Arthur was starting to understand a lot of the old money sayings as he looked into Penny’s beaming face.
She stood in an empty store, aside from the small retinue of bodyguards who’d ridden up with her. It took until nearly mid-afternoon for all the injured to be tended to and sent back. Rab and Theobold had left with them. Neither slept before they could make their reports.
Though, in Theobold’s case, it was more of a chance to check on his mother. The younger mutant had almost tripped twice in his haste to get down in the farms.
For Arthur’s part, he’d expected, and in truth, hoped for, a somewhat quiet day. One where the most complicated thing he’d need to do would be to count his new gold and perhaps follow Nyssa’s example. The rat girl in question was currently sleeping in the basement as her father tinkered away with a new concoction.
However, that changed when Theobold came back with a retinue and an incredibly excited Penny.
"This is a lot," Arthur said as he stared at the three picnic baskets that sat on the counter.
He could smell them. The delightful aromas of fruits, vegetables, and soups all mixing in the air. It would have been even more pleasant if not for the traces of the day's activities.
"I really hope this levels me and that my advancement automatically cleans the store."
His thoughts drifted as Penny told him about all the different offerings she’d brought. From what he understood, they’d intended to send the shipment earlier. However, disagreements between the cooks caused issues. Plus, the constant back and forth about whether they should wait for the knights to go along as well.
This led to enough delays that Farmer Richard put his foot down and forced them to send him something.
"You’ll have to thank Lilly and Alice for me."
Penny nodded, her red curls bouncing almost as much as she was. "I can do that. Oh! I asked my grandfather, and he said it would be ok for me to stay to help out, provided my escort stays with me. If you still want the help."
"That would be great, and I’m not going to say no to more security." Arthur reached into the box to start pulling out coins as he tossed a look at Leo.
The man looked terrible. Half-asleep, he leaned against the wall, looking as though a stiff breeze would bowl him over. He’d ignored both times that he’d been commanded to get some rest. Instead, simply watch the door as though an attack may come at any minute.
Two hundred and five golden pennies later, he watched Penny count her money as he put the food into the box as quickly as he could. He’d need to have Nyssa add them to the menu, but that could wait. She needed sleep after all the work she’d put in.
"I need to thank her for putting the children on Camera duty as well. That was a good call. It might be worth paying for someone to do that now." Once more, his eyes flicked across to Leo. "Actually…"
"Hey Leo, can I speak to you?"
Leo jerked himself out of his daze and nodded as he shambled over.
"Yes?"
"What are your plans now?" Arthur asked, doing his best to smile as he continued to fiddle with the gold coin in his hand. "Now you know where Carina is."
"I." He yawned. "I need to rescue Miss Heady. Failed that once. Not again."
"In that case, I have a proposition for you."
Leo looked at him blankly and then blinked as a pop-up filled his vision.
“Come work for me, at least until she’s safe. Enemy of my enemy, and all of that. Plus, it’ll let you stay somewhere safe while we plan how to take them down. What do you say?"
He’d chosen his words carefully, remembering back to what the management courses told him. Fear and guilt were both things he could play too here. From the look in the man's eyes, he could tell he’d chosen well.
"Fine." Leo nodded as he accepted his new job. "Where do I start?"
"Go out the back and watch the cameras. Keep an eye on the front door. I’ll send someone to relieve you soon."
"Yes, sir." The words almost came out slurred as he shuffled his way into the back.
Theobold shot him a look from where he stood talking to Penny and the other knights. He looked confused as he glanced at Leo’s retreating back.
"He’s going to be asleep as soon as he sits down."
"Good thing you and the other knights are here to keep an eye on things, then." Arthur knew he sounded smug as he turned to the basement. "Speaking of keeping an eye on things, I think it might be worth seeing what the good doctor is up to."
***
An acidic scent filled the basement, along with the blood and sweat smell that permeated upstairs.
Dr. Muriler scurried around the basement. As fast as he moved, he never got too close to the sleeping Nyssa, who was laying on the ground nearby. He grimaced at the sight.
"Beds, and talking to Pydes." He thought as he stepped closer to the box.
It’d become a workbench, and a large beaker bubbled and hissed with some green concoction. As he drew closer, he got a whiff of a familiar scent. His mind wandered back to caverns and the arms of rats descending on him.
He shuddered.
"You’re making more of the vat liquid?" Arthur asked as he moved closer.
Dr. Muriler squeaked and waved at him to back away as he continued. Once he’d stepped back, he pointed again, and Arthur noticed a piece of parchment. A quick read made him chuckle.
"All of these? For what?"
He watched as Dr. Muriler made a throwing motion and then mimed an explosion. Arthur reread the list.
"That would explain the mention of a plastic ball. Aren’t you a geneticist? Why can you even make explosives?"
The grin he received was unsettling on the ratlike face, and he backed up as the rat mutant rubbed its paws together. There was a twinkle in his eyes, and he didn’t mime anything further.
"Let me guess; I don’t want to know?"
Dr. Muriler nodded and looked as though he was about to gesture something more when Nyssa yawned.
"Arthur, what time is it?"
"No idea, no clocks. I should get one. Maybe I should get you to make me a to-do list. This was easy when I could have my phone yell at me." Arthur said with a chuckle. "Glad you're awake, though. Penny is upstairs, so we have new food to sell."
"Which means new menus," she grumbled as she stood up. "Ok. Coffee first, and then tea, and then work."
