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Chapter 6 – A New Assignment

Five Years Later

Azroth swaggered down the high street, whistling as he carried his latest delivery of goods. The market had been abundant today as an influx of people crowded into Lambswell from the surrounding towns. Rumors of a great treasure making its way from the gem smiths in Solomon to the north side of Lambswell swelled with each new traveler.

“Can you believe this?” asked Brewster, holding the basket out with the large ham he’d earned from the butcher that day. Now, the pair walked side by side with their parcels, more laden than he’d ever come back before. 

“I told you we’d bring more home today,” Azroth said. 

Because of the influx of strangers and their extra money, Marjorie had sold out entirely and paid him extra today in both food and coins. The other merchants he helped also paid him well for his efforts, and the thought made his smug smile grow wider.

The gang used to tell him it was impossible to feed them all through honest work. However, not one of them had gone without something to eat ever since he came along. Soon, those who argued against him working stopped complaining, and just accepted his oddities. Even Gabe couldn’t deny how Azroth brought in more food and money than any of them could steal in a day.

“But, I mean, look at this! I’ve never earned so much as a copper before and to earn two pieces of silver, plus this ham, and all the loose bits of bacon. I just can’t believe it!” Brewster’s stomach rumbled loudly in agreement.

Azroth had to admit that Brewster was right. This was possibly the best haul they’d ever brought home before. Between the meat and the various food items Azroth had been paid with, there’d be enough food to last the gang of the Haggis for four days. Maybe more if they were careful. It was difficult to keep over twenty people fed and clothed properly, but they were making it work. 

His hand brushed the hem of the vest he wore. After that first week in Lambswell, the vest had become part of his trademark attire. He patted the hidden pocket he’d sewn into it, checking that his coins were secure. Not that anyone would try to steal from the top crew member of Gabe’s gang. The repercussions would be deadly, as many of Riddick’s cronies had found out.

They turned a corner and the Haggis came into view. The apartment was as dingy and derelict as ever. The stairs were just as rickety, and full of holes as they’d always been, but by now, Azroth was convinced they held up due to some kind of magic that protected the kids that resided there. Riddick’s gang had tried numerous times to breach the defenses of their little fortress, but none could make it past the fifth step without falling through. Yet every day when he came home from the market, he swore he’d stepped on a hole, only to feel only solid wood beneath his boot.

Azroth let out a satisfied sigh as he led Brewster up the stairs and opened the door to his home. Ten kids of varying ages sat playing games on the new rugs he’d purchased last week, while those responsible for making food tonight bustled over to take the baskets from Azroth and Brewster.

Soon the smell of frying bacon filled the small space and many of the young ones who now lived here continued to pause mid-game so they could check on the progress of the slices of pig belly. Meat of any kind was a rarity among the poorer parts of the city.

“I was wondering when you’d be back,” Ariel said, striding toward him and laying her full lips against his. 

He returned the gesture and brushed her dark hair from her face. “What have you been up to today?” he asked, holding her tight.

The young ones giggled at the sight of them, but Azroth could care less. Ariel was his girl and he could kiss her any time he liked.

“Let’s go up to the roof and I’ll tell you about it,” she said coyly, tugging him back out the door and up to the top level of the building. 

“But we’ll miss out on the bacon,” he said half-heartedly. 

“You can get us more tomorrow,” she said. Her grip tightened on his hand and he followed her in the evening. 

They climbed the stairs and onto the roof. Other buildings towered over theirs but it still provided enough of a view to be pleasant up here.

Azroth spun Ariel into his arms and kissed her again. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. They remained like that for several minutes before breaking apart and resting their foreheads together. 

“I spent the day with Gabe at the Vixen’s Den,” Ariel said, gazing up at him. Her dark hair falling from behind her ear.

Azroth pulled away. “Why were you with the Vixens today? What did they want?” He checked her over from any injuries. The sisters that went by the name of the Vixens did not invite people into their Den lightly. If Ariel and Gabe had gone there, it must be big.

