made a point of being seen by any who might be watching.

He was eager for the payoff, but wasn't going to waste time on anything just for shits and giggles; Aurin had to be back in Zaichaer soon to help Imogen break her curse.

[Erratum]

When Aurin at last arrived at the trainyard, the first thing he noticed was the silence.

There are many kinds of silence in the world. One was the silence of the wilds, the forests and plains in the dark of the night. Even in the darkest depths of the desert, this was no true silence- it was the chirping of cicadas, the slithering of tiny lizards, the crackling of branches, and the choirs of frogs.

Another sort of silence belonged to those places owned by men, the interiors of houses where even the sounds of wind and cricket were muffled. These were hollow soundscapes, where the creaking of settling foundations, the dull noise of pipes and other such contrivances were banished to the back of the quiet as a dull hum. Aurin was particularly used to that kind of silence, of course.

The third, and worst silence, was the kind of silence you got when someone was trying to keep things silent. There, in the trainyard, no nocturnal noises of animals prevailed, no bugs buzzed, no breeze whispered. There were only the silent wood-and-metal hulks of the empty boxcars, the abandoned trolleys, and the little puddle of light in the center of the yard where Aurin's two contacts awaited him.

Hodgekins was there, though not in his prim butler's uniform; he wore brown galoshes and a greatcoat, underneath which he was trying, with little success, to conceal a rifle. He held it inexpertly, his grip loose and slippery with sweat. Priggish eyes peered out into the darkness from beneath a brown bowler cap, darting about, nervous.

Louis held the lantern which cast the only light in the trainyard in a firm, casual grip. The giant was leaning against a loading crane, his other hand gently shepherding the overstuffed cigar glowing in his mouth. In contrast to his compatriot, the huge accountant seemed absolutely at ease.

"I don't like this." Hodgekins said, quietly (though not so quietly that Aurin couldn't make the words out) "He's late. What if this was a trap?"

"Calm down, Jas." responded Louis, his words clear and calm dispite the cigar stuck to his lip, "He wants us to think we need him more than he needs us, but- ah, speak of the devil."

Louis turned to face the approaching Darus of Haqs. He didn't wave a hand in greeting--after all, who else could he be here for?--but pulled away from the crane, rising to his full height. Darus hadn't been making any effort to disguise his approach, of course, but the fact that the accountant had noticed his approach despite looking in an entirely different direction, in the dark... very odd. Notably, too, the duo did not seem to be accompanied by their Zaichaeri friend; at least, Aurin's trick revealed no lurkers in the surrounds.

"You've come, so I'll assume that you're interested in making a lot of money, yes?"

[Aurin]

It was dark for quite a while before Darus homed in on the lantern, and he supposed he was making plenty of noise for the silent place though it seemed as though Louis sensed him coming. He hadn't sensed a Rune of Semblance upon him, so he hoped he wasn't missing something; if he was, it meant Louis was far more formidable than he had originally guessed.

Hodgekins' rifle wasn't well concealed, but he wasn't too worried about it. He didn't doubt the erstwhile butler would shoot him given the opportunity, but he didn't trust him so he wouldn't get the chance to catch him unawares.

Once within the circle of lantern light but not so very close, he offered a bow from the Imperial court—at least one seen from far away.

"Money and secrets are my favorite things, gentlemen," he said, "so let us make the former and keep the latter. Well, keep both, actually." He laughed quietly. "Shall we to business, then?"

Darus 'didn't know' about the Zaichaeri Frau Allstead, so he didn't ask after her absence. If an opportunity to extricate her presented itself, he might take it, though he didn't know that Valentin Valentin Valentin wanted her. Perhaps he could take her back to Zaichaer, which was still a shit show in his estimation, but better than it had been before disaster after disaster struck it—almost as if it had incurred divine wrath for its strident atheism.

But for now, he had to figure out what they were about and how they were trying to fuck him. He had no doubt that they were trying to fuck him, whether to make him a scapegoat for their crimes or some other shenanigans. The game was still afoot, and while Valentin might be a safety net for him, he would rather soar high above, a deft trapeze artist, than need help.

[Erratum]

"Gehen wir." said the giant, his voice warm, as though he weren't plotting Darus' murder, "Let me begin with what I suspect you already know. The Allstead Shipping Company's fortunes have been in steep decline since Sir Tupin's untimely passing. Frederick--much as well all mourn him--did nothing to aid Mrs. Allstead in managing the corporation. And I myself am a bookman; I can tally the numbers, but I lack the old master's gift for driving the business."

