Karvyq's upper torso was exposed. Every part of his skin was still covered in tattoos, but his chest was red from freshly applied ink. A lady with flowing hair and soft features was inked there, and the tone of the piece had a strange, more gritty texture to it.
I had been on my way out when Karvyq stepped into the room, catching me mid-turn.
"Good work last night, kid," Karvyq said. "The job went smoothly."
I exhaled and Karvyq eyed me with amusement.
"The boy lives," he added, gesturing to his exposed chest. "And I've fulfilled my promise to my beloved on this celebrated Jubilee day."
"We went there to receive your wife's ashes? Why didn't—"
I paused, frowning as the realization hit.
If it were a normal lady from Piltover none of this would've mattered. Which means…
Karvyq, observing me, spoke quietly and solemnly.
"She wasn't my wife yet… and she wasn't a normal lady, as you might've guessed. She was Lady Aurelie of House Tariost."
"They're the ones that run the sea shipments…"
"Yes," Karvyq nodded. "A powerhouse in Piltover, often overlooked, but they pull as many strings as House Ferros. And as one might guess, they didn't take kindly to our relationship, so…"
He lifted his gleaming prosthetic hands with a metallic shrug.
"They cut off my hands and forbade her from seeing me."
"I'm sorry..."
Karvyq snorted. "Don't be. I was young and foolish in how I approached it. I should've known better."
He strode past me, opening the metal gate behind the counter.
A set of stairs led upward to an area I wasn't allowed to access, and Anya was wrapping up her work early.
"Enjoy your day, kid," Karvyq said as the gate snapped shut behind him.
"Wait!" I blurted and saw Anya stiffen. "Why did you replace his heart?"
Karvyq chuckled, arching a brow. "Do you think me cruel?"
I didn't answer which was an answer in itself.
"It was a thief who broke into one of our Entresol warehouses. He made it farther than most," Karvyq said, letting his metallic fingers clink lightly against the railing. "What I gave him was mercy."
Then, without waiting for a reply, he turned and headed upstairs.
Anya exhaled slowly before glaring at me.
"Don't ask questions Varyn! I heard him warn you yesterday!"
"He knew I knew," I replied evenly. "Which means the lady told him she told me."
"It doesn't matter if she told him, don't ask questions!" Anya's tone sharpened. "Questions open doors. And some in the Undercity are best left shut. You were lucky there was nothing behind that one."
"I'm not going to be ignorant and live in the shadows," I shot back. "That's more dangerous."
"Everyone thinks that until terrible things happen."
"Terrible things happen regardless. I just want to know when they're coming."
--------
~That Afternoon~
My mother and I sat at a stall enjoying our first full meal together in a while. She was chit-chatting about her struggles at work when she swallowed a piece and raised her fork.
"Speaking of strange," Relia said, brushing her teal streaks aside. "The Tariost Intelligencers were spotted down in the Entresol district I service."
I paused mid-bite, glancing at her. She wasn't looking at me, but up at the Sun Gates by the Wharfside docks stall we were eating at. Large locks clamped shut as a trading vessel prepared to pass through the first channel. It was raising the ship from the eastern sea into the river that cut through Piltover and out to the west.
"Really? Why were they down here?" I asked, feigning ignorance but I was tense inside.
She shrugged and returned to her food, stabbing another piece. "I don't know. But a dead boy was found in our service area shortly after they left. Our coroner said his throat was slit open."
What a fun topic for a meal, I thought. But she'd always been like this. I guess being around it long enough makes you immune.
"Anything else?" I asked.
"He had a map inked into his body," Relia said slowly, recalling it piece by piece. "And someone replaced his heart with a Chemtech one that was rigged with an explosive. The normal kind, y'know."
"Yeah, I definitely know," I answered sarcastically, my eyes downcast. It sounded exactly like…
She chuckled and bumped my arm with her elbow. "Don't be so squirmish."
"Someone had their heart ripped out and replaced with a bomb," I muttered. "That seems pretty squirm-worthy."
"Alright, you're right," Relia conceded with a small nod, swallowing another bite. "But get used to it. Sorry if that sounds mean or cold, but you're stepping into that world whether you like it or not now."
As she said this, a group of kids ran past toward the wharf-dock's edge. One nearly fell in, caught at the last second by another kid before they all clasped hands. My gaze drifted to the water in front of them. Murky, chemical spills swirling, bits of trash drifting, and a young boy swimming while his mother screamed at him to get out immediately.
"Back when I was growing up, the waters used to be green from Chemtech runoff," Relia said. "Hopefully in another decade or two they'll be clear as Ionian seas."
"You'll be a granny."
She pointed her fork threateningly at me.
"And you'll have kids, so treat their granny with respect."
"Psh, I'm not having kids."
"Mhm. Until you do. And then your wife will need what I know and someone to talk to. Men don't talk much."
"You're right. Women love to talk."
Relia gave me a wry look as we both finished eating. Her gaze lingered on my purple chin.
"We can be violent when we need to."
Grumbling under my breath, I heard my mom snicker and we both stood to leave.
"The fireworks will start soon. The best ones are by the river."
"They won't celebrate Jubilee but they'll pay to watch some explosions," I shook my head before a smile crept onto my face. "Speaking of which… I bought a few fireworks to sell to the Pilties."
"With your money?" Relia's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"Yes, with my money! Most went to our food but I've been saving a few coppers for today and now I've got a little stash of sparklers and firecrackers at the house."
Smiling, Relia's expression shifted, becoming gleeful and she gave me a side-hug. "Pilties will pay twice the cost!"
"And for no reason other than they can," I continued to grin. "If we sell it all before the main event, I worked it out to a silver and four coppers. And that's if we don't sucker more out of the really gullible ones!"
"Then we'd best double-time it if we want to enjoy the show!" Relia exclaimed. She then elbowed my side and teased, "Do you think Vi will be there?"
I paused and let out a long, suffering groan with my sigh.
"Yeah, yeah she probably will be..."