by Jake Kerr
Orion sat silently, clenching his fists so tight his knuckles had turned white. "You are telling me that Saxe's men do not patrol the Wall south of the Great gate?"
"They do not."
"That idiot. Has everyone lost their senses in this city?" Orion looked at Vesper. "Saxe's incompetence is bad enough, but do you realize what Larsen has done?"
"I'm afraid not, sir."
"He has just sent the entire Harvest Guild into the arms of those Thieves. They will assist them, feed them, give them homes. This vile guild of those that steal from my own warehouses will be seen as saviors!" Orion's voice rose, and his anger was such that spittle flew from his mouth as he shouted. "This is Alard's doing!" Orion took a breath and was suddenly the calm guildmaster that people saw outside in Founder's Park. "Do you know where Alard hides himself?"
Vesper immediately thought of the majestic tower of the Thieves. "I do not, sir." He also excluded Ralan from the conversation. If he was going to look out for himself, he would have to share information selectively, and exposing Ralan and Alard did not seem wise.
Orion scratched his head. Vesper had never seen him so thoughtful. Orion was different things to different people, but Vesper had never seen him anything but decisive and commanding in leadership. He tended to make smart decisions, but he always seemed to make them by instinct. That Orion was thinking took Vesper aback.
"This is now a three-pronged challenge for me," Orion said, almost to himself. "I'll need to manage Polo and his rage at Larsen. I can't be lumped in with him. Similarly, I need to stop this madness of Larsen's. I thought I could let him tie his own noose, but with the thieves welcoming hundreds of new recruits, he is risking all of Ness." Peering at Vesper, Orion continued, "The final challenge is to confront these thieves. You have a new mission, Vesper. You are to return to the Wretched Quarter, find where Alard is hiding, and then you are to assassinate him."
"Sir, that may take me weeks. I will have to find out the information and then achieve the formidable task of killing Alard. Do you think this is wise or worth the effort?"
Closing his eyes, Orion took a deep breath. "Do not disappoint me, Vesper. You can disguise yourself as a Harvest guildmember. Larsen's guild members will gladly escort you to the Wretched Quarter, and from what you say they will gladly take you in. All you need to do is find out where Alard is and kill him."
"As you wish, Guildmaster. Your words are wise."
"Very good." Orion stood up. "I was wrong. You look awful. Get some rest tonight and head out tomorrow. I want Alard dead as soon as possible."
"Yes, sir."
Vesper made his way out of Orion's office. Things were getting interesting, and he didn't want interesting. He wanted clarity. Orion, who appeared to have things under control when he first left for the Old Quarter, was now admitting that he had a problem with both Harvest House and Larsen thanks to the thieves unpredictable entrance into his plans. The Thieves, on the other hand, were bolstering their ranks, earning goodwill with the refugees, and probably earning thanks from Polo for helping his guildmembers.
I need to head to the Thieves Tower, Vesper thought. I'll provide information to Ralan and Alard and see what they have to say. Depending on what I hear, I may have a new mission or a bloody dagger.
18
A Clear First Step
"Get out of my way, you oaf. Why aren't you guarding the South Wall?" Orion practically marched down Merchant Avenue, stabbing the stones with his feet, his personal guard rushing to keep up. Orion had just run into a group of Knights, who were blocking Orion's way.
The Knight was going to respond, but as he saw who it was, he looked confused. "Apologies, Guildmaster." He and his fellow Knights got out of the way, looking quizzically at the guildmaster that everyone considered dumb, jovial, and harmless but who had just called one of them an oaf.
Orion liked to think he always kept control of his emotions, but Vesper's report shook him. Orion had spent years cultivating a reputation in Ness as harmless and a relationship with Larsen that provided Orion with influence while managing all the pieces that would eventually lead to him being the unquestioned leader of the city. But the role he created for that long-range plan was no longer relevant. Larsen and the thieves had taken care of that.
