Exploitable Weaknesses by Brian Keller (red queen free ebook txt) 📗

asked, “Mister Ysel and Miss Camilla?” Cooper shook his head, “Mister Ysel stays here throughout all that’s to come. Miss Camilla will meet us in Miller’s Flats to tend the wounded and assist with helping prisoners recover. We’ll need to hire a second healer, like we did after raiding the quarry.” Birt nodded, his questions answered, “I’ll tell them.” Cooper smiled thinly, “Thanks. I’m going to try and sleep for an hour or two. Please wake me before it’s time to leave for the Waterfront.”

It seemed to Cooper that he'd barely closed his eyes when he was being shaken awake. He heard Rukle’s voice along with a constant pattering noise from outside, “Hey, wake up. Birt told me to wake you. It’s still a little before five.” Cooper sat up slowly and rubbed his whole face. “Surely it hasn’t been three hours already.” he thought. He asked, “Is it raining?” Rukle nodded, “It sure is. It started about an hour ago. It’s really coming down. Probably one of the last storms of the season.” Cooper turned and let his legs hang over the side of the bed and gave Rukle a nod, “Is everyone getting ready?” Rukle confirmed, “Yes. We’re taking everything we need, right? We’re not coming back here until it’s over?” Cooper stood and replied, “Right. If someone gets wounded during the raids, they’ll be brought here.” He was still waking up and corrected himself, “Everyone except Birt, that is. Birt’s coming back here after the meeting.” He took a few steps and sat on the floor, “I’m going to take a few minutes for some much-needed stretching; then I should be ready to leave. It isn’t far to walk, but I’d rather not explain our appearance to the City Watch, so we’ll leave a little early.

Except for the steady rain, the walk to the Waterfront boardwalk was quiet. Several citizens took notice of them, but as in years past, these townsfolk rapidly found other things to interest themselves or somewhere else to be. A Guild hunting party slogging through the rain was an easy thing to recognize. By the time they’d reached the Sundancer, the boardwalk was nearly deserted for a hundred meters in both directions. Birt swept his eyes across the open space, “I’d always wondered what that would feel like. Assassins get reactions like that all the time, I suppose?” Cooper shook his head, “No. We seldom announce ourselves. Though sometimes it does simplify Bridge crossings.”

They boarded without announcing themselves. Several members of the Sundancer’s crew seemed uncertain how to respond to their sudden appearance. The First Mate rapidly intervened, calling out, “Welcome aboard! Might I suggest ye find yer way below? An’ quickly too, if ye don’ mind.” He turned and gestured to the hatch behind him and stepped to the side. They followed his instructions and, once below, they shook the majority of the water from their cloaks and set themselves to the task of clearing the galley; pushing the tables to one side and stacking bench seats on top of them, leaving one table in the center of the space.

Captain Rigel joined them soon after, “I see you’ve taken the liberty of rearranging my galley.” Cooper stepped forward, “Yes, sir. I hope you don’t mind. I’d like to see this meeting finished as quickly as possible. Once the sun sets, we’ll need as much time as darkness can provide.” They arranged a few rows of benches along the sides of the galley. Cooper unrolled a roughly drawn map depicting the coastal neighborhoods, the bay, and the Broken Coast and spread it out on the table. Captain Rigel inspected the map then climbed the stairs up to the deck, closing the hatch behind him.

Cooper gave instructions to his Guild mates, “Everyone attending this meeting should be considered allies, friends even.” He positioned Rukle and Loryn near the stairs leading to the hatch and continued speaking, “But, once we’ve begun describing the plan – No one leaves. If someone protests, and then threatens violence… well, tonight we go to rescue our Guild members, our friends, our family.” The other Guild members were positioned sparsely throughout the galley. “Anything or anyone that threatens that? Destroy it.”

The Captain’s voice could be heard from above, muffled by the rain “Mate! Keep the crew aboard and employed. I’ll take our guests below with me.” Then in a louder voice he shouted, “Come aboard! You’re expected!” Birt’s voice had a tinge of nervousness to it, “I guess we’re about to start…?” Cooper took a breath and waited for everyone to join them in the galley.

It took a few minutes for everyone to arrange themselves. Mardon stepped forward to shake Cooper’s hand and Silas leaned forward and pushed a meaty arm past a few Wharfsiders to extend the same courtesy. Most men were nudging one another in good natured fashion, it was only natural that everyone would want to have a view of the table. Wharfsiders were still jostling for positions when Captain Rigel spoke, “I’m Captain Rigel and the Sundancer is my ship. Welcome. We’re all here because…” He paused and turned to face Cooper, “Kinsman has requested it.” At the mention of “Kinsman” several Wharfsiders shifted their positions again to adjust their view, and several could be heard speaking quietly, “It’s him!”, “He cleared out them troublemakers from the bay!” Mardon spoke over the collective muttering, addressing the assembled Wharfsiders, “Kinsman has helped us Wharfsiders on more than one occasion. We’ve exchanged favors, bought and sold services, and we have always benefited. Now he has another offer. A dangerous one. But the reward is substantial. We will all stand by and hear him out. Any arguments or disagreements, save ‘em for later. Do not defy me on this, or you’ll find me a most difficult business partner in the future.” The galley fell silent and Mardon slowly swept his hand toward Cooper.

The Guild Assassin cleared his throat, “I’ll get right