Ships plied coastal sea lines along the Isthmus of Targaria despite it being a dark, moonless night. They were well-lit by lanterns and glided past the darkened shore on their way towards the lights of the Eternal City’s North Port up ahead, like moths drawn to a flame. As a large three masted merchant ship that lay low in the water from its heaving holds plodded along the coast, a small rowboat slipped out behind it from its seaward side. The small vessel bobbed violently in the larger ship’s wake as it made its way towards the wall that ran the length of both the city’s coast. The only breaks in the wall were at the ports on either shore, but those were well lit and protected by forts. Its occupants sought another way into the city.
As the boat drew closer to the wall, pinpricks of light floating along the top of the wall came into view. Each was a lantern held by a guard who patrolled the wall in search of people attempting to enter the city illicitly. The rowboat, however, was almost completely invisible in the dark sea, which proved a problem as it struggled to make headway in the swells caused by the larger ship. In the distance to the east, a lantern signalled the fast approach of another ship.
“Everyone, start rowing,” a voice hissed in the darkness. It belonged to Larmis, and he was in command.
The boat bobbed as its occupants scrambled for oars. The more inexperienced among them began to row frantically, causing the boat to bob and turn even more violently.
“Pull on my order only!” Larmis whispered as loudly as he dared.
The haphazard rowing ceased, allowing the more experienced hands to bring the boat under control. Once the boat was steadied, the voice ordered. “Pull.”
Cas dipped her oar into the water and grunted as she put her back into the oars. Slowly, the boat began to inch forward. She glanced over her shoulder and gritted her teeth. The prow of the oncoming ship was now visible. It was going to be a close shave. However, the boat began to pick up speed as the rowers found their rhythm, and the wake from the passing vessel propelled them towards the shore.
“Bring in your oars,” Larmis ordered.
Cas obeyed and began to shiver. It was a chilly night, and she was soaked with sweat from the exertion and the close shave. As she coiled her arms around her for warmth, she cast a nervous eye up the wall. The purple cloaked guards were visible now as they marched down the wall, and she felt her heart pound every time they turned to look out to sea.
A sudden gust of wind chilled her right through the bone, and she felt the urge to sneeze. She squeezed her nose and mouth shut in an attempt to suppress it. There was every chance she could be heard by the purple cloaks at this distance. However, it was futile. The sneeze was muffled, but it sounded like thunder to her ears.
She felt everyone on the boat hold their breaths as they looked up at the guard to see if he had heard. However, it seemed that the sneeze had been drowned out by the roar of the surf crashing against the wall.
Soon, their boat approached a large culvert that discharged rainwater collected by the city’s gutters into the sea. It was large enough to comfortably accommodate their boat, but it was blocked off by a steel grate. Larmis whistled into the darkness as he manoeuvred their boat into the wall’s shadow.
There was no response as the boat bobbed in the surf. Larmis and Rengar grunted as they struggled with their oars to maintain their position. Cas wondered if she should help but didn’t dare speak. They were now close enough to hear a purple cloak curse the cold and his superior as he stopped almost directly on top of them. A strong wave rocked the boat. Cas and a few others dipped their oars into the water and strained against the current to stop the boat before it was dashed against the wall.
Above them, the guard began to move, and Larmis whistled desperately into the darkness once again, but still, there was no response from whoever or whatever he was signalling. Cas looked at him and waited for his signal for them to row the boat away from danger. There was another desperate, silent struggle as another wave rocked them from out of the darkness. Then, an answering whistle came out of the darkness, and Cas held her breath.
There was a slight rumbling, and Cas’ eyes widened as the grate covering the end of the culvert rumbled upwards. Without wasting any time, Larmis guided the boat inside and the grate rumbled shut behind them.
“Sorry about that,” a disembodied voice echoed down the darkened culvert. “Had to wait for that purple cloak to leave before I could let you in.”
Moments later, a faint light appeared further up the culvert, and no one on the boat had to be told to begin rowing. Soon, they arrived at a pier that extended from a gap in the culvert’s masonry. A slender man stood at the end of it close to a shrouded lantern. The faint light glinted off a burnished bronze badge with the depiction of the city’s East Gate etched into it, identifying the man as a member of the City Guard.
