Hetalia – Of Magic and Might
chapter 10! Whoop woop! Double digits and we are back in the present!
Enjoy!
The Empire's shopping district, Three streets away from Clocktower plaza, Ye Olde Market Square
Francis Bonnefoy and Alfred Jones walked side by side towards the bustling market place. If Clocktower plaza was known to be the heart of Shopping District, then the Market was the brain. While Clocktower plaza was the place where the Empire released public information. If anyone wanted to know the ins and outs of what was really happening in the Empire. Ye Olde Market was the place to learn it.
The outward appearance of the Market was as good as any. Lively atmosphere accompanied by the noises of calling merchants looking to sell and spirited music played by busting musicians. Fishermen, Tailors, Farmers and Arms traders had all set up store, their trade on display. The mouthwatering smell of sizzling meat wafted through the air mingling with flowery scents of wandering flower girls.
All of this was a front that concealed something much darker. The black market. Home to smugglers, information dealers and secret organisations. Underground auctions took place behind closed doors in buildings of grandeur. To gain entry an invitation was required from an member whom had already attained an auction. Fortunately for Alfred and Arthur, Francis was already in possession of such an invitation.
"Nice place" Alfred remarked as he and Francis approached a tall building that had a set of golden scales above the doorway. A bank? Inside Francis swaggered through the doorway and across the marble floor up the farthest right counter. Behind the counter sat a bespectacled women with a stern face and uptight small bun. Francis walked to the pine counter and teasingly leaned over it.
"Bonjour ma fleur, it is a beautiful afternoon non? I would like to exchange this token if you would" Francis requested taking a silver piece engraved with a raven from his pocket. Alfred peeked out from behind trying to catch a glimpse of the odd exchange. The woman raised a pencil thin brow and took the piece before motioning to a door to the right of the counter. Francis winked and gestured back to Alfred to follow him as he walked through the wooden door.
Behind the door was a narrow dimly lit corridor, silhouetted portraits hung on the pale walls. At the end of the confining corridor its walls broadened outwards to reveal a gigantic theatre complete with rows upon rows of plush seats. Idle gentlemen in formal dinner jackets chattered in scattered groups. There appeared to be no women in the room Alfred observed and noticed some looks of distaste being thrown his way.
"Hey man, why are the other guys in suits giving me the stink eye?" Alfred whispered to Francis as a man in uniform bowed to them as they strolled by.
"Please Alfred, you are hardly dressed for the event" Francis replied under his breath smiling slightly at Alfred lack of understanding on the matters of higher society. Francis had earned his place through his handsome looks and charming personality. While Francis was still rather low on the social ladder. It was through his connections with a certain young Spanish Lord, that Francis procured an invitation to the underground auction.
"So what do we do now?" Alfred inquired looking around at the crowd, a few of the attenders wore masks. Perhaps they were noblemen not wanting to be recognised Alfred thought.
"Francis! What a surprise-aru!" Announced a familiar voice. Alfred and Francis turned around to see the approaching Yao push his way towards them. He was wearing a lengthy red traditional Chinese robe and on his middle fingers were two rings of black pearl. His eyes danced as he reached out to shake his friends hands.
"Yao! You are here also?" Francis replied returning Yao's handshake with warmth. Alfred ignored Yao's outstretched hand and bear hugged him. Francis smirking as Yao struggled to breathe under Alfred's Herculean strength. When Alfred finally put him down Yao awkwardly cleared his throat and straightened his robe.
"Ahem, yes. Anything in particular you're looking to purchase-aru?" Yao requested once he composed himself, hands behind his back.
"Arthur's favourite Earl Grey, that is all. Happen to have brought any recently?" Francis remarked airily to Yao.
"Yes, I have-aru. Would you like me to send it to you along with your regular shipment of ingredients?" Yao responded courteously with a bow of his head. Francis nodded and looked up as a booming voice rumbled throughout the theatre.
"Would all bidders please be seated. There will be only three items promoted this evening. Thank you very much" the voice over the intercom finished its announcement causing the bidders to leisurely make their way to their seats.
"We might as well stay for the auction dude. Never seen one before" Alfred stated with a shrug of his shoulders.
