by LeRoy Clary
Tyler couldn’t help himself. “How could you possibly know that?”
The solicitor pointed to a section of the wood panel where the outline of another doorway could be discerned if carefully examined. He said, “I noticed your approach from that small window behind you, and sent a man to speak with the girl outside while you were detained by my receptionist.”
“Sneaky,” Bender said. “I like it.”
“I wanted to know why two ruffians like yourselves would have need of my legal services. The girl mentioned an altercation not far from here, so I assume you are seeking protections from legal entanglements arising from that event, and yes, I can help.”
“No, we’re not here about the little fight in the street. I think we’re good with it, and it’s over. We need other help.”
The man laced his fingers together over his ample stomach. “No, it is not over. And I wish to hear the short version of what happened before we continue.”
Bender told him in a few terse sentences.
The solicitor said, “My name is Jenkins. Neither first nor last, just Jenkins, and I will gladly represent you in whatever difficulties you find yourselves in. Your names are Bender and Tyler, as supplied by the girl.”
“Just like that?” Bender asked.
“Exactly, like that. You see, I believe the three of us in this room are much alike. We’re the dreamers of the world, the ones who look out for the helpless and fight against those who persecute others.”
Bender snorted, “Jenkins, I think you have us all wrong. We’re lazy deserters from an army losing a war we didn’t start and don’t know why it began. Tyler and I are just trying to find a home and drink a little ale with five or six pretty women of questionable character.”
“You forget, my man spoke with your girl outside. I believe I know the type of men you are from that talk, so how may I be of service?”
Tyler decided to clarify one point. “Have you ever heard of anyone in the city named Cabot?”
“Of course, they are one of the wealthiest and most influential families in the city, headed by a man who calls himself Lord Cabot, but there is no royalty in his bloodline, and I would need a hatful of gold to fight them.”
“Wealthy and influential are nice words, but doesn’t tell me your opinion,” Tyler said point blank, as he settled back to listen to the response that would determine if he remained or departed. “Our business involves you going directly against them.”
Jenkins closed his eyes for a brief time and then smiled wistfully. “The man I sent to speak with the girl was not the only one I sent out. The second found a small crowd still gathered one street down the hill, where a stranger to our fair city and the young William Cabot had words with each other.”
Both Bender and Tyler leaped to their feet in shock.
Before either could speak, Jenkins said, “As I suspected, you didn’t know who he was. Even more interesting.”
“He was a Cabot?” Bender said. “I should have killed him.
Jenkins settled back into his chair while shaking his head. “While I intensely dislike the entire Cabot family and would like to do them harm, I am not a fool. They run roughshod over everyone. It would take extraordinary circumstances and that hat full of gold I mentioned to convince me to publicly cross them.”
Tyler sat down and said, “Do you know anything about what was happening upriver?”
“There are always rumors and whispers. All unsubstantiated. Strangers telling tales of that sort usually end up on the dungeons of King Righteous, if they manage to live long enough. It’s best to keep the events upriver to yourself. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have other wrongs to right.”
“Not so fast,” Tyler said as he reached into his backpack and selected a single document. “You said you needed a hatful of gold. Bender and I went to school, but reading deeds is more than we’re able to understand, I think. Read this and tell me what it says.”
He handed the deed to Jenkins, who quickly read the deed and handed it back. “So, you are wealthy enough to own an entire building only two blocks away from this one. I’m impressed, but how does that change things? Are you offering to give me the building in exchange for my services?”
“The Cabots used to own that paper a few days ago. As I understand, possession of that deed means I, or we, own the building.” Tyler waited for Jenkins to respond.
“You are correct. I’d be curious how you came by it, but you do, in fact, own the building, and if you choose, I will file the paperwork with the magistrate if you engage me to change the official records. It’s a simple thing that will take only moments, but one such as you should be very careful carrying around such a valuable document. If it should be stolen from you, that person would then own your building. It is best to formalize the transfer of ownership quickly.”
Tyler reached into the backpack and removed a thin stack of deeds, perhaps a tenth of those remaining. “And these?”
As the deeds fell to the desktop, Jenkins reacted as if they were on fire. He leaped to his feet, his face turning bright red, and he backed against the wall.
Tyler said, “The thing is, we took these from the Cabots and would like to file whatever notification it takes, so we are in legal possession.”
“The Cabots won’t stand for this. They’ll fight,” Jenkins said in a choked voice nearly trembling.
Bender said, “Our intention, in a nutshell, is to kill every Cabot in every city, town, and village. That is, we wish to also kill every adult man and woman and dog in their family. We’ll leave the children penniless, but alive. These deeds are our way of calling them out.”
Jenkins’ red face started to pale, and as Bender talked it paled more until he looked ready to pass out. Then the smallest of smiles twisted the corners of his mouth. “I have not yet accepted your offer, but would enjoy hearing more of your plans. Will the three of you join me for a meal?”
Bender said, “This is going to take time, isn’t it? A lot of planning and legal work on your part.”
