Chapter 21...

It was late evening and the slums were about as quiet as they could be. The wind kicked up and was sweeping the streets clean of dirt and dust that was kicked around by the populace. The only source of light being the torches and lamps posted throughout the poor district. Tatsumi was standing outside the brothel to collect his thoughts as he contemplated on his current mission.

They decided to spend the night there and resume their hunt for Turk at first light. Sayo was catching up with the Hostess, and right when it got to the point of her teasing him non-stop he decided he needed some air that wasn't in the general vicinity of his smart-ass of a "friend".

"I could run right now, but no matter where I go, she'll just find me. No matter how hard I try to break free, I just keep getting pushed back into the same predicament." He sighed. He glanced up at the stars peeking out from the darkness that was blanketing the sky and was curious about what was going to happen next. It didn't matter which group he was in at this point. Whether he was fighting the empire or the rebels, they ultimately were just a stepping stone to his revenge.

He didn't really contemplate on the line he was walking. He just wanted to kill Honest and be done with it. He had no aspirations for a prolonged future. As long as the man paid for what he did, he'd have no regrets.

But still, he wondered.

"...if I get out of this...I wonder if Sheele, or Akame would still treat me the same." His thoughts were of the two he formed a connection with during the short time he ran with them. They all had their quirks, but they weren't so bad. But he also knew they were assassins. They would kill their own in the blink of an eye if they posed a threat to them. At least, he thought that's how it was supposed to work. He sighed once more and just leaned up against the building.

"God, this is boring." He'd rather be doing something right now, as opposed to just waiting to sleep. "I wonder if Furball ripped Lubbock's throat out yet?" He entertained the idea. He blamed Lubbock for pretty much this whole predicament he got landed into. If he didn't insist on going into that ring just get a few extra bags of gold, he wouldn't be at the beck and call of Esdeath and Sayo. "Well, the part about sleeping with Esdeath wasn't so bad. Maybe I'll rub that in his stupid face after I stick my knife in it-"

"E-e-e-excuse me, good sir." He looked down and was greeted by a hunched over young, lightly tan woman with dark red hair that went down her shoulders. He couldn't really make out her eyes for her messy hair covered it mostly. And her lips were dried, and her skin was somewhat rough, and she had cuts all over. "Could I trouble you for s-s-s-s-some coin?" Her voice was giving out due to her dry throat. "I'll do anyth-tht-th-tth-ing...I c-c-c-an work, or you can have your way with me..." She begged as she avoided eye contact.

"What's a street rat like you doing out this late?" Tatsumi asked. Normally he'd just tell them to piss off, but he had nothing better to do. Plus he'd never seen someone with looks like hers.

"Can't find work during th-th-th-th-th-the day. Nobody wants help f-f-f-f-from a wretch..." She explained.

"Well, I suggest you look for a bath and then maybe...hm?" Tatsumi narrowed his eyes and walked up to her. He put his hand on her chin and raised her face up so he could get a better look at her. He examined her face, closely. His eyes then looked to the cuts and scars on her arms. The only thing she was wearing was a ratty tunic fashioned from miss-matched cloth. She also was barefoot, and her feet were bandaged. After examining her features, he leaned back against the building. "Your skin color and red hair...you're from the east, aren't you?" He deduced.

"Yes. I-I-I-I-I-I'm a citizen from the Sellsword Kingdom." She talked. "(Cough). Sorry...haven't d-d-d-dr-(COUGH)!" She keeled over and landed on the ground.

"Alright, alright, don't hurt yourself." Tatsumi brought out a flask and handed it to her. "It's water, drink." He insisted as he held the spout to her lips.

"Th-thank you." She gladly took it and downed it almost instantly.

"When was the last time you drank, wench?" Tatsumi couldn't believe she downed it.

"Two days...not many places you c-c-c-c-c-can get clean water." She shook and handed it back.

"Ah, keep it. If you're disease-ridden, I sure as hell am not drinking from it again." He waved it off.

"Can I c-c-c-c-compensate you somehow?" She asked weakly.

