Chapter 59. Reunions

“So, where did you go back on the shardworld?” Viara said, looking Abe up and down. “And what happened to you? You’ve… changed?”

“Is it that obvious?” Abe smirked. “I evolved, but its conditions were a little strange. It’s a long story,” Abe shrugged.

“Well, if you’d be willing to share one day, I’m all ears.”

“Yeah, maybe,” Abe replied, glancing around at the battlefield. “Do you want to move this somewhere a little less; battle-worn?”

“Sounds good.”

“Sister Viara,” Elder Kilik said, stepping forth from the crowd and grabbing her shoulder as she moved to follow Abe. “Who is this?”

“The one I told you about from the Reaver mission.”

“Ah, yes,” Kilik nodded. “The special one.”

Viara reddened a little, “That was between us, Kilik.”

“It’s fine,” Abe waved. “Oddly enough, I’ve gotten used to hearing that.”

“It’s not fine,” Viara growled between clenched teeth. “

“Viara,” Kilik continued, lowering her voice inaudibly and pressing her mouth against her ear. “He might be useful.”

Glaring back, Viara gently pushed Kilik away and stepped to catch up to Abe. “Loot our share of the corpses and head back to the hideout. I’ll see you when I’m done.”

Elder Kilik nodded. “Come on, girls. You heard her,” she shouted, waving a hand in the air and ordering the small army into action.

“You said you were an elder of a clan, but it’s another thing seeing it,” Abe flashed a curt smile as she reached him. “It’s impressive.”

“Not really. Just another tiny, insignificant undead clan within the vastness of the Vale. When we fade, so will our names.”

“It’s a high bar to please you.”

“I’m just realistic,” Viara said as Abe led her through the walls into his little alley. “You didn’t tell me how you survived.”

“Maybe I will, later. I’m more concerned about continuing to survive right now.”

“Fair enough,” Viara waved dismissively. “So, was there something in particular you wanted to talk about?”

“Yes,” Abe said, stepping to the side of his door and gesturing for Viara to enter the little hut. 

“So, what is it?” Viara raised a brow as she turned to Abe as he closed the door behind him.

“I need help.”

“Help? You’re going to need to be a little more specific.”

“Let’s just say I’ve come into a little good fortune, and I’m looking to hire some help.”

“It’s not related to that sickly dreamer energy I feel in this place, is it?”

“They’re related,” Abe grimaced. He was committed to doing what he needed, but he had come to like Viara, and having to kill her if she decided to try and steal his treasure would be unfortunate.

“Don’t worry,” she sighed, seemingly reading Abe’s conflicted expression. “The last thing I need to do is piss off those dreamers that you have chasing you. Not everyone is a freak like you. Most of us die when it looks like we die. So, anyway, that help you wanted? Don’t tell me you want us to guard this thing for you?”

“Well…”

“Oh, Abe,” Viara palmed her face. “I’m trying to survive the bullshit of the Vale, not sandwich myself between the insane. And I’m willing to bet those two assholes will be back for you.”

“Yes, they probably will be. But what were you doing here today if you weren’t looking for a fight?”

“I guess we’re misguided fools,” Viara sighed. “We need to cut out a territory for ourselves. It’s a long story, but we planned to pick off the gangs fighting here today and claim their territory for ourselves.”

“Gangs?” Abe’s brow curled.

“Well,” Viara stammered, glancing around the shitty little hole-in-the-wall. “They are a gang, at least.”

“I get it. But, back to the point, doesn't that mean you failed? I’m pretty certain that big rat got away.”

“It does.”

“Doesn’t that already put us on the same side? I doubt he will just forget how you and your little army cut down his minions.”

“Abe, don’t try and drag me into your mess. Yes, we no doubt have to find a way to deal with those wererats now, but that doesn’t mean I need to piss off that big mushroom.”

“You sure?”

Viara glared back, half-lidded and straight-lipped.

“I’m just saying, it’s not like I don’t have anything to offer. You should know, I’m kind of rich now. I could pay you and your army well.”

“How well?”

“I dunno, how’s a thousand ducats each to begin with? I won’t be able to pay you immediately, but it won’t take me long.”

“Don’t flash words like that around if you don’t have the coin to back them up,” Viara waved dismissively.

“I promise I can get the coin. I just need someone to guard this place and provide me with some mobility.”

Viara briefly narrowed her tight-lipped gaze on Abe, “If you agree to my terms.”

“And those would be?”

“You help us take out those wererats. A few ducts will be of little use to us if we can’t secure a new home. And we share all the loot we come across equally. And when I say equally, I’m talking about everyone.”

“Yeah, fine,” Abe shrugged. He doubted they would come into any loot that compared to the acorns, so sharing it was of little concern. “So, it’s a deal then?”

Viara studied Abe’s expression for a moment before extending a hand.

