“Ahem, excuse me?” My luck, it is Gunnar! No, it is just some young guardsman. “Lone Solo? Commander Zlata would like for you to come to her office as soon as possible.”

Now what? Bet she is going to chew me out about everything. Bet the medal is fake, too, just to screw with my head! Remember, she thinks you are stupid, so keep that in mind. Slow everything down, stare off into the distance while thinking. Yes, I have this.

I see her assistant at the front of her office. They are just looking around and typing without focusing on their hands. Wow, never seen that machine before. What is it?

“Excuse me; the Commander asked to see me ... May I ask what that is?”

The assistant looks up at me. “This is a word machine; it allows you to write documents by pressing these buttons.”

I look over her shoulder and see rune language on each key. Wow, you see something new every day.

“You can go in now. Please knock first.”

Oh right. Knock, knock, knock.

“Come in.”

As I enter, it is a really nice office. Rug? Check. Polished wooden desk? Check. Pretty but useless paintings on the wall? Check. Ooo, comfortable chair to sit in! Check.

“Solo, sit down, you idiot!” Her face is so red. How long was I staring at stuff? Oh well. She clicks her fingers on me. Was I just slipping off again? Damn, I am a good actor!

“Attention on me, stupid! I called you in for one reason, and I regret to say this, but well done.”

What? “Sorry, you have lost me. What is happening here?”

“Slow as ever, so I find it remarkable that you managed to do what I asked. I didn't think you understood what I wanted you to achieve, but you did it anyway, so well done.”

“For doing what exactly?” I ask.

“I wanted to put Stillwater in a position where it would make it easy for me to get rid of her. I didn’t think you were playing a 'hero' would have done it. You indeed are a sly white-back! But now I have to deal with your comrades being arrested today by another bloody party. I guess they are just another obstacle to overcome if I want to achieve my goals.”

Okay, more information than I needed. “So, are we done here?”

She looks at me with a creepy smile. “You could take your clothes off, and I could give you a real reward.”

No way! ‘Don't ever stick your manhood in crazy.’ The Father from the orphanage told me that.

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“Now. Take them off!”

She is very insistent. How can I—?

“Sorry, I cannot.” Her expressions say she is going to kill me. Think of something really, really bad. “I want to, it is just ... It is embarrassing to say this, but I have pus oozing from my penis. Its colour is a little off too—is green and black a bad sign?” Stop talking! “Well, you wanted to see it, just give me a second ...”

Now pretending to take off my pants. What am I doing? Please, Trinity, let this work!

Her face twists in a disgusted and nauseated look. I guess I am in the clear.

“Get out, you filthy half-spawn Elf!”

“Yeah, you are right. I should have someone look at this.”

“I don't care what you do with that diseased cock.” She looks like she is about to throw up. I hope not; that is a nice rug, and it is hard to remove the vomit smell. “Don’t be late to the Duke's ball. Now, get out!”

I salute and leave. As I pass the assistant, she looks quite ill as well. Is she looking at my package? Oh no, she must have overheard us. Nothing to be done about that; be on your way.

First of all, I need to head over to the Hall for a little food and some ale that I owe myself. And, yes, make sure I ask about a job for Pela.

I join the stream of people walking on the street. A familiar shape alerts me. Is that Malik and his gang? I need to hide! Just blend in; the best way to hide is in plain sight. Don't look at him, don't look guilty, and ... is that the crowd parting?

“Look who we have here, boys! It’s dung-head.” Yep my lucky week, it is Malik. “Look, now he’s wearing a Watch tabard.”

I am insight of the barracks, so I should be safe. “Yes, that is right, Malik, I joined the Watch. Can I be of service to you today, citizen?” He looks pissed now. “Oh, did you receive my part payment for the gracious loan you gave me?”

“Yeah, and I found your other presents as well—missing a few of my lads. One was found in an alley, and the other two were found near your room.” He steps closer. He really needs to pay more attention to his hygiene. And I thought Jimmy was bad. “Do you know anything about that, boy?”

Two can play that game. I stand up straight; he does not look so intimidating now. Weird! “If you believe that I have some involvement in these 'accidents', please, let us go inside and have you make an official statement.” He is taken aback. This is very strange. “I am curious why you, a known person of interest on several open cases, are here at the moment approaching me, a Watchman.”

Judging by the look on his face, I should be more careful with what I am saying.

Malik scoffs. “You don’t have anything to use against me. There was a mix-up with some new guards and official documents, that’s all. Not that it’s any of your business, but Zlata has pulled a few favours, so we’re out, no charges.”

“Ah, yes, Commander Zlata. She would like to thank you for your assistance with a certain matter.” Bluff, do not fail me now. He looks at me like I have the secret to the kingdom. “Yes, that matter.” I know nothing about it, but Malik does not know that.

Malik asks, “So you’re with Zlata now?” This is a first—fear in Malik's eyes. Who is this woman? Now he whispers to me, “Okay, your debt is off my books now. No retribution!”

I smile at him; keep that knowing face on. “Good, good. Is there anything else, as I have important duties to attend to? Anything you would like for me to pass along to Commander Zlata?”

He nods to Jimmy, who steps forward. “Tell her she’s lucky that the first containers had her items, and here.” Jimmy passes me a scrap of paper, which looks pretty clean; pity I cannot say the same for Jimmy. “This was going to be given to her too. Her other operatives have the same information.”

I pocket it. Oh good, keep digging that hole. “I will make sure she acquires it as soon as possible. Now, if you would excuse me please, gentlemen.”

I feel like I deserve three ales now.

Malik leans in. “If all this fails, and Zlata doesn’t become commander, we'll be seeing you again, boy.”

I merely nod and look him in the eye, the first time I have ever stared him down. “Well then, Malik, I suggest you get some real men—not just your pathetic ‘lads’—as I will not be so kind the next time we meet.”