by Reece Dinn
Norox made a quiet whining noise behind him. He'd not spoken much since the attack on the Cutter's hideout hours before, and when he had it hadn't been much. He had made many more whining noises however, and they'd long since grown tiresome.
'Yer scared?' he asked Norox.
'Aren't you?'
'Why would I be? Ain't got no problem with the Merchers.'
'Other than beating up two of them when they threw bricks through Old Camon's windows?'
'They 'ad it comin' to 'em. It's 'istory now tho'.'
Norox snorted.
Cutter knocked on the gate again, louder this time.
'I'm scared,' Farma whispered into his ear from behind. 'Wanna look after me?'
'Fuck off,' hissed Awon.
'Quiet,' snarled the Brebuu.
The remaining survivors who'd escaped the Konar raid looked tired and nervous. They'd made it across the city without being spotted, but now they were outside the stronghold of their former enemies the tension had mounted. It made Awon think that deep down everyone was just a jenni.
Ten and Helma stood just behind Cutter, clinging tightly to one another. He'd sort of hoped that the two of them would sneak off on the way here. The last thing he needed to be doing was having to look out for the two of them.
'Might have to go around the front,' said the Brebuu.
'There might be people watching the front,' said Cutter. He banged on the gate again.
Three guys with rifles suddenly appeared on the roof of the fishmonger's, rifles aimed down at them.
'The fuck do yer all want?' one of the guys shouted down. He wore a blue bandanna, a white vest, and dark brown trousers.
'That bandanna's great,' Awon whispered to Norox.
'We're here to see Banen,' said Cutter.
'Who are yer?' asked Blue Bandanna.
'Cutter. He'll know me.'
'The Cutter?'
'Shit, that's 'im,' said the one on Blue Bandanna's right. 'Look at the knives on 'im.'
'We're not here to fight. At least not with you,' said Cutter.
More guys appeared on the rooftops around them, most of them scrawny children, all armed with rifles bigger than they were.
Norox whined again.
'Will yer stop that? Makes yer sound like a cryin' jenni,' snarled Awon.
'Why should we believe yer?' Blue Bandanna asked.
'If we wanted to fight why would we knock on the gate?'
Blue Bandanna shrugged.
'Just go get your boss, or shoot us and be done with it,' said Cutter.
'He ain't 'ere.'
'Then go and get him.'
'I'm here.' A tall, portly man appeared behind Blue Bandanna and shoved him aside.
'Gobmu. Good, someone with the semblance of a brain,' said Cutter. 'Thought you were dead.'
'Not yet,' said Gobmu. 'When it is time for me to return to the world I shall. But that time is not yet.' The guy wore a tattered brown Koku's robe, and his head was shaved like a Koku's too.
'Still think you're religious then?'
'I was a Koku. But then my path changed.'
'Looks like a jenni,' Awon whispered to Norox.
'Why have you brought your men to our gates?' Gobmu asked.
'I need your help,' said Cutter.
'I hear you need considerable help. Starting a fight with the Drowners was not a wise move.'
'The Drowners aren't the problem. The Konar are backing them. They've raided my place. Killed my men.'
'And now you've come here, to the hideout of another of your enemies, looking to what? Make some kind of an alliance? Do you really believe we'd be stupid enough to involve ourselves in your affairs? For what gain?'
'Let me in and we'll discuss it. You, me, and Banen, when he arrives.'
'Banen would rip your head from your body if he were to see you here. You forget that it is me he sends to negotiate. To make nice, as he says.'
Cutter folded his arms. 'Then you and I will discuss this ourselves.'
'Banen would never join with you.'
'He still crying over the fact we beat him?'
Gobmu stiffened a little at that. 'Beat us? If I recall it was you who stopped the war. Made peace.'
'I got back what was mine,' said Cutter.
Gobmu waved away the remark. 'The Domestic District is not yours. And it soon won't be again. You've already lost Nuchai. It is only a matter of time before the Drowners come and take Domestic from you, now that your hideout is no more. Yes, news travels fast. So that leaves you with only Suchai. Not the best predicament to be in. Why would we join the losing team? Go up against the Konar, if what you say is true? Soon you'll be even less relevant than the Lurkers.'
