16

The City of Fish

They arrived in Asterport, the old boat easing up to the stone dock.

It was also known locally as the city of fish. Certainly smelt like it.

Busy little fishing boats floated their way in and out of the port, leaving the barrels of fish to permeate the open air with their salty aroma.

The sails of the Man-O-War caught the early setting sun, casting their long shadows over the stone buildings of the city.

‘We’re here!’ Ludgar said with a stretch, bending his back and feeling the satisfying pop of cartilage shifting.

They stepped off the boat and walked along the stone bricks of the dock towards the white stone buildings of probably the same make.

They crossed into the streets, weaving through the hefty crowd of traders, sailors, and other locals.

A young lad was offering event papers and advertising their contents; the young Prince Arval who saved the kingdom from certain war, giving a rousing speech and attending Granther College.

They finally made it. Took them long enough.

He wasn't even sure what to do at this point.

‘So,’ Ludgar asked to his companions, ‘what do we all want to do now?’

‘I want to make us some money.’

‘I wanna get something to eat!’

‘I wish to venue the local bookshops.’

‘...’

‘All good options!’ Ludgar addressed to them all. ‘I suggest we split up and meet back here in a few hours. See what we all come up with.’ As quick as that, they were gone. Off in their own separate directions. Caspar off in the direction of the markets, Kathiya off towards the upper class estates, Ves’sa off directly upwards, and Sethel going who knows where, leaving Ludgar alone for the first time in a while.

What was the best way to make money for a guy like him? As far as he was aware, there was no official war occurring, and the unofficial ones would require some digging, and he just didn’t have the time.

The bounty boards would probably be his best shot, and he couldn't decide if he wanted to do that first or get a drink.

He then remembered he had no money, and his decision was made for him.

He passed through the crowded market streets and into the city’s centre square. Many towns and cities had notice boards detailing bounties for dangerous criminals. This city was no exception.

He saw the wings of Ves’sa silhouetted against the darkening sky as she descended on the roof of a church. He wondered what she was up to, but not curious enough to go and find out.

There it was, outside the head offices for the local constabulary, or whatever constituted law enforcement in this city.

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A few notices were posted, with some drawn images of the approximate recollection of offenders on yellowing parchment.

A few unsavoury types surrounded, looking amused that the arriving newbie, but not actually having the gumption to do anything about it.

All posture. No action. He found it a little disappointing.

‘Vell, vell, vell. Look who’s decided to turn up.’ The voice caught him like a flash. Some deep memory jolting its way to the top of his mind. That strange, enthralling accent that fades in and out; the accent of one who’s been here a while, but not long enough. So old and familiar. Like being hit in the head by a stick you’re well acquainted with.

He turned to see the origin of the familiar voice and found a familiar face with it. Still wearing that wide-brimmed hat and that leather coat with all the belts and straps that hid well the thin membrane of his wings. He was always quite strange for a bat as he was bigger than most and looked quite like a fox, only a deep brown instead of Caspar’s almost luminous orange.

‘If it isn’t Belfry,’ he said, turning to shake his old comrade by the hand. It had been a while since they last trained together, back in Rauvin. ‘You know me, I like to go where the trouble is.’

‘Perhaps you don’t vollow it. Maybe it vollows you.’ He stepped forward, cane clacking at the cobbles, and he examined the bounty list. ‘Didn’t vancy you for a bounty hunter.’

‘I’m happy to do whatever makes money.’

‘I know of a Savanti whorehouse that’d love to hire you.’

‘I’m not that desperate… yet.’

Belfry placed a hand on Ludgar’s shoulder. ‘Please, it’s been a vhile. We should have dinner somevhere more private. I know a place that does a great steak. My treat.’ Ludgar hadn’t even realised how hungry he was and not having to pay for it was beyond a bonus.

‘What will it be,’ said the waitress, dressed in the immaculate, ivory white apron.

‘Steak, please.’

‘And how would you like it?’

‘Bloody.’

Ludgar ordered the same. This place was far higher class than what Ludgar was used to, which wasn’t a high bar by any margin. They had tablecloths, and the cutlery wasn’t made of wood, so to him it may as well have been made for royalty.

They sat in silence for a moment, enjoying the quiet atmosphere of the city. They watched the city lamplighter make his rounds, waving his metallic staff, the trails of light spilling forth and diving into the streetlamps, illuminating the city.

‘I didn’t figure you would be bounty hunting either, checking the boards too and all.’

‘Verk is hard to come by. People like us must do vhat ve can until more conflict arises.’ Belfry lifted his wineglass and stirred it before taking a gentle sip. ‘The League and the Republic von’t attack out of fear of Phaos, and Phaos von’t attack out of fear of a possible war on two fronts. As soon as even a little veakness is found, they strike like nightstalkers upon a fresh corpse.’

‘Never thought that the “Years of peace” would be delicately balanced on a blade’s edge.’ Ludgar said, after taking a heavy gulp of his ale.

‘All peace usually is. Have you ever considered a different career path?’

‘I tried. Didn’t last long. Fighting’s the only thing I know.’

‘You shouldn’t place all your eggs vithin one basket. Even I have my other means,’ he said with deliberate emphasis, ‘for the financially slow times. But even for a merc, you’re quite someving else, aren’t you? Never met someone so… what’s the vord?’ He tapped his slender fingers on the table, digging for the right words. He clicked them when he found it. ‘Morally flexible.’

‘That helps in this business.’

‘In the short term, maybe. I’m supposing you have your own team also?’

‘Yeah. Got kinda lucky… and unlucky.’

‘Vhat? You got “lucky?” Did you just pick the first random people you saw on the street?’

‘Gods, no, I did my research. I put them through some selection process. It’s not like I pulled them from the gutter, except with Sethel.’

‘Ve couldn’t exactly call them “professionals,” then.’

‘I’ll have you know that my team happens to be the absolute pinnacle of mercenary professionalism.’ As soon as he finished his last word, he heard a commotion from outside.

‘No, please! I am innocent of this crime!’ Kathiya was being dragged away by guards, Ves’sa was fighting with at least five people, the side of a nearby building exploded, and the scaffolding of the city bridge collapsed.

Kathiya's frantic eyes caught Ludgar's, and she began pointing and shouting something.

‘Friends of yours?’

‘... I have never seen them before in my life.’ He started drinking his ale as fast as possible before the watch came in.