Waiting for an hour was not the most favored activities. The Wizard was very appreciative of getting a meeting with someone who could help. At least Malvieth was willing to speak with him and hear his plight. Even if it was not a Senator or higher official. If he had to speak to the Vestrisians he would either be forced to live in Borvados and wait out the war or talk to a political official who would blow him off. He would likely get an audience, but would be forced to contend with the Forsythan brothers, the Greymirs. Speaking with them would take forever and the war would be over by the time he saw his home again. Gredaro never saw eye to eye with their race over how to deal with certain ancient monsters that still lingered during this modernizing era. Sitting alone in the hall he left his "family" under the care of a Malviethene Elf sorceress who was less unbearable than Ubelle. Gredaro could handle Duchess Kali Perdi, but her voluptuousness was too much for him. All her motherly ways and treating everyone with love went overboard. He knew elves to be lean, fit, and healthy. Plenty were good parents and guardians. Never in his life did he meet one so arousing, round, and curvy like Perdi.
In his finest attire he sat in a comfy armchair in hallway laden with a green baseboard and white wall. This was unusual for an office of a Middle Man known as Connector Dippelboager. Most were white or wood brown. Looking down the hall he expected his fellow wizards and mages to show up. All eight of them responded while he resided in Ubelle's place agreeing to meet him on Malvieth. Each one knew other wizards, but hardly had enough guards between them to make an army. That was why they went to these neutral nations. Yes these nations were neutral, which allowed them to gain profits through trade, banking, law, diplomacy, coffee, fisheries, weaving and artisan work. Ivodra, Malvieth, Rovantia, and the other five members of the Tante Republic agreed to see them. It took months as it was already the year 1844 and the Gantronese were losing ground in the Unknown Lands.
"Mr. Dippelboager will see you now Mr. Gredaro." a voice from his left shot towards him.
Standing up Gredaro turned left. At the door of this Dippelboager's suite-office a black haired elf-hybrid with a hint of Borvadosi, and Vorcadam human leaned out with her hand on the door knob. Her hair was pulled up in an oriental knob fashion. In a tan dress suit with the long skirt the secretary looked ready to present a project to the office meeting. Her half frame glasses made her more like a teacher. She did not smile nor did she show any signs of disgust or distaste for anyone. Thin eyebrows and the pointy ears gave off a different emotion.
Gredaro felt out of date, an antique in his fine white shirt under a silver-gray waist coat. An ascot of blue, black shoes, beard braces, and his hair tied in a loose pony tail added more to his appearance. Glad that he left his robe and cape at the villa Perdi lent him, Gredaro entered a heated suite. Painted and modeled different from the rest of the building's interior this one appeared like a corridor within the wall. To the right lay a hallway leading to four other rooms. Two said restrooms, and the others appeared to be living quarters. Along the hall lay a green rug. The corridor itself was painted a more light brown much like a tan wood. This secretary led him to a fifth door on their left squeezed against the end of the hall. Opening the door she exposed the Connector's office. Decorated with various weapons, and shields on the walls this office also had a few cannons. Some were made into tall lamps. On the left side of the room was a line of shelves full of books. The carpet that took up most of the square foot came from the other side of the world. he spotted a few helmets that did not belong to any known civilization on Calorn. Dippelboager sat in a large brown chair at his desk. For a desk he had a tower shield supported by two mortars. Next to him rested a large globe of Calorn on his right.
Dippelboager himself looked out of place here. A long nose, slick back light blue hair, big goblin like ears, two scars on the side of his face. One earring on a single ear. His beige skin made him more human. Dippelboager's face looked small with a big mouth that still looked descent to look at. Gredaro could not tell what he was wearing because of all the odds and ends all over his desk.
"Mr. Dippelboager?" Gredaro spoke catching the man's attention. The male looked up from his current task of putting something together. He put that little project away.
"Ah Mr. Gredaro come on in, come in!" Dippelboager welcomed him inside. He got out of his chair to reveal he wore a dark red suit with a black spot on his ascot tie. On his feet were some aristocratic looking footwear. Dippelboager stood at four feet tall. He walked over to close the door to the office room and the suite.
"Please sit down Mr. Gredaro. I read about your problem in a letter by Perdi. One sorceress that would conquer this world if she were to expose herself inappropriately. That does hit me hard in the heart to know about homes being taken or people being run out of them. You are not alone I hear." Dippelboager led Gredaro to his desk that had three other seats facing his chair. The secretary walked around the desk to check some documents behind it. She then went to her corner of the suite sized office. Her own desk sat in the left corner next to the book shelves. She immediately sat down to adjust her typewriter.
"Tell me Mr. Gredaro where did you reside when the Gantronese invaded?" Dippelboager asked the Wizard who sat in the chair opposite him.