"It ain't even expensive. So it's no skin off my nose." Tatsumi refused. He then heard her stomach growl and she was gripping it. "...you know for a wretch you still got meat on your bones. How the hell do you even eat around here?" He was bewildered by her state. She was clearly beaten and cut from her appearance. But she wasn't turning into a bag of bones like half the populace.

"I let men play w-w-w-w-with my body. See?" She lifted up her tunic and stood out in the torchlight, leaving Tatsumi with a blank stare. She was bare naked, showing she was slender with ample breasts, but what really caught his attention was the number of scars and cuts that were present all over her body. "The fuck? What did they do? Strap you in an iron maiden?" He shook his head.

"Sorry about the s-s-s-scars. I'm...a wretch." She lamented.

"That is an understatement. You look like you just made love to a barbed-wire fence..." He shook his head. He heard her stomach growl once more. He sighed and picked up her tunic and tossed it at her and walked off. "C'mon scar girl, if your stomach keeps growling I might just kill you out of annoyance." He halfheartedly said. Every growl reminded him of cooking for Akame which just gave him a tinge of irritation. She had a surprised look on her face.

Tatsumi's reason for doing this, however, was as ominous as the cold, dark look in his eyes.

"Maybe I'll go kill some time."

The two had gone up to a local bar that was still open and Tatsumi paid for a meal for the girl. He just watched with his elbow propped on the table. The young wretch was again just stupefied at the hot meal she was served. A steaming hot slab of meat that looked bigger than she could eat, and with various side dishes.

"Eat." He ordered.

"Is it really o-o-o-o-o-?"

"Eat, you fumbling idiot." He seemed annoyed. The food was right there in front of her. There is no other reason she needs to hesitate.

"...MMgh!" She dove in almost instantly and ate everything in front of her. She was practically drowning in delight as she scarfed down everything in front of her as if it were her first meal ever. After she had eaten her fill she fell forward and was panting.

"Wipe your face, you look like a pig." He made a sound of disgust while tossing her a rag. She wiped her face down and a lot of the dirt came off. He then widened his eyes and got up. "C'mon." He ordered with the same cold stare. She was again surprised at this.

They now were at a bathhouse that was open for the majority of the night. They left the slums and proceeded out into the upper district. Tatsumi was pouring water over the girl's head and scrubbing her down with scented soaps that were left there. They both were stark naked, but Tatsumi was not even reacting. Instead, he was just gently washing her clean as dirtied puddles of water and blood poured down the floor drain. The girl did not dare say anything or move, but instead just felt his hands massaging and rubbing all over her. Her red hair was now a bit brighter color, going from a brownish-maroon to a hazy red, due to the amount of nasty that was falling off her like mold. Her skin a bit brighter tan, and the scars not as prominent after giving them a thorough cleaning. He then walked around and bent forth washing her front. He worked his way around her breasts and eventually down to her legs. Her eyes were hidden but she could clearly see him. She was just wondering why he was doing all this for her. Perhaps he just wanted to clean her off before having sex with her. Or maybe he just wanted an excuse to feel her up.

She just asked for a coin to buy some dried-up bread. But it felt more like she was having the best night of her life.

As she eyed him she was frightened and yet oddly warmhearted by the sight of his stoic look. His jade eyes, not even the least bit giving into lust on touching her.

Tatsumi was sitting on a bench by himself next to a wagon that was selling clothes and was awaiting the girl.

"I'm finished, g-g-g-g-g-g-good sir." She came out and was wearing a dark brown top that exposed her belly, and shoulder, only covering her breasts, with gold embroidery, and fake jewels. She also had a dress that had a slit that revealed her partially scarred leg. As it went further down, it was fading into more of a transparent color as it went further down her legs. She was dressed like a belly dancer of sorts.

"Much better. Now you look like you went from sleeping with animals to a human being." Tatsumi shook his head and applauded.

"These...th-th-th-things are expensive-" She looked at her attire with distress.

