by Brian Keller
Lord Talmet found his voice and he was soon bellowing at the only remaining guard, “Bring my family here! Immediately! And alert all the guards!” His hand was in a tight fist as he struck it repeatedly and ineffectually against the armrest of his chair. “Find this assassin and kill him! Double the shifts! Whatever it takes!”
Kinsman remained behind and watched the remaining guard rush from the room to carry out Lord Talmet’s orders and then voiced an observation, “Your lordship, I may still be a young man and lack the wisdom and experience of those older than me, but even in my short years I can’t help but notice certain constants…” Lord Talmet turned a withering eye on him. He was agitated and visibly irritated, and in a voice heavily weighted with disdain asked, “I have little time or patience for your prattling right now, but what is it that you have noticed?” Kinsman replied, “Any time I’ve heard someone utter the words ‘whatever it takes’, it’s always a person that doesn’t expect to be held accountable when that bill comes due.” Kinsman flowed to Lord Talmet’s side and watched as the man’s eyes grew wide. The nobleman didn’t even have time to stand as he felt the blade open his throat just below the voice box with a quick slash before it came to rest on his shoulder. There appeared to be a moment of dissociation before the realization struck that this was happening to him. Kinsman saw the recognition pass across Lord Talmet’s eyes and thought, “He’s just figured out that he’s about to die”. The Kinsman shifted to the side and slightly behind the man to avoid the arterial spray. As he moved, he rotated his wrist while keeping the point of his blade in contact with the man’s shoulder. The blade was now pointed straight down. Kinsman then slipped the knife down and behind the man’s collarbone as he thrust the blade into the lung space below, severing the subclavian artery along its path. He quickly withdrew the blade and nudged the dying man forward. By the time the body reached the floor the Kinsman had two copper coins in hand. As the pool of blood spread beyond the nobleman’s prone corpse, Kinsman tossed the coins onto the body. As he turned away he heard a light ‘thump’ and then a resonating ‘ting’. One of the two copper coins had bounced off the body, and had fallen onto the floor. It didn’t go far. In moments it was surrounded by the expanding puddle of blood.
With the entire household in an uproar, leaving the residence was as simple as walking out the front door. He’d already crossed the street and passed a few buildings before he heard the Talmet estate’s alarm bells ringing. He turned the corner at the end of the block and continued walking at a deliberate, but unhurried pace. He needed to return to the Guild. There were questions that needed answering, but he also needed a few minutes to think about how to go about getting answers.
*****
Prince Lancaster was doing a marvelous job of maintaining control of his tone, “So now, in addition to the apparent upswing in the trafficking of slaves, we now have this new drug to contend with as well. Do I have that right?” He didn’t wait for anyone to provide an answer, “This drug, “Apex” it’s called, correct?” This time he paused and looked from face to face around the table. He gaze rested when he reached Yoren, who replied, “Correct, my liege. And with regard to the slaves, we cannot identify anyone that is buying or using them. Slaves are coming in, of that there’s no doubt. But every time we identify a location where slaves are being held, someone raids the location. I’ve placed these locations under observation in order to learn where the slaves go after they reach the city. My observers are either disabled by unknown attackers or they are sent away by Army officers prior to your forces raiding the building. With regard to the drug, Apex, it seems that distribution is currently limited to the Waterfront and the South Warrens. For some unknown reason, the drug has not yet found a receptive market in Batter’s Field.”
Several occupants of the room shifted nervously in their chairs as the agitation in the Prince’s voice intensified. Everyone else in the room at that moment was happy that they weren’t the Spymaster. “Can you tell us how the drug is coming in, at least?” Yoren made what he hoped was a placating gesture, “My liege, we suspect that it must be coming in by ship, but in truth, it could be coming in any number of ways. One informant suggests that the drug is being dissolved in barrels of wine which, when distilled to make brandy, leaves the drug behind as sediment. Any residual remaining in the brandy might only intensify the drinking experience as well.” The Prince whirled on him, fixing him with a withering glare, “And is there any credibility to this rumor?” Yoren shrugged, then immediately regretted it. He could afford to be vague with his words, but the Prince abhorred seeing it in his body language. To him, it implied incompetence. Prince Lancaster took a deep breath and let it out slowly. This allowed some of the blood to leave his face. Yoren took this opportunity to speak, “Sire, we are pursuing this possibility, and several others, but I would most strongly caution against moving too swiftly to act on unfounded rumors.” The Prince’s complexion instantly grew dark again, “Do not concern yourself with how we act on your intelligence. In fact, lately we’ve received so little of it from you that I’ve found it necessary to develop other ways of learning what goes on in our city.” Yoren’s face froze in place. Jarell had recently been one of his chief sources of information, and he’d already sent someone to meet with him. That man had been given instructions that Jarell was to be left in a condition such that no further meetings would be necessary.
