by Adam Watson
“Where do I start?” asked Bosco, scratching his head.
“Take a deep breath, Mr Bosco,” said Aiden, with a surprisingly professional calmness. “We’re going to take this step by step until all your problems are solved. Now I’m used to working fast and efficiently. We’ll solve one problem at a time. Just start with the simplest problem first, and we’ll work our way up to the more difficult ones.” Aiden was shocked, that last bit of advice had come straight from his mother - he had never imagined that he would be using her advice to help someone with their ‘problems’.
“To tell you the truth Aiden, and I’m only telling you this because you come directly from Mortello … but we, and by that I mean ‘the Black Suns’ are losing control of the harbour area. Someone has been compromising our ‘security.’ The muscle we had here has left without a word, and we suspect they are now working for another guild. Now, I can run business at the docks for the Black Suns … no problem, but without some muscle to keep things in order, one of the other guilds will take over … we can't allow that to happen.”
“We certainly cannot.” His voice sounded calm, but the pressure to perform was already starting to get to him. This ‘problem’ was looking to be bigger than he had first anticipated.
“There’s a man at the docks … some people call him ‘the Preacher.’ He has been putting ideas into people’s mind that the Black Suns are weak. With security gone, there’s been no-one here to stop him. I want you to shut him up.” At last … something tangible, something doable. Shut an old man at the docks up - he could do that.
“No problem,” he answered.
“Show the people at the docks that the Black Suns still rule here and no-one can get away with disrespecting us. Blanko will go with you as an advisor, anything you need to know Blanko is the man to ask. Now go … come back when the matter is dealt with.” Aiden nodded and left the warehouse.
***
Out the front, Aiden met his new associate: Blanko Blackworth. Blanko was a skinny old man, slightly taller than Aiden. He looked to be in his fifties or sixties with a greying goatee. He was wearing black pants, black boots, a dirty white shirt and a vest to match. On his head, he wore a little round hat.
Before he had come here today, Aiden had decided he would at least try to look the part. He wore a tight, white shirt with the sleeves rolled up and long dark-grey woollen pants. He was considering wearing a vest as well but had decided it didn’t look tough enough.
"Blanko?" The older man nodded and extended his hand to shake Aiden's.
"Yeah ... you Aiden?”
“Yeah,” answered Aiden, shaking his hand.
“Let’s go visit the Preacher.”
***
Walking down to the docks, the unlikely duo began to talk.
“This Preacher man,” began Aiden. “What’s his problem?” Blanko shrugged as he walked.
“I don’t know. I think he’s been placed there by a rival guild to turn people against the Black Suns. He just seems to talk all day, making up all kinds of stories to discredit the Black Suns, and then tells them to anyone that happens by.
“Who do you think he works for?”
“No idea, perhaps you could find out.” Aiden nodded. Yes … perhaps he could find out. That was an excellent idea. Not only could he find out, he would find out. Now he had to act like he had already thought of that.
“Oh, I’ll find out who he works for … don’t worry about that.” Blanko nodded, he seemed comforted by Aiden’s confidence. They continued walking towards the docks, and soon they came to an area where the ships were being loaded and unloaded. Lots of people were busy working. To the side were some makeshift markets that were selling fish and multitude of other assorted seafood, including squid and crab.
Towards the back of the docks and up against the side of a building called Berson and Sons was a small wooden podium. Standing on the podium was an old man dressed in a grey robe. He had a very long, dark-grey beard and a silver circlet adorned his head.
“That’s him,” said Blanko, pointing to the man. “That’s the Preacher.” Aiden watched from afar, trying to examine him without being seen. There was no escaping the fact that the Preacher was an old man and that kind of bothered him. Was it morally correct to intimidate an old man? He looked at him again, just to make sure he was seeing what he thought he was seeing. Yep, he’s a weak and withered old man.
“Are you all right, Aiden? You looked kind of worried?” asked Blanko. Aiden quickly turned to Blanko, trying his best to put a tougher looking expression on his face. Quick say something, or he’s going to think you’re not cut out for the job.
