Onlan arrived the next morning accompanied by Irian, the Baranax who had offered me the shitty gloves.

He pulled the plaster of that wound as soon as they entered my room. "I hear you weren't impressed with the items we offered?"

"Well, that's because it wasn't anything like what we agreed," I said standing up to meet them eye to… shoulder. My main aim here, apart from finding my brother, is to become as powerful as I can possibly become. Which means getting a hold of the best gloves in existence. That list was an insult."

"No more ridiculous than demanding the best gloves in the cosmos," Irian said.

"Why?" I asked. "There's no level limit on what I can use, and I want the best gloves I can use, which, if you're following along, would be the best gloves in the existence."

The big-eyed fuck looked ready to pop. I held up a hand to stop him. "I didn't expect you lot to be supply gloves like that. But we agreed on top-quality gloves and that's what I want."

Onlan looked like he was chewing something, both literally and figuratively. "You're a fist fighter, primarily, so your obsession with gloves is not too unusual. But the revolts we'll be involved in will require weapons. You cannot fight an axe-man with fists alone."

"Who the hell are you to tell me what I can and can't do?"

He smiled with an expression of calm understanding that made me want to punch his head off. "If you insist, I suppose the assets we'll save on weapons can be redirected to gloves of substantial quality. You should look at the armor list still, Earl, because despite your refusal, there remains an expectation of you beyond Foundry and arena fights. Often times we are called on to protect our people and you will need some form of armor ready to throw on at a moment's notice."

I mulled it over and came to a decision. "Here's what I'll do. I'll take the shitty armor for emergencies. But, I've told you once and this is the last time I'll cover it for you. I'm not a Spear. I don't identify as a soldier, and I never will. I'm Earl and unless it's a nickname, affectionate or otherwise, I don't want to hear it. As for missions, I'll listen to what you have, as long as they suit my skill set. If it's an opportunity to get stronger, I'll consider it. And that's only if you get me the better gloves. Your man there's seen the stats of the ones I've already got."

Irian bristled, but Onlan rubbed his head. "I should just kill you Earl. None of my reports told me you would be this difficult."

"I fail to see how your shitty reports are my problem."

"Because he's going to kill you," Irian snapped.

I looked between the two and shrugged. Raising my fists. "I didn't make you any promises. I said I'd join you guys if it gave me a chance to fight in the arenas and you provided good gear. You were sold on my growing name and use of the Akra being a rallying call for the Siroth. Am I wrong on any of this? Did I ever say I'd be a soldier?" I scowled at them both, fully prepared to fight, but I kept on talking because quite frankly I saw a promising future here, I just had to make sure I wasn't herded into what they wanted. "You think I'm being unreasonable, but I've just said I'll do some missions if they're going to help me get stronger. I'm making fucking allowances here and you're threatening death." I held Onlan's gaze. "I'm not demanding anything outrages here. But I won't be bullied, harassed or." I turned to Irian. "Lowballed. Into something I don't want to do."

"It's fine," Onlan said. "We can arrange better gloves. It'll take a day or two to get them here, and they won't be the best. The Archons have most of the best magical items but we're working on it."

"Fine by me, as long as they're coming soon."

The Siroth Harbinger gave a tired smile. "Good. This sounds like we're progressing somewhat. Who'd have thought you'd be more reasonable once you were fed and your broken leg was healed?"

"You'd be surprised what a good meal, a good drink, and a good night's sleep in an outstanding bed can do for my disposition."

Even Irian cracked a smile at that as Onlan beckoned me from the room.

We headed straight back to the chamber I'd arrived in. It was clean of blood and weary fighters now, and the scent of disinfectant filled the air. I appreciated the cleanliness. It said a lot about a terrorist organization who took care of the little things.

The few people milling around, chatting to one another, all mages by their identifiers, stopped and stood to attention as they noticed Onlan. No fear, in them, just a friendly respect. I looked at the big saucer-eyed Harbinger and studied him for a moment. He carried himself with an assured confidence. Once upon a time, I'd wondered what it would be like to be respected without fear, or greed being involved. It had never really seemed possible. Human nature always drove us to one or the other, and so I honed the fear aspect. Maybe once I was Level 42, I could try something different. I doubted it, though. Onlan seemed to care about others, where I couldn't imagine a time where I'd give two shits.

"Portal to Elterio, please." Onlan announced. And the mages all hurried to do as he asked.

A mage rushed over, hands aglow, and the fancy pattern on the floor began to glow. Blue and green magic spread out across the carved symbols and runes until a portal sprang up. Once it was active, the glow on the floor disappeared. Which explained why I hadn't noticed it when I'd arrived.

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Irian went first, and Onlan pointed after him. "Follow through Earl, I will come last. I think you'll enjoy Elterio judging by how much beer you drank yesterday. Our safe house there is one of my favorite places in the Union."

Intrigued at the mention of beer I stepped through and into a cold, dark room. Low ceilings of gray stone loomed above us, and brown barrels lined the walls. Only a few dim crystals mounted on brass holders illuminated the room.

Onlan stepped through behind me and the portal swirled shut. I eyed the runes on the floor, and nodded, starting to form an understanding of the different ways portals worked. They seemed to be a major source of travel in this Union and I wanted to know everything about them. Onlan saw me thinking and patted my shoulder. "Don't worry about getting back. Were good. This is one of our anchor buildings and there are a number of mages around who can open it should I not be present."

