by Brian Keller
As Cooper retrieved his wheelbarrow he was thinking, “Well, how many Lord Galen’s can there be in Paleros?” He felt he should return the wheelbarrow on his way back to the Guildhouse, and the library. It was only a little out of his way.
Chapter 19
Cooper’s research revealed that there were, in fact, two Lord Galen’s in Paleros. Despite that fact, it seemed obvious which of them had the ongoing rivalry with Lord Talmet. The younger of the two ran the family shipping business, while the elder spent his waning years in either a tavern, a brothel, or in the University infirmary recovering from lengthy visits to one or both of the former. The Galen’s appeared to trace their lineage for many generations. They were what was commonly referred to as “old blood”, whereas the Talmet’s could only trace their nobility back a couple of generations. Of the two families, however, the Talmet’s seemed to be more diversified and wealthier, overall. Undoubtedly, these disparities were at the root of the rivalry.
Cooper continued to learn about Lord Galen, his family, and his business ventures. As he did so he began to form a new persona. Although many specifics were available in the documents he was reading, one of Lord Galen’s attendants would have some knowledge of his employer’s dealings, but only in a peripheral way, so he likely wouldn’t know specifics. He would be aware of the celebrated victories but might also know about the resounding failures. He would certainly know the names, ages, and habits of everyone in the household, including any pets (especially any pets, most likely). He would know of the regular comings and goings of the household, and which visitors visited with regularity and which were less common. Whose opinion did Lord Galen value? With whom did he attempt to curry favor? Were there any impending nuptials, even if still years away? Cooper became so engrossed with building this new persona that he failed to notice Kolrem’s entry into the library. Kolrem approached closer and cleared his throat, gaining Cooper’s attention.
Kolrem leaned in to look over his shoulder, “Lord Galen. Is he your target?” Cooper shook his head, “Nope. But without even meeting him, I think he’s going to help me reach my target. And he won’t even know it.” Cooper grinned as Kolrem pulled his eyebrows closer together. Kolrem replied, “Y’know, sometimes I don’t think that I understand you at all.” Cooper closed his eyes for a moment, committing his new persona to memory. His thoughts, motivations, and knowledge; then he opened his eyes and pushed his materials to one side. He motioned Kolrem towards a nearby chair, “I have some ideas for you. Some ways for you to complete your contract. Maybe you’ll like one of them enough to use it.” Cooper started out with the idea that he thought involved the least amount of risk. He told Kolrem, “Go and get a vial of Debilitas from Aden. It’s a poison that causes immediate paralysis. Before the Assistant Harbormaster makes his rounds, hide under the first pier, below one of the mooring points. Then just prepare a blade with the poison and wait. As the Assistant Harbormaster stops to check the moorings, as he likely does each morning, you could simply slip the blade upward between the boards and through the sole of one of his boots, paralyzing him. Then it would be easy enough to weigh him down with shackles and chains then roll him off the pier. He would silently drown before the poison wore off.” Cooper wiped his hands together as if to clear dust from his palms. Kolrem gave the idea some thought but his face had a slightly sour expression, “Thanks, but I don’t want my first assigned kill to be done by poisoning.” Cooper shrugged thinking, “A kill is a kill, regardless of method”, but what he said was, “Fair enough. You could also simply break in and wait for him in the Harbormaster’s office. But then you’re risking that he might not arrive alone.” Kolrem was nodding his agreement, “I had thought of that. Quick, but dirty. And you’re right, he might not be alone. Still barring any other revelations, that might be the plan I go with.” Cooper asked, “Did you follow him home?” Kolrem nodded, “Yup. He’s living in a boarding house. Three other people live in the same building and you could trip and fall through the walls. Killing him there would almost guarantee drawing a crowd.” Cooper reached back to scratch his neck, “What about on his way to work? Any spots along his route where he could be ambushed?” Kolrem shrugged, “A couple places maybe, but he might not always pass the same way.” Cooper took in a breath to speak but Kolrem cut him off, “I know that people are creatures of habit but still, we know where his office is. Why would I take up a hiding place where he might walk. Besides, in a spot like that, I might also be observed.”
