Chapter 2

The Fraeling Inn was a far cry from the Underwall Tavern. Its floors were polished hardwood instead of packed dirt and its glass windows were expertly draped with starry silk curtains. The air was perfumed by fresh cut flowers that adorned its plush common areas as well as its spacious rooms. Everyone who entered the Fraeling expected a higher class of comfort and refinement for the hefty price they paid to stay in the upper echelons of Erbin.

Here the food was delivered to one’s room still warm, and the bar downstairs was a place for quiet discussion and subtle business dealings. There was no fear of a wrestling match or brawl breaking out, nor would the city guard walk in unexpectedly. Even the seedier elements were dressed in fine linen or lace as they sat along the bar waiting for a customer.

Snow appreciated the peace and sophistication. It made an adequate atmosphere for his business considering its high cost and clandestine nature. What fine inns like the Fraeling lacked in entertainment it more than made up for in discretion. Many an innkeeper and their staff knew it was better to zip one’s lips and open their palm. Snow could trust they wouldn’t easily open their guest book to any passerby or the city guard, at least not without an official mandate.

Unfortunately, his new bodyguard stood out like a busted, old chair propped unceremoniously in a corner. To his credit, Titus had shown up promptly at morning bell with his horse and meager belongings. Snow had arranged a room and breakfast for him; the latter Titus ate with gusto. Now he sat with a look of quiet curiosity as he watched Snow work out the particulars of his next job.

The man before Snow was a simple baker who had heard news from some wealthy customer that the resurrectionist was back in the city. That was how most business found its way to Snow – word of mouth and a savvy innkeeper who knew how to make arrangements.

“We found her dead in the back alley behind our bakery. I need to know what happened. I need to know who did this to my daughter,” the man begged with tears threatening to fall from his already glassy eyes. The baker was a big man with hulking shoulders and thick hands. He had done his best to clean up for this visit, but Snow could still see a touch of white flour in the side of his graying beard.

“I understand.” Snow always understood. “But know that you can’t go to the Erbin guard with this knowledge. What I do is for you and your wife. I cannot act as a witness to what befell her. And the moment you think of bringing a guard to her bedside, you will have brought unwelcome trouble to my door.”

Snow let those last words sit heavy in the air. Of course, he never wanted to make good on such veiled threats, but they seemed to be a necessary evil. The moment some religious magistrate learned of his presence, Snow would find his likeness posted about the city walls for the next year. It was a hassle he needed to avoid.

“I understand. Please. I can pay the price.”

“Is her body still with you?”

The man nodded. “They washed and dressed her, but otherwise she’s unchanged and laying in my house.”

“Good.”

Snow then collected the man’s address and a small purse of coins before sending him home to make sure the house was empty of mourners by sundown.

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After a few moments, Titus walked over and sat in the same chair the baker had occupied. “Is that it?” Snow didn’t bother to look up as he carefully scribbled some notes into a book.

“For now,” Snow replied. “Make yourself comfortable. I’m going to sit here for the next few hours in case I have another possible client.”

“No one ever… haggles?” Titus showed the first sign of awkwardness as he looked about the opulent room.

“It’s rare,” Snow looked up and took in his posture. Titus sat on the edge of the chair and held his pommel to keep the now belted sword from bumping into anything while he was seated.

Snow eyed that monstrosity of a weapon, “I told you that you didn’t need to wear that in here.”

“You hired me to protect you,” Titus replied matter-of-factly.

“I want you to have it on the road and when I visit a client. It’s out of place in this lounge. No one would be so foolish as to make a scene in here. It’s too public,” and Snow would regret making a mess of this fine establishment.

“Maybe I feel naked without it,” Titus smirked.

Snow sighed, “Speaking of clothing… I need you to wear something a little less… rugged.”

Titus looked down at himself in a comical fashion before giving a careless shrug. “I won’t say no.”

“Good.” Snow paused a moment with a thoughtful look. “Why did you take this job? I doubt it was for these minor perks.”

Titus tilted his head as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “A good meal and a comfy bed are more than ‘minor perks’ when you’ve been sleeping hard on the road.”

“And why were you out on the road?” The question wasn’t said with any suspicion, only open curiosity. Snow had neglected many of his usual questions last night and there was much to catch up on before he truly trusted this man to watch his back.

“It’s a long story,” Titus replied. “The short of it is, I thought being a soldier meant I could be a hero. I soon learned that wasn’t the case. In fact, most times I thought I was being a hero, I was just getting myself into more trouble.” He rubbed the old scar on his neck as he said it and Snow immediately conjured up an image of what that encounter might have been like. A fair maiden begging for help and Titus coming to the rescue only to find she’s not what she seems.

“I see.”

“I was looking for some more practical work,” Titus added with a scoff, “And, apparently, I can’t even do that right.” He smirked as he said it. No, Snow thought, dealing with magic, death, and murderous zealots wasn’t very practical.

Snow couldn’t help returning the smile. “No one else was looking for a hired sword?”

Titus shrugged. “No one else I liked.”

That last comment hit harder than it should have. Snow had always thought of himself as too chilly for the common masses. He was too given to brooding and sharp tongued – something he had needed to work on when he started dealing with grieving families.

Titus must have seen the faint confusion and added, “The people who hire swords don’t usually call what they do a ‘service’ ... outside of the poorly paid city guard.”

“Those zealots would.” Snow watched him carefully for his response to that, and sure enough it brought a long pause between them.

Snow gave him a moment before adding more. “Vampires, dragons, monsters, sphinxes, lycanthropes, … resurrectionists… you could save the world from all us things that go bump in the night. I’m sure they see themselves as heroes.”

Titus took so long to reply that Snow began to reconsider if he wanted Titus to accompany him to the baker’s home.

At length, he replied, “But I bet they don’t have nearly as many ‘minor perks’.” The words were followed by a smile that Snow wanted to trust.

Snow nodded in response. “True.”