'What do you think'll happen if the Drowners take all that is mine? Do you think they're just going to then settle for owning half the city? Do you not think they'll come for you next?'
'If their alliance with the Konar is true, then it is only to defeat you for raiding one of their prisons. You upset the balance. They are simply restoring it.'
'I'm not stupid. Think about this. Wouldn't it be easier for the Konar if there was only one gang in the city to keep track of? Do you not think that that is a favourable outcome for them to push for?'
Gobmu contemplated this for a moment. Finally he ordered for the gates to be opened. Blue Bandanna and the other two left the rooftop. The guys on the other rooftops remained, watching them cautiously. A couple of minutes later the gates creaked open. Blue Bandanna and the other two guys waited in the yard, their rifles trained on Cutter.
'Yer leave yer weapons with us,' said Blue Bandanna.
'Fine,' said Cutter, carefully removing the knives from his belt.
Gobmu watched intently from the rooftop.
'I ain't handin' over shit,' muttered Awon.
The Brebuu spun around. 'Do it. Don't be ruining this with that big mouth.'
'Why do they get ter keep theirs?'
'Because life isn't fair.' The Brebuu grabbed Awon's cleaver and yanked it from his belt.
'Hey.' He went to get it back from the Brebuu, but Norox grabbed him by the arm, holding him back. The yegeyor shook his head. Awon tried to shrug free of his grip but Norox had too tight a hold of him.
The rest of the crew removed their weapons and deposited them just beside the gate as they made their way inside. Awon glanced at the pile of weapons as he stepped into the small backyard of the fishmonger's, looking for his cleaver. The three Merchers stood beside the weapons pile, rifles still at the ready, examining each guy as they passed by. When the last of the Cutters were inside one of the Merchers closed the gate and locked it.
The children on the rooftops retreated.
The backyard was full of stacks of empty crates and foul smelling open bins, annoying ickbits buzzing around them. Awon could almost taste the rotten fish in his mouth.
Blue Bandanna and the other two guys cautiously moved around the crew until they were between them and the back door of the fishmonger's.
'Cutter, you and two others of your choosing may go in,' Gobmu shouted down. 'The rest will remain outside. I shall provide them with some food and wine. Agreed?'
'That's acceptable,' said Cutter.
Gobmu disappeared from the rooftop.
Cutter turned around to the crew. 'Jakeptewewak,' he said, pointing at the Brebuu. 'And you, soft lad,' he pointed at Awon. 'Come with me.'
Awon tapped himself on the chest. 'Me?'
'Did I stutter?'
'No, boss. Comin'.' Awon was filled with a sudden excitement. A meet between two gang leaders was something that didn't happen everyday. Being a part of one was even rarer, and now he would be apart of his second. He made his way to the front of the gang with the Brebuu.
Blue Bandanna opened the back door and stepped inside. The other two guys remained standing on either side of the door, rifles at the ready still.
Cutter went in, Awon and the Brebuu followed.
Most of the guys who'd been
on the rooftops around them were now inside the back room of the fishmonger's. Chairs were pulled out from around a long wooden table and two of the guys indicated that Cutter should sit at the far end of the table. There were no chairs for either Awon or the Brebuu.
'Keep your mouth shut,' Cutter whispered to Awon. 'If this goes wrong I'm gonna need you to fight, but until then,' he poked him in the mouth, 'not a word, understand?'
'Yes, boss,' said Awon, reluctantly.
'Good.'
'They got rifles tho'. I ain't gonna be much good against 'em.'
'Didn't stop you in the prison, did it?'
'Aye.'
Cutter sat down on the chair pulled out for him. Awon and the Brebuu stood behind it. Gobmu sat down opposite him, but to the side of the chair at the head of the table. Awon assumed that was reserved for this Banen guy, the Mercher leader.
'I've sent for Banen,' said Gobmu. 'I'm sure he'll be eager to see you. Just hope he doesn't decide to turn this into a bloodbath. We don't have the resources to dispose of so many bodies. Not that you'll be missed. In fact if we hand your head to the Konar we might even get a reward.'
