Lake Merrin Read online

  This one looks good—The Tinker’s Place. Seems to be a little dodgier than most of these shops. Walking in, a bell sounds off. A Gnome with thick goggles pokes his head out from the back. “Yes, you need help?”

  “Ah, yes. I have come into possession of a few well-made weapons. I am wondering if you are willing to buy?”

  Pulling off his goggles, eyes ringed with soot, hair greasy. “You an Adventurer?”

  Do I have my licence on me? Should do, in my wallet.

  “Sure, sure. One second.” Damn, of course, I do not have a licence yet, but here is the receipt from Royce. “Just signed up yesterday, here’s the receipt.”

  He checks it over. “Looks like Royce's writing, hmm.” Glances up at me with his dark purple eyes. “Okay, what you got?”

  Unwrapping the weapons, placing each in front of the Gnome. “Excuse me, may I ask your name?”

  “Sure! It's Winkle Tinker.” Picks up each one and looks at them. “Where is the maker’s mark?”

  Damn, he noticed straight away! “Okay, Winkle—” great name “—I defeated a few foes on a job, and these are the spoils.”

  “You know owning a sword without a mark could land you in jail?”

  “Yes, but I do not own these, just want to sell them. Besides, I am a registered Adventurer, so those rules do not apply.”

  “Well-made, no grinder marks or other signatures. I’ll give you thirty slips for both.”

  Say what—thirty? Calm down. Bloody Gnomes and their smarts.

  “Make it one hundred and fifty, and I will throw in this gem.”

  Handing it over, Winkle's eyes light up. “Sixty.”

  Haggling with this one will not be fun. “Make it one hundred, and we will call it a day.”

  “Fine, you have a deal.” I know I attained the worse end of this deal. “Here you go. If you want a better weapon, don't forget Winkle Tinker's Place.”

  Yanking my money out of his hand. Yeah, I’ll be back. After this, I need an ale.

  Chapter Six

  Journal Entry One continued …

  The first time I met Zlata and Stillwater, I felt they were akin to two peas in a pod—if the pod allowed knives and violence. Never saw it though—Zlata versus Stillwater, I mean. It would be a sight to see. Um, it would be wrong messing around with ...

  It is the first time my wallet has been filled with decent slips for a while, and that calls for one thing and one thing only—drinks at the Hall! Could see if I could stash my stuff there too. Betting that Royce would charge me for the storage.

  Hang on, what about Brice? A free meal all the way. Where was he again? Within eyeshot of Corbin’s. Just have to follow my nose.

  Nope, I cannot see him, must not have anything to cook with today. A shame. Heading back to the Hall.

  Just have to cut across Market. Ale and a snack too. Might even be news about my job. Bloody Royce and his 'Lone Solo' act. It is not much of a Charter name, but if I earn slips, I do not really care.

  Not too busy in the morning, banners not even out. Have to patron a flag—I cannot look amateurish. There is old Bertude running the taps. I have spoken my woes to her many a time, and she was kind enough to listen. Always wondered why a Dwarf was running a bar. Rumour is she was an Adventurer once. With the size of her arms and her missing eye, I could see her as a veteran.

  “One ale, please, lovely Bertude, the beer giver.” I crack a smile at the charming barkeep. She’s Dwarven and mature, but damn can she brew a real ale!

  “Don’t you get all charming-like, young lad.” She passes me my mug of bitter ale. Her bright green eye stares at me, questioning. “You seem down in the dumps.” As usual. “How can Bertude make it better? How’s about a chaser with that ale?” Putting a shot glass of clear liquid on the bar.

  Sniffing, it does not smell that strong. Is it a spirit at all? Down the hatch. Coughing, grasping at my ale. Need a long swig.

  “Very smooth.” The hoarseness of my voice surprises me. “What is it?”

  She throws back one herself. “It’s a new spirit I got from out East. Some people be talking about it. Made from potatoes. Got a nice kick, doesn’t it?” She pours us another one. “Drink up. What brought you to the Hall today? As you can see, not much is happening.”

  “Why is that?”

