Chapter 7
Undercity 101
Zachariah sat at the table eating like he hadn't had a good meal in over a month, because he hadn't after surviving on military rations, frozen bread and fish he was so glad to be eating something warm with seasoning. Tearing into the food like a wild animal at the table, Vander sat across from him with Mylo, Clagger and Powder as Jinx sat in the corner arms folded glaring at him from her spot. The Last Drop was empited now and even then Vander saw some people looking in the scene of Vander, the Hound of the Underworld hugging a shit stained, feathered stranger and calling him son had already started to spread in the under city. Getting up Vander went and closed the bar windows, all of them so they could have some privace.
Taking a deep breath Vander got ready to say something "So… I take it this is your first real meal?" He asked.
Zachariah looked up with a mouth full of food "hmmmm." Zachariahs mouth was full with a tentacle of something he was eating falling out of his lip. Pulling at it he looked at the appendage covered in dried out suction cups. Swalloing he looked down at the food he hadn't even taken into consideration what he was eating "Uh… what is this?" He asked pointing at the bowl in front of him.
"It was an octopus, plus some mushrooms, that been growing behind the bar, potatos, salt, pepper and… what was the other thing?" Mylo asked Clagger.
Zachariah moved his fork around till he found a piece of meat and stuck in his mouth "Two week old dead dog." Zachariah spat out the food gagging.
"D-did you say dog- how can you eat a dog-cough." Zachairah said spitting out the foul taste of a dog in his mouth.
"We eat what we can new guy." Vi said from the corner still wearing a nasty scowl on her face "Sorry if its not up to your standards from whever you use to be, maybe yous hould go back?" She added.
Vander walked back over giving her a mean look "Vi."
"But that does beg the question, where are you from anyway?" Clagger asked.
Zachariah looked at the three kids in front of him, then at Vander and Vi, reaching for the tankard of water he took sip befor he saw something swimming in it. Setting it down with a relucatant swallo he wiped his mouth. "Hamlet."
"And that iissssss where exactly?" Mylo asked sitting backwards in a chair leaning his narrow hin on his elbow, at first Zachariah thought he looked like a rat but with those eyebrows he was defintily more of a ferret or a racoon?
Running his fingers through his tangled hair Zachariah said "North, on the other side of the mountains, past the greenwood forest."
This caught their attention "Wait, you came over the mountains, in winter, ya right?" Vi laughed not believing it.
"It can be done Vi." Vander pointed out.
"Did you see that crazy light show?" Clagger asked.
Zachariah wasn't sure what he meant "Light show-" then he remembered, the storm, the dragon, all that power.
"Yeah it was huge, people probably saw it all over?" Powder said leaning on the table with her tip toes. Looking back at the others, Zachariah saw Clogger and Mylo sharing the same curious looks as Powder, Vi, yep still scowling like she wanted to carve him up and eat him for dinner. But Vander he had a look of awareness about him, and then a barely noticible nod.
Did he know, was he really his father?
Playing it safe "…. Y-yeah I saw it, I was coming through a pass when it covered the night sky… never seen anything like it." The last part was true at least.
"I still think it was an alien." Mylo said boldy.
Clagger gapped "An alien, like an alien invasion?"
"No it's not." Powder said shaking her head "It was a dragon."
"There hasn't ever been a dragon this close to Piltover moron, I doubt those things even really exist anymore." Mylo chided at Powder who stuck her tongue out at him.
Vander sat up straighter "Whatever it is, it's gone now but your here now Zachariah, your home."
"So this guy is really your son huh, doesn't look like much even before I kicked his ass." Vi said snickering as she looked at the dried blood on her wrapped up hands.
"Vi, enough." Vander said his tone shifting "In fact enough out of all of you, get to bed it's late, that goes for you too son. But first we need to talk about a few things" Vander said the word 'son' softer though, more like he'd been waiting to say it for a long time. All the kids groaned wanting to stay up late with the interrogation before turning to the corner where Vi was, Zachariah saw them dip beihnd some stairs one after the other till there was only Vi. The look she had in her eye was so hatefilled, so angry, like he'd stolen something. She held her middle finger and ring finger between her eyes and then pointed them at him, and then up in some sort of hand sign.
Zachariah didn't need to be from Piltover or whever this place was to know what she meant.
Vander waited till she'd turned in too, he then got up again walked over to the bag and staff, Zachariah waited till he came back around, he looked at the staff "Haven't seen this thing in a long time." Zachariah saw him start to unwrap the the red cloth around the top.
"W-wait." Zachariah said almost jumping out of his chair.
Vander stopped and set it down on the table "You know…?" Zachariah whispered.
"Yeah… I know." Vander reached into his brown coat pulling out his pipe, putting to his lip he took a long hit and exhaled the smoke out of his flaired nostirls to ease his nerves. "I bet you got more questions son, I can answer a few but I never thought I'd ever see you…" Vander looked up to see Zachariah was sitting there still but his shoulders slumped head down, fast asleep. All that walking, running, fighting and other test of endurance had finally caught up to Zachariahs. And spared Vander an akward conversation till the next morning.
Getting up, Vander walked over to Zachariah and wiped his face, waffing his nose around the stench "Oh and you had to fallsleep in all that." Picking Zachariah up he carried him to the stairs leading up and toward his own room. Vanders room was more of an office then a room, a large bed for his large body lay in the corner a window overlooking the lanes on the other side. The walls had few pieces of art, a set of old boxing gloves, a few belts and trophies. Drawings done by Jinx in crayons and markers. A bulsey dotted with paint marks with Mylo's name on it, and a newspaper clipping of Vi winning a fight and Vander cheering from the corner with Mylo waving a towel as Vi stood over a boy twice her size and read 'Annual Lanes Youth Boxing Tournament, Underdog Takes Title by Knockout' Undoing the ties, knots and more around him before he laid Zachariah down on the bed. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out the letter from the old man.
Seeing the signet ring seal, in the shape of the dragon ring. Vander broke it and unfolded the letter walking over to his desk he picked up his glasses to better read it in the green city light of the lanes.
I have done as you asked my old friend, the boy has growns trong just like his talents with amgic far surpassed anyone I knew at his age. By the time you read this letter should it ever reach you, I will be dead. Despite years of study in magic I cannot cheat death without forbidden arts and no ones sould is worth such a life. We agreed that Piltover and Zaun were no plae to raise a child like him, it was why I was honored when you came to me to protect and teach the boy. But I feel the call of the next life, even as I write this. Forgive me that I cannot fulfill the pact we made, his talent of the arcane will draw other magical forces to him, good or bad that is why he must continue his journey. I taught him as a boy, but I am to old to to teach him what it means to be a man, I belive only you can do such a task.
Sincerely,
Your friend.
"… my friend." Vander said putting the letter down, starting to see why Zachariah had come sitting down at his desk with a comfy worn red leather arm chair. Vander watched the rising and falling of Zachariah's chest as he slept. Looking back out at the under city he sighed "No place to raise a child indeed." He said to himself when he saw a shadow dip behind a corner after he caught it watching him.
The shadow was a short blonde boy, with an oval face wearing a sleevless vest and shirt, he ran down the alleyways and deeper into the maze of buildings tunnels and ruins. Far away from where anyone sane enough would live. Past rats, snakes and other mutated vermin crawling in the shadows till he came into an old factory passing by some tough guards he went through more guarded doors all the men tougher looking then the last till he knocked on a wooden door.
