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

to. It was a real surprise to see you walk in with Miss Camilla. She stayed for a while after you left. She told me to sleep; that she’d wake me before she left.” Cooper asked, “When was that?” Naro shrugged, “It isn’t easy to estimate time in here. A little over an hour ago, maybe.”

Cooper divided the items and left what Miss Camilla wanted for this House. Before he left he told Naro, “Be watchful anytime you go through town from now on.” Naro raised an eyebrow, “City Watch on alert? All pissed off and embarrassed that we took away their quarry slaves?” Cooper shook his head, “I don’t know about that… probably.” He then summarized his recent observations and actions, but initially withheld his suspicions about who it might have been that had followed him. Naro asked, “What do you think? City Watch?” Cooper shook his head, “Didn’t move like Watch men. Maybe Lukasi agents. If I were them, I’d assume there’d still be one or two of us left around, too. It’s even possible that those people might be Kalistos Guild.” Naro’s expression indicated that he also understood what Cooper hadn’t said, and that was good to see. Cooper stood, “Miss Camilla must be at the other House. She’ll be waiting for these supplies. I’m sure she’ll be coming back here once she’s tended to our people there.”

Naro asked, “How’s Balat?” Cooper explained what he’d learned on examining Balat’s arm and Naro’s eyes grew wider, “You’re a healer, too?” Cooper shook his head, “No. Miss Camilla teaches an advanced anatomy class. Without her classes you won’t advance beyond Journeyman, I can pretty much guarantee that. I was worried that I’d have to try to teach those classes. That would be a fiasco. Embarrassing for me, and frustrating for all of you.” He gave Naro a brief wave and left the House.

When he arrived at the other House, Miss Camilla approached to receive her bundle. Cooper indicated she should stay close and he waved at Gaff and Balat to call them over. He quickly summarized that he’d been followed and had evaded whoever it was. He then told them that he was heading up to the Ruins to warn the rest of the potential threat, and to inform them of Miss Camilla’s return. At the mention of the Ruins, Miss Camilla turned to face him fully, a look of surprise and confusion on her face. He held up his index finger, signaling her to wait. He then told Gaff, “Head over to the other House. Naro’s been there pretty much alone since Spen left to go the Ruins. He’s slept a little, but would probably appreciate a little relief. Our people here likely need less supervision.” Gaff nodded and gathered his gear. Cooper turned to Miss Camilla, “The Ruins are safe now, and we own them… legally. Birt and Dailen are overseeing the construction efforts and Rukle, Loryn and Spen are managing security. We had the deeds to the Ruins, but not anymore. They may have been kept in the Library, but the Library has been emptied. And we didn’t do it. Mister Ysel is working on re-creating the deeds that demonstrate our ownership of the Ruins.” Miss Camilla arched an eyebrow, “Re-creating? Don’t you mean forging?” Cooper shrugged, “I suppose if you whittled it down to the finest points, then he’s forging. But in all truth, Jarell purchased almost all of the Ruins with Guild funds. He was our Master of Coin, right up until he wasn’t, but that doesn’t alter the fact that the Ruins are legitimately ours. We just need to re-create the documents that prove it.” Miss Camilla smiled, “It is a joy to witness how your mind works. I’ve missed having you around.” Cooper gave a low chuckle, “And you have only the slightest idea of how pleased I am to have you back with us.” She turned to face him, crossed her arms over her chest, and replied archly, “Really? And why is that, may I ask?” Cooper grinned, “Picture me trying to teach your classes… can you imagine the irreparable damage that would result?” Her face broke out in a wide, genuine smile, then she shook her head and waved him away, “Isn’t there someplace you’re supposed to be right now?” He bowed low, “As it just so happens, Miss. There is.”

As he passed through the Trade Quarter, he was thinking, “If I wanted to find me, and if I had people to spare, I’d surely put people on both ends of the North and South bridges. He considered his options; he could try to conceal himself within a crowd and move across; he could hire a boat, or find a wharfsider he knew, to shuttle him to the Waterfront; he could swim across the Whitefoam but that certainly lacked appeal and would hardly go unnoticed, especially this time of year; or he could simply brazenly cross the bridge trusting the fact that his pursuers wouldn’t attack him while the City Watch was present. He quickly discounted the last option, since the City Watch was after him too. Well, not him personally, but certainly professionally. He continued toward the river. Once he could see the volume of traffic on the bridges, he’d make his decision.

The number of people and wagons was even fewer than he’d thought, even considering the season, and far fewer than he’d hoped. He turned east and walked toward the coast. This time of year it was common for there to be a light fog above the bay, but today the air was clear enough that the Serpent Tooth islands were visible. He slowed his step as an idea began to form in his mind. Details that had been left undeveloped as Utsef had help him form the original, rough plan now seemed to fall into place. Before he could fully commit, he’d need to learn whether his idea was even possible. That