Snippet #1651916

It was only after setting Siri's safety to the highest priority that Caelin decided to pursue other leads. Working his way around Alpha, he could not confirm anything else other than the fact that Gilgamesh did have some sort of sway over Chandler and his group of moderates.They were either not as trusting as Chandler was, or they were paid off to keep their mouths relatively shut. Unfortunately for Gilgamesh, many politicians liked to chew the fat, as long as the topic at hand didn't really concern their own personal reputation. He had no more clues but a stinking letter, which greatly frustrated him, but he pressed on and went to meet up the next day to present it as possible evidence.

---

Assassin's Guild

Caelin sat to the side, a few seats down from the Princess. Even at this distance, he could tell that she had not been resting. Her posture, though correct, seemed rickety- as if a simple breeze would cause it to sway and creak in protest. Nevertheless, she presented what she had gathered. Caelin silently placed the letter of demands against Chandler on the table, and left it there to be forgotten. He quickly examined the map the map presented by Pandora and Victoria, noting it to be accurate. He saw the documents Loki and Eos retrieved, and his face twitched slightly. It sharply reminded him of all the times his legislatures to slowly root out slavery had been denied. As Scherazade gave her own input, the young noble began to put the pieces together a little more quickly. As Loki began to speak, she confirmed his conclusion. The only good news, was that she confirmed that Gilgamesh kidnapped Chandler's son, and found him. The old man would be very pleased, and this would give him great incentive to help Taylor out.

However, as she progressed, Taylor was horrified to hear of what the Mages were probably planning. If this wasn't stopped, this would give Gilgamesh the leverage he needed to assert his control and slam the last nail into the magi's coffin. Why did they have to be so impatient?! He gritted his teeth imperceptibly, infuriated by the turn of events. As things neared their climax, even Taylor's legendary calmness was beginning to crack. And soon, he'll be in the center of it with Loki. He straightened slightly as Loki finished her summary of the evidence and predictions.

"I'm in far too deep to back out now. I have to finish what I start." the young noble said, "but diffusing explosives? I neither have the knowledge nor can be present at the time. My apologies." His smile was wry. "However, If you wish I can offer some experts from my own company, specialized with chemical explosions. They might be able to help." He offered.

Victoria was scowling at the floor. At this point things were about to draw to a thundering conclusion, all in the matter of one week. During the discussion, she had kept quiet as Loki pieced Gilgamesh's plan together. She flashed a hesitant look toward Pandora, who seemed to be extremely angry. She then turned her eyes to look at Zade, who agreed to help Loki diffuse the explosives. She wanted to pull out at this point. Maybe she could still salvage her medical career. However, she knew that her Master would finish what he started. After all, you don't leave a patient half-treated, right? Besides, becoming a doctor at this point will put her in danger- as it would isolate her from her comrades and bring her out of hiding.

She sighed. "I have no clue how to work explosives." She admitted. "He... He never got around to showing me that stuff. If he knew how." Shifting uncomfortably, she ducked her so she didn't have to see their faces. "But, if you need an extra girl for the job, I'm here. Just tell me what to do."

---

Four Days Later

District Alpha

Every maid and male servant was armed with a knife, those more skilled given a weapon of their choice. They had become a secondary guard, and are quite possibly more lethal than his current sentinels patrolling his home. This was because they knew how to stay out of sight, they knew every inch of this house, and they were aware of any movement within it.

As Taylor sat at his desk, clearing away work that had piled up over the course of his investigation on Gilgamesh, he worried about Siri. If things were to veer sharply off course, would he be able to survive Parliament? Taylor had only barely managed to be able to, relying heavily on luck and his own desperate cunning. Would Siri have it in him? He would be several years younger than Taylor. It was slightly foolish, though. A young boy like Siri, taking a Parliament seat? Impossible. It was more likely that Taylor would simply lose it's voice in the meetings until Siri reached an acceptable age.

Sighing, he forced himself to focus. The door opened slightly, as the slight boy slipped in.

"Hey daddy!" He said.

"Hello, Siri, what are you doing here?" Caelin asked.

"Didn't you hear? Uncle Chandler found his kid! Manfred told me!" He said. "Isn't that wonderful?"

Caelin smiled. "That is great news!"

"Safrina says I'm doing good in my studies too!" He rattled on, hopping in place.

"That's excellent as well, Siri, but you can't hide it from me- What do you want?"

Siri flushed slightly. "Manny asked if I could go over to his house to play." He said. "Can I?"

It was as if a knife cut through his gut. "O-of course Siri. Just let Safrina escort you to and back, okay?" He said, his composure still shaky. Even at this point, Caelin still wasn't took keen on letting Siri out on his own until Gilgamesh and his cronies had been thoroughly dealt with.

"Thanks! I'll be back soon Daddy!" He said happily, bouncing out of the room. Muffled shouts for Caelin's ex-Thief maid could be heard throughout the manse.

Caelin sat back, slightly dazed. Daddy, huh?

---

District Delta

Five days after the Meeting, Midnight

In these streets, he was in control. All the food around could be his. What was a tiny crumb to them was a feast to himself. There was no such thing as trash here.

Suddenly, his head jerked up. Sniffing slightly, he smelt an unfamiliar aroma- somebody too clean to have been from this place. Of course, Furskins the Rat wouldn't have known that- thought he scent was odd enough. Hissing slightly, he attacked a piece of garbage on the streets. A rush of wind alerted him, and he tried to dart off but found himself struggling in a padded glove.

Twisting, he turned around to see a blond girl, staring intently at him. She nodded once. "You'll make a good test subject." She said. Furskins felt unfamiliar chills go down his spine.