Chapter 72. The Talk
They were back in Valiant's living room. The place looked different now—more alive. Extra lamps had been lit. Papers were spread across the table. A half-eaten celebration pastry sat abandoned on a plate. The room practically hummed with new energy.
"Not really," Adom replied, wincing slightly as the antiseptic stung. Surprisingly, it... didn't hurt as much as he thought it would. The cuts could have been much worse without [White Wyrm's Body]. They were already closing after less than an hour, and had valiant not insisted on the antiseptic, Adom wouldn't have done it.
"I've had worse."
"I know you have." Valiant's paws worked with surprising delicacy.
Zuni chirped from a nearby shelf, where he was methodically reorganizing Valiant's collection of small trinkets.
"Yeah, exactly what I was thinking," Valiant replied to the quillick. "This kid's really somehting."
"You understand him now?" Adom asked.
"No, but it feels rude not to respond." Valiant finished bandaging Adom's shoulder and stepped back to admire his work. "I can't believe we pulled it off. THREE major gangs in ONE night!" He spun in a circle, arms outstretched. "The Whisperers are back baby!"
"Don't strain yourself," Adom said dryly. "Your ego looks heavy."
"Oh, let me have this." Valiant hopped onto the table, dancing a little jig that sent papers flying. "Do you have ANY idea how long I've worked for this? My uncle spent YEARS building his network, and I lost it in weeks! And now—" He did a surprisingly athletic backflip. Huh. "—it's all back!"
"I'm happy for you." And Adom genuinely was. There was something infectious about the mouse beastkin's unbridled joy.
"We should celebrate!" Valiant declared, snatching up the half-eaten pastry. "I know a place that serves the best honey cakes in—"
"I need a favor."
Valiant froze mid-bite. "A favor? You just reclaimed my entire life's work, and you're asking for a favor like it's some big request?" He set down the pastry and planted his paws on his hips. "Name it. Anything. You want someone followed? Information on a noble? The crown jewels? I mean, that last one might be tricky, but—"
"I need information on the House of Merchants."
"Oh." Valiant's whiskers twitched. "That's... surprisingly reasonable."
Adom leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I'm establishing a guild. We have property, funding, but we need to secure a seat in the House of Merchants."
"Wait, YOU'RE starting a merchant guild?" Valiant blinked rapidly. "I thought it was just some research project for the Academy or something. You're literally thirteen."
"Almost fourteen," Adom corrected.
"And that makes it better how? Most kids your age are worrying about homework, not establishing merchant guilds and punching ogres."
"I'm not most kids."
"Clearly." Valiant rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "So a merchant guild, huh? What kind?"
"Magical artifacts, mainly. Monster parts, rare components. Possibly some alchemical supplies."
Valiant's eyes widened. "That's... high-end merchandise. Very profitable, but also very competitive."
"Which is why I need information on who we're up against." Adom glanced around the room. "Your network reaches the merchant districts, right?"
"Does a bear shit in the woods?" Valiant paused. "Actually, some bears probably don't. Zoo bears, for instance. Or bears in very urban—"
"Valiant."