9 The Canaries and the Hoarder

Lance throws a conspicuous glance at him, wary of peril that might happen. "Now, now, don't give me that look. It's not like that I'm gonna do something bad on you guys, hee-hee, not if you don't give me any reasons to do it. Now- now come in, no need to be shy.”

The Hoarder words frightened the mind of Gary, his inconceivable intentions had worried Ina too while their leader Lance, had not shown any kind of expression and just cautiously observed him.

"I know you were wondering why an important person like me would want something on you guys, but clearly, you're the one who wants something for me." He smirked as he pulled away from the red cape, throwing it to the red cushion, and also sat down on it. He taps his hand to the cushion, implying them to sit down.

"I have been in this kind of business for a few years and each guest and businessman that came here gets to know me first, so it wouldn't be surprising to lead you guys to meet me here. Tell me, what do you want?" He forthrightly questioned them.

"We came from a very far place and just got here now in a hurry," Lance said - his feet tapping on the ground create rhythmical sounds, crossing his arms, while the two beside him is silently listening to them.

"Far away eh? To where? Leaf region, Iziol? He asked.

"Not exactly. Somewhere part of the Coastal Region."

The Hoarder shows a surprised expression but hides it. "Costal you say? Now, this is interesting, I know someone who wasn’t able to get out in that savage region of tribes that is currently at war. Tell me, what brings you here?"

"The reason is quite complicated and, also, we can't reveal it to you. It’s a matter of privacy."

"Oh dear, you must know in business, one must trust their partner and open themselves, to create a strong bond, that's the reason how I build my empire. Well, if you're not willing to tell me then I can’t trust guys which means you won’t get what you came looking for, no?"

Lance fixated his eyes, thinking deeply what words he should choose. Ina and Gary could feel the tension grew. Beyond their anticipation, the Hoarder is not fully trusting them, he begins to be suspicious once he hears from one of his men about them, deciding to eliminate the threat, he must invite them into his territory and now, it seems that he hits the right nerve.

"Cat got your tongue. Tsk, okay kiddo, getting straight to the point, do you have any leverage to compliment my service?"

Lance is still in deep thoughts, thinking about what they could exchange. Gary saw the change of the Hoarder's contemplation, guessing that he must be pissed right now, for consecutive non-response from Lance; he decides to intercept knowing it could get dirtier.

"To be honest, we're broke."

"Oh, that's not nice to hear at all." The Hoarder surprisingly reacts.

"But we could offer to you our service," Lance replied with confidence.

He conspicuously looked at them, judging. "Kids, with white funny clothing, need to work interpersonal skills, I see no good in all of you."

Gary hushed, changing his voice, saying "Bombed the state of Taronda, bio-attack at the Iziol Region, causing the civil war of the tribes in Leafol. Would you still neglect our accomplishments?"

The Hoarder showed a mocking smile, wanting to be pleaded by their claims. "Well, there's only one way to find out." He snaps his finger, calling the thugs hiding in the shadowy corner.

Gary's expression stiffened and looked at Lance. Lance nodded, also throwing a glance at Ina.

Lance jumped out at the back as though the thug strengthened to attack him but Lance, whose movement is quick, was able to guard using his left arm, then throw an uppercut punch into his chin sending him away then came to the other grunt, both exchanged punches.

Gary and Ina, on the other hand, are facing four grunts. Gary delivers a right hook but misses as the grunt sway down his body countering it with a right hook. Gary regained his composure, spitting blood. The grunt tried to hold him, but Ina came crushing with a knee kick.

The grunts came closer to them, holding a baton. There were only four that were left with no assurance of how things shall pass. Both smirked, as they pulled a stick hiding it to their coat, Gary wiped blood dripping at his nose, then came rushing to the enemies as they parried strengthened with sheer force gripping the weapons.

Back to Lance, his nose bled, taking the plow of the enemy. The two of them are coughing hard, spitting the blood. He arranged the disarray glasses and delivered another punch to the enemy.

He grunts and his eyes are beginning to drift in a haze. Lance saw the opportunity, he tried to pull the enemy up and prepare a stance to throw him at the enemies at the back wherein Gary and Ina are facing, but disprove as the enemy recoup, holding his neck, then throws him to Gary. Gary got dumped, the two grunts in pain.

"Oh, crap." The two muttered.

"Get out on top of me, please." Gary huffed. Lance stands up turning his attention to the enemy.

"Screw it." Lance sheepishly said, holding his breath as his fist hardened.

Ina's got caught by the enemy, she struggled as the other hooligan came closer, pretending to be defeated, she kicked his balls and he knelt, screaming in pain. Gary who's beginning to recover uses the metallic stick to slam it to the face of the stiffened enemy and punch once again at the enemy on his left side. Ina uses the heels to stomp the feet and he lets go, crouching to her knees. She kicks the face of the enemy, knocking him out.

The enemy kicks Lance, but he catches it. Shoving it aside, he clenched his fist and threw it on his guts, the enemy coughing blood. With sheer force, he delivered again with a roundhouse kick.

The Hoarder who is standing aside claps as if he's praising them. "Well-well, I thought y'all just talk, but I see you could fight as well." Lance, throw a glance at him with a fiery look at the Hoarder as he slowly walks towards him. The Hoarder raised his brow as he stepped back, wary of the change in the attitude of the guests.

"I guess this is it. Tell me what you want and in exchange, you'll serve me."

"Yeah well, I changed my mind." Lance furiously pushed the Hoarder at the wall. "You're going to tell us what's happening in this city."

"Oh, come on. We both know what will happen if you're going to do something for me. Well, it’s not like mocking your abilities but you could rarely handle those goons. Imagine what would happen if all of my men gang the three of you?" He chuckles, mocking him.

"Don't underestimate us," Lance demanded, gripping hard his shoulder.

"Don't threaten me." The Hoarder shoves his hands as though he's not affected by the gripping, and then pushes him with his palm.

"Before I started this business, I was once known as a mercenary. Experienced man if you would say, but I'm currently not into it anymore, well not directly."

Lance was surprised, slowly making a gap between their distance. "Tell me, you're the agents of Canary, am I right?"

"How did you know?" Gary asked, bracing Ina's shoulder.

"I don't need to become a psychic to know what's inside your minds. Entering here with confidence and talking about being invited without knowing what inside tells a different tale, that's right, your expression when you first saw the auction."

"Well, congratulations, you're a seer. Why not kill us now?" Ina sheepishly said.

"Oh no, my dear. I'm not that idiot enough to waste such an opportunity. You want something on me, right? Let me guess, about the mysterious incidents happening for a couple of months?"

"Yes," Lance replied, softly huffed as he crossed his arms. "It's about the disappearance of the people here in this city."

"About that, I can only give you a clue."

"Why?"

"Because first, there is something that I want you to do."

"What is it?" Lance questioned. Ina turned her gaze to Lance, whispering.

"You think we can trust him?”

Ina mumbled, "We have no choice."

"Where were we again? All right, let's talk about your plea."

Gary gulped, folding his hands.

"There is this someone that I want you to take care of."

"Who is it?"

The Hoarder showed a cheerful smile, his lips widened. The joyous eyes can be seen, as he begins to narrate everything that he wants them to do. The three, with no choice, accept his offer, unknowing his true intentions.