Chapter 95: Any Boat in a Storm
The headcrab matron’s body stiffened as all the joy and excitement drained from her expression. Both from the human and the crab laying eggs in the corner of the room.
Her hand shifted slightly on the desk.
“Before you do anything rash,” Will said, raising his hand. “I’ve got my entire Party waiting outside the brothel for me to return unharmed and without a passenger. They have instructions to raise a shitstorm if anything other than that happens.”
“William Oh…” She said, seemingly tasting his name. “It seems like your legend wasn’t as overblown as I’d thought. What do you want?” she asked, seemingly relaxing.
“Both of you stand where I can see you,” Will said, motioning for the crab to join the human at the desk. Once they were both in front of him, Will spoke. “I want Two things. First, I want your support. I want privileged status in The Flotilla. I know you’re on the city council, so I want you to endorse me should the need arise. Take my side in legal disputes, funnel lucrative contracts towards those who align themselves with me. That sort of thing.”
“Easy enough,” She agreed readily. “You do understand that once I endorse you, it is in your best interest to ensure we aren’t discovered, lest my favor become a lead weight around your neck?”
“I understand,” Will said, nodding. “The second thing I want is for you to not target certain people.”
“Oh?”
“In the coming months and years, there will be a flow of people following me up to my Stronghold. Naturally they’ll stop in The Flotilla to wait out the acclimation period before their bus moves on. I want you to leave people allied with me alone.”