by James Wisher
The day boss emerged from the back room carrying a slim, straight sword in a black sheath and clipped to a matching baldric. “I knew I had one back there. Give this a try.”
Xander accepted the weapon and found the balance flawless. He held it up and looked down the edge, sharp and smooth, not a nick in sight. “This will suit me perfectly, thank you.”
The boss shook his head. “That weapon belonged to a female member that died a year ago.” He said female with such contempt Xander knew he’d slipped a notch in the boss’s esteem. “Now the job. It’s simple, a merchant failed to make his protection payments for the last three months. I want you to collect it.”
“Yes, sir. Is there a reason the merchant hasn’t paid?”
“There is, he hired a guard. The guard sent two of my enforcers flying out of the shop last time we tried to collect.”
Xander nodded. “Is there any limit on how I can deal with the merchant and guard?”
“I don’t care what you do with the guard, but I want the merchant left intact. You can’t collect gold from a corpse after all.”
“Got it,” Xander said. “Could you spare someone to show me the way?”
“Sure, that’s a good idea. You being new he won’t know you’re a member. Kraven, fetch Nico will you?”
“Any idea where he is?” Kraven asked.
“It’s not much past noon, I expect he’s still in bed.”
Kraven nodded and left by one of the side doors that led deeper into the building.
“How come he sleeps so late?” Xander asked.
“Because he’s lazy.” The boss made no effort to hide his disgust then he chuckled. “The kid’s a genius with locks so he’s worth keeping around. Don’t worry, Nico knows this city inside and out. You’ll be in good hands.”
Kraven returned with a sandy haired boy about twelve in tow. Nico looked like he had time enough to throw on a wrinkled set of cloths. His hair stuck out in ten directions and his bright blue eyes latched on to Xander.
“You’re new,” Nico said in a cheerful, piping voice.
“You’re right,” Xander said.
“What’s wrong with your voice? Why are you wearing a mask?”
Before Xander could answer the day boss interrupted. “Nico, I want you to take Xander to Morin’s to collect his back payments.”
“Morin, I know that name. Is that the stink merchant?”
“Yeah, Xander here is our newest enforcer and he’s going to collect.”
Nico looked at Xander, back at the day boss, and laughed. When he got himself under control he said, “You’re not serious?”
“Do I look like I’m laughing, boy?”
“No, sir.” Nico clammed up, wise of him Xander thought.
“Get going.”
“Yes, sir.”
Xander followed his young guide out the front door which to his surprise led to a deserted alley. When the door closed, it looked like another section of wall. Whoever built the guild’s secret doors knew their business.
“Boy, he was in a bad mood,” Nico said. “I think he doesn’t get enough sleep.”
“Why did you laugh when he said I would collect the money owed the guild?”
“Oh, sorry about that. He sent two guys over to collect a couple days ago and they couldn’t handle the merchant’s new guard. You’re about half their size and going alone. It seems you’re being sent to fail.”
“Perhaps,” Xander said.
He followed Nico through the city, listening with half an ear as the boy chattered nonstop about this or that happening. He talked faster than a pack of chambermaids on lunch break. When Xander could take it no longer he said, “What is it about this guard that the other enforcers couldn’t handle?”
Nico grinned. “I don’t want to spoil the surprise. Don’t worry, we’re almost there and you can see for yourself.”
Xander sighed, resigned to an unpleasant surprise. They walked another block and a half before Nico stopped in front of a well built, three story stone building. A strong, almost eye-watering smell emerged from the door. The stink merchant was of course a perfume dealer.
Nico smiled and gestured toward the door. “After you.”
Xander loosened his new sword in its scabbard and stepped through the door. Nico followed him and the door clanged shut. The shop was small; a bar ran along the far wall, dozens of bottles lined its length. Behind the bar stood a middle aged man with gray hair and a well trimmed beard. He wore a pale silk robe and a gold ring glittered on his right pinky. In the far corner glowered a huge man dressed in a loin cloth and boots. Thick muscles rippled over his body, but he carried no weapon.
