Dreggs, they discovered, had three main divisions. Hillside was where they entered the city, and it was the residential district, as they had guessed. The middle section was aptly named "The Bridge," and the final section was where they were heading this morning, Cliffside. Cliffside was the largest part of the city, named because this side of the Comise River Gorge formed a cliff along the length of the city and for nearly a half mile in either direction.

More people moved around the city on this side, and to Uzca's untrained eye, they didn't seem like the friendliest bunch. People eyed them, but they were traveling on the main road people used to cross the city, so no one harassed or approached them.

Tall buildings had architecture with the same height as the few soaring towers in Brightwater, but they had a different style. The towers in Brightwater were all rounded with soft edges, whereas the towers in Dreggs were sharp and thin, poking up into the sky as if they were a threat to the heavens.

Some of the most prominent buildings also had the most visitors, with the largest—located right on the main thoroughfare—having a large group of dangerous individuals waiting on one side of the entrance in a rough mob. The other side of the entrance was dominated by an orderly roped-off line, where people waiting patiently for their turn at...something. Unlike the mob that was a distorted mirror of them, the people in line didn't look dangerous. They were ordinary people, and if Uzca had to guess, they looked tired.

"That must be the headquarters," he said to Thad and Bezben. "Looks like the townsfolk are waiting to be heard, and, I'm guessing, some members of the Crew are waiting for orders."

"I think you may be right. Good to note. Let's keep going. There's a few too many people around to start asking questions."

The city ended in considerably higher walls on this side. Uzca idly wondered if it was because the ground was level or if there was some other reason for the difference.

The gate was directly before them, and they stopped a short distance from it to decide what to do.

Their conversation was preempted by someone calling out from the gatehouse.

"You three looking to leave?"

"No, sorry, we were just out for a walk and a chat."

"Then piss off. No loitering near the gates."

The man had a mean look and a naked blade in a simple loop at his side.

"Let's go," Uzca said.

They turned around and headed back the way they came.

"I'm glad we came in the other entrance," Bezben said. "Seemed nicer."

"Do you think Peter would have been nicer if we weren't highlanders?"

"Actually...yeah, that's a good point. He looks like he eats babies for breakfast."

"That's disturbing," Thad said.

Bezben shrugged. "So what now, just head to Peter?"

"That's probably best. We don't want to arrive too late, and I don't know if we'll find out anything else without knowing what to look for."

"I agree," Thad said. "Besides, I should have time to look around while you two are doing whatever it is they'll have you do. I know you both have solid heads on your shoulders, but I want you to stay safe. We don't know what these people are capable of, regardless of whether or not you'll have Peter's protection."

"Thanks, Thad, but you don't need to be so nice to Uzca. Everyone knows about the weird holes in his brain. Too much time at the forge will do that to you."

Uzca tried to punch Bezben in the ribs, but the man laughed and jumped away.

"Thanks, Thad. We'll be careful. Let's just get on the same page here. Serious, Bezben."

Bezben stopped grinning like an idiot and nodded.

"We're looking for any weaknesses, motivation, and any other information about what's happening in the city and why. Honestly, I think I'm with Peter. If we can figure out how to stop things from escalating to a full-blown war between the two cities, I think that would be the best outcome possible. There are many people here, and the only thing a siege will accomplish is getting a lot of them killed."

Thad nodded. "After having a look around, I'm even more worried about a siege than before. This place is built like a fort. It seems nearly impossible to assault without causing major damage."

"We'll meet back up tonight at the inn."

With the tentative plan in place, they made their way across the city and back into Hillside. The people they saw in the streets moved purposefully toward their destinations. No one was out for an idle stroll. Uzca finally noticed what had been missing when he thought about how serious and somber the city seemed.

"There's no kids."

"Hmm. You're right. I haven't seen any. I guess they're keeping them inside?"

"I hope so."

They reached the northern gate, and Peter spotted them coming. He was in his full gear, and his mysterious glowing axe was slung across his back.

"Hail cousins. Thad. I'm glad to see you this morning."

They shook hands with Peter. Uzca had noticed that the action was more formal in the lowlands, but it was how highlanders typically greeted one another in most settings.

"Good Morning, Peter. What news do you have for us?"

They couldn't see his face well through his helm, but Uzca thought it was a darker expression than usual.

"Mixed news, I'm afraid. I can take one of you on. You, Uzca. I'm sorry, Bezben, but you're a little too young for all this. Know that it wasn't my decision. But since I can't take you both, you have a choice, Uzca. Join up, or stay with your cousin. I will not judge your decision."

"Can we have a minute, Peter?"

"Of course."

