Chapter 42

Two Sides of a Coin

Eren set his chopsticks down. "Haven't picked a job yet. We might not stay long—a month, maybe a few. Short gigs and day labor would suit us better."

Red Tea's brow ticked. "Oh? In a hurry to leave?"

Lila took it up, keeping an out.

"Yeah. Nothing's set. We might stick around a while too."

Whether they'd find the revolutionaries, and whether they'd stay after—none of that was settled.

Red Tea gave a low mm. "Fair. I've drifted myself. Hard to say what comes next."

Eren steered it back. "Before the Impact I did automated freight. Vehicle faults—I can handle some. Doesn't help much now. After, odd jobs: deliveries, escorts, finding people, fixing things. Whatever paid."

Red Tea nodded. "Skill like yours, stuck on odd jobs? Waste."

Eren shook his head. "I did company work before the Impact too. Odd jobs—you're freer."

Red Tea paused. "Company work isn't free, sure. Steady, though. Tradeoffs. A capable man not wanting a leash—that's normal."

Only then did he look at Lila.

Lila wiped her fingers. "Me—I used to hunt the hills with family. These past years I've taken escort work too."

She couldn't tell the truth. A cover story would have to do—and it wasn't wild. Hunting around the old mine had been common enough.

Red Tea glanced at her. His eyes caught on the hand holding her chopsticks, her shoulders, the short crossbow at her hip—then he smiled.

"Figured you for military."

Lila laughed too. "Please. Do I look like a soldier?"

He'd heard them out and didn't rush advice. He poured another half cup of tea, waved the waiter over for a fresh pot of hot water. Steam rose off the rim before he spoke.

"Town's got work enough. My take—factory, clerk jobs—you'd get by. Be a waste of you, though."

Eren looked up. "Oh?"

"Factory's hard labor. Skill pays better, but training costs—and if you're only here short, it isn't worth it. Clerks have it easier, only there's competition. Entry posts anyone can do don't pay much. Senior ones…" He trailed off. "Experience is everything."

He stopped there, giving them room to take it in.

"With your background and what you can do, fighting work suits you best. Some risk, sure—but the pay's better. Hiring looks at skill. Fewer games. That should settle Eren's worry too."

Lila's brow creased. "Fighting for a living? Mercenary work? Muscle?"

"Not that. A few regular posts worth a look." Red Tea counted on his fingers. "First—mine guards. That's us. Work's at the pits, warehouses, or with the ore carts. No long hauls. Day to day it's straight security: stop illegal digs, theft, handle the odd pit emergency. With your skill, it'd be easy."

"Second's armed escort. Pays more, but you're on the road—months a trip, maybe. With Nova along, that's awkward."

"Then there's merchant-guild guards, and the town watch. Hard to get into. Iron rice bowls. Short stay doesn't fit."

"Last is the stuff that doesn't see daylight—muscle, debt collection, like the girl said. I won't push that. Easy way to get burned."

Lila set her bowl down, half joking. "Sounds like your mine-guard crew's the pick, then?"

Red Tea laughed. "Don't make it sound like I'm selling myself. Straight up—I think the mine guards fit your situation best. And I like what you can do."

Lila leaned in a little. "What about pay?"

"Rough numbers, better than common labor by a stretch. After training, papers, gear rental, deposit—first few weeks won't look pretty. Once you're settled, it's a lot better."

Not pretty talk. Honest, though.

Eren and Lila traded a look. Lila spoke first. "Sounds all right."

Red Tea shifted. He looked at Lila. "Up at the mine it's mostly men, though. Rough crowd. You mind that?"

Eren caught what he meant under that—worry she'd find it awkward, and worry she'd bring trouble with her.

Lila didn't dig at it. She only met his eyes. "I'm not that particular."

Red Tea tapped the tabletop. "Good. Straight talk."

"If you two say yes, I can put in a word today. Fair warning—hiring isn't mine alone. Interview's mandatory. Tomorrow morning, mine-guard registration outside the west gate. Find whoever's on duty. Bring any papers you've got."

Eren nodded. "That works. Appreciate it, captain."

"Drop the captain. We're friends." Red Tea glanced at Nova again. "Oh—mine has bunks. Cheap. Conditions, though…" He trailed off. "If that won't do, rent in town. I can ask around."

Lila waved him off at once. "We've put you out enough. We'll find a place ourselves. Ask if we have to."

"Fine. Your call. Hardly trouble on my end."

Nova set his bowl down. "What about me? Can I come? I can watch stuff. Help out."

Red Tea looked at him and smiled. "Your age—skill or not—we can't take you."

"Town's got a school. Not as proper as the old ones, but if kids need somewhere daytime, most families send them. They learn something, and it's safe. Leave town later, you can pull them out—just no diploma."

Nova couldn't help looking downcast.

Eren patted his shoulder. "School's a good thing."

Lila added, "Tonight, tell us everything about the school—whatever they've got. You wanted to figure out Rusak, right? School's part of Rusak too."

Nova thought, head down, then nodded. "I'll try it first."

Red Tea looked pleased. "That's it. Tomorrow you handle the interview. I'll have the duty man point you to the school too. You can ask after you're done."

By the end of the meal, only a few steamed dates with cracked hard skins were left on the table. Nova peeled one; the sticky flesh inside still steamed.

When they left the eatery, the sun on the street was already sliding west.

Eren paused half a step ahead. "For the work—and for the meal. Thanks."

Lila caught up half a step. "Yeah. You paid, and we took your time. Once we're settled, we'll make it up."

Red Tea waved it off. "Don't be so polite. You get into the mine guards, I get two more people I can trust. Saves me grief. This is mutual." He smiled. "And all I've done is point you at a door. Nothing's set yet."

He tipped his chin toward the far end of the street. "Don't be late tomorrow morning. I've got warehouse business. I'll leave you here. Waiting on good news."

The three answered. Eren and Lila took Nova toward the inn and slipped into the street crowd.