Cutter smirked. 'You won't get to enjoy it for long though. The Drowners and the Konar would soon be coming for you, believe me.'
'You really think the Konar are trying to install them as the sole gang of the city?'
'Reckon so. The Konar-kas once said it in jest at a City Council that it'd be easier if there was just one gang to keep under control, but now I reckon he meant it.'
'You're basing this theory off of a throwaway comment?'
Cutter shook his head. 'Think about it. It makes sense. And that Shonmu is a dodgy one. It'd probably suit him well if there was only one gang running his city. A gang he had in his back pocket would be even better.'
Gobmu rubbed his chin. 'Say all this is true. What do you think an alliance with us will achieve? We can't beat the Konar.'
'No, but if we beat the Drowners then the Konar will back off. Probably they'll come to make a deal with us.'
'You'd treat with them after they've killed your men?'
'I'm treating with you, aren't I?'
Gobmu chuckled. 'Good point. So what if we win, what then? We divide up the Drowners turf equally, then what? Go on living like good neighbours?'
'I'm not stupid. I know there's no way Banen is gonna be happy with an equal share. I'm proposing that you get the Drowners turf, and we get to keep ours.'
Gobmu leaned forward. 'Why would you agree to such unfavourable terms?'
'You said it yourself. I lose either way. I'm not losing much if it's you that takes the Drowners turf. Wasn't mine to begin with.'
Gobmu's eyes appeared to brighten. 'And what's to stop us from then taking your turf too?'
'Nothing,' said Cutter, quietly.
Gobmu leaned back, laughing. 'Gods, you really are desperate.'
'Maybe. But you're listening, aren't you?'
'I am. But it's Banen you need to convince. He isn't a reasonable man.'
Cutter upper lip twitched. 'I know. You haven't had to fight against him.'
'I always did admire your bravery.'
'You weren't exactly a push over either.'
'Neither are your men. Speaking of which, where is your man Big Red? Wouldn't have thought you'd have made such a risky journey without him. Or Yamaten for that matter, although he is much less use in a fight than that meaty bruiser Red.'
Cutter hesitated. 'Yamaten's dead,' he said after a moment, 'and Red's looking after Suchai, while trying to take back Nuchai too. Bit by bit.'
Gobmu stroked his chin again in contemplation. 'I see. You really must be stretched thin, especially considering the losses you've taken. The Drowners must be too, despite the Konar's aid.'
Cutter slapped the table. 'Exactly. They're ripe for the killing.'
The front door to the fishmonger's burst open and someone stomped through the shop towards the back room. Several other, lighter footsteps followed.
A guy even bigger than Red stomped into the room, the wooden floorboards sounding like they were going to break under his feet. He had curly brown hair and a curly brown beard that made him look comical, the look accentuated by the pair of glasses he wore that were too small to even cover his eyes properly, like he'd stolen a child's pair after he'd lost his own. A long, dirty apron hung over a tattered blue shirt and torn black trousers. The guy's body was so large that it looked like his muscles would tear his clothes apart if he so much as shivered.
'So it's true? You're actually here?' said the huge guy.
'I am,' said Cutter. It sounded like there was a tremor in his voice.
'You got some guts. Should rip your fucking head off.'
'That's what your man said you'd want to do.'
'Banen, you might want to listen to what he has to say,' said Gobmu.
'The fuck would I listen to anything this smug prick has to say?' said Banen. 'Him and his little gang are near dead. Why would I want to save him?'
'There's more to this than we thought. We could be in trouble too.'
Banen booted a chair and it flew towards the far walls, exploding into splinters as it collided with it. Awon wondered how hard the guy could punch. 'He's a lying cunt, twisting your ear. Don't be buying his lies.'
'I think you should listen to him. If you still don't trust him then I'll help you kill him myself,' said Gobmu.
'I'm not lying,' said Cutter.
'You said that last time,' said Banen. 'Said we'd split that loot fifty fifty, then you shot me and my men in the back and took it all for yourself. Left me near dead. Got the scars to prove it.'
'Only because you were about to do the same to me.'
'Says who?' Banen snarled.
Cutter smirked. 'Logic?'