"… enter." A snake like voice said, gulping the boy walked into an large room that had sunken beneath the city levels, a gaping window with cracked glass underwater looking at the Piltover Bay, many foggy masses of under sea levithans swimming under the ice.
"So, whats all this talk I hear from the Last Drop, Deckard?" The voice said from behind a big chair a white cat walking around the desk it sat behind.
The boy panting walked in "Vander, some new guy walked in… there saying it's his?"
"His what?" The voice asked.
"His son, his real son?" Deckard said.
The chair turned around to reveal a slender scar faced man with a black eye with an orange pupil wearing a red shirt and black vest, his greying hair slicked back as he gave a crooked smile "Interesting."
Zachariah awoke the next day, half forgetting where he was. When he woke up he saw his winter clothes had been removed and weren't anywhere to be found. Vander was gone to looking around the office room he noticed the nickknacks on the wall, also the drawings, newspaper clipping with Vi winning the title match. He felt something touch his neck and saw his Grandpa's ring around his neck twiddling it between his thumb and forefinger, he exhaled a long winded breath "Guess you're still looking out for me, even dead Grandpa." He said seeing why he wanted him to come to Piltover, to meet Vander, his father. That also begged another question, Vander, was he to call him Da, dad, Pa Vander? And what was his last name anyway, did Vander even have a last name and then there were muggers, or his siblings he guessed.
He wondered how many people met their family after being robbed by them?
Looking around he saw his boots sitting next to a small set of clothes and a note tucked into his boots. Zachariah reached for the note and unraveled it.
Zachariah,
I hope you slept well, sorry if the bed's a bit firm I like a stiff matress. Shower is down the hall to the right, top dials for hot, middle for cold, bottom if the water changes colors. I'll be down in the pub making breakfast when your ready to talk, take these clothes should be about your size.
Vand- Dad
The signature was half scribbled out changing from Vander to Dad, as a last minute change, looking at the clothes then at the note he thought "What the bloody hell's a shower?"
Down below in the Last Drop pub, the kids were all cleaning up the broken furniture that Vi and Zachariah had made with their fight, "Remind me why we're cleaning up your mess VI?" Mylo asked her as he scooped up the scattered splinters of the chair.
"Because sleeping beauty is upstairs in his own bed fast asleep." Vi said not answering him at all.
Clagger had a broom sweeping up the glass "You think he really is Vanders kid?"
Before Mylo or Powder could say anything Vi retorted "We're his kids."
"You're all my kids." Turning around Vi saw Vander behind the bar, holding two smoking plates of bacon and eggs, "Now take a break and come get som grub."
Mylo, Clogger and Powder dropped their cleaning stuff and rushed over to the bar hopping on the stools, "Whats the occasion… oh right?" Powder said remembring who was upstairs, he in question was currently dumbstruck starring at a shower with absolutely no idea what it was. Zachariah looked over at his own reflection in the mirror seeing his body fat had praticaly vanished and he was lean his muscles clearer then they had been before with so little he'd had to eat, thinner then a beanstock he thought. His brown hair was longer too now, reaching past his shoulders curcling at the bottom, he'd need something to tie it up before he could find a set of sheers. Even after all that the scars were the most noticble to him. The one in his hip from the weselys, the one in his shoulder from the magehunters, cuts and scrapes from the bramble and rocks he traversed. Even the new ones on his face, the swelling had started to go down but he still looked like'd gone ten rounds with a hammer and lost.
He was almost a completely different person.
Standing in the tub he dropped his drawers and looked at the dials, remembring the note.
Top for hot.
Middle for cold.
Bottom for if the water turns colors?
Down in the pub, the kids were eating when they heard a scream from the top of the stairs from the bathroom, "HOT HOT HOT!" Zachariah shouted as Vi snickered over a peice of bacon.
Vander noticed it "I've got some stuff to take care of out in the lanes, take your brother out, show him the underground."
Dropping her fork like it was a punishment Vi protested "Are you serious, now we have to babysit him?" Mylo asked their adopted father.
"It's not babysitting, he's family, and he's new to the Lanes he needs to know what kind of place this is." Vander reminded them.
Vi got up from breakfast, starring him cold in theeye "Not my family." She said before she stormed off back to the basement room just as Zachariah walked down to see her disappear behind the sunken door. Following the the smell of breakfast over to the bar he felt Mylo, Clogger and Powder starring at him.
He was dressed in the new clothes, a fading black shirt, gray trousers that had been stitched up over a dozen times, and holding his cap in his hands as his boots made noise coming down the stairs.
"Sleep well?" Vander asked breaking the silence and fixing him a plate.
Zachariah eyed the plate like a wolf looking at flock of sheep. "Yeah… I haven't slept in a bed since forever." Zachariah said sitting down.
"Don't get use to it, you'll be bunking with Mylo and Clagger tonight.
"What-" Mylo choked on his eggs as Clagger groaned over his bacon.
Zachariah felt their lack of enthusiasm "We've got the space." Vander said calmly as he handed Zachariah fork missing one of it's spikes. As Zachairah dove into his breakfast eating faster then he could chew it Mylo protested like Vi.
"Space, space? No offense Vander but our rooms a closet we won't be able to move without tripping over one another." Mylo complained.
Clagger swalloed his food "Yeah, and uh I take up a lot of it."
"Well look at him, he's skinny." Vander said pointing over to Zachariah who was already finished with his plate.
"Eating like that not for long." Powder giggled looking over at Mylo pretty happy with his predicament.
Zachariah wiped some eggs of the corner of his lip "Look, if they don't want me here maybe I should find someplace else to stay… you guys have hotels here?" Zachariah asked.
All four of them starred at Zachariah before Powder burst out laughng, followed by Clagger, Mylo and even Vander "A hotel hahahahaha." Powder laughed.
Mylo fell out of his chair "Yeah we can recommend a good place, room service, hot towels-ss-s hahahaha."
Vander wipes his eyes "Hehehe, hotel thats a good one no your staying here Zachariah, we'll figure someting out." Vander said washing his hands and heading around the door grabbing his short sleeved leather jacket, he put it on and turned "I've got some stuff I need to take care of in town, Mylo, Clagger your in charge of Powder and Zachariah till I get back."
"Your leaving?" Zachariah asked getting up.
"Don't worry, you'll be fine everyone make your brother feel welcome." Vander told him opening the door grabbing a large rucksack by it that had been sitting their whole time. Zachariah watched the door slam shut like a cage with wild animals looking back at the three hoodlums, his 'siblings'. Gulping each one of them had a mischevous look of malcontent on their faces, and Zachriah was more afraid of them then the Noxians or the Magehunters.
Outside the Last Drop, people moved out of the way for Vander as he walked by. People in store fronts or vendor stalls greeted him with respect, some waved saying "Morning Mr. Vander."
"How you doing today Vander?"
Some even bowed respectfully, as he replied "Morining folks, Lucile how are the kids, Gank how's the leg?" He asked as he passed by them.
He came up to one stall where an old creature with pointed ears and sharp fangs stood selling knives "Veri, you got the payment for this month?" He asked the knife seller.
