Chapter 5

(May 29,306 Pewtit City, Indigo League)

            The consequences of certain actions are not always readily apparent until after the action has already been completed Jack realized. As reward for sweeping the Pewtit gym and evolving into a Kadru Jessica wanted an outdoor taming situation which he was happy to provide. When she wanted to tame in the typical way for a Kadru, that of him wrapped amongst her coils he again had no problem and allowed her to take the dominant role.

            The problem of course is what happens when she falls asleep afterward still in that position. While not wrapped tightly enough to cause any real discomfort he was unable to move his limbs and extricate himself.

            Why not just wake her up you may ask, the problem is that while Jack trusted her not to harm him willingly, she may reflexively squeeze if startled awake and that would create a lot more problems than simply having to lay still for awhile.

            Thirty minutes of this went by before Jack started to seriously consider taking the risk of waking her up when he heard her begin to gently snore and her grip on him loosened ever so slightly and he was able wrest a hand free of her containment.

            Fortunately he kept his pokeballs in subspace and could summon them with a simple flick of the wrist. Unfortunately he always kept a single pokeball out, whoever he was currently with, and that meant Jessica's pokeball was lying about 5 meters away with the rest of his hastily shed clothes.

            Which meant his only recourse was to summon aid. A flick of the wrist brought a pokeball to his hand and the press of a button brought Chandra into the world.

            “I see Jessica managed to evolve master.” She spoke after a cursory examination of their location revealed only the three of them and no threats.

            “She evolved during the gym battle at Pewtit, she managed to sweep the other tamer and for a reward she wanted a private taming session outside.” He swept his hand out gesturing at the trees surrounding them. “Now if you would toss me her pokeball from that pile over there I would appreciate it.”

            Always one to follow orders to the letter Chandra picked up the ball and tossed it to him. He managed to catch it a little awkwardly from his position but he managed and in a flash Jessica was gone and he was alone with Chandra. Bare to the world as well he realized and began dressing as quickly as possible.

            “I am glad she evolved it will make her more powerful for you master.” Chandra spoke as she watched him dress, her normally bright emerald green eyes shining even more as her night vision collected as much light as possible to enable her to see as though it were day.

            “Very true and once I manage to get my hands on a dusk stone she'll become a Nidogg and be at her strongest. Of course that plan is somewhat contingent upon actually finding a dusk stone.” He finished slipping on his shirt and threw on his customary leather jacket. It might have been the eves of May but it was still cold enough at night to need one in Pewtit.

            “Even if I manage to find one I'm looking at about a 50,000 SLC price tag which is a bit much right now. Once you ladies are trained up enough to take on some of the stronger ferals we can hunt up enough to cover the cost." He paused and turned to face her. "What isn't a stone with an insane price tag however is a moon stone.”

            “You want to evolve me into a Dark Lady.” She said flatly after taking a few moments to realize they relevance of a moon stone to her.

            “Correct, evolving into a Dark Lady would give you access to a number of new abilities not the least of which are flight and an enhanced magical affinity. All it takes is the expenditure of a common moonstone.”An item he had picked up in Viridick as a matter of fact in anticipation of the event.

            “I will no longer be the same after I evolve. Dark Ladies are known for being consumed by hatred and rage. You will have to force me to obey you.” Jack noticed that she never said if or when she evolved. She knew he had already decided his course of action and accepted it. That she was talking about how he would have to brutally rape her in the most degrading ways possible later was somewhat disconcerting but he shrugged the feeling away.

            “I am hoping that it won't come to that but if necessary I will handle the issue when it comes up. Hope for the best and plan for the worst as they say.” He paused drinking in her nude form and silently noting that he would have to get her some clothing for when she evolved. Dark Ladies did have a very different fashion preference after all. “The evolution will take place in three days in the midst of the festival. It was the earliest I could reserve the room necessary for it to happen in.”

            “Isn't it illegal to evolve a Dark Elf into a Dark Lady master? How will you get around that while still in town?”

            “As with most of the laws I felt I might one day have a need to break or skirt I looked it up and it is but another example of the travesty that is the legal system. The way the law is written there is nothing suspicious about having a Dark Elf and a moonstone and then an hour later having only a Dark Lady. Only getting caught mid-act would be enough to actually get me convicted of anything and even then it's only a fine. Really the only people actually found guilty are those who just outright confess to having done it.” She had a glazed look on her face by the time he finished. “Just let me worry about it I've got it under control.”

