Chapter 14: Info II
Q had walked a few minutes in the direction of the music until he reached a flowered wall. The alley next to the wall was being blocked by two men with swords.
"I need to get past" Q said calmly
The men didn't respond, they didn't even look at him.
"How much is it to pass?" Q asked pulling out his coin sack
"10 silver pieces or 4 gold coin." one man said
"What?" Q replied "The price is usually five silver pieces."
The men started laughing after hearing his reply
"Do you think we can let one of the elite guards in here at the normal price?" the same man said point at Q's patch "We need insurance, you know, for our client's safety."
Q was on a schedule and had no problem with knocking them out but that would have caused problems in the long run.
"Alright, you can have what you want." Q said reaching in his pouch
The men took the coins and stepped aside, opening Q to Irinos's underworld, Remedy. Gambling, prostitution, drugs, all was OK during its appearance at night. The king would like to abolish the place and crack down it's patrons as the masses call for but the revenue made deters him from completely closing it down. With each person Q passed, they gave him concerned stares until he reached a certain building.
"Hello sir, welcome to the red ring." the woman at the door said "Would you like a room?"
"No no, I just need to speak to Riza."
She checked her notes and after a few seconds led Q into the building.
"She should be finishing up with her client now so just wait a little."
As the door was opened, the excitement of the establishment flooded out. Screams, laughing and smoke attacked Q's scents as he looked around. Girls were pouring and drinking with the men who were gambling, others were leading some men and women into the rooms to conduct their 'business'.
"Sir, wait here." she said before entering one of the rooms.
For such a pack house, no one was paying attention to Q, just standing in the corner saying nothing. Some just looked at him for a second and went back gambling or drinking or both.
"Sir, you may enter now." she said lowering her head "Enjoy your time."
The room was filled with colored cloths and flowers, hiding the store's gem at its center.
"Master, are you there?" Q asked, walking through the room
"I'm here." she replied "Just getting ready."
Q had reached the center of the room and was met with a woman enjoying her bath.
"Master." Q said bowing
She turned to him showing her bright red hair and deep blue eyes, the only thing showing on her slightly tanned skin was a few freckles on her face.
"Come, talk to me." She said soaking in the bath "And I told you to call me by my name."
"Yes, I'm sorry, Margaret. He replied, still bowing
She got out of the bath and grabbed a towel, Q looked up and got a quick glance at the scar on her back.
"I told you it wasn't your fault. She said seeing Q's pained face "It was my choice to protect my student."
"But still..."
Margaret stopped him and give him a hug, trying to console his pain.
"You can come to me and talk about this at anytime but you came her for a different reason." she said patting his head "What does the king need from you?"
Q took a second to compose himself, trying to not show his master his bad side anymore.
"Spies stationed in Cambria gave us info that assassins have been dispatched to kill the king. He said in a calm voice "He tasked a few of us to investigate while protecting himself and his daughter."
"That's quite a task." she replied "Any leads?"
Q explained all the info he and Andrei got from the their informant about the refugees passing through Kiten and Abalu.
"I see and you want me and my girls to look out for anyone that seems suspicious?" she asked
"Yes."
"You do know that information like that requires a hefty fee even at a request for the king?" she said brushing her hair
Placing his large sack of gold he replied "I know, I will pay you now and anytime you bring me useful info."
Q knew that his master cared little for money, but to involve her girls was another story entirely.
"Thank you, Q" she said with a little smile
Q was satisfied with knowing that she had not changed even after retiring, she still hard a heart of gold even in the underground.
"I'll be going now." he said bowing "I have to check in with Andrei."
"Alright." she replied "Come talk to me more often, I love the company."
"Alright, Margaret, I'll be back soon." He said while leaving
She knew that Q was one of her best students but a war was unpredictable and could claim anyone at any time, knowing that all she could say was "Be careful" under her breath.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
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Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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