I was in the lower warehouse district, and had to reach the circled area to meet Vlad. If I moved carefully through the warehouses the citizens shouldn't bother me. It was still too early in the morning for the town to be bustling with activity.
The town was quiet here, peaceful, I almost felt like lying down in the grass and giving in to sleep. But I knew that would be the death of me.
After crossing the rails a man shouted at me and gave chase, I tried to lose him amongst the warehouses when I noticed a door was slightly ajar. I could hide in there or at least conceal his body.
They didn't mind my entrance, a few even had sly smiles in their faces. The footsteps outside told me that the man had preferred to run off rather than enter.
The collection on the table left little doubt as to what sort of place this was.
One of the men saluted me, his distinct attire made it clear he was the leader here.
It's better not to pick on you, by the looks of it, he-he! We'll cheat a bit, but we won't argue, we ain't wanting that... I reckon it's more honorable to go about some thievin' than killin'. You are probably of a different opinion, right?
VERSUS
Artemiy: Who are you?
Gryph: Heh, they ain't been tellin' ya about Gryph, have they? The king of thieves, the main storeman, the smuggling master... well, the robbery stuff is there too.
Artemiy: So, that's where I am...
Gryph: Well, that's me. Welcome to our lair. We're up to some smugglin', so everything that is prohibited you can find here in great supply. You be careful though! Buyin' stuff off us means others won't trust you as easily if they find out.
Artemiy: That doesn't matter in my case.
Gryph: I already know who you are. See, my business is such that I 'ave to know things like that. See, there was so much runnin' 'n shoutin' at night. Ones runnin' from you, ran past our place, askin' if you was one of us. I said ya ain't. They said you'd come, ya know. 'n they'll say more things, they will.
Artemiy: That is quite unpleasant.
Gryph: Hey, never mind, ya got yourself into the town from the right side, ya'ave. There's 'nough scum about here. Dark people 'ave been livin' by the Warehouses for a long, long time. Us lot, we are used to murder, robbery and mishaps of all sort.
Artemiy: So, you people are not alone here?
Gryph: Heh, if only we were alone! We are just the strongest here, that's what we are happy about. Officially, we ain't no thieves, we are storemen. But there is new blood... But they 'ave their own things to deal with. The main thing, there are kids, kids ya know, they are risin' now. I couldn't expect nothing like that.
Artemiy: What kids are you talking about?
Gryph: Some suckers used to play around 'ere. We didn't touch that lot, they are little, ya know. Give 'em a kick up 'n get 'em outta 'ere. But they went on gangin', got 'em dogs with sharp teeth. Gettin' on us lot's nerves. I was patient with 'em for a time... But now they are tryin' to get their hands on me stuff. That won't stand, it won't. 'nough!
Artemiy: Are you going to declare war on them?
Gryph: I'll start with one of them, the one that's most annoyin', take care of him. They had this traitor of theirs, gave us info on what they are doin'... Was afraid for himself. But now the prick has turned everyone in, he has. Poisoned one of my thieves, took our stuff 'n ran off into the steppe. We went lookin' for him, couldn't find him in the dark...
Artemiy: And...
Gryph: Would you help us with him? If ya meet him, would you, sorf of, deal with him... We'll help ya in return, do what we can.
This story seemed familiar...
Artemiy: Where did you lose him?
Gryph: Look, I'll show ya where we went up to.
He indicated the same place the kids told me to look for Lyckah. It seemed like he had as many enemies as me.
Artemiy: Ok, if I'm near the area I'll look for him.
As I turned to leave Gryph called me back as if he had just remembered something.
Gryph: Hey man, you've got a lot of panic up in the town, ya 'ave... They say you killed loads of men, ya 'ave. But them dumbheads weren't after ya in the first place... Ya only have to drop a word or two, and there they go believin' it all. Now they are after some bitch, they are. A shape-shifted, they say. All the nasty stuff that went on is her doing now. Your doings too.
Artemiy: But they are chasing me. Right?
Gryph: They'll stop soon. Our lot says that only one of the ones at the station survived. He'll die soon enough though. He's at the cemetery already, lyin' there, bleedin'. I'd just kill him, then nobody will ever call ya the killer, they won't. I'm sure about that.
Artemiy: Where is the cemetery?
Gryph: He-he! It's all cemetery, wherever ya go! He-he! Alright, I'll show ya, I will. There, in a small house, ask for a somewhat deranged orphan, daughter of the cemetery keeper, peace to him... She'll tell ya all about it.
Artemiy: Thank you, I'll take a look.
As I turned to leave it was my time to remember something I had forgotten to ask.
Artemiy: What's happening in the town?
Gryph: There's a lot of things going, there is. I feel we're gonna have a day heavy with events. Depends on what angle you are lookin' from. What need you 'ave?
Artemiy: I need some weaponry.
Gryph: Oh... Well, I've heard word of an ambush at the station again. But it ain't no citizens. There men are a bit harder, they are... Rogues. Armed too. Maybe good for ya, but it can dig a deep grave.
Artemiy: Really? That's interesting. And how long will they be there?
Gryph: I dunno, I didn't send 'em there. I even told 'em not go... So it ain't my trouble if they come 'round complainin'. Ya get me?
Artemiy: I've got the idea, thank you.
I left Gryph's den and the warehouse district, on the way out I passed by a drunk that gave me no attention.
In front of Vlad's house there was a masked man, I decided to grind him for information before entering.
"Are you Big Vlad, the owner of this house?"
VERSUS
Artemiy: No.
Tragedian: You see, I'm only a postman and I have an extremely important letter for him. They told me that he will only be back at eleven.
Artemiy: Does that letter say anything about some Burakh?
Tragedian: I haven't read it!
Artemiy: Yes, you have. I can hear the lies tearing through your mask.
Tragedian: Ok, ok... No, the letter has something about this Bachelor Dankovskiy, who has come to town on some personal ventures, but will soon take responsibility for dealing with the mysterious killer of Simon Kain!
Artemiy: Just what I need at this time, damn...
A dire portend if my name is not cleaned up before this Bachelor intervenes. Vlad wouldn't be here until later in the day and the door was locked, so I tried to visit the other wing of the house.
There was a girl inside who didn't seem to mind my entrance. I moved slowly towards her.
"Who are you? Why do you have blood on your clothes?"
Strangely enough, there was no fear on her voice, just curiosity and some concern.
VERSUS
Kapella: So, it's you, Artemiy Burakh? Haruspicus? We have long been waiting for you. I am Victoria. My father is Vladislav Olgimskiy. My friends call me Kapella.
Artemiy: Will we be friends?
Kapella: Of course! Well... I hope we will. Do you believe in intuition?
Artemiy: I have never encountered it.
Kapella: I have a feeling that before two weeks pass our world will collapse and be reborn in a new form. I will have to create new life and sacrifice myself for the future. Will you help me with that?
Artemiy: I hope, until the moment you have to sacrifice something.
Kapella: Speak to my father first! He is in the next wing.
Artemiy: I'll have time for that.
Kapella: Daddy said that if you get the wrong door and come in here before you see him I should tell you to go and visit his room first. I must obey.
She didn't seem to know her father wasn't home.
-----------------------
Things are looking up. Kapella told me I could rest here while waiting for her father, but I am afraid someone might have seen me entering and threaten the girl. I'll just get my bearings and then move out.
It seemed that offing Lyckah might put me in the good books with the local criminals, even if it won't help my reputation as a killer.
Speaking of which, I can deal with one of the men making these wild claims. I can silence him or... Perhaps... I could save him and prove I am not the murderer they seek?
I'll meditate on these matters on my way to the graveyard and the midget.
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