            “Yes, master. You should think about becoming a lawyer, you are very good at it.”

            “Flattery will get you everywhere Chandra. I actually did consider becoming a lawyer for a bit but the reason I enjoy the law so much I suppose is because of my rebel curse rather than any desire to help people or spread justice.”

            “Your rebel curse makes you enjoy learning about the law, master?” She didn't see the connection it seemed.

            "There are essentially two different forms of the rebel curse. At least as far as I see it, most people are happy saying there is one form and being done with it. Anyway the first and what most people think of are those who hate being told what to do in any form and will do anything they can to not do what they are told. As a result they are rather easy to get to do what you want as all you do is tell them to do what you want and they'll do the opposite. The second group however, which I include myself in, also hate being told what to do but rather than simply do the opposite of what they are told prefer to violate the rules in spirit. Do you understand the difference?”

            “Yes, master I understand.”

            He caught her chin and forced her to look him in the eyes. “I can tell when you lie to me and I don't want you to even for something as minor as this. If I ask you something it is because I genuinely want to know the answer and it isn't for you to decide what I want that answer to be. After all I already know what the answer I want is and I could save a lot of time just having the conversation with myself if that was what I wanted.”

            “I'm sorry master and I will accept whatever punishment you decide upon for my presumption.” She bent her head, barring her neck to him in supplication and Jack was suddenly struck by the memory of reading the pokedex description for Dark Elves and it's comment on their behavior to male tamers as 'whorishly slavish'.

            “I'll defer your punishment until you have evolved as that would cover it in spades. The difference between the two is that if you tell the first group not to run somewhere that will be their only thought, to actually run there. Regardless of any other methods of travel or what they truly wanted. The second will not run but instead use a pokegirl to fly. Tell them not to do that and they will teleport. Ban that and they will jog. The goal in banning someone from running is that they don't want you to get there faster, not so much the actual running."

            The two walked in silence through the darkness after that. Jack held a silent debate with himself weighing the pros and cons before nodding to himself. “Come along Chandra tonight you start learning how to read.”

            She followed behind him and Jack saw the hesitant look on her face. “Speak up girl, I do not punish questions unless asked with impertinence.”

            “Why teach me how to read though master?” She asked at his urging.

            "Does is matter why I want you to be able to read?"

             “No master it doesn't.” She answered resolutely. Why he made his decisions didn't matter to her only that it was he who made them.

            Celaboner city was the most populous city in the Indigo League with close to 80,000 permanent inhabitants and its population tripled for the Celaboner Flower Festival. Hotels booked solid months in advance and pokecenters overflew with tamers, so much so that eight temporary pokecenters were thrown together for the occasion and capacity was still overwhelmed.

            Why is the festival so popular you ask, well that's because it had something for everybody. From the amazing horticultural displays grown by the Celaboner gym that gave the festival its name to the Celaboner Stadium that held dozens of exhibition battles between some of the top ranked tamers and gym leaders that chose to attend. Magical duels were fought as well showcasing their prowess before an audience before creating amazing pyrotechnic displays at night that kept the city lit as though the sun were still out.

            Even the criminal underworld had special events they looked forward to. They were called blind auctions and while illegal in many places the Indigo League and Celaboner City in particular had yet to ban them. One simply dropped the item to be sold off at the auction house and received a claim ticket in return. Once the item sold the ticket was redeemed for a credit chip, no names or identifying features ever exchanged. While items such as art and jewelery inevitably made their way through the true purpose of the auctions was for pokegirls.

            Every girl received at the auctions was run through a level 5 conditioning cycle and placed into a different pokeball. Any chance of stolen goods being found was gone at that point and many people took advantage of it.

            Fully one fourth of the pokegirls stolen in the Indigo League made their way through one auction or another and a sizable portion of thefts outside the league came through as well. Prices were lower than they might otherwise be, but risk of discovery was as close to 0 as you could get.

            After a day of watching spectacular duels and perusing the auctions for that one girl you've always had your eye on one can relax and enjoy a bit of night time entertainment. Already sizable to begin with entertainment industry of Celaboner blossomed a half dozen times over with shows, erotic and otherwise, making their debut and clubs that catered to themes and fetishes were erected for one that would rather rent then buy.

            Alcohol flew like water, sex was everywhere, drugs were found under a thinly disguised veneer and nothing was too much for a single week of hedonism a year. Well almost anything, battling outside of an area sanctioned for it resulted in harsh and immediate punishment by the towns police. The reasonable force limitation was raised for this one week as there were far too many people around to risk a stray attack, which was why challenges were allowed to be refused for the duration as well.