Cooper had also considered a poisoned arrow, but he discarded that idea based on Kolrem’s earlier statement. He’d also considered suggesting the ol’ ‘mugging gone wrong’ idea, but Kolrem had expressed concern about being observed. Muggings meant coin was changing hands. Coin often drew the worst people from every dark corner within sight. If it was his own contract, he likely just conceal himself at the end of the first pier, or even simply approach the man, kill him, roll him off into the water and be done with it. Cooper said as much. Kolrem considered it, “But then the only way back out is all the way back down the dock, unless I plan to swim.” Cooper suggested, “Or have a dingy tied to the far end. Or board one of the boats and make your way to the Wharf City…?” Kolrem shook his head, “Maybe you’ve already forgotten, but our experiences out on the water… well, let’s just say that I don’t have many fond memories of traveling by sea.” Cooper chuckled as he remembered Kolrem hugging a bucket for a couple of days as they sailed back home from Kalistos City. Kolrem guessed why he was chuckling and his sour expression deepened, then he appeared to shake it off as he asked, “Would you be able to help me keep an eye on him again tonight?” Cooper gave him a wink, “Why? So you can discard any new ideas that I might suggest?” Kolrem let his head hang down as he shook it from side to side, “No. I just don’t want to be recognized, and there really isn’t a way to follow him everywhere he goes without being noticed. Besides, you have good ideas. If it weren’t for the fact that this is my first contract, I probably wouldn’t care how I did it. This guy helps bring slaves into the city. I want him to know that’s why Grief has come for him.” Cooper had to admit, that had a fine ring to it. He smiled, “Of course I’ll come along.” He then thought to himself, “I still want to see who this guy talks to. Maybe we can uncover more about the slavers.”
During dinner that night, Rukle was recounting part of his day, “I was sent out today to conduct my rounds, it being Collection Day, and one debtor gets belligerent, “I ain’t scared’a no boy”, he says. Then he draws this rusty, crap-iron blade.” Rukle paused to take a sip from his mug, whether to create suspense or simply because he was thirsty was debatable. Rukle swallowed and continued, “I didn’t like the idea of dulling my fine blade against his unworthy excuse for a weapon, so there was no parry/riposte. I just killed him. Then, as I was looting the body, y’know, in order to settle as much of the debt as possible, this other guys comes up to tell me that he witnessed the whole thing…. “How much is it worth to you that I keep quiet about what I seen?”, he says. Can you believe that?” Rukle returned to his meal, but Birt wanted to hear the rest of the tale, “And?”, he asked. Rukle set down his fork and gave Birt a blank stare, “Well I killed him, of course! Trying to blackmail a killer while standing right in front of him? Stupidest thing I’ve ever heard of! And even after that, between the two of ‘em combined, there still wasn’t enough to settle the first guys debt. But I reckon it was close enough.” Cooper returned his attention to his meal. He was pretty sure that wasn’t how debt collection was supposed to work.
After dinner, the young men returned to the Waterfront and leaned up against the front of a run-down bar. A few patrons inside were in disagreement as to the lyrics of a certain shanty, but it didn’t sound like there was any risk of it escalating beyond a series of good-natured insults between sailors and dock workers. The proprietor came outside to tell them, “If yer not drinkin’, shove-”, then he noticed their garb and bowed his head as he withdrew his comment, “S’cuse me,
young sirs. I didn’t know. Y’know I’m already paid up this week…?” Kolrem reached into his pouch, withdrew a silver coin and smiled, “That’s fine. We’re just here enjoying the view. We’ll each have a small beer.” He handed the coin to the man, who seemed visibly relieved as he hustled back inside. Once the barkeep had gone, Cooper looked at Kolrem, “Are we that obvious?” Kolrem glanced at the daggers secured just above Cooper’s buttocks and snorted, “I suppose we are, unless we’re dressed to look like something else… at least you didn’t bring your sword.” As he thought about it, he considered the value of expanding his wardrobe. He thought, “There isn’t much need in buying clothes until I need them, but still, I’ll need to pay more attention to how valets and attendants dress. I’m sure Mister Ysel and Miss Eiler would be more than happy to help with that.” Cooper made a mental note to go and pay them a visit tomorrow.
The barkeep returned swiftly and placed the mugs on the table, along with Kolrem’s change, “Anything else I can bring out to you, just holler.” His smile was awkward but seemingly genuine. He turned and quickly darted back into the bar.
The sun was setting and they had mostly emptied their mugs when Kolrem thrust his chin northward, “Bottoms up. Here he comes.” Cooper nodded, “You go. I’ll finish slowly and walk along the boardwalk in a few minutes.” Kolrem drained his glass in a couple of gulps, set his cup down noisily and stood to discreetly follow his target. A few minutes later, Cooper finished his beer and took both mugs back inside. The patrons went silent as he placed the mugs on the bar. He told the barkeep, “The beer was good… and cold. We thank you.” He gave the man a nod and turned to walk out. As he stepped away, he sang a few bars of the shanty that the men had been arguing about. This drew several hoots and shouts of approval from the patrons as he closed the doors behind him.
