Note: I do not own Mortal Kombat, MK: Conquest, Siro, Taja, etc….(Wish I did but they keep escaping!) If you want to borrow any of the characters I did create, feel free to ask.

Chapter Thirteen: Business Proposition

"I still don't believe you, "said Taja as she prepared the store for opening.

"Believe it, "said Siro as he examined an apple, "One bat-winged woman who drinks blood and a giant two legged wolf-like monster. Even Althea and Kung Lao didn't want to mess with them." He took a bite out of the piece of fruit.

"How long are they going to stay at the temple?" asked Taja.

Siro shrugged and said, "At least a few more days. They want to make sure there isn't a repeat of what happened. Althea and one of the priests are working on rebuilding some old defenses the temple is supposed to have to prevent such creatures from getting in." Taja just gave Siro a strange look and then turned to face her first customer of the day.

Thinking of defenses, Siro decided that now would be a good time to check on their own security. Multiple break-ins and kidnappings didn't say too much on how secure the trading post really was. With a writing charcoal and some scrap paper, he inspected their home. From the outside walls to the interior doors, he checked everything he could thing of. What he found wasn't good, from overhanging trees to broken locks, he was amazed they haven't been robbed blind or killed in their sleep. Looking over this as he returned to Taja, he frowned. They would need some serious money to make the trading post really secure, and even with Althea chipping in it would hurt.

Taja just finished selling the last of the cinnamon, when Siro informed her of the situation. As they discussed what they needed and could do, a man wearing the mark of the Red Dragon approached the store. Both Taja and Siro went silent as he neared. The man simply said, "I have a business proposition for you."

(Later)

"You can't be seriously considering the Red Dragon's offer?" said Siro loudly.

"Look, "replied Taja just as loudly, "It's a good offer, nothing illegal and relatively safe. So it seems a bit shady, it'll pay for many of the repairs and add-ons you said we needed."

A strong wind blew open the door, causing dust to fly. "First Rayden and now you two "said Fujin as he walked through the now open door, "Did someone declare a 'get pissed' holiday and didn't bother to inform me?"

"What are you doing here?" growled Siro as Taja invited Fujin to take a seat.

"Hiding from Rayden, "replied Fujin in a tired voice, "There's nothing worse than a frustrated thunder god. So what's up with you guys?"

Taja sat down next to the wind god and answered, "The Red Dragon asked that we deliver some goods for them on our next trip to Xu Xan. They're offering a good bit of money and if the cargo is what they say it is, it's all legal."

"Soooo, what's wrong?" asked Fujin.

"They want us to deliver it to one of the warring gangs in that city, "replied Siro, "It seems that the Red Dragon is favoring one side over the other."

"And they want a former guard to deliver, because it would be easier for you to get by the gate guards at Xu Xan and with Taja, a former thief, there to help out with the more…earthier elements of that fine city, "said Fujin, "You must admit, a pairing like yours isn't too common."

Siro sighed and said, "What I'm really afraid is that we'll get a reputation of working for the Red Dragon and in a sense getting owned by them. It would be very easy for them to get use to the idea that they can call on us to make deliveries for them on 'request.' Once that's the case, it'll get even more dangerous to refuse."

Taja then said, "Any enigmatic advice or mysterious hints of wisdom?"

Fujin chuckled and said, "Sorry, that my brother's gig. Please remember, you guys are the first mortals I've even talked with face to face in centuries. My knowledge of …human business practices is a bit rusty, even if I could help." Siro snorted. Fujin continued, "However…I do know that the Red Dragon is more than what it seems." The wind picked up again causing dust to blind Taja and Siro. Once it cleared, Fujin was gone.

(Few days later, just outside of Xu Xan)

"I still can't believe you agreed to this, "said Taja as she drove the horse-drawn wagon. Siro sat next to her, carried a cross-bow and there was a sword at his feet. "Let's just say I'm now a little curious about the Red Dragon. This is a good way to get in good with them as well as make a profit." Taja rolled her eyes as they neared the gates of Xu Xan.

"Hey, Siro!" greeted one of the gate guards. Siro greeted him back as he lowered the crossbow, "Hey, Jakon. How are things going?"

The guard snorted and said, "Crazy. The gangs are warring and the merchants are screaming. It seems that gang wars are bad for business. Most of the caravans are now avoiding Xu Xan, so the merchants have nothing to trade. Speaking of which…" Taja uncovered the back of the wagon and showed the goods they brought to sell.

"We have some surplus crop from some of the farmers sold to us, some copper work and some Zhu Zin wine." Taja said. The guard looked over everything making notes.

"And the crate?" he asked.

Siro answered, "A delivery we promised to make since we had the room. If you want, we could open it?"

The guard waved it off and said," No worries, I trust you. By the way, you might get a good price for the wine at the Four Winds Tavern."

The guard hand Siro a piece of paper. "Thanks, "said Siro.

(Four Winds Tavern/Inn)

The next day Taja and Siro were having breakfast at the inn they were staying. Everything sold well the previous day and the delivery was done without any problems. While they were talking, Jakon, showed up extremely happy.

"Did you hear?" he asked and continued before they could answer, "The Wyverns were completely wiped out last night and the Drakes completely skipped town afraid that they would be next."

"How the hell?" asked Siro as his face paled. The Wyverns were the gang they left the crate with the previous day.

Jakon shrugged and said, "No one knows. It's as if every single member of that gang just up and died. No marks or injuries, just a look of pure terror on their faces. All I know is that it means that the caravans will soon be returning. Who or whatever did this, the city owe him big time."

(Red Dragon Headquarters)

Drevane, leader of the Red Dragon Clan, was going over some books as one of his aids entered the room. "Yes?" said Drevan.

"The problem in Xu Xan has been resolved, "the aid replied.

Drevane smiled and sat back in his chair. "Ahhhh," he said, "Then it means business will soon be back to normal. I might need to give Siro and Taja a bonus for making the delivery so quickly. By doing so, they save us a great deal of money."

"So you're letting them live?" asked the aide.

One of Drevane's eyebrows rose as he said, "Of course, I'm letting them live. You don't kill someone for doing a good job. Besides, we might be able to use them again someday. There's nothing better than getting the local 'heroes' to work for us once in a while. You may go." The aide bowed and left as Drevane returned to his books. A dragon shape red haze surrounded him and seemed to be laughing.

The End…

Next time on Mortal Kombat: Conquest….

"You know, Kung Lao, keeping it all in isn't good for you, "said Rayden.

"GET OVER HERE!"