Standing in the rear warehouse, the "guild," or Chembaron Karvyq's previous crew, gathered, leaving only a few behind at each facility to guard during this important shift in power. Many were disgruntled, some wore faces that looked ready to walk out, and then of course there were a few who looked bored and only there to collect a paycheck.
Among them stood Gideon, who disregarded his medical orders alongside Ren, both looking severely bruised and wounded but standing regardless. Anya, the receptionist. Five supervisors who ran warehouse locations, workshops, muscle, and transportation, along with the guild's fixer and intermediary with Topside.
The rest were the normal sorts. The muscle looked fierce, workers looked weary, tinkers and technicians mingled with a few engineers. A grand total of forty-five, at least, grime and soot covered faces staring at me, the newly installed Chembaron.
"Listen up!" I shouted over the rumble of their conversations, and the crowd gradually quieted.
"As you all might've heard, Chembaron Karvyq is dead. Topsiders came down into our Fissure and killed him."
The crowd rumbled angrily.
"Fucking Topsiders."
"What were they doing down here?"
"I knew it, Karvyq was doing business with those shined shoes!"
"But," I shouted again over the rising anger, "this does not change business. It's business as usual with the exception that instead of answering to Karvyq, you all now answer to me!"
I raised Chembaron Karvyq's pocket watch to show the transfer of power.
At first, there was silence.
Then a few started laughing. Then a few more, until one called out between bent-over laughter, "What? You? A kid? Seriously?!"
"Why are you lot putting a brat in charge?" a technician shouted toward Gideon and Anya. "I don't want to follow a fucking kid! I want to follow someone who knows what the fuck they're doing!"
"He knows the ropes," Anya began, but another cut her off.
"So fucking what! He's barely out of his mother's womb!"
Gideon growled and pointed through the crowd at the man who cut Anya off. "Says a man who still suckles from his family's pockets past his prime!"
"The fuck you say?!"
"You heard me, yah leechin' parasite!"
I slammed a iron tire against the metal rail, the echo cutting through their rising tempers.
"We are well aware some of you might not like this new arrangement. However, those Topside bastards have warned us that everyone in this entire guild- your families, your mothers, your wives, your kids, will be killed because of Karvyq's previous dealings if we don't comply."
Silence followed.
Then a voice echoed out, "So we're being held at gunpoint?"
"Yes, you fucking retard." an angry whisper came from beside him.
"Aye," I nodded, behaving as if I hadn't heard the man's insult. "All of you are being held at gunpoint by House Tariost. That includes me, Gideon, and Anya. Running is not advised because they will hunt you down as is their way."
"What do they want?" Gideon's voice rose beside a tight-faced Ren.
I paused.
"They want us to run their illegal shipments. One of which we're picking up today and that should, in theory, tell us what their game plan is. Whether they intend to bleed the Barony dry in which case you'll all need to find new jobs in the future, or create a working relationship."
As fresh murmurs spread through the crowd, friends and companions spoke quietly among themselves, expressions mixed with fear, anger, and resignation.
"We will inform your supervisors once business is concluded," I shouted. "For now, I need a transport crew on standby. It's business as usual people!"
------
~In My Office~
"You should stay home and get some rest," Gideon frowned, eyeing my bruised face. He was badly injured as well and moved slowly. Cracked ribs, internal injuries, but with a grimace he carried on.
I knew because I read the bill.
"I should be the one saying that to you," I replied.
"Lucian said don't be late," I sighed, dropping the iron tire with a thud onto the desk. "You have cracked ribs."
I gestured toward Anya, who stood silently with her hands clasped in front of her. "She's still shaking after yesterday."
"It's getting better," Anya whispered, adjusting her clasped hands after a brief tremor.
Silence stretched between us. Gideon shoved his hands into the front pouches of his tunic, rocking back and forth. Ren stood nearby with his hands clasped behind his back, silent.
"I know what you want to say, again," I said as Gideon's experienced gaze flicked up to meet mine. "But if I let you handle it, or handle too much, then I really will be nothing but a short-lived puppet. I'll be replaced. And not kindly."
"I know kid," Gideon sniffed before clearing his throat. "I suppose I should stop callin' you kid too, else people will get the wrong idea."
I nodded silently. He exhaled through his nose.
My gaze wandered to a broken ashtray before I shook my head. "There was no other management outside of you three?"
"That lady who was beheaded, Frey, she was closest to Karvyq," Anya said quietly.
"We adapt to the day," Gideon added, keeping eye contact with me. "Some days a bookkeeper, other days an honest man, a criminal, a merchant. Depends. Anya and I are reliable and adaptable which is why Karvyq put us in charge of the other supervisors."
"But now he's dead and Lucian put me in charge over you." Gideon stopped rocking and I lowered my voice. Not meekly, just controlled. "Does it make you angry, Gideon?"
With a clearly forced smile, he gestured with his hands still in his pockets. "I'd be lying if I said it didn't. You've seen it. It pisses off the hardworking men and women."
"Yeah. It will."
I turned and pointed at the shattered window, wooden boards nailed up as a temporary fix.
"But you're going to have to deal with it. Lucian made it very clear he'd kill everyone here if he doesn't get his way."
Their expressions darkened and Anya shifted apprehensively.
"We'll hit back," I added. "Once we understand the situation, plan, and prepare."
My eyes moved to Ren who met my gaze without hesitation. "Any problem with this?"
"None at all," Ren answered, motioning to his bruised face as he adjusted his wounded posture. "My lads lost a man. I want payback too. As long as you keep paying and actually plan on hitting back, they won't complain. Can't say the same for the other softies."
He tilted his head toward Gideon and Anya.
Gideon scowled and muttered under his breath, "Worker side'll need some weedin' and grease. But aye, as long as you don't piss your pants."
"I'll continue to manage our relations," Anya said quietly, fidgeting in place.
"Good," I nodded, turning to Ren. "Tell the transport crew and a few men we'll be leaving soon."
"Aye."