Veri, a short gobelin used a thin blade to clean his teeth. He nearly slcied his lip when he heard Vander "V-v-v-Vander, hey hey I got the money- or I will."
The bartender cocked his brow "Have it to me by the end of the month, hate for you to loose another tooth." The knive salesman nodded sheepishly before he went back to work.
Heading into a narrower street lane, Vander approached a storefront where a young boy, around Powder's age with bleack blonde hair almost white, dark brown skin, a wide nose and lips wearing a white shirt, brown trousers and small shoes. He was sweepingt he outer front of the store when he saw him "Hey Vander, heard there was some sort of fight between Vi and a stranger, she kick his ass?"
Vander patted him on the head "Sure she did Ekko, is Benzo in?" He asked.
Ekko poked his thumb behind him to let him know he was in. Vander walked into the store with the bell ringing and inside the shop were items of varying degrees. From basic household equipment like spoons, cups, plates then clocks, strange machines, the bones of exotic animals, masks ghoulish in nature. Even in glass cases were were weapons like guns, knuckles, a mix between a whip and a sword. "You talk to Veri, that goblin keeps making excuses?" Benzo asked, Benzo a short fat man with dirty blonde receding hairline and dressed in pretty simple clothes like Vander, but missing all the muscle.
"Aye, I spoke to him, he'll have it." Vander said.
"You're far to lenient sometimes Vander, I know your fair but someboyd may take a shot at you sooner or later." Benzo warned him.
Vander dropped the bag on the counter, "Let'em try." Vander said as Benso opened the bag and let the stench of rot and feathers before he closed it.
Benzo sealed the bag waving his hand "What the hell- you trying to posion me?" Benzo asked.
"Need you to get rid of this, don't care how, burn it if you have to." Vander told the fence.
Benzo looked into it again and saw the Murkwolf hide.
"A murkwolf skin, where'd you get this?" He asked.
"Doesn't matter, I need it gone, you heard about what happened topside yet?" Vander asked him.
Benzo looked at him "I've heard the rumors, something about a mage in a purple animal skin… is this?" Vander gave him a serious look letting him know he didn't need to ask.
"Oh Vander what have you gotten yourself into?" Benzo asked him.
Vander looked away for a moment over at Ekko, "… He came back."
"Who did." Benzo asked.
Taking note that Ekko was sweeping very close to the door trying his best not to look like he was easevedropping. Vander closed the blinds on the window and door before he turned back around "You remembr that old man, the one who came around here when we we're still young, long white beard, goofy walking stick."
Benzo seached the library of his memory scratching hischin "Oh yeah, wore that pointy hat even when it was cloudy out, you and him were close… what was his name?"
"You remembr that time I had that problem, that really, really big problem the one I had to get rid of?"
Unsure of what he meant, Benzo scratched the back of his head before he went white "Wait you mean all that ruckus from the Last Drop that was-" "Yep" Vander interrupted
"And your sure" "Yep." Vander added.
Benzo dropped his arms to his side "Son of a…" Benzo didn't finish the sentence as the end of it was standing across from him. "I thought you said-" "I did." Vander leaned on the shop counter top.
"That he'd never-" "He is." Vander interrupted again.
"And he's going to-" "Benzo!" Vander slapped the top of the counter to get him from askin anymore questions. Ekko had his ear up on the glass and he bounced back when Vander hit the table.
Taking some time to gather himself, Vander spoke "It was a different time, we thought we were going to change things… I couldn't risk… couldn't let anyone know… but thats changed, the old mans dead he's got nowhere else to go." Vander said.
"I always wondered why you took those four in, guess I know now, filling a hole like that." Benzo said looking at the blinds spotting Ekko trying to listen in.
"So I take it, that the thing their looking for above and you know who are…?" Benzo asked.
Vander locked eyes with his old friend "No one can know, Benzo it stays between us, not even the kids I'm not letting anyone take anymore from us." Vander answered in a whisper.
"And if the Enforcers come down, what then, the Piltes are so terrfied of magic none of them are going to loose any sleep over cracking a few skulls to find one of them." Benzo warned him leaning on the other side of him so they could speak closer and softer.
"Benzo, please for me, we need to figure something out fast before the Council makes any calls like that." Vander asked his old friend "I just got him back."
Benzo looked at the bag and his eyes rolled around thinking of an idea "I think we can work something out, give me two days and I'll have it figured out."
PILTOVER
COUNCIL HALL
Captain Marcus was walking briskly behind Sherif Grayson, a woman with tan skin, black hair comed to the sides, she had a hawkish face with keen eyes wearing a golden sheriff badge over her blue and gold uniform. Marcus had his helmet off under his arm as he walked past a set of Enforcer guards into the great hall of the Piltover Council. All the members gathered in their crecent shape desk sitting at the head, Heimerdinger, the Yordle and father of Piltover.
"So." Councilor Medarda asked tapping her nails on the desk "Whats this we're hearing about a new visitor to our city?"
"A mage Council, Captain Marcus was the first to approach him, his report indicates the Mage was mugged and when pressed, Captain?" Grayson said stepping aisde so Captain Marcus could speak.
Clearing his throat, the eyes of Piltovers's leaders were on them, "Councilmembers, it was mid day I was on patrol with my unit in the northwest district, when I spotted a vagabond passed out in the middle of the sidewalk. I assumed he was drunk or a chem user, when I attempted to assit him they grew agrivated and suddenly his hand was on fire."
"Fire?" One of the other women on the Council asked Mrs. Kiramman.
"Yes Councilor, the Mage nearly set me ablaze before I was able to call for back up." Captain Marcus said.
Tapping his slender finged fingers Councilor Hoskel said "You should count yourself lucky Captain, how did the mage escape?"
"We we're attempting to arrest him when he tried to cast an enchantment on one of our guards, to turn his guns on but the guard was able to resist and fired." Marcus reported falsley.
The mechanical Councilor Bolblok said "So you were required to defend yourself, a clear ethos, why did he escape?"
"My mans aim was off by the magic, I was only thinking of the well being of Piltover and my men, but I beive in the law so I ordered my men to hold fire as we attempted to arrest him he used magic to blind us with snow." Marcus reported.
The blonde skinny Councilor Salo scoffed "Piltovers finest, Sheriff where is the mage now?" He asked Grayson.
Stepping forward "We combed the district and several eyewitnesses informed us they saw the a person matching the mages apparel running through the distirct."
"Apparel, you didn't see his face?" Councilor Shoola asked.
"With the start of winter, many of Piltover are bundled up hed to toe, but he was wearing a disticnt outfit, right Captain?" Sheriff Grayson asked her subordinate.
Reaching into his notebook, Captain Marcus pulled it out "Yes, brightly patterned snow gear, and a purple monster hide with two heads, I'd never seen anything like it."
"Hmmm, and where is the Mage now?" Heimidinger asked the two officers.
"We aren't sure, we can only guess he either fled into the Undercity or has left Piltover, considering the warm welcome we gave this mage in Piltover, the Undercity will probably scare them off." Sheriff Grayson said confidently.
"Or better yet swallow them whole." Bolblok said interlocking his mechancial white gloved fingers.
