Misfortune Market: A HASEA CHRONICLES STORY (BOOK 1.5) Read Online Free Page B

consequence, most will do it.”
    “We are but talking animals,” said the Mayor staring into the side of his whisky glass. 
    “Something I don’t understand,” I said after a beat of silence. “The market only comes around once a year and Inferus isn’t always the venue, so what has the Overseer got to do with the city the rest of the time?”
    Albert took another sip of his whisky and seemed to steel himself in preparation to answer. “About twelve years ago I made a deal with the devil. What you need to know about this city is that although the election process is… was democratic, Inferus has always been run on communist ideals – communal work in exchange for equal shelter, food and safety for all.  But the city was beginning to struggle, too many new arrivals and not enough resources to go around. Inferus was forced to acquiesce and allow the market to enter our doors - we made the majority of our much-needed profit during those times, but it still wasn’t enough.” He shrugged. “I guess the Overseer knew that. He arrived unexpected one day and offered to help, said he needed to expand his operations. I had no choice but to accept. We started illegal trading on a permanent basis – I wasn’t happy about it, but it brought in much needed wealth and for a while everything was good. But then one day a small army of his goons stormed Inferus by force. They took me by complete surprise and wrested control from me. I was locked in here – this room has since become my prison. I’m only allowed to visit specific parts of the city and never allowed to leave. The Overseer abandoned the democratic election vote and turned this place into a harsh dictatorship – with me as the face of it. The worst part is everyone thinks I did this. That bastard makes me do speeches – ones that speak of intolerance to disobedience and harsh punishments for any crimes. If I refuse I am beaten…badly.” The Shaman took a deep breath, his shoulders sagging downwards, as if the weight of the world had been shifted onto them. “He made me seize the citizen’s homes from them – he turned them into storehouses for his goods or accommodation for his followers. He forced everyone into the awful parts of the tunnels – made them live like dogs. They are miserable and desperate - if people try and leave, then he has them hunted down and killed. He doesn’t want the word spreading.”
    Gabriella gave a horrified expression. “Mayor Henwick, I am so sorry. If the Alliance had known…”
    The Mayor gave a weak smile. “I have no doubt that someone somewhere in the Alliance knows everything. Inferus has always been a glaring reminder to your organisation of what happens to those who slip through the cracks. We are a problem best left alone.” He lifted the bottle and topped up his whisky. “Of course that is until the problem can no longer be ignored…say one of your own being unwillingly brought here.”
    An awkward silence filled the room. The mayor chuckled to himself and then bought the glass back to his lips, his eyes closing as he drank.
      “So this Overseer, he actively runs the city now?” I asked.
    The mayor nodded. “He does. Although he’s rarely ever here these days. He leaves his right hand man Zaris to tend to things and ensure his operations keep moving smoothly.”
    “Operations?”
    Mayor Henwick gestured towards the door. “Pretty much everything that is happening out there right now. Drugs, contraband weapons, all of that illegal stuff. That has become the city’s defining economy. It’s only during the market that they get loud about it.”
    “So we won’t find him here today?” probed Gabriella.
    “Actually you will. He never misses a market.”
    Gabriella nodded. “Good to know.”
    The mayor looked suddenly hopeful. “Are you going to kill him?”
    There was a long pause. “I don’t know,” she replied. “Our orders are simply to extract the kidnapped Chosen. I’m not sure engaging