 

            “What about him, what's his story.”

            “The one with the Boobisaur?”

            “Yes him.”

            Jack was attempting to teach Lilith the age old art of reading people and the best way to start was with a simple imagination exercise. All you have to do is look at someone and try to imagine where they are coming from and where they are going. Is there a mustard stain on his shirt? Does she look angry while holding a bear trap? Of course as so often happened it essentially became a game of invent the most embarrassing scenario possible and say it loud enough for them to hear.

            “Well he's got dirt on his hands and he's walking with a slight gait with a Boobisaur at his side. So I'm guessing she slipped a vine where the sun don't shine and he ended up liking it.” She singsonged her answer loudly drawing a number of gazes and more than a few hearty guffaws as the tamer hurriedly recalled his Boobisaur and beat a hasty exit from the crowded street. A few disapproving glances were attracted as well which Jack ignored, their approval mattered little to him.

            “What about chubs over there.” A short, pudgy tamer with an unhappy looking Amachoke by his side was strutting down the street with two badges prominently pinned to his lapel.

            "He just came from the costume store and wants to show off his rendition of an arrogant lout of a tamer brimming with smug self-satisfaction." Lilith said matter of factly and the tamer when question bristled and came marching towards them.

            "What did your succubus just say about me?" He demanded and a crowd began loosely forming around them rife with excitement about an impending fight.

            "She said you are acting like an undeservedly arrogant piece of scum. Why is it not an act?" This was not the answer he had been expecting and his eyes narrowed and fists clenched in anger.

            "You better take that back." He growled out through gritted teeth beside him his Amachoke flexed slightly.

            "I've donkey punched Titmice that were scarier than you." He said flatly and more than a few hearty guffaws came from the watching crowed. Jack sneered and drew himself to his full height looming over the tamer by nearly half a foot. "We may weigh the same but that is for a reason. Fattie." Jack cocked his head and added the last part watching him for sudden reactions.

            "I'll-" He was suddenly cut off by a shrill whistle as an OfficerJenny broke up the crowd, sending them on their way.

            "Break it up citizens and keep moving." She made it through the crowd to where the two of them were standing. "I said move along citizens, that includes you two."

            "But officer I-" The tamer started and the OfficerJenny blew the whistle again cutting him off and getting a harsh wince from Lilith, Jack recalled the weakness to sonic based attacks and filed away a thought to train for it.

            "As long as all that was exchanged here was words you will move along." She glared sternly at the two of them and it only grew more severe as Jack gave her a grin and a half wave as he walked away.

            "As much fun as that was it really wasn't the point of the exercise Lilith. Now try again and this time talk out your thought process. Her, give me a story for her." He pointed to a tall, blonde woman working on one of the many rose exhibits that lined the street.

            She was trimming a bush of bright blue roses while a Chikotit lounged in the soil nearby the roots.

            "She is barefoot with a pair of high heels nearby so she must have come directly from somewhere that high heels would have been appropriate." She looked at Jack but he simply gestured for her to continue without comment. "Her hair is slightly mussed but that could be from working the garden. She has a pack filled with books with her so perhaps a student at the university that came here right after class?" She guessed.

            "Certainly plausible." he agreed and was about to ask another question when Lilith interrupted him.

             “Oh master can we look at that stall please.” She wrapped her arms around him and pressed her chest into his back to help convince him.

            “Well I can hardly say no when you ask like that now can I.” He replied and Lilith shot off with him following at a more sedate pace.

            The stall was little more than a table standing at waist height with jewelry strewn across it. On the other side of the table sat the purveyor who was talking with a man while his Purrsian held onto a gleaming gold necklace.

            Jack inspected a pair of cufflinks made from scuffed looking jade while Lilith quickly went through the tables entire selection with a criteria that was beyond his comprehension. She apparently found what she was looking for though.

            “Master can we get this, please?” She held out a necklace for him to see. It was made of interlinking chains of a bright yellow metal, most likely gold plated nickel. A triangular cut stone that was such a dark purple it was almost black glittered ominously from where it was set in silver and suspended from the fine chain.

            “It's a tanzanite stone booster, it will make my dark type attacks twice as strong and it's only 5,000 SLC.”

            “I sincerely doubt that an actual booster could be found that cheaply on the streets of Celaboner or any city for that matter.” Jack said dryly eyeing the necklace with a critical gaze.