The other Council Members were all scanning one another, trying to guess what the other would say after Bolblok made his stance known. "Perhaps we should offer a reward to the Undercity, a bounty to turn over or tip the enforcers off to their whereabouts, surely anyone weilding magic will stick out like a soure thumb?" Councilor Madarda recommended her words flowing like silk of those soft lips, more akin to a serpent.
"The Lanes won't turn on their own, we've tried that before and still we haven't found the Sleep Slicer." Councilor Salo said disagreeing.
"But he isn't one of their own is he, the Lanes protect their own but not a stranger, I think a Bounty is and excellent idea. Why risk our own men in the undercity?" Councilor Hoskel asked.
Captain Marcus suddenly interripted "Councilmembers, the enforcers are more then up to the task." He said admant and insulted at any insinuation otherwise.
"Sherif Grayson, what do you propose?" Heimidinger asked er.
Looking at Marcus then at the Council "The enforcers are the finest of Piltover, they've protected this city for generations but going into the Undercity in force to search for one new commer, mage or other wise may stir old wounds up. That being said Piltovers freedom from the Arcane has left my men ill-equiped to handle a magical adversary. I consider Captain Marcus fortunate he escaped with his life."
Councilor Heimidinger nodded "A good leader knows their weaknesses and isn't afraid to admit them, very well all in favor of a bounty to be put on this renegade mage in our city?" Raising his hand the vote began. Madarda raised her hand eleganlty, Bolblok and Hoskel followed. Shaola did as well. Both Salo and Kiramman were the last wanting the motion to be unanimous "It's settled, Sheriff we leave you to assess the cost of this endevour, magic is dangerous, to dangerous for Piltover we cannot allow it to grow here lest it be the ruin of us all."
THE UNDERCITY
Following behind the gang minus Vi, Zachariah walked slowly looking at all the strange buildings, people and just about everything. There were exotic animals in cages, paint and writings on walls all different colors. A strange grew hue seemed to radiate from just about every light in the undercity. He walked by a man with a hook for a hand who snarled at him before he passed on "Alright new guy, lets start here, welcome to the glorious Slums." Mylo said starting the tour.
They walked across the filthy streets, back through the market that Vi and Zachariah had brawled, no one seemed to remember him when he wasn't covered in shit and feathers. He could even see the pillow store he'd crashed into starting to make repairs with boards around the door he'd kicked down, probably so nobody would rob them. "Now of course we have the market here, you can buy just about anything here, knives, axes, weird food, animals, animals that eat other animals, etc etc." Mylo said listing off the various stuff. They moved on over to one of the many walkways and bridges that seemed to connect the undercity. Stopping at one Mylo pointed down down there is the crevass or some say the pit of dispair, either way best to avoid unless you got a death wish."
They came to a open view in the undercity and Mylo pointed to a large dam in the distance, it was made of old but solid stone and brick. There were meat beams renforced it at the base as water flowed out of four large barrels "The sea wall, probably going to break any day."
"You don't know that." Powder said.
Mylo dismissed her with a brush off his shoulder "Shut it Powder, nobody cares what you think" Zachariah could see she was hurt but she kept quite, he'd have to remember next time. Moving on, Zachariah saw a man curled up on the side of the street not moving, Zachariah reached to see if he was okay "Whoa, whoa bad idea the homless bite sometimes." Mylo said.
"But he could be hurt?" Zachariah asked him.
"Look around farmboy, this whole place is hurt." Mylo educated pushing him along as they went deeper into the slums passing by tough looking individuals. They shot them all nasty glares as Mylo whispered "Just keep walking, don't look them in the eye they take offense pretty easy."
They wheeled around the alleys to another busier part of the street, Zachariah suddenly found himself oggling at the only building that didn't have shit on it or a green tint. The windows were stainglass red, pink and purple shards welded together to make the images of hearts, or people in an embrace.
There were woman standing outside it to, none of them in anything that would be consider decent clothing. Low hanging dresses and shirts cit so deep he could see those certain assets. He even saw one woman with her dress so short it barely covered her "You-who, farm boy stop starring or they charge."
"Charge?" Zachariah asked.
"What you never heard of a brothel either, geez this Hamlow must have been some weird place?" Mylo said.
Zachariah took offense to the wrong name "Hamelt, and it wasn't as weird as this place-cough-cough how do you breath down here?" Zachariah asked waving his hand as they passedb a thick cloud of red steam, gasping for air. This place, these walls, the ground even it all felt wrong. Smelled wrong like everything about it was corrupted. When he was young the Comptons had to kill off their entire crop because a locust nest was found and they couldn't dare take the chane to have the rest of the towns harvest infected. The air was burnt and the ground charred but this, was ten times worse, no a hundred times worse. Even the people looked like they werew rotting the ones who didn't have all their teeth, limbs or other proprotions.
They reached a place evnetually where the hair wasn't as thick, Zachariah saw a magnificent bridge adorned with great statues and faces carved into it's towering supensions, linned with gold and brick, like upper Piltover. Even with it's tips frosted with snow and ice sickles hanging from it's cliffs Which he could see from where he stood. The colorful buildings trimmed in gold, even the great palace at the peak of the city "Oh and this is the so called 'Bridge of Progress' yeah fancy name for saying the do not cross bridge, over their is Piltover and we're over here with the rest of the trash." Mylo explained.
"What lord rules here?" Zachariah asked looking at the grand palace with glistening towers and dark blue canopies.
Clagger, Powder and Mylo stopped and turned around "Lord?" Powder asked.
Zachariah asked again "Oh a king than?"
Mylo scoffed at him "King, Piltover doesn't have any of those fancy royals there's the Council up there, but they're pretty much lords anyway?"
"Why not go to them, ask for better living conditons, in Hamlet anyone who had trouble could go to the mayors office to ask for help?" Zachariah said walking behind them.
The rat faced boy chuckled his yellow teeth "Oh my poor poor poor farm boy, you've got a lot to learn, nobody helps anyone here unless you got something to trade, sell or earn some money, an espcially not if your living here asking for help over there." He said pointing to where they stood over to the rest of Piltover.
Mylo moved on back to the city, Zachairah looked back at the bridge and noticed a small memorail of peoples pictures, candles lit, mementos laid in honor. He approached it searching the faces plastered on the stone. "Hey new guy, let's get a move on." Powder called before he followed.
Zachariah followed them back into the under city, walking down a light of winding stairs, with rusted rails, "What should we see next, the bay it's frozen now, maybe we could go take a look at-" "Hair?"
The four of them followed the voice to a man in the shadows, he was wearing a thick coat, hiding his whole body and a wide billed hat as he held out a hand mising three fingers toward Zachariah suddenly stroking his hair "That's nice hair you got there, I can tell it ain't got any chems in it, nooooone." The stranger said suddenly producing a pair of scissors.
"How much?" He asked, Zachariah swatted his hand away.
"For hair, you daft man?" He asked.
"He some accent on you boy, new to the lanes is he?" The stranger asked the kids recognizing them.
Mylo stepped forward "Yeah and how muc we talking for the hair, by the strand or length?" Clogger asked leaning on Zachariah, who side stepped.
"Sorry mate, but why do you want my hair." Zachairah said pushing Mylo's hand off.
