Lothar returned the brooch to the Bartols. They were genuinely happy to have it back, and he felt some satisfaction from a good deed done. Of course, Boris might see it differently. But there’s always two sides to every story, he reminded himself.

‘I will tell everyone I know about your services,’ Julia told him, while her husband handed over the remaining payment of four shillings.

Perhaps more missions would come from word spreading of his success.

For now, it was time to review his finances and decide what to do next.

Finances

Income

Mission #1

5s

Expenses

Wages

14p

Profit

3s 10p

Total

3s 10p

At this rate, I’m not going to get rich any time soon, Lothar complained to himself.

He reviewed the missions available to him.

SELECT MISSION

RESCUE LIVESTOCK, £1

PROTECT FROM BRIGANDS, £2

STEAL RELIQUARY, 4 shillings

He was disappointed that no new missions had appeared to replace the one he had completed. Of the three on offer, he was still reluctant to tackle the first two, even though they paid more. He had not recruited the type of mercs capable of handling themselves out in the wilds.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

That left the stealing mission. Lothar sighed. Four shillings wasn’t much. And he couldn’t help thinking that the thieves on his roster were overpaid for what they offered. They could barely fight, and carried only basic weapons and armour.

Wade had a dog bite and an arrow wound for his troubles. It could have been a lot worse. And having his mercs die, or fail their mission, was not good business.

You knew this wasn’t going to be easy, Stiff, he reminded himself. Best get on with it.

It wasn’t a friendly welcome at Boris’s shop. His security gave him baleful stares. One of his dogs had a cone around its neck to stop it biting its stitches, and gave Lothar a look as if it was all his fault. Which was hardly fair.

Boris appeared from the back. He was tall, with a shock of white hair and an eye patch.

‘You’re Stiff?’

‘Aye. Had a break in?’ Lothar asked, nodding at the damage Wade had done to the front door.

‘Last night. Thieves got in and made away with some of my pieces.’

Some? Lothar said to himself. I’ll need to have a word with that Wade.

‘Sorry to hear that.’

Boris looked at him with suspicion. ‘None of your crew, I assume?’

‘I doubt it. Did you identify any of them?’

‘No. There were only two. We didn’t get a look at either.’

That was a relief.

‘One came in through the roof. Gave my wife a real scare. I’d love to get my hands around his neck.’

‘Well. Let me know what they took and I’ll keep my ear to the ground for you.’

Boris shrugged. ‘Alright. Anyway, time to talk business. Come up.’

Boris led him upstairs to the second floor, where he had his living quarters. It was well furnished and spoke of a man doing well with his business, despite last night’s setback. He directed Wade to a chair, and put a glass of something strong in his hand. It was just the two of them, and quite pleasant. Compared to drinking in The Rose, certainly.

‘You’re new in Avolo, and I know what that’s like,’ Boris said. ‘The Golden Blades won’t make your life easy.’

‘I’ve already run into them.’

‘Then you know. But you’re from the old country, and I wanted to give you a helping hand.’

‘I appreciate that.’

I almost feel sorry for burgling you last night.

‘The item I want is a reliquary—a holy vessel, containing saintly and other relics. It’s located in an Alinko temple, on the west side of the city. Before you get any ideas, I have a buyer lined up for it. You won’t make anything trying to hawk it around the streets of Avolo.’

‘Of course. Your dealings are no concern of mine. If I take a job, I deliver. It’s as simple as that as far as I’m concerned.’

‘Very good.’

‘My concern is how easy it is to get in and out of this temple. How well guarded it might be.’

‘Oh, make no mistake. These are holy relics, and to those with faith, the greatest treasure the Alinko community in Avolo has. They will be well protected. How you take it is your concern, not mine.’ Boris rubbed at his chin. ‘Given you are a fellow Hargon, and this is the beginning of our relationship, I will give you five shillings for the reliquary. But for that price, it must contain all the individual items. No pilfering from its contents.’

‘What kind of relics are in there?’ Lothar asked. ‘I was assuming bones, hair, clothing, and the like.’

‘I assume the same. Religions are a strange set of ideas that I don’t pretend to comprehend. But to some people, each of those items, which you or I might view as useless oddments, are precious. Hence, the value of an untampered with reliquary is higher.’

‘My people will treat it with care and respect. I agree to take the mission.’

Back at The Rose, Lothar reviewed his mercs. I may regret this, but I need to bolster my team a little. Trent Wade and The Baron were the best he had, and had proved their abilities in his first mission. But they needed some backup. He pursed his lips. He had a couple of others on his roster that were worth trying out. I might as well blood them now, on a basic mission. See whether they can handle it.