NOVEL WEB Chapter 27: Morvaine
How exactly where we going to get skills? Apparently, in a new kingdom.
They paid for a carriage to head to their next stop, Morvaine.
Rowan was up front, taking the reins of the horse while the others got inside. The trip there in itself would take a few days.
Inside the cramped cabin, Jacob sat with his arms crossed, pressed uncomfortably against one side of the seat. Dylan sat opposite him, doing everything in his power to lean as far away as physically possible, his gaze locked on the scenery outside as if Jacob didn't exist. Marinette, Emma, and Elaina occupied the other side, the three of them seemingly at ease despite the tight quarters.
"So, what's in Morvaine?" Jacob broke the silence.
"Think of Versaliter but larger, richer, and it has our destination, the black market" Marinette explained.
"Black market? Isn't that illegal?" He raised an eyebrow.
"It's technically not. Nobles and rich people go there to buy weapons, skills, people, and other immoral garbage." She adds.
His body stiffened. "PEOPLE?!"
"...The world is fucked up Jacob. I don't know what else to tell you." She continues.
Emma chimed in, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. "The rich get richer. The poor stay poor. Same old story."
"And as the poor, I'm guessing we're not actually betting money." Jacob guesses.
Emma smirked. "Correct, we're stealing."
Jacob let his head fall back against the wooden wall of the cabin. "We've been stealing this whole time though. What's so different now?"
"This time the stakes are higher," Marinette said smoothly. "The black market's security is weaker this year. Perfect chance to pull something big."
"And how exactly do you know that?" Jacob squinted at her.
Marinette's lips curved into a knowing smile. "We've got friends in Morvaine. You'll meet them soon enough."
Emma suddenly pulled a sleek black card with golden edges from her pocket and twirled it between her fingers. "And don't worry about getting in. I've got us covered. VIP access."
"Storytime, now."
Emma's grin widened, pure mischief shining in her green eyes.
"I simply used my strength; seduction~ Rich, but lonely and desperate go hand in hand. Say a few words, some provocative touches, and boom! You have em' wrapped around your fingers. Perks of being a succubus, deceiving others is way easier." She casually explained.
"With this card," she continued, "we'll get into the auction, view the goods ahead of time, and have free hotel rooms. Makes tracking our targets way easier."
"The only smart thing she's ever done." Dylan suddenly pipes up before leaning back into his seat.
Emma shot him a look, her lips curling into a pout. "Ugh, I hate that I can't deny it."
"Dylan: 1, Emma: 0." Jacob whispers.
The sharp kick to his calf came fast, and Jacob yelped.
Emma stared him down with a slow, chilling smile. "Choose your side wisely."
Noted.
Marinette's lips twitched in faint amusement before she pulled out a book and started reading.
Jacob let the conversation fade as he leaned against the window, the soft clatter of the carriage wheels filling the silence. The scenery rolled by in a blur of greens and browns, but his mind wasn't on the trees.
A black market.
He wondered what the inside would look like. Would there be blood? Dead bodies just hanging around? Would there be illegal fight clubs for entertainment? Since he entered the gang, the most he done was petty thievery, but this was something way bigger and way more dangerous.
Jacob's eyes drifted to Elaina, who was now leaning her head against Marinette's shoulder, fast asleep. Seriously, what was this kid doing all night? This is why bedtimes are important. He shook his head with faint amusement.
Everyone was busy with their own thing and there really wasn't anything Jacob could be doing, so he just closed his eyes.
…
"Hm?" His eyes snapped open when Marinette shook him awake, her sharp red eyes sparkling under the moonlight. Being face to face with such a beauty was a really effective wakeup call.
"We're taking a break. Go eat with us." She said softly.
"Aye aye captain." Jacob yawned, stretching as he hopped out of the carriage. He saw the others huddled around a campfire, using logs as seats.
"Bro! Sit with me" Rowan patted the seat next to him and Jacob obliged.
He passed him a bowl of chicken stew. After sleeping for hours, Jacob was really hungry. He scooped up a bit with a spoon, but the taste made him regret it.
The chicken was bland and tough. Vegetables flavorless and too healthy tasting. The only thing saving the dryness was the way too watery stew.
But at least it was edible, so he quickly downed. Beggers can't be choosers.
"Next time, I'll do the cooking. No wonder you guys used to order takeout." Jacob grabbed a container of water and drank a bit before putting it back down. One bowl of stew didn't fully satisfy him, but he refused to eat anymore.
Of course, nobody disagreed. Jacob was a much better chef then all their skills combined.
"Jacob, I don't thank you enough for your hard work. Please take me out of green purgatory." Elaina faked a few tears out of her eyes. The look of admiration in her eyes caused a shiver to go down Jacob's spine.
"Don't look at me like that. Keep eating kiddo, vegetables are good for you." He was merciless.
"Nooo! I trusted you!" She glared at Jacob, tears still in her eyes, before eating the rest of her food. Tch, drama queen.
After eating, they finally got to business. The fire crackled softly as the group leaned in, the rough map of Morvaine's black market spread out between them. Jacob sat cross-legged, listening, while Marinette took the lead.
"Although we all know the market, Jacob doesn't. I'll keep it simple," she began.
"The black market's hidden in the basement of the biggest, fanciest hotel in Morvaine. The kind of place that charges you just to breathe their air. There won't be guards at the door, but inside? Whole different story. Luckily, our VIP status means less suspicion."
She continued, her voice steady. "We'll be taken to a private room. The place where nobles, merchants, and crime lords mingle. We'll split up there, make small talk, gather intel, charm who you can."
"Leave the charming to me~" Emma purred, twirling her hair.
"We'll have about thirty minutes to inspect the auction items," Rowan added. "After that, we're all escorted to the auditorium. That's where we keep track of who buys what."
"Usually, the goods are delivered directly to the buyer's hotel room. Thanks to our card, we'll also have free rooms nearby. Once the auction ends, we move fast, find our targets, steal what we need, and get the hell out."
Marinette's gaze swept across us. "Got it?"
"Got it." Jacob nodded.
No more petty thievery. This was the real deal now.
We climbed back into the carriage, the plan settled, the fire's warmth lingering on our clothes. The first night has ended.