The stranger smirek with gold teeth "People pay preem coin for good hair, not chem trashed hair like these kids, pay you 5 pieces of silver for it?" He asked.
"Five pieces, thats ridicouls, look at this mane we could get twice that for this from anyone in the Lanes?" Mylo said coming up again to start negioating.
The stranger put the scissors away "Okay, ten silver pieces no more."
"Huh, and how do we know those scissors are any good?" Mylo asked him.
"There scissors kid?" The stranger asked skeptical of Mylo's intelligence.
Mylo held up a finger "Hey look if you want these golden brown locks of lusciousness you better up your price, 15 take it or leave it."
"Ten." The stranger said holding up the money as if he were ready to hand it to Mylo right then and there "Thirty!" Someone from the edge of the alleway said.
Eyes turned leftwards toward Vi, walking arms at her side toward them, she got between Zachariah and the others to stare down the stranger "This farm boys got all natrual homegrown hair, no chemicals from bad water, or knockoff shampoo or conditioner, this guy was bathing in waterfalls and ponds of the purest water north of the mounains." Vi said marketing Zachariahs hair off like he was a stallion at auction, but he was more curious to what the hell shampoo was and the conditons of uisng it?
"Thats double, I can-" "Go find someone else with hair this nice." Vi said pointing back at him, "Come one guys, let's bounce." Vi said turning to signal the otehrs to go.
She started to push Zachairah along "What are you-" "Trust me." Vi whispered. The stranger watched them go before he cleared his throat "Ahem, I never said no." He said reaching into his coat to pull out an even bigger purse of coin stretching the cloth with how heavy it looked. Vi smiled at him and then at the others with a wink. Zachairah was about to hold his hand in protest but before he could even get a word in when he was pushed forward by the younger kids, and pulled by his collar to the 'barber' who pulled out his scissors again and pushed down and a crate in the back of the alleway. And the man started cutting it was all so fast he saw his hair fall off like a leaves on a tree in fall after a gust of wind. All in less then a minute was his hair cut down to the roots and money exchanged for hair.
By the time they let him go he ran his hand throug what remained of his locks, they were cut down to the root, feeling the same as fresh trimmed grass on the mayors lawn in Hamlet. As he ran his fingers through his hair he felt the scar he'd gotten from the first Magehunter who shot at him, the graze had left a long streak of cut flesh that had now healed over. As he touched it with his fingers Clagger was starring at the scar suprised to see one on the new boy's head.
Vi was already counting the coins by the time Zachariah saw his reflection in a broken window, the swelling on his face seemed to have gone down and without all the extra hair he could see his face more clearly. His cheakbones more produced his hawline looked more noticble, without the hair it was harder and harder to recognize himslef. Hating who he saw in the mirror he pulled his cap down overh is brow as the kids all divied up the coin, "Six for Clagger, Six for Mylo, Six for Powder, Six for me, and Six for the new guy."
She held out the coins to him and Zachairah looked at them, he did want the coin but all he did was get a haircut, somehow didn't feel right, taking it he saw the starnger put his hair in the bag. Zachariah took the coin and walked over to him "Sir?" He asked.
"What, you got more hair?" The man said undr his cap.
"No." He said handing him back the coins "For the haircut?"
The barber gapped at him and looked at the kids "What is this, this ain't how the deals work?"
"What's his angle?" Mylo whispered to Vi.
The man looked at the coins and then at Zachariah "I can't take pay I didn't earn, plus I needed a haircut." Zachariah said holding it up. The stranger held out his three fingered hand and took his own coin back before he walked off "Come see me in a few months, we can this gain."
Zachariah felt better without the coin, he turned around only to have Vi once again grab him and shove him into the alley's graffitte wall "Who the hell do you think you are giving up our coin!?"
"Thought it was mine?" Zachariah asked confused why she was attacking him, again?
"We made a deal, you pretty much pissed on it by giving him a… discount, all because you didn't earn it, you grew the hair didn't you?" She asked, "We need that coin." Vi snapped at him.
Zachariah grabbed her wrapped up hand he felt the angry glares of the other three on him all sharing the same disappintged look at him "I'm sorry…." Zachariah said apologetically "But I meant what I said, I can't take pay without earning it, you find some good honest work for me I promise I'll earn my keep sister." He said.
She shoved him again taking her hands off him "Don't call me sister." She spat knocking off his hat. Zachariah picked up the cap and fitted back onto his head s said "You want to earn your 'keep' she said mimcing his accent.
He nodded at her.
"Follow me." She said.
Later, Zachariah followed Vi and her gang of street urchins deeper into the Undercity. Over waste and trash the green light of the city faded to candles and torches lit with oil or old rags. Vi made them follow her to a building at the end of the street with a sign hanging by a single chain, looking up Zachariah saw it was a store front falling into ruin. The sing read 'Wellingtons Wares'. "Clagger, Jinx, lookout." Vi said "Mylo, the lock."
"What are you doing?" Zachariah asked her as the two kids went to each side of the street, Mylo knelt down and pulled out a set of thin tools that he stuck into the doors lock.
"Earning a honest days pay, this store's abandoned." Vi said.
Zachariah looked up at the sign "Then we should find this Wellingtons next of kin?"
"Can't they all left town, Bilgewater wasn't Clagger?" Vi asked her step brother.
Clagger shrugged "Thought it was Noxus?"
"Demacia." Mylo said while he picked the lock.
"Regardless, anythng in there is up for grabs, scavengers rights, we're stealing we're just taking what nobody esle wants then we go to Benzo and he buys it from us, good honest work." Vi explained to him, Zachariah's suspicous didn't lighten when he remembred how she'd said she'd stolen his ring fairly like that made any sense. Zachariah looked around to see if anyone was watching them or would come to stop them and the continuing clicking and shifting of interior gears inside the lock lessed till the heavy unlock of the door.
Mylo stood up "We're in."
An uneasy feeling kept swimming in Zachariahs stomach when Vi lead them into the abandoned store, Powder brought up the rear before Vi stopped her from entering "Whoa, whoa you keep look out Powder."
"But I want to come?" She whinned.
"No way-" Mylo snapped taking Zachariah by suprsie.
Vi glared at him so he'd turned around and keep moving "You're small, hard to notice and you've got the best eyes you're the perfect lookout, promise next time you can come." Vi said
"… you always say that." Powder mumbled.
Zachariah saw her kick the dirt outside the store as he followed the older kids into the store, lookinga round the walls were adorned with simple things, pots, bowls, bags with labels in the common tongue of Valoran that new. Flasks of varying liquids, then tools and so on, it was a general store of some kind. Zachariah remembred that one of the Comptons who lived in town owned one, that was just labeled as such 'General Store'. The more he thought of it the people of Hamlet weren't as creative as the people here it seemed. Other then that the only things the Hamletians had on these under city people was good food, drink and song. Scratch those last two he hadn't even heard any Undercity music yet or drink.
Watching Vi, Clagger and Mylo spread out around the store looking at all the items, "Look for anything valuable new guy?" Vi said pulling out a bag from seemingly nowhere and tossing it to him.
"Hey- this is my bag?" Zachariah said looking at it.
"Yeah I took all those stupid books out, now fill it up." She ordered.