“It got hairy there, didn’t it?” he remarked as he tossed a line.
“Nothing we couldn’t handle,” Larmis replied nonchalantly.
Soon, the boat was moored, and its occupants began to climb out. Cas was one of the last off and took a moment to examine the pier they were tied to.
“It looks like it was built with the culvert,” she muttered to herself.
“That’s because it was, young lady,” she looked up to see the guard beaming toothily down at her. “These culverts need maintenance, and this is one of many access points.”
“That makes sense,” Cas allowed. “But why is the grate raisable?”
The City Guardsman’s grin broadened. “That was a modification the City’s Elders don’t know about… Say, I’ve not seen you come this way before.”
“She’s new to our crew,” Larmis said as he tied the boat off.
“Are you now?” The man extended his hand towards her. “I’m Armand. Armand Destrani.”
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“That’s nice,” Cas said flatly as she ignored the hand and climbed out on her own.
“We won’t be able to get past the outpost up ahead without Armand’s help,” Larmis warned.
“My name is Cas,” she said as she walked down the tunnel after the others.
“I like her,” she heard him remark as she savoured the feeling of solid ground under her feet.
“You always were a sucker for a pretty face,” came Larmis’ reply.
“My, aren’t you popular?” Verna asked as Cas fell in step behind her. There was a snide edge to her voice that caught Cas off guard.
“You think I like being leered at by men like him?” Cas asked incredulously.
The maid laughed coldly. “I’ve met a dozen girls like you, thinking they are above the attention of men until they meet one who catches their fancy.”
Cas bit her lip to stop a scathing retort from escaping her mouth. Verna had been cold towards her from the get-go, and she was beginning to understand why. However, they needed to work together. The money was too important for something as petty as jealousy to jeopardize.
The tunnel they were walking down emerged in a small, nondescript office that was unmanned at this late hour.
“I’d have expected this place to be better guarded,” Cas remarked.
“These monitoring stations are fairly new innovations,” Armand winked at her before peering out the windows. “The powers that be decided that discretion was the best way to keep this place secure.”
“That’s convenient,” Cas mused.
Larmis chuckled. “The boss poured some honey in a few ears and greased a few palms to make them see it that way.”
Cas was taken aback. “He is more influential than he seems…”
“You wouldn’t think it by looking at him,” Larmis said. “But the boss’ connections in this city run deep.”
“Perhaps the way he presents himself is part of the reason he is so successful,” Cas mused out loud.
“Well, you had best not cross him is all I will say,” Larmis shrugged.
“It looks clear out there, get going, you lot,” Armand said as he opened the door. “One at a time, if you please.”
“Remember, don’t stick together,” Larmis warned before stepping out into the night.
Cas was about to go next but was pulled back.
“Newbies leave last,” Verna said and held her in place while the others left.
“Me-ow,” Armand said before bursting out in laughter as though it was the funniest joke he’d ever heard.
Soon, the others had left and released her hold on Cas’ arm. “Better to wait five minutes before leaving. Also, you need to be at the estate at noon. Don’t be late.”
Cas held her temper as Verna walked out the door. She watched the blonde haired woman turn a corner before moving towards the door.
“What is it between the two of you, anyway?” Armand asked.
“I think she’s jealous of the attention you’re showing me,” Cas replied before leaving.
The office was located on a quiet street. It was unremarkable, looking like any other building, and anyone who passed it wouldn’t give it a second look. However, Cas couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that such a vulnerable point into the city existed. Could Dirk and his ilk be trusted with such knowledge should the city ever come under siege? She wouldn’t trust them to keep her middle name secret.
Cas was unfamiliar with this part of the city but had a rough idea of where she was. She consciously chose to go in the opposite direction Verna had and head in the general direction of the Church on the city’s south side. Unsurprisingly, the streets were deserted at this late hour. Cas pulled her now damp cloak tight around her shoulders and kept a wary eye out. The streets of the Eternal City were dangerous after dark, especially for a woman travelling alone.