            “Right you are my good sir.” The purveyor had finished with the Purrsian and entered the conversation. “A true booster that can double the strength of an attack can fetch upwards of 200,000 SLC and usually has to be special ordered. Otherwise such useful items would be far more common don't you think? What you have there is a failed attempt to create a booster.”

            “Why would anyone want one if it doesn't work like it's supposed to?”

            “A failed attempt means that the stone is no longer usable as a booster but it will still work for jewelry. Often times it makes for superior jewelry since the process can give it interesting features like twinkling more and what not. So rather than just throwing out the stone and eating the loss they sell them to make cost back.” He explained holding up a glittering white pearl to illustrate.

            “So it's just a plain stone then.” Jack took the necklace from Lilith and hefted it in one hand feeling its cool weight. It was faint but he could just barely sense the same feeling he got whenever there was an infernal nearby “It can't be just a plain stone I know I can feel something from it.”

            “Sometimes the process doesn't completely fail and it can work like a miniature booster, there is no way to tell how powerful it is though and the most they ever get is a 5-10% increase.”

            “You either get 0, 10 or a 100% increase, that's a pretty large jump.” Lilith observed and Jack noticed her eyes trained on the stone as it swayed gently suspended from his hand.

            “It has to do with how once you get to a certain point you either finish the booster or the process make it melt or explode or if you're really unlucky a combination of the two. The closer you get to the end before failing the more violent the explosion. It's more than slightly dangerous.”

            “I never realized being a jeweler was so hazardous to one's health.”

            “There is a reason why people don't take a 3,000 credit stone and turn it into a 200,000 credit booster. Even masters of the art find it difficult and cannot do it more than once a week.”

            “I suppose I never thought about it but it makes sense.” Jack said after a moment's thought before shrugging with apathy.

            “So can I have it please master?” Lilith begged eyes alight with desire for the gem.

            “Well I don't know have you done anything lately to deserve it?”

            “I could do something to earn it tonight master.” She demurred pressing her bosom against his arm and her wings twitched slightly in their folded up position.

            “Trading sexual favors for goods doesn't really work when you would do it anyway. There is also Jessica and Chandra to consider, shouldn't they get a gift as well?”

            “But I'm your alpha you can get just me something if you want.”

            “I can get something for any one of you anytime I want. I don't subscribe to the do something for everyone or do nothing for no one philosophy. However if I were to get just one of you something it would be Jessica. After all she both evolved and took on the Pewtit gym all by herself. Do you have anything that increases plant or dragon type moves?” He addressed the last part to the shop keeper who nodded and moved to the other side of the table from where they were at.

            “For plant types we have a rose cut tsavorite stone set in silver in a few different forms, bracelets and earrings being the most popular. Dragon types however use a kunzite gem set in white gold such as these.” He held up a bracelet made of two intertwined snakes with small gems scattered where their bodies interwove and handed it to Jack to examine. “It looks similar to a diamond and its connection with dragons make it the most popular with people not looking for a specific type.”

            “True, though when she evolves she would lose her plant typing so I suppose a kunzite would be the best choice really.” Jack fingered the stone as he had the necklace in an attempt to see if he could feel a similar sensation. Nothing came though whether it was not actually a booster or he just couldn't feel dragon type energy he didn't know.

            “How about one for each of us after all our appearance reflects on you and you should only be seen as the best.” He had long decided that he would buy one for each of the girls he was just waiting for Lilith to come up with a plan that wouldn't purposefully alienate the other two. Engender good will and a boost of power for 15,000 SLC was a steal quite frankly.

            He couldn't just let her know that though so Jack made a show of thinking over her words before giving in. “I suppose you do reflect upon me. I'll take the tanzanize necklace, that kunzite bracelet and what do you have for magic-types?”

            “An amber bar capped on both ends with white gold. It's most popular when inset to a ring.” The man gestured to the middle of the table and Jack immediately saw which one was for Chandra. Centered around the gem was a rose that ran the length of the loop of the ring.

            Jack paid the man and slipped the boosters for Jessica and Chandra into his pokepack.

            “Master will you put this on for me please?” Lilith turned around and swept her hair to the side to bare her neck to Jack.

            “Delighted to.” He locked the delicate looking chain with a small snap and Lilith twirled around to show off her new stone.

            “How does it look?”

            “Ravishing, and the necklace isn't bad either." He gave a hearty chuckle as she preened under his attention.

            His pokedex began to chirp and he snapped it open to take a look at his newest message.