"Not my money, so I don't care." He tossed and caught his coin purse. He then beckoned her to follow him again. Leaving her speechless again.

They were now back at the bar they were previously, and they sat in the back, away from prying eyes. He was brushing her hair with a brush he picked up from the brothel right before they showed up there. As each stroke of the brush glided down her redhead, it was getting bit by bit, smoother. She was now easy on the eyes after Tatsumi's work on her, and she looked like she belonged in the brothel in the area. He finished and she sat next to him.

"..."

"G-g-g-g-g-good sir?"

"What?" He responded.

"All these...things you've done for me...wh-wh-wh-wh-why?" She was just shocked that he went out of his way to do this to her. "I-can't ever repay you f-f-f-for it." She frowned.

"Then sleep with me." He ordered.

"U-u-u-u-understood-" She bowed.

"Actually, on second thought, you're stuttering really turns me off." He scratched his head. "Tell me about yourself instead." She was surprised yet again but complied. After everything he did for her tonight, she wouldn't think of not humoring him.

"...w-w-w-well, as I said, I hail from the Sellsword Kingdom." She began. "I was sold after my grandfather ran out of his fortune. I was four y-y-y-y-years old. I don't remember much about why I was living with him. But I grew up in the slave camps t-t-t-trying to get sold."

"Why?" He asked.

"B-b-b-b-because if I wasn't sold before I was of age, I w-w-w-w-would have been sent to work in the mines. You are not expected to live long after working there." She gripped her arm.

"...go on."

"I was bought by a merchant in this kingdom. I was worked day in and day out with menial tasks. I was only given one meal a day if I did a good job."

"Yet...you look like you've still found a source of food." He nodded.

"My people a-a-a-are special." She answered.

"Why, do they all have the same speech impediment as you?" He sarcastically asked.

"N-n-n-no. Our bodies are different from normal people. Our ph-ph-physiology and stamina are four times than the average man." She pointed out. "That's why we offer the r-r-r-runt of our kin to other countries. Work. Fighting. Attendance. Our people our hardy and outlast most slaves in our lifetimes. Our nation is powerful...b-b-b-because we send away the ones with defects, a-a-a-and cultivate healthy children to bring out their full strengths."

"So what are you doing around here than with no master?" He asked.

"Surviving." She simply said. "Whether I can s-s-s-sell my body, or work hard for horse feed, I'll do anything to live." She pointed out. "But since I have this ugly, s-s-s-scarred body...I'm a wretch." She said once again with a frown "I was cut up by one man before, but I was s-s-s-s-strong. Resilience to pain is my people's greatest trait." She rubbed one of her scars on her stomach. "But it didn't stop him...he just kept yanking my hair and cutting me all over. B-b-b-but I managed to leave before he continued." She explained to him.

"I had a feeling those were caused by a knife." He glanced at a cut above her cleavage.

"I don't have any money. S-s-s-so I couldn't do anything." She swallowed. "I-if-if-if you don't mind me asking, good sir." She turned to him. "Why did you help m-m-m-me?"

"Reason? Did I have such a thing?" Tatsumi pretended as if he forgot.

"N-n-n-n-nobody like you ever goes out of there way to help a wretch like me." She devalued herself while gripping her dress.

"Okay first off, fuck you, I'm not a nobody." He felt a sting of annoyance at her description of him. "Second, even if I did have a reason, you don't need to worry about it. Take what you can. If you're a survivor, being humble is a luxury you can't afford. For all I know, you could be taking a dirt nap the very next day, so don't be getting used to this." He pointed his finger at her.

"..." She stayed silent as she peered away.

"And stop calling yourself a wretch."

"Huh?" She was curious about his words.

"You know what a wretch is?" He leaned forth and sat up. "It's someone who lives under someone's thumb and not looking forward to the next day. You don't have ambition, you don't care about prolonging your life, you just wish it would all just end. But the problem is that the world doesn't end when you kick the bucket. Only you do. Everything you liked or hated is still here. You don't want any of it, because that just makes you realize how far out of your grasp your ideal situation is." His eyes just seemed to express something akin to an empty emotion as he talked. "That is how you become a wretch. Or in other words, a glorified meat bag."