"Valubales… got it." Zachariah said going along with the sacvenging, but he still had that feeling in his gut that this wasn't scavenging but he wanted to believe in his newfound siblings, they were family. Scanning the shelves of dusted up items, he looked at some glassware, a few cups, crystal valves before he saw something more valuable then all the silk in the Mayors wardorbe.
He started to fill it up with as many as he could, there were so many to choose from all glistenin with different colors, dark emerald green, deep ruby red, glistening diamond. He filled the bag with as many as it could fit into it till the leather was starting to stretch at the seam. Across the store Vi was checking the register for any cash or coin, when she opened it she saw it was empty. Looking around she checked under the counter for a safe or strong box, Mylo was grabbing anything shinny he could fit into his arms as Clagger picked up an old antique clock "New Guy you find anything?" Vi called out.
"You bed I did Vi." Zachariah said coming around holding the bag with both arms it was so heavy.
Mylo dropped all of his junk "Heh I'm impressed."
"Well don't get to impressed show me what you got?" Vi asked him.
Zachariah proud of the haul opened it up to reveal the entire sack was filled to the brim with jars, flasks and containers "Dirt?" Mylo asked.
"Dirt?" Zachariah chuckled "No Mylo, spices, seasoning, salt, pepper, paprika, basil, cummin this stuff his worth a fortune."
Vi, Clagger and Mylo starred t him "Are you a fucking idiot?" Vi asked.
Confused and hurt, Zachariah's smile frowned over "Wha-" "This is usueless?" Vi grabbed the bag and poured out the contents letting the glass vials and jars shatter on th floorboards making Powder look back at what all the comotion is not looking for anyone heading their way.
"Grab something we can actually sell, not eat, jewels, shiny things, money you stupid farm boy?" She tossed the bag to Mylo instead of him.
Standing there, Zachariah felt his anger start to rise "Stop calling me that." He growled.
"Huh?" Vi asked.
"My name, is Zachariah not farm boy, not new guy." He said taking his hat off, squeezing it tight in his fist.
Vi scoffed seeing he was starting to draw a line "I don't give a shit what your name is farm boy, what you thin you can just show up here and think your one of us?"
"I never said that." Zachariah rebuttled.
"Doesn't matter, I don't like you and I don't trust you, so I'll call you whatever I want to unless we need to pick up from where we left of?" Vi asked him getting into his face, Zachariah squeezed his hat tight enough for his knuckles to turn white, trembling while he held in the magical energy he was feeling surging through his palms. He knew he could take her apart with one blast, that's all he'd need, he could feel the magic bouncing around inside his hands like he was holding hot water.
Vi watched him waiting for himw to throw the first punch so she could throw the last, "Thats what I thought, farm boy." She said seeing he wasn't going to do anything.
He felt Powders eyes on him, she just starred at his hands, he looked down to see the light starting to fade, had she seen it, did she see the magic, was she going to say. Looking away she moved out of the doorway only to run back in "Guys, guys we got a problem!" She snapped.
"Wellington's on his way."
"WHAT!" Mylo shouted.
Zachariah's eyes darted to Vi "You said he was gone?"
"He's is this is.. uh probably just a look alike."
"Liar, we're stealing!" Zachariah barked at her.
Vi rolled her eyes as she ran to the door shutting it and locking the door, "Oh save the speech, we got to find a way out of here."
Clagger dropped the clock and ran right through an old door "Through here." He called.
Mylo, Powder and Vi ran after him but Zachariah stood there looking at the door that was starting to get unlocked. Either he get caught stealing or he run away with the thieves, he had to make a choice. In the outer alley, the kids burst out of the back door, and ran out of the alleway back into the open streets, to catch their breath "Well, so much for the new guy." Vi said seeing Zachariah wasn't there.
"Wait we left him behind?" Powder asked suprised.
"He'll be fine." Vi said wiping away some of her pink hair to the sound of loud shouting.
They saw Zacharaih coming around the corner white in the face "What did you do!?" Vi snapped.
"I tried talking to him- didn't care- know he's got a thing-" Zachariah stumbled through then past them.
"What thing?" Mylo asked when stampeding around the alley was Wellington, a mountain of meat dressed as a man with a bollarad hat smoking a cigar, dressed with straps over his shirt he was holding device with a long flat piece of metal with a chain being pulled around it by a small engine "That thing." Zachariah said pointing at it.
Mylo streamed and so did Clagger, "A FUCKING CHAINSAW, how did we miss that?" She asked.
"Who cares RUN!" Mylo shouted.
The five sprinted away with Wellington chasing after that the fatted man swinging it around over his head as they fled across the undercity people jumping out of the way of the chainsaw weilding pyscho bent turning them into sliced meat. "Scatter." Vi said to them like they had when Zachariah first met them.
"Wait what do you mean- hey!" Zachariah tried to ask before they all broke off into different directions, Zachariah ended up following Vi with Wellington fallowing them with his chainsaw.
Glancing over her shoulder she saw him tailing after her "Don't you know what scatter means?"
"Obviosuly not?"
"It means, split up dumb ass?" She hissed slidding udner a group of men carrying a crate, Zachariah jumped over it as she sprang back up to her feet to see Wellington slice through it with his saw.
Zachariah and Vi ran acros a bridge, but she suddenly jumped off the bridge grabbing onto a wire and swinging onto a pipe running ahead before she looked back up at him at least twenty feet "Now or never new guy." She said up to him. Zachairah lookd back at the gapping hole to narrow pipe and hundred foot drop or the pyscho weidling the chainsaw. "This bloody city." Zachariah said jumping down he missed the wire and smashed onto the pipe almost falling off before he grabbed the edge and pulled himself up wobbling on the pipe trying to gain his footing. Vi was already running down the pipe with a cats balance.
Running after her he could feel the pipe shaking under his feet, but like yesterday when he ran after her, she was already on another building. Zachariah climbed down onto it before he lost track ofher again. A scream brought his eyes toward Mylo stumbling down some stairs into a puddle, crawling out, and Wellington with his chainsaw. Mylo scooted back while everyone else in the street walked away or turned a cheek no one was going to help him.
He didn't see Vi, Clagger or Powder. Zachairah looked over the edge of the building and saw a dumpster filled with trash gulping, he jumped off and landed in the trash climbing out. "Wellington, Wellington let's talk about this." Mylo said scotting out of the puddle.
"I don't care if your Vander's kids, I'm taking at least one limb." Wellington said raising the chainsaw, Zachariah crouched by the trash seeing he was standing in the same puddle.
He made the hand signs, thought of the frozen wind on the mountain, the thick snow around his boots, cold, friged, frozen. Zachariah breathed out a thick breath white cloud of cold air that wooshed toward the puddle turning it into solid ice around the mad mans feet. Wellington moved to take of Mylo's head before the ice kept him in place, he stumbled dropping the chainsaw and fell forward. Mylo yelled before Zachariah bolted toward them grabbing Mylo by his arm pulling him out of the way before Wellington went face first into the cobbled stone.
"Run right?" Zachariah asked him before he could ask any questions, Right." Mylo said before the two boys hurried away. The two boys raced away from a shouting Wellington who was looking back at a pair of frozen shoes he'd fallen right out of.