            "What is it master?" Lilith asked curiously attempting to position herself to read it.

            "If I wanted you to know what it said I would tell you." He told her firmly as he snapped the pokedex shut.

            "My apologies master, it won't happen again."

            "See that it doesn't." They continued walking down the path and Jack said. "The message was from SEELE, they want to meet with me tonight."

            "Will you meet with them master?"

            "Of course, they offered to let me pick up the place and they would pick up the tab." Jack said with a smirk as they continued to the pokecenter.

            Jack made his way through the brightly lit city streets alone. It was just before midnight but all that meant was that the night was just getting started. The streets still teemed with people, perhaps even more than during the day.

            Cabaret, burlesque, brothels and everything in between could be found, often with a glass front window giving passerby's a sample of the goods that club offered. Any attention was good attention was the thought behind the displays it seemed as a very pregnant Bunnygirl masturbating with a carrot managed to catch his attention. It caught a lot of attention judging by the group standing outside the window simply watching.

            His destination however was the Voluptuous Vixxen, a cabaret club so named for their exclusively vulpine workers. Theirs was a building without anything on display, which here meant it was either a high class establishment you were going to specifically or it was not a theme you wanted the general public to know.

            Set up in the typical Mediterranean style it was simply a small stage with a number of tables in front of it and a bar to the side. A pair of Vixxen were on stage at the moment singing a duet though very few in the audience appeared interested, rather the focus was on the scantily clad girls navigating the floor and entertaining in a more personal fashion. Several patrons were being led to and from a door in the corner by their server.

            “Welcome to the Voluptuous Vixxen sir, do you have a reservation?” A Foxxsea at the door bowed as she greeted him eyeing his clothing with disdain.

            "I do, it is under Jack Rivers." Jack informed her as he eyed his new surroundings.

            "Of course sir, however the only Rivers I have listed is a reservation for two." She sounded apologetic as she spoke never looking up from the podium.

            "I know how many the reservation is for, I did make it after all." He considered adding 'you twit' but refrained after considering that he didn't want to have to check his drinks for various bodily fluids that could be used as revenge. "We are meeting here and he is running slightly late it would seem. If you would direct him to my table when he gets here though I would appreciate it."

            "Certainly sir, if you will follow me please." Casual business was the general dress and Jack in his faded jeans and leather jacket received more than a few looks as he was led across the rich hardwood floor to a dimly lit corner closet to the bar. It would have been his first choice of seat anyway and he smiled, waving the Foxxsea away ignoring her attempt to snub him.

            He watched the two Vixxen on stage continue their duet, which seemed to include an inordinate amount of fondling for a song, before his waitress plopped into his lap.

             “What can I do for you shuga?” The only Kitsune in the establishment meant Jack could now say for certain they were trying to snub him.

            “Scotch, single malt, no ice.” He requested in a bored tone. Rarely did he drink but he did on occasion enjoy a fine cognac or scotch. Particularly when it was on someone elses dime, as it was tonight.

            “Are you 18?” Her tail twitched behind her repeatedly hitting his arm.

            “Does it matter?” Nominally the drinking age was 18, but it was rarely enforced. Particularly when the drink in question cost more per glass than the Kitsune's services would. Sex was cheap, taste wasn't.

            “I suppose it doesn't.” She peeled herself off of him making sure that he felt her breasts on his arm as she did so.

            “Oh and put it on his tab.” Jack waved to the man that had just taken the seat on the opposite side of the table. Tall, dark hair and a suit that looked like it cost more than the two Vixxen on stage did. The Foxxsea from the entrance seemed to regret giving the crappy table now and Jack gave her the one finger salute.

            “Go ahead with the tab and give me one of whatever my young associate here ordered.” The man flashed a winning smile to the Kitsune who blushed slightly at the attention and scampered back to the bar in a hurry.

            “Mr. Clayton I presume.” Jack nodded at the man as he took a seat neither one offering their hand.

            “That I am Mr. Rivers, your choice of meeting place somewhat surprised me."

            “What makes you so surprised I had thought a place like this would be well within profile for me.”

            “You seem the kind of person that would either choose a place that would make me as uncomfortable as possible.” He set his jacket on the back of his chair and Jack mimicked the action.

            “I must admit I did think of doing that, but the problem is that I don't know what would make you uncomfortable. Which means it would either be a crap shoot or I choose one that is bad enough that even I wouldn't like it and I'm not willing to do that to myself. Besides this place came very highly recommended by the NurseJoy at the center.”

