Hotshots: Part Three

      Paselle spat on the ground as the ship vanished on the horizon. "Good riddance to 'em."

      Mortman said, "I say we head straight for the city. I know a fellow who used to be Guild who runs a tavern there. We can rent a few rooms as a base of operations. I have the money." It was good to have a room to go to – plenty of travelers stayed in the inns. They'd draw too much attention if they tried to find somewhere outside to spend the night.

      "He used to be Guild?" Paselle asked dubiously. "Can we trust someone who used to be Guild?"

      Kanrik asked, more to the point, "Why's he out of the Guild?"

      Mortman said, "Tobey – that's my friend's name – was a good friend of Anselm Lightfinger. And when Galem took the Mastery from Lightfinger, Tobey decided to get while the going was good."

      Paselle frowned. "I guess that's sense."

      Mortman said, "We'll get ourselves some rooms and then do some sneaking around, learn a little more about what we're doing. I don't want to move earlier than tomorrow night – if we try it tonight we'll be too tired and we'll make mistakes."

      Kanrik said, "But Galem said that scholar might send the scroll to the castle."

      Mortman said, "He's a scholar! They spend decades researching and writing to get their names in the history books. He's not going to let that thing out of his hands until he's gotten everything out of it that he can on his own."

      Paselle asked, "Are you sure he'll have all that fancy stuff you said in the cabin?"

      Mortman said, "Sure enough I don't want to bet my tail on it. Moving quickly is the best idea sometimes, but not all the time. Remember, Galem is expecting you two to be a pair of hotshots who won't listen to me. Doing what Galem expects us to is a good way to end up doing time."

      That worked – both of their faces hardened. Mortman felt a little uneasy in his stomach about the way he'd manipulated them, playing on their fears of falling on their faces and proving Galem right. He said, "Let's go. These woods won't get any cooler or easier to walk through by standing and waiting." The morning was shaping up to be a warm one, and Mortman was still dressed for a cold, wet night on the swamps. They were dressed like a pretty trio of rogues, and they'd have to find new clothes. As they started walking, he advised, "Put your hoods back. Straighten up your clothes. And if anyone asks, you're brother and sister and I'm your uncle, and we're going to Brightvale on business."

      Kanrik asked, "Should we be booksellers? That'd explain our interest in scrolls and scholars."

      Mortman shook his head. "We don't have any books to show as props – it would fall through. Hmm... neither of you two look like university students, or we could be visiting the university."

      Paselle asked, "Could we be joining the Brightvale Guard? I can fight well enough to pull it off if anyone asks."

      Kanrik said, "That doesn't explain books."

      "Well, don't they have books on fighting?"

      Mortman decided, "Let's keep it simple. We're visiting another uncle. I've called Tobey my brother before – he'll be able to roll with that. If we need a story to get closer to the scroll, we'll come up with one then." He was reminded sharply of his own crew, and the way Jig and Sparkle always quarreled over everything from routes to cover stories to what coins they ought to be paid in.

      Kanrik and Paselle were mostly quiet as they cut through the wood to the closest road – their feet dragged, and they looked tired. With their hoods down and their weapons concealed, they looked younger. Barely more than children, really. Of course, he hadn't been any older than they when he ran off to go seek his fortune.

      "Hey! Move it, Grandpa!"

      It was two Unis hauling a wagon. Paselle bristled. "Move it yourself, you..."

      Mortman pulled the Cybunny aside, and they let the Unis pass. "Not the time to get into a fight. We don't want to give anyone any reasons to remember our faces."

      Kanrik muttered, "Bunch of bumpkins."

      Mortman reminded the Gelert, "Bunch of bumpkins who are big and strong from working the soil all their lives. We'd probably still win the fight, but our job will be a lot easier if we don't get ourselves injured defending our egos." He paused – there was a lesson, there, if he could hammer it through two young skulls. "It's the same with Galem. I know you'd like to tell him what you think of his bullying and his bragging and his insults. It's not worth what it'll cost."

      They both looked skeptical. Mortman decided not to push the issue. If they didn't get their fool selves killed, they'd learn soon enough.

      They reached Brightvale City soon after noon. Mortman was famished, but they hadn't had any food, and he knew that Tobey would give them food better and cheaper than what could be had at roadside stalls. They walked up to the door of the Golden Wheel and in. It was a nice place, homey, with wooden furniture and tapestries to soften the stone walls. A few of the windows were even stained glass – they hadn't been like that last time Mortman had been here. Tobey was doing well for himself.

      Then Tobey himself bustled up to them – a tall yellow Lupe with a red ponytail and a friendly expression. "Mortman! It's been too long!"

