Burning Today Options

[Olen]

Some of you probably remember my last piece, Yesterday's Shadow and that it had a rather unsatisfying ending. I spent the summer rectifying this and now have a sizeable sequel/ completion to it which is itself now finished. It would probably be better to read Yesterday's Shadow before this as it would make more sense, however you should get by without it. If anyone wants I'll put a synopsis here, though Yesterday's Shadow isn't very long so you could just read it here (enough plugs yet?)

Anyway without further ado:

Burning Today

Prologue

Dervas wore boots while he worked. Shoes didn't last long in the decaying mixture of blood, vomit, drink and drugs which floored The Black Guar. The dark man had finally passed out and for the first time Dervas dared look at him. A worn man with a broken soul. Who are you? The Black Guar didn't get passing trade – the mixture of pushers, heavies and racketeers who made up most of his patronage didn't appreciate strangers. In the first hour the man, who now lay face down on the table, had knocked two out cold and broken another's arm. They left him alone after that and he them. Dervas wiped the remains of a line of sugar off the bar and nodded to the bouncer who went to move the man to his room.

Someone knocked at the door. Dervas ignored it. They knocked again, for longer this time. He cursed and went to tell whoever it was where to go. It was late an he didn't need any more trade. He pushed open the door, a curse dancing on his tongue. A sack crashed to the ground, gold clinked within. A Breton in black clothes stood in the doorway.

“What's his tab?” There was no need to ask whose.

“Sixty.”

The Breton showed no surprise, and counted out the gold. “Listen,” his tone offered pain if Dervas didn't, “You keep giving that guy drinks, drugs, whores, whatever he asks for okay? For him happy hour doesn't end, tabs never have to be paid. Push as much as you can into him. Don't worry - I'll be round a couple of nights a week to pay you. That sack,” he kicked disdainfully at the one he'd just dropped, “Contains a thousand drakes, payment enough I'd say. If he asks don't tell him, just give him more drink. Understand?”

Dervas nodded, his mouth was dry.

The man disappeared into the night.

Dervas walked back into the bar. He looked towards the dark man's room. Who are you? he thought again, And what have I gotten into?

[Olen]

21. Glittering Opportunity

I rolled off the bed. An instant later a bolt buried itself in the pillow. I hit the wooden floor with a thump. The figure in the doorway swung the crossbow down. He's shot his bolt... I grabbed the bedside table and threw it at him. There was a second twang and some plaster fell from the ceiling, another bolt was buried there. Two bolts. Fancy. He was clear of the wreaked table before I stood, but I had my sword now. He rolled to his feet and pulled out a dirk, enchantment glittered on its surface. For a moment we faced each other, calculating. I was horribly aware of my nakedness.

He lunged, viciously fast so I barely blocked and before I could counter he was out of range again. He darted to the side and again I was hard pressed to do anything. The tactic would tire him, but what if he was fitter than me. It was more than likely. I backed away. He pressed forward but I had retreated to a window alcove so he could only attack my front. The dagger licked out again, I went to block but suddenly it wasn't there. A few hairs fell as it sliced the air where my head had been an instant before I ducked.

I pressed my own attack. Risky but it would end this. He backed off, inviting me to step out of the alcove. I broke the attack. He paused for a moment then rushed me. The slice was low. It was also another feint, but I'd seen this one and only made a cursory attempt to block. As he flicked the swing high I caught the blade on my sword. They locked. This time I reacted first. I raked my finger nails into his eyes. He screamed. Before he could break away I dropped my sword and kicked the side of his knee. He spun before it broke but that left me behind him. It wasn't beautiful or flowing, or particularly honourable, but grabbing his throat to tip his head back then driving my elbow into his face worked. So I did it again. And again. And again.

His nose broke first, then I think a cheekbone. It became harder to land the hits as his face became slick with blood. My elbow started to ache a bit too so I stopped. He slumped but that he was conscious was a credit to whoever trained him, and whatever potion he was using. He still held the dagger, I grabbed his wrist and plunged it at his chest. He tried to twist out but it still scraped his ribs.

And suddenly his was still. Ridged still. The dagger was a jinkblade. I looked at him, knowing he could see me though his bloody eyes. The paralysis would last a few seconds, more than long enough to restrain him. But I wasn't going to; jinkblades are dirty weapons. I never pretended to fight with honour but neither would I use paralysing magic. I looked at him, I could see his fear, he knew how they're hated. I took the blade, it felt slithery and unsavoury in my hand, and held it to his throat so he knew what was going to happen but was unable to do anything. After a moment I ran it across. He fell, spouting blood.

I looked at the corpse, perhaps I should have let him live, but I was angry. Someone would regret that assassination attempt. I bent and rifled though his pockets but there wasn't much to go on. A few coins, all Mournhold minted. Could be from anyone, I pocketed them. His clothes were black with thin strips of metal as protection. Again any assassin might have them. The crossbow was something though, light but powerful, and with two bolt lines. I couldn't see well enough in the gloom but it looked like one bow did both, either individually or simultaneously. I tossed it towards my pack, it might be worth selling. In the mean time, though, it seemed prudent to disappear. The mer, my attacker had been a dark elf, had known what he was at. Professionals cost money, lots of money. Enemies with lots of money are the worst kind.

A few moments later I had dressed and took my pack, complete with bow to sell and jinkblade to drop into a river. It struck me as odd that the barkeep hadn't taken any notice of the noise. It also made sense, as did his clumsy attempt at friendliness and generous offer. My name and description was out there, someone was offering good money for my death and he'd sold my whereabouts. He was right to keep low, had my mood been a shade worse I'd have paid him a little visit but I kept my rage at bay, killing more barkeeps wasn't going to do wanders for my reputation. Instead I settled with taking several bottles and some money from behind the bar on my way out.