"You can open it? You're not a Mage."

Inan shook his head. "He has a key you fool."

I noticed Onlan giving the other man a sharp look as I stowed that information for later. I wanted one of those keys. Assuming I could use one.

Nothing more was said and the two Baranax set off through the maze of barrels, until we reached a stone staircase that led up at least two flights of stairs. There was a dim hum that caught my attention, and it grew steadily in volume as we climbed higher until I recognized the sound as voices. Lots of voices, talking loudly.

We came out into a narrow hallway of a wooden building where the smell of stale beer had soaked into wooden floorboards hitting me with a sense of beautiful nostalgia. It was a smell I knew and loved. A smell I couldn't enjoy too often back home because it normally ended up with a night in a cell or worse.

We entered the bar area filled with burly bodies, scared faces and slurred conversation. I saw a number of Grunir, and a few unalaran, but most of the other races I didn't recognize.

Onlan headed over to the long wooden bar and rapped his knuckles on the polished wood.

A slender barman with dark blue skin and thin twitching whiskers in place of a mustache, sprang over. Onlan held up three fingers and then pointed at a pump.

I basked in the atmosphere and scanned the room looking for potential trouble until Onlan handed me a large tankard with a thick, frothy, off white, head. "Sennul! Best beer in Eltreio. It puts warmth in your bones."

I took a deep inhale of the malt scented brew and sighed. "I normally try to keep my drinking until the afternoon." Then I raised the glass in salute. "But, when in Rome!" They raised theirs, clearly familiar with the gesture, and as one we all took a drink.

It went down so smoothly that I drank a half tankard before lowering it and smiling. "Now that is fucking delicious."

"It truly is," Irian said nodding his own approval. Then he caught my eye, "I don't know what Rome is and I doubt it matters, but you should know, it's evening here."

"Ah, that makes sense. Different world, right?" I didn't wait for an answer. "I thought we were going to watch a fight, not stand in a pub drinking beers. Not that I'm complaining."

"We are," Onlan said. "There's a popular Foundry Pit not far from here, where a few big names are stabled. The free bouts don't start for another hour yet and it would be rude not to have a drink at this fine establishment. I make it my duty never to pass through without having at least one of their finest ales. He raised his tankard and jiggled it.

"That's a habit I can get behind." I said taking another slurp from my own.

Onlan slammed his tankard down on the bar and gestured for three more. I grinned. My kind of drinking partners when I could find them.

As he handed me the second, he nodded over to a table. "Let's have a slow one while we wait. I'm sure I heard you say something about a missing brother, and I'd like to hear all about it."

I shrugged as we took seats. "Can't see it doing any harm. He was taken by the Unalaran hunters before me. The military from my country came and asked me to help find him by coming through the portal."

"And you did? Did you not realize the danger?"

"Wasn't given much of a choice to be honest. Not that I don't want to find him. He's my brother after all, and that's what you do, isn't it?" I chuckled. "Though I very much doubt he'll be happy to see me here."

"You don't get on?"

"He doesn't get on with me. I've got no issues with him. That's just how life works out sometimes."

"I'll be honest Earl, the survival rate of slaves taken through the Dross portals is not high. Only the exceptional survive."

I nodded and supped in tandem. "Adam is as tough as they come. I guarantee he'll survive. It's the one thing we're both good at. He can fight like a demon as well. Probably give me a run for my money these days."

Onlan lowered his voice, his eyes flickering around the room briefly before speaking. "Do you think he'll lack Harmony like you?"

I thought about that for a moment, then shook my head. "Not a chance. I reckon I know why I'm missing Harmony and he's nothing like me in that regard."

"In what way?" Irian asked, none of the pomposity remained in the Baranax, and I found I could tolerate him a little better.

"He cares."

His face creased into a confused frown, "Everyone cares about something."

"Not me. But Adam, he cares about his friends, his family, he tried to care about me for long enough. He was the last one to give up on me, which took some effort, I can tell you."

"I on the other hand don't care about anything other than causing pain."

Irian laughed. "What a preposterous notion. You care about our cause a little, I'm sure. And food and beer. And weapons!" he added, laughing as the beer made its first appearance in his personality.

I gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder. "One day, Irian, probably soon, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about."

He chuckled again, but I saw Onlan eyeing me with a dark expression. He knew, or at least guessed and moved the subject on. "The dregs often end up in the Foundry. But if your brother is half as skilled and resilient as my reports say you are, then he may have ended up in the arenas, or possibly even in a House guard. The rich are always having to bolster their armies."

"Are there many wars?"

He shook his head. "No. At the moment, we are the Union's biggest problem, but these days it's rare for us to engage in pitched battles. They would argue it's to prepare for the Xeo returning. They are the reason the Union was created in the first place, and it's not a terrible idea to be prepared, but in truth, the Archon Houses are vain and prideful and their armies are just a way to look powerful against each other. Still, as part of our agreement, I'll make some inquiries. If he pops his head above ground, I'll find him and let you know. What is his full name?"

"Adam, Henshaw."

"Okay. I can't promise much as the Union is immense, but I'll do what I can."

"Thanks, Onlan. I appreciate it."

"It's nothing." He drained the last of his drink, cracked his neck and then smiled. "Shall we head to the pit?"

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