This, as Aurin understood it, was a careful admixture of truth and lies. Sir Tupin wasn't terribly gifted at driving business, and while the company's number of contracts had fallen in recent years, that was almost certainly the work of the sudden cold war with Kalzasi, the fall of Zaichaer, one of the company's major trading partners, and the subsequent expenses imposed by the Great Eclipse. No, according to Valentin's notes, the Company still made money- much more than it had reported, in fact.

"And with affairs of the world being all that they are-" Hodgekins began, before Louis silenced him with a glance.

"In any event, the Imperial Government has chosen to disbelieve the widow's finances are in this state, and intends to bleed her dry. It is a difficult choice, but I've counseled her to leave the Imperium entirely. Once the Office of Imperial Revenue makes up its mind, it will not stop until it has what it wants- matters like truth and the realities of the world notwithstanding. I hesitate even to say it aloud, but my lady could well find herself in a jail cell."

This, of course, was all certainly true.

"But it would not do to have her leave the country and live as a pauper in Haqs or Zaichaer; or worse, a kept broodhen by one of the rapacious pidges of the north. No, Sir Tupin and Frederick's ghosts, the Divines rest them both, would surely come and drag me to the very depths of the Warrens for such an outrageous thing. And that only if I hadn't taken my own life on her account, sir."

Louis' words were heartfelt and intense, and wholly unbecoming the man who might well have already murdered the woman in question. If Darus were Aurin, and Aurin were auditioning for parts at the theater, this would have been a first-rate performance. Was he really that good...? What the devil was going on, here?

"So we need your help." the little butler blurted out, ignoring the accountant's warning glare this time, "We can easily move Dame Allstead out on one of the trains, but they'll be inspected by the OIR. The money must have some legitimate path out of her accounts, and make it to some institution foreign where the OIR cannot simply impound it. If you can do this, we're prepared to offer you a substantial sum."

[Aurin]

"Wie Sie möchten."

Darus listened actively, nodding and making the correct noises here and there. Everything they said was compared with what he knew from other sources: Valentin and his own investigations. Every story was embellished by the teller, generally revealing their bias and often their desire.

Louis Gerhard was certainly a better actor than was 'Frau Allstead,' but even if he were saying the right things, Darus knew he was also harboring murderous thoughts. Those thoughts notwithstanding, he would have vouched for the man at the Pfenning or Golden Peacock Theaters. But he might just have to kill him just to make sure nothing followed Darus and possibly led to Aurin.

"Certainly," he said briskly. "I don't actually truck with the Dratori in Dalquia, so my closest extra-imperial contacts would be in Zaichaer, which has, surprisingly, perhaps, bounced back quite vigorously from the rift and the eclipse. Depending on her long-term goals, however, Zaichaer might not be the best place for her money to remain. There exists some, hm, friction between the new government and the Guild of Coin. I suppose because they are Atheists and the Guild purports to be a holy institution owing, hm, worship to Avenna."

He paused for a breath. When nobody cut in immediately, he continued, and he certainly sounded capable enough. Darus of Haqs did have dealings in Zaichaer—separate from Kavafis' shenanigans—so he really could move goods or, now, it seemed, currency if necessary.

"How do you think she would feel about investing in an artistic institution?"

Might as well share some of the wealth with the covens if possible.

[Erratum]

Hodgekins nodded along enthusiastically at Darus' suggestion, but the big accountant looked... not worried, exactly. Almost disgusted, like the words had dredged up something detestable. He grimaced at the notion.

"Zaichaer. It is not... my first choice."

"It is the only one which makes any sense." Hodgekins interjected, "Think about it. Haqs is too compromised, Atinaw would simply seize the money, and of course Kalzasi is wholly unacceptable."

Louis deflated, somewhat, at those words. It was the first time Aurin had seen him like this, a brief flash of vulnerability. Still, he rallied quickly, clearing his throat and nodding. He gestured towards the empty trainyard with his lantern.

"Very well. We have perhaps a week to liquidate as much of Allstead Shipping's holdings as possible, and we cannot easily hide them on the trains- the OIR will be watching all of our shipments. We will need to rely upon you to take them to the city." Louis raised a finger, "And though I apologize if it seems untrustworthy, we will have to insist that you be accompanied by an associate, who will observe that you keep your end of things. In exchange... twenty percent of the whole seems fair for shipping, does it not?"

