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

he noticed the mounted patrols traversing the pathways through the farmer’s fields to the south. Normally these troops would be out doing “maneuvers”, but now it appeared they’d been assigned to patrol the area south of the city. It was a safe bet that there were similar contingents patrolling the paths and roadways to the west of the city. Considering that the Hunters are based out of the University, this also eliminated the notion of climbing the University walls and sneaking across their grounds as a means of leaving the city. He turned around and retraced his steps north along the Trade Quarter boardwalk.

He’d walked a few blocks and noticed someone vaguely familiar watching him. It took him a moment to recognize the man who’d given him a ride on his skiff when he’d been making his way to meet Mardon for the first time. As Cooper approached the man, they exchanged nods. The man spoke quietly once Cooper drew close, “Word is, you folks got hit purty hard… the city is prolly a dangerous place fer ye, innit?” Cooper gave him a curt nod as he replied, “You could say that. You could also say that the full tally isn’t in yet.” Cooper raised his head and scanned the horizon as he continued, “Some might say there’s a storm still brewin’. Might still be awhile before it hits… but it’s comin’.” The older man gave a quick snort, then replied, “It’s quite a man that c’n control the weather… you calmed a comin’ storm a few days ago, so I hear’d. Now yer predictin’ another one.” The man scratched his chin and squinted at him, “Still, even a man that c’n change the weather might be lookin’ fer help from time to time…?” Cooper gave the man a grateful smile, “I’d like to meet with Mardon again. Is that the kind of help you might provide?” The older man cast a few furtive glances around them as he gestured towards a nearby longboat, “Hop aboard, stash yer bundles outta sight, and settle in ‘midst the bags ‘n barrels. A few more things ta load and then you c’n just help me paddle back over.”

Once loaded, the Wharfsider rigged the lateen sail to catch any available breeze and Cooper followed his directions as they paddled across the bay. Cooper was grateful for the fact that the man didn’t seem talkative. He had his own thoughts to occupy his time. Still, with next to no breeze to assist their movement, it took nearly half an hour to cover the distance in the heavily laden boat. The boatman guided them up to his ship and he tied off to it as Cooper climbed up the ladder that hung down nearly to the water. Once aboard, he turned and asked, “Do you need help getting that cargo aboard? I’d consider it a fair exchange for the boat ride.” The older man chuckled, “Nah. B'sides, I’m the Fourth Fisher; I’m behold’n t’ya fer clearin’ out them Landsider fishin’ boats a coupla days ago.” Cooper shook his head, “Still, my offer to help stands. That looks like a lot for just one man to haul up.” The old sailor waved him off, “Only a third a’ this is mine anyway. As soon as the others know I’m back from the Trade Quarter, they’ll be over to haul this stuff up. Go on. B‘sides, you got enough ta worry ‘bout already.” The man had moved to the front of the boat and was already handing Cooper’s gear upward to him. Cooper accepted it and slung it over his shoulder, then gave the man a wave and made his way to Mardon’s ship.

Mardon, the Wharfsider ‘First Merchant’ was quick to reply when Cooper called out as he boarded. Mardon poked his head up through the hatch, revealing jeweled rings woven into the braided hair hanging from the sides of his head and he called out boisterously, “Well! I certainly didn’t expect to see you again so soon!” As he joined Cooper on the deck, he lowered his voice, “Does this visit have anything to do with the cloud of smoke we’ve been seeing to the southwest?” Cooper looked deflated, “It does. I don’t want to bring any trouble your way, so I’m not staying. I’d like to book passage out of the city.” Mardon nodded, “Where to?” Cooper replied, “I need to get out of the city, but I don’t want to go far. Not as far as Temidan, certainly, but in that direction.” Mardon nodded again and then gave him a wink, “There may or may not be a way up the Southern Cliffs… I could send a fishing boat out that way…?” Cooper considered that for a moment, “That should get me out past the patrols, shouldn’t it?” The First shrugged, “I don’t know where the patrols are, but once you’re outside the city you could simply be a farm kid out hunting rabbits. You just need to change out of those Guild leathers, or they’d never believe it.”

Cooper dropped his bag and untied the knot on his sash. As he untwisted the fabric, he caught a gem as it dropped out from the folds. He held the sapphire up so it caught the light, “I’ll pay you with this.” Mardon squinted hard at the gem, “With that you could buy the fishing boat, and a few more boats for good measure.” Cooper smiled, “Let’s just say that you hold the balance ‘on account’ for me. I’ll be coming back, probably by Spring, certainly before Summer ends. When I get back, there’ll be things I’ll need… information… assistance. Also, there’ll be a young man, reddish-haired, who’ll come to see you within the next day or so. He grew up in the Waterfront, and he’ll be staying in the Wharf City for awhile. He’s ‘family’ to me. If he needs anything; food, clothing, a place to stay…” He let the sentence trail