Chương 31: Chapter 30: An Interesting Blend

As Ralien wiped his hands with a pristine white cloth, the blood stained the fabric like the brushstrokes of a macabre painting. The man watched the process with almost clinical attention, as if the act of erasing the evidence of his violence were as important as the violence itself. When the cloth was completely ruined, with not a single white space left on its surface, he dropped it disdainfully to the floor beside the broken body of the guard.

He raised his voice again, his tone that of someone resuming a polite conversation after a minor interruption. —You may take him away. Men entered, silent shadows who obeyed without question. They carried out the guard's limp body, he was still breathing; Selena could hear the wet rattles and disappeared through the back door, swallowed by the gloom of the hallways. Then Ralien turned back to Selena once more, as if nothing had happened, and poured more liquor into his crystal glass.

—Frankly, I always think it's a pity you won't join me for at least one glass of Varlof. —He took a sip, savoring it with his eyes closed, and continued: —As you can see, the misunderstanding has been resolved. A client like you is worth the effort. She stared at her hands, still trembling, still pale. The image of the bloodied guard at Ralien's feet looped in her mind like a cycle she couldn't escape: the whistle of the rod, the dull thud, the whimpering, the blood blooming.

—Selena— Ralien's voice brought her back, cutting through the loop of horror. —Take a sip, at least. Let us close the deal. What's done is done. He poured her a small cup not of crystal, but of a more modest steel and slid it across the table. Selena looked at it for a moment. The golden liquid shimmered under the candlelight, which was deceptively beautiful. Then, with a superhuman effort, she lifted the cup and took a drink.

The strong liquor burned her throat, a liquid fire that descended to her stomach and expanded through her chest. But behind the sting, a complex flavor revealed itself: wildflower honey, various spices, and a sweet, floral undertone that lingered in her mouth long after the liquid was gone. For a moment, just a moment, the horror faded, replaced by that warm, enveloping sensation that only alcohol can provide. —The deal is struck— she said, her voice sounding firmer than she expected.

—If you'll excuse me, I must return to my previous business. Ralien smiled. It was a broad, almost affectionate smile, as if Selena were a child who had just said something adorably naive. —I will see you, Miss Selena— He paused, and when he spoke again, his words carried a hidden edge. —I hope the next time we meet; your little theater performance is over. He laughed, a short but genuine chuckle, and gave a bow. —It is always a pleasure to receive you. Selena was escorted out by a different guard.

This one was unlike the last: he wore a common, dark tunic with a hood that obscured half his face. He didn't say a word the entire way. His steps were silent, his presence just one more shadow among the shadows of the hallways. When they reached the entrance, when the fresh outdoor air finally hit Selena's face, the man simply pointed toward the street with a minimal gesture and then retreated, swallowed again by the darkness of the white house. Selena went her own way.

As she passed the men gambling, that old door propped up on stumps, those crudely carved dice, those eyes clouded by alcohol, she noticed something different. This time, they didn't look at her. Their eyes were fixed on the cards, the dice, anywhere but her. She even saw one of them trembling, a slight but unmistakable tremor, the kind born of fear when one has heard the sound of violence too close for comfort. They had heard the screams. They had heard the blows.

And now they knew that the girl in the brown dress, the one who seemed so insignificant, was someone they should not look at. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. Selena quickened her pace. When she reached the corner where Kaela was waiting, she saw her friend sitting on the ground, back pressed against the adobe wall, eyes fixed on the path where Selena was supposed to appear.

Kaela's eyes went wide when she saw her, and a loud, long sigh escaped her lips, as if she had been holding her breath the entire time Selena was inside. Without a word, Kaela leaped up, grabbed Selena's dress with surprising strength, and broke into a run, pulling Selena along. They ran through alleys, ducked around corners, and jumped over puddles of dirty water until they reached the central street where unlicensed merchants sold their wares on blankets spread across the ground.