As a result, Orion could no longer afford to be the kind, harmless guildmaster. He had to be the firm and decisive guildmaster who would save the city from the traitorous thieves and the traitorous Merchant Guildmaster.
His initial plan was to leverage Larsen to at least get things under control. He would have Larsen reverse the clearing of the Lower Quarter. They would welcome back the Harvest Guildmembers, release those in prison, and compensate the families who lost homes. The second part of the plan was to invade the Wretched Quarter and clear out the thieves.
Orion had wanted to do that for years, but he knew it was mostly wishful thinking, but now it was not only a wish--it was a necessity. They had to have the Knights establish control over the Wall and the streets, and they would have to destroy any leadership the thieves had.
Having Larsen initially take part would make that easier. They had no hope of attacking the thieves until the Harvest Guild members were happy or at least no longer threatening civil war. Which is why Orion was marching down Merchant Avenue toward the Merchant Guild Tower for a meeting with Larsen.
As he expected, the Tower was under intense security. The front doors were closed, and Merchant guards were everywhere. Orion ignored them and went right up to the senior guard near the doors. "I'm here to meet with your Guildmaster." The guard seemed unimpressed by Orion and was about to reply when Orion added, "I don't have time for any objections. If you are about to do so, I highly recommend you re-think your answer." Orion stared at the guard, who appeared shocked at the friendly and quiet Orion speaking in such a decisive voice.
"Um, I will need to ask approval, sir."
Orion put his hands behind his back. "Make it quick."
The guard disappeared behind a group of other guards and presumably left via a smaller entrance that was more convenient and less vulnerable to a direct attack. While he waited, Orion stood still, staring at the door. His personal escort of three heavily armed guards stood arrayed behind him. Orion was well-known, and his silent vigil drew plenty of attention . Merchant Guild guards wandered to see why the Craft Guildmaster was standing at the base of Merchant Tower. The intense look on his face kept any from asking questions, however.
Minutes later, the guard returned. He was respectful but blunt as he stopped in front of Orion and said, "I apologize, Guildmaster. Guildmaster Larsen is occupied with an important matter and requests if he can see you another time."
"No."
The guard did a double-take as Orion said nothing else. Clearing his throat, the guard shifted on his feet. "No?"
"Was it a request?" Orion frowned.
"Excuse me, Guildmaster?"
"You said Larsen requested if I could see him another time. That would seem to indicate that he would thus be willing to see me, as he made his reply as a request. I replied 'no.' So take me to him."
The guard looked around, but none of the other guards were willing to back him up in the conversation. "Sir, we are under heightened security."
Orion turned to the closest Merchant guard to the one who was speaking to him. "Did you hear his words?"
"Sir?"
"Is every Merchant guard this stupid? I asked if you heard this young man state that your guildmaster requested another time, and I replied not."
The guard looked at the senior guard who gave a slight shrug. "Yes, sir. I heard your conversation."
"Then you will understand if I have my men kill this guard for insubordination and not listening to the desires of your Guildmaster. And you will then take me to Guildmaster Larsen, correct?"
Before the new guard could say anything, the senior guard held up his hands. "Guildmaster, there is no need for violence. You are a friend of the guild. I perhaps d
idn't communicate your urgency well enough to Guildmaster Larsen. I will escort you myself."
Orion nodded. "Wise choice." And with occasional sideways glances, the captain of the gate took Orion to see Larsen.
Larsen answered the door to his office himself. "Orion! What a pleasant surprise. Come in!" Orion held up his hand to his guards and entered Larsen's office alone.
"This is not a friendly visit, Larsen." Orion replied. He used his normal voice, a voice he doubted that Larsen had ever heard.
"Is there a problem, old friend?" Larsen placed a palm on Orion's back and walked him over to his couch, their normal meeting location. As Larsen sat down, Orion remained standing.
"Your idiotic plan is over, Larsen." Orion's words and commanding tone left Larsen in shock, who sat in his chair with his jaw dropped open. "Do you realize how bad things are? Do you?" Orion started to pace, ignoring Larsen's replies if he had even made any. "The Harvest Guild will eventually attack and overwhelm you."
