Making Trouble

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CHAPTER 16

Immediately he left, he wasted no time in finding the shop of the bone man.

Of course, it wasn't easy and after searching for a little while and asking questions, he stood face-to-face with the shop and exhaled deeply.

In front of the grim-looking shop, a small wooden slate hung on the top part of the door with an inscription, 'The Bone Man's Shop' on it.

Having found what he wanted, Zale wasted no time and entered the shop.

Unlike the innkeeper's shop, this barely had any space to it as most of it was occupied with one sellable item or the other.

In front of him were a small counter and a frail-looking man standing behind it with both hands on the table in a lax manner.

With one look at the man putting in nothing but brown trousers and a black long-sleeved shirt, rolled up to his elbows with a faded cap on top of his head, Zale could understand the reason why he was giving such a name.

'The bone man. Quite astonishing if you ask me.' He clarified inwardly and closed the gap between them.

"Good evening," he greeted, looking away and clearing his throat with his right fist lifted close to his mouth.

As soon as he let his hand fall to his side, a heavy box was dropped on the counter, shocking the life out of Zale who had least expected him to do that the second he took his eyes off of him.

The bone man gave a toothed grin, showing his scattered set of teeth as he asked. "What merchandise do you want?"

"Huh, I came here in search of a rare item," he responded while letting his gaze scan the box quickly.

Just as he had thought, there was no pearl inside. Should the soul pearl have been there, he would have choked the living daylight out of him before taking what he wanted.

The Pearl of Azucean, famously known as the soul pearl amongst its people due to the essence on which it was formed.

"I was told you had a shining pearl here for sale," Zale said and returned his eyes back to him.

"Pearl?"

"Yes, a small shiny round ball," he emphasized further.

"Shiny."

"Yes. You know, bright and sparkling?" He asked as he demonstrated with his hands and arched at him, hoping his explanation would serve.

"I am no layman, just so you know," the bone man stated lazily. "I know what shiny and sparkling are," he added.

"Ah, my bad then. Forgive me. Please, do you, have it?"

For a minute the bone man squinted at him before giving him a firm reply. "No."

He did not hold back but quickly retracted the box he had placed on the table.

"W-wait… what?" Zale asked, his disbelief clearly written on his face. "What do you mean by no?"

"I mean, I have neither seen it."

"No. I got a reliable source that states otherwise," Zale informed, wanting to get the best of his information from Collin.

"What does this your source say?"

"That he knows you and wishes to buy the pearl from you. He described it all."

"I do not have the pearl that you seek."

"Okay, if you do not have the one that I seek, perhaps you have another and I will..."

"It's not here!" the bone man half yelled, slamming his palm on the counter to Zale's surprise.

Their actions and transactions so far were not ones that precedented such but here he was, faced with such hostility.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. It is gone. It has been taken away since," he replied, waving off the conversation.

Instantly, Zale's eyes gleamed at him. In fact, provoking the bone man seemed to have been more useful than he had thought.

"The only reason it was seen was that the owner showed me but I knew right off, I wouldn't have worthy buyers. So, it was taken."

"By who?"

As soon as he asked that, the man's gaze darkened further as he leaned in close.

"I am not under any obligation to tell you. Do not make any trouble and leave."

"But please. I need to know. I will pay for the service."

"I said," his voice trailed off as his eyes flared up. "Leave. This instant."

Sensing the murderous aura seeping into the air, Zale withdrew for a moment and nodded his head.

During the period he was there, he kept his head covered with a cap as well to hide his face, considering this was a very risky thing.

Not that he minded. He never trusted anyone in the human kingdom except for Pearl.

She alone was different.

The bone man snickered at him, forcing Zale to lift his hands in surrender and retreat.

Once he was sure he had gone, the bone man waited for a couple of minutes and suddenly called out.

"Cricket?"

A few seconds passed after that and soon a young boy, not looking more than fifteen years of age, came out of the back door on the left side of the shop.

With a calm expression but a deadly look in his eyes, the young boy answered, "Master, you called?"

"Yes." He picked up a piece of paper and ink and drew on it before handing it over to the boy. "Here."

Just before the boy could hold the paper, he withdrew his hand and glared at him. "What's with that look in your eyes, ey?"

"My name is Cairo."

"It is cricket to me. You look scrawny and weak."

'Says the actual tiny man.' Cairo noted inwardly.

"Here and no complains," the bone man instructed.

Taking the paper from him, Cairo gave a look at the drawing on the paper first and then lifted his eyes.

"Your message?"

"Take this to Chase. Tell him, I know who seeks out the pearl."

"Yes, master."

"Also," he called out before the boy could turn away. "The reward money. The plan worked out well, in reeling out what he seeks. I need to reward Sir Collin for his triumphant tale."

Without uttering a word, Cairo nodded at him and left.

Looking at either side of the road, Cairo pulled up his cloak to cover his head and dashed off towards the lane on the left.

No sooner had he left than a pair of eyes flew wide open in the dark as he watched from where he stood, hidden at the back of a broken store.

"Hmm, I knew you were not to be trusted, bone man. Nothing about your words sounded straight. Bloody little lying human."

He tsked and immediately followed after Cairo. "Let's see where you lead me, little one."