Shadow Clone Sorcery
Chapter 26: Talent In Demand (2)

Lukas raised an eyebrow, leaning away from Mister Grey. His breath was sickeningly swee,t like he guzzled honey like it was mouthwash. “My soul ability? Intelligence gathering—”

Did Penelope tell someone about Inspector’s Compendium?

“My little ratlings at the research center claim it's far more complicated than just intelligence gathering,” Mister Grey said. “Perfect identification isn’t just rare it's unheard of. Diviners and scryers might use psychometric spells to get details of an object or creature, but they're far from accurate.”

“Far too many establishments don't allow them or their gifts,” Kelpie said. She adopted a mocking tone “Cheating. Unethical.’

“I'm afraid my identification powers won't help much in gambling dens,” Lukas replied. The woman to Mister Grey's right moved to make room for Lukas. Mister Grey gestured for him to sit, and he did just that. Refusing the man didn't feel like the best of decisions. “It doesn't tell me probabilities or people's thoughts and intentions.”

“Gambling den?” Mister Grey guffawed. “No. I wouldn't waste such an incredible bet on hands of cards. Besides, the tables where I sit would see me, you, and all our companions and loved ones executed for such infractions. I had something else in mind.” The man grinned. “Once a year, Iskander’s beautiful City Council Hall opens its doors for a silent, anonymous auction. All the lots are first put on display; guests get to walk among them and inspect them. Then, we bid from private booths.”

“And you want me to identify objects of power?” Lukas asked.

“Not just objects of power.” Mister Grey waved at the wall behind where he and his entourage sat. Weapons of all shapes and sizes covered it. They were clean and well-maintained but clearly worn from countless battles. “It's difficult to differentiate duds from objects of history and value. You will be compensated for your time and again if you help me procure something truly… delicious.”

Lukas's skin crawled. He hated his proximity to Mister Grey and wished to run. He didn't like the way Kelpie was looking at him either. “What are the penalties if I get caught identifying objects during the auction.”

“We'll, of course, exercise the utmost levels of discretion,” Mister Grey said.

“It depends on who catches you,” Kelpie added. “If it's the guard, you can expect to see the dungeons, and since the city council and other powerful figures will be involved, bribes won't get you out. Sentence length and location will be down to the trial, but prison barges and salt mines are common.” Her eyes narrowed as she continued. “If it's one of the other guests and their private guard gets you, you might end up an ability slave or just taken out back and have your throat slit.”

“I hope you understand that your honesty significantly damaged my willingness to get involved,” Lukas said.

“Talent deserves honesty.”

“Oh, I'm sure we can put a price tag on your hesitation.” Mister Grey waved dismissively. “What do you want? A few thousand crowns?” He looked the guard captain in the eyes as he continued. “Our services? Something our law-keeping friend might deem contraband?”

“Do you want a slave?” Kelpie asked. “Security. Pleasure. Just someone to do the tasks you hate?”

“All you see around you belongs to me, Lukas Zaun,” Mister Grey said. “I own half of this neighborhood and more. As long your ask is reasonable, and within my power to give, I'll do what I can.’

“I'll pass on the slaves, thank you very much.’ Lukas shot Kelpie a polite smile before returning his attention to her boss. “You can procure things that don't make it to the shops. Yes?”

Mister Grey nodded, sitting back and looking satisfied.

Bastard probably thinks he already has me hooked.

“I want shards and essences for my brother and me,” Lukas continued. “The good stuff. I'm talking about the pieces that get scooped up as soon as, if not before, they leave the ships.”

“Difficult but not impossible. We'd have to step on many toes and anger powerful organizations and entities who had dibs. Are you looking for anything specific?”

“Lightning. I'm on the hunt for shards and essences related to it. Failing that, arcane control, recovery, or metallic related.” The woman who had moved to make room for Lukas pulled a piece of parchment from within her sleeves. “Something physical or metal-adjacent for my brother would be great, too. Essence of Steel or Essence of Iron perhaps.”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Those are expensive and hard to find,” Kelpie commented. “Dangerous, too. We'll be pissing off the mage colleges and the artisan's union.”

“Given the risk to my life, I'd say my ask is reasonable.’

“Or we could just keep you here and force you to work for us.” It was the woman taking notes. She barely looked up from her scribbling as she spoke. Lukas glanced at Stefan. The man stood within earshot, speaking to another patron and pretending not to listen. “It's really that easy.”

“Sure. I'm a weak second-tier sharded with only two awoken Pillars and the second still in the low ranks of tier-one.” Lukas smiled, making eye contact with Mister Grey. “But are you ready to make an enemy of the Cold Fire Sorcerer? I and my shard ability have become vital to her work in Iskander. Which the city council brought her here to complete, I might add.”

