Mark of the Fool

Chapter 510: Building a Team

Good eventide! Ripp skidded to a halt on the cobblestones, stopping just in front of the bakery. Late hours, youre keeping.

Evening, Ripp. Alex floated down in front of the swiftling, noting the glint of weapons strapped to the little mans armour. Sometimes nights the best time to get things done, especially when its so busy in the daytime.

Aye, if Ive just come back from a hunt and got paid, the days all taken up; on those kinda days theres only time for leisure and other business when the night falls, Ripp said pleasantly. So, I got your message. Is it about another job?

You could say that, Alex said, gesturing down the street. Walk with me.

The swiftling looked up at him, the light of intrigue in his eyes. Aye, lead the way then.

Together, the young man and the swiftling strolled down the street, their cloaks high and their voices hushed. To anyone peeking through a window from the shadows, the pair could have easily been taken for a couple of rogues scheming to burgle a house nearby.

The truth of it was that there was a burglary being planned, but for a place far, far from Generasi.

So, youre going to be needing another black ball? Ripp asked, his eyes constantly searching the dark of alleyways they passed. He nodded to stray cats passing by, and scowled at a twitchy rat gnawing on a piece of dropped trash. Need me to dive into another hill and fetch one from a monster den? By the way, you shaved! Good for you lad! You didnt wear a beard right.

Alex hadmixed feelings about that statement. Actually, I only shaved for the job I want to talk to you about, whichll be somewhere a little moreexotic than Thameland, Alex said. The butt of his staff clicked against the ground as they walked. Tell me, have you ever had a job anywhere off the material plane?

...Oh, well doesnt this already sound curious? Ripps eyes narrowed at the thought of intrigue. Not often, Ill admit. I was hired by a wizard to crack open a beastie in the elemental plane of earth once. It was supposed to be all diamonds on the inside, hed been told.

Oh? That must have been quite the payday.

Ripp made a face. Unfortunately, nothing but quartz inside. My employer got himself killed for nothing.

Poor him. Alex winced. Howd you get back?

We got in through a natural portal, so I just needed to run fast. Very fast. Ripps face turned dark. Sowhat sort of plane are we talking about?

The endless hells, Alex said grimly. In the Outer Labyrinths.

Eyebrows rose. ...Oh. Well thatssomething. Dont bother with specifics about plane names and such, the only thing Im going to understand is hells. Hoh, boy, and whats the job?

Were going to steal something from a greater demon. Alex pointed to a richly decorated townhouse nearby. Hell be hosting a gala soon. The plan is for us to slip inside as part of the entertainment, and while were in there, burgle what we came for, then hopefully, get out without incident.

Aye Ripp nodded slowly. Well, its not the maddest thing anyones ever said to me. Butits sure giving everything else a run for first place. Whatre we stealing?

Alex shrugged. Dont know exactly. Its information, but it could be written down, it could be carved into a gem, some demon could know it. Were going to find out during the party.

Well, shite, this keeps getting better. Ripps laugh was shrill. So were going right into the belly of the beast, on a demons plane, in their sanctum to steal somethingand we got no idea what were stealing?

Weve got some idea. Some.

...hoooh boy, youre going to need a kings ransom to hire me for this one, Alex. The swiftling shook his head, his long ears wiggling beneath his hood. And Ill be honest: if you werent youand we didnt pull that job in Thameland togetherId be laughing at you with every step I'd be taking down this street. My legs arent the longest, mate: so thered be a lot of steps and a lot of laughing.

Right, if I didnt know me Id be laughing at me, too. And as for a kings ransom? Alex lifted the sack at his waist. This is five thousand gold. Ill give you this upfront, and youll get another five on our safe return.

Alex almost missed it.

The faes movements were rapid and liquid, his tics and tells passing so swiftly, that the untrained eye would never have caught them. But Alexs trained eye did, just barely: a slight stiffening when he heard the sum.

A point of shock.

And maybe hunger.

Well, Ripp tried to play it off casually. Thats not badbut extra hazards

Name a price, Alex said.

...fourteen. Three quarters now. A quarter when we get back. We might die, and Id like some spending time, in case we do.

Twelve thousand. Half now. Half when we get back. You can spend all you want when we get back alive. And we will. Youre going to help me make sure of that.

Ripp paused. Ayeis it just you and me?

Myself, you, my friend Thundar andmaybe two to three others, tops. Stealthy types. My golem will be back up.

Ripp paused again, and Alex could almost see the calculations working through his brain. Seven thousand now. Six thousand when we get back.

Six thousand and six thousand, take it or leave it.

...fine. Ripp sighed. Ill come with you into the breach. Gods above, whatever youre going to get must be priceless to be worth this much pay and danger.

Yeah, Alex said. You have no idea. He handed Ripp the sack. Well go to my bank in the morning and get you the other thousand.

Thanks, Ill need to do some quick spending in case Im too dead to do it later. He gave Alex a searching look. And whore the others youre hiring? I could give you a list of hunters to avoid. And some good ones, if you dont already have folks in mind.

Alex shrugged. Lets say that Ive got a connection. A place where only the very best mercenaries go.

Now the key thing to remember is that some of the potential minions you will encounter there are idiots, Baelin said, leading Alex through an alley in Generasis business quarter. Complete buffoons. The worst sort of scum.

Baelin Alex pinched the bridge of his nose, following the chancellor closely. I literally just told a guy I hired yesterday that where were going will have only the very best mercenaries there.