      Mortman clapped Tobey on the back. "Likewise. I'm hungry and so are they – what do you have for us?"

      Tobey pointed to a corner table. "Sit yourselves down and rest – I'll be right back!"

      Mortman took his seat, as did Kanrik and Paselle. Kanrik said, "More people than in Happy Valley – and I see some kids, too. Only kids you ever see in headquarters are the pickpockets."

      Mortman asked, "Would you bring a kiddo into Thieves' Guild headquarters?"

      Kanrik shrugged.

      It wasn't long before Tobey was back - he carried a wide tray with four bowls and four cups on it. Behind him came a little red Kougra, no more than two or three, carrying a loaf of bread. Tobey sat the tray down, pulled up a chair, and then swept the Kougra into his lap. "This is Satch. Satch, this is Daddy's friend Mortman. Say hi, Satch!"

      Satch buried his head in his father's shirt, but Mortman had already seen that he had his father's blue eyes. Mortman asked, "How's Reina doing?"

      Tobey smiled happily at the mention of his wife – he really had gone back to the straight and narrow. "Happy as a Plumpy with bacon. She's the queen of the kitchen around here, just like she's always wanted to be. So what're you up to, Mortman, and who're the young ones?"

      Mortman said, "This is Kanrik, and this is Paselle, and we're on business. Not particularly willingly, but we're short on other choices."

      Tobey winced. "You're a boatman! What're you supposed to do in the middle of a city?"

      Mortman shrugged. "Was I supposed to tell Galem that? You know well enough how that would have gone."

      Tobey said, "I could find you some jobs around here if you need to disappear. It's not as if you've ever minded hard work, even if it's never been honest."

      Mortman said, "We'll be able to handle it. We just need a home base. Can we rent a room? I swear we won't bring any goods back to the premises or do anything that'll get you in the Guard's bad books."

      Tobey said carefully, "Speaking of books, have you heard anything about one called The Annals of King Jazan the Second?"

      Mortman's stomach sank. Kanrik said, "Yeah. Found by a scholar named Roane. That's what we're after."

      Tobey said, "I'm legitimate now, but I've still got my ear to the ground. There have been two separate people making inquiries about that same scroll and that same scholar, and if they don't have gangs behind them I'm a Feepit."

      Paselle snapped, "If that piece of Slorg slime didn't know about this..."

      Mortman sighed. "He probably did, true. Nothing to be done about it now if we like our hides."

      Tobey repeated pointedly, "Head for the hills. It's not a bad life, going legitimate. And I haven't seen any of your faces on the Defenders signs."

      Mortman reminded him, "I've got my crew waiting for me back by Kiko Lake. I can't just leave them. You think Galem would treat them fair after I skedaddled?"

      Tobey looked down at Satch, who was chewing busily on a slice of bread. Mortman was glad he was too young to understand this whole business. "I guess if I'd had anyone depending on me I'd not have gotten out of there so quick. I can't give you too much, Mortman. I can't risk getting involved again. Not with Reina and Satch to take care of out here."

      Paselle said, face flushing, "But you're his friend!"

      Mortman laid his hand over hers. "And a friend keeps their friends safe. I'm not asking for you to get involved, Tobey. All I want rooms for the three of us. And maybe for you to forget we're here if the Guard comes looking. But even that – you do what you need to so you can take care of Reina and your boy."

      Satch said, "I wanna go play, Daddy!"

      Tobey nodded. "Go find Mommy in the kitchen, then. I'll be there in a minute." He muttered, "So she can kill me for even letting you in the door," but Satch had already run off. Tobey said, "She won't be happy. She still worries a little about Darkhand deciding it's time to track me down."

      Kanrik and Paselle looked at each other – they probably thought Galem was too busy tormenting them to bother finding anyone else. Mortman said, "Darkhand dropped us at the dock and headed to sea. He's nowhere near."

      Tobey looked around, and then leaned close. "A desert Aisha woman named Jasha and a brown Usul man named Mackaray. Those are the two. And I've heard a whisper or two that Jasha might be Dagger Clan. Don't know about the other. That's all I know, I swear it."

      Mortman nodded. "It's more than you needed to do, Tobey. And we thank you for it. Go ahead, tend to your customers – we'll be fine."

      Tobey smiled. "I'll see to your rooms."

      Kanrik and Paselle exchanged glances as Tobey walked away – Mortman didn't bother wondering what they were thinking. He was busy thinking about the new developments. At least Tobey was doing well.

      But with two other groups after the scroll, Mortman and his two young hotshots certainly weren't.

To be continued...