"Outside Oramatra in the boundaries of her outskirts." He replied feeling uncomfortable about telling anyone his real origins. Oramtra was more recent and sounded less complicated to explain.
"Back in 1841 of the modernizing era the Vestrisian Union launched their offensive, which was really an invasion of Gantronese held territory in the Unknown Lands. This current war did start with the attacks on illegal temples set up to abduct all females possessing many talents. Did you know that?" Dippelboager pointed out to the wizard who hardly got much news except what the Oramatrans, and his colleagues gave out.
"What did that have to do with the Nazdar and the Gantronese?" He asked, wondering why this war spread. It should have just involved the Vullanese and her allies vs this VUVR according to him. From what he heard about his Union the war would have ended in a few years.
"Alliances Mrs. Gredaro, alliances. All over this half of Calorn there are alliances in the form of three camps. All the free states and nations are either allied with the VUVR, the Nazdar, or the neutral states. I cannot give a full number, but you will find an easier time recruiting from neutral countries. Everyone is either neutral or involved in this conflict. All the nations involved have marshaled their citizens for war. It also involved pirates being hired as privateers." Dippelboager explained giving him an answer.
"Pirates? Pirates? Who in their blasted mind hired pirates to fight this war?" Gredaro blurted in disbelief molded with confusion. Pirates were not the most favored beings on the ocean.
"The VUVR of course. According to a colleague of mine in Zegrav no more than 70, 000 pirates have been hired to fight the Gantronese fleet. Those Vestrisian boys and girls gave them a good hammering in Dorntalla straight, Lybresan, Borvados sea, the Iperantosi Isles, and at Ruhonthra. Its all in the news papers. Yet the Gantronese fleet still poses a threat with a massive fleet. Thanks to the competitive land grab with Nazdar most ships or space ships were demolished, sunk, defeated, grounded, and no use in the air." He went on about the battles and skirmishes that leaked into the newspapers of Alagen, Ruhonthra, and Lybresan. Dippelboager also added a bit where the Gantronese were forced to craft floating vessels out of the damaged ships.
"So who can we recruit to seize back some lands, meaning my eight colleagues and I?" Gredaro asked him, hoping one of them would enter the hallway at any moment. With the carpet in the hallway it would be hard to hear footsteps coming.
"From Evusia." Dippelboager replied.
"The Evusians? That ancient empire still holding itself together. Are they even willing to fight this war or are they still fighting traitors, repelling insurgencies and putting down rebellions?" Gredaro doubted the Evusian Empire would be willing to lend a single soldier, especially after the Redrin Rebellion.
"Some fleets and a limited number of soldiers are allowed to, no, permitted to fight. Granted they station soldiers with the Vestrisians. Ever since the Meze conflict, and the Zegrav war Evusia is under a treaty it signed 20 years ago. However it can offer units as mercenaries or private security or marshal small units of battalions to fight. They are also allowed to send small fleets of ships to fight as well. That is they send it against a common enemy." Dippelboager pointed out.
"Do they have the means?" Gredaro asked uncertain the Evusians would be willing to break a treaty for a few wizards and mages seeking to restore property.
"Despite the continued use of melee weapons and such, Calorn's technology rapidly evolved. So expect an entire fleet or squadron of fighter pilots for hire." Dippelboager looked at him then at the an envelope stand on Gredaro's right.
"If we must travel let it be later. I do not believe the Vestrisians will destroy my home. Are the Evusians allowed to use their military at all?" Gredaro thought he go ahead and ask about this treaty's limits. He insisted on staying put as he was glad to receive a few months of idleness. Compared to most wizards he liked being in one place for a long time.
"Yes the Evusians are allowed when their home turf comes under attack. Your friends sound like they are too busy to meet us here. Do you supposed they are running late?" Dippelboager asked sounding unsure if Gredaro had anyone else coming. It made Gredaro wish he had them meet at Perdi's first.
"Our main goal was to stay hidden, work under incognito for some time while gaining support. I know the Vestrisians have pushed farther, but I fear they may wake something else." Gredaro fessed up. Dippelboager paused for a moment. Linking his hands together he tapped his index fingers repeatedly. He looked puzzled while trying to figure something out in his head. The Middle Man got up and went over to the window.
"Would you rather seek out mercenaries for yourself or could I give you some recommendations to consider?" Dippelboager offered him.
"Who would you suggest?" Gredaro asked curious about his recommendations.
"Are you representing Oramatra or yourself?" He asked looking over his shoulder.
"My own order of wizards not the Oramatran nobility." Gredaro responded.
"Come to the window Mr. Gredaro." Dippelboager said commanding him.