Even Hodgekins was watching Aurin carefully now, trying to discern his thoughts and intentions from the slightest movements of his face. There was a very queer dynamic to this whole proceeding- although Louis plainly expected betrayal, he was acting as though this transaction could proceed apace, while Hodgekins seemed to think there was some chance that Darus wouldn't betray them. Plainly, there was some second layer to this mess which Valentin Valentin had not disclosed; of which, perhaps, he was wholly unaware.

But that was fine. You didn't need to know someone's family history to rob them, it just helped.

[Aurin]

Something was off, but he was good at dancing on the knife's edge, adapting in the moment. That was how Darus made money; that was how Aurin survived. A gloved finger ran along his smooth-shaven jawline.

"I suppose I could get it to the Sangen Federation, but the transportation will take longer and I can offer less certainty as to the solvency of the investments I could make with the money to tie it up safely until Frau Allstead is ready to liquidate her assets once more." He did project his dubious feelings. The fact of the matter was he had made fewer inroads so far south; if he was going south, he would go south and east to Solunarium.

Perhaps there would be a way to make use of Ecith, but he would have to talk to Imogen about that and develop the connections first.

"I will accept your minder, but I will not accept less than fifty percent as I will bear the sole responsibility for all of it once it passes into my hands. As a foreigner, Haqs could not extradite me and any punishments would be worse for me than for any of you."

Darus made a salient point, but Aurin was more concerned with making a show of cheating them here and now so they could come to a comfortable level of cheating and would be less concerned about the possibility of him actually disappearing with all of it—possibly to Kalzasi, or even Silfanore as it was even farther away and cared not for the Imperium nor the Guild of Coin.

[Erratum]

"Why, Mr. Darus, I thought you were a merchant, not a highwayman." the huge accountant's words were harsh, but the tone of his protest was mild; the man knew when he was over a barrel. Still, there was no reason to settle for the first offer.

"Though it is ridiculous to think that Haqs or anywhere else would accede to the OIR simply to get you, I admit that there is some level of risk at play. What say we call it thirty percent?"

Hodgekins nodded enthusiastically, apparently unaware that there was no way Darus would accept that. It was customary in a negotiation for both side to lead with an outrageous figure, but this was nothing like the end of it. Odd that the servant didn't seem to get this; had he never negotiated a purchase before? Gods above, did Allstead Manor pay full markup on everything? Perhaps death had been a kindness for Lady Allstead.

And speaking of...

Aurin's senses caught wind of the missing member of the Allstead trio, even though she was doing an excellent job hiding. She must have only just entered the range of his trick, for he had felt nothing a moment ago; now he sensed her in one of the nearby train cars. A casual glance over revealed no sign of her, no hair hanging out, no eyes peeking, but she must have been trying to spy regardless. Curious. If she were a prisoner, they would have kept her locked up- if she was a conspirator, why were they keeping her out of sight?

It was inevitable that there would be more to the story of any job--you couldn't learn everything about the people you were robbing--but something pricked Aurin's sixth sense about this dynamic. Everyone was hiding something terrible, everyone here was playing their role in a story, but he couldn't help but feel that someone was reading off an entirely different script than everyone else.

"...you'll also need to take the tortoise."

The butler hissed, months or years of frustration boiling to the surface. "What? No! Categorical! That bedamned demon in reptilian flesh-"

"Is offspring of Hulsehunde itself. It's a capital offense to let one of those die."

Hodgekins withered at that, looking miserable.

[Aurin]

"Forty percent," he countered, eyes narrowing even as Hodgekins began to bobble-head at Gerhard's counter-offer. "The Emperor, bless his imperial heart, was only too happy to swing his cock around... that is... his dreadnought... when an opportunity to annex Zaichaer presented itself. Haqs has no standing army, but relies upon the aegis of the High City. My sweet City of Fields would not stand up for its son should the OIR come knocking with a flock of Kathar or similar."

Gerhard could call him a highwayman all he wanted, but he was merely an opportunist who knew how to cover his own arse.

But think of the she-devil...

He pushed his awareness out farther so as to include the Zaichaeri actress, but he didn't indicate that he was aware of her presence.

Then he frowned.

"The... tortoise?" He had seen it in the woman's room, of course, but the man had never mentioned it before. "Freddie had the spawn of the Emperor's pet...?" At least some of his confusion was unfeigned. "Isn't... it a capital offense to abscond with such? Never mind... fifty percent would make you the highwaymen."

This was new information to input into his calculus. He wished he could pause the discussion long enough to ask Valentin a few questions, but alas, he would adapt to the situation.