Chapter Three

 

The clan headquarters inside the Machi was a larger, multi-level building like the housing, with flat ceramic tile roofs and sliding paper doors. The central dining area was barely occupied, only a few tables with clan members. Kuma reached the back of the complex, where Carlos stood guard outside the chamber where his father was meeting with his Shadows.

"Where's Adrena?"

"Problems in Big Dave's Town."

A raised murmuring reached them through the walls. The interior was enchanted to keep their voices from penetrating, but sometimes the vibration could be heard.

The corners of Carlos' eyes creased. "Getting pretty heated in there." He gestured upward. "City okay?"

"Yeah," said Kuma vacantly.

"Been a while since you've been up top," said Carlos, nodding.

"A while. Forgotten how overwhelming it can be to be outside."

"You get used to it. Not completely, but it gets less terrifying over time."

"It bothered you?"

Carlos smirked. "It bothers everyone. Hard not to."

He rapped his knuckles on the wooden structure. The door slid opened slightly, revealing Instructor Kaz's chubby face.

"Where's Adrena?"

"Problems. Big Dave's Town."

The door opened wide enough for Kuma to enter. The conversation died as everyone's gaze fell upon him. His father and his Shadows were sitting around the ebony table with cups of tea. The room smelled like lavender.

Instructor Kaz jabbed a thumb in his direction. "Said there were problems in Big Dave's Town."

Niran frowned. "What happened?"

"Theft. Delilah was hit by one of the clans. They escaped into the western tunnels and disappeared in the Wastelands before anyone could catch them. Delilah was irate, complaining that her protection money wasn't getting her anything. Adrena and Xylos stayed behind to investigate and calm Delilah and the other business owners."

"I see," said Niran, his lips bunched. "Take a seat. We'll get to you in a moment after we finish our discussion."

Kuma found a chair against the back wall and placed his hands in his lap.

"The raid on Delilah's bar proves my point," said his uncle Brazio, gesturing towards Kuma. "We look weak and they're chipping away our edges. Soon they'll come for the meat. We need to strike first."

There was a head nod from Natsuo Torres, who was the business manager of the clan. He was the oldest member of Shadows, with deep valleys of wrinkles and round glasses that made him appear an inquisitive owl. He spent much of his time in the city, selling their illicitly acquired goods and making deals to keep the clan out of the eyes of the city police departments while keeping track of the finances. His silk suit would have fit in at the top corporations in the first ward.

The other two Shadows at the table, Instructor Kaz and Gabrielle Au, looked less swayed by the comment. The latter was the clan's resident mage, a woman of considerable power and beauty. Her blonde ponytail was pulled back tight enough to tug at her dark eyebrows. She was in charge of anything regarding the Halls or the use of magic within the clan. A bracelet around her wrist glittered with uncolored stones that increased the reach of her abilities.

"Strike who?" asked Niran as he stroked his stark-white goatee. "Hit the Drops and the Alliance finishes us. The same is true the opposite way and I'm not sure we can eliminate the Alliance with their new stones. Between the black diamonds and rumors of other powerful stones, their numbers, and their shadow backers, we might be outmatched."

"Might," said Brazio, pounding his fist on the table, rattling the teacups on their saucers. "We've no proof of these shadow backers. You have us jumping at shadows, but the longer we wait, the more powerful our foes become."

Natsuo adjusted his glasses by pushing on the bridge with a forefinger.

"Your brother has a point. The hit on the tunnels last week cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars and two soldados. They've never dared to attack our tunnels. If we don't hit back, then they'll continue to harvest our work."

News of the hit had Kuma sitting tall. He hadn't heard about it, which meant the leadership was keeping it quiet. The clan had built tunnels crisscrossing the Undercity and they used electric carts to move around illicit goods safely and quickly.

Niran quietly took a sip from his tea. "Who do you propose to hit?"

Natsuo adjusted the cuff of his sleeve. "I'm only telling you that our finances aren't looking good and these problems, the disruptions in Big Dave's Town and hits on our transport network, have created liabilities. Our city-generated income is down sixty-three percent this year. We're focusing far too much time on mining and not enough on income, unless we're planning on selling our excess stones."