“Great,” Abe said, shaking her hand with a broad smile. “I had a feeling we could work something out.”

“I’m going to order my clan regroup here in this alley. I expect there will be rooms available for them?”

“I hope so,” Abe shrugged. I’ve counted about three dozen. But there are the zombies…”

“My clan will not be boarding with zombies.” 

“Ah, don’t worry about it,” Abe shook his hands. “We’ll figure something out, I’m sure of it.”

What was once a bare alley with a handful of zombies swaying about became somewhat lively with the addition of the banshee clan.

Not only had they taken up defensive positions along the wall, but they had helped fortify it further, adding metal plates and tiny, deathly orbs that they could use to channel their deathly energy remotely to form shields with their energy along the wall, as Viara had during the shardworld battle.

Accommodation was crowded, though. However, for now, everyone seemed to be getting along well enough. 

While Abe trusted Viara somewhat, he knew that she was still only truly in it for her clan and didn’t doubt for a second that she would betray him if it were in the best interest of her clan.

For all the defensives they had now, he still didn’t feel comfortable leaving his treasures. Not yet, at least.

Luckily, he had enough ducats to please the poor banshees for now. And had his zombies go looking for more recruits. He figured that they needed a counterbalance to the banshees. Otherwise, they might grow overconfident. With another force within his camp to balance them against, he would hopefully secure his own position as leader.

Interrupting Abe's thoughts as he planned his next step, a zombie knocked at his door.

“Yes?”

“Maaaster, meeerchaant for you.”

“A merchant?” Abe bounced to his feet. He had sent the zombies out looking for respectable merchants who might be willing to visit his camp to trade. He had expected it to fail, but it was worth a shot while he was guarding his horde at camp.

“One minute,” Abe shouted, straightening his ragged jacket that was showing its countless tears and charging through the door.

Standing in the middle of the street was a hunchbacked man with a little eye and one huge, red one. Greasy, gray hair flowed in clumps down the sides of his wrinkled face.

“Abraham?” He croaked as he spotted Abe. 

“Hello, you’re the merchant?” Abe waved as he approached.

“Yes,” the man nodded. “Big Red Eye, the Unfortunate,” he grinned greenish-yellow teeth and extended a dirty, mittened hand.

“Nice to meet you,” Abe grimaced as he took the Red Eye’s hand.

“These little pets of yours have been telling me you’re in the fine business of trading.”

“Well, I wouldn’t say that exactly. But I am looking for someone to sell a few things to.”

“Sounds like a trader to me,” Red Eye smiled. “Where do we set up our little barter shop, then?” he added, eyeing the street around them with his big, red eye.

“Just here’s fine, isn’t it?”

“Ohhh, I’m a sucker for spectacular antics. Was hoping for something a little more grand,” Red Eye slumped. “Mind if I?”

“Ah, go ahead?” Abe shrugged.

Red Eye flailed his hands, and a puff of purple smoke clouded him momentarily. When the smoke cleared, he sat in an ornate leather chair with a wagon at his back—filled with boxes and various items poking out from every which angle.

“Welcome to my humble, little store,” Red Eye grinned. “Please, take a seat, good sir,” he gestured to the little chair opposite him.

“Thank you,” Abe nodded and took the chair. 

“So? What can I do you for?”

Abe slid a single acorn out of a pocket, carrying it with him in case he could sell it.

“Why, where did you get that pretty from?”

“It’s a long story.”

“I’ll bet,” Red Eye smiled. “Haven’t seen one of them in years. I had a feeling coming here would be worth it. You’d best be careful, though. No matter how careful you are, word of things like this spread sooner or later. If, by any chance, you’ve got more than one, you could end up the target of lord knows what.”

“I’m aware,” Abe groaned.

“So, do you know what it’s worth then?” Red Eye’s smile grew, his lips peeling back to reveal red, swollen gums.

“I have a pretty good idea,” Abe nodded.

“Well, then, an educated gentlemen you must be. Little undead like you often know little about their dreamer counterparts. But even a merchant as illustrious as myself won’t be able to provide you with quite as much as you might be hoping. I’m still a member of the living dead myself, after all. And selling dreamer artifacts just isn’t that easy.”

“How much?” This was getting tiresome, but hopefully, his smooth-talking merchant wouldn’t be any worse than the others he had dealt with.

“Oh, well,” Red Eye scratched at his chin. “I think I can do 300,000 ducats, not a penny more.”

Abe nodded along, trying to hide his surprise. It was still a decent amount lower than he knew they were worth, but this was a big jump from those other rip-off merchants.

“Acceptable,” Abe said, his voice almost choking in his throat. 

“Marvelous,” Red Eye tapped his fingers together. “I look forward to doing business with you, young lord.”

“Lord?” Abe’s brow perked at the unexpected word.

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