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“Mr. Leonardo,” said Graves upon seeing the man file into the room behind the Rainlords. The recognition in his voice was unmistakable, and the look in his eyes spoke of a certain fondness. “How unexpected. I was beginning to think you were never going to show yourself before me.”

All eyes turned to the Bull Leech, who took up a position at the other end of the circular table, not bothering to actually sit down in the chair that was there in front of him. The look on his face was as relaxed as ever.

The Rainlords all chose their seats, with Diego ending up next to his grandmother and Melchor Blackburn.

This chamber was another new one. It was a conference room in the Lucky Llama Hotel & Casino. By now, they’d conducted a few different meetings with Graves, and each time, it had been in a different location. The first one had been in a barn, right at the edge of the battlefield, while this place was in the heart of Ridgemark. Diego recalled one the Triplets mentioning that this building was owned by the Black Artisan’s benefactor, much like the Ruby 88 was owned by the Linebreaker’s.

“Figured it woulda been rude if I didn’t drop by at least once,” said Leo. “Y’know, at first, I thought I might be able to sneak under your radar, but then I realized there was prolly no hope of that, eh? Got your eyes and ears everywhere, don’tcha?”

“Heh. How long has it been?” said Graves. “Forty years? You’re looking well. Better than I’d heard, actually.”

“Oh? Been listenin’ to rumors about me?”

“What, you don’t listen to any about me? I’d be hurt if you didn’t.”

“Far as I remember, there’ve never been that many goin’ ‘round about you, fella. Which is prolly how you like it, eh?”

“Not at all. Whenever I find out that people have been talking about me, it makes me feel important.”

Leo chortled. “That so? Then maybe I’ll make up a few spicy rumors about you and spread ‘em ‘round. How’s that sound?”

“As long as they’re flattering.”

“Ah. Spicy yet flattering. Tall order, that. Lemme think. Oh, maybe I could tell people about how you manhandled the Weasel and then kicked the Scourge’s teeth in.”

Graves paused. “I’m afraid you’d be a bit late to the party there. My own men have already been spreading that around like crazy, much as I wish they wouldn’t.”