There were two reasons that Aurelius had projected the false impression of a young, powerless and vulnerable man.
First was the fact that finding an information broker willing to deal in information about pirates who actively wanted to cooperate with bounty hunters did not last long in the open.
Of course, that was not counting the existence of their literal necks that could be found occasionally, sea-burial style… As a reminder of the pirate powers to keep one’s mouths shut.
For Aurelius’s purposes, it was way too difficult to infiltrate deep into the black market to gain detailed information that he could then use to pursue the ends of some pirates.
While this more or less ‘grey market’ of someone like Old Coot wasn’t going to give Aurelius the most up to date information, or the best information, especially with Aurelius’s excuse being that he was going to venture into the ruins of the last eras, this was considerably better with regards to time.
And with a large price that he had affixed to the job, Aurelius was sure that the man would work fast and hard to collect the necessary information.
After all, if it became known that he had been unreliable in the transaction, and didn’t live up to the value of 5000 pounds, the man’s reputation as an information broker would probably take a hit, and business would slow.
However, Aurelius was still aware that 5000 pounds was an absurd sum for this task. And this led him to the second point.
He was setting up some bait!
Pirates were incredibly sensitive to new information on the market.
Only by keeping communication channels and informants on land were they able to find vulnerable prey to exploit in the backdrop of the Commission and the Knights.
Aurelius was looking for Old Coot or sailors at the bar to disseminate information about his ‘persona’, and his plans to travel the ruins in the hopes that he would, at the very least, attract an opportunistic pirate adjacent man who could guide him to the bigger fish!
And tomorrow, Aurelius would hire himself a small, innocent crew and scatter them as bait!
???
“What a fuck’n idiot.” The grizzled man scoffed, hidden by the shadows.
“You can’t say that about a valued customer, Mr. Quinn.” Another man retorted amusedly, barely hiding the chuckles under his breath.
“Is it bait?” Quinn asked, frowning doubtfully at the situation that the other man had explained to him.
“I can’t be sure, sir. You should maybe divine his origins before you go after him, though. I’m sure that the investment would pay itself off if you succeed.” The man replied casually.
Quinn was a crew member aboard the Dazzled Lady, a relatively small subsidiary of the Pirate Enterprise, Bloody Gold.
He was on land for a small excursion on behalf of the crew to acquire some supplies.
After all, it wasn’t everyday that they could go to shop conveniently at the Great Outlaw City of Griseo.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
However, he had just come across a rather interesting piece of news. A naive, young man would be passing by the coastal waters to loot some of its ruins.
He would undoubtedly be vulnerable, inexperienced and lacking resources.
This could absolutely turn out to be false if the crew that he hired was of good quality.
However, Quinn was no fool.
Who said pirates had to hunt only at sea?
???
The inn was one of the better inns along the streets along the port of the city, and cost around 50 pounds per night for a room, a premium of around 20 extra pounds compared to the ones that most sailors used.
Aurelius considered the cheaper inns, with his habits as a frugal man still a fundamental aspect of his lifestyle. However, Aurelius decided that if the pirates investigated at a surface level, and found that he had stayed at such shabby places, he might raise unneeded suspicion.
He had 12 days to complete his task, and he considered whatever money he spent now a sort of investment. A speculative, and ridiculous investment in the potential value of walking bounties!
However, as soon as he attempted to get a room, he encountered a rather… unique issue.
“I need to see your ID, young man.” The innkeeper said, raising her eyebrows at the customer in front of her.
ID? Do you want to get me killed, lady?! Aurelius cursed inwardly, shifting nervously on his feet as he considered taking out his bounty hunters’ license stuffed deeply into the soles of his shoes.
He once again cursed Mr. Tona for leaving him without ANYTHING other than his licence, and the clothes on his back, and vowed to himself that he would file a fierce complaint at the ethics committee one of these days.
After a short consideration of his circumstances, Aurelius, hiding a pained grimace behind a cheerful smile, forked over a an extra 100 pounds over to the lady at the counter, winking “charmingly” at her.
“You see, I don’t quite have my ID with me… I’ve come to the city and will only be staying briefly. I’m hoping that you’d be forgiving of such matters, especially given I’m only staying here today…” Aurelius rambled apologetically.
“Shameless. You can probably get away with just a 20 Pound bribe. You look pathetic enough.” Pultris critiqued, like the professional briber that he was.
The lady looked without amusement at the 100 pounds on the counter, and back at Aurelius, and back at the 100 pounds.
“Sir, this is a strict anti-piracy measure that is enforced by the Royal Knights. I’m not at liberty to be… persuaded otherwise.” She said, lifting her eyebrows in question.
“...” Aurelius stared, and took out another 50 pounds silently.
The lady at the counter rolled her eyes at this display of shamelessness, and sighed lightly.
“Sir, I am the owner of this inn. I have no need for… an extra 150 pounds.” She said, her professionalism getting increasingly clouded by irritation at dealing with such a pathetic display.
Aurelius’s face flushed at this, as he cursed inwardly.
He was almost certain that the inns down the street with rowdy sailors would already have folded at his bribe! Why did he insist on sticking to his stupid, dumb act!
“Ma’am I’m very tired… and it’s my first time in this city… could you… erm please cut me a little slack? I apologise deeply for the inconvenience…” Aurelius said with tears welling up in his eyes.
The tears were… half real.
With an exasperated breath, the innkeeper slammed the check-in book onto the desk.
“One night. If you overstay your welcome, I will be reporting you to the Knights immediately.” She said sternly, shaking her head and muttering wordlessly about the folly of youth.
“...” Pultris said nothing as he watched Aurelius sign his name into the inn’s book, which Aurelius found was more embarrassing than the djinn's usual annoying quips.
However, Aurelius immediately took back the regret when he entered his room.
“Well, well, well. I do not believe that you have fulfilled your part of the contract yet, Mr. Vennor.” Pultrus said gleefully.
…MY ARM CONTRACT! Aurelius immediately recalled in horror.
He was actually going to enjoy his time sleeping, but the opportunistic piece of shit named Pultris had just reminded him of the particularly grave situation!
He had promised to allow Pultris the use of his left arm as payment for cooperation! And the djinn was clearly taking advantage of his forgetfulness by only reminding him when he was about to sleep!
Aurelius was absolutely not comfortable with letting Pultris take control of his arm while he was asleep!
Who knew what this sly old djinn could do?
But… why was he telling him this now?
Pultris could simply activate the agreement during his sleep…
“I would normally have taken advantage of your idiocy, certainly. But it seems your absolutely incredible act has saved you from my plans…” Pultris continued regretfully.
…What?
“I… am getting the Commission-” Aurelius said, blinking in confusion at what Pultris had said.
However, Aurelius was cut off when he noticed something outside.
“...Well, you may do so if you can get away from this robbery.” Pultris declared with a slight hint of madness as he cackled in Aurelius's ears.
