Jay Eisen opened the door to the Gold Dragon restaurant and held it for the five young men who followed him in. For years he had been chasing this group of rich kids from the provincial capital. While they have always seen Jay as below their station, but were willing to suffer him from time to time, especially when he was willing to foot the bill for a night out drinking. Jay understood this to an extent but he continued to invite them out each year in the hope that a real friendship would eventually develop. Even if he was a lower-class friend, he felt the relationship with powerful family heirs from the capital would be an invaluable resource. Even a sentence from them could set business deals in motion, or kill a competitor's business overnight.
“Gentlemen, if you head in this way, I will get us a private box. This is our famous Gold Dragon, which has some of the best food in all of Durres ” Said Jay, putting on his best manners.
Jay hurried up to the gr
“You! Neuropathy!” Jay cried out, as he took a step back. “William, be careful! This is that violent homeless man I told you about!”William grasped Rosin’s wrist and stood tall before Andrew and mistaking the statement for the restaurant name queried to Rosin: “Dragon staff? Ah, so you work here now. That makes more sense.” Turning to Andrew he asked “So you are the player who had his way with this little beauty. Well done. Having now seen her for myself, I cannot say I blame you as a man, but, you have to know you are outclassed now. Move along and leave us to our meal.”Andrew’s smooth baritone voice drifted to William then. “Are you so sure the lady wants to dine with a scrooge such as yourself?”“Scrooge? Who are you calling scrooge? You likely cannot even afford a glass of water.” Said William, looking around at all of his friends.“unhand the lady Rosin before
Back inside the Gold Dragon, Andrew sat across from Rosin.“I am sorry that happened to you. I am just glad I arrived in time.” The last, Andrew said with a slight barb that could be easily heard by Landon who stood just outside the box.“Don’t be too hard on him. Everyone has to pee. He has been with me for hours today.” Rosin said seriously.“you could have been seriously hurt, or even kidnapped and he would have never known.” Replied Andrew.Rosin considered this and simply nodded.“Dr. Zollan had some great suggestions and I think we will work well together. The plans are all ready for your approval.” She said, brushing off the unpleasantness from before.“ok, I trust both of your judgments. Are you sure you are ok?” Andrew asked.Rosin paused to consider, but simply sighed and said, “yes, Andrew. Thank you for your concern. My arm is sore but nothing more. Ho
Location: training ground - Durres When Andrew and Roisin arrived at the site, a shadow peeled away from a wall and approached Andrew. “Sir, a word.” Andrew nodded and stepped away as Roisin headed in with the wolves to begin warming up for the evening. “Sir, it seems the King has sent a special team to Durres, and we have been monitoring them. An Inquisitor and several Praetorian Guard Immunes are here, asking around about the death of the criminal elements of the city. Specifically, they want to know who scrapped Lord Butcher and his brother, the Black Tiger.” “But they were not killed in Durres that I am aware of, or at all for that matter. Have they been killed since they returned to Tiranë?” Ask Andrew. “Yes, my lord, it seems they were killed shortly after they returned, and the criminal elements even here have been stirring. Thus far they have not messed with any of your holdings, so it has not been an issue.”
location: Port Manai Anika turned to Alexa and Keira and said, “today we are going to do some scouting at some of the local martial arts schools. Andrew really wants us to recruit capable people, and those with martial arts training would have a solid foundation to build on.” “Wouldn’t they recognize you, Anika?” asked Keira. Anika paused to consider but replied, “while it is a chance, I believe we can make it work. I have not been to Port Manai before today so unless a veteran from one of my tours is here, it is unlikely. You two are both highly skilled. Perhaps we can send you in as prospective students, and I can watch. I will act like I am unsure about joining.” “OOO! We get to go in undercover?” Asked Keira, excited. “Under covers?” asked Alexa perplexed. Both Keira and Anika busted out in laughter. “Sorry, Alexa. No, not under covers, undercover. It means in disguise.” Explained Anika.
The next day, Keira and Alexa dressed in comfortable workout clothes and headed to the local martial arts school. They each had a gi hidden in a workout bag. Alexa had Anika’s grandmaster gi until her own could be made. She still could not believe Anika had declared her a red grandmaster! In single combat, she had managed to sneak a kill shot on Anika, which had prompted her to grant the red. When they entered the school, several students were warming up. Most were wearing belts that indicated they were at various levels of basic training. Several black belts were walking around instructing the other students. Finally, one of the masters of the school approached and welcomed them to the school. “Hello, ladies! My name is Kyle and I am one of the masters here. Are you looking for some basic self-defense?” Trainer Kyle asked, a bit condescending. “I am not interested in basic training, but yes, I am looking for instruction.” Retorted Keira, alre
After their visit to the martial arts school, Anika decided they would visit the Port Manai garrison. Port Manai was the second-largest city in Placida and an important port for both naval operations and trade with the islands. Dragard maintained a very profitable trade agreement with the island nations near them that had yet to succumb to the empire. Many needed crops and goods only produced in Dragard, and several of the islands had extremely rare imports to offer in trade. Before the war, many of the southern kingdoms and nations had also traded with Placida here. The garrison at Port Manai was a large complex near the coast and had its own naval port as well as advanced training grounds for marines. As they neared the guarded entrance, Anika cursed to herself. “What?” asked Keira. “Well, I didn’t exactly think this through. We should have stopped back by the hotel and changed. None of us are in uniform, and Alexa has an escort entourage with three
“Sir, you asked me to report on the underground movements in Durres,” said Liam over breakfast. “Liam, I am eating but as long as the telling will not disturb my appetite, go ahead.” Replied Andrew as he loaded his fork with more eggs. “It does seem that Landry has been seizing the opportunity presented by the butcher being scrapped at his site to claim power and influence. Some of the gangs chose to avoid him in fear of retaliation from the capital but it seems the capital forces are in their own turf war since the death of the Butcher and his forces and are not in a position yet to reclaim Durres.” “Sounds about right.” Said Andrew around bites of breakfast. “It is notable that Landry seems to have been able to expand rapidly in the last few days with a new financial backer. It seems he may have the official sanction of Ashai.. this could be what the Guard is so interested in. The King may not take kindly to his lord governors sanctioning known crim
Location: Durres- port side Several burly men sat at various tables in a run-down bar near the docks. This was considered Landry’s territory to anyone local, but these men were clearly from the capital. “My lord Rollins, I am sor…” “Don’t use my name, you moron!” said William Rollins in a harsh voice. “Sorry, my, hmm, right. Well, we are not able to do much right now. We were in position when he entered what seems to be a huge training facility. There were hundreds of fighting men there! While we were waiting for him to come out, we saw a squad of Praetorian Guard! Sir, they are in the city asking about the criminal element and named someone called Andrew Landry. If we make a move while they are in town, it could go very bad for you, and all of us, especially if they lump us into whatever it is they are investigating.” “shit! What kind of bullshit is this! Did it seem that Andrew was involved with the Praetorian Guard?” demanded