In many ways, it does, Baelin said. But if you are looking for pre-sorted warriors who have only the cleanest morality and highest competence, thenwell, unfortunately, such a place does not exist. This place will have some of the best hired arms you can buy, but it will also have others intermixed. I would suggest using your skill in reading others carefully.

Right, Alex said. Sowhere are we going? Specifically?

That, I cannot say, Baelin said. Both because where we are going tends to bein multiple places at once. Honestly, its a metaphysical nightmare and I asked one of my cabal membersone far more fond of metageometry than Ito track it down. The other reason is that the owner would not appreciate it if I were to make the place too well known. And speaking of tacit agreements with the owner, there are some rules to follow.

He gave Alex a very serious look. First, you have brought gemstones, yes? You did remember that payment is strictly in the form of gemstones? No stamped coins?

Ive got em right here. Alex rattled two bags, one great and one small.

Good. Secondly, you are to purchase at least one drink from the barkeeper. To purchase none would be the height of rudeness.

Got it.

Thirdly, a number of various languages will be spoken. Most will be unfamiliar to you.

I dont know Baelin, Ive studied a lot of languages, I think I should at least have a passing knowledge of most of them.

Then your thinking is wrong, the chancellor said, turning the corner in a narrow alley. Do not give into arrogance. The material world is far larger than you might think.

Alex was having trouble keeping track of their route. Were the alleys in Generasi always such a maze?

...okay, then, Alex said, intrigued. Anything else I should know?

Do not draw a weapon, no matter what happens. Things would turn quite ugly if you do. And thats about all. I would suggest communicating in a tongue of demons. That will help narrow your choices of potential minions.

Yeah, I was thinking of doing exactly that. Alex tapped the pouch of gems on his belt. So, when are you going to teleport us there?

We are already there.

Wait, what? Alex paused, frowning at the goatman. What are you talkiOh. Oh.

It was at this point that the young wizard knew they werent in Generasi anymore.

They were elsewhere.

Somewhere very cold.

At some pointwithout him even realising itthe two wizards had rounded a corner in Generasis alleyways and stepped into one in a completely different city. The surrounding buildings were ancient, their stones cyclopean, and their architecture a hodgepodge of time periods. It was as though people had been modifying structures belonging to their ancestors generation by generation, each leaving a lasting mark that the next generation would do their best to erase.

Streets away, Alex spotted lofty towers of carven stone, reaching up toward cloudy skies. There were no gondolas in those skies nor any sign of familiars, or any of the exotic beasts found throughout Generasi.

The mana in the airwas thin.

Not as thin as Thamelands, but thin enough to let Alex know that mana vents were no common thing here.

The sounds of an alien city reached his ears: speech in languages hed never heard before, in voices both human and not. The aromas of boiling meats and beets reached his nose, wafting along on the harsh scent of cheap perfumes and burning incense drifting from windows that were curtained with fur, and shuttered with slatted wood.

Ahead of the two wizards, stood a stone tavern in the centre of a crossroads of alleyways.

It matched the surrounding architecture but seemed, somehowout of place.

He squinted, scrutinising it, trying to grasp the problem. Nothing obvious met his eyes, but he couldnt dismiss the feeling that something about it was offthat it didnt quite fit.

The doors were barred, and hanging above the entrance was a large sign with a whetstone engraved on it.

Welcome to the Whetstone Tavern, Baelin said fondly. A crossroads for many and a home for few. Those that find this place are mostly the sort that you needyou just need to have the eye to recognise them.

He switched to a tongue of demons. Come, then. Let us have ourselves a drink. I will meet a friend inside while you sort your business.

Got it, Alex said, taking a deep breath and following Baelin to the door.

It creaked open, allowing a sliver of daylight into the dark, firelit, space.

Within, it seemed to be no more than any typical tavern, though it was somewhat barbaric in how it was outfitted. The floor was rough stone, covered in rugs of bearskin and the hides of both long, and shorthaired beasts. Trophies from various monster huntsmostly bleached skullswere displayed on the walls.

Lithe figures clad in gauzy garments danced around a massive fire pit, and the air was thick with the scent of smoke, roasting food, and the rise and fall of voices in a host of languages, mixing with a steady drum beat.

As daylight trickled in, eyes turned, falling on the door. Some were human. Many were not.

All sized up the two wizards.

You hear for peace? Drinks? Or more? A man asked from behind a bar of carved wood. He was tall, lean and had a piercing gaze beneath a wide brimmed hat.

Baelin looked down at Alex and barely nodded.

Drinks, peace and possibly more, the young wizard said, his voice filled with confidence. He couldnt flinch before the patrons here. Most looked hard and dangerous.

Then welcome, strangers. The barman gave a nod of silent assent. Treat this place as your home and itll treat you like youre its master.

We will, Alex said, closing the door behind them.

Ahhh, there is my friend. Baelin nodded to a tall, hooded figure in dark robes on the fire side of the taverns common room. In one of his four arms, he clutched a skull-headed staff. I shall fetch a drink, and enjoy some conversation. Good hunting.

Yeah, thanks. Oh, and do me a favour, do these people know you? Alex asked.

Some know of me, more know of my friend.

Good. Alex handed him the heavy sack of gems, keeping the small pouch. Keep this on you, itll help me later. Ill hold on to the small one.

Fascinating. The chancellor took the sack. I look forward to seeing what you have in mind. He stepped away.

Alexs eyes took in the room, assessing those who had returned to their drinks. Looking around, he was beginning to wonder why Baelin had brought him here: the place seemed like any other roadside tavern where one would find mercenaries.

Within a few heartbeats, though, he quickly understood how wrong he was.

His eyes shone in realisation.

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