  “Well, most jobs have already been handed out, and the Charters are off to do them. We have two new Charters that joined the Hall this week—the Helpers and Lone Solo. I hope they bring honour to this Hall!”

  She has her second shot. I follow in turn.

  “Well, I’m Lone Solo and was wondering if anyone from the Watch has sent any word about me being accepted for a Watch job?”

  Bertude looks at me. “What do I look like, that crusty old man over there? I have seen a few messengers come in this morning, but I’m just here to run this bar, break up fights, and listen to Adventurers get drunk and talk about their problems.”

  Don't I know that. “Well, thanks anyway. That is some good stuff you have got there.”

  Handing over some slips, I stand up from my stool and fall over.

  Bertude just laughs at me. “It is some robust stuff. I see Mr Lone Solo can’t hold his liquor. It's not like you’re a dwarf! And it’s eighty copper bits more, Lone.”

  Handing her more money—great, cost me nearly two silver slips. Need to drink the cheaper stuff, and my head would welcome it.

  Stagger over to Royce’s table. “Hey, Royce, have you heard any news on the Watch job?”

  He looks up. “Let me see … ah, here it is. Yes, you are on the list. Head over to the Commander's office, and they will give you the rest of the details, Lone Solo.” He always smiles after he says that name.

  “Thanks, Royce.”

  What am I going to do with all my stuff? “Royce, how much for a locked booth?”

  “Well, they are five silver slips per day. Did you need one?”

  Five? Glad to score from those Dock Boys earlier. “Yeah, just for today.”

  “Sure, here is the key for booth three. Make sure you hand your key back by tomorrow morning, or you will be charged for another day.”

  That was simple. Never been in one of these booths. Only Registered can come up here. Here we go. Just dump and off to the barracks. If I do not find a place tonight, I could sleep here. Those look like some very comfortable benches. Padded and everything.

  Royce calls out to me. “Remember, tomorrow.”

  Thanks, because I could not remember what you said only a couple of minutes ago. Just wave and go. Should not be that hard. A little light-headed with that brew Bertude gave me. At least the barracks are easy to find.

  Head up Market onto Gate Street, which leads to the main gate. There are more streets around here, some might even have names that … well, there is Warehouse Place, which is in the warehouse district. And Gold Street, where all those wealthy merchants and some minor nobles live. Tanner Lane, which is near Warehouse Place, as you can imagine, is where the tanners work. I just cannot believe there is no ‘Brothel Cul-de-sac’ when there is a street that ends in a cul-de-sac and has lots of brothels—well, only three. On Tanner Lane there are only two, so that is a little unfair—two tanners, I mean, not two brothels. That could help with newcomers, so they know where to go to … well, you know. It took me about two weeks to find one!

  Well, there is the barracks. Hey, look, Barrack Road that leads to Gate Street—fan-bloody-tastic! Now, here is a question: did they build the barracks here because of the street name? Never know—or care, really—but the street names can be useful at times.

  A solid-looking building, with some unsavoury types and some criminals. It is the Watchmen who are the dodgy ones. Oh yeah, that’s the job. I’m going to be one of those guys.

  There is a line up to the main desk. Come on, dreamy brain, kick in. Think about how much Pela looked at your junk, or how you owned those two thugs at the Anvil and Musket. Second thought, maybe not.

  Calm down, you a
re fidgeting. Is that Watch looking at me? Or are they staring at me because I am staring at them? Stop staring at him. I am just looking at him harder now! Do something! Make him look away! Wink at him. And now he seems interested. He raises an eyebrow, and now he is walking over here.

  When I look back at the queue, no one has moved. Some stupid, dumb, ugly woman is still talking about how much her useless life has more meaning than something important.

  I feel a tap on the shoulder. That Watchman asks in a very feminine voice, “Can I help you, sir? You have been staring at me for the last five minutes.”

  Hang on a second. This is not a guy, it is a girl! I bit of a handsome sort of woman, with a shaven head of short blonde hair and broad shoulders; flat-chested but cute butt!

  “Excuse me, my face is up here, not down there!”

