Canillia enters a warehouse in the underbelly of Yrkanis.
The place smells of dust and damp,
The meagre light from the oil lamps casts flickering shadows on the rough-hewn wooden walls.
In the center of the room, a worn and cluttered table is surrounded by a few mismatched chairs.
Sitting there, Lyssan's uncle, an imposing homin with graying temples, smokes a bone pipe, his piercing gaze scrutinizing Canillia as she approaches.
- Well, mates, who's this? Little Canillia, back in the neighborhood,
said the uncle in a husky voice, a smirk on his face.
- Sit there, girl.
Canillia settled down opposite him, instinctively adopting the language and accent of her childhood.
- Hi, Uncle.
It's been a while.
- Yeah, a long time.
You've come a long way from the back streets of Yrkanis.
Now you come to me. What do you want, girl?
Canillia rested her elbows on the table, crossing her fingers.
- I'm not going to make a big deal out of it.
I've heard you have a certain Ser Ciochini Cuisi who owes you a lot of money.
Uncle raised an eyebrow, puzzled.
- It can be done.
Why do you care?
- I want to buy back his debt.
Uncle burst into a low laugh, shaking his head.
- You want to buy back his debt?
Listen, girl, business is business.
You've never been a rapist, but you're not tricardy, and your arm isn't as long as it used to be.
So, what can you offer me in exchange?
Canillia held his gaze, impassive.
- I can give you something more precious than dough: a favor.
Uncle stared at her for a moment, then smiled slowly.
- A favor, huh?
You know, in our world, what a favor is worth.
But tell me, what do you want to do with this cave?
Canillia leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice.
- Let's just say I need him to do me a little favor.
Uncle nods slowly, taking a puff on his cigar.
- Okay, girl.
I'll assign this debt to you.
But remember, a favor for a favor.
One day, and that day may never come, I'll come and ask you to do something for me.
Until then, consider this debt as a gift for your success.
Canillia nodded, aware of the weight of this commitment.
- Got it, Uncle. I never forget anything.
Uncle smiled, satisfied.
- Good. Now go do what you have to do. Now go do what you have to do.
And remember, family is everything.
Canillia stood up, shaking hands briefly with her uncle before leaving the warehouse, determined to carry out her plan.
The place smells of dust and damp,
The meagre light from the oil lamps casts flickering shadows on the rough-hewn wooden walls.
In the center of the room, a worn and cluttered table is surrounded by a few mismatched chairs.
Sitting there, Lyssan's uncle, an imposing homin with graying temples, smokes a bone pipe, his piercing gaze scrutinizing Canillia as she approaches.
- Well, mates, who's this? Little Canillia, back in the neighborhood,
said the uncle in a husky voice, a smirk on his face.
- Sit there, girl.
Canillia settled down opposite him, instinctively adopting the language and accent of her childhood.
- Hi, Uncle.
It's been a while.
- Yeah, a long time.
You've come a long way from the back streets of Yrkanis.
Now you come to me. What do you want, girl?
Canillia rested her elbows on the table, crossing her fingers.
- I'm not going to make a big deal out of it.
I've heard you have a certain Ser Ciochini Cuisi who owes you a lot of money.
Uncle raised an eyebrow, puzzled.
- It can be done.
Why do you care?
- I want to buy back his debt.
Uncle burst into a low laugh, shaking his head.
- You want to buy back his debt?
Listen, girl, business is business.
You've never been a rapist, but you're not tricardy, and your arm isn't as long as it used to be.
So, what can you offer me in exchange?
Canillia held his gaze, impassive.
- I can give you something more precious than dough: a favor.
Uncle stared at her for a moment, then smiled slowly.
- A favor, huh?
You know, in our world, what a favor is worth.
But tell me, what do you want to do with this cave?
Canillia leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice.
- Let's just say I need him to do me a little favor.
Uncle nods slowly, taking a puff on his cigar.
- Okay, girl.
I'll assign this debt to you.
But remember, a favor for a favor.
One day, and that day may never come, I'll come and ask you to do something for me.
Until then, consider this debt as a gift for your success.
Canillia nodded, aware of the weight of this commitment.
- Got it, Uncle. I never forget anything.
Uncle smiled, satisfied.
- Good. Now go do what you have to do. Now go do what you have to do.
And remember, family is everything.
Canillia stood up, shaking hands briefly with her uncle before leaving the warehouse, determined to carry out her plan.