Wars and Wealth - Bargains with Exiled Fae

Chapter 3

The two men dressed in suits stepped wearily into the room and glanced at the two security guards and then at David towering over the manager.

“Umm, sir… would you kindly let my manager up?”

David glared at the manager and slapped him hard again, for good measure, as he turned to greet the two newcomers.

The manager crumpled to the ground from the force of the blow and didn’t bother to try to get up.

“That was uncalled for, but, seeing that my security team is just standing there, perhaps it was justified? Care to share your side?” the bank president asked.

“Your branch manager accused me of theft and then broke my phone and tried to slap me. I have delt with him in kind. Bank president, I just want some cash from my account and to be on my way.”

“I see. And why did such a request cause such a fuss?” the bank president asked, looking at his manager.

The manager just flicked David’s black gold card at the bank president who caught it deftly.

“You presented this card?” the President asked David.

“I did.” David replied, before turning to the Mayor.

“Mayor, the Governor called you. He must think you can solve this. I believe I recognize you. Were you stationed at a military post about ten years ago?”

The City Mayor perked up, “Yes, I was. I was the logistics officer for the outpost at Mastings. Were you there as well?”

“Only briefly.” David replied. “Mayor, your name would be Lieutenant Hadley, wouldn’t it?”

“Mayor Hadley now, sir. I am sorry, you have the better of me. What is your name, soldier?”

“My name is one you should remember well in the future. David.”

“And your last name?” the Mayor asked, still not making the connection.

“The existence of my black gold card should be all you need to know.”

The President and Mayor both looked at each other confused.

Dead silence permeated the room. The guards just scratched their heads, clearly unsure if they should be impressed or not. The bank manager was also clearly unsure of what to do with the information.

However, the Mayor’s face drained of color. “Black gold… Imperial treasury issue! My Lord!” and he dropped to his knees, planting his face into the tile, completely prostate.

 “Get up man, I am no Lord. You are embarrassing yourself. Just take care of things so I don’t have to be bothered.” David said.

The mayor slowly stood and looked at the men around him. They were all looking at his curious behavior and frowning.

“Quit staring! Do as the VIP requested!” the Mayor snapped.

“VIP? But he is a bum!” the Manager croaked.

The mayor slapped the man hard and shouted “A bum today, the Emperor’s guest tomorrow!”

David frowned at the commotion, “Enough. All I want is 100 dret, and to get some food. Can we make that happen? Preferably before the afternoon is gone.”

The mayor bowed, “Mr.- ah.. right. Mr. David, let me take you to lunch. Bank President, if this man needs anything, make it happen.”

David appreciated the Mayor’s attempt to conceal what he knew of David’s identity. While he would reveal himself in time, such revelations now could be counterproductive to his goals.

David snorted, “If I have things to do in this city, I doubt I will do business with them. There are other banks around.”

With that, David ignored the others and headed for the door. “Mayor, lunch sounds great.”

After David left the room the bank president looked at the Mayor, “Who was that?”

“A god of wealth. Should an opportunity ever come again, don’t be so short sighted to slap such a man. That one could buy the whole city with his pocket money. All he asked for was a 100 dret and your man there tried to slap him for it. Be glad he spared your life after such an insult.” The Mayor said before turning to hurry after David.

As David and the Mayor left, David shook his head subconsciously as the bank manager was tossed out of the building by security.

“Where would you like to eat, General?” the Mayor asked, ignoring the commotion.

“Out here, its just David. No one needs to know who I am and its likely better if they don’t. As for food, lets see what is down that street.” David said, pointing to a lower class district not far away.

The mayor followed David but frowned as the transition between the upper class district and the cheap side of town became more and more stark.

“You sure you want to eat… here?” Mayor Hadley asked. “I would be happy to take you to the Golden Palace or any of our finest clubs.

David shook his head and walked into a small noodle shop. “Here is fine.”

They sat and were soon served bowls of noodles and David quickly began enjoying the meal. While the shop was a bit run down and was only big enough for eight tables, the food was amazing. Even some of the food he had eaten in the Imperial capital couldn’t compare to the flavors this simple shop managed.

Mayor Hadley just stared dumbly at the bowl before him and didn’t eat.  He kept glancing around, then pulled out a small bottle of sanitizer and cleaned his hands.

“So, what brings you to my city?”

“Change,” David said simply between bites.

“Change? Ordered from the above?” the Mayor asked with a  gulp.

“I am the above, Hadley. In this, my word is law. Change is coming.”

“Right, of course. What kind of change exactly?”

“For one, you are going to invest more in this part of town. If even your sorry self, supposedly elected by these people, cannot bring yourself to visit, then things need to change. More investment, more attention given to these people.”

“I see. Umm, that is a noble cause, but… not so easy to do. The Lu family for one, might disagree, and then there are many other interests in the area. The crimson blades are ruthless and I have yet to even begin to deal with the other powers in town.”

“Mayor Hadley, how long have you been Mayor?”

“Five years,” Hadley said proudly.

“Then you have five months.”

“Five months? To do what exactly?”

“To establish order. Over the next five months, I expect you to have investigated and collected enough information on every underworld agent in the whole area. In five months, a thunder order will fall on this city and wipe the filth from the streets. You had best be ready, or I will see that you are wiped away with it.”

The check arrived and Hadley placed his own card on the tray. David grabbed it and added a tip before handing it to the waiter.

“Tips are not customary… you know this right?”

“When I eat, I will bless the people.”

The Mayor frowned, thinking that it was rather rich of David to pay a tip with HIS card.

The waiter returned and bowed to both men, “Thank you, good sirs. My family will eat well this month. Thank you.”

The Mayor had a confused look on his face until he saw the receipt, then he frowned at David.

“A 500 Dret tip on a 20 Dret meal? Really?”

“Consider it a contribution back to your constituents. Who knows, such kindness might actually get you reelected instead of swept under with the rest of the trash.”