Dark Desire

Chapter Seven

Months had passed and things were starting to fall into place. With no opposition Andrew couldn't be stopped. His plans were all going smoothly and X'heve's wish was starting to come to fruition. There was an upswing in census as groups of people started to move in. He had to help plan renovations and how the city was going to lay out, they needed organization and a plan on how everything was going to function. Some people were going to need to be relocated as they needed to set the business district up near the docks to make everything smoother and easier.

Several shops came to him upset with the changes, but he told them that they would be compensated. In order to make room for all the new businesses coming and they would need to relocate their own shops further away. They argued that it made things unfair as they were there first, but he honestly didn't care. It was what was best for the town and for them. He was protecting them. If they stayed near the docks, they would be more prone to thieves and dangers. There was no way to explain it to them, he didn't want them to know what was really going on in this town.

"Andrew," Jin rushed in the shop. "You are needed in the thieves guild."

Andrew sighed, the group of thieves was now large enough to be considered a thieves guild. He started following Jin and locked up the shop behind him. "What happened?"

"Gregory from the Jewelry business on the docks has confronted the thieves guild. Stating he is going to expose them for who they truly are and cause a ruckus on the docks." Jin said.

"How were they exposed? They know they need to stay hidden." Andrew said to him.

"Apparently they were caught stealing a crate from the jewelers. Someone had been suspecting the guild of stealing crates from the docks and they set up watchmen to find them out. Gregory is threating exposure and to bring down the whole dock operation unless you come forward and put a stop to it. He wants to you chase out the thieves." Jin stated.

"I can't chase out the thieves. It's because of them that the docks are as safe as they are." Andrew stated.

Jin nodded, "Gregory doesn't see it that way. He won't see it that way. Thieves are thieves in his mind."

Andrew understood, he used to think that was as well. However, he saw where the guild's money went. Most of that money went back into the town. Many of them supported the merchants. They were a steady source of income and protection.

Upon arriving there was a group of individuals gathering from the thieves guild and the jewelers business. A few other businesses were starting to approach sensing something was going on. It was quickly turning into an intense situation. The thieves had swords drawn and were ready for a fight. There were guards approaching drawing their swords as well. Jin walked quickly and Andrew joined him, and they immediately got between the two groups and looked at both of them.

"Stand down." Andrew said to them both.

"I will not tolerate sharing this dock with thieves. It is clear that this dock is not as safe as advertised. I think it's time to rethink our contract here." Gregory stated to Andrew. Gregory was a larger man about six feet or so, and a little bit on the rounder side. Red short hair, that was starting to bald on the top, with a short-kept beard and mustache to go with it. To be honest, he always did look like he was always up to something.

"Let's go inside and discuss things." Andrew said to him.

Tyrin from the thieves guild stood his ground, "We aren't going to stand by and watch as your company continues trading slaves." Tryin was about just slightly taller than Andrew was, and a bit skinner too. They were also around the same age. Tryin had short kept brown hair, and his features were that of a kind man. His face always clean shaven, and he kept his overall features trimmed and well maintained.