"Excess stones?" asked Niran. "We've barely enough to cover our future waku. Our mines are the worst in the Undercity. The other clans have access to much richer sites, leaving us far behind. If we can't change this soon, we'll be overrun by their superior stones. Those black diamonds keep me up at night. We need our own source, which means we need to delve around the old Persphony mines. It's deep enough that we might find our own source of interesting stones."

Brazio drummed his fingers on the ebony table. "Or we can take the stones from our enemies. They might have better mines, but we have better warriors and the best and largest Academy. Let me hit one of the smaller clans. We'll get in and out before they know we're there."

"We've far too many problems already. Creating new ones will make our problems worse. If you hit the smaller clans, the rest of the Alliance will come down upon us," countered Niran.

"Not if there are no survivors. Like you said, we don't have enough waku or soldados for mining and protection and everything else. But we can get all three of those things with pinpoint raids. I'll choose targets we can overwhelm—the smaller clans. It'll get us stones, funds, and eliminate the need to mine, which will keep us protected. Like you said, we have too many problems. But let me take a select group north of the Terreno where the Antimagus make their home. They're rich in stones, but weak of heart. They scrap like children with no sense of discipline."

The nods from the other Shadows had Kuma wondering if his father's position was less tenable than he'd previously thought. Despite his initial disagreements, his uncle's plan made sense. They had too many problems and not enough manpower to address them. Hitting a smaller clan could ease the pressure.

Niran didn't answer at first. He checked with each of his Shadows before addressing the group. "We're not breaking the peace. While I agree that plan sounds logical, the risks are too great. If even one person gets away and we're identified as the perpetrators, the rest of the clans will turn on us and wipe us from the Undercity."

"It's not my fault you tied our hands with that agreement," said Brazio angrily with fists presented on the table.

Kuma didn't need his amber to sense the shock from the other Shadows. This open challenge was new. His father glanced in his direction, a barely perceptible hesitation in his gaze before he turned to his brother.

"The agreement was the only thing keeping us from a collapse. The problems we have now are only a third of what we were dealing with a year ago. We squandered far too many waku and soldados on pointless battles for pride. The other clans bring in new members from outside their ranks, swelling their numbers and making it harder to compete. While our system has benefited us for decades, the addition of the stones has raised the stakes. We must adapt and grow, or we'll become like the Vipers."

"I would put any one of our waku against three of the Alliance," said Brazio with a raised chin.

"I agree our warriors are the tops, but both you and Kuma were nearly bested."

Brazio scoffed. "Don't confuse duels and scraps, brother. I know it's been a long time since you've been in one, but they're not the same. There are no rules in a scrap. Surprise and superior tactics make a winning strategy."

Niran ran his palm across the smooth wood as he matched gazes with his brother, who eventually looked into his lap. The pulsing of Brazio's jaw was constant.

"What are your thoughts?" asked Niran to the rest of the Shadows.

Instructor Kaz cleared his throat. "I cannot speak to which strategy is better, but our Academy students are ready to scrap whether that's on patrol or if we fight a secret war."

"Gabrielle?"

The blonde mage had been fidgeting with her bracelet. "There are other options, Solrei. I have contacts within the Hall. A few mages on retainer would go a long way to bridging the gap in resources."

"We can't trust the mages. Look what nearly happened to the city because of their hubris, and once they were here they would see the value of what's happening in the Undercity. It would be a short-term fix, but cause more problems in the future."

"What about other resources?" asked Gabrielle, cagily referencing a previous private conversation.

"No. I appreciate your willingness to put yourself at risk, but that option is even less palatable."

Gabrielle inclined her head towards the table. "Understood."

"What about our competing ideas?"

She glanced between Niran and his brother. "They each have their merits. A strike on Antimagus could be very profitable and if undetected would shore up some of our gaps. On the other hand, I agree that if the attack failed, we'd be easily wiped out. It's a huge risk, but there's a bigger risk of doing nothing."

"I for one think your brother's plan should be strongly considered," said Natsuo.

"And why is that?"

