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

it. It’s probably a wide open space in there, filled with crates, or carts, or who-knows-what.” Balat added, “How many do we think might be in there?” Rukle answered, “The kids said there’s usually six or seven. Never fewer than four and no reports of ever being more than ten.” Balat rolled his eyes, “Assuming these kids can actually count.”

Spen had heard enough, “That isn’t helpful.” He turned to Kinsman, “May I?” Kinsman swept his open hand, palm up, “Please do.” Spen leaned forward so his hood would better shed the rain and spoke, “Two or three of us rush in through either the north or south door, with two archers behind. The two or three fighters defend the archers and we either pick them off, or force them to the other end. A few minutes later, the rest of you burst in from the other end. From that point on, archers pick their shots even more carefully. Our own people could be behind your targets.” He looked to Kinsman for approval. The Assassin’s mouth tightened as he considered, then replied, “It should work. Sounds like you’ve already got people in mind, too.” Spen ducked his head, “Well, yes. You me, and Balat go in from the north. We cover Loryn and Gaff. Naro and Rukle bring the rest of them in through the south door four minutes or so after we split up.” The wind shifted and Kinsman gathered his hood under his chin. He called out to be heard, “Everyone ready?” The five going north stepped to huddle together and the others tucked their heads as they turned. Rukle held up an open hand with fingers spread. At first glance it looked like a wave, then Kinsman realized he was signaling the start of his four minute count.

Spen took the lead around the corner of the building, then stepped aside while Gaff checked the door. It appeared to have no lock, just a latch. Gaff took his bow off his shoulder, then grasped the latch handle with an exaggerated movement. He then raised the handle and stepped away, pulling the door with him.

Kinsman, Spen and Naro stepped inside quickly, blades in hand before crossing the threshold. Loryn followed with an arrow nocked, turning sharp left as she entered. Gaff was close behind and turned right before side-stepping to stand behind Naro. There were several crates and boxes along the west wall and a few short rows of stacked crates between the five of them and the center of the building. There were two carts parked just inside the cargo door, and several empty crates lying scattered alongside them. Beside the cart were six very surprised men unloading the last of the crates. They all turned to see who had come in through the door and seemed to reach the same decision. The crate they were unloading fell from the back of the cart as everyone scrambled to get to the other side, going either around it or over it. They disappeared from sight.

Kinsman called out, “Archers keep near the walls. Everyone watch for crossbows.” He began creeping forward, shuffling quickly from one stack of crates to the next. Sounds of crates being thrown or shifted could be heard to the south but there were no raised voices shouting orders. Spen must have noticed the same thing, since he called out, “We surprised them, but they’re not acting surprised.” Gaff had climbed up on top of a crate and was trying to peer through the darkness, past the cart, “I don’t see anyone, but no one has gone near either of the other doors.” Kinsman wondered if the men were trying to make a fortress from crates, and expected to feel or hear crossbow bolts flying at them from across the building. He began to move more quickly from one protected position to another. He called out, “If they’re trying to build a barricade out of crates, we need to force them to stay behind it. He drew his bow from his shoulder and nocked an arrow. Spen and Balat did the same. They spread out as they reached the cart and everyone stopped to look and listen. There was a cluster of crates, mostly two layers but stacked three crates high in some places. The crates nearly reached the rafters in those spots, but no one had climbed any of them, he was almost sure of it. Kinsman was waving Loryn around one of the sides and was sneaking around her side of the cart when the door to the south burst open. Kinsman called out, “Watch the piles of crates in the center!” Knowing the sudden rush of people from the south would cause a distraction, Kinsman sprinted around the cart and ducked behind the nearest of the crates. Spen had done the same, but from the other side of the cart. They were listening intently when Rukle’s voice almost caused them to jump. He was standing just on the other side of the pile! Rukle shouted, “What were you shouting about the crates? There’s nobody here!” Kinsman stepped back and kicked the nearest crate, thinking there might be someone concealed inside, poised to attack. He called out, “Watch the crates. There are at least six men in here. They’re hiding somewhere.” Rukle peered around the side of one of the stacks, “You’d have to be one’a those caravan entertainer bendy people to fit into some of these boxes.” Two of the men rescued from the quarry chuckled out loud in response to Rukle’s observation. Spen called out, “I’m not the only one who heard them shifting crates and boxes, right?” Gaff answered, “Nope. I heard it, too.” Loryn added, “Me too.” Naro and Kinsman only nodded their agreement. The assembled group split into two’s and three’s and began inspecting crates large enough to conceal a man. After shifting several of them Loryn hissed and everyone stopped and looked at her. She stepped