PILTOVER
Meanwhile, on the other side of the city at the great mansion of one of the Councilmembers homes, the Kirammans were sitting down at dinner. Lord and Lady Kiramman were sitting on oppostie ends of an emmaculate table servants bringing them the finest wine and food for their delight. A grand fireplace was in the middle of the dinning room and two chairs were in the center one empty the other occupied by the young Caitlyn. She was poking at her food with a fork when the door burst open "Sorry I'm late." A young mans voice said as he came in.
Caitlyn's face lit up as the Kirammans favorite sponsor, Jayce. He walked in still holding his bag from school in his hand and looking through a notebook. Lord Kiramman rolled his eyes seeing him come in as Lady Kiramman said "Oh please Jayce, you're dedication to your studies is inspiring."
"Caitlyn have you given anymore thought to what you would want to pursue at the Academy?" Her mother asked as Jayce sat down across from her.
Caitlyn dropped her fork on the floor and reached for it before a servant was already there to pick it up and present her with a new one "Oh uh, not really mother, but my shooting coach said I reached a new personal best on my bullseyes." She said hoping to talk about that.
"Oh, well maybe Jayce could help you?" Lady Kiramman said ignoring the success her daughter already had with her sharpshooting.
"A new personal best, from how far?" Jayce asked.
Caitlyn delighted to hear he was intrested "Over a hundred yards today, and they were moving."
Jayce smirked "Wow most the students at the Academy who shoot can't even do that."
"So dear anything intresting happen at the Council meeting?" Lord Kiramman asked his wife across the table.
Lady Kiramman held her glass up for a servant to top off "Oh just more mundane business, new taxes to try and restore the sea wall, trying to figure out which company to contract but of course the Council will be using the Talos hammers." She said taosting to Jayce.
"My family sure does appreciate that Lady Kiramman, but if I may, I heard a really strange rumor?" Jayce said as the servant who had filled up her drink filled up his "Thank you." Jayce said to the servant.
"Oh whats that?" Lady Kiramman asked.
Jayce sipped his drink pretending to be more interested in the wine then what he really was "It's nothing really, just that a mage was spotted in Piltover?" The whole table went silent, even the servants were speechless, not that they would even be allowed to speak.
Lady Kiramman put the glass down "Yes, there was, we'll be making an announcment tomorow, the Enforcers have been put on high alert to protect the city streets and the Council has commisoned a reward for the mages capture."
"Capture, what did they do?" Caitlyn asked.
"You shouldn't worry yourself about it Caitlyn, an officer was attempting to help the mage before the sorcerer attacked the poor Captain." Lady Kiramman said down to her.
The lord cleared his throat "My word, did the officer survive?"
"Yes, he's fine, but he was lucky as he put it." Lady Kiramman said as Jayce thought it over hiding his own intrigue as he looked at his food.
He ate some chewed and swalloed "Doesn't really speak for Piltover being the city of Progress if we act so hostile, the books I've read on Demacia say they capture and imrpsion their mages?"
"Which is why once the Mage is captured, we will expell them from our City, we aren't barbarinas but the Councilor said it best, Magic has no place in our city." Lady Kiramman said. Jayce looked down at the bracelet he wore, a small runestone embedded in the leather band, a single rune carved in it.
UNDERCITY
Last Drop
Walking back to the Last Drop, Zachariah and Mylo had avoided the chainsaw and were walking back toward it, it was near the end of the day and breif orange drops of light were coming in as snow melted into sludge "So they don't have chainsaws in Hamlet?" Mylo asked him as the two boys walked at each other side.
"No, we just use axes, then we use horses or oxes to pull up the stump."
"The hell's a horsorox?" Mylo asked.
Chuckling Zachariah educated "No, horse or an ox, you know the animals?" Mylo starred at him blank face.
"Blimey you've never seen a horse, or an ox, your pulling my leg?" He asked, Mylo just starred at him.
But Mylo's eyes were full of honesty, "Ox's are… pigs?" Mylo asked him.
"No, pigs are pigs I think you're thinking of a boar mate?" Zachariah corrected him.
Still confused as they drew near "What's the difference between a pig and a boar then?"
Zachariah smirked glad to actually have answers instead of questions "Pigs don't have tusks, and won't maul you to death with them, I mean a pig can still eat you but only if you let it."
"Whoa, and you raised them?" He asked.
"No, I went on a boar hunt when their herd got to big, they can be a real problem for farmers which was what I was, raising cropts is what we did but we had animals, a cow, couple pigs a few chickens and my horse Bess, had to give her up before I passed over the mountains." Zachariah elaborated remembring it fonldy with a smile "Hmmm potatos, carots, cabbage, onions, and in the spring our property had lemon and orange trees that grew the fatest juicest fruit, you could pluck them off the branch."
Mylo's shoulders slumped "Yeah you won't find any of that down here, nothing here grows, airs to rotten grounds posioned, you saw the third dial in the shower, what color was the water?"
"Purple." Zachariah said.
"Oh lucky you, when it's green or yellow that means your skins about to get burnt." Mylo said.
Zachariah felt his face turn green thinking about "Uh thanks for the warning."
"Let's say we're even then, if Wellington hadn't tripped and you hadn't grabbed me I'd be a stain on the pavement." Mylo said in gratidue, and Zachariah was gratious that he hadn't seen the ice spell. That reminded him if he had a chance he'd need to slip away and practice. Grandpa always said magic was like any other skill if you didn't pracitce it, the same way a swordsman maintained his blade it would dull. That's hoping Vi hadn't tossed all of his books out or read them. Both Mylo and Zachariah walked back into the Last Drop to see Vi, Clagger and Powder sitting at the bar. Vi had her back turned to them talking with Vander who had a scowl on her face before he saw his two sons walk in and relief covered his face. Vi looked back seeing Mylo and also breathed easier, then resumed her 'I will kill you, eat your guts then shit you out' face at Zachariah.
Mylo walked on ahead greetin his siblings but Zachariah felt his eyes wander around the bar, it was definitly different from the Dancing Boar, the wood was all chipped or cracked, the pool table was totally alien to him and so were the booths built into the wall. So much of this world was foreign to him he had no idea where he was going and bumped into someone spilling their drink "Hey." The screeching of wood on wood echoed as Zachariah saw a tall, tan skinned woman with short black hair broad shoulders, black hair and brows, a dashing scar on her left cheek with a cigar in her lip holding an empty beer mug and hand of cards. The beer stained all over her musclar chest and arms. Zachariah took one look at her and in a low daze he said "…. Hi."
The woman's eyes twitched and she grabbed him by his callar pushing him against the pool table "Watch where your going runt."
"Lay of Sevika, it was an accident." Vander said as he lit his pipe behind the bar.
"The kids breaking the window, that's an accident just like what I'm-" "You sure you want to try that?" Vander asked, Zachariah hadn't even seen him move out from behind the bar, but there he was right behind the titania holding her forearm from kissing his face.
Sevika loosened up "That's a good lass, next few rounds are on the house." Vander said, that seemed to sooth the savage beast that was Sevika who walked back over to her table and sat down while Zachariah starred at her back. "Messing with Wellington is one thing, but I'd avoid Sevika's bad side all the same son." Vander advized but he saw Zachariah was to entranced Sevika.
Vander snapped his fingers breaking the spell "Oi you feeling alright?"
