Vir ushered Neel inside, closing the door behind him. Neel stared at the veiled Executor, his tongue lolling to the side, while Vir slid the furled piece of parchment over the desk to them.
“Successful completion of my most recent contract,” he said.
Wonder if it’ll be a man or a woman this time… All the Executors dressed in identical black robes and wore black gloves that hid all the details of their bodies. Vir had grown accustomed to the creepiness.
The Executor unfurled the parchment, looking over its contents. “Well done, Initiate,” the man said, sliding a silver piece over the desk to Vir, who flipped it into the air before catching and pocketing it.
“Completion of this contract nets you an additional 150 points of Brotherhood karma, bringing your total to 760. Continue at this rate, and you will earn the 1000 points needed for Acolyte before long.”
Vir caught a hint of surprise in the Executor’s voice.
“Is that especially fast?” he asked.
“Quite. Few progress at such a rapid rate. You have done in just two weeks what most take a month or more to do. You’ve been diligent. The Brotherhood respects that.”
Good, Vir thought. Just not good enough.
The karma system was another bizarre part of the Brotherhood’s system that Vir had to get used to. Contracts awarded varying amounts of Brotherhood karma points, and the relationship to the quest difficulty wasn’t always obvious. Some contracts paid well, but barely awarded any karma, and others were the opposite. Most awarded one silver, like this latest one. 150 points was slightly above average, likely on account of its below-board nature.
“Speaking of… I understand that the Brotherhood has a vast intelligence network,” Vir said, broaching the topic he’d been wanting to discuss for weeks.
“Indeed. Is there some information you would like us to acquire?”
Vir paused, leaning down to scratch Neel’s back, then stared at the Executor. “This discussion is bound to Brotherhood secrecy, yes?” he asked. Merely mentioning this would be reason enough to have him jailed. He just saw little choice. If it meant accelerating his plans, it was a worthwhile risk. A necessary one.
“Absolutely,” came the Executor’s immediate reply.
Vir took a deep breath.
“I’d like a dossier on Princess Mina. What she’s truly like. What affairs she’s engaged in. People… she’s killed. And any crimes she’s committed.”
The Executor did not reply right away, and Vir regretted his words.
What was I thinking? Of course they wouldn’t be alright with this!
“Such a dossier could be prepared,” the Executor said, surprising Vir. “However, not for someone of your rank. Make Acolyte, and then we can discuss this. Know that such a favor would not be free.”
“I can pay,” Vir said.
“Yes, there will be a monetary fee, of course, but the Brotherhood takes on substantial risk leaking such information to you. You would need to do something of equal value in return. Unfortunately, your standing does not allow this yet. Make Acolyte, and then we can talk.”
“You’re not going to ask me what I plan to do with it?” Vir asked.
“That is not the Brotherhood’s concern.”
Well, progress, but it’s still not good enough.
It’d take him weeks at this rate to ask for this favor. After paying all of his karma to reach Acolyte, he’d have nothing left. He’d have to rebuild it all by doing many more missions.
Vir had an idea. “Alright, how about this? Give me a special contract. Whatever it is, I’ll do it. I’d like enough points to make Acolyte, and I’d like to fulfill this favor to you in one go. I’m… in somewhat of a hurry. I’ve already waited too long,” he said, thinking of Maiya.
His worry grew with each day they spent apart. Was she safe? Did she need his help? Maiya was more than capable of defending herself, but even still… Vir just wished he knew where she was. After he’d decided on what to do with Mina, he planned to leverage the Brotherhood to find her.
“There is an available contract, but it would ordinarily be reserved for Shadows and Acolytes of high standing. I hesitate to even mention it to a mere Initiate.”
“I’m more than capable. My Balar Rank should show that.”
“Indeed, I mention it only because of your rank. That, and the diligence with which you have completed your tasks.” The Executor stared at Vir for an uncomfortably long time. “Very well. However, you must accept this mission. Deny it, and you will forever tarnish your reputation within our organization. If you accept, and later abandon it, the consequences will be far worse. We will be forced to expel you in this case.”
Vir gulped, nervously scratching Neel’s back. “I understand.”
After a moment of silence that stretched far too long for Vir’s liking, the Executor spoke. His words came slowly. “Your contract is to assassinate a man named Ravin.”
“Assassinate!” Vir blanched. He’d thought he’d have to kill some monster, or perhaps steal some priceless treasure. But to kill someone?
“I…”
“The reward for this contract shall be two silvers.”
“That’s it?” Vir exclaimed. “That’s barely more than the contracts I’ve been doing!”
“As I said, this kind of contract would normally be off-limits to anyone below Shadow. We have adjusted your compensation to befit your rank. You will, however, gain one thousand Brotherhood karma points, putting you at 1760 points. Your ascension to Acolyte will cost 1000 points, thus leaving 760 left for your karma. I believe 700 points should suffice to cover the dossier you want.”
Vir hadn’t realized favors would cost him points, but he supposed it made sense.
“Who is this man? Why do you want him killed?” Vir asked.
“Make no mistake, Initiate, I am extending this contract to you as a favor. The Brotherhood does not judge its members, nor does it ask questions about why someone might want a dossier about Princess Mina. In return, we demand that you ask no such questions of us.”
Vir ground his teeth. What if Ravin was an innocent man? What if he was a good person with a family? Could Vir kill someone like that?
He could abandon his mission, but he’d be banned from the Brotherhood for life.
“Where can I find him?” Vir asked, his voice hoarse.
“In the Warrens, northeast of the city. Ask around. He is not a hard man to spot.”
Seeing Vir’s anxiousness, the Executor sighed. “Know that the Brotherhood does not commission assassinations without ample cause. If it makes you feel better, learn what you can about him. But do note that there is a time limit for this contract. You have three days, or the contract will be considered a failure. Understood, Initiate?”
“Understood,” Vir said, rising from his stool. “C’mon, Neel.”
With his faithful bandy in tow, Vir left the Executor booth. A part of him couldn’t believe he’d just willingly agreed to murder someone. Another part of him considered himself lucky to have finally found a path to learning more about Princess Mina.
Vir guided Neel up to his room in the Sanctum. He’d moved here shortly after joining up. While the room cost the same as the inn across the square—at least for Initiates, Acolytes gained access to discounts and larger rooms—the room itself was nicer.
Better appointed, with cleaner communal bathing facilities, but most importantly, the Brotherhood took far better care of Bumpy than the inn did. Plus, the entire building had Brotherhood guards posted around the clock, making it far more secure than any of the other inns.
Vir opened his lockbox—another perk that came with the room—and inspected his funds. With today’s payout, he owned seven silvers and a handful of coppers. Between two weeks of board, fees for stabling Bumpy, and food for himself and Neel, it shocked him just how much he had to earn to stay afloat.