Chapter 11
"Pecking order"
"Welcome home Mr. Embur, Mr. Avek." The burly but very well dressed bouncers inside the Tower entrance greet the two men with white hair.
"Broc, Tamos." Embur acknowledges the employees. Avek simply nods.
Their movements seem rehearsed as Avek breaks away from Embur walking to the right toward the bar. Embur continues straight to the group of elevators in the center of the room. He walks to the right-most elevator and greets the guard in front of it. Embur withdraws a key from a pocket and uses it to open the elevator doors. They close silently in front of his imposing form. Inside the lift he presses the unmarked button on the far right – Mr. Daulgheste resides on the top two floors of the building, Embur clenches and unclenches his fists as the elevator caries him up.
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"Busy day Rhalia?" Avek casually asks the head-bartender as she sets down a house beer. She's a fair-skinned carrot-top with bright brown eyes. She wears her waist-length hair pulled back in decorative braids. She's dressed in a rusty brown tank top with dark brown pants. She wears many bracelets on either wrist and her hands are nicely manicured. Her jewelry is minimal and subtle but her eyes are all the "flashy" she needs.
"Sure is sir, even for a Friday." His eyes meet hers as he reaches for the beer still in her hand; they subtly touch, her cool hand under his warm one. They both smile and she slowly releases the bottle.
He clears his throat bringing the beer to his lips. "Have there been any incidents since noon?"
"No Sir. It's been steady and quiet, just like we like it."
"Just like we like it." He grins flirtatiously at her and she blushes a little pink. "Thank you Ms. Rowen. Keep up the good work."
"Yes Sir." She replies regaining her composure, a feisty look in her eyes as she meets his gaze squarely all blush gone from her face.
He steps away from the bar holding her gaze a few extra seconds turning away headed to the first table. His task is tedious, but its' his. Embur knows he has a talent for smelling a cheat and being quicker than quick hands, so it makes sense the task of making rounds at the tables is his to perform and delegate. The casino is busy, but not crowded, only about half of the card tables are in use so there isn't any need to call a second to help check. Anyway, this will keep him close to the bar for the rest of the evening and he wants to be close when 6:00 hits and the real crowd arrives. He wants to be on the floor just in case.
Avek glances over to the bar, there she is, that fiery red-head juggling bottles and mixing drinks like the artist she is. So beautiful...
"Hello Mr. Embur" The overtly polite voice of Mr. Daulghest's secretary greets him. "Mr. Daulghest will see you in just a few minutes."
"Who's he in with?"
"Ms. Vorrin."
"Thank you Lanette."
He casually walks to the wet bar and pours a glass of water; drinking it quickly he places the glass in the sink and sits down.
A short while later, perhaps 10 or so minutes, a tall lady with long silky raven hair walks out, he rises to his feet as she nears. She has dark skin and though her eyes are the warm color of polished wood everything about her from her stance to her attire is intimidating... at least it is to everyone else. Embur sees her as an equal, one of the few people he deems as neither above or below him. But such is the case with each of the Five Fingers; they are all equal in rank, equal in their competence and capabilities though different in their area of talent. But most importantly they are equally prized to their employer Mr. Daulgheste. Unknown to anyone outside of the Five is their closeness to Mr. Daulgheste, "children" and "friends" he calls them to their faces when they're together, "darling" and "precious" in closed quarters, and it is with limitless affection they gaze at him in return. No one knows this, just as no one knows the depth of their devotion to him... not even they know. But Mr. Daulgheste knows, indeed he knows everything that happens in his casino, and that's just how he likes to sit – with all the cards in his hand.
The two Fingers nod to each other with slight wordless smiles. As Vorrin walks past Embur she uses the thumb of her right hand to casually wipe away a smudge of lipstick from below her lower lip. Her unwavering gaze stirs sime tiny emotion in him but he ignores it. His smile fades though and he follows her with his eyes as she enters the elevator and the doors close.
"Mr. Daulgheste will see you now." There's that chipper voice again.
Without a word he walks along the marble floor to the large polished brass doors. With a shove they both swing open to a grand office darkly lit with plush crimson couches and thick velvet curtains. The doors close with a hushed boom.
"My boy." Rumbles a deep but gentle voice.
"Sir." Embur bows low in the direction of the large cherry-wood desk at the opposite end of the room.
"Please, come closer and report."
Embur straightens and with confidant strides approaches the desk. "Chaucer received the package and has been instructed to respond by noon tomorrow."
"Well done. Who did you take with you?"
"Avek..." The large man seemed somehow shy, hesitant to finish his statement.
"And, whom else?"
"Quake..."
"Darling boy, why did you take a BlackHand guard when I instructed specifically that Avek accompany you? I stated no other name."
"I... honestly I was nervous sir, I'm not sure why, I just had a gut feeling that it would be wise to take a guard." He sounds unsure with his eyes downcast and suddenly he seems very young.
An older man with a chiseled but very handsome face stands from his high-back chair; he has salt-n-pepper hair cut close in the style of executives in pre-war times. He is similar in stature and build as Embur, tall with broad shoulders, but his pale-blue eyes are piercing. He is wearing a fine black suit seemingly right out of the pages of pre-war magazines.
Mr. Daulgheste walks around to the front of the desk and stands casually before Embur.
"Precious boy..." Mr. Daulgheste mutters wistfully as he places his hands on either side of Embur's face.
"I have always told you to trust your gut, so I will not scold you for embellishing my directive. And your choice to take Quake of all the guard was wise, he has proven himself trustworthy."
"Thank you sir" Embur's eyes timidly meet those striking blue ones.
The older man pulls the younger man's face close to his "you must trust me completely, and do what I say without contestation."
"Yes sir..."
"Precious boy..." His right hand affectionately brushes away a stray lock of white hair. Embur closes his eyes.