The big man returned to his post by the gate, looking threatening. A few people passed through into the city and steered well clear of him.

"I'm not sure you should go in alone," Thad said.

"I'm sure," Bezben said. "Sure you shouldn't! You can't trust these people, Uzca. It was one thing when we could watch each other's backs, but this seems dangerous."

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"I'm proud of you, cousin," Uzca said. "I feel like at the outset of our journey, you would have just been mad that you weren't chosen as well. Your father would be proud of how you're growing. But, look, both of you. This is our best opportunity. I can do this, and it makes me feel better that you two will be able to watch out for each other."

Bezben was torn between not wanting him to go and being proud of the compliments. He ended up with an angry expression.

Thad sighed. "You're right. I wanted us to stay together, but with how subdued the city looks, you might be right about this being our best opportunity. If you do this. Stay in touch however you can. I assume you'll be able to return to the inn tonight, but if you can't, find a way to leave a note or something. If you don't come back, we'll return to the gate tomorrow and ask after you."

Every word Thad spoke made Bezben's expression darker.

"I thought we were on this journey together, cousin."

"We are, Bezben. We're not walking different paths on this twist of our journey's road. We're just looking at different scenery. I'll be in touch. We'll reevaluate after I learn what I can today. Stay safe, and don't take any unnecessary risks."

"Fine," Bezben said. "But take your own advice, cousin. Stay safe. I'm not returning home to tell your father you died because I left your side."

They clasped hands, and Uzca pulled in Bezben for a hug.

"Alright. Take care, Uzca. I'll look after Bezben and try not to get us into too much trouble."

"Thank you, Thad."

Uzca gave them one final nod and turned back to Peter. Then they split, Uzca headed to the gatehouse, and Thad and Bezben headed back into the city.

Peter clasped Uzca on the shoulder. "Glad to have you aboard, Uzca. I'll send word to get someone to cover me here and get you started."

"Thanks, Peter. I'm a little worried about leaving my cousin alone, but it should be good for him."

Uzca waited in the gatehouse until a messenger from the Crew showed up. Peter spoke to the man and pointed a thumb at Uzca, who nodded to the man and tried to look intimidating, which was not a skill he practiced. The man didn't have much of a reaction, but he worked for pirates, so Uzca didn't count that as a failure.

The messenger ran off, and after about ten minutes, Peter came inside. "My replacement is just walking up the street. Someone was close, lucky for us. Let's meet him and then head out."

The man they were meeting was a tall, lean man with twin scars across his cheeks and similar twin blades on his waist.

"Hey, Duo. What are you calling yourself these days?"

"Duo is fine. Nothing's sticking."

"Alright, Uzca, this is Duo. Duo, Uzca. Duo is a long-time member of the Crew and pretty skilled with his blades. Uzca is a new recruit that I brought on. He just got into the city yesterday."

"Huh. Just got in yesterday and already recruited by Peter? You must have made an impression. You any good with that?"

Duo nodded and focused on the sword on Uzca's belt."

Uzca scratched his head in a gesture that made him think of Bezben. "Ah, no, I'm really not. I'm actually more of a hand-to-hand fighter."

"Really? Don't get many of those, but you do have the build for it. Smart to keep a weapon on you, though. It'll make people think twice. Anyway, I should get moving. Lots of standing around to do. Peter, you owe me."

Peter responded by flipping the man a silver coin.

"That'll do. See you around, Peter. You take care, Uzca."

"Duo is one of the best fighters in the crew. He's a storm with those blades. Not a match for me, of course, but I have a bit of an advantage."

Uzca wasn't sure if the man was referring to his prodigious size and armor, his clearly magical axe, or his gift. He decided that getting into a fight with Peter was a bad idea no matter what, so he didn't ask.

"You really a hand-to-hand fighter, Uzca?"

"I'm decent, but, honestly, it's mostly because of my gift. I'm a solid wrestler, though."

Peter nodded knowingly. "It does start that way. I know a couple guys in the Crew who are solid hand-to-hand fighters. I'll introduce you. As for wrestling, I haven't had a bought in years. Maybe we should go a round."

"Happy to show you how we do it in the Dragonfang mountains."

They took a side road through Hillside and ended up in front of a tower near the bridge that overlooked the river. Uzca hadn't seen it with all the other buildings in the way.

"This is the guardhouse. At least, that's what we call it. All of us who work the gatehouse and patrol Hillside stay in here. You're welcome to move in, and I might even encourage it, but you can also stay with your cousin. A couple guys are from Dreggs and just stay with family. I have a house here but lived alone, so I just decided to move in to keep my finger on the pulse."