"Sounds good to me. Also, do you know why your dad knows how to make explosives?"
That got him a sleepy blink, and then his words hit. A smile grew on her face as she looked over at the box. "From what Mum said, he got wild in college. All the science kids blew things up regardless of what they were studying."
Dr. Muriler squeaked and pointed towards the ladder. His message was clear—it was time to get going.
Arthur snorted and went up first, helping Nyssa up as she followed him.
One of the knights looked as though she was about to say something, but a snort from Theobold put that on hold. Penny, too, looked excited, but Theobold once again stepped in.
"So, how are Wyatt and Johnathan?"
The girl rolled her eyes. "They're okay, I guess. Jonathan keeps talking to the woman who comes to check on Grandpa’s fields. Even though Grandpa keeps yelling at him for it. Wyatt taught me how to shoot a bow, though. He’s pretty good at it."
Arthur smiled as he listened to the girl talk excitedly about her home life. The mention of a visiting woman piqued his interest, but before he could ask, Augustus returned from his small patrol. At his squeaky insistence, Arthur moved out to see what the commission was about.
On the street, he saw the familiar white outfit of Captain Swordsman, followed by Lady Pigeonette in her human form. Behind them, he saw The Explorer as well as another handsome young man with a sword. Other scavengers walked behind him, and Arthur frowned.
He recognized some of them from the groups that’d been doing tasks on the side of the road. All of them were chatting together as they followed The Assembly members.
"What’s going on?" Nyssa asked as she reappeared from the back. "Also, Leo’s asleep at the desk."
"Good, he needs it. Captain Swordsman, Lady Pigeonette, and the Explorer are coming with a group." Arthur moved back inside to stand behind the counter.
"Big one?"
"About fifteen."
Nyssa whistles. "Alright. I’ll get started on those menus then. Are you going to be alright if I set up here?"
He nodded and did his best to smile as the newcomers stepped into the store.
"Welcome to Apocalypse Assortments. How can I be of assistance today?"
***
When the group came in to start, they separated quickly. The Assembly approached the counter and handed over the items they’d taken from the gangs. Both The Explorer and the young man with the sword waited outside, chatting together.
While they did, the newcomers explored the store. None of them bothered to keep their complaints below a dull roar.
"It’s kind of empty," one woman said as she poked through one of the shelves that held some of the suits left over from Captain Swordsman's last visit.
Her companion had nodded next to her. Plus, it’s small."
"And it stinks! Did someone die in here?"
Arthur did his best to smile as he used his management course on each of them. All the complainers came back roughly the same—Survival and comfort. Different things, however, motivated some of the others.
Tiredness and a longing for safety were two of the big ones. However, the biggest was hunger. Most looked starved, and he wondered where they’d gotten their food. Those he did his best to help.
He offered them the last piece of the rat meat as he spoke about the dinner service. That drew more attention as others came over to watch Nyssa work. Thus, even the complainers chose to stick around until it was time to set the food out.
Penny and her retinue moved out into the street to chat with The Explorer. Lady Pidgeonette and Captain Swordsman joined them not long after. It made him smile to see so many powerful people outside the front of his shop.
When one of the new scavengers asked how they were meant to pay, he pushed the City Guide quest on them. None turned it down, and all gave him a fair amount of interesting tidbits. Most of the city was in the same amount of disrepair. Some sections housed Pit monsters that the knights hadn’t been able to take care of. One hospital was rumored to be haunted. Though a second person claimed it held some crazy robot inside.
However, the thing he learned the most about was The Cult, and their relationship with the scavengers. Which he found was parasitic at best.
From what he understood, they’d kept to themselves, with a strict no entry policy on Diaboli Theatrum. Some people tried, of course, but all were booted out quickly by the demon security. They were seen around, of course, and it was the trash they disposed of that led most of the scavengers to settle there.
Their food was good, and they didn’t seem to check what they threw out. Which Arthur figured out was why most of them didn’t look as starved. People also promised to bring all kinds of things on their next visit, from dresses to half-drunk bottles of wine.
He agreed to take it all.
When the Sewer Dwellers arrived, the newcomers made way for them. A few even stopped to chat as Arthur paid for crocodile parts and jars of Slagsoul goo. Some purchased food and drink to go, while others inquired about his numbers for the table.
When he could get a word in edgeways, he asked the next person about the jars they carried the goop in.
"Dr. Kunibert?"
"Yeah," the man said. "Also, he wanted to know if you had any of that Moss left to trade?"
Arthur winced and shook his head. "Fresh out, sorry."
"Also, I really don’t want to give him carnivorous moss."
The man had taken his money as Lucy dashed into the room. She was scared, and Arthur could see people start to stir. Though he couldn’t hear anything for them to worry about. Lady Pigeonette was speaking, and that seemed to be the cause of the issue.
"What’s wrong?" He asked. "Did she see something?"
"People are coming. Fast."
"Head into the back to watch the cameras with Billy, or help Thomas wash dishes. Either way, stay there."
She dashed past as he started forward. However, Leo put his hand on his shoulder.
"Stay here, sir. I’ll see to it. If you’re needed, I’ll call for you." His words were professional, and his tone was firm.
Arthur watched as he walked out, and then he heard the sounds of wheels on the pavement. Speeding towards them were four grown men on scooters. Each held a glowing weapon under their coats.
Leo had no sooner reached the door before they stopped and fired into the crowd.390Please respect copyright.PENANAYAE40GLZO2