Chapter 232: Maps

Author’s note: Hi guys.

I'll save my words today and save them for tomorrow, so I'll just say enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 232: Maps - link: https://www.patreon.com/posts/125287067

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Chapter 232: Maps

"Are these the maps?" Ashe asked as the librarian spread them across the broad library table.

"Yes, miss. Or would you like to see more? Though I must warn you, most are kept for historical value," he said, stroking his beard in thought. "For something more up to date, a cartographer would be a better choice. If you wish, I could introduce you to a long-time friend…"

"That won't be necessary." Instincts prickled, cutting off the conversation before it meandered further. The enthusiasm in his tone was harmless, probably, but too much interest often led to too many questions. "The ones my friend used will do. Thank you."

Though deep down, she wasn't so sure. Maps weren't her strong suit, and as far as she knew, neither was Zander's. They both preferred a hands-on approach, scouting locations in person rather than tracing lines on parchment.

'What the fuck were you looking for, Zander?'

"There's no sewage system here, is there?"

The librarian’s smile came quick, a nod following. “Castiana is a labyrinth city. No need for it.”

'Right, thought so.' Just like in Munca, an army of waste collectors - an official title for a filthy job - must have been at work. Down south, that job fell to slaves. Here? Hard to say.

"Do you remember what exactly he was looking at?" Ashe asked after staring at the maps for a moment, failing to find something they had in common - besides the fact that they were all old. 

A five-hundred-year-old map of Castiana, nearly identical to the city’s current layout to any outsider. A detailed sketch of the labyrinth entrance, the square surrounding it. District maps, other squares, fragments of the past.

If one thing was clear to her, it was that Zander wasn't looking for a house to buy for them.

'Who would go to a fucking library for something like that? Only an idiot!'

"I'm afraid I can't be of much help," the librarian said, offering a sad smile. "I didn't mean to pry. But before I left your friend alone to his search, he showed the deepest interest in this one. If you'll allow me."

Hands moving with care, he shifted the scattered maps aside and pulled out a depiction of a grand estate.

"Egerton Palace. Or rather, how it looked in the late Baron Egerton's time. The young lord expanded it - added two wings, towers, even enlarged the gardens. A reckless decision, if you ask me. Hundreds lost their homes, entire streets wiped away."

"People must have loved that," Ashe said, struggling to keep the bitterness from her tone. Typical of the Sahals and their nobles. 'They don't give a shit about anything but their ambitions.'

"Indeed. A rather unpopular decision," the librarian agreed. "The young Lord tried to move this library to the new palace too, you know. But the decrees of the late Baron prevented him from doing so."

"I - see." No real response came to mind. The map on the table held all her focus.

'This was your plan, Zander? One last big job? Robbing a fucking Baron?'

Tempting, no doubt. A final strike at Sahals, a future free of coin troubles. People liked to believe sigils and arrays made life easy, but reality was crueler. No shortcuts. Either work yourself ragged or gamble with your life.

'But why didn't you tell me?' 

Ever since the rumor of the mess in Castiana reached them, he wouldn't shut up about the money to be made. Plans were drawn - taking over small businesses, diving into shadier work. Theft, threats, murder. The usual. Not once did he mention robbing a fucking baron.

'And why risk it all for... what? Pride?'

That part made no damn sense. He, of all people, knew when to vanish and when to strike. A man without that instinct wouldn’t have lasted this long.

'Fuck!'

The maps had nothing more to offer. Time to find someone who might. The librarian sat hunched over a book, deep in its pages.

"Excuse me, do you know anything about the commotion in the square yesterday?"

He lifted his gaze, finger pressed to the page. "First, I've heard of it, I'm afraid. I don’t get out much, and here..."

"Yeah, I get it." Ashe herself has only been here a short time and the way the library was cut off from the outside world, from the mess out there, was so... well, there was something to it.

"What happened, if I may ask, miss?"

"I'd love to know that, too," she muttered, voice trailing off. A gold piece landed in his book. "For your help."

"That’s not necessary, miss. Unless you plan to buy those maps, library services are…"

The door swung shut before he could finish. Too much to do. Too many people to shake down for answers.

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As the afternoon wore on, however, she knew no more than what Birhane had told her. Zander came out of the library, someone bumped into him, they exchanged some harsh words and fists flew. The City Guards stepped in before things got worse, and now he was rotting in a cell. If they hadn’t already, it was only a matter of time before they pulled out some shit on him that would give the bastards justification to put a collar around his neck.

'Fuck, fuck, fuck!' Perched on the edge of a fountain in the small square, her fingers toyed with a dagger, the weight of steel the only thing keeping her frustration in check.

"You haven't had much luck, have you?"

"Birhane? What the fuck are you doing here?!" Ashe spat, the words sharp as steel. He had slipped close - her inner domain close - without her noticing.

'Does that son of a bitch think that with Zander gone, he had a chance to get into my knickers?'

"First, please put away the daggers."

"You wish. Talk first, then I’ll decide."

"In a bad mood, huh? Well, maybe I know how to perk you up."

The fountain's cool stone left her skin as she pushed off, boots striking the ground. Three steps and the blade found his throat. "Birhane, if you think..."

"I may have a way to get Zander out," he blurted before she could finish her threat, taking her breath away.

"W-what did you say?"

"Well, after you went into the library, I poked around a bit more and… found a way."

"You better not be messing with me!"

"I would never." Hands lifted in a placating gesture, though a slow smirk tugged at his lips. His gaze darkened. "Unless…"

"Don't push your luck."

"Don’t we all do it, all the time?" he shot back, nodding toward a pair of two City Guards in the far corner of the square. "Anyway, if you’re up for it, I’ve got someone I’d like you to meet."

'Fuck! Local, no doubt.’ They always thought they had the upper hand over outsiders, and damn, they usually did. "Go on then."

"Not here, of course."

"For the fuck's sake, Birhane! Who do you take me for?”

"Are you sure you want to hear the answer?"

"Just shut up and lead the way."

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                                                     Glossary

                                                   Korra’s Grid

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