Outside I stopped in the shadow of the door and looked. I saw no one. What should I do? It briefly crossed my mind to seek shelter with Nakuma and her bunch, but I doubted they would have me. Did they know who I was now? I didn't want to risk it, better to get out of town. Find some backwater farm and get any more supplies there, and a haircut at least.

I didn't know any quiet routes out of Droyn so I took the main ones, staying as much in view as I could. The clock in the town square read four, but there were still some people about, and music and laughter from some bars. I hurried along, avoiding eyes but glancing around. Even so I didn't see anyone in the dark alley until I'd passed it. A clawed hand grabbed my wrist. I wheeled round. Its owner wore black, I tore free and drew my sword.

"Stop," said a harsh voice, "I'm not here to kill you."

I paused, sword still ready.

"I'm with the twin lamps, you spoke with Nakuma earlier. The captain Hulgar showed you the light."

It was all true, I lowered the sword slightly, "Who are you?"

"My name is Keel-ha, I've been following you since you left the Westwater Club."

"A tail then?"

"Yes," the lizard sounded uncomfortable, "I saw the assassin go into the Old Stone."

"And did nothing?"

"You managed. That was impressive, enough to convince people you'd be an asset. I didn't dare let the assassin see me, he knew what he was at."

I didn't answer. Silence often draws people best.

"Anyway, that was impressive but I think you'd best return to the Westwater Club with me. Whoever sent that assassin is sure to send another."

"Do you know who that would be, or why?"

"I don't, but Nakuma may well. Knowing things is her business."

I paused. There was no doubt the lizard was from the twin lamps, and of any faction I knew of they seemed to have least motive to kill me. "Fine," I said, "Lead on."

***

Even in the small hours there were people in the Westwater Club. In fact there seemed to be more activity there than there had been when I'd visited earlier that day. A few argonians looked up from the map they had spread on a large corner table as we entered but they ignored us. "Take a seat," said Keel-ha, "I'll be back soon."

He hurried away towards a back room and I made my way to the same small table by the wall I'd sat at earlier. Looking at the room it struck me how different it felt. Earlier had been quiet, the sort of place where revolution might be discussed, motions brought and passed or rejected and further discussed, but where little would ever be done. Now it bustled, the group in the corner spoke animatedly over some feature of the map, at another table scrolls and ledgers were poured over by another group, this one with some Khajit and even a dunmer. Someone left with what looked to be a roll of weapons.

The barkeep came over with a small jug, "Rasde?" she asked.

"Thank you," I nodded and she poured me a cup.

"Nakuma is a little busy with some incoming... business. She should be here soon though."

I nodded but said nothing. A small group had just appeared at the door, a pair a darkly dressed Argonians, similar in appearance to Keel-ha, lead a few heavily robed figures. Talk stopped and chairs scraped back and the other occupants of the bar rose. It would have been impossible to determine their race had it not been for a draught briefly catching one robe and showing a small length of scaled tail. They were hurried towards a back room but as they passed I caught the glitter of an enchanted manacle. I glanced around again. They were stealing slaves. In Dres territory. In spite, or perhaps because, of it being exactly my plan, I shivered. What had I got myself into?


Nakuma arrived a few minutes later. She took a seat across the table and levelled her red gaze at me. "I hear you had quite a night?"

"Some might say."

She blinked slowly, Argonians always seem to. It was slightly disconcerting, "Still you seem to know how to handle yourself. Wouldn't you say so, Firen, unless I'm mistaken?"

Here we go, I thought. "Yes, though I wouldn't mind knowing how you know that."

"Same as how that miser at the Old Stone knew. I'm glad you didn't kill him, it shows... restraint. I wouldn't be helping you if you hadn't shown that restraint. He's not been the same since his wife died, poor thing..."

"How did he know," my patience was beginning to wear.

"Word's out on you. And after Firewatch there's no surprise. Managing to have contracts on you from the Camonna Tong, Telvanni and Mages Guild as well as having the Fighter's Guild rather interested and the watch wanting to speak to you about a certain set of murders is quite a feat." She paused to let it sink in.

It felt more like being hit by an orc with a hammer. I'd known I was in trouble, but outrunning the law isn't so hard. Escaping that many contracts is. "So who was the assassin?"

"Well it's hard to be certain, but he's often seen going in and out of the Morag Tong guildhall-"

"Wh-" I spluttered. The words running though my mind were less savoury.

"But he was known to freelance, and by your reaction you didn't find a writ. That's a good sign, there probably isn't one, yet anyway. Still it means he was good, and you survived, that means you were better. We might have a use for you."

There it was. They had me by the balls and there was nothing I could do about it, if I refused they might just sell me out. Even if they didn't how far was I likely to get? Perhaps if I made it to a small town... But the Dres are a strange bunch, I'd be remembered. I was probably in the only place where I had so much as a hope of help. I nodded, "In return for which you hide me?"

Nakuma smiled, "As you can imagine, we have something of a talent for hiding people."

"What of the man I must rescue?"

"You'll be going straight to him. I said we didn't operate that far south, but I didn't say nobody does. You'll join a group of my brethren who have more... extreme views on the Dres," a frown flickered over her features, "And most other races. You can fight so you'll get along though. Once you've rescued your man, assuming you survive, you'll report to me and I'll help you disappear."

"And the catch?" It was too good.

"What? Am I not offering you exactly what you asked for? More even?"

"Very well," they were. When it turned sour I could always try my own disappearing act.

"Good, you should drink up. Keel-ha will take you to see them in ten minutes."