“Relax Blanko,” he answered, in a deep calm voice. “I’m just assessing the situation.” He’s a fucking old man!
“So, what are you going to do? Beat him up?” Aiden spoke slowly and calmly, trying to sound as professional as possible without giving away the fact that he didn’t really know what he was doing.
“And why would I do that Blanko?” Blanko stared back blankly for a moment, before shrugging his shoulders.
“I don’t know … to send a message?” Aiden slowly but surely nodded in agreement. To send a message. Yes, that’s what Aiden needed to do, he needed to send a clear message to everyone around that the Black Suns weren’t to be trifled with. If he could do that, he bet Mortello would be most pleased.
“Exactly Blanko!” he answered, as though the question had just been a test. “We’re going to send him a message.”
“We?” asked Blanko, worriedly. “I-I’m not much of a fighter you know.”
“When I say we are going to send him a message, I really meant to say that I’m going to send him a message … a message he’s never going to forget Blanko.”
“So, you’re going to beat him up then?” Aiden thought about it. What worldly events had taken place that now he was reduced to beating up an old man? But what choice did he have now? Any other course of action would make him look inept. “Aiden … are you going to beat him up?” Blanko repeated, and Aiden calmly but surely replied.
“I’m going to beat him to a bloody pulp.” As soon as the words were out of Aiden’s mouth, he started walking, keeping his eyes on the Preacher the whole time.
Further down the dock he travelled, he could almost feel Blanko’s eyes boring into his back. He was going to be watching everything Aiden did from afar, and no doubt report back to Bosco who in turn would report back to Mortello everything that transpired here today, and more importantly whether he succeeded in his tasks or not - as far as Aiden was concerned failure was not an option.
Closer and closer he stepped, walking across the wooden planks of the docks. To his right lay the ocean, to his left, wooden buildings. The sun that had been so pleasant before, now felt intensely hot, he could feel sweat beading on his brow. The cool sea breeze was his only relief - as he got closer, the treacherous words of the Preacher could be heard.
”And behold! The Black Suns tremble and quake before the might of the other guilds. Their time has passed, their rule is over! Whatever grip they had on these docks is now long gone!” Aiden tried to block out the tripe that was spewing from the grey-bearded fool. If you think our time has passed old man, you’re about to have a rude awakening.
As Aiden got closer, he suddenly realised that there were two men standing a little bit back from the Preacher. They weren’t saying anything or even looking at the Preacher, but they were watching everything and everybody else - Aiden’s first complication had arisen.
“The Black Suns have abandoned you people! They have cowered away and left you to rot! The Black Suns said that they would protect you, but where are they now!” The Preacher was using the tone in his voice to make every sentence, every word, sound as dramatic and anguished as possible. Going to have swoop in and take him out fast before the bodyguards catch on. But even as he had that thought he realised it was too late - the bodyguards had already caught on. By the Gods! thought Aiden, as he realised that the bodyguard
s had noticed his approach - they were now conversing and pointing at him.
“The Black Suns are weak! They have let the other guilds walk all over them!” Aiden quickened up the pace, there was no turning back now, if he didn’t take out the Preacher fast he’d have to deal with the two bodyguards. He wasn’t quite jogging, but he was speed walking.
Sweat dripped down his forehead. Was it really that hot there? Maybe it was just the effect of Blanko’s unseen stare into his back. Aiden felt like it was drilling into him, he could actually feel the heat coming off of it. There was expectation, a great expectation for him to perform - Blanko was waiting for him to do something special.
Shit, the bodyguards are moving. This wasn’t going to end well.
Aiden was striding faster and faster, he had to get closer before he made a full-on charge for it. The bodyguards had started moving, not fast, but just at a leisurely pace. Aiden couldn’t be sure whether they were moving to intercept him or just moving to patrol the crowd.
Aiden put his hand into his pocket and started making his way through the crowd, the Preacher had gathered up quite the throng, and it was getting thicker the closer he got. He casually pushed people aside as he walked. He had his eyes on the Preacher, but he also had to keep spot-checking the bodyguards - they were still quite far away.