“They wanted me to pass along their congratulations to you for delivering their latest request. They say you exceeded their expectations.” Ariel tucked her hair behind her ears.

“I’m glad they liked it. It nearly lost me my first two fingers to get those bronze cuffs. You know I could have sworn I felt magic in them. Did they show you the cuffs? How those things wound up in a chamberlain’s home is beyond me.”

“I did see them. The flame designs etched into the metal were finer than any I’ve ever seen before. They almost looked like women’s bracelets, but wider.” Ariel stretched her thumb and middle finger over her forearm showing that the cuffs would have landed about the middle of her arm.

“They certainly were for a woman, but the magic inside them made me wonder if they were for more than decoration. They almost had the feel of the Firespark, but different.”

Ariel shook her head, smiling. “You and your magic. Did you have to use your dragon to get them out of the house?”

“No, all stayed quiet. I used a heat trail to show me where the hidden vault was and then the rest was simple. Your hairpins are possibly the best lock picks I’ve ever encountered. Where do you find them?” Azroth waggled his eyebrows at her, making her laugh.

“They were a present from a cocky little rooster I picked up on the side of the road,” she said before Azroth kissed her again.

“The sisters have another job for you if you’ll take it,” Ariel said, pushing him back slightly.

“They always do.” He dropped his arms from Ariel’s frame and wandered to the edge of the roof.

“This one could really pay big,” Ariel said following him. 

“What is it this time? A fancy carriage? Maybe they want the carriage the king was riding in when the prince presented himself here a few weeks ago. Maybe I could slip up to Solomon and—”

“No one leaves the Haggis, remember?” Ariel’s voice took on an edge.

“I would if you’d come with me,” he said, turning to look at her.

“Always dreaming, Fen. This is my home. I’m a street girl, not some high-born lady you can parade about. Who wants to wear a corset every day, anyway.”

“You could be a lady. Today made enough extra coin that I can pay for us to jump in with a caravan and go north next time one arrives. Just you and I. We could leave this place.”

“Then who’d take care of the young ones?” Her voice softened, but it didn’t hide the bitterness.

“I’m sure Gabe’s new girlfriend could take that on. She seems like the motherly type.”

At this Ariel burst out laughing. Azroth grinned.

“If you can see that pathetic excuse of legs as a mother, you see way more potential in her than I do. That girl’s head is as empty as Gabe’s beer bottles.” Her face grew serious. “I go back to the Vixens tomorrow. I’ll need an answer.”

Azroth leaned against the roof ledge and crossed his arms. “Why are you spending so much time with the Vixens? What do they want from you? If they’re trying to turn you into a parlor maid or something, you know I won’t have it. I won’t have other men touching you.”

Ariel’s smile was cool. “And if they do, you wouldn’t get a say in the matter. But that’s not their plan anyway. They’re actually looking to fill a vacancy in the Vixens themselves. One of the sisters died last year and they’ve been looking for a replacement. They are considering me.” Her eyes seemed to glitter at the prospect of being chosen.

Azroth shot to his feet. “Out of the question. You go there, I may never see you again. And who knows what things they’ll make you do?”

“Are you really trying to stop me from becoming one of them because of your moral character, or because this intimidates you?” 

“I’m trying to stop you because I may never see you again. The Vixens aren’t exactly the highest members of society, Ariel. You know what goes on in some of their establishments. I cringe every time I have to enter one to deliver their latest request. The drug dens, being the least scandalous. At least there, the patrons are just sleeping off their latest dose. Please, don’t go with them.”

“Nothing is decided yet.” Ariel caressed the lines on his brow, trying to smooth them out. “I still need your answer. They will expect it.”

Azroth gave a disgusted sigh and returned to his place against the ledge, crossing both his arms and his legs. He glared down at a crate full of that day’s laundry needing to be taken inside. “What’s the job?”

Ariel grinned in triumph. “They’ve heard rumors about a medallion that’s been surfacing on the alley markets in neighboring cities. The rumor is that it’s found its way to Lambswell and we need to get to it before Riddick does.”

Read Chapter 7

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