"As the clan's accountant, of course, I think the quickest way to return our finances to the black would be in our best interest. But I'm also a proud member of this clan." He pulled back the sleeve of his jacket, revealing an ugly scar along his forearm. "I've been in my fair share of scraps in the past. I know the value of putting fear in your enemy. Razor clan has always stayed on top, not because of our tunnels, or because we keep tidy books, or the protection money from Big Dave's Town, but because our soldados, and now waku, are the best. When we showed up to a scrap, you could see them wanting to break and run even before the first blade clashed. That's part of our problem. They don’t fear us anymore. A well-executed raid would remind them of who we are."

"Thank you, Natsuo, for your honest opinion," said Niran. He waved towards Kuma. "I think it appropriate we receive news of our joint raid with Black Crows. Kuma, would you repeat the events of this evening? Leave nothing out."

Kuma stood and bowed deeply before placing his hands behind his back. He spent the next ten minutes giving a moment-by-moment explanation of the raid on the alchemical warehouse. The four Shadows and his father nodded along with his tale.

"What did you think of this Deacon?" asked his father.

"At first I thought him undisciplined. He brandished his weapon at women on the street to get their attention and was sloppy in appearance. But, when it came time for the raid on the warehouse, it was clear that he'd come prepared. He knew the best route for entry, brought appropriate countermeasures for their security, and we came away with the goods without a single casualty."

The gleam in his father's eyes would normally have made Kuma proud, but he was in the room not as his son, but as a member of the clan. Kuma knew his report would have weight with their decision, and by the flat looks of the others, they knew the implications.

"A good raid," said Brazio, leaning away in his chair. "But it doesn't mean we can trust the Black Crows. Gangs in the city have no honor. They'll stab us in the back the first chance they get."

Natsuo adjusted his round glasses. "I concur. They're criminals in the basest sense of the word. We'd be putting our reputation at risk if we brought them into the conflicts of the Undercity. They're a much larger gang. If they can learn our ways, we might doom ourselves."

"I agree," said Niran, causing apprehension in the others. "That's why I believe it's not in our interest to simply ally, but eventually combine our clans."

"They're not a clan, they're a gang. There's a difference," said Brazio, leaning forward with his fists on the table.

Niran held up a hand. "I'm not suggesting we make this move right away. It will take time, but I've discussed it with their leadership. By combining, we can improve both fields of battle. The Black Crows are one of the largest gangs in the city. They'll increase our reach, numbers, and connections in the light, and our transport tunnels, access to stones, and training Academy provide substantial value to them."

"This will change us irrevocably," said Brazio angrily.

"Would you prefer extinction?"

Brazio held out his open hand, slowly closing it to a fist. "Let me raid Antimagus. We don't need an honorless gang to succeed in the shadows. Bringing the Black Crows in will be the same as killing us."

The wrinkles around his father's mouth deepened as he matched his brother's anger.

"Had I been able to negotiate a deal with Drops we might have been able to navigate the way forward without so much risk, but my talks were sabotaged by the duel and now neither side can extend a hand without losing the support of their membership."

A cold hand squeezed around Kuma's heart at the thought of the duel. He shrunk in his seat, but no one looked at him. They were focused on the conflict between the brothers.

"I did not sabotage those talks. I have my disagreements with you, but I would never defy the clan's direction."

"I'm not suggesting you did, only stating the fact of the matter. Someone incited the young Drops warrior. Probably someone from the Alliance side. It does them no good for our two clans to cooperate. But now, Daraja won't return my inquiries."

"Will you not consider my plan?" asked Brazio with a knitted brow.

Niran leaned back and ran his hand along the edge of the ebony table. "I will. But until that day, we'll continue my plan with the Black Crows. We'll take it slow, confirm their intent, and in the meantime, use their numbers to bolster our defenses and increase our mining operations."

Kaz cleared his throat. "You mentioned our Academy training as a resource for the Black Crows. Am I to understand we'll be accepting their members?"