"...h-h-how d-d-do you know what it's like?" She felt her voice shake as she asked.

"Why do you think?" He shrugged and she looked upon him in astonishment.

"Y-y-y-you?!" She silently exclaimed. "Th-th-th-that can't possibly be! Y-y-y-yy-y-you have money, a-a-a-a-and weapons, a-a-aa-and can eat good f-f-f-f-food!" She was flabbergasted why someone of such stature would belittle themselves like that.

"You don't need to look the part to be it." He simply said. "When I took you out, you ate everything with a smile. When I washed you off, you let me clean you. When I dressed you...well, for the most part, that was for me, but, you wore it. If you can do those three things then you are not a wretch." He concluded.

"...!" Her eyes were still hidden, but there was a revelation in them.

"Keep your yap shut if you don't practice what you preach." He crossed his arms and laid back.

"...(sobs).."

"Oh for-don't do that." Tatsumi groaned.

"(Sobs). F-f-for the longest time...no one ever said that to me." She felt her voice break. "I walked these s-s-s-streets for years...I was labeled a dirty sow...a deft cunt...(sobs)...a-a-a-ratty slut...(Cries)...a wretched woman...no one ever gave me worth...they just kept taking from me...(Whimpers)."

"..." Tatsumi was silent as he watched her pour her heart out.

"Th-th-th-this is the first time someone's treated me as someone...and not a wretch." She got on her knees in front of Tatsumi and put her head down on the floor with tears streaming down her face. "I-I-I-I-I thank you, (sobs). From the bottom of my heart, I-I thank y-y-y-you!" She praised him as she cried on his boots.

"...?" Tatsumi wasn't sure of this feeling he felt from her, but he felt a sense of warmth within him when she spoke to him with immense gratitude.

"Well, what do we have here?" Another voice spoke up which prompted the slave girl to twitch. A horrified look washed over her face at recognition.

"..." Tatsumi looked up slowly and his eyes met a blonde man wearing an expensive blue and red coat that had a gold chain hanging from his breast pocket. His hair was combed off to one side and he had green eyes. He was accompanied by three other men who looked to be guards from the city.

"...!" The young woman quickly got up and held fast to Tatsumi's side with a timid look.

"Mary, I didn't think that was you. You look much different compared to the last time I met you." He had a dominant air about him that seemed to exude from his presence. "Your clothes suit you well. Did you manage to scrounge up enough money for a bath, you pig?" He chuckled.

"..." She stayed silent and didn't dare look him in the eye. Tatsumi just faced the men with a bored expression. He could feel her fear projecting out of her like she was facing down a devil. "So it's this piece of shit?" He concluded.

"Not even a greeting? That's just rude, Mary. I didn't think you'd have regressed to such a state. But then again you were on all fours when we met, hehehe." He chuckled again.

"Do you want something, hayseed?" Tatsumi just blinked.

"Young man, watch your tone. You're speaking to nobility." One of the guardsmen threatened.

"Now, now, we're all decent human beings here." The blonde noble assured his men. "I thought for a moment that there was some form of creature nibbling at your feet, but it was just my 'good' friend Mary." He eyed her like some kind of despised being.

"You know this guy?" Tatsumi turned to her.

"...H-h-h-he was the one who g-g-g-g-gave me cuts...last time." She nervously whispered to Tatsumi.

"Ah, still the stuttering whore I know and lavished. Though you look like shit in a whore's garb." He referred to the scars all over her body. "But you definitely still retain somewhat of a womanly appearance." He lustfully looked at her exposed leg up to her chest that was emphasized by the dancer outfit she wore."Did this young man pay for your clothes? He's the next person you wring dry for coin? Going after children now are we?" He laughed as his men joined in.

"..." Tatsumi narrowed his eyes as if he now was sure.

"Say, boy. How much did you give her to fuck?" He asked curiously.