Gredaro hesitated for a moment then got up. He glanced at a telephone coated in bronze on the desk. As he made his way past the desk made from a shield and mortars he saw another desk attached to it. Going over to the Middle Man's left side Gredaro looked out the window with Dippelboager. His suite office overlooked a part of the city that lay next to the wharf and waterfront of Avirin City.
"Do you see that three story tavern in the street corner that leads into that wharf?" He asked Gredaro pointing at a Commercial port flanked by others. Gredaro scanned the coast spotting another settlement nearby with its own fishery, and trading port. His eyes found the tavern by the wharf.
"Yes I do see it. The green tavern next to the complex of apartments that have a guild house and a blacksmith near a tanners shop. It is near three columns of buildings along the ports." Gredaro answered being half honest. He glanced at all the other blocks of buildings between them and the sea. Columns, and rows of structures separated by streets, paths, and alleyways stretched across 17 miles along Malvieth Island's coast. Just 3.5 miles lay between them and the coast. Avirin City was at least 6-7 miles wide.
"On the same street?" Dippelboager asked him testing what he saw. The Connector knew this city better than he did.
"Yes." Gredaro replied spotting some buildings that looked very similar in some other columns of buildings along the wharf, main ports and the harbor. Looking at the man he received a nod. Feeling happy he got a question right Gredaro scanned the whole city before them. All the ports, shipyard, wharfs, waterside, and harbor could be seen with a thick wall of buildings blocking parts of each.
"Are you willing to walk with me after I make a few calls? By the shipyard is a Bawdyhouse and a mix of bars, inns, and brothels closely nit like a complex. There are other shops, and craftsman along with a market in that district of the city." Dippelboager asked him while giving more detail of the port city.
"Very well then. I do not have anything else to do than to pounce on my pupil's head." He replied making Dippelboager chuckle a little.
"Good, Mahlynn Patris honey could you call the other Wizards' Inns, and Hotels to check where they are?" Dippelboager asked the Secretary. She answered leaving the type writer alone. Her hand reached for her own rotary phone. She was ahead of him in terms of calling. Dippelboager did not wait for her to finish. He went ahead on dialing the numbers of the Tavern and the Bawdyhouse. Each call he made was not made for alcohol or for a companion. To one he asked for a mercenary group. The other he asked if the pirates were sober enough. Gredaro wanted to laugh, but couldn't. He refrained, because he recalled how violently dangerous pirates could be while drunk. When he hung up he went to a side door with a coat rack next to it. The door read living quarters meaning he lived in this suite at times.
All Dippelboager did was check to see if it was locked before leaving the office with Gredaro. He said his goodbye to his secretary saying he and Gredaro would be back sooner or later in the day. Upon leaving Dippelboager's Office Gredaro stepped to the side and red the name on the office door. JAKOB L. DIPPELBOAGER LICENSED MIDDLE MAN, AGENT, AND LOANSHARK. Dippelboager closed the door to his office.
"I hope she has that .46 Steel revolver, and LF 84 pistol." Dippelboager said to himself. He checked his suit jacket revealing a machine pistol nestled in its holster. Checking the other side he revealed a revolver next to a dagger.
"The Onyx revolver, better than the WR4 also Warmonger Revolver 4, and more powerful than the Raging Handgun MK III. As good as machine pistols have become over the years they still jam up. Yet this Evusian 7 round Snake Fang 8mm pistol proves more effective. I could spare one of them for you Mr. Gredaro." Dippelboager offered. The Wizard refused the offer politely. He had his reason, and preferred his wizardly arcane powers.
"As a wizard I am obliged to decline the invitation to using any weapons." Gredaro rejected the offer of a weapon to him.
"Suit yourself Wizard." Dippelboager fired back coolly.
Dippelboager led the Wizard out of the large building. It was once two buildings now connected as one. One used to be an Inn and the other was a former Pleasure Palace. Between a Conservatorium, and a Merchant Bank this renovated Commerce Center showed value. According to Dippelboager it held space for Accountants, Secretaries, Brokers, Analysts, Actuary, Traders, Merchants, Tax Advisors, General Contractors, and Lawyers. Taking a left out of the Center they passed the Merchant Bank that rested next to a City Watch that had a barracks behind it. A Stone Keep used as a jail house or temporary hold next to the Barracks. Next to the barracks stood a modern brick structure for trade assignments for the inmates or those who dropped out of academies. On their right he could see rows of three story apartments, Bimastiran hospital, Master Theologian Guild, Steam Powered Factory, Ceramics Factory, Boarding House, a Steam Powered Cloth Mill, and Armor Factory. Gredaro looked to his left to see a row of seven buildings showing the evolution of siege weapons.
