Chapter 28 Sergei's PoW

"Could you repeat that?" Sergei asked in disbelief. The times he had asked for a repeat were rare. Even recalling one was hard. It just proved how good his sons were at bringing him what he wanted.

It was just that it was hard to stomach what they had brought this time.

Just a few minutes ago he was enjoying his sleep. When he was suddenly woken up and called to the office. And now he was given the recount on the situation. Truthfully it was a disaster.

"Two dead, one critically injured and was brought to the hospital. That one still has not regained consciousness." Dirk did not seem to mind Sergei's exclamation.

"And Minstrel's?"

"They recalled a lot of shot callers. The city is almost empty of their men. It does not look good for us if they decide that we are a real threat."

"Do we know who was the real culprit?" This news was dire. They had their disagreements with the Minstrel family. Actually just calling them a few would be an understatement. But this could mean that these conflicts could gain a bloody tinge.

"We don't… Whoever it was had the physical strength even greater than we do. The Minstrel boys were trying to catch Benjamin Firksest. Son of Harold Firskest, he is one of the seats in the city hall. Currently, he pushing against local gambling law changes. Those changes were suggested by one of the guys that Minsterl's are financing by the way.” Dirk added and Sergei motioned him to continue.

“With the son, there was also his bodyguard. There are a few things we know about that guy. His name is Steven Bran, we have had our own run in's with the boy, he is a capable fighter. Also the same age as Benjamin, but…"

"What was the problem with this Steven boy?" Sergei asked for clarification.

"One of our boys was cheated out of his money by his father. A real scumbag that father of his, but the dude does know a couple of big shots and is good at running. We couldn't get to him, so…" Dirk shrugged.

"That is no reason to go for someone's family. Have the responsible one punished."

"Already done. But as I was saying, both of them could not have done what was done to those three. Both Benjamin and Steven are well known to run around the city. There are plenty of people who know them and we spoke with some of them… No, we suspect that Harold had something to do with this. If he is determined to push Minstrel's out of the city he probably got some people to watch his boy from the shadows."

"What does the police say?"

"No leads. We probably won't get anything out of them. They have started to ride our backs pretty hard. Some of our boys made a mess a few days ago and well… No one was actually arrested, but they have not missed our activities."

"Admirable… Well, can't say I ever expected anything out of them." Sergei remarked.

Trough Sergei's long life there had been rarely a case where the police had solved a problem. Police worked when you needed someone to upheld the law, but when the law was already broken there was no reason to rely on them.

Sergei knew that taking the problems in their own hands was the most effective solution.

It was very early and Sergei felt that his mental state was not at its best. He pinched glabella and tried to figure out a way for them to get out of this mess.

"Get someone to contact Harold. Tell him that I'll speak with him personally. Preferably today, if it can't be arranged then tomorrow. Give him a hint that we are interested to work with him and help with the Minstrel infestation."

"… So are we finally starting a war with them? I can't say I condone…"

"We are not, but we may not have a choice. The circumstances may not be our fault, but they will not see it that way. Our boys interfered with their operation and no matter how it went down the result is what it is. Or are you saying that we should apologize and work with them?"

"No, that was not my intention, but… They are armed and have no scruples in using their guns. Most of us don't have a family, but those that do…"

"We are not at that point just yet. But have everyone be warned. Check their preparations as well."

Truthfully Sergei did not want to have a conflict with Minstrel's. They were the dominant force in the city. Now that they had a competition, they could lash out at any moment.

Minstrel's wanted this neighbourhood. And they could not have it. Not only this was their home in the literal sense but also in the spiritual one.

Skirmishes between them had all gone their way. Sergei's sons were blessed. Even when Minstrel's used underhanded means, they could just brute force the problem away.

All of their operations had gone smoothly. That is, up to this night. They helped those who were working against Minstrel's and interrupted actions that the accursed family was carrying out.

Sergei had hopped that this fragile peace would last a little longer, but it was not meant to be. Deep in thoughts, he laid back in his chair. Dirk was still not leaving, it meant that there was more to talk about.

Sergei sighed and signalled for his son to speak up.

Dirk coughed dryly. "It's about getting new recruits…"

"I thought I already said that we can't support it yet." Sergei frowned. The energy from The Divine Star was not infinite.

While the core group had all been blessed if they brought in more people they would have to remain without the blessing.

"Yes, well… Some of our boys have been very eloquent in 'marketing' our… 'Organization'."

"They want to make this a church," Sergei concluded. "We are already resembling a cult too much… No, we are a cult already. I don't like it."

Dirk shook his head. "Your stance was clear to us, but so was the divine presence behind you. Your sons believe in it as they do in you. They believe this place is The Refuge. A place where they can be shielded from worlds adversity and find a respite… And your sons want their closest ones to receive this feeling of safety as well. Even if it is only by proxy."

"What is Saluman's stance in this?" Sergei understood their sentiment, but it did not mean that he had to like it.