"Hell if I know. I was having such a wonderful time with her, the money just seemed, insignificant." He put an arm over her as he sat back. She blushed slightly as she felt safe, yet terrified under his arm.

"What? Boy, I hate to say it, but this slut will spread her legs just for anyone who comes into this district. For all you know, you contracted some form of disease from her. Or did that seem insignificant as well?" He let out a laugh as they all joined in.

"Well, what can I say, I'm a sucker for a pretty face." He said which prompted Mary to gasp. "You must be to if you marched all the way over here just to tell me that." Tatsumi retorted.

"Oh, I was with her alright. She just waited there as I chained her up while drawing her filthy blood from her body." He had a wicked smile as he remembered. "You should have heard her. S-s-s-s-stop! I-i-i-ii-i-it hurts soooo m-mm-m-m-m-uch! P-p-p-pwease stowp~! AHAHAHAHA! I've never heard a more stuttering bitch than this one!" He just couldn't hold it in anymore and just laughed.

"...(Sobs)." Mary silently sobbed as the man reminded her of the awful experience she had.

"On that note, I came to get my money back." He stopped laughing and sported a serious look.

"What money?" Tatsumi raised his brow.

"She didn't let me finish my foreplay and ran out when I went to grab another wench. I've been looking all over since then." He explained his reason for showing up.

"I-I-I just asked for two coins." She told Tatsumi.

"Two? More like two hundred! Do you think my time is worth that much?! You should be grateful I picked you off the street you wretched cunt! I was servicing YOU the whole time, and you have the nerve to just leave before I could even finish." He was angry at her response. "You're coming with me. And we're going to start over, and you are going to give me back the time you took from me, with interest." He snapped his fingers.

"Well, slow down there, slick." Tatsumi got up. "I paid for this woman, and unlike you, she actually took my money." He kept her behind him.

"(Sigh). Very well, how much?" The baron-like man sighed in annoyance. "200? 500? Money is no object in my world."

"Sorry, pal. But you don't look like you even remotely have the kind of money she's worth." He discreetly had a throwing knife hidden in his hand.

"Getting greedy will not prolong your life, kid. I suggest you do not bite off more than you can chew." He glared at Tatsumi.

"Greedy? You come into this bar in the middle of the evening to torture a woman who was never properly compensated for letting your slimy paws touch her. She's got more value than you do." He defended.

"Is that a fact?"

"You ain't worth shit in my eyes." Tatsumi finished with a scoff.

"...kill them both, I don't even care anymore." He ordered his men. They all drew their swords and pointed them at Tatsumi.

"Oh no, the big, scary men came at me with swords." Tatsumi sarcastically said. "What a fucking waste of skin." Tatsumi shook his head and pulled out one of his combat knives.

"Get him!" all three of them charged Tatsumi at once. Tatsumi jabbed the first one in the gut with his knife, quickly pulled it out, and twirled around to dodge another swing from the second guy, and then stabbed him, in the back of the head, and then threw his throwing knife into the face of the last guard. He pulled out his knife and all three of them dropped at the same time. It was over in a flash before the blonde noble could even react. But when it finally sunk in he lost his entourage in a mere second, he was flabbergasted. Tatsumi whipped the blood off his knife.

"Wh-wh...what the hell!?" He backed away in fear at the sight of the dead bodies.

"Three seconds...three men. Meh." Tatsumi shrugged.

"Do you realize who I am?! You're dead when I come back! You hear me-?!" He threatened in a frenzied state.

"Shut up." Tatsumi threw a knife at the man's leg and it caused him to kneel in pain.

"AaaAAAGh! Damn you! It hurtsithurtsithurtsithurts!" He was now crying in a pathetic display while gripping his leg.

"...come here." Tatsumi beckoned Mary to come forth. She was in a daze at what she saw but complied. He twirled the blade around his hand and handed it to her. "You wanna kill him, now's your chance." He said.

"...mm." She took the knife out of his hands and her eyes fell upon the blonde noble who was scrambling to get back up.

