SoulQuest Read Free Page A

Zarim, on the other hand, was here simply for business. He never liked spending too much time in Delfor, just wanted to get in and get out.  
    On the pier, Zarim raised the hood on his cloak. “Okay, I’m gonna meet with Gax. Shouldn’t take more than an hour or two. Think the pair of you can stay out of trouble until then?”
    Swul grinned as he wrapped his arm around Ekala’s legs. “We’ll be at the bar if y’ need us.”
    Ekala smiled and patted the top of the faerie’s hat. “Take your time, we’ve got some drinking to catch up on.”
    The two walked past Zarim, drawing quite a few stares from confused onlookers. Zarim called after them, “no brawling, okay?”
    Ekala waved a dismissive hand in response without even breaking stride. Zarim shook his head but couldn’t help the smile.
    “Give ‘em about thirty minutes before they get into trouble, if we’re lucky,” muttered Zarim.
    The young pirate moved through the market square, avoiding peddlers who tried to accost him for his patronage. The food venders frequently approached potential customers, holding skewers of exotic delicacies and enticing them to come to the booth. Others asked if Zarim was interested in some companionship. A few advertised lodging for the night, and there was no end to the vendors who walked around trying to sell jewelry or “priceless artifacts” from some distant, foreign land. Zarim had grown used to the peddlers over his many visits to Delfor. He ignored them, tuning them out like so much white noise.
    Once he reached the end of the market square, he turned down an alley. The shadows cast by the buildings concealed the area in darkness and the alley was strewn about with garbage and occupied by a few homeless vagrants. Two hundred yards down the alley Zarim stopped, his eyes flashing briefly as his hand moved beneath his cloak.
    The attacker came from around the corner, pistol in hand, but by the time he brought it to bear, Zarim already had his own pointed at the man’s forehead. The attacker was unshaven and dressed in miserly clothing. The two foes sized each other up.
    “Do we have to go through this every time, Kef?” asked Zarim.
    Kef just chuckled and lowered his weapon. Zarim did the same. “One day, I will get the drop on you, my friend.”
    Zarim patted Kef on the shoulder. “Keep dreaming. I’m here for Gax.”
    “Of course, of course, come with me.” Kef motioned for Zarim to follow him around the corner. He came to a heavy iron door and banged three times. A panel slid open, a pair of eyes checked them, and then the locks turned. The door opened and a large, burly man stood there, nodding to the pair as they entered.  
    “Well, well, well.”
    The voice was nasal-sounding. It belonged to a lanky fellow with round goggles on his thin face and draped in a long coat. He approached Zarim with a wide grin.  
    “How’s my ship doing?” he asked.
    “You mean my ship, Gax,” said Zarim.
    Gax snickered. “Did I? Forgive my memory, but the last I remember, the terms of our agreement state that the ship belongs to me. You are still in the leasing period, my young friend.”
    Gax moved to a round table with two chairs and sat in one. He motioned for Zarim to sit opposite him. He linked his fingers together and rested his elbows on the table. “So what have you brought your old friend, Gax?”
    Zarim pulled his cloak back to reveal a satchel hidden beneath it. He rested the satchel on the table and opened it, then drew out a large bag of coins and dropped it on the table. “Ten percent, as per our arrangement.”
    Gax took the bag into his lap and two other arms emerged from the front of his coat to hold the bag open. His upper hands searched through it, running his fingertips over the coins. “Excellent.”
    “So we square?” asked Zarim. “Because we do have some other business to discuss.”
    “But of course. Sit, sit.” Gax closed the bag and handed it off to Kef. “So what can I do for you,