"He agrees with the men. And so do I…"

"Hah, so I am alone in this. Dirk, I raised you, you know me. Do I look like I could lead countless people to the correct path? I am but a man. I may have been touched by the divine, but that is why I understand. The path we choose is, in the end, ours and we all make mistakes. This responsibility… I don't know if I can shoulder it…"

"It is because I was raised by you that I believe. I don't know the God that stands behind us, but I know you. You would not betray us and you would help us. That is your nature, Father."

Sergei shuddered. The name Father was used to address him more often by the day, but it hit him the most when it was Dirk and Saluman who did it. They were his most loyal sons. Had been for a long time now. Some had left him and some had been unfaithful, but never those two.

"I… I will think about it."

"That is all we ask, we don't want to force you, but…"

"You think that I can do more, huh?"

"I know it."

This blind belief was intimidating him. Sergei knew what blind belief could lead to. He had seen masses crash against logic and reason just because they believed that they were in the right.

There had been many times when he had witnessed people robing each other. Both valuables and lives. Their only reason was that they believed they were taking what was rightfully theirs.

Sergei did not want to become the source of that. The more people were under him, the more they would deviate from what he told. It was how the distance worked. The word could reach only that far before it faded in the tumult of life.

There was a chance. A chance that Sergei's voice would not drown in the worlds turbulent waves. A chance of his voice reaching everyone. Not a big chance, not even a small one, but a chance nonetheless.

Was it not true that the others had the right to hear him too? To receive his and the Divine Star's guidance.

Dirk slowly got up and left the room. Sergei did not stop him, the day was still early, but there was much to do. Much to think about.

A sigh escaped Sergei. It was time for an early morning workout. After it, his thoughts would flow much more freely.

The workout itself did not do much for him anymore. He barely got tired, but it was cathartic to just run. Even if it was only on a treadmill.

Of course, doing it under clear sky would have been even better, but it was hard to do in the city. Especially for someone like him and in various ways.

Not only Sergei was now a leader of a cult, but he also was one of the men who could influence the shadier part of the city. And then there was the speed that he could run in. They had to improve the treadmill in order for it to be able to carry the burden of his powerful steps and speed. If he were to hold back the action itself would lose all meaning.

It took a while until Sergei warmed up. Even with all the improvements, they had done the treadmill was still not enough for him to go all out. At least no one had interrupted him, but it was only a question of time before the new information and problems would start to trickle in. And those needed his decision.

Before long Sergei decided that it was time to do some work. But first, he needed to take a shower and find something to eat.

There was always a hope of someone getting up early and preparing a meal for everyone. Some of his boys had a knack of cooking a hearty and tasty meal.

It was when Sergei had finished his shower that he felt the change.

Sergey easily pinpointed the source of this feeling. It was the basement, but there was no need rush. No need for his assistance.

Slowly Sergei dressed and started to head for the password-protected door. After opening the door he heard them. He could barely make them out, but the voices were there.

It did not surprise Sergei. He had been informed that this would happen back when he had made the call. After all, this meeting between the Divine Star and whoever those people were was arranged.

Maybe if he had made a better request it would not have turned this way, but he had not and it had. Truthfully he hated the fact that unknown people had intruded upon his sanctuary.

Frozen in the middle of stairway Sergei heard the muffled voices even clearer now. He did not dare move further down the stairs.

There definitely was a man and women down there. Maybe even several. He could not tell what was spoken, but the exchange seemed to be heated.

Sergei slowly pushed his agitation down. There was no point in getting angry. While the situation was far from pleasant it was still within the scope of his Gods will. Carefully, as to not make any noise he sat down on a step.

Despite his fears, the wait was not long. Soon the voices vanished and he was free to head down.

Upon entering the room Sergei did not discover anything that would indicate that there had been someone who did not belong here. The Divine Star shone just as brightly as it had yesterday.

Sergei piously closed on the Divine Star until he stepped on the praying mat and fell on his knees. He prayed for what little information he was allowed to know. He wanted to know what had changed.

Soon he was enlightened. Whoever had come was a step in the direction of awakening his God. Now that the step was taken he could receive even more power. Even more, followers could join their ranks.

The conversation with Dirk resurfaced in Sergei's mind. An expansion of the cult. No, the church... He would have to figure out how to shackle those who came to him. He needed them to stay silent about what they would see. And if he did… The Minstrel's would not be their opponents, Not in this city.

There was more that was told to him, but while he paid attention his mind always returned to the growth of his church.

That, however, was until another thing was revealed to him. Sergei almost raised his head in bewilderment. His pulse fastened as more and more information flowed into him.

It would not be possible to reveal this information to his followers, but even then... Even by just by him alone knowing it he could gain a lot.

When Sergei finally found himself in his office chair it still took a while until the daze he was in started to clear up.

"The danger is coming…" He spoke to the ceiling. "And so is our chance..."