"W-wait! Mary! Please, forgive me! I-I-I-I'm sorry I did all those things! I promise I won't do it anymore! Ah, you want money, I-I-I-I-I'll give you as much as you need, y-y-y-you won't even need to work anymore! Please don't come towards me! That's a sharp knife! It would really hurt! Don't I mean anything to you!? I'm a person, just like you, please, y-y-y-yy-you won't even hear from me again, I swear! I swear on my father's name! JUST DON"T HURT ME!" He just screamed and begged as she inched closer and closer. He was propped up against the wall and was pressing back against it. He was wetting himself as his impending doom was approaching.

"GET UP MEN, THIS WRETCH IS GOING TO KILL ME!" He shouted at his now dead entourage.

"..." She stopped in front of him and suddenly dropped the knife. All tension, gone from the room as her hands shook. Tatsumi raised his brow.

"She can't do it, huh?" He wondered.

"Ahh,...th-thank you Mary-OOOFACK!" He then was met by a mighty punch from her that buried her fist into his chest in a gruesome display. She glared with yellow eyes that finally revealed themselves with sorrow and rage. Tatsumi's eyes widened at the woman's monstrous blow.

"Holy fucking shit...!" Tatsumi exclaimed.

"I..am...not...a WRETCH." She growled at him.

"A-a-a-agghhh..." His eyes went white and he was dead in an instant. She yanked her bloodied hand out of his chest, and he hit the ground dead. She just stood there panting heavily. She looked at the red liquid coating her hand, and she fell to her knees. She was letting out gasps of air. It was like the first time in her life she rebelled in such a fashion.

Tatsumi turned to the bartender who was hiding behind his counter. "Peacekeeper business." He held up the sigil that Sayo gave him.

"O-o-oh." The bartender suddenly felt more at ease. "You are the acquaintance of Miss Sayo?"

"Is Sayo like a fucking celebrity around these parts? Why does everyone know her?" He picked up his knife and sheathed it.

"I'm her info broker." He smiled. "Surprising to see you fighting for the empire though, boy. I thought you were going for the king's head?"

"...Sayo is just using me for her own amusement." He deadpanned. "I'll uh, clean this up." He referred to the dead bodies around them as if they were trash.

"Well, it's in her nature. Heh. Ah, don't worry about the bodies. I got someone who takes care of that." The bartender insisted.

"Right," Tatsumi said before checking on Mary.

"That young lady. She must be one of the Sellswords."

"You know about 'em?" Tatsumi seemed interested.

"Only one of the few countries that the empire wasn't able to bring under its wing. In fact, in terms of power, the Sellsword Nation is probably on the same level of power as the empire. Heard their people were abnormally strong, but I guess this proves it. I heard their women can fight just as strong as their men." He explained. "Although, we don't really get their people in these parts that often." He raised a brow. "Empire's been lax about letting in strangers from other countries."

"You're well informed." Tatsumi scoffed.

"The young lady doesn't do business with officials in the city cause they don't know shit of what goes on around here. So, we have our own network spread out among the populace. The brothel. This bar, and so on."

"..." Tatsumi looked away and knelt down next to the young woman. "You still in there?" He nudged.

"...yes." She said softly.

"So, your name...Mary, huh?"

"Yes." She nodded.

"...I'm Tatsumi." He offered his hand to her.

"...T-T-Tatsumi...mm...a good...strong name." She took his hand and pressed it against her cheeks. "Not...a wretch." She smiled at him warmly. He gasped silently. He looked away with an annoyed expression.

"Yeah, whatever. " He felt his heart throb a little for some odd reason.

"You're a smooth operator aren't ya? You put the same moves on the young miss as well?" The bartender teased with an amused expression.

"I'm gonna put my foot in your ass if you don't watch it, bub." Tatsumi responded with a tick mark.

"Peace." He waved his hands innocently.

"Oh yeah, you heard of a dipshit vigilante called Turk?" He turned back to the bartender.

"Yeah, I heard about his shenanigans from the young miss not too long ago. But at this point, you probably know more than I do." He shrugged.

