Chapter 15: Chapter 15: Favors

He is dressed sharply compared to the lazy unkempt look that he usually has. His hair is slicked back. He wears his suit, vest, and tie more neatly than ever. He also wears leather gloves he is hiding inside his overcoat.

Inside his overcoat are the same guns he usually carries. Pistols and the shotgun that is strapped on the harness he is wearing. Although his visit with Lesnik has changed his thinking about how to view threats a little, it didn’t change the way he arms himself.

Walk softly and carry a lot of guns.

That is how he lived in his past life.

He is walking in the Magnolia District, the Seventh District of the City-state of Saint Lucius. The street he is sauntering about is Henbane street, a lamp in the night where those who gather in the evening are finding bars and places to mingle.

There are two places that are most popular. The Casino owned by the Russians and the place owned by the Rosaritas who are neutral to the affairs of the city. Many of his colleagues have been talking about the Rosaritas since they deal in magic, hexes, charms, trinkets, and other carnal desires.

They also sell information and favors. That favor is what he is after today after seeing that carnage hours ago. As he is walking in the street, weaving through people, walking shoulder-to-shoulder. Robert is thinking whether he has any other encounters with the witches in the place he is after.

For fifteen minute he is in deep thought. After searching his memories he finds only one instance where he visited their place. And that’s where he is looking for the den of a cultist.

“Did I owe them a favor?”

Robert curses as he reads the plague that says “Playfer”. It is a club hidden in the darkness and if one isn’t resistant to illusions they would not even be able to enter the alley where the building is.

Honestly ever meeting Lesnik he has been wary of places that are like this. He is walking forward to the entrance when the bodyguard blocks his path.

“Need to frisk you first, sir.”

Robert takes his ghost badge out. The two look at the badge before letting him in without a fuss.

Entering inside Robert instantly feels the change in the air. The red lighting, the lounges with shisha pipes on them. He ambles slowly past the first room and heads up to where the witches are.

Below is the place where the girls who are unable to truly embrace the witch’s teachings. Sorcery, folk magic, and the brand of magic that these witches practice are some of the things that never faded as hard as the magic they use.

Some may argue that their brand is much more potent because the belief of using charms and love potions has never really faded. The hopeless come to this establishment to find hope. And what these Witches offer, in items, knowledge, and desires are much better than what they can have from a priest.

Robert is ambling to the room when a faint seductive voice calls out.

“Well if it isn’t Robert Oswald. Are you here to finally repay the favor that you owe me?”

Robert freezes. He looks at the woman swaying her hips, wearing a navy blue and indigo dress that clings to her skin. From how she smiles she really does think that Robert came here to repay the favor.

“I’m actually here for another favor.”

“I see.”

Her smile lessens. She touches her hips and looks at Robert from head to toe.

“Hmm, you have changed. I heard that you have done that mission well. Come, it hasn’t been long since you came for another favor. Ah, my birds told me recently that Don Castelo died.”

Robert sits in the private booth. She leans forward with her eyes on Robert. She is pressing her arms together, emphasizing her body. Giving off this teasing smile.

“That’s right. I think that it’s someone who I’m after.”

“I have heard of it. Your people have loose tongues, Robert. But to think that they would be so violent. Still, if I knew you were a better fighter, I would have made a better deal.”

Robert cringes inside. Lucia Bethany. A talented Witch with raven hair and purple eyes. She is a subordinate to the Rosaritas.  She has earned her rose which is in the form of an engraved charm that boosts her magical abilities.

Yes, these Witches trade items and information. And some are even willing to trade their body for one hell of a favor that usually the customer couldn’t pay.

“And since you come here for another favor. I hope that you know that you will pay up for the first favor. You know how it is, Robert Oswald. Pay upon the favor of the Witch and it shall be done.”

When she speaks there is power on it. Her finger is lifted and the smile on her face is rather devilish. Robert intends to make a transaction and since Agent Wilson is digging around. It doesn’t hurt to try and repay this favor.

He folds his arms and leans back. He sighs and looks Lucia in the eyes.

“Okay, what’s the payment?”

“I’m glad you understand, Robert. Yes, I like men who are willing to repay what they owe. If you do repay this favor. I might be willing to even allow you to have my maidenhood.”

“Um, no thanks.”

“Now, now, don’t be shy. I still remember the way you look at my body. So intoxicated like all men do upon looking at the witch.”

“It’s nice to be proud and confident.”

Robert does remember how he fawned over Lucia. Then again Robert is still younger than him and has never been in a relationship that didn’t involve having one night stands and hookups. And even though in the past he only really loved one enough to marry her. He isn’t as useless about it like Robert.

