“You’re on!” Bill bellowed, flipping the table as he stood up.

“Wai-“ shouted Aven as the table slammed into him, knocking him to the ground. By the time he got up, Bill lurched towards the tailed woman, fists clenched and swaying back and forth. “Turn to water!” he called, but Bill either ignored him or didn’t hear him.

“Haven’t fought an acolyte of En Chitei in a while,” Bill cackled, holding up his fists to his chin. “Don’t think I’m going to go easy on you ‘cause you’re young!”

The woman responded by surging forward with a lightning-fast kick to Bill’s gut that Aven almost couldn’t see.

Bill grunted and spun as he was hit, deflecting most of the power in the blow. “You gave me a bruise, good start!” he laughed, swinging sluggishly at the woman.

She easily dodged each blow, darting around to his side and aiming a punch at his kidney.

Bill spun, shunting off most of the force of the strike. “Gonna have to do better than that!”

Aven chewed his lip as the two circled each other. Even drunk, Bill's instincts were still there. The alcohol in his system and his bulk were helping him weather her blows, but he couldn’t hope to land a hit on her in his state. He looked past both of them to the door. No one was gathering outside to look in, but the bar’s patrons were riveted on the action. The fight would attract attention soon and that meant guards. This had to end sooner rather than later. Aven stalked towards the fight, keeping behind the tailed woman. If he could take her down while she was distracted, there was a chance Bill would drop to water and sober up. Before he could close in, Bill let out a drunken roar and charged the woman with a wild swing. She dodged and surged forward, slamming her fist into Bill’s face right between the eyes. He dropped like a sack of potatoes.

“Bill!” Aven shouted, running forward and rolling Bill onto his back. A small trickle of blood ran down his face as he took slow, stinking breaths. “Wake up!” Aven said, slapping his cheek. The woman stood over them both, rubbing her fist and looking confused.

“None of that!” someone shouted, grabbing Aven’s arms and holding them behind his back. One of the men from the full table had seized him. “He needs his beauty rest.”

Two of the men grabbed Bill by the arms and hauled him towards the door. Another walked over to Aven and the man holding him. “Nice and easy,” he said, pulling some rope out of a satchel. “Chesai wants both of you brought in.”

Aven slammed his head back into the man holding him, feeling a satisfying crunch as his nose broke. At the same time, he lashed out with a strong kick at the man with the rope. Aven and the thug went sprawling backwards, and he quickly slipped out of his pin, pulling his knife out. The man with a broken nose jumped to his feet. The man with rope pulled out a knife of his own. Bill was dropped to the floor as the other two thugs came to help

Aven bolted, running out the back door as fast as he could. He slammed the knife back into its sheath as the sound of thundering footsteps followed close behind. In the alley, he ran straight at a wall and leapt up it, grabbing hold of the roof and pulling himself up and over just as the men rushed out of the door.

“He’s gone!” one shouted.

“Split up, we’ll find him!” said another.

“No!” barked another voice. “We have to get Bill back to the boss. There’s no point if he wakes up before we get back.” There was a general murmur of agreement and the man raced out.

Aven laid on his back, trying to catch his breath. They weren’t going to kill him. They were going to capture him. If Aven could follow them, there might be a chance for a rescue. He pulled himself to his feet and looked down the alley where the men had gone.

The tailed woman suddenly appeared in the alley and climbed the wall in the blink of an eye.

Aven turned and bolted again, running across the roof and jumping the gap to another. It had been a trick -- they pretended to run and sent their muscle up to get him. A quick glance over his shoulder showed him the woman was following him and closing in. He willed himself to go faster, sprinting across rooftops and leaping over alleyways, but the woman kept gaining ground. When he reached a wide, flat roof Aven skidded to a halt and drew his knife, turning to face her.

The woman landed and dropped to her knees, pressing her palms and forehead against the roof. “I beg your forgiveness!”

With blood thundering in his ears and every muscle in his body ready for a life-or-death struggle, all Aven could manage to say was “What?”

“Forgive me,” the woman said, not moving except for her twitching tail. “I didn’t know he was drunk.”

“How,” Aven gasped, gripping the knife with a sweaty palm and trying to make sense of the situation. “You didn’t what?”

“I intended to challenge him to a fair duel, not to take advantage of his weakened state. Please believe me!” she shouted into the roof.

“I believe you!” Aven said, sheathing his knife.

“I must make amends,” she said, rising up to kneel. “I-“

“Start by telling me your name,” said Aven, leaping off the roof to the alley below.

The woman followed him down, landing in a crouch. “My name is Ji,” she said.

“Great. We have to find that wagon,” he said, peering out into the street. “You saw it longer than I did, what did it look like?”

“It was pulled by two horses,” Ji said. “And it had letters in blue on the side.”

“What did it say?” asked Aven.

“I do not know,” she said, frowning. “I do not speak the language of this place, only my own and Gray.”

Aven bit his lip and stepped out into the street. “Just try to remember what the letters look like. Follow me and keep your eyes out for the wagon.”