"...!" Mary suddenly perked up. "T-T-T-T-Turk?" She exclaimed.

"You know 'em?" Tatsumi turned back to her.

"He tried to use me as b-b-b-b-b-b-bait so he could run away a few days ago." She got up and hunched over. "That's when I...was caught by this guy." She looked at the corpse of her captor with disgust.

"Well, that's a hell of a coincidence." Tatsumi raised a brow. "How do you know him, by the way?"

"I don't. T-t-t-that's what the guards were yelling when they were chasing him. I was wandering around that day, and then he threw me into them, and one of them accidentally cut my side." She stuck her hip out and showed a recent scar out of the many she had to him. "He said 'Don't worry! I'll save you when I escape'! But I haven't seen him since." She frowned.

"What a prick." Tatsumi scoffed. "It's annoying enough when you got the whole hero act to upkeep, but when you start using beggars as meat shields, and 'killin whores, that's when you've fucked up along the way." Tatsumi didn't really care about what happened, but he was annoyed at the fact this guy had the audacity to call himself a hero when he was just causing mayhem just so he could escape. "I don't suppose you have any idea where he went?" Tatsumi asked curiously.

"The only way out of t-t-t-t-the slums is either over the wall or right through the gates leading out." She shrugged.

"From what I heard, it doesn't sound like they intend on letting him through, no matter what. Guards lined up the wall, and checkpoints with dogs at all entrances. I just don't see how he could leave without making a fuss." The bartender said.

"B-but, there is a w-w-w-way he might take." She suggested.

"Okay?" Tatsumi wanted to hear the rest.

"R-r-r-right before the empire settled here, they conquered a city that used to be here. And they b-b-b-b-b-built on top of it. There's a dry well that leads down there that nobody uses. I found it by accident on the w-w-way to the capital. It leads outside the city and out another well. I don't think the empire knows about it. I didn't see any guards posted at either end." She explained.

"Show me." Tatsumi ordered.

Outside...

Tatsumi, Mary, Sayo, Eggy, and the bartender were gazing down a large well that led down into the dark.

"Huh, nifty entrance." Sayo nodded.

"How deep does it go down?" the bartender asked.

"About th-th-thirty feet." Mary spoke up.

"Well now, this is an interesting little spot. To think this old, crusty well was connected to the outside." Eggy let out smoke from her nostrils.

"Perfect for smuggling. Depending on the route." The bartender nodded.

"Well, let's see..." Tatsumi dropped a torch he had down the well and it stopped when it hit the ground. It revealed the ground and the well-dug edges around it. Tatsumi bent down and picked up a rope he brought along and threw it down. It reached the bottom thankfully, so he tied it to a horse hitching post, and gave it a good tug. "Okay, Mary? You're coming with. I need you to show me the way to the other end."

"Who is scar lady?" Sayo suddenly asked him. "I didn't say a word cause I thought she was just a local, but you got some muscle on you, girl." Sayo examined Mary from all angles.

"She's with me. So let's go." Tatsumi didn't wanna waste any time. He was already rappelling down.

"...hmph. Well, let's see how far down this rabbit hole goes." Sayo smiled and began heading after Tatsumi. "We'll return once we scope this out. Keep a sharp eye out. If Turk so much as crawls out of this place, I wanna know about it, the second he does." She ordered the bartender.

"Mm. Good luck, miss Sayo." He nodded obediently.

"I'll have my bouncers stand guard. If he comes over here, at least we'll know." Eggy nodded.

"Okay Mary, you're next." Tatsumi shouted.

"Mm." Mary nodded, and then jumped, much to everyone's surprise. She fell but landed on her feet with a soft impact. Tatsumi just blinked rapidly. "I-I-I-I will lead." She picked up the torch and proceeded down an opening that panned out into a small tunnel.

"Sellsword...huh." Tatsumi stood there stupified.

"Pff, show off." Sayo scoffed. And the two proceeded into the darkened depths of the underground with Mary.

Read/Review/Rate!

Laters!