Jenkins pointed to the stack of deeds and shook his head as he said, “Assume I can transfer ownership and establish the two of you as owners for perhaps three of those deeds a day in secret. Then we must issue the evictions and locate new tenants. The Cabots will fight each one, but will eventually lose. They will have you killed.”
“It sounds like a lot of work for you,” Bender said. “Maybe you need to hire more people to help you. Other solicitors who share your viewpoints.”
“I have already decided to do that, and my plans now involve them. You’ll have to sell a few properties to pay for all the costs, but that is a fortune you’ve placed on my desk. With several solicitors filing deeds with different king’s magistrates, perhaps many more could be filed, but someone will talk to the Cabots. The transactions are supposed to be confidential, but a minor clerk, palace guard, or a servant, will see a reward from the Cabots due them for the information.”
Bender turned to Tyler and nodded, his eyes shifting to the backpack. Tyler smiled and upended it, gold, jewelry, gems, and other valuables. He then allowed several times the original number of deeds to slide onto the desk. He pulled more deeds from inside and placed them on top of the stack. Deeds and documents were piled high, and many had slid off the desk to the floor. Neither Tyler or Bender stooped to retrieve them.
Jenkins glanced at a few on top and selected one. “A parcel of land in use as a farm and timber company. This deed includes houses, equipment, and buildings for more than one hundred workers, as well as two sawmills, and all the forested lands to support them.”
Tyler shrugged.
Jenkins selected another, shook his head in wonder and laid it aside. He read another, and his voice grew soft as if telling a tale to a young child, “I am familiar with this building. It is more a palace than building. One of the most powerful Cabots calls it his home, not Lord Cabot, but I believe a brother of his. You have no idea how this will stir the stew.”
Ben
der said, “We have Prim waiting outside. Can you recommend a place for the three of us to stay? A clean inn with food, cold ale, and warm women?”
“Pretty, warm women,” Tyler added.
“May I offer you the use of a building I own instead?” Jenkins asked. “It is built of solid stone, has only two entrances, both of which are ironclad oak, and the windows are high enough that nobody will sneak inside. Its use was for the King’s stores, including his armory, and was built to withstand an assault. The walls are strong, but inside it is skeleton-bare. There are small apartments on the third floor, but the first two floors are simply open warehouse space.”
“We will need a place for our dragons,” Bender said.
Jenkins nodded, “My point. They would have two full floors to roam, catch vermin, and keep strangers away.”
“Have you ever smelled dragon shit?” Tyler asked.
“No, and I hope to never do it. Your responsibility would be to hire workmen to remove the offal, and either restore it to a condition where I can eventually sell the building—or you may purchase it at a reduced price, perhaps even trade it for one of equal value.”
Bender said, “I don’t think we want to live in a city where we can see the air and everything smells like a week-old fire.”
“And I don’t think you understand the firestorm you’re about to let loose in this city when you file the first deed. The Cabots will offer huge rewards for your heads, and that’s just the start. You need a fortress and strong men to protect you, but those men will turn against you for silver or gold.”
“Maybe not,” Bender said. “We have friends upriver we can trust.”
“And I own a building where you and your pets can safely stay.” Jenkins stood and reached out to shake their hands.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
That evening, the three were escorted to the former armory of King Righteous by Jenkins and his personal bodyguard, a giant of a man named Girt. The bodyguard’s abilities included all but a sense of humor and the ability to smile.
Tyler asked, “King Righteous. Who would name their son that?”
Girt said, “He was named James at birth, and is officially King James. But, after his coronation, he preferred to be called Righteous, or King James the Righteous. It is a self-inflicted title that reveals much of his lack of character.”
Tyler said, “Then let me ask another. Does Girt mean paranoid in another language?” as he watched the bodyguard’s eyes. They seemed to never remain focused on one item, and Girt seemed to be in front of the four of them, while at the same time, watching behind. He probably traveled twice their distance, continually roving and scouting, watching all, and listening. Tyler would swear the man also sniffed the air for scent.
The building was a fortress, just as Jenkins had described, solid brick to the second floor and arrow ports built in on the second. Jenkins unlocked the massive padlock and pushed open the ironclad door. Inside a set of stairs led to a landing on the second floor, where another set went to the third.
A few empty crates, a stack of lumber, and little else was on the first floor. The interior walls had been removed, leaving lighter colored scars on the floor where they had once stood, but other than that, the floor was empty but for a huge slab near the center.
The second floor was much the same. All walls were gone, a few piles of new building materials stood ready to use, Stout timbers to hold up the ceiling above, but the open floor was probably thirty steps wide and forty long. A huge open space, dark and full of echoes without so much as a splash of color. Even the little amount of light that came through the arrow ports looked dim.
“I like it,” Bender said.
Both Jenkins and Girt turned to him with expressions of surprise.
“Why?” Tyler asked, knowing the way Bender’s mind worked.
“The dragons will have room to roam without the chance of escaping. Cleaning after them will be easy with a flat-nosed shovel, and it’s easy to defend. With Thunder and Rage on the first two floors, we won’t have to worry about intruders.”
“Ah,” Jenkins said, understanding. “That was the idea. I’m glad you like it.”
Prim said, “You forgot to mention Lucky.”