"W-what, oh yeah sorry I just…" Zachariah looked up at his father then at the woman, and then blushed smiling sheepishly. Vander just starred at him "Hehe…"
"Hmmm yeah, I'm not ready for that conversation, but we do need to talk." Vander said walking back to the bar.
Zachariah followed him across the pub to the bar, "Vi watch the bar."
Rolling her eyes, she said "Sure Vander." She said walking around the bar and taking out a bottle.
Following him up into his office, Vander went in first and he followed him to his desk where he saw his books and his staff on the table. "My staff, my books." Zachariah said running to them, he was actually glad to see the Staff feeling naked without it all day.
"Saw Vi had those books tossed across the floor in the kids room, you'll be staying down there with them from now on." Vander said as Zachariah took the staff squeezing it between his hands.
He looked at the glowing gem and tapped his thumb on it "Yeah, about that?" Zachariah asked, "Maybe I should just be rambling on?"
Vander sat down looking at him while he smoked his pipe "Why's that?" He asked.
Zachariah gave a sarcastic sigh "Come on, you know I don't belong here?"
"You've been here what, two days and you already want to throw it in?" Vander asked him.
Zachariah started to pace while he held the staff in both hands "Vi was right, they steal like it's nothing and you… I don't even know what you are, a mayor, a chief, a gangster?"
Vander sat there listening to him "I can barely even breath down here, the air, the ground, I don't know this place?"
"You were born here, just cause you weren't raised here doesn't mean you don't belong?" Vander interjected.
The boy rolled his eyes "But I don't, I grew up with rolling hills, wide open spaces, forests that go on for miles this place isn't me?"
Vander took a long hit of his pipe and blew it out "But it can be?"
They locked eyes, Vander sat back in his chair sensing their was more "Come on spill it?"
Zachariah wondered if he should say it, reaching to grab at his Grandpa's ring he gritted his teeth "I've got… people after me."
"So do a lot of people who come to the lanes, good place to hide."
"You don't know these people?" Zachariah tried to infesive.
Vander exhaled another cloud of smoke as if he were a dragon ready to breath fire "Try me?"
Sitting down Zachariah looked at him "They call themselves the Magehunters, they're ruthless, chased me out of Hamlet even threatened to kill the whole village to get to me after they tried to kill me?" Zachariah reached up to the left side of his head feeling the scar now far clearer without all his hair to cover it.
"Did they?" Vander asked.
Opening his mouth to speak Zachariah found himself speechless, "…. I don't know, I left before anyone knew what happened."
"But they chased you?" Vander asked across the desk, Zachariahs fevernt knodds were confiramtion enough but Zachariah wasn't done.
"I was even captured by Noxians-" "Noxians?" Vander interrupted.
Zachariah began to recount the journey from Hamlet to Piltover, but he didn't bring up the first time he killed, the Magehunter or when he inadvertently caused the death of the Minotaur, by the time he finished Vander was silent for a long time. It was so quiet Zachariah could hear the comings and goings of the bar below and streets outside as Vander sucked on his pipe "I was scared my first time too?" Vander asked.
"… what?" Zachariah whispered.
Coming out of his chair slowly, his big feet making the floorboards creak as he walked around and leaned on the desk "I still see them sometimes, the first time I killed someone son."
Zachariah's green eyes bugged when he heard Vander say that, "I'm sorry you had to do it so young." Vander said putting a hand on his shoulder, Zachariah tried to say something but he got choked up, Vander didn't even need to hear him say it, he already knew. His son was a killer. Zachairah wanted to confess to it, saying how horrible he felt, how he wish he could take it back but all Vander did was start to hush him "Shhhhh, shhhh it's alright lad your safe now."
"But I… I'm a killer, I-" Zachariah bounced out of his chair "I killed him- me Zachairah, I didn't even hesitate."
"Was it the Magehunter, the one who shot at you?" Vander asked him.
"Yes- he missed me then he got me in the shoulder and-" "It was self defense."
Zachariah waved the staff and a magical wave shattered the the chair behind him "It was Murder!" He barked dropping the staff grabbing at the sides of his head "I did it- me, I could have found a different way, I used a different spell, but I didn't I killed a man-" "Who was trying to kill you." Vander said grabbing onto him.
"You didn't have a choice, you were scared, frightened alone the worlds a hard nasty place Zachariah, lesser men would have given up, surrendered to the Noxians, died in the mountains, been caught by these Magehunters but youd didn't, you survived."
"That's all i did… survived." Zachariah said looking at the floor.
Vander pressed his large finger under his chin and made him raise it up "And thats enough, sometimes thats all you can do son." Zachairah's eyes were still watery before he buried his head into Vanders white shirted chest, Zachairah held his hand behind Zachariahs head letting him sob, being strong for someone who had to be stronger then he had ever before when his whole world was turned upside down.
COUNCIL CHAMBER
The sun was down now, small snowflakes fell over Piltover as Heimerdinger looked down at his city from the great windows. "Councilor." Sheirff Grayson and Captain Marcus had returned, the elder statesman and yordle turned around waiting for them to continue "The entrances to the undercity have been secured, we've kept a minium security but maxium watch on each entrance so not to arouse the Mages suspicion, and the bounties have been posted."
"And the sum?" Heimerdinger.
"Given the nature of the bounty, we've staked the reward for the Mage's capture at two thousand silver cogs as a start." Grayson said.
Heimerdinger paced his short little legs around the Council table his top of blodne hair poking out over the table "I don't need to remind you the seriousness of this Sheriff, I founded this city after the terrible destruction caused by Mages."
"Of course Councilor, we are taking ever precaution, informants have been insentivesed to let us know of any unsual activity in the undercity." Grayson confirmed.
Heimerdinger made his way around the table and stood in front of them "The people of the undercity are just as much as part of Piltover as we are, we must alert them of the danger tomorrow, perhaps you should send some patrols down into the city?"
Grayson was hesitant to say yes "Respectfully Councilor, we may not have to, within the last hour someone has come forth to take the contract." Grayson said signaling for the doors to open, both guards outide the hall gates opened it. The sounds of heavy metal tipped boots clanged against the floor. A tall man walked in wearing a dark black leather coat, with a pauldron on his left shoulder, he had a rifle slung over his back and a pistol at his hip with a set of spurs gingling with every step. Wearing a wide brimmed hat with a tall but flat body he stopped to take his hat off, showing white hair in a mowhawk design. The man had half a face burnt off with some of his own teeth showing from the old wound "May I present Cletus Morningstar, recently arrived from Bilgewater." Behind the bounty hunter appeared a short person, wearing a baggy double brested coat, a rag tied around their head covering their hair and a bandana scarf around their face holding a large bag over their shoulders with sword hilts, rifle butts and more sticking out of it, a valet or servant of some kind.
"And he knows the risk?" Heimerdinger asked him.
Morningstar gave a half smile, literally, "Indeed I do Councilor, I've delt with mages before in Demacia when their seekers are otherwise, at a loss."
"And you think yourself qualifed to the task?" Heimerdinger askedh im.
The bounty hunter opened up his coat to reaveal all manner of weaponry, ropes, chains, traps, vials of strange water and so forth before he said "I reckon." He said confidently smiling showing the rest of his remaining teeth were all as silver as the moeny he'd be making.