            “Why would you ask a NurseJoy which cabaret to recommend.” He decided to ask the obvious question after a moments consideration.

            “She was nearby when I got your message and she seemed as good a person as any to ask. NurseJoys also seem to be a bit kinkier than most other pokegirls for whatever reason."

            The appearance of Clayton had apparently attracted some attention as instead of the Kitsune returning with the drinks it was one of the Vixxen he had originally seen singing on stage when he walked in.

           “Here you go sirs.” She set the drink in front of Jack before turning to Clayton and began trying to work him.

            Jack sipped his drink slowly savoring the rich oak flavor as it burned its way down his throat and watched the new act on stage, a dance routine by a Kunimitsu by the looks of it.

            “Are you ready to talk business Mr. Rivers?” Clayton asked after sending the server away.

            “Of course, I'm sure we both have things we'd rather be doing.” Jack ran a finger around the edge of his glass idly.

            “Have you ever heard of the town of Nielsbrooke?”

            “It's northeast of here I believe.”

            “Correct, not generally of note to the average tamer as it has no gym or anything else that would call them to the area. However what it does have is a rather large industrial base, and more importantly to us has become something of a staging zone for a rather large parity organization.” He spoke with disgust of parity and Jack was ill inclined to ask about it.

            “I take it you have something you want me to do in Nielsbrooke then?”

            “One week from today there is a major event planned by them. What we want you to do is simply go there and be yourself.”

            “Somehow I don't think you picked me for my sparkling personality.” He remarked dryly.

            “You are rude, short tempered and act in whatever fashion strikes your fancy at the time.”

            “Stop you're making me blush.” Jack deadpanned knocking back the rest of his drink and signaling for another round.

            “There is a significant celestial presence in the area and as an infernal type aficionado your mere presence would be enough to upset them. One of them is likely to say or do something and you'll do something in return, something completely legal I'm sure. Nice job in Pewtit by the way though you may want to avoid the particular police station for the near future.” He matched Jack and knocked by his drink just as the Vixxen brought the next round.

            “Are there going to be any Warrior Nuns or Seraphs there, because that alone could set off your powder keg. They absolutely hate infernals and my having three will set them off big time if my presence alone doesn't.”

            “Oh you have three infernals now, I thought you just had the Succubus.”

            “I'll have three before the week is up, four if I see anything at an auction that piques my interest.”

            “Anything in particular in mind, I might be able to help you get a hold of it for you.”

            “I have to personally see them before I commit, they either draw my eye and are worth something or they don't. How much does the job pay, especially since it can get real dangerous real fast with those Seraphs waving those swords around.”

            “200,000, half now and half upon completion.”

            “How will you judge completion all you've told me to do is go there and be myself.”

            “We expect you to arrive there 5 days from now and completion is either 3 days after that or when you kick up a huge cluster fuck. I'll leave you to think about it for a few minutes.”

            Clayton headed through the door behind them accompanied by their waitress. While Jack sat and thought out his options with a fresh drink.

            On the one hand it was definitely good money, particularly when he considered that all he had to do was be himself. Doing a job like this would earn him some good will amongst a lot of highly placed members of the league and SEELE. Good will that would very likely one day would be needed. It would also engender ill will for him amongst celestials and parity nuts but that was a ship that had long since sailed.

            The strike against parity was not something he really cared about but anything to get at those sanctimonious bitches called celestials was a plus. Drawing their attention to himself was admittedly a bit of a downside but it would have happened eventually. The more immediate danger posed by infernal hating Warrior Nuns and Seraphs was of much greater worry. Of course the risk of death was probably the same as any journey that happened near ferals.

            He debated with himself for half an hour trying to come up with a good reason not to other than just to be difficult. Which although a completely reasonable reason wasn't quite enough.

            Clayton sat back down appearing as though he had never truly left. “So have you made your decision yet?”

            “I'll do it on one condition. I want a dusk stone in addition to my regular pay.”

            Clayton nodded and set a stone that seemed to suck light into it on the table as well as a credit chip.

            “You carry a dusk stone around with you?” Jack asked with a raised eyebrow.

            “Mr. Rivers I have done this job for years and met more than a few people just like you and I know what people like you want. That we want you to have a Nidogg as much as you want one makes this a happy transaction indeed. The chip has 100,000 SLC on it, as agreed upon.”

            Jack raised his glass to him and knocked back his last drink of the night. “Very well then I shall head for Nielsbrooke in a few days.”