The pair weaved through the traffic of the market road, dodging hand carts and horse drawn carriages alike until Ji grabbed Aven’s arm. “Wait, there,” she hissed, pointing at a wagon making a turn onto a side street. “That’s the one!”

“Don’t point,” Aven hissed, pulling her arm down. “Let’s get closer to be sure.” He led them to the corner and peeked around it down the street. “That’s them. I recognize the guards at the back. The other two must be driving.” Two of the men who snatched Bill walked behind the cart at each corner, scanning the crowd and checking behind them.

“Then let’s go get him,” Ji said.

Aven grabbed her arm and pulled her back around the corner. “No, that’s the last thing we want to do. If we start a brawl in the streets the guards will show up and ask a lot of questions I don’t want to answer. Right now, we’re going to tail them and wait for the right moment. See that clothing store across the street?” he asked, jerking his head to the right.

Ji followed his gaze and saw a man sitting on the ground in front of a storefront under an umbrella, with several racks of shirts and stands of hats. “Yes, I see it.”

“Distract him while I steal us some disguises,” Aven said, nudging her forward.

“What? How?” she asked, taking a slow step forward.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“Ask him about hats or the price of linen or something. Whatever you do, keep his eyes and ears on you,” Aven whispered, breaking away to the other side of the street.

After a moment’s hesitation, Ji crossed the street, holding eye contact with the man the entire time. “Hello,” she said, looming over him.

The shopkeep moved the umbrella out of the way so he could see her face. “Good afternoon,” he said with a smile.

“Yes,” said Ji. “…tell me about these hats!” she blurted, jabbing her finger at a rack of straw hats with a wide brim.

The shopkeeper blinked, slowly pulling himself to his feet. “Well, these are getting quite popular, it’s a foreign design. Good for keeping the sun out of your eyes.”

“I see,” said Ji. “Tell me more.”

“Well,” the man coughed, taking one off the rack. “They’re good for the sun, but they won’t keep the rain off. This colored band of cloth here can be changed to any kind you like right here at the store. We even have different patterns available.”

“Good,” Ji nodded. “That is very good.”

The shopkeeper stared at her. “Would…you like to see some of our patterns?”

Ji stared back. “No. Tell me about more hats.”

“Certainly,” the shopkeeper said, scratching his arm. “These over here are more decorative than functional, but I think you’ll look very good in one,” he said, turning and pointing at a rack where several boxy hats hung made of black cloth. “A more traditional design, but I think it would look good on you with the right outfit.”

“Why is that?” demanded Ji.

The shopkeeper coughed again. “It would help if I knew what occasion you were shopping for.”

Ji’s mind went blank. “I am…well…I need a hat. For…”

“Any luck?” asked Aven, suddenly appearing behind the shopkeeper. He was holding a dull blue button-down shirt on a hanger. “Find anything you like?”

“I can’t decide on a hat,” Ji stressed.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Aven smiled at the shopkeeper. “She’s an acolyte of En Chitei. It’s her first time out of the monastery in a while.”

“I see!” said the shopkeeper. “My apologies, I didn’t know.”

“We’re just getting some basics for now. Could I buy this shirt and that straw hat?” Aven said, pointing at one with a red band around it. The shopkeeper happily made the sale and they crossed the street, ducking into an alley. “Good job,” Aven said, unbuttoning the shirt to reveal half a dozen other items of clothing hidden inside. “Put this shawl over your shoulders and tie your hair differently with this band,” he said, tossing some things to her and pulling the blue shirt on over his clothes. “Hurry.”

Ji twisted her braid around into a bun and tied the red band around her forehead. “Will this hide my face?” she asked, pulling the shawl up around her head.

“Not like that,” Aven said, pulling it back down to her shoulders. “Going around with your face covered will just make people suspicious. You look different enough from before that they won’t be able to tell it’s you with a quick look. Can you keep your tail hidden under this?” Aven asked, reaching out and tying another shawl around her waist.

“I will keep it still,” she replied.

“Good,” Aven said, putting the straw hat on his shaved head. “We work as a team, one on each side of the street. One follows it closely for a while, then hangs back and lets the other get close. But not too close. If they realize they’re being followed they might just kill him and be done with it.”

“I am at your service,” Ji said, punching her palm into her fist.

With their disguises on, Ji and Aven carefully tailed the wagon through side streets that got less and less busy until they reached the warehouse district. Without the crowds to hide them, they darted from corner to corner, keeping the wagon in sight until it stopped outside a long brick warehouse. One of the guards pounded on the door three times and it slowly slid open. “Now?” asked Ji.

Aven clenched his fists as the wagon rattled into the warehouse. “No. Still too many people around. Stay here while I scout it out.”

“Shout and I will come to your side,” Ji nodded, crouching down behind the corner of the building.

“Not like that,” Aven hissed, pulling her back up. “That draws attention. Just stand here looking bored. If anyone asks, tell them you’re waiting for your husband to come get you.”