Lucia Bethany deals in words. The words she says might fluster the client, and it may suggest fondness. But a Witch to offer something like that comes with a price. A big one that Robert will not be able to pay.

Lucia senses that Robert is somewhat different. He can tell that she is reassessing quickly. She knew when to push his buttons last time, but right now there is a different soul and a dominant personality she is dealing with.

“It’s a joke. Cheer up, I heard you got trapped in a pit of corpses. That must have hardened you. Your luck’s pretty bad. Dealing with a den of cultists, and fighting a lesser demon from hell. That beast was actually of good quality.”

“That demon dog was brought here. Any potions made from it?”

“Viagra and a potion of hardening skin.”

“People still fight in melee?”

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“Please. Their skin hardens. EVERYTHING hardens. Do you get it?”

“Oh, it makes sense.”

She folds her arms and lifts her breast. Robert can tell that she does it unconsciously. Women like her who naturally know her body and have the confidence to show it are charming.

Even Robert can’t help but stare a little. He lifts his eyes back and sees Lucia grinning at him.

“So about the favor.”

“Yes, the favor.”

She teases. Robert hardens his expression. Leaving only this blank face that says he’s ready to do actual business. Lucia gets the hint and starts talking about the favor.”

“There is a man called Danton. Danton is a mage, a mage that is not related to any organization. He is a wild sorcerer with a father who was a mage who signed the Nonmagi and Magi Pact.”

She raises her hand and takes the wine that the waitress carries. Place the bottle of wine and pour it on the glass. Lucia offers him a glass, but Robert raises a hand against it. She raises a brow.

“Not fond of wine anymore?”

“I prefer booze these days.”

“Ah, cheap, anyway. I was saying that this man called Danton owes us for making him a precious wand. A crystal processed for forty days, the branch of a forty-five years old oak tree, and the leather of a dying elk.”

“That is quite the ingredient.”

“It might not be much, but it is still a precious wand that can be used as a medium. The problem is that Danton has not paid what he owes the Rosaritas. He promises to hunt a creature for us.”

“And where is Danton?”

“Hiding in his house near the tenth district.”

“Did something happen?”

“Maybe. But I don’t like it when people cheat us, Robert. He hasn’t paid what he owed me and I want that wand back. Can you do it? It’s a retrieval.”

“Couldn’t you just ask one of yours to do it?”

“Do you have a problem with retrieving it? Of course, I can ask another way to let you pay the favor back.”

“No, I’m not that demanding. Let’s go with this.”

The way she speaks Robert can tell that she is doing this to get the item back and that Robert is here to ask a favor. The next favor is going to be harder to pay. But Robert didn’t voice that complaint.

“I know that you are understanding. It’s an easy job. And with this you can finish that favor and I will be able to give you the favor about your problem.”

Robert taps his finger on the table. His unwavering eyes met with Lucia.

“Oh my, your stare is so much. I know you desired me, but to think that you’d be so bold.”

She laughs. Robert didn’t. She smiles still.

“Then I will retrieve the wand for you. Tell me about Danton. What spells do he know? Anything that might help me.”

“There isn’t much to worry about. He’s a Mage but he shouldn’t be a problem.”

“I don’t like going in without information. Considering that I got into trouble because I didn’t know anything.”

Lucia smiles and searches her bag. She takes out a dossier of Danton Montenegro.

Danton Montenegro, mage family, last of the bloodline. Owes money to the bank of Saint Lucius with 25% interest. Lately has been investigating creatures, but after an unknown encounter. The Mage named Danton lost his will.

“Something went wrong with him.”

“I assume much. I have already extended his favor, but from the looks of it there is something that shocked him into being a recluse.”

Robert looks at the paper again. There isn’t much to go on with other than something that Danton Montenegro is afraid of. But with the deal going past the month that she asks for.

The wand needs to be collected. There is also a full list of spells. What trinket he is wearing that protects him. Robert spends time in the booth with Lucia, studying until he finds Lucia’s quietness jarring.

“You are much more diligent than before. This new you is quite better. I guess change really does come to a man who suffers.”

“Is it?”

Then again she doesn’t know who is inside. If she does then he is going to be a mighty impress. Anything is possible and there are a lot of people who have strange abilities.

But he’s just two people being mixed together. Both essence compliments each other and is now one. He is just glad that he is getting used to being Robert Oswald. Though he doubts that he can get used to the magical side of the world he is living in.

A man trying his best to study a person who owes a debt so he could get a favor from the witch who has the information network to find the guy that has been supplying organs and fresh blood to a group of cultists who are far better equipped and militaristic than what he know of them in the other life.

Taking his weapons out, giving them a check first. Robert leaves the building owned by the witches and travels near the tenth district.

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