Jenkins spun to search her face as if looking for humor. He said, “That dog? He’s called Lucky? How odd.”
Prim smirked and gave the dog a pat on his good shoulder. Tyler headed up to the third floor where he halted abruptly. The third floor was as different from the first two as possible. Windows lined the main room, allowing light to stream in. From that room, doors opened, each leading to another room or the short hallway.
The finished rooms were freshly painted, and carpets covered nearly every foot, some two and three deep. Sofas, chests, hutches, cabinets, chairs, and beds occupied the rooms, as well as fireplaces, with exotic and expensive woods used for the mantles.
Tyler stood in one place and turned a full circle. “This looks fit for a king.”
“Indeed, it should, because it is. King Jefferies, our great king from half a century ago, ruled in a turbulent time and wished for a secure apartment atop a building as strong as this one.” Jenkins smile told of his enjoyment of their surprise. “Here is a kitchen and more, but there are other surprises as well. This building has a cistern for water, so combined with the food in the storerooms below; this arsenal could withstand an extended siege unless war machines were brought in, but that would create civil unrest of a type nobody could survive, even a king.”
Bender said, “I didn’t see a cistern or storerooms.”
“The cistern is on the roof, the storerooms below. In a hidden basement,” the solicitor allowed a trace of a smile. “As in a secret tunnel connecting this building with a small, nondescript building two streets from here that I also own.”
“Who knows all of this?” Bender asked.
“Those in this building now. The three of you, Girt and myself. Few others, Jefferies ruled over fifty years ago, so all who served him are long dead. I will send you a cook from my kitchen, complete with all he needs to feed you, if this is satisfactory.”
Tyler heard Prim racing the dragons and dog a floor below as they played. He said, “We need a temporary door installed to keep your cook safe from our dragons.”
Jenkins said, “I was thinking of having the stairwell walled in with doors to barricade each floor. There is also Girt’s safety, as well as my own to consider.”
Bender said, “Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of the dragons guarding us?”
“Will your dragons obey you? Can you guarantee our safety?” Jenkins asked.
“No,” Bender said. “Well, can we build the thing so we can release them at will?”
Jenkins laughed. “I’m sure we can come up with something. I also must begin interviewing bodyguards to protect you from the Cabots, as well as contacting other solicitors to make appointments with magistrates. It will only take one of them to betray you, so the selection process will be difficult, but quick.”
“Maybe not,” Tyler said. “Do you have a good man you can send up the river to a village above Trenton? It’s too small for a name, but the only one up there.”
“I have several trusted men. Why would they visit there?” Jenkins was puzzled and confident enough in himself to let it show.
Tyler said, “In that village, he will find men who we trust with our lives. We freed their relatives from slavery in the Cabot gold mines, and when they hear we need help to fight the Cabots, they’ll come. When they hear that we’re fighting the Cabots, they’ll probably run here the entire way.”
Jenkins said with a gleam in his eye, “The two of you are not the usual foot-soldiers I encounter.”
“We can’t help it if we’re so good looking,” Bender said.
Jenkins snorted, but refused to laugh. He said, “I’ll have a table delivered, and chairs. We need a large room to discuss how we’re to proceed. In the meantime, I want all three of you to remain inside this building.”
Bender said, “We came here to defeat the Cabots and take away their lives and fortunes. We’ll do that and then move on, but sitting here doing nothing does not appeal to me.”
Girt growled, “You’d rather roam the streets and take the heads of any Cabots you find.”
It was not a question. Bender simply nodded.
Jenkins said, “Girt is right. But let me ask a few questions. What if one of the Cabots is a better swordsman? Or he has hired one? Or ten? And all three of you are killed in a fight? What if they attack you with a hundred men? They have the resources for that, you know. They might poison you, slit your throats, drown you in the river, or imprison you. They might do any of a thousand other things that will mean they win.”
“Your point?” Bender growled.
“You’ll lose. Do it my way, and you will win.”
The bluntness of the ending brought Bender to a standstill. He didn’t like the idea of losing, but the Cabots winning was worse. “What should we do?”
“You’ve already done it. You came to me. Now, I’ll use those documents you brought to seize control of every building and property listed on them. I’ll do it quietly and legally, but will not act upon it right away. When we spring your ownership of the buildings on the Cabots, we’ll also enter each building and evict any Cabot living there, which will be more than a few.”
“How do you know that?” Tyler asked.
“I’ve spent a short while with the documents and have verified that you own several of the buildings that they consider their homes.” Jenkins smiled this time. It did not look humorous.
“You know more than that,” Bender said.
“I do. Lord Cabot invested their entire fortune in farms, buildings, homes, warehouses, and prime city property. Normally, this would be a safe and conservative investment strategy, but not while allowing convertible deeds to lie around for any ruffian to steal.”
“We wondered about that,” Bender said.
“Me too. And I believe I’ve found the reason. The elder Cabot, the father, died a few months ago. His two eldest sons are fighting for control of the family fortune. The oldest, the one who calls himself Lord, believes it is his by birthright. The other son has been running the family businesses for decades, and he believes he’s earned it.”