Larsen's face turned red, but he remained seated. With a measured but strained voice, he replied, "Orion, sit down. What has gotten into you? You have no idea what is going on. You've been too busy wandering around Founders Park and sitting in your tower."
The idiot still believes my charade. Orion didn't answer but stood still, staring at Larsen. Orion's behavior clearly rattled Larsen, whose normal response to being crossed was to fly into a rage.
"There is no risk from the Harvest Guild. Their members from the Lower Quarter are being relocated to the streets of the Wretched Quarter. Trader's Bridge is under close watch, and Saxe has the Wall, the rivers, and the Knight Watch secure. What do you think Polo is going to do? Fly to us?"
"Listen, Larsen. Your overconfidence has finally become your undoing. If Polo wanted to, he could simply swarm over Traders Bridge. Have you forgotten that his guild is the largest by far? Do you have any idea how many people live around the Outer Fields? How many are in the mines?" Orion leaned close to Larsen, and with a sneer added, "They will overwhelm you. It is only a matter of time."
Frowning, Larsen replied, "Your fear betrays you. What has happened, old friend? Do you not realize how well things have gone? The Lower Quarter is practically cleared. We will be seen as saviors when we invite them back with the explanation of Polo's betrayal."
Orion clenched his teeth. "I am not your old friend, you fool. I've sat here watching your pathetic machinations do nothing more than alienate the city. But now you've gone too far. Do you realize what is across the river?"
Larsen took time answering, the shock of the Orion he thought he knew transforming into the cold and angry man in front of him seemingly too much for him to grasp. Waving a hand, he finally muttered, "There is nothing across the river but the Wretched Quarter and the Ash Fields. Why does this matter?" With Orion towering over him, Larsen finally stood up.
Good. His temper is rising. He finally understands I'm not who he thinks I am. "Wrong. There is resistance in the Wretched Quarter. They are armed and organized. Your assumptions of the Harvest Guild are not only stupid, but they ignore the threat from across the river. Can you imagine if these forces rally the Harvest Guild members to attack across the Great Bridge? You will rush to defend yourself, and then Polo will overwhelm you from the Harvest District."
"What has gotten into you?" Larsen grabbed Orion's arm, but Orion shrugged it off. "What force could possibly be arrayed in the Wretched Quarter? It is dangerous and wild. Who has filled your mind with these thoughts? This is so unlike you!"
Crossing his arms, Orion replied with a steady but commanding voice. "They are the thieves, Larsen. They have raided our warehouses and silos for centuries. It is now clear that they have been organized. The thieves will attack from the Wretched Quarter with the help of the Harvest Guild members your idiot plan drove into their arms, while Polo awaits to deal the death blow."
Larsen went to speak, but Orion held out his hand. "No! Listen to me you fool. You will send your guards out to bring the Harvest Guild members back. You will release the old families, promising them reparations. Once you have re-settled the Harvest Guild, we will clear the Wretched Quarter." As Orion spoke, a smile formed on Larsen's face, which irked Orion to no end.
"Thieves? My friend, you have hated thieves your whole life! I see now what has happened. Your mania for destroying the thieves has clouded your mind. You are looking for some kind of excuse to clear the Wretched Quarter. We even discussed this recently!" Orion shook his head, but Larsen laughed. "It all makes sense now. Listen, Orion. Leave it all to me. We have broken the back of the Harvest Guild. Let us destroy Polo, and then I'll work with Saxe to send some forces into the Wretched Quarter."
Orion closed his eyes and took a breath. Larsen was a lost cause. He could never see the flaws in his own plans. His ego was too big. It was time for a new plan, and the first part of this new plan was to lull Larsen into complacency. Reversing course, Orion clasped Larsen's arm. "You have given me much to think about, Larsen."