“Release yourselves from the control of the Black Suns! The old way is over, come and join the new wave, the new power!” With every word that the Preacher spoke Aiden was becoming more and more angry. The combination of the sun’s heat, Blanko’s gaze and the increasing density of the crowd was starting to make him hostile.
It wasn’t far now, Aiden was almost within striking distance. The bodyguards were pointing in his direction and making a bit of a commotion. He had been spotted as a potential threat. Time was of the essence, he had to act fast. He began barging his way through, pushing people left and right, causing indignant outcries to call after him.
The guards were coming closer and closer. Shit, shit, shit. There was going to be no avoiding them.
“You there!” they cried. “Stop!” Aiden reached back into his pocket.
“What’s the problem,” he asked of the bodyguards as they neared him.
“We’re going to have to ask you to leave.” Aiden smiled as the throng gave way around them.
“Leave? I’m not going anywhere.” The bodyguards walked right up to him, they were big and burly looking, but Aiden didn’t budge - he had something that the guards didn’t know about; before he had left Mortello had given him an item. He had said it would come in useful. Aiden slipped his hand into the item which was situated in his pocket - it fit around his fingers like a glove.
“We weren’t asking,” stated the bodyguard, putting his hands on Aiden’s shoulders.
“I’m not leaving!” answered Aiden, and in a flash black steel struck out smashing into the bridge of the man’s nose, instantly turning it to a bloody mess. The man fell backwards, his hands to his face, his head hit the wooden planks hard. Aiden didn't even have to look at him, the sound alone told him that the man was now unconscious - now it was on!
The second man, larger than Aiden, came in swinging. Aiden ducked and weaved striking out into the man’s ribs again and again. The knuckle-duster that Mortello had given him was working a treat. He downed the man in ten seconds flat. Aiden paused a moment looking at the steel on his hand … I think I like it!
A second later he was running. The crowd was already dispersing from the first melee, not wanting to get involved. This violence was most likely due to a feudal rift between guilds. The citizens were used to such confrontation, and they all knew it was better not to get involved because those who did, often ended up dead, if not now then later - when the guilds finally caught up with them.
There was no fear in Aiden, there were no nerves - he was too hot and sweaty to feel any of that. Now he just wanted to take the Preacher out and end this - he didn’t even care that he was an old man anymore, he just needed to shut him up. He ran like he had never run before.
The Preacher had stopped his ‘preaching’ and was just standing there dumbfounded as his crowd started to fall away right in front of him. He seemed to be watching Aiden’s approach. He turned and started walking away when he realised his bodyguards were nowhere to be seen.
“Oh, no you don’t!” Aiden shouted, and sped up his running. “Don’t even think about it!”
Meanwhile, watching from a distance, Blanko looked on impressed. Aiden was out there making quite the commotion. This was going to be on everybody’s lips for the next month. He had taken the bodyguards out exceptionally quick - he liked that, now how was he going to deal with the Preacher himself?
Aiden flung the Preacher around and cracked him in the face. Where the fuck do you think you’re going?” Pushing him to the ground, he proceeded to beat and kick the Preacher until he was a bloody pulp - a few moments later the Preacher was still. Aiden looked up, the crowd was staring at him. They want an explanation.
“Let this be a lesson!” Aiden screamed. “If anyone wants to cross the Black Suns, this is what’s going to happen to you!” and he pointed at the Preacher lying battered and unconscious on the ground. “The Black Suns rule here, you understand me?!!” Some people in the crowd nodded, the rest just stared back blankly. Aiden wasn’t sure how to take this response, but the crowd wasn't looking too enthused. Quick, he thought himself. Say something dramatic and intimidating before you lose the crowd.
"If you thought the Black Suns were gone, you couldn't be more wrong. This man defied us, and worse, he tried to turn you all against us. Let me make it clear, the Black Suns are here to stay!" That earned him a couple of claps from the crowd, and one person shouted out "Yeah!" as a sign of support. Aiden felt dejected. What did these people want? He sighed. Well at least some of them support me. It was better than nothing. "Who can tell me who this man works for?!"
