Gunner's Paradise

A Part to Play 1.3

"What did they want?" Rosendale asked as soon as Mathinda had sat down. The rest of the members waited in anticipation of a response.

Mathinda regarded each of them looking at what she was able to make out from their facial expression in the dark.

She took the picture out from her clothes and handed it to the nearest member."He spent a fair time posturing but nothing just a strange interest in a girl." 

They passed it around to each other looking at it using the little light in the room. Mathinda waited and watched their faces; No one had recalled seeing this girl.

Was that the truth? she wondered.

"Why would they want this girl?" Henry asked.

"They did not say," Mathinda replied.

Henry said, "I see, what do yo---."

"It seems strange to me," Miyuki said, " was there anything they wanted?"

"It would seem logical that they made a demand and offered an award as well, I assume?" Elizabeth asked.

"Now they make demands, Mathinda you allow them to push us too far." Mya's slammed her fist on the table. "All of these gangs, you play too many games when you know that we are the true power."

"My approach may not be the one you favour, for now, Mya but you have to look at the long game and not short term. Your way of deep bloodshed shall come, I promise you this." Mathinda turned her head towards Miyuki." Yes, they did say one more thing the girl for them if found we would be paid for a one hundred thousand dollars."

"One hundred thousand?" the words seemed to fall from Henry's mouth.

"Yes, but I believe the girl is worth far more."

Ranavalona responded, "millions perhaps for one little girl. Is she related to nobility, or one of the main houses outside of the city?

Henry asked, "Then how would she have gotten in here?"

Elizabeth replied, "How anyone would get in either smuggled in or found a way inside that's not guarded but it may be the former."

"Interesting, Karla said, " Your point sounds about right but if we  get her first who would we sell her too?"

Rosedale said, "If we wait around long enough and express interest. I figure someone would come for her eventually."

"Why would we want to do that?"

"It would lead to what you want Mya," Elizabeth replied.

"Yes, Mya," Rosedale said, " It would lead to war."

"Is that what you all really would want?" Gertrude responded, " It might be biting off more than we can take at the moment."

"It's inevitable that it will happen at some point," Darya said.

"What are you afraid of?" Mya said, " Afraid of the White Fist?"

"I would prefer that we be prepared and in a stronger position," Gertude said.

Henry replied, "I agree with her or would you prefer to be turned into paste-like the swine outside."

There was a back and forth between the group as Mathinda watched on. The council seemed to weigh the money, the girl, and the risk of visibility. It came to a stalemate and a pause was in the air again.

"If you find her, let me know as soon as possible," Mathinda said, "Whatever happens then we would work to suit. I won't make or give a committed decision now especially one that I can not foresee the future with. You are all dismissed to go back to your thoughts." Everyone left, leaving Mathinda alone in the room.

A follower entered. "My lady," he called, "Mark has returned."

Her face was hidden masked behind darkness as Mathinda replied, "I see, tell me when I was gone who left this room."

"Henry, Karla, Elizabeth, and Mizuki had left. They went in different directions."

"Did you see anything else from them? Any strange behaviour?"

"No, my lady."

"Okay, I see, you may leave."

 When the follower had left, Mathinda smiled to herself. Mark, she thought it would be good to have him again.

Mark did not take long to find his way to her side to give in his report.

"How are both Riyah and Malvern doing?" Mathinda asked as he came through the door bringing light into the room.

"They are fine, my lady," he responded, "and they both give their thanks for your last humble contribution towards them."

He had now reached her side as he created more light in the room from the unlit candles.

"It is nothing to help a member of the faith. Their gang, the Marshmellow Society, had always been a big donator of the School. Although it was not within their territory and providing us with all kinds of resources and in turn, the school had given them all the bits of relevant sources of information and some sacrifices is not a big deal," she responded.

Mark nodded with the light revealing his face. "Their numbers are thriving and soon they will be enough to make a takeover with no real opposition."

"Then things are running on course although I have some doubts with that one, she is much too young and that rapid rashness could end up in doing more harm than good. That is why I have to keep a constant watch over her to ensure she does not ruin the plan." She said as she flicked her hair. "She is not much of a leader as she is a follower just was lucky to be in a necessary position to the cause."

"Why don't you send one of the council members to stay there and act as an ambassador?" Mark asked.

"No, that would not work for many reasons, two of which are the fact that we cannot trust these members to be too far away from me, and having someone constantly on you would only make that girl react much faster than she needs to. It is best to keep it how it is for the moment, make her feel in charge, and check them once in a while," she responded.

"Kind of feel bad for that old fool, he can't see what's happening right under his nose and he can't see that his own children are the ones that will end up being his downfall in the end," Mark added.

"It is the best strife, murder," Mathinda said, "Love can really make someone blind."