  She is getting a bit angry. I have heard this a few too many times from women over the years.

  “Now look here, sir ...”

  Everyone is staring at me. Oh, Holy Saints, the Watch Sergeant and that rambling woman have both stopped to watch this spectacle.

  “I am sorry, I did not mean to offend, ma'am. It was just—” One second. If I said, I was bored and staring at this Watchwoman relieved me of my boredom, that might not go down well. “Ahem, excuse me. As I was saying, I am here to see the Commander to accept the job offered at the Hall!”

  Proud of that recovery. Is it just me or did fifty eyes just start to bore through my brain?

  With a scowl on her face, she whispers, “Get over here, you idiot!” She grabs my arm and pulls me into the barracks. Those eyes just follow me, doesn't matter where I move. “What are you thinking? Don’t you know anything?”

  Of course not.

  “The Old Watch is not too fond of the Commander’s actions with this upcoming inspection.”

  “Like how? I have not been told any of this.” Royce, you son of a motherless goat! “I was informed to come down here and talk to the Commander. Now you say that there is hostility with this. Not my fault—this is my first job from the Hall.”

  She smiles a lovely smile. “Okay, so you are a fledgling Adventurer.” A little insulting. Just remember: need the money. “Where is the rest of your Charter?”

  Charming as always. “Just me, sweetheart—Lone Solo.”

  Arches an eyebrow. “Lone Solo?” Could feel the inner laughter. “Well, Lone, come this way.”

  We walk down the hallway before she turns to me. “Sit here, Lone. When the Commander is free, you’re the next one in.”

  Well, here I am, twiddling my thumbs. “Hey, what is your name?”

  She turns and looks at me. “Officer Stillwater. You can call me Officer Stillwater.”

  Made another friend. I do make so many. Hopefully, this finishes quickly as I do not want to hang around here long. Well, aside from getting daggers from some of the Watch, not a bad place. Never seen it from the other side of the bars. Everyone is so friendly and helpful.

  Just before I could dream that this is a perfect day, there is Zlata. And she is walking this way. Look disinterested. Oh, look at my shoe, it needs ... Hang on, there is blood on my boots! I did not check my bloody shoes—literally. Nothing I can do about that. Just look casual and hope she will pass me by.

  She stops, turns, and looks at me with that cute, upturned nose. “Don’t I know you?” she hunches down. “You work for Malik, don’t you? I’ve seen you around him a lot.”

  What to say, what to say. “Sort of … I, well, you see—” Screw it, honesty or balderdash. “Yeah, I did a few jobs here and there for him.” Twaddle wins by a nose. People do not want to hear the truth, they want a good story that follows their own. In the end, no one questions your motives if you play along.

  “Quiet down!” she growls at me. She turns and looks at the clock. “Come with me, now!”

  She takes me into an interrogation room. “Sit there! Are you here about my end of the deal?”

  Nod if you think your life depends on this.

  “You can tell Malik that I will meet obligations and he will go through with his end! And if he wants to make a problem out of this, I will show him my not-so-sweet side!”

  She has a sweet side? Never really noticed it. Guessing that she really did not need it with me. Too busy laying in the boot.

  “Sorry, Sergeant Zlata, I am also here for the Watch job as well.”

  Here is a tough row to hoe. By the look on her face, she does not really understand why I am here.

  “Here for the Watch job?” That is a creepy smile. “A good cover. I’m glad I stopped you then… How long have we been talking?”

  “Don't know, about a couple of minutes. Why do you ask?”

  “Wait here. Soon I will be the acting commander, and you will answer to me. I will tell you where to go and what to do. Do you hear me?”

  This just got weirder! “Sure thing.”

  She walks out the room. Crazy, weird half-breed. What have I got myself into this time? Hang on, what does she mean ‘about to be acting commander’? If I did not need this money, I would be out of here! Stay or go? What should I do? If I leave, she will think something is up. Back to sleeping with one eye open. Best thing to do is keep my insides inside me. I will stay here and wait.

  Oh my Trinity, I thought queues were annoying. How long has it been? Like, one whole minute? Man, I am bored of being bored!

