Antiva City this time of year was hotter than any other; the sun beating down on the golden sand reflected warmth and light throughout the capital. Children would hop through the streets, the intensity of the heated ground stinging their feet, and the women would carry fancy umbrellas to shield themselves.
Zevran never minded the heat. In fact he relished in it, often laying on rooftops to soak in the rays. Today he was allowed no such luxury. Today he had to meet with the Guildmaster of the Crows. His location always changed throughout the week; either off in the leather district, or buried deep within the vineyards outside the city. Zevran was lucky he didn't have far to go, his schedule already dangerously tight.
He approached the home of Celestina Volmero, a known associate of the Crows, and often foster mother to the younger recruits. If the Crows were lucky enough to acquire infants and toddlers, they would be sent to Celestina to raise until they were old enough to begin training.
Celestina sat on the porch of her home in a rocking chair, feeding a baby no more than six months old. Her dark hair was pulled back in a sloppy bun, random strands of hair brushing her dark-skinned face. Zevran approached quietly, not wishing to disturb the child, and bowed to Celestina. She smiled brightly at the assassin but said nothing, only nodded towards the door approving his entrance. Zevran bent down and kissed the womans forehead, and then the childs, before entering the home.
On the surface the home seemed like any other; sitting area, kitchen, and a few bedrooms. Something spicy was cooking slowly on the fire unattended, and Zevran dared to stick his finger in the mix for a taste.
"She'll slit your throat if she catches you," a male voice said behind him.
Zevran sucked the sauce slowly from his finger, turning to look at the man. Twice as old with black hair threatening to gray, the man was as handsome as he was intimidating, towering over Zevran by at least a foot. "It would be worth it to die with such a delicious flavor upon my lips," Zevran responded, and then extended his hand. "It is good to see you Seve."
Severiano Conti clasped his fellow Crow's hand. "It has been some time since you sought him out," he pointed out. "Trouble?"
Zevran shook his head as he followed the man down the stairs to the cellar. "Me? Trouble? Surely you jest."
"I suppose I do," Severiano said, "you have been on your own for quite some time. Lost some money over that, you surviving this long."
Zevran laughed heartedly behind the man. "You should have included me in your bets Seve, we could've made a large profit and split the winnings. Had I known you bet against me, I would've changed your mind."
"I learned my lesson," Severiano replied honestly. He approached the false door in the cellar and tapped a series of coded knocks. Seconds later the empty wine rack moved aside and they were allowed entrance into the room.
Three men stood in various corners, Zevran recognized them instantly. Triplets, a rarity in any culture, the bodyguards of the Guildmaster stood watch. Alarico, Basilio, and Ciraco, their last name Zevran never managed to find out. Any meeting with the Guildmaster recquired toleration of those three glaring at you, waiting for the slightest hint of trouble before daggers would be thrown and blood would be spilled. Zevran never minded their attentions, in fact he had more than one dream of them in his bed.
The Guildmaster stood and walked from around the table he was seated at, extending a hand to Zevran. Zevran knelt on one knee and took his hand while bowing, a simple gesture of respect that was always demanded. "Maestro Emygdio, thank you for seeing me."
"Zevran Arainai," Emygdio spoke his name with the thickest of accents. He pulled his hand away and crossed his arms, waiting for Zevran to rise before speaking again. "I must admit I am a bit surprised you had asked to meet with me."
Zevran stood with his hands folded in front of him, a gesture that showed the triplets he had no intention of going near his blades. Emygdio stood within inches of him, a bit careless Zevran thought, but also a touching gesture of trust. Zevran tilted his head back a bit to look up to the man, tattooed and scarred cheekbones surrounding brown sunken eyes. "A formal request for a personal contract Maestro," Zevran explained.
Emygdio placed a hand upon his chin as he returned to his seat behind the table. Zevran changed his pose to place his hands behind his back, a move he was aware the triplets were watching. "I see," Emygdio said rubbing the stubble on his chin. "Target name?"
"Luis Massari," Zevran replied, ignoring the gasp from Severiano behind him.
"Hmm," Emygdio muttered as he leaned back in his chair. "Massari is an associate of the Crows Zevran, clearly you know this by coming to me."
"I do," Zevran nodded.
"Not your typical style of job," Emygdio prodded for a reason.
"No," Zevran replied, not offering any explanation.
"Hmm," the Guildmaster repeated. "The consequences of a fulfilled contract such as this could be more trouble than I wish to take on at the moment," he thought out loud. "We can not afford a rift with the Armada, and Massari is a wealthy friend to have."
"I can assure you the Crows will not be connected with his death," Zevran promised. "I also swear to you no trouble with the Raiders will come from this request."
The Guildmaster considered his words. "Your assurances also hint at no profit," he noted. "You ask a lot with nothing in return. Who is your contact?"
Zevran shifted his weight, not wishing to divulge the answer but clearly not winning favor with Emygdio. "I would rather not say, unless you command it Maestro."
Of course Zevran underestimated the Guildmaster in his need for knowledge that he was already aware of. Emygdio grabbed a piece of vellum and began making a list. When it was completed, he handed the list to Zevran. "Convince the wife to get these names taken off the Armada's list of monthly dues, and you are free to kill her husband and keep whatever reward she has offered you," he concluded.
Zevran took the vellum and folded it, placing it securely in his pocket. "Consider it done," he said bowing, before making a hasty exit. While he never considered himself afraid of the Guildmaster, his presence was always intimidating, and Zevran was thankful the meeting had ended in his favor.
Convincing Isabela to accept his demands however, Zevran thought, would be much more difficult.