“I knew I'd like you as soon as you walked,” Mister Grey said, sitting back in his throne-like armchair. He tapped his crystal tumbler, and a barmaid rushed over within seconds, replacing it with an identical glass filled with amber fluid. A rough cuboid chunk of ice floated within. “I can sort out an Essence of Lightning and Steel as a hiring bonus. We’ll check the markets and incoming vessels and do a price check.

“Assuming we find what you want, and the risks related to procuring it don’t outweigh the benefits of hiring you, you will receive a lightning or magic-related shard as payment for accompanying me to the auction. We can discuss a shard for your brother afterward as a bonus for finding me what I want. Is that reasonable, Mr—” Kelpie cleared her throat, interrupting him. “Oh, right. This is all subject to a test, of course. We need to ensure shard ability does what we need it to do. Is that reasonable?”

“And I can have the essence for agreeing to the job and proving myself?” Lukas asked, raising an eyebrow. “That's it?”

Mister Grey nodded. “But that would also mean you can't back out anymore. We don't like people who renege on agreements around here. Consequences of not accompanying me to the auction and performing the agreed-upon duties won't end well for you, your brother, or his pretty little friend.”

“I assumed as much.” Lukas sighed. His eyes narrowed as the same barmaid returned with a tray. An ornate dagger sat upon It. The blade and hilt were clean but showed the scars of time and past conflicts. “I'm afraid I can't complete your test at this moment. My shard ability requires magic and is limited by mental fatigue. You got me after a day of arcane training and intense sword training.”

“Would a recovery brew or two help?” The note-taker asked.

“It's not that I won't but more a matter of can't.”

“That's fair. Kelpie will swing by the inn around the time you finish breakfast.” Mister Grey's words suggested his people had their eyes on Lukas for a few days now. “She'll conduct the test and report back to me.”

“Works for me.” Lukas shrugged, glad that the lie had worked. He hadn't lied, it wasn't a matter of ‘won't.’ “You're welcome to dine with me, Kelpie. I—”

“You're not my type,” she said, eyes narrowed.

I'll need to win her trust before I take advantage of the big guy. It can't be this easy. There has to be a bigger catch to the job.

“When is the auction?” Lukas asked. “Do I have time to push for a few more ranks? It should enable me to use the ability more often, from greater range, and perhaps gain more accurate information.”

“Six weeks,” Mister Grey said. His smile has disappeared. Intense, hungry eyes studied Lukas. “We should be able to procure the essences well before then, but I can't say the same for the shards. You never know. We might find just what you need during the auction. If we fail to find what you want, I’ll pay you twenty-five hundred crowns for the job. That’s excluding the Essence of Lightning and Essence of Steel.”

Mister Grey paused when a breathless young woman came running up the stairs. She wore a dock worker’s scarf and hat. Temperatures dropped significantly along the waterfront following sunset.

“What is it, Little Rat?” He asked.

“Problem at the secret dock, sir,” the teenager answered, panting. Strands of hair stuck to her damp face. “We need you. Or Mistress Kelpie.”

“Security breach?” Kelpie asked, jumping to her feet.

The young woman nodded, stiffening. She retreated a couple of steps from Kelpie. Lukas recognized the look on her face. He'd seen the same on his clones whenever they were tasked with reporting failure or bad news to Lady Silverspine.

“I'd love to get to know you better, Lukas.” Mister Grey groaned, rising from his armchair. His giant belly wobbled as he stretched. “Unfortunately, our work day must start early today. Take the night to think about the job. It's a big ask and commitment. Kelpie will be around with your test in the morning. Tell her if you've changed your mind.”

“I still think we should throw you in a barrel and keep you until the job is done,” said the notetaker. She folded the parchment and tucked it into her low-cut dress's plunging neckline. “But it seems no one wants to listen to me tonight. How about you run along before I change Eddie's mind?”

Lukas did just that. He exited the brewery faster than Stefan could follow. He was sure members of the Grey Rat gang were on his tail. So, he slipped through a few familiar shortcuts until he was alone in a lane. Lukas took a moment to ensure no one was watching. Then he dispelled himself, glad he had listened to El-Prime and not carried any of their more expensive belongings. The clone wasn't sure how things were going to change now. They had planned for the information regarding Inspector's Compendium to leak. It made sense to do so.

Lukas Zaun helped the Cold Fire Sorceror figure out what's wrong with the undercity using his identification ability. Word of mouth alone would help him set up a business if not become a consultant for hire. He didn't expect the first person to track him down to be a mob boss. The situation now as significantly more complicated. They needed to manuver with care.