The smile that spread across Larsen's face filled the room. "Of course, old friend! Think about us sharing the rule of Ness, with Polo out of the way." Patting Orion on the back, he added, "We will clear the Wretched Quarter. I understand your concern. The time just isn't right." Larsen gently pushed Orion on the back. He feels he has won and is moving me to the door. Orion had to suppress a laugh. Having Larsen feel he had won was what he wanted at that point.
Orion started toward the door. "Thank you again, Larsen. You were right, of course. I let my hatred of the thieves get the best of me."
"It is understandable. They are a blight on the city. But for now just secure yourself in your tower. I have things under control."
With a handshake and few more words, Orion left Larsen's office.
He had a new plan, one he thought over as he left the Merchant Tower. The first step was clear and had to be done as soon as possible.
Kill Larsen.
19
At What Cost?
Graf sent two young men out to spread the word, starting at the edge of the pit and moving inward. The most important thing from Rogers' perspective was to organize the archers. Hand-to-hand combat with heavily armed knights would lead to many casualties, but long bows and skilled archers? They could cut the guards down en masse in minutes.
As the archers made their way to the center of the Pit, Rogers was disappointed but not full of despair. There were not nearly as many archers as they would need, but there were enough to do very real damage, and their bows were exactly as Graf described--deadly and made for hunting, not short distance target shooting.
Graf pointed at Rogers, and a group of men bearing short swords approached. "Graf said you were organizing the defense," one of them said.
"I am," Rogers replied, surprised yet appreciative that Graf so gladly gave up his authority. "Rao has left to draw the guards to this spot." He pointed to a cobblestone design in the center of the circular road at the end of the cul de sac. "We need to let the archers empty their quarrels at them and then it will be time for you to attack. We are placing men all around so that the guards cannot focus their forces or escape. You and your men will go over there and await the signal to attack, which will be an arrow with a blue cloth shot into that tree." The tree stood at the entrance to the cul de sac beside the road.
"Yes, sir!" the man replied, and he gathered his men and moved to the house where they would lay in wait.
More groups made their way to Rogers, and he sent them in various spots in houses around the road. There were women along with men, their faces even more grim than their male counterparts. They were willingly leaving their homes, trusting him with their future. They wielded cleavers, knives, as well as traditional weapons like swords, families united in defending their neighborhood.
Things were chaotic and all Rogers could do was provide the most basic of guidance while telling people where to go. "Aim for their joints." "Swing for the neck." "Yes, a dagger can be more dangerous than a s
word. You get close and slip it through the gaps in their armor."
As a positive, the forces were significant, with dozens more fighters than the Merchant Guards, even knowing the guards had Knights coming as reinforcements from behind. Rogers despaired that it would be enough, however. The weapons were barely serviceable. There were a swords, for sure, but many of the men had pitchforks and hatchets or worse, while the weapon of choice for the women were sharp kitchen utensils for the most part.
Graf approached after Rogers had sent another group off to a house along the lane, their mission to block the road if the knights decided to retreat. "We are strong, no?"
"We have strength in numbers. We have an advantage in knowing the battlefield. But guards in full armor are formidable." Rogers turned to the old man. "You do know that many will die?"
The old man stared at Rogers for a moment and then nodded his head. "We will lose many. They will lose all." He patted Rogers on the shoulder. "Thank you, guild mate."
In the distance a running boy approached. It is time. Their plan was sound. The archers were skilled hunters, and their bows and arrows were built to be deadly over long distances. The guards' armor would protect them from many of the arrows, but some would find their mark, and the crossfire would sow confusion.
"The messenger approaches, Graf. Best to take your position." Graf was to stay behind in his house behind the rooting pig, but Rogers was certain that he would be one of the first to join the fight. As Graf left, Rogers awaited the messenger.
Moments later the boy stopped in front of Rogers, taking in large gulps of air. "Rao has lost some men, but they killed a money counter guard." The boy bent over and took a few more deep breaths. "The guards called their entire force to chase down Rao." The boy toward his shoulder. "They are on their way now!"