"Then please, sit with me" Yao kindly volunteered as they made their way to a box front on the left wing of the stage. The box front was fairly small but comfortable. It's contrasting wall panelling contained tones of pale cream lined with rich chocolate wood. A soft plush cream carpet covered the length of the floor and simplistic works of art hung on the walls. Seated on its small baloney was a large crimson sofa with two end tables on either side. A large bottle of champagne, three tall glasses and a bowl of strawberries were resting on top of the tables when Yao, Francis and Alfred arrived. Upon seeing the luxurious room Alfred let out a whistle in amazement. Francis walked with Yao to the sofa, acting as if this luxury was a regular occurrence.
Below them the crowd had settled themselves and quiet chatter had taken the air. Alfred plucked a strawberry from the bowl as he sat down with Yao and Francis. Francis sipped his sweet bubbling champagne as the velvet stage curtain rose. A dapper lanky man danced into the stage from the left wing. He wore a white dinner suit and a mask concealed his face.
"Good evening Gentlemen! Welcome welcome welcome to tonight's auction. This evening we have not one. Not two. But three spectacular items up for grabs tonight! Without further ado, the first item!" The auctioneer spoke very quickly, in a tone similar to that of an excited wrestler commentator. Flamboyantly he spun out of the way as two muscular men carried a strong heavy chest onto the stage. Setting it down centre stage with a loud thud. One of the men brought out a key and unlocked the chest, throwing back its lid wide. Inside the chest was a cushioned black thick hardback book. Alfred could not make out if there was a title or not.
"Our first item is… A hardback copy of the fabled Grimoire! That's right! After tireless attempts, an agent finally succeeded in sneaking behind the palace walls. There was blood, stabbing, torture! But our man with his dying breath," the announcer pretended to break his voice in dramatic sorrow, as if the made up memory caused him unbearable pain. "He bravely managed to send his copy of Grimoire to us. The Grimoire! The most legendary black magic spell book ever to exist! Sorcerers fought mighty wars for possession of this lethal book! A dark history drenched in blood! Do I hear 100,000 silver pieces?" Immediately after he had finished his glorified speech bidders raised their panels and screamed out their bids to try to out-compete the crowd.
Alfred was bewildered. How could these people throw away their money for a book that was probably fake. They were like animals at a petting zoo. Alfred examined the crowd more closely. Amongst the frantic bidders, there were pockets of completely unmoving men. They all had perfectly tailored suits and had an air of supremacy about them. These men knew how to play the auction, what items to buy and when to hold their ground. Alfred looked to Yao and Francis, their expressions matched those of the professionals. He didn't know if that should scare him or not.
"Going once! Going twice! Sold to number 113 at a beau-tiful sum of 230, 000 silver pieces! I hope that your newly purchased item brings you the fame and attention you deserve" the announcer joyfully exclaimed as the two previous servants lifted the chest and took it behind the right wing. The crowd politely clapped as the number 113 looked extremely pleased with himself. Men surrounding him clapping him on the back and shaking his hands.
"Well that was… Fun?" Alfred remarked to Yao and Francis, they shared a glance and chuckled.
"He's so sweet, like a clueless puppy" Francis smirked to Alfred's annoyance. He wasn't naïve!
"Be fair Francis. He has never attended an auction before. Probably never been in the Capital before. Tell me Alfred, is this your first time in the Capital? Was it Ludwig who set you and Kiku your mission here?" Yao asked aloofly causing Alfred to face palm and Francis' jaw to drop.
"Que?! Enemy? Mission? Ludwig? As in Ludwig Beilschmidt? General and founder of the Resistance?!" Francis near shrieked at comic volumes if Alfred hadn't forcefully covered Francis' mouth with both hands.
"Shhhh! Don't tell the whole theatre dude! Thanks a lot Yao" Alfred finished bitterly when Francis had finally calmed down enough for Alfred to safely take his hands away. Yao bowed his head but didn't attempt to hide his mischievous smile.
"You are part of the revolutionary movement Alfred?" Francis asked in a quiet voice reaching for another glass of champagne and downing it. Alfred gave Yao another glare before turning to look Francis in the eyes.
