Chapter 30: The compass.

With the fragile alliance formed, the group turned away from the ruins of the flat and began the long trek toward Greenwich Town, with Zyra safely right in the middle of her new, heavily armed shields. Ocean made sure that she shared a seat with him, on the back of his three headed half-life beast.

One of the men sprayed something in the air every after an hour. She had no idea what it was, but Zyra was certain it was the thing keeping other beasts from attacking them randomly.

It took the rest of the day to reach Greenwich. By the time their beasts finally stepped onto the paved edges of the town, night had fully descended, wrapping the world in darkness and Zyra could not have been more relieved.

Greenwich itself was anything but dark. It was a vibrant, bustling local town that practically roared with life after the sun went down. Bright signs in bright pinks and greens flickered overcrowded storefronts, casting a colorful glow on the streets. The air was thick with the rich, mouth-watering scent of roasted meat, cheap alcohol, and pungent spices from street vendors shouting their prices.

Soldiers, merchants, ordinary people and weary hunters crammed the walkways, their loud laughing and drunken arguments filling the night air. It was loud, chaotic, and bursting with raw energy.

The moment the group crossed the town gates, the tension among Ocean’s men evaporated. They dispersed into the crowd like water splashing on stones....some eager to return to their homes, while others practically ran toward the nearest brightly lit bars to drown their jungle stress in liquor.

Zyra gave a polite nod to the short leader. "Alright, Ocean. We’ll meet tomorrow morning on the path back to the Wild Lands."

She turned to leave, but before she could take a single step, Ocean’s hand shot out like a viper and grabbed her wrist. His grip was tight. "Not so fast, brat," he sneered, his face twisting. "I don’t trust you. What if you run away in the middle of the night and leave us empty-handed?"

Zyra stopped. She didn’t panic. Instead, she took a deep breath, puffed out her chest, and raised her voice to a dramatic, piercing shout that cut right through the street noise.

"What exactly do you plan to do then, huh?! Go to the toilet with me? Handcuff me to your dog?"

The crowd outside the grain shop behind them suddenly went quiet for a second, before exploding into roaring laughter. Passersby stopped to point and giggle. A few local drunkards who recognized Ocean and his frequent habits laughed the loudest.

"Hey, Ocean! Leave the poor girl alone!" a burly man shouted from a nearby tavern doorway. "We know you love the working girls, but she’s a little too young for you."

Ocean’s face instantly flushed a deep, embarrassed red. He let go of her wrist as if it had turned into white-hot iron. "Shut up! Don’t shout like a lunatic!" he hissed, looking around nervously. "Follow me. Quietly."

He marched down a narrow, dimly lit alleyway, and Zyra followed, keeping her distance. They stopped in front of a building draped in sheer red curtains and glowing lanterns. Inside, upbeat music was playing. It was a popular local brothel.

The moment they stepped through the doors, a heavily perfumed woman clad in elegant silks glided over. Her eyes sparkled when she saw the short mercenary.

She was Madame Cameron, the owner of the brothel who prided herself in having the most elite working girls. Not that anyone cared.

"Oh, Ocean! Back so soon?" Madame Cameron purred, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness. But then her eyes drifted down to Zyra, and her gaze sharpened with professional appreciation. "Oh, my. Who is this little flower? Her face is caked in dirt but look at those beautiful eyes. I could get ten thousand mid grade stones for her first night. Are you bringing her to work for me? You owe me....a lot. "

Zyra snorted.

Ocean scoffed, waving his hand dismissively. "No, Madame Cammy. She’s not for your customers. Watch her closely for me. Lock her up, and make sure she doesn’t leave this building until I come back for her tomorrow. If she disappears, we will have problems."

Zyra crossed her arms and sneered at him. "I am not your prisoner, Ocean. I have some things to pick up, remember? It is best to do so now so that we can set off early in the morning."

With a grunt, Ocean nodded. "Right. Let’s go."

She hopped onto the back of the dog, and it raced off to the branch of the Pheasants Transportation Guild. On arrival, Ocean pushed the door open for her. But she stopped him, "This is as far as you go. I am not letting you see what else I have in my private box."

He seemed reluctant.

Zyra sighed. "I am coming back. We both know some people are still looking for me. Do you think I would hang around here?"

He leaned forward and said in a low voice, "Five minutes, or I come inside and scream."

She rolled her eyes and entered the reception area which smelled like oil and parchment paper. This guild was one of the lifelines of the town. So, it was very busy. They had caravans, beasts, a car and drones that moved goods through the city.

Inside, it seemed like the work day was just beginning. Clerks shuffled papers, clients barked orders, runners darted between rooms.

Zyra gave the wooden plaque which she had been given when she sent in her supplies. It could record thumbprints instead of identities, for those who required privacy. After confirmation, she was allowed to the storage areas in the back.

She found the one with her property, and sent most of it to the space. When she exited, out the back entrance, her arms were empty.

Ocean was such a crafty man. He had long abandoned the entrance for the exit. Zyra was not even surprised when she saw him waiting for her.

"Where is it?" he asked, suspicion dripping in his voice. "You went in for a pickup. Why are you empty handed?"

Zyra smirked, brushing dust from her jacket. "Precious things should not be carried carelessly. It’s in my pocket."

"So where is it?" He pushed.

She reached into her pocket, and pulled out a device. At first glance, it looked like an old compass, its casing scratched and worn. But when she lifted the top, it lit up with faint blue lines, showing holographic ruins. The needle didn’t just point north, it shifted, pulsing toward hidden coordinates. "This is it."

Ocean’s eyes widened with greed. His fingers danced with the need to grab it. As long as he had it, what need would he have of the girl? He would not find one dungeon, he would find thousands.

She could see the greed he could not hide and knew her decision had been the right one. This was a toy her mother had given her as a child, but only her brother knew this. With this toy, she could play Ocean like a fiddle. When his greed was at a maximum, maybe he would even steal the compass.

But he would not do so immediately. A man like him would wait until he confirmed that it worked, and they found the first dungeon. Only after that, would he steal the compass.

A stranger stopped to take a look, and Ocean threw her punch. He glared at her as the stranger run off. "Are you trying to announce to the world about what you have? Put it away, let’s go or give it to me for safe keeping, I will return it tomorrow."

Zyra almost laughed. "You couldn’t trust me to come here on my own. What makes you think I can trust you with something many would kill for? I am the only one who knows how to use it, so don’t think of stealing it and ditching me tonight."

He clenched his jaw. "I am no thief."

"Considering how we met, I have doubts." She replied. "Come on, I can’t be out like this for too long."

Soon, they returned to the brothel. Madame Cameron was outside, convincing a drunk gentleman to pay a visit to her facility.

"I am back Madam Cammy," Ocean shouted. "How about we make a deal that pays double what the drunk can make you?"

The madame abandoned the potential client. She latched onto Zyra quickly. "I will give you 500 low grade stones for her."

"Again, she is not in the business, she is my sister Genina. Something happened at home with our grandparents. I have company tonight, so I can’t keep her. She will spend the night here. Whatever she needs, give her. Just make sure she doesn’t vanish."

Madame Cameron sighed, her warm demeanor instantly cooling into a business-like coldness. "50 low grade stones for the room."

Ocean nodded. "Deal."

Immediately, Madame Cameron led Zyra down a creaky, dark hallway and shoved open a door to a tiny, cramped room. It was bare and depressing: a single, stained mattress on the floor with absolutely no covers, and a lonely wooden chair in the corner.

"Stay here, I do not want Ocean’s beast going berserk in my fine establishment." She let out a long sigh and closed the door behind her, locking it with a key.