A ballista range, catapult range, siege works, Gunsmith, cannon maker, and cannon foundry, and a Royal Arsenal. These were separated by a road cutting through the city. Behind them stood a mustering hall, Garrison Quarters, Drill Square Barracks, Army Barracks, and a Military Academy. This was just for the anti-air crews. Malvieth Island had 36 institutional training stations and garrisons all over the island. Each barracks, garrison, and castle used to house troops had underground levels. Dippelboager served Malvieth for two years until he got shot in the leg during the Evusian conflict.
Making their way across the street Gredaro noticed the various automobiles driving on two lane roads, and one way roads. Crowds of people walked on the sidewalks made from cobbled stone and bricks. Past the military anti-air training institute they came to the vicinity of a castle library sitting next to a fort-keep. Behind it stood a complex of homes. Past those stood a row of shops, and homes could be seen. Dippelboager led Gredaro through a few more blocks where they passed homes, modern business along with forty-eight others from an older era. By the time they reached a Bawdyhouse next to the complex closest to the shipyard and most people were heading home.
"This city alone can field 6,300 riflemen, infantry, 984 cavalry, 933 artillery crew with 186 artillery, 300 bowmen, 32 tanks with 160 crew, 425 knights, 688 militia, 214 Sergeants who act as a police force during peace times, and 41 expert gunslingers permitted to serve as they please. That makes 10,045 available defenders to call upon. This port city holds 405, 820 people. Four other settlements are connected by roads. Ah, here we are at the Queen's Perfect Escape." Dippelboager circulated in pride. His pride died when he looked at the Bawdy House.
Standing four stories high this Bawdyhouse used to be a noble's manor. Painted and coated in the colors of light purple, white and black roof it stuck out. For a moment he thought Dippelboager would walkaway. The Connector Middle Man rapped on the door of the large building. One of three doors to the Bawdyhouse opened. A woman pocked her head out of the door. Her hair held the color of night itself in a festive style that allowed two locks to hang down. She looked ready to go out for the night. Yet the day was still going and the sun still up.
"Afternoon gentlemen the house already has 158 customers, and dozen of our girls are available for your time." She projected to them in a tired non-enthusiastic tone.
"Well good afternoon Hot Cakes Ritta. My client and I are looking for eight mercenaries that are said to be here." Dippelboager fessed up revealing he had once frequented this establishment.
"Dippelboager." she hissed as she fumed at the very sight of him. "HOW DARE YOU, YOU GOT SOME GAUL SHOWING YOUR FACE HERE!"she snapped at him.
"Ritta, Ritta hold on I am only here for Terkag, Gorne, the Mikkan twins, Forrall sisters three. That is all and we will leave forever." Dippelboager warned showing comprehensiveness.
"Fine but just wait in the lobby behind me!" She swung open the door revealing her fancy outfit of blue, and silver. Another woman in a gold sparkly dress, stood nearby. Her light brown hair was styled in a night out style. Her light brown hair could be seen under a tiara cap she wore. Both hands rested on her hips balled up in fists.
"What's the matter Ritta?" she asked her confused and worried.
"Look whose here. I bet Bumble Bee Brielle is gonna shoot him after seeing him here." Ritta addressed to the other female. Whom, upon seeing Dippelboager made the most loathing, and disgusted face. A single hand slapped him across the face.
"For Brielle you slime from an Ogre's crack end!" the other woman insulted as she walked away.
"Can we just find those effing mercenaries and get out?" Gredaro mumbled to himself.
Rubbing his face the Connector took the Wizard over to a circle of sofas. They sat down as Ritta set off to find his contacts. Gredaro checked out the exotic furs, hearts dangling from chandeliers, lantern, lamps, and torch stands painted pink, purple. Portraits of women nude, and clothed posing exotically. Candles of red, purple, and pink lined parts of railings he spotted. In the Bawdy House lobby four hallways connected the lobby to the rest of the manor. Two sets of stairs leading up to the next levels flanked the main hall. Before he had time to ask Dippelboager explained his life story. He chased four women, dated one of them, flirted with one, married the third, and fucked the fourth. One left, the other divorced him, and the fourth one got pregnant with another male.
"Serves you right. How are women here treated?" He inquired from his Middle Man.
"These days um, well none are treated like punching bags, and their trade has gotten less sexual. It's mostly dancing, singing, massages, relaxing, stress relief, and music. There are other trades and some fraternizing sex." he explained to the Wizard.
"What about you Gredaro are there any women in your life?" Dippelboager asked still rubbing his check. He looked defeated and sad.
"Once there were three women whom I shared a life with. In each relationship we had a bond between us. We laughed, drank, slept, loved, and lived. We completed the other and performed experiments until the bond was severed by death. One by one they died at the hands of the Vearxall." Gredaro explained to him in a brief story for all three.
"I am 233 years old now." Gredaro revealed to Dippelboager.
"You don't even look a hundred!" he blurted out loud.
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