With Ji settled, Aven set out on a quick walk. The warehouse was made of solid brick and had a tall, sloping roof. The big doors at the front were the main entrance, and two smaller doors were on either side at the back. The big doors had two guards, but the smaller doors were unprotected. “Not that I’m going to fall for that old trick,” Aven thought as he circled back to where Ji was waiting. “Put guards outside the big door and inside the little ones. Then when a thief like me comes around they walk right into the trap.”

“What did you find?” Ji asked.

“Can’t go in on the ground. But there are usually windows and vents on the roof,” he said, looking up. “Can you climb?” he asked.

Ji only raised one eyebrow.

“Right, stupid question. Follow me,” sighed Aven. He led the way to the corner of the building, and they quickly ascended the side and hauled themselves up on the roof. On top were a bunch of hooded vents, blocked with bars to keep out thieves and wire to keep out vermin. Aven grimaced, laying down some of his stolen clothes to shield himself from the heat of the tiles. “Nothing left to do but wait.”

-

Bill groaned, searing pain between his eyes forcing him awake. He rolled over onto his side as every muscle in his body started aching at the same time. “Oh, fuck me, what did I drink?” he asked, pulling himself into a sitting position with a groan. The last few hours slowly returned to him as he massaged his temples. Looking around, he realized he was sitting on a gravel floor, surrounded by stone walls too high to climb. Above him was a vaulted roof with light shining down from sun wells.

“Oh good, you’re awake,” came a familiar voice. Chesai sat on the edge of the wall in a small chair, nibbling on some nuts. “Took you long enough.”

“Hello Chesai,” Bill groaned, climbing to his feet. “You could have at least given me a blanket, it’s cold down here.”

“You better tell me what happened really fast,” Chesai said, drawing a flintlock pistol from a holster.

“I could ask you the same thing,” Bill responded, looking up at him. “You said locals were interested in that lockbox. If you had told me that the local was a Vao we wouldn’t be here.”

“Wrong answer,” said Chesai, taking aim at Bill and pulling the trigger.

Bill took a breath and turned to water just as Chesai pulled the trigger. The bullet tore through the water and ricocheted off the walls as Bill splashed down into a puddle. Though he was blind, he could feel the vibrations around him and rose back up when he felt the bullet bury itself in the gravel. “I’m going to be insulted if you think this is a good way to interrogate me.”

Chesai blew the smoke away from the pistol and ran a brush down the barrel. “Just want to set a tone so you know how serious this is. What happened?”

“What happened is I got ambushed by three summons at once. I’m flattered you think I’m that good, but I’m not. I barely made it out with my life and every guard that swarmed the inn saw the summons try to take the box from me. I had to turn it over,” said Bill.

“You had to turn what over, my box of twigs and string?” said Chesai, pouring some gunpowder down the barrel. “I know you thought that by the time they got around to asking me questions you’d be long gone. But, the prefect is coming next week and they don’t want any questions unanswered. They came and talked to me real quick.”

Bill grumbled. He’d never lost a wager betting on bureaucrats being quick to respond. “Since you’re not in prison right now, I imagine you spun them a pretty good story.”

“Rare wood used in the production of incense,” Chesai said, ramming a bullet down the barrel as Bill applauded below. “I’m proud of that one. But it does beg the question, where is my tapestry?”

“Hidden.”

Chesai cocked the gun.

“Come on,” Bill huffed. “I had a Vao on me who wanted the lockbox and I showed him it was empty so he’d leave me alone. It was the only way I was getting out of that town alive.”

“Well, now that you’re back, I’d love to hear where it is,” Chesai said with a big smile.

“I’d love to tell you,” Bill said, walking over to the wall. “Throw down a ladder and I’ll draw you a map.”

“Now you’re insulting me,” Chesai said, stepping to the edge of the pit and looking straight down. “You told him you’d give him the tapestry in exchange for safe passage, right? And you’re smart enough to not give it to him on the spot. Does he have it already?”

“Not yet, I play the Favor Game better than that,” Bill scoffed.

“You do,” said Chesai, holstering his weapon. “I’ve known you long enough to know that. I’ve also known you long enough to know how to put the screws to you too. Sure, I can’t break your fingers or burn you, but I don’t have to. I just have to wait until thirst does my job for me.”

“Don’t do this Chesai, let’s make a deal,” Bill said through gritted teeth.

“We did, and you didn’t live up to your end. Once you tell me where the tapestry is hidden, I’ll send my men to go get it. Once I have it in my hand, I’ll consider letting you go. The quicker I have it, the more merciful I’ll feel,” Chesai said, walking away.

-

Up on the roof, the sun was setting in the sea, casting long shadows over Aven and Ji. Aven laid on his back, the sounds of Bill calling out to Chesai echoing up to him. “You’re in my debt, does that mean you can keep a secret?” he asked.

Ji dropped to her knees and bowed low. “I am yours to command until I have redeemed myself,” she said.

“Good,” sighed Aven. “Never tell anyone about where we’re going now.”