Xander walked to the bar, hand on the hilt of his sword. “You’re Morin?”
“That’s right,” the old man said. “Can I help you?”
“You can pay me what you owe the guild before my sinuses catch fire.”
“The thieves’ guild sent you to collect? They must be hard up for muscle. Why don’t you get out of here before Crusher over there has to hurt you?”
Xander cared for neither the merchant’s tone nor attitude. “Why don’t you pay me before I have to get blood stains all over this nice hardwood floor?”
The giant looked at the merchant who nodded. Crusher started toward Xander who hopped back from the counter so he’d have room to maneuver. He drew his sword and watched Crusher advance cracking his knuckles and chuckling.
Xander shook his head at the crude attempt at intimidation. The man didn’t even have a sword. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
Crusher smiled, revealing a mouth full of crooked teeth. He lunged toward Xander arms extended. Xander crouched under his grasp then thrust up, under Crusher’s ribcage and through his heart. Xander withdrew his blade and danced back as the giant collapsed, dead before he hit the floor.
Morin gaped, mouth open and eyes bulging, at his dead bodyguard. “About the payment?” Xander said.
Morin closed his mouth and looked at Xander as though seeing him for the first time. Fear replaced contempt in the merchant’s eyes and the change suited Xander a great deal.
“How much was it?” Morin asked.
Xander frowned. “You know, the day boss didn’t say. Tell you what, you give me what you think you owe. If I have to walk back here I will be in a bad mood.”
“No, no, never.” Morin raced into a back room and returned in seconds with a heavy pouch.
Xander hefted the pouch and nodded. He leaned into Morin so their faces were inches apart. “If I have to come here again it’ll be you lying on the floor.”
Morin nodded, tears streamed down his face staining his beard. Xander cleaned his sword on the shoulders of the merchant’s fine robe; leaving blood stains behind as a reminder of his visit. He sheathed his sword and joined a wide-eyed Nico by the door. “Let’s go.”
The boy nodded and led the way back to the guild hall. They walked in silence for five minutes; he wouldn’t have thought the boy capable of not speaking for such a stretch. After another block Nico said, “I’ve never seen anything like that.”
“Like what?” Xander looked down at his diminutive guide.
“Like how you handled that guy. I mean he thrashed two guys twice your size and threw them out on their asses before they could get their swords out. You come along and handle him like he was me and not a giant.”
Xander shrugged. “He had no weapon, no armor. I don’t care how much meat he has, a good sword will cut him up the same as a smaller man.”
Nico grinned. “I can’t wait to see the look on the day boss’s face when we get back.”
Xander smiled back. “Neither can I.”
CHAPTER 4
The day boss looked up when Xander and Nico walked into the entry room. “That was fast.”
“It’s a short walk.” Xander plunked the pouch of coins on the counter. “Here you go.”
The day boss looked at Xander then the pouch then back at Xander. “You got it?”
<
br /> Xander nodded. “No sweat.” He patted his new sword where it hung at his hip. “It’s an excellent sword.”
“Did you kill the guard?” Kraven had slipped into the room without Xander noticing.
“Yes.”
The day boss finished counting the coins. “There’s more here than he owed.”
“The thing is I didn’t know how much he owed so I told the merchant if he was short I’d have to come back and I’d be in a bad mood. After he watched me kill his bodyguard he decided to err on the side of caution.”
Kraven laughed. “You’ll do great at this job.”
“Indeed.” The day boss counted out five gold coins and slid them over to Xander. “A reward, for a job well done.”
Xander pocketed the coins. “Thank you, sir. Do you need me for anything else right now? I’ve got a friend waiting I imagine she’s getting worried.”
The day boss looked at Kraven who shook his head. “Nothing right now. Take an hour and see your friend.”
“When you get back there’s someone I want you to meet,” Kraven said.