Suddenly it seemed that the crowd had better things to do than stand around listening to Aiden yap all day. People turned and started walking away from him, and no-one seemed to want to look him in the eye. What, are they just going to pretend that I didn't ask the question? Aiden sighed again, nothing was going to be easy, was it? But luck was on his side, for at that moment the Preacher stirred back to consciousness.
Aiden looked down at the crumpled form writhing on the ground, the robe was ripped and blood-stained. Aiden’s face remained stone cold, but his eyes smiled maliciously. If no-one else was going to tell him who the Preacher was working for, then he was just going to have to force it out of the source himself.
Aiden reached down and grabbed the Preacher by the collar. He pulled him up, lifting his head off of the ground and leant down so that he could talk directly into the Preachers ear.
"Who are you working for scum?" he hissed. "Is it the Red Hand? THE RED HAND?!" The Preacher didn't answer, and so Aiden lifted him up and gave him a whopping backhand, then repeated the question. "I said ... who are you working for?"
"Fuck off!" spat the Preacher, through gritted teeth. "I'll never tell you that!" Aiden nodded, in a way he had expected that answer. He could feel the coolness of black steel across his knuckles. 'BAM!' If the Preacher's nose wasn’t broken before, it certainly was now. The Preacher let out a cry of pain and grabbed his face, blood trickled through his fingers. “AAAAAHHHH!! What the fuck’s wrong with you, you fucking maniac?!”
“You think I’m crazy?” asked Aiden. “I’ll show you how crazy I can be.” With that comment, Aiden went to work punching the Preacher in the ribs breaking at least three of them. The Preacher writhed in pain. Aiden bent down and grabbed him by the collar again. “Now tell me who you work for!” Instead of answering the Preacher just snarled at him, but Aiden noticed something strange. The Preacher kept looking away. What is he looking at? Aiden’s eyes followed the Preachers gaze. He’s looking at the building … of course! It was all starting to make sense, the building he was standing in front of, Berson an
d Sons. Those scum tolerated this crazy old coot from the outset … I bet they put him up to it.
“What’s that?” asked Aiden, trying to call the Preacher’s bluff. “Berson and Sons? You’re telling me that they’ve got something to do with this? The Preacher suddenly went wide-eyed with indignation.
“W-What? N-No! They don’t have anything to do with this!” Aiden could tell that the Preacher was lying, he wouldn’t even look Aiden in the eye.
“Thanks, that’s all I needed to know.” One final crack to the head and Aiden laid the Preacher to the ground. Love these knuckle-dusters. Aiden stood up and headed for the building.
You really thought I was stupid, didn’t you Preacher? Aiden thought, as he approached the building belonging to Berson and Sons. No, they don’t have anything to do with this! Do you expect me to believe that? Do you think I’m some kind of FOOL! With that thought he booted the door to the building open, causing the clerk in his chair to jump with fright. The clerk took one look at the black steel across Aiden’s hand and then another look at the wildness on Aiden face and then gulped.
“C-Can I help you, Sir?” he asked uncertainly. Aiden took an aggressive step forward.
“Who … do you … work for?” he asked. His voice was quiet and calm, in stark contrast to the look on his face which was extremely aggressive. The clerk looked around the room. He was sure the answer was obvious, but for some reason, he was unsure what to say.
“Um … Berson and Sons?” Aiden squinted, his eyes becoming cut slits across his face. Was this guy trying to be smart?
“I SAID … WHO DO YOU WORK FOR?!!” The clerk looked around the room again as if someone was playing a joke on him.
“Berson and Sons! I work for Berson and Sons!” Aiden snarled and launched himself across the desk, grabbing the clerk by the collar. The clerk landed on his back, winded and still in the chair; Aiden scrambled on top of him.
“I want to know who you work for!” Aiden hissed in the man’s face.
“I don’t know what you want me to say!” shouted the clerk. “I work for Berson and Sons. Whose place do you think this is?!”