Yoren’s mind was racing. This new revelation was as unsettling as it was dangerous to him. He voiced his concerns carefully, “Sire, having two such organizations collecting information for you… we could easily begin working in competition. Too many informants asking questions about the same things could make those that feel threatened by the increased attention become more difficult to find.” The Prince was nodding in response to Yoren’s insights, “You are right, of course. We should only have one spymaster. But perhaps it is you that I can do without?” The Prince observed Yoren’s face go pale, “Yes, you hadn’t considered that as an alternative, had you?” Prince Lancaster smiled, “Relax, Yoren. We won’t be making such drastic adjustments to our Council roster in a casual manner. It should be enough for you to realize that we could.”
Chapter 23
As Cooper appeared to walk leisurely, covering the distance to one of the concealed entrances to the Guild, his mind was racing, “Someone informed Talmet’s guards that I was coming. The fact that I was already there and the warning actually cleared the room, leaving my target exposed certainly worked in my favor but it hardly takes away from the fact that someone not only leaked the information, someone actively provided it.” His mind continued to race, “All right… who knew about it?” Master Worthan, surely. Master Vorni, absolutely. The scribe that wrote the contract? Sure, but who was that? And how do I go about finding that out? Who else? Kolrem knew, but he wouldn’t say anything. Could Dillon or Sid have overheard in the library? Perhaps. Miss Eiler only knew he was playing the role of valet/attendant. Mister Ysel knew of his plans, and he’d drawn up the letter of reference. Penton, the client, would certainly know. Could he have changed his mind? He went over it time and again as he walked, but he just couldn’t think of anyone else that might know.
By the time he’d entered the Guild, he’d reached a decision. He’d jumped to far too many conclusions during the last couple years, and although most of them had been surprisingly accurate, his actions that followed had brought him nothing but reprimands and punishment. He needed to discuss this with someone that was experienced and clear-headed. He began walking to the Smithy.
Master Loril was forming a strap of red hot metal into something, and Dailen was changing out the water in the quenching barrel when Cooper entered the Smithy. Master Loril called out, “Dailen, ask our esteemed Mister Cooper how we might assist him today.” Dailen looked over at him and gave him a nod. Both his hands were occupied trying to control the movement of the barrel. Cooper walked up to stand near the forge, but not so close as to catch any of the sparks flyin
g off the metal as it was being beaten into shape. Once Dailen was satisfied with the placement of the barrel, he hurried over and shook Cooper’s hand, “Hey! I hear you’ve been busy. Kolrem stopped by to ask about getting some arrow points made, and he mentioned you had helped him on his assignment and were close to finishing your own.” Cooper nodded, “Just finished. That’s why I’m here. I need to speak with Master Loril when he can. I need advice.” Dailen’s eyebrows went high above his eyes, “Mysterious. Well, it might be a minute. If you’re only looking for a few words, I can take the workpiece when it’s time to return it to the coals…?” Cooper shook his head, “This might be a bit more involved than that. I can wait. Or, for that matter, I can help.” He walked over to the bench and took off his jacket, folded it and placed it on the bench. He then put on an apron that had been hanging from a hook on the wall. He pulled on a pair of thick gloves as he returned to the anvil, “How can I help, sir?” Master Loril took his eyes off his work long enough to glance at him, “Grab those tongs… and turn this …a quarter turn… after every fifth strike.” Cooper already had the tongs in hand and had grasped the far end of the metal before it was time to turn again.
Nearly fifteen minutes later, Master Loril stepped away and told him, “Quench!” Cooper held his breath and closed his eyes as he lowered the metal into the water. As he did, Master Loril was speaking, “Your assignment. How’d it go?” Cooper still had his eyes squeezed shut but he replied, “Successfully, sir. But something happened that’s very troubling. Before I go and do something foolish, or impulsive, I thought I should speak with you first.” He coughed to expel some of the steam he’d inhaled as Dailen stepped in and took hold of the tongs saying, “I got it. You go talk.” As he stepped away and looked toward Master Loril, the big man had an amused expression on his face, “Learned a lesson, have we?” Cooper wiped a hand across his face, smirking, “Probably not, sir. But in this case, I need your opinion. There’s definitely something wrong but I don’t know everyone that might be a suspect.” Master Loril’s expression turned serious, “Maybe you should just explain exactly what happened. Then we’ll figure out what to do next.”