Xander nodded and left by the front door. He returned to the inn at a jog. Sophia had to be frantic by now. Xander went in and ran up the steps He opened the door to their room and found Sophia pacing. She smiled and ran over, and hugged him.
After a moment Xander stepped back. “Sorry it took so long. I have good news; we don’t have to leave?”
“That’s wonderful.”The relief if her voice made him smile. “What happened?”
“We cleared up the misunderstanding with the guild. Kaylin and I are members now so we shouldn’t have any more problems. We’ll need to go to the guild hall most days and some nights but we won’t have to worry about enforcers chasing us anymore.”
“You must be relieved.”
“You said it.”
“Will it be all right if I continue working in the dining room?”
“If you enjoy it I can’t see any harm,” Xander said. “Since Kaylin and I will both be gone most days it would probably be good for you to get out. Speaking of the dining room have you eaten yet?”
She shook her head.
“Let’s get something. My treat.”
Sophia took his arm and they went downstairs. They sat a table in the corner of the near empty room. Xander ordered steak, spiced potatoes, and bread. They split a bottle of good red wine. During the meal Sophia talked about the other girls and nice they all treated her. She also raved about how good the meal tasted. Xander smiled. He’d never seen her so happy. He would have paid twice the three gold pieces price to see the joy in Sophia’s face. She seemed to be getting over her days as a slave. He was even happier now that they didn’t need to leave the city. Sophia probably wouldn’t have handled the move well.
They finished their meal and sipped the wine. “We’ll have to do this again,” Sophia said.
“Maybe not so extravagant next time. I’m almost broke again.”
Sophia smiled. “As long as you sit with me and we can enjoy it I don’t care what we eat.”
“Deal.” He sighed. “I better get back. See you tonight.”
Xander left Sophia sipping her wine and retraced his steps back to the guild hall. The day boss sat in his chair eating cheese and sausage. He glanced up when Xander entered. “Do you need anything done, sir?”
The boss shook his head and jerked a greasy thumb toward the door leading deeper into the building. After that articulate exchange Xander went to find Kraven. Behind the door he found a long hall lined with doors. Halfway down was a staircase leading to the second floor. The first two doors were locked so he walked to the end of the hall and found the door open. He poked his head into a large dining hall. A dozen rough looking men and women sat in small groups talking. Xander spotted Kaylin deep in conversation with a handsome fellow he didn’t recognize. He doubted she’d appreciate him intruding, so he retreated to the staircase and went upstairs.
At the top of the stairs the clacking of wooden practice swords greeted him. Xander grinned. He loved that sound. He followed his ears to a room with a thick padded mat in the center. Five men sat around the mat while two more sparred in the center with wooden swords.
“This is where the enforcers train.”
Xander about jumped out of his skin when Kraven spoke. “Could you please try to make a little noise?”
“Sorry, force of habit. The day boss was impressed with your collection earlier.”
“He must have had low expectations of he didn’t think I could handle an unarmed man.”
“The last two he sent couldn’t”
Xander shrugged. “I’m not them.”
“Kraven.” A gravelly voice interrupted their conversation. Xander looked back to see a gray bearded man with a bad limp headed their way. “What do we have here?”
“Master Jerrod,” Kraven said. “Allow me to introduce our newest enforcer. Xander this is Master Jerrod, he oversees the enforcer’s training.”
Xander bowed at the waist. “Sir, I look forward to learning from you.” The other students laughed and Xander frowned.
“Boy’s more polite than the thugs you usually bring me, but can he fight?”
“He claims some skill with a blade,” Kraven said. Xander looked at him and he winked. “Why don’t you try him out yourself?”
The old man grinned. “You read my mind. Anyone want to try the new guy?”
Seven hands shot up. Xander’s frown deepened. Their eagerness showed a distinct lack of respect. He’d fix that.
Jerrod pointed to a bald man about twenty years Xander’s senior. “You first Se’Wan.”
