“What’re you doing today that’s so important?” Hans asked. “Most things is closed on the Quiet Day.”
“I’m afraid our affairs are private academy business.”
“Don’t be pushy to new friends, Hans.” When orcs smile, there’s a lot of big, intimidating teeth involved. “We also heard the Outcasts were going adventuring soon. From the look ofthose over there, you must be leaving soon. We can go with you and help. We’ve all done some adventuring.”
From the scars and confident demeanor, that was probably the most truthful thing Gerzog had told me so far, as these three surely had a lot of experience with fighting and pillaging. “I bet you do.”
“We go with you. We help. We keep you safe. We ask for nothing in return.”
Of course they wouldn’task. They’d just stab us in the back after we found the treasure and keep the lamp for themselves. “Naw. I think we’re good.”
That big, fake, tusky smile slowly died, and Gerzog’s red eyes narrowed. “We tried to be friendly.”
“We can be friends next week. Goodbye, gentlemen.” I kept the Red on my glove ready as I walked away. If I heard a sudden movement, like a gun or blade clearing leather, I’d toss an arc of fire their way.
But they refrained, and by the time I got back to the others, the three of them were leaving.
“What was that about, Oz?” Azarin asked.
“They said they wanted to join.”
“Oh? They looked rather capable.”
“Yeah, capable of murdering us.”
Twenty
We’d hurried from the Under Slump and then stuck to the edges of the more reputable districts rather than passing directly through them. Taking the wide avenues would’ve been faster, but we were a large, armed band, obviously up to no good, and the Core City Watch had no patience for fuckery in the peaceful parts of town. Even if what we were doing wasn’t—strictly speaking—illegal, it was questionable, and we couldn’t afford to be detained while some watchmen figured that out.
The morning was cold. The sky was filled with heavy grey clouds. Snowflakes kept sticking to my face. I really couldn’t understand how people lived through this gods awfulwinternonsense, as they called it,but my fellow hotlander turned longtime Core resident, Wilma, had assured me I’d get used to iteventually.Despite hood, cloak, scarf, gloves, and coat, I remained freezing. It was so cold that air-realmer Azarin had even put on a sweater. It felt like the only thing keeping me alive was the warmth generated by the briskness of our pace.
We’d have run the whole way if that wouldn’t have drawn a watchman’s attention. Well, that and I doubted the short-legged Morton or Rufus could keep up, and Bognar was rather fat and easily winded. Yet we set a brisk pace, because the appearanceof Gerzog and his boys was surely a warning of things to come. Even rumors that there might be time magic treasure involved would bring all sorts of unscrupulous sorts down upon us.
I wished Carcalla would have warned me what we were dealing with, but frankly, I doubted he cared what happened to us. If we were murdered, and the lamp was real, he’d simply buy it off our killers. If the lamp wasn’t real, this expedition had cost him nothing and his curiosity would be satisfied.
Once we reached the docks district, I went straight to the tavern where I’d listened to the local fishermen tell their stories after I’d helped them unload their catch. I left the rest of the Outcasts outside to be harassed by the squawking white ocean birds. Being so early in the morning in an honest hard-working part of town, there were very few people inside, but I picked out the least drunk among them to see about hiring a boat.
Ten minutes and a bit of haggling later, I’d rented us two row boats. Unfortunately, since the owner demanded to know where we were taking them, and I’d admitted we were going to the notorious Korthican’s Warning, I’d been forced to leave a significant deposit, because he doubted we’d survive to return his boats.
I intended to get my deposit back.
As we walked down the dock to where our small wooden boats were tied, I asked, “Any sign of Dathka yet?”
Azarin shook her headno. “That Latro skag is going to be furious.”
“It’s not her anger I’m worried about. It’s her boss.”
“It’s not your fault she was derelict in the duties Cutter Joran assigned her. Some spy she turned out to be! Ooh, maybe he’ll be so disappointed in her failure to keep an eye on us that he’ll have her murdered.” Azarin giggled. “So tragic.”
“Tragic will describe our fate if Carcalla decides we ditched her so we could rip him off. My note said where I’d try to find us a ride. Maybe we should wait here a bit.”
“There’s miles of docks and hundreds of boats around this bay. Every second we delay, an unknown competitor might be catching their own ride, assuming they didn’t leave last night and are already there stealing what should be ours.”
Azarin was right, but angering the Latros was a deadly gamble. “Then we’re screwed either way.”
“Ahem.” From out of nowhere, Morton appeared at my side. Gnomes were unnerving like that. “If I may be so bold as to offer a suggestion, Mr. Carnavon and Lady Garzade, what if I were to stay here to greet Ms. Walker upon her arrival? However long that may take. Then I will promptly explain the entirety of the circumstances which forced our hasty departure, and then we shall procure transportation and follow after you.”
“Oh, come now, Morton!” Rade exclaimed. “There’s no opportunity for glory waiting on a dock!”