  As I rack my brain for something to think of, another problem presents itself that I could work on. Pela. How do I fix what I did this morning? I could give her flowers. On second thoughts, I don’t want to waste my money. So that cuts out jewellery, dresses, shoes, or something I can buy. How can I make a non-whore woman not want to cut my balls off? No idea. Need something that I could work my charms around, and is cheap.

  What is that noise? Have a look. But if I do, Zlata might start showing her mean side to me. Suck it up. As long as I do not step out, I should be safe! I need to make sure I stay in this room, but what is happening?

  Outside the door is utter chaos. People are running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Wow, that one just tripped over that chair. What is going on? Seems to be some commotion around the Commander’s office. Oh my, was that what Zlata was talking about or could it just be a coincidence? What should I do?

  Zlata thinks that I am part of her plot, so if I do a runner she will hunt me down and cut my throat! Need to stick this out. I did give my word too. Just play it by ear, and if it turns pear-shaped then just run!

  There is Zlata with—hang on—that same Dwarf from back at Anvil and Musket. Are they a part of it too? I think it would be best to avoid them. With them is that Savage Folk and that armoured knight. So, I guess they got a Charter. Meanwhile, here is Lone Solo, alone. It could be worse.

  What am I going to do with Zlata breathing down my neck? Maybe it would be better if I cut and run. After selling those swords today, I really do not need this job. Could find a better place than Corbin's as well. No need to work those twelve-hour shifts. Again though, if I run, Zlata and Malik would have my head. Better to sit back down and think.

  The door bursts open, and my heart leaps up into my throat! Great, it is Zlata. Are those tears? Can she cry? Do not notice, just be casual.

  Wiping her eyes. “Good, you are still here.”

  Where else would I be, or go?

  “Bloody do-gooders! I couldn’t place the blame on them. A paladin of the deadly Orange is out there! And he is an unknown, no dirt on him yet. What to do?”

  Act like I am not here.

  “You—”damn it “—are here because of the arrangement with Malik.”

  I assume that was a statement, not a question?

  “I have a job for you. You will stay here and help me as much as possible. You will get the same money, and if you are lucky, a bonus at the end.” Did she just wink? No! “As I am the new Commander, due to unforeseen circumstances.”

  With her laughing, need to say something tough. “Yeah, sho
uld have stabbed the Paladin in the back and called it a day, placing the blame on this, you know, do-gooder group and—”

  “That's a great idea! I’ve had their routes changed so they will bump into Malik, and you know what he is moving over the next couple of days—”

  I am just looking at her like a stump. What is wrong with me? She is getting me involved with some evil plan, and now she is targeting this disadvantaged group for nothing. Be brave… Is she still talking? Listen, stupid!

  “—and that stupid Orange Paladin comes in. We’ll put him up on charges because Malik’s papers are real, well, official-looking. And you know what paladins do—”

  Anyone with two thoughts rubbed together knows how an Orange will react; they are all retribution and flame, hunting evil. The faithful followers of Saint Jara will follow you to the end of the Amsul if you have hurt an innocent. They are not some lawyer-monks like the Blue Aspect, they only see black and white and will chase you with knowledge and the law. Neither are they Healer-Farmers, like the Green Aspect, dealing with the outlying communities; they love the whole life and death circle.

  But if the Orange have your number, time to punch out.

  “So, will you do that?”

  What did she ask me to do? Thinking, thinking. She is getting a bit annoyed. Drop your mouth open and then stare blankly at her. “What do you want me to do?”

  “For Xeswar and Zacwihad’s sake!”

  Who and who? Must be someone important.

  “Why couldn’t Malik send me a smart one? I thought you were smart.”

  Well, I just do not want to die because you are a blood-crazed sicko! What I need is for her to talk really slowly.

  She snaps her fingers in front of my face. “I … have a job … for you … I need you … to go and work with Stillwater. Can you do that?”

  So bored by the end of that! “Sure… I will… do that.”

  Looking at me, she shakes her head and mutters to herself, “At least this dimwit can distract Stillwater and her squad for a while.”