*****
Iona had walked the span between the University and the warehouse in the Waterfront a couple times every day since she’d felt the aura of her Gifted target and subsequently found the axe. She hadn’t felt it again, but it seemed like every time she’d detected some sense of him, or her, it had been in either the Trade Quarter of the northern coastal neighborhoods, so this was where she was concentrating her efforts. She chafed under the extremely close supervision of the professor and her ‘security detail’, but during her patrols at night she often felt relieved that they were there.
The imprint left on the axe had faded considerably, but if she focused on it she could still feel it. It was like trying to overhear a whisper from a distance. She could hear something being said, even if she couldn’t distinguish the words. She drew some strange glances; an obvious student from the University with an axe strapped to her belt. If she noticed, she didn’t appear to care. She was occupied with sifting through all the sensations that washed over her. She still hadn’t detected that signature again. She knew that she’d recognize it again once she felt it, but it was also reassuring to have the axe as something to place her hand on.
During the last couple of days, she’d returned to the warehouse twice, just to cast her net around the space but there was nothing new. She had looked around the space again a few days after her first visit. She noticed at that time the rings that had been bolted to the floor had been removed. During her first visit, her eyes had been drawn to them, even as she had the axe in hand reading the imprint. Rings bolted to the floor could’ve been used to secure animals she supposed, but the shackles and chains suggested it had been people that had been secured here. The recent marks on the rings also told her that they’d been used recently. Her visit earlier today revealed that the rings had been unbolted and removed entirely. In fact, if not for the pattern of holes remaining in the floor, she might not believe they had been there at all.
Even she had heard the rumors that slaves were being smuggled into the city, but those rumors were provided by her classmates and they had misled her before, usually for their own amusement. The evidence she had seen in the warehouse, however, left little doubt in her mind. What left her a little disquieted now was that though having slaves in Paleros was illegal, the guards and even her University counterparts appeared to have no interest in investigating the evidence or the claims. Following this line of thought led her to a couple of obvious conclusions. First of which was that apparently the Guild had no monopoly on unethical activity and second, the Gifted person she was pursuing had been here fighting against the slavers, not for them, and the slavers had lost.
She shook her head, trying to clear away all her extraneous thoughts. From time to time having a small group of mages so close to her made it difficult to sense anything beyond them. They would sometimes saturate the area around her if one or more of them felt threatened. During these occasions she felt particularly frustrated, because unless her Gifted target released a powerful burst of magic, powerful enough to pierce the veil they’d drawn around her, she wouldn’t be able to sense it.
*****
As with any place along the ocean shore, once the sun dropped below the horizon, dusk passed quickly into night. Cooper wondered if the water somehow absorbed and dampened the light. He remembered it took longer to become dark at locations further inland.
While Kolrem’s target walked along the second pier, a sailor disembarked his ship and briefly met with the man. They exchanged a few words and shook hands. The man continued on his way down the pier and the sailor returned to his ship. This, by itself, didn’t mean anything but hours later, after the Assistant Harbormaster finished his duties he returned to the ship, boarded and nearly a half hour later he left the vessel with a pouch he hadn’t had before. It appeared heavy. Cooper couldn’t help thinking, “Now would be the time to kill him. Just don’t let him fall into the water until after he’d been relieved of his recently-acquired pouch.” Still, it was Kolrem’s decision, not his.
As the man walked further down the dock, Cooper returned to the shoreline. He relayed his observations to Kolrem and told him, “I’m going to take a look around that boat. If the crew is paying him off, I’d like to know why.” Kolrem looked like he was going to object but Cooper cut him off, “If there are payoffs taking place here, chances are that the Guild isn’t getting our cut. And if there are, or were, slaves onboard, then we’ll be one step closer to uncovering anther part of the network.” Kolrem couldn’t disagree with that and nodded his agreement.
As Cooper approached the ship, his eyes scanned the rail. The side of the ship was too high to see onto the deck, but if anyone was standing near the rail he would see them. It was common for ships to maintain at least one lighted lantern after dark, usually positioned above the hatch that led below the deck. This was to prevent crew members that were drunk or just clumsy from injuring themselves while climbing up or down. This ship was blacked out but was positioned just like the other ships in port; stern in. As he walked he noted that the water was calm and the breeze was light. It was enough to make the Caldori flag flutter where it hung above the aft of the ship, but not enough to make it snap. He continued down the pier, along the length of the ship. It appeared that there might only be one man above deck. He was seated near the gangway and he appeared to be nodding, rather than patrolling around and across the vessel.
Cooper returned to the aft of the ship, hooked one leg over the mooring line and ascended the rope hand over hand. He paused at the rail and peered over the edge. The guard hadn’t changed his position and there was no one else visible. Cooper reached out for energy and found that the water below provided an ample source. As he eased himself over the rail and dropped to the deck, he merged with the shadows and paused to look around again.