Niran offered a warm smile. "You're correct. Part of the agreement involves the transfer of stones and a select number joining the Academy. A small number so they can integrate. Think of it as a test. If we can help shape their gang members into the type of warriors we expect from our youth, then we might be able to continue integration. If not, then I'll end the arrangement and strongly consider the warleaders' plan."

"An excellent path forward, Solrei," said Gabrielle, inclining her head. The others murmured their agreement with less enthusiasm, not meeting Niran's watchful gaze.

The idea that they'd be accepting members of the Black Crows into the Academy left Kuma uneasy, but he didn't have a chance to ponder it further because his father announced the end of the meeting. As Kuma stood along with the others, Niran gestured to him. "Please stay a moment."

The others filed out of the room. When the sliding door was shut Kuma took a spot next to his father when offered.

"What do you think of my plan?"

"Sounds reasonable."

His father's lips flattened. "Don't placate me, Kuma. I'm asking you as a member of this clan, and possibly a future leader, not as my son. What do you think? And about your uncle's plan?"

"They both seem reasonable. I do like the idea of hitting Antimagus. We've been on our back foot for so long that it's frustrating. I hear that from the other Academy members, but so many things can go wrong. An attack like that seems impulsive, not strategic.

"On the other hand, the Black Crows plan seems safer on the surface. We don't have to make a decision all at once, but there comes a point that we have to cross a line. That's when the decision will most matter."

"If you were in my spot, what would you choose?"

"I would have to think upon it."

Niran cocked a grin. "I'm not asking you to think about it, I'm asking you to decide. As your Solrei, tell me now, what does your gut tell you?"

"The first plan, however risky, is something I can understand. Then again, the Alliance clans are bringing in outside resources. What we'd be doing wouldn't be much different. As you've said many times, the Undercity is changing because of the stones. We can either adapt or be swept away."

With an eyebrow raised, Niran said, "You still haven't answered me."

Kuma inclined his head solemnly. "My apologies. It's a hard decision."

The comment brought a hint of a grin to his father's lips.

"The thing that worries me about the Black Crows is their intent. Deacon, the guy that led the raid. He was extremely competent, but also sloppy, if that makes any sense. I don't know what to make of him, which worries me." Kuma shook his head. "It's not much to go on, but I don't trust him. Not with anything important, and if the rest of their gang is the same, then working with the Black Crows would only endanger us. If you're making me choose, I would pick the raid on Antimagus. It's risky but we can control the variables. Bringing the Black Crows behind our walls seems like the same hubris as the mages from the city when they wantonly summoned demons from the infernal realm, ignoring the dangers that those beings presented."

His father reached out and placed his hand on Kuma's shoulder. It wasn't the iron grip that he remembered, and the touch reminded Kuma of how much older his father was getting. While he was only in his early sixties, life in the Undercity, especially in his youth, had been hard.

"I share your concerns, which is why I wanted to have this conversation with you. There are few people in the clan I can truly trust anymore."

"You don't think your brother would...?"

"No," said Niran right away. "Get that thought out of your head. As disagreeable as he is, he would never break the rules of the clan. There may come a time when the clan votes him as their leader, but it won't be from bloodshed. That time may come sooner rather than later, if my plan doesn't work. And that's why I need you to keep an eye on things in the Academy. The Black Crows will be sending down a few of their members to join and hopefully attune to some stones. I want you to keep watch and report back to me how they're integrating."

"Why not Instructor Kaz?"

"Oh, he will report back regularly, but he won't see what you see, and despite his appearance of neutrality, I believe he's more inclined to my brother's plan. They're of a same age, and scrapped together, successfully I might add, and were of the first waku in Razor clan."

"Understood," said Kuma, inclining his head.

He'd forgotten that Brazio and Kaz were similar ages. His uncle appeared closer to his father's, even though he was fifteen years younger. The position of warleader had aged his uncle unlike Instructor Kazuki.

As Kuma stood, his father said, "Good job with the raid last night. The clan sees you."

"I wanted to prove my worth."

"I know, Little Bear. You have much to offer. It's why I'm trusting you with my request. It's also why I agreed for you to go on the raid."

"Why is that?"

"Because this Deacon will be one of the new members at the Academy."