"It's true Kiku and I are revolutionary agents and the reason we're in the Capital is because we were sent on a recon mission" Alfred explained to the intently listening Francis.
"And your mission is only recon? Nothing else?" Francis firmly, causing even Yao to be surprised. Why would Francis care? Yao wondered. Why would Francis be alarmed that Revolutionary agents were in the city? Yao were incredibly curious now.
"No nothing" Alfred reassured. Francis silently relaxed and turned his glaze down to the stage where the next item had already been displayed. Alfred followed Francis' eyes to the stage and gasped in dismay. Below on the stage was a raised small glass jar containing two small orbs. Alfred with sickening realisation saw that they were two eyeballs with brown irises flecked with gold. An excited murmur broke out down below.
"Our second item is a set of eyeballs taken from a sorcerer as he was in the middle of casting a spell! See how the golden flecks reflect the light in the irises! This item has been held for years by an anonymous nobleman. Up to recently he generously donated the eyes to our auction. Our donator helpfully informed me that the sorcerer the eyes once belonged to, was in the middle of a ritual when they subdued him. They held him down and carefully extracted the gleaming eyes. Precious beautiful eyes capturing the exact moment when the Sorcerer's magic manifested itself! The new owner of these eyes will literally be holding magic in the palm of their hand!" The auctioneer seemed almost crazed as he raved about the solitary eyeballs.
Francis suddenly went very pale. The idea these forcefully taken eye balls stirred up the crowd into a frenzy disgusted him. When he looked at the orbs he could only see the image of Arthur with bloody empty sockets in his head. His beautiful jade eyes being the sick fascination of vile Empire pigs. Being sold for millions simply for the bragging rights. Francis felt his bile rise and nearly threw up in his mouth. Calm down Francis. That is not Arthur, Arthur is safe back at home. Their home in the Empire, ruled under Emperor Ivan.
Then Francis had an even worse image. Arthur laying dead, bloodied and naked under Emperor Ivan's boot. Ivan laughing as he kicked Arthur's limb corpse… Francis gripped his shaking hands together and forced himself to take deep breaths. A single drop of sweat appeared on Francis' brow and he felt himself break into a cold sweat.
"Francis? Are you okay dude?" Asked Alfred placing his hand on Francis' shoulder. Francis nodded weakly and made to raise from the sofa. Yao looked inquisitively at Francis who looked almost ill with how pale he had become.
"My apologises Yao, my head feels a little too light. Thank you for Arthur's tea leaves, if you'll excuse me. Alfred?" Francis opened the door and quietly left, his footsteps muffled by the thick carpet in the hallway.
Alfred stood up and turned to face the Chinese man."Look man I respect you for what you did for me and Kiku. But telling Francis about us, not cool" Alfred stated angrily to which Yao carelessly shrugged his shoulders.
"I like to keep things interesting Alfred-aru. What was interesting was how Francis was acting no?" Yao replied peering below at the stage where the auctioneer danced as the bidding was raised.
"Is it strange not to be freaked out by eye balls?" Alfred asked rhetorically as he crossed the compact room and closed the door behind him with a soft click. Yao leaned forward and rested his head on his hands. Below him the crowd in the stands continued to chatter with enthusiasm. Yao hadn't been listening much but he could gather that the bid for the eye balls had reached new heights. But it wasn't the outrageous amount of money that held Yao's attention. It had Francis' behaviour that intrigued him.
Francis had started acting oddly when the eyeballs of the sorcerer had been brought onto the stage. Francis had seen more disturbing organs being sold in these auctions, even seen them extracted live. Those were the exciting ones. He had also acted strangely when he discovered Alfred being part of the Resistance. Francis was most definitely hiding something, something big. Yao decided he would make it his business to uncover Francis' skulduggery.
Yes, he would have to keep a close eye on the Frenchman.
Curiouser and Curiouser S:) So Yao isn't just a helpful nice Chinese man. The Socrecers eyeballs weren't just put in to be disgusting, they do have some significance behind them *Hon hon hon* Thank you for reading and if you are enjoying this story please take the time to leave a review and follow this story.
Untill next time folks!