Banen's anger subsided, but he pulled a face at him. 'I'm a man of honour and respect.'
'You're a man who gets what he wants, no matter the cost. That's why I'm here.'
'We stand to gain from this, Banen,' said Gobmu.
Banen shook a fist at him. 'Stand to lose too.'
'Jus' sit the fuck down an' listen,' snapped Awon, stepping forward.
Banen shot him a dark look. 'Who is this?'
'Sumone smarter than you, yer jenni.'
A firm hand struck his stomach and then he was shoved back against the wall.
'I told you to keep your mouth shut,' snapped Cutter, his face twisting with anger. He'd risen from his chair so fast Awon hadn't even seen him move.
Banen stomped over to Awon. Awon straightened up, trying to make himself look as big as he could. He had to pull his head right the way back to look the guy in the eye.
Banen loomed over him. 'Your man got a mouth on him,' he said to Cutter, then sneered at Awon. 'Could crush your head like a dregi fruit. Would be so easy.'
Awon gritted his teeth. 'Try it. I'll rip yer eyes out while yer do it.'
Banen suddenly laughed and shoved Awon hard against the wall. 'Ha. I like this lad. He's got spirit. Most men they tremble soon as I even yell at them.' He turned his back to Awon. Awon suddenly wished he had his cleaver with him right then so he could open up the back of this guy's neck.
'Fine. I'll listen to your proposal. But if I don't like what I hear your mine. Agreed?' said Banen.
'You'll like this,' said Cutter.
Banen sat down at the head of the table opposite Cutter. 'Go on then. Speak.'
'So you think the Konar-kas and the Tekan are supporting the Drowners to take the city for themselves?' said Banen, after Cutter had proposed his theory.
'I reckon so.'
'You're full of shit.'
Cutter leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. 'Why else would they be supporting the Drowners? If they wanted to take my crew down they'd do it without helping the Drowners.'
Banen waggled a finger at Cutter. 'Don't seem like they are to me. They attacked you on their own both times.'
'Yes, but the first time their ambush wa
s set up by one of the Drowners who we captured. He gave us false information.'
'So you say. But they could have been lying in wait for the Drowners.'
Cutter frowned. 'I don't think so.'
Banen sneered. 'And I think you think you're smarter than I think you are.'
'Regardless of whether he is right or not,' said Gobmu. 'The terms he is offering if we help them are very favourable. We stand to gain a lot.'
'And what about the Lurkers?' said Banen. 'What happens when we take our eye off them by fighting battles that ain't ours?'
'The Lurkers are nothing,' said Cutter.
'They're crafty fuckers if given the chance.'
'No. You're just stupid enough to leave yourself open to their little raids.'
Banen slammed the table with a fist. 'And by helping you I'll be doing just that. Maybe you're in league with them.'
Cutter folded his arms and took a deep breath, his brow furrowing. 'Don't be ridiculous.'
'I think if we make it known that the Merchers and the Cutters have joined forces, then the Lurkers will be too scared to make a move against us,' said Gobmu. 'They'll be more worried about us moving against them.'
'And how are we gonna make it known. Announce it in the news?' said Banen.
Several of Banen's other guys laughed at that.
'We make a display of our combined power. A show of force,' said Gobmu.
'Take back Nuchai and Domestic?' asked Cutter, his expression easing.
Gobmu shook his head. 'I know where their hideout is.'
Cutter's eyes widened. 'The Drowners hideout?'
'I ain't agreed to this yet and you're already making plans?' snarled Banen.
'It was just an idea,' said Gobmu, averting his eyes.
'I'm giving you favourable terms. It'll make you the head of the biggest gang in the city,' said Cutter.
Banen leaned back in his chair, glaring at Cutter. They all sat in silence for a moment.
Finally Banen spoke. 'I want more than you're offering.'
'What do you want then?' asked Cutter.
'What you said the Konar and the Tekan want. I want my gang ruling city.'
Cutter gasped. 'The city?'
'I want the Merchers to be the only gang in this city. You, and all your men will be mine. You can keep your districts, but they'll be Mercher districts. You'll help me take down those Lurker cunts as well. I'm having it all.'
