Wade
Name
Trent Wade
Nickname
Wade
Race/Nationality
Human/Durnish
Age
35
Daily Wage
7 pence
Action Stats
EXP Level
3
Action Points
5
Hit Points
22
Core Stats
Might
8
Agility
9
Grit
11
Intellect
5
Skills
Thievery, Knives (proficient)
Equipment
Weapons
Dagger (damage 3-12)
Armour
None
Other
The Baron
Name
?
Nickname
The Baron
Race/Nationality
Human/Durnish
Age
31
Daily Wage
7 pence
Action Stats
EXP Level
3
Action Points
3
Hit Points
13
Core Stats
Might
5
Agility
12
Grit
5
Intellect
11
Skills
Thievery, Knives (competent)
Equipment
Weapons
Dagger (damage 2-8)
Armour
Padded
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
Other
Lockpicking and other tools of the trade
Mila
Name
Liudmila Stradenko
Nickname
Mila
Race/Nationality
Human/Livanian
Age
20
Daily Wage
3 pence
Action Stats
EXP Level
2
Action Points
3
Hit Points
13
Core Stats
Might
3
Agility
10
Grit
8
Intellect
4
Skills
Thievery, Knives (novice)
Equipment
Weapons
Dagger (damage 1-4)
Armour
None
Other
Stricken
Name
Jurgen Stricker
Nickname
Stricken
Race/Nationality
Human/Hargon
Age
27
Daily Wage
4 pence
Action Stats
EXP Level
2
Action Points
3
Hit Points
17
Core Stats
Might
11
Agility
8
Grit
4
Intellect
3
Skills
Thievery, Cleaver (proficient)
Equipment
Weapons
Cleaver (damage 3-15)
Armour
None
Other
Wade barged the door of the temple open with his shoulder.
‘Help!’ he shouted. He carried Mila inside, spattering the floor of the temple with blood.
Half a dozen men rushed over and stared at the woman in his arms—at the dark red stain on her tunic, which clung to her stomach.
‘You can’t bring her in here!’ The speaker wore the chain of office of a priest of the temple, and spoke like he held some position of authority.
‘She’ll die!’ Wade claimed.
‘Then take her to a doctor.’
‘You must provide assistance,’ demanded a second man.
He was dressed in the most flamboyant costume Wade had ever seen. The Alinko were known for wearing bright colours. Even the inside of this temple was beautifully decorated, compared to the stark churches Wade was used to back home. But this man wore a garish combination of hat, top and breeches, with not one colour of the rainbow left out. A pile of gold jewellery hung around his neck.
‘I will not,’ the man continued, ‘donate my family’s money to this temple, if this is how those in need are treated.’
‘Bring her in,’ said the priest urgently.
Wade followed after him, arms straining with the weight. His eyes naturally fell on Mila’s chest, where a low cut top revealed her ample cleavage.
‘A thousand thank yous,’ said the gaudily dressed man, following behind. The man’s accent was a close approximation to Alinko, Wade had to admit that. It was just so exaggerated that it bordered on caricature.
In short, The Baron was overdoing it.
‘In here,’ said the priest.
They entered a side room, and at last, Wade could relinquish his burden, laying Mila onto a table. Her blonde hair splayed on the surface and her top left little to the imagination.
Wade and the six men goggled at her, saying nothing.
She moaned, putting a hand to her stomach, that came back red.
‘We don’t have healers here,’ the priest said, worried.
‘I can patch her up,’ Wade said.
‘Carl, go and fetch my medicine from my bag,’ said The Baron, still in character. ‘It is holy ointment that will help her,’ he assured those present. ‘Carl!’ he repeated, louder.
‘Oh, right,’ Jurgen said, tearing his eyes away from Mila. ‘Right away, boss.’
Wade had to prevent himself from sighing in disgust. He wondered why he was always stuck working with amateurs.
Jurgen exited the room.
‘I’ll need to strip her clothes off to get to the wound,’ Wade said.
The men nodded enthusiastically.
‘Come, gentlemen,’ The Baron said. ‘Let us give the lady some privacy.’
With some reluctance, the priest and the others allowed themselves to be ushered out of the room by The Baron, who closed the door behind him.
Wade looked at Mila and rolled his eyes. ‘That could have been smoother.’
She licked at the fake blood on her hand. ‘Mmm.’ She offered him a finger. ‘Tastes nice. Sweet.’
Wade wasn’t sure how to respond. Was the girl coming on to him, in the middle of a mission? In the middle of a church?
‘What?’ Mila asked. ‘I see the way you look at me.’
‘Well, I’m a red-blooded male, aren’t I? Can’t help noticing those knockers spilling out of your top. Might be we would have some craic together.’
She gave a knowing smile.
‘But right now I’m focused on completing this mission.’
‘After, then?’ she asked.
‘Sounds good.’
‘I don’t charge very much.’
‘Oh. It’s like that, is it?’ Wade couldn’t help feeling disappointed. If she sold her body that was her business. But for a moment he’d thought she actually liked him.
‘A girl’s gotta eat, hasn’t she? Besides, you’re getting paid twice as much as me.’
‘And I’m near twice as old, with twice as much experience. Ask me again when I’ve been drinking all night and feeling lonely, and I might be tempted. At this particular moment in time, it’s a pass.’
Mila shrugged. ‘You’re the one missing out.’
‘I’m sure. Anyhoo, that eejit Stricken shoulda come back by now.’ He sighed. He moved to the door, pulling it open a crack. He couldn’t see or hear anyone. The Baron had managed to lead his group away. ‘I’m gonna have to go looking for him.’ He pointed at her sternly. ‘Lie down and act like you’ve been stabbed.’
With a pout, the girl lay down.
Wade exited the room, moving silently. He heard The Baron, talking loudly, and turned in the opposite direction. He had to admit—grudgingly—that The Baron was doing his job. He was a damn sight more professional than the other two.
He moved swiftly from room to room, barely taking in his surroundings. His senses were tuned to finding people, and avoiding them if necessary. A sound made him stop. Squelching. A noise both unexpected and concerning.
He peered around a corner and caught sight of Stricken. He was wielding his cleaver, hacking into a body. Blood had sprayed his face and clothing, and there was a widening pool of it on the floor.
‘I think he’s dead now,’ Wade said wryly.
Stricken looked up from his work and gave Wade a psychopath’s smile.