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

Cooper grasped it. Silas was nodding, locks of his long hair fell forward, concealing his face for a moment. He chuckled as he withdrew his hand and pulled his hair behind his shoulders, “I been meanin’ to tie that back all mornin’. Jus’ hadn’t got ‘round to it.” Cooper turned and pulled a short length of cordage that was tucked into Naro’s pack flap and handed it to Silas, “Here. Naro made it himself.” Naro recovered his surprise and gestured that Silas should accept it, “You’re welcome to it, sir. I should have little need for it now that we’re in Paleros.” Silas snorted and looked at Cooper, “He’s callin’ me “Sir”..? I guess it’s just the way you Guild kids are raised.” Cooper nodded, “Yes, you’ll just have to accept it.” Cooper shifted to look northeast, “Do you know if the First is aboard?” Silas followed Cooper’s gaze, “Probably. Does he know yer comin’?” Cooper ducked his head, “He knows I’m coming back, but not that I’m here now. There’s us three. There’s also another three, either already here, or close behind.” Loryn leaned in and whispered, “Are you sure he needs to know that much about our business?” Cooper shrugged, “Silas helped me before, with the killing and capturing of some sellswords that were working for Jarell. I think he’s safe.” Silas took a step back and made a dismissive gesture, “All I did was paddle, and later point them out…” He turned his attention to Loryn, “but I’m trustworthy enough.” Silas turned to the boat behind him and called out, “Gretl! Gretl, you toothless hag! Toss that line of yours over this way!” He confided in the small group, “Her pilot line is tied to a net. We can draw it taut and you can clamber across and up onto her deck.” He turned to Cooper, “I expect you still recall which ship is the First’s?” Cooper stepped to catch the line that had been flung from the boat behind Silas. The group of them stepped in to lend a hand and they’d soon drawn the netting over and secured it. For Cooper, even with a pack on his back, walking across the netting was simple compared to the Contraption, an obstacle that Master Brais had in the Arena, his training room in the Guild. The Journeymen didn’t find it such a simple matter but a few seconds later everyone, along with their gear, made it aboard Gretl’s boat.

The old woman was indeed toothless but the baskets filled with gutted fish and buckets filled with fish guts attested to the fact that several fishermen brought their daily catch to her. As they boarded she called out in a raspy voice, “Silas! You overgrown bastard! Send fer that boy wi' his salt bucket. He’s late! These fish ain’t gonna preserve themselves now, are they!?” The big sailor called back, “I’ll tell ‘im, ma’am. In fact, here he comes. Get your coppers ready.” A young boy could be seen holding a bucket at his hip as he scuttled along the pier as fast as he could without upending himself or his bucket. The boy slowed himself only slightly as he stepped onto the netting that led to Gretl’s boat. By the time he’d boarded, Cooper and his colleagues had already crossed to the neighboring boat and were on their way to Mardon’s ship. They’d crossed five ships and were nearing their destination when they heard a voice call out, “Kinsman! How good to see you. It’s been a little longer than you’d led me to believe it would be, but I think you’ll find all matters on my end of our agreement are in order.” Mardon was visible at the gunwale waving at them as he shouted. As they walked, Loryn asked, “You have an agreement with this man?” Cooper confirmed it, “Yes. In fact, I have had several agreements with this man. Some have been resolved and a few remain open. Further, there will be more to follow. As I explained before we left the Forest, this man is the First Merchant of the Wharfsiders. He is an intelligent and potentially dangerous man, and worthy of respect.” Cooper waved back as they drew nearer, “Yes, sir. It took longer than I’d expected. Certain unavoidable circumstances.” He paused, glanced around, and continued, “You knew to expect us?” Mardon grinned, “Mister Gaff awaits you below. He arrived some ten minutes ago. I’ve already sent someone to inform Mister Rukle of your return. If he had arrived before you, I’d have suggested to him that he should search for you.”. As they walked belowdecks, Cooper replied, “We were delayed as we played our roles, for the benefit of the Watch.” Cooper deposited his backpack onto the floor and opened the flap, “Thankfully, that necessity no longer exists.” He peeled off the fur coat and hood, revealing his Guild leathers underneath. He’d pulled his cloak from his pack and wrapped it over his shoulders. He slipped his hands along his lower back, to make sure his blades hadn’t shifted . Satisfied that all was as it should be, he turned to the Journeymen, “Get changed. We’ll wait for Rukle. He’ll need to be included in our plans. There’s much to be done.” He spoke to Mardon, “The rabbits and firewood are for you and your family. It might provide a welcome change from fish. We’ll just want to hang onto two bundles of firewood for ourselves.” He turned and gave a nod to Gaff, who then separated two bundles and carried the remaining firewood and piled it near the cooking pot. Naro gathered the rabbits, tied them together, and draped them over the cooking spit.

Ten minutes later, the Guild kids were dressed again as Guild kids, and Rukle was dropping down from the deck above. He rushed forward to clasp hands with Cooper and Loryn and was then introduced to the other Journeymen. Rukle tilted his head towards Mardon as