Se’Wan got up and the other students helped him dress in a padded leather vest. Xander studied his opponent a moment. He was a big man with a broad chest, his whole body thick with muscle. Not as much as Crusher but enough that Xander would need to rely on his speed.
“I’ll get you some protection,” Jerrod limped to the back of the room where a rack of padded swords sat. Beside the sword stand was a table covered with leather vests. Jerrod picked through them until he found what he wanted. He limped back with a sword and vest. “This is the smallest we’ve got.”
Xander took the vest and shook his head, it would just get in his way. He handed it back. “Thanks anyway.”
“You sure, boy? Those swords hurt when you get hit.”
“I don’t plan on getting hit.” Xander unbuckled his sword and leaned it against the wall. He accepted the wooden sword and moved to the center of the mat. “What are the rules?”
“Simple,” Jerrod said. “The match goes to three touches anywhere on your opponent’s body.”
“Do glancing blows count?”
“I’ll call the blows as I see fit. The match is over when I say, got it?”
Xander nodded.
“On guard.” When both fighters stood ready Jerrod said, “Begin!”
Se’Wan bore in, hacking and slashing in an attempt to score his hits fast. He had no style, just crude blows that Xander angled away with no great effort. It wasn’t long before his opponent overextended a lunge. Xander cracked him on the back of the thumb; Se’Wan’s wooden sword fell to the mat from numb fingers.
“One,” Jerrod said.
His opponent unarmed, Xander wasted no time ending the fight. He cracked Se’Wan across the back of the knees and when he started to fall grabbed his collar and drove him to the mat. “Two.”
Xander ended the match with a chop to Se’Wan’s stomach.
“Three, match’s over.”
Xander flipped the wooden sword into the crook of his arm and turned in time to see Jerrod toss a coin to Kraven. “So he has some skill, huh? You cheated me out of that silver.”
Kraven grinned. “I am a thief.”
“He got lucky.” One of the other students had climbed to his feet. Xander shot him a glare. The man had night black hair tied in a ponytail and a slim, athletic build. He looked to be about Kraven’s age. His lip curled in an ar
rogant sneer. Xander took an instant dislike to him.
“Sit down, Dane.” Jerrod said.
“Come on, Master Jerrod. This brat wouldn’t last ten seconds against a real swordsman.”
Xander’s eyes narrowed. “Can you recommend a swordsman worth my time?”
Dane flinched but to his credit picked up Se’Wan’s fallen sword and stepped onto the mat. “I might at that.”
“Did I miss anything?” Everyone turned when Nico slipped inside the room.
“What are you doing here?” Kraven asked.
“I heard Xander was sparring with the enforcers. I figured after what he did to Crusher it would be a show worth watching.”
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Jerrod asked. “Dane is my best man.”
Xander nodded.
“Crusher, that name sounds familiar,” Dane said.
“It should.” Nico grinned ear to ear. “He’s the guy that threw you and Mica out on your asses a couple days ago.”
Dane starred at Nico who continued on without a clue. “I thought the old stink merchant would wet himself when he saw what Xander did to his muscle. You should have been there Dane, you would’ve gotten a kick out of it.”
“This kid took out the giant?”
Nico nodded. “Didn’t even break a sweat. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it myself.”
Dane stepped off the mat. “Perhaps I spoke too quickly.”
Xander laughed. “This is your best man? No wonder you’re having trouble making collections.”
Dane snarled and charged, sword raised as though he planned to drive Xander through the mat. Xander sidestepped the clumsy attack and brought the hilt of his sword down on Dane’s head. He fell to the mat, out cold. Xander offered his sword hilt first to Master Jerrod.
“Your students are too angry and lack control.”
“Of course they do,” Jerrod said. “Why do you think they became enforcers in the first place? So someone would pay them to vent that anger.”
“All they’re going to do is get themselves killed.”
“Let’s take a walk,” Kraven said.
Xander buckled on his sword and indicated Kraven should lead the way. They left the training room and Kraven led them back toward the mess hall. “You didn’t make any friends up there.”