They went inside. The ground floor was a room with an empty desk and some cabinets. A staircase started off to the left and wrapped around the outside of the tower.

Peter didn't remark on the first floor and led them up. They passed two floors that had doorways in the stairwell.

"Those are the bunks. It's not a ton of room, but the beds are more comfortable than you'd expect. We'll avoid those unless you decide to move in. I think there's three or four open bunks on each floor."

The next floor was open to the stairs, and the next set of stairs leading up were made from wood instead of stone. This room was clearly a place to make food and eat it. A man sat at a bench before an empty plate, sharpening a small knife.

"This is the mess. We eat breakfast and occasionally dinner here, but we mostly get food brought to the gatehouse or other posts and eat there. Still, it's a decent spot to sit when you have some downtime. That's Rip. Hey, Rip! I've got some new blood."

Rip turned around and put down his knife. He was short with dark hair, dark eyes, and a round face. This was the first member of the Crew he'd seen who didn't look intimidating.

"Damn, Peter. Where'd you find a guy nearly as big as you? Hey, bloke, I'm Rip. Not much to say about m'self, really. Been with the Crew for around four years. I like knives. There's just something about a good knife, you know? Got a wife out in Nuris, if she hasn't divorced me. Haven't seen her in a couple years, though, so who knows."

Peter shook his head at the man. "Rip is something of a weapons specialist. If you need something, he'll find it for you."

"Aye, that I am. Can I see your sword? Haven't seen its make before."

The weapon was the one he had left home with. It was one of his father's creations, and while it wasn't anything specialized or fancy, it was a solid sword of medium length. It was tied to his belt rather than buckled, so he just removed the knot and tossed the blade, scabbard and all, to the man.

"That's a fine blade. No nonsense. The length is odd. Is this tailor-made for you?"

"Probably. My pa made it. He's a blacksmith."

"Well, your pa is a master of the craft, I can tell. You tell him I said so when you see him again."

Uzca smiled. "I'll let him know."

Rip returned the blade and sized up Uzca when he was right in front of him. "You got the look of a smith about you. Is it a family affair?"

"I've been around the forge since I was old enough to pump the bellows. My pa taught me everything he could before I left. I'm no master, but I know my way around a smithy."

Rip nodded and rubbed his chin. "Say—sorry, Peter, I know he's your recruit—but if you have some spare time, there's a smithy in town, and I have a few ideas I wanted to put together. I design my own weapons, you see."

Peter laughed. "Really, Rip? More knives?"

"Other things, too!" the man said defensively. "You should let the captain know you found a smith anyway. I know the last guy left town in a hurry."

Peter had removed his helm, and now Uzca could see the man frown.

"I'm sure we'll be seeing the captain later today."

"Right, right. New blood and all that. Alright, I won't keep you. It was good to meet you, Uzca. Don't forget my offer! You just let me know."

"Thanks, Rip. I will."

Peter moved Uzca up to the next level.

"The office on the ground floor was staffed before the Crew came into town, but we don't use it right now. This is where we get our orders and plan our days."

The room had a similar desk to the ground floor, but there was a flat wall with a bulletin board. It listed all the posts in Hillside, who was to be at each one, and when. He could clearly see that Peter was set to be at the main gate for most of the day, nearly every day.

"Not a lot of variety for you."

"No, but it's not that bad. I get downtime and can stay in the gatehouse until I get called out, like when you arrived yesterday. I mostly watch in the morning because that's when we get the most people checking out. I also observe whenever anyone leaves. The Crew is enforcing a pretty high tariff on goods moving through the city right now, and people aren't happy about it."

"Really? I hadn't heard about that," Uzca lied. "What's the tariff?"

"Roughly ten percent of the value of the goods you're carrying."

The number shocked Uzca. "Ten percent? I can see why there are so many merchants staying in the city now."

Peter nodded. "Yeah. They stay a few days, and when things don't change, they decide losing a chunk of wealth is better than the inns and restaurants bleeding them dry."

"What's the tariff for?"

Peter chuckled.

"What?"

"I was right about you, Uzca. You do have a keen mind. Most people look at the situation, and they think, 'The Blackwater Crew are pirates, aren't they? They just want the money because that's what pirates do.' And they're not completely wrong. But in this case, there is a reason. Pirates harass ships heading into Telestria because the merchants can afford it, and the risk is low. The risk here is much, much higher. The Crew can't just sail away from Dreggs, not now. The tariff is for the fight."

Uzca turned to Peter and met his eyes.

"And why does there need to be a fight?"

"Hmph. You're going to get me into trouble; I can feel it. Let's finish up your tour first, but maybe it's the perfect time for you to go meet the Captain."