Cooper relayed the fact that his target had received warning about an impending attack by an Assassin. Then he recounted his list of those who could’ve known about it, ending with, “Have I missed anyone?” Master Loril’s expression had intensified, “It depends.” Cooper raised his eyes to look straight at the older Master, leaving his question unspoken. Master Loril’s expression never changed but he continued, “It depends on how the contract came to us…” His voice trailed off but he picked back up again with some vigor, “As things stand right now, it’s Vorni who should have those answers. Hang that apron back up and get your jacket and we’ll go and see if he’s in his quarters. You need to report the completion of your assignment in any case.” As they left the Smithy, Cooper announced, “If it’s all the same to you, sir. I’d rather go back to the Scenarios classroom first and change into my own clothes.” The huge smith chuckled, “That’s probably for the best. It’ll give me a little more time to consider, before we both do something rash.” Once Cooper was wearing his outfit again, they resumed their earlier path. Cooper fell in step beside the larger man. He had to step quickly to keep up. As they walked, Master Loril had other questions, “Now that you’ve Manifested, how have you adjusted?” Cooper wondered if that was some kind of leading question, but he answered it straightforwardly, “It feels natural to me, sir, so I believe I may have adjusted better than most.” Master Loril chuckled, “I wouldn’t have imagined it any other way, lad.” Cooper left that statement hang without a reply. It almost begged for an explanation, but Cooper wasn’t about to get led down a path where his questions revealed more than the answers might.
When they arrived at Master Vorni’s door, Master Loril stepped away, “You go ahead and report. I’ll just stay back here until you’re finished telling him, then we’ll ask our questions.” Cooper knocked. When Master Vorni pulled his door open and he saw Cooper, a brief expression of surprise flashed across his face, he recovered quickly by asking, “So you’ve finished your assignment finally? I was beginning to wonder. Impressive enough, I suppose, for your first target. Lord Talmet has several capable guardsmen in his employ.” Cooper nodded, “That was my impression as well, sir. But thankfully, they never really played into the proceedings.” Master Vorni raised an eyebrow, “Never played into… perhaps you’d like to come in and enlighten me?” Master Vorni took a step back, as if to invite Cooper into his room. Master Loril spoke, “I believe Mister Cooper could explain whatever is needed from where he stands, Vorni.” Vorni reacted as if he’d been struck. He sputtered for a moment, “A-ah-eh, Master Loril! What brings you to my doorstep?” Master Loril’s response was brief, “Betrayal and curiosity.” Master Vorni stepped forward, out into the hallway, “What? Have we learned something new about Jarell?” Master Loril’s smile was thin, “Perhaps we have. Tell me all the possible ways that you can think of, how word of Cooper’s assignment might have reached Lord Talmet.”
Master Vorni looked dumbstruck, “How is that possible?” He looked from Cooper, to the hulking weaponsmaster behind him, then back down at Cooper. He demanded of Cooper, “What makes you believe that Lord Talmet knew about it?” Cooper shrugged and let a heavy dose of sarcasm slip into his tone, “Sir, the fact that one of the guards came rushing into the room where Lord Talmet and I were speaking, and announced they’d received word of an impending attempt on Lord Talmet’s life kind of gave it away. Other than that, nothing in particular.” Master Vorni sneered, “Still the insolent brat, aren’t you? We’ll discuss your punishment momentarily.” Master Loril stepped forward, “I think you’ll want to use all your creativity to convince me that it wasn’t you who provided that information.” Vorni looked astonished, “You think I passed information about a contract?! I am a Master in the Guild! And the supervisor of the Assassins! And he is a boy that has only been tested once! And you come to confront me on the word of this boy?!?”
Master Loril replied, “I am not acting on the suspicions of the boy.” He tossed a copper tube at Vorni’s feet, “I am acting on the task placed upon me by the Guildmaster”, he gestured at the tube, “and with his blessing, I charge you with treason. I denounce you. You are Jarell’s ally within the Guild. You’re punishment will be death, either now by my own hand or by an executioner of the Guildmaster’s choosing within the Council Chamber. Submit or fight.”
Master Vorni paced back and forth in a tight span, “You see the effect this boy has on the Guild? He’s only been here a few years, and now the Guild is being attacked on all sides. He has created problems at every turn. He turns Masters against one another. You are looking for an enemy to the Guild?” He pointed an accusing finger at Cooper, “He is our enemy!”
Master Loril stepped forward and to one side, shielding Cooper behind him, “I know exactly who this boy is. One of few that do, I’d wager. Should I assume you’ve made your decision then?” He drew two forearm-length daggers and let his arms hang to his sides.
Vorni sneered, “Whether I can defeat you or not, I’ll not die on my knees.” He drew his blades, twin short swords, and rushed at Master Loril. They met with a clatter and ringing of steel. Master Loril’s matching blades were long daggers with upswept crossguards, seemingly identical to the one he’d sold to Cooper “on account” when he’d first arrived. The same one he’d used to disarm Jarell during their fight. From the way Vorni engaged with Master Loril, it appeared he was only too aware of how those daggers were well suited to that purpose. Cooper watched in amazement as these two Masters clashed. Each man appeared to have assessed hundreds of options; attack, defense, and counter-attack. With each movement, some options diminished and others materialized. Cooper already had blades drawn. If Master Loril fell or faltered he had no illusions. He’d immediately be fighting for his life.