There, amidst the bustle and the street cries, Kaela finally stopped. —Selena— she panted, then sighed as if the air had been trapped in her lungs for minutes. —I thought they had done something to you. Her eyes were watery. The tears didn't fall, but they were there, shimmering on her lashes like tiny diamonds of relief. —When the sounds of the beating started... — She swallowed hard, the memory visible on her face. —I feared the worst. But I'm glad it wasn't so.

She looked at her intently, her dark eyes a mixture of residual fear and curiosity. —Now tell me: what happened? Amidst the market bustle vendors shouting their offers, coins clinking, haggling over prices, the distant song of a fruit seller, Selena spoke to her friend. —They took me to someone who could find the person I'm looking for. It turns out Ralien, their leader, considers treating clients decently to be a basic way of doing business.

—She sighed, and the memory of the blood on the floor, the man pleading, the rod whistling through the air, tightened her chest. —One of his guards insulted me for being a girl. So, he made him pay for it. Kaela looked at her with wide eyes. —Did he... did he kill him? —I don't know— Selena admitted, the uncertainty almost worse than the certainty. —But when I left, they carried him out. I don't think he'll be working for him again. Kaela was silent for a moment.

Then, with a voice that tried to sound firm but betrayed a tremor, she asked. —And what else? —Other than that, Kaela, I can only say I have to go back in three days. For my answer. —Selena confirmed. Kaela gave her a look of incredulity, that blend of skepticism and admiration that was becoming so familiar. Then, after a few seconds of silence, she spoke. —Even the rats know when it's necessary to behave— She sighed deeply, letting the air out slowly as if the words were a ritual to be performed with solemnity.

—That was one of Father's favorite sayings for cases like this. A sad, fleeting smile crossed her lips. —Still, I don't see it the same way. The only way to avoid everything is not to get mixed up in it. In that, Mother was a true counselor. Selena watched her for a moment. Then, without thinking, she reached her hands out toward Kaela. —I need lunch to make this shaking go away. Kaela took her hands in hers. Feeling Selena's slight tremor, she said, —Fine.

Soup again— She smiled, and this time the smile was authentic and playful. —And considering I work for you; lunch is on you. She laughed, a short burst that broke the accumulated tension. —The more mollucapra meat the tannery soup has, the better. In fact, I'll teach you a trick. Both of them stood up.

Kaela guided Selena through the labyrinth of stalls, and after a few minutes, the streets changed, the smells transformed, and they were back in front of the old woman selling soup, leaning over her massive black iron pot, steam rising in aromatic spirals. Kaela ordered two soups and two jars of banchis juice. Selena paid, feeling the coins leave her purse with a mix of loss and satisfaction.

Then they sat on the same stumps as always, in front of the same stall, as if the world hadn't shaken to its foundations in the last few hours. The food filled their souls. The soup was thick and hot, loaded with vegetables and generous chunks of mollucapra meat. It had a texture similar to shellfish, a firmness that melted in the mouth after chewing and the melted cheese added creaminess that enveloped every bite.

It was a delicacy, a luxury few could afford, and Selena ate with a voracity she didn't know she possessed. That was when she noticed it. Kaela gave her a small nod, pointing to the banchis juice at their side. Selena mimicked her: she took a sip of the juice, letting the citrusy, sweet liquid mix with the mouthful of soup she was still chewing, and the world changed. The flavor exploded on her palate like fireworks.

The acid of the banchis cut through the fat of the cheese, the sweetness complemented the spices of the soup, and the combination created a symphony that tickled her palate and reached her brain with the force of a revelation. —An interesting blend— Selena said, still savoring the aftertaste. —A new flavor every time you add something. Kaela looked at her, a special light in her eyes, and asked with curiosity. —It's like you. You're becoming more and more blended.

She shook her head, but it was an affectionate gesture, devoid of judgment. —Still, you're becoming more and more interesting. Sometimes I wonder where your destiny leads, and what part of it I am. The question floated in the air between them, suspended over the steam of the soup and the aroma of the banchis juice. Selena looked at her, feeling the weight of those words, the trust they implied, and the vulnerability Kaela was willing to show.

They continued eating, the light conversation softening the moment as jokes began to surface between them.