Lothar returned to Avolo with two new recruits and a healthier looking financial situation.

Finances

Income

Mission #5

9s

Expenses

Wages

17p

Profit

7s 7p

Total

16s 10p

At The Rose, he organised rooms for Femke and Christoph, then arranged a meeting with Wilson in the bar.

‘Rosalind paid me!’ he told the gnome.

‘Ah, I was wondering about that.’

‘So there was no ambush? The mission went fine?’

‘There was an ambush. Guards waiting for them inside the warehouse. Somehow, they got the weapons and escaped. Well, Kacker didn’t make it out. But the other three did.’

‘Ah. That’s a shame.’ In truth, Lothar hadn’t expected any of them to get out alive.

But something was off. If there was an ambush, why did Rosalind pay him for the weapons? And an extra shilling, as well?

‘I need to meet with Rosalind, and find out what’s going on. In the meantime, I have two new recruits. It’s time for you to return to the Harris’s farm and get those cows.’

Wilson nodded. ‘Time for revenge. Got a couple of hardy types, have you?’

‘Well. Not exactly. One’s a medic. The other’s a trainee archer.’

‘Trainee?’

‘He doesn’t have a bow yet.’

Red flared across Wilson’s face. ‘How is that gonna change things? Could be as many as a dozen armed ruffians on that farm.’

‘True. I’m going to have to send everyone I’ve got. That should be enough to get the job done.’ Lothar flicked through his notebook. ‘That Stricken is pretty handy with a cleaver. He’s up to Level 3.’

‘I don’t trust that one. He gets a look in his eyes.’

‘You’re right not to trust him. I’ll need you to keep an eye on him the whole time. Don’t let him wander off, or get near any women.’

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‘You’re serious?’

‘I know it’s not ideal, Wilson. But things are on the up. If this mission goes to plan, I have some money to play with. I won’t need to hire the likes of Stricken again.’

Lothar was taking a chance going looking for Rosalind De Cheney without an appointment. Crime lords who robbed weapon dealers weren’t exactly the type who hesitated over snuffing someone. But she had been fair with him so far. And he had questions that needed answers.

It was The Baron who led him to her house, in the affluent part of Avolo. Lothar knew not to ask how they knew each other. The Baron had his secrets, and Lothar respected that.

The two heavies on the door looked ready to kill him. But when Rosalind appeared, her eyes held more interest than murderous ire.

‘Mr Sauer. You’ve somehow found my abode. I like to keep work and home separate, as a rule.’

‘I understand. It’s only a matter of urgency that’s brought me here.’

She studied him. ‘You’ve been a man of your word so far. Come in.’

‘It’s a very nice place,’ Lothar said as she led him into a reception room. Dressed stonework and wooden beams had been tastefully decorated, with no expense spared.

She shrugged. ‘It’s mine. One of the advantages of relocating to Avolo. I get to live how I want. I find as I get older, that becomes more important. Perhaps you’re the same, Stiff?’

‘It’s a chance to start over.’ He looked around the room as she fixed him a drink. ‘I’m not quite living how I want, yet. Renting a room in The Rose is a few rungs lower than this.’

‘I’m sure you’ll get there.’

She handed him his drink, allowing their fingers to touch. She was a handsome woman, with a trim figure. Stiff wondered whether she liked him. She seemed to have hinted that she lived alone. And some female companionship would be nice. On the other hand, she was miles out of his league, and highly dangerous.

‘So this wasn't a social call?’ she asked.

‘It’s about the job.’

‘Which I was very happy with,’ she said.

‘Thing is, when my people got inside the warehouse, there were guards inside. Waiting for them, so it was described to me. One of my mercs got whacked.’

Rosalind frowned. ‘Sorry to hear that. If you’re thinking I had anything to do with it, you’re mistaken. The information I had was up to date—a few guards stationed outside the front entrance every night. That’s all.’

‘I was wondering if you’d be willing to divulge why you offered me the job. If it was a set up, I have my suspicions, you see.’

‘You’re asking a lot, Stiff.’

‘I know. But I got you your weapons, didn’t I?’

‘You did. And if someone has tried to use me to get to you, I would be quite annoyed. How about this? Give me a name and I’ll respond in the affirmative or negative.’

‘One-eyed Boris.’

‘Yes, it was him. How about you return the favour, Stiff, and tell me why Boris might do such a thing?’

‘Ah, well. A little misunderstanding.’

‘Don’t bullshit me, Stiff.’

‘Alright. I was hired by him to steal something from a church. Then hired by the church to steal it back.’

Rosalind put her hand to her mouth. ‘That’s a little naughty, Stiff. You have to admit.’

‘I suppose. I needed the money.’

‘It must have been a nice sum.’

‘Six shillings.’

She giggled. ‘This feud is over six shillings?’

‘It does sound silly when you say it like that. But I think Boris is planning to do me in. Killing my squad was just the first part of the plan.’

‘Look. Boris has a grievance against you, and now you have one against him. I’m more than a little annoyed that he used me to get to you. The three of us could send our thugs out on the streets of Avolo, and start a gang war. But it all seems a little unnecessary. And I don’t get the impression that either you or Boris are the type who enjoy that. Why don’t you leave this with me and see if I can patch things up?’

‘I suppose that makes the most sense,’ Lothar acknowledged. ‘Better for all concerned.’

‘Sometimes things need a woman’s touch. And I don’t want to lose The Order of the Rotten Apples. Neither does Boris, I suspect. A rival to The Golden Blades is good for us. They’re too powerful as it is.’

‘You risked something by taking those weapons?’ Lothar realised.

‘I risked a little. But you stole them, not me.’

‘Oh, great. If The Rotten Apples are useful to you, how about a little helping hand?’

‘You mean another helping hand?’

‘If you like. I have a bowman with no bow.’

‘That’s easy enough to solve. Your people brought me some bows. I’ll get one for you.’

‘Thanks. There’s one other thing I’m after. A bit more unusual.’

Stiff left Rosalind’s place feeling a little better about things. The woman’s perfume seemed to linger, and he kept thinking about her when he returned to The Rose.