After a few minutes, her pulse quickened when she saw a man approach from the opposite direction. She looked down the street and wondered if he should make an abrupt turn into one of the side alleys. Would that be better or worse for her if he had ill intentions, though? While she was thinking, the man quickened his pace towards her.
“You there,” an imperious voice called. “What business have you at this late hour?”
The voice was distant but familiar. Cas ground her teeth and turned into the next alley before breaking into a run.
“Halt!” the voice shouted. “In the name of the City Watch!”
Cas caught a glimpse of the man as she turned a corner. He was close and gaining quickly. Something didn’t add up. The City Watch didn’t patrol the streets at night. They were more interested in keeping undesirables out than protecting the common citizen. She was bogged down by a sodden skirt and exhausted from her ordeal on the boat and couldn’t summon the strength to quicken her pace. She put her head down and put all her effort into running until she discovered she had run down a blind alley.
She whirled around and saw the man appear at the end of the alley. She was trapped. Would she fight her way out? Her eyes went to the sword in his hand. It would be dangerous. This one looked like he knew how to use his weapon.
“You are trapped,” the man said. “State your business or I will be forced to bring you in.”
Cas’ eyes widened when she recognized his voice. “Kalen?”
“Sandra?” he replied, sounding equally confused. “What are you doing all the way out here, and at this hour?”
Cas took a moment to still her pounding heart before replying. “I could ask you the same thing.”
Kalen sheathed his sword and approached her slowly. “Patrolling the streets. I was hunting down a pair of suspicious looking men before I came across you.”
“And you decided to abandon that pursuit to come chasing after the first woman you saw?” Cas asked, trying to keep the young man on the defensive.
However, Kalen did not rise to the bait. “I don’t have to explain myself to you. You on the other hand…”
“I couldn’t sleep,” she replied.
Kalen’s eyes softened. “Are you worried about the church?”
“So I decided to take a walk to clear my head,” she continued. “And ended up here.”
Kalen relaxed and scratched the back of his head. “Well, it’s not safe out here, especially at this hour. I can escort you…”
“That won’t be necessary,” Cas said brusquely as she pushed past him. “Besides, would it be appropriate for a person of your stature to be seen accompanying a woman like me alone after dark?”
“No, that’s…” Kalen spluttered, but Cas was already walking away swiftly.
She glanced over her shoulder and saw that he was still following her.
“I’ll follow you at a respectable distance until we arrive at Gamon Street up ahead,” Kalen said.
“Fine,” she replied over her shoulder.
Soon, she turned onto a well lit street. It was crowded despite the late hour and the lights were on in the taverns, theatres, and other less savoury businesses that catered to the city’s nocturnal residents. The blue domed roof of the Grand Bazaar peered over the buildings on her left, and Cas felt at ease. Soon, she would be in familiar territory.
She moved swiftly through the crowd, attempting to blend in just in case Kalen decided to continue following her. However, the only other women on the street were scantily clad with painted faces standing at a corner, calling out to the sailors who had ventured down from North Port and eager to sate their hunger that had been pent up from months at sea.
“Lovely evening, isn’t it, young lady?”
Cas jumped when the voice whispered into her ear. She hadn’t sensed anyone sidle up next to her, and her first instinct was to strike. However, her panicked brain recognized the voice in time and she whirled around to see Dirk walking next to her.
“Come this way, now,” he said as a carriage rattled by. The crest on its door was covered by a black cloth so that no one could see which nobleman was being whisked away from a whorehouse at this late hour.
When the carriage was just behind them, Dirk pulled Cas into a side street and quickened his pace. She almost stumbled as he pulled her along, making turns seemingly at random before dragging her into an open door. Inside, Starkey was seated on a chair next to a stove, glaring daggers at her.
“It’s like I said, innit, boss?” Starkey remarked.
“Those two suspicious men,” Cas gasped as she struggled to catch her breath. “They were the two of you?”
Dirk nodded gravely at the Cas. “You have at least three fatal flaws that you need to be aware of.”
Cas was indignant. “I beg your pardon?”