It was a chilly morning, the fog was settling down, and the cobbled streets were lined with stalls waiting for patrons to bargain for their goods. The owners setting up, hurrying their workers to bring their wares, it was the beginning of a hectic morning. I knew every trader that set up shop here; I could even point out which among them were wealthy or penniless, it wasn’t hard, I just had to look at the bulging figures of some of these bastards and you knew they ate five meals a day with half of the day being drunk.
My hand fumbled around in the pockets of my dark linen coat, there were about seven hidden pockets that were sewn inside, and it was handy when you were like me who had many valuable things to hide. I wrapped my fingers around a flat cold object; I quickly brought it out and flipped it through the air. It was a single guilder, a faded gold, it was the highest denomination of currency across the eastern kingdom. The insignia of the highborn was engraved deeply onto the coin; it consisted of three swords crossed together in the middle with a grimoire hanging by a chain. The backside of the coin shifted in design, it seemed fluid in its outline, and it was changing as it flipped through the air.
As I crossed through the lined up stalls, there were employees saluting me as I passed by, I ignored it. I owned half of the stalls here, and every trader here pledged royalties every month or so to me, it made sense they showed so much respect I was their employer in a way. It didn’t go unnoticed to me their looks and stares, a mixture of fear, respect, and greed. I couldn’t really blame them I was flipping a coin that was worth more than they ever earned in a year, probably more, though they’d probably starve to death by the time they held it in their palm.
I was flipping a coin that cost more than any honest man could earn, it was foolish, I was tempting every street rat or thief to steal from me by showing it out in the open. I could see their greed reflected in their eyes as I moved through the growing crowd, I could see their confusion as well, but most of all I could see their fear. It was a show of power. Their gazes avoided mine as I passed through the stalls, they knew, and I knew. They could steal the coin, but they’d probably be dead before they got to spend it. I stopped my footsteps and kept it in my palm, it was time for business.
Looking up I saw I was already at the shop, engraved across the front of the door was a simple Letiv written across it. I pushed the heavy oak door and went inside, there was the smell of alcohol that covered the place, and bookshelves lined up unorganized across the shop with books strewn on the wooden floor.
Groaning sounds could be heard across the room, the figure of a man appearing beside a pile of books beside a bookshelf. “Is that you Thaddeus? What time is it?” the man said.
Thaddeus looked at the unshaven old man, dirt seemed to stick to his clothing, and his glasses laid on top of his pointy nose seemed cracked. “What does it matter what time it is when your drunk half the time, Silas.” Thaddeus banteringly replied.
“How else would I know when to have my morning drink, my afternoon drink, and my drink before I pass out at night.” Silas jokingly said.
“Gods, it makes me wonder how you lived for so long.” Thaddeus replied
“The secret to eternal life is simple, drink, drink, and drink some more. Alcohol is a panacea, didn’t you know.” Silas said sarcastically. He drifted through the dusty shelves, crossing to the opposing bookshelf, picked a book then sat down. “It’s finished, just like you asked, it’s my greatest work if I had to be honest.”
“Where is it?” Thaddeus asked
“It’s at the back, just like always, it’s already set up so you can leave with it.” Silas replied.
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Thaddeus walked calmly towards the back of the room, there was a wide door with no handle attached to it, only a keyhole indented on it. Picking a key in one of his pockets, he jammed it in and quickly turned it two times. Pushing the door he went inside, his eyes focusing on a black coat hanging neatly on a rack. He picked up the coat and quickly scanned the threads, it was almost invisible from afar but from close up there were small symbols sewn neatly covering the coat. Thaddeus smiled as he quickly changed into his new coat, it seemed to buzz as he wore it, glowing slightly at his touch before dimming. Transferring his belongings to the coat he was wearing, he swiftly left the room, leaving his old coat behind. As he left the backroom, he seemed to be pulled through the air, gliding towards the door. He drops softly on the wooden floors, raising his hand as a sign of a goodbye, a bottle appears in his hand as he left it beside the door.
“It’s from the southern cities, expensive stuff, it’s from one of the vineyards by their tribes.” Thaddeus said, his voice brimming with joy, it was clear he was pleased as he closed the door.
The day was shining brightly as Thaddeus ventured out, the crowd was thickening by the moment, and the streets were filled with the heckling of shop owners to buy their wares. The sweet-smelling scent of chilled wine, the roasting boar turning around a fire by a stick, and the spicy filled air filled Thaddeus’s nose.
Thaddeus quickly dashed into an alley, crossing further down a few alleyways, turning a few corners. It was like a maze, Thad slowly progressing through, his eyes shifting and thinking about the next corner to turn. He turned around, and then his face formed a large grin.
“Anything to report, Bastian?” Thaddeus asked, his eyes staring deeply into the shadows.
The shadows slowly shifted, forming a hand, the figure slowly appearing to be a young man. Bastian bowed deeply, before straightening his gaze, he hesitantly said: “Your brother, Basil has told me to inform you of something beforehand, he knows how much you hate surprises.”
“Well?” Thaddeus chided
“He has brought another stray into the home, he says he promises to take care of her.” Bastian replied, his voice trying to mask his nervousness.
“What is it this time, a cat, a dog?”
“It’s better for you to see yourself, Thaddeus.” Bastian tensely replied, his shape slowly shifting before disappearing.
I wonder if I have been too lax in his upbringing, he is young but too old to be this frivolous, Thaddeus thought.
Thaddeus looked up at the sky, his eyes lost in thought, contemplating about his brother’s mischief. He looked at the streets sighing, there wasn’t any point in waiting here, so he trudged through the streets towards his residence.
The building was tucked in the corner, it was grey and plain, and it was unassuming among the lined up structure. It was silent, I wasn’t surprised since everyone was probably working around this time, it was a prosperous city and there weren’t too many whelps just laying about doing nothing. I walk towards the door, preparing to knock before suddenly a blade passed through butchering the door. I didn’t hesitate, my coat slightly burning; I was yanked towards the door streaking through the air and closing the five-meter gap between me from the door. I kicked the door, pushing my whole weight into it, and the sword dislodged itself as I broke the door open. In front of me, I saw a girl lying on the floor holding a sword in her hand; she was pushing herself up and trying to get her bearings.
“I expect an explanation, Basil.” Thaddeus demanded, his eyes looking up to see his brother’s figure holding two blades in his hands.
“She is the stray I picked up, isn’t she just precious.” Basil humorously said, his eyes a deep grey reflecting no light. He was wearing a large cloak on his body, but it didn’t hide his lean and muscular figure. A katana rested firmly in his one hand, while a wakizashi was held in the other.
“Did you kidnap her?” Thaddeus quietly said.
“Why would I kidnap her, I saved her from the imperial guards, they were troubling her at the city gates. You know how they are to people from the spooks.” Basil replied, his voice exuding confidence.
“You brought trouble to our doorstep.” Thaddeus stepped closer towards the girl, his eyes scanning her face. “You hear that, my brother saved your life, so hopefully you don’t send him to the court after this. “ Thaddeus whispered, eyeing the girl.
Basil looking confused, he asked, “What would a stray have to do with the courts?”
“Because, brother, she isn’t just some rancher girl running away from her village out in the spooks.” Thaddeus stood up, giving his hand to help her stand up. “Am I right, Princess?”