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

a healer, we’ll escort any who join us from that House back to the one you’ve been staying in. As soon as Miss Camilla says they’re healthy enough to travel, we’re all heading back to the Ruins.” As Balat collected Naro and explained where they were going, Cooper spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear, “We are hiring a healer to provide treatment for the next several days. This person will not know who you are or how you came to be here. I think I don’t need to explain why it’s as important to you as it is to the rest of us that this person remains uninformed of those details. Agreed?” There were collective mutters of assent from everyone.

By the time Naro and Balat returned, he had spoken to all but four of the recovering people and so far only three had rejected his offer of employment. He had assured them that the Guild would provide this House with a healer along with food and water for another ten days or so. After that, they’d be on their own. Each of those three people had graciously thanked him for freeing them, and for their subsequent care, but remained firm in their desire to remain unaffiliated with the Guild. Considering what had happened to the Guild several months ago, he could hardly blame them. They probably thought that joining the Guild now would be the quickest route back to the quarry.

As Naro and Balat were taking the healer around the House, making introductions, Cooper overheard the healer’s name, Hendrick. Cooper spoke with the remaining four people. One of these was a farrier, one was a porter, and two were Wharfsiders who proclaimed that they’d be returning home ‘just as soon as they felt able’. Both the farrier and porter were pleased to accept his offer of employment. That made five people staying, and seven needing to be escorted to the other House.

He asked Naro, “The healer’s been paid, and knows to come here twice a day for ten days?” Naro nodded and Cooper continued, “And make sure everyone is eating?” Naro nodded again and Cooper appeared satisfied. He told the Journeymen, “We’re leaving. Seven of these people are coming with us. Gaff, Naro, you two stay to the back of the group. Balat, you stay at the front. I’ll scout ahead. I won’t be moving fast unless we get attacked. Try to keep me in sight, unless I’m leading someone away from you. I don’t expect any problems from the City Watch, but they’re not the only ones out there now. If we get separated, you all know the way to the other House. Protect our new people.”

Cooper then collected the new Guild employees and told them, “We’re taking you to a new place. We don’t expect to be stopped or attacked, but it is possible. If we’re stopped and questioned, you’re all returning home after digging irrigation ditches in a farmer’s field before planting season. If we’re attacked, either defend yourselves as well as you’re able or run. Just know that if you run, we won’t be going looking for you. Any questions?” The porter mumbled, “Is it too late to reconsider that offer of employment?” Cooper focused on the man, “No. It is not.” The porter looked embarrassed as he replied, “You weren’t s’posed to hear that. It was a joke.” Cooper’s expression didn’t change as he stated flatly, “Funny. Are we ready?”

Twenty minutes later they were in the other House and introductions were being made all around. Cooper found Mister Ysel and sat down beside him, “Sir, knowing about ‘society personalities’ was part and parcel of your classes on politics and heredity in Etiquette classes, correct?” Mister Ysel had a thoughtful expression as he nodded, “I suppose that’s true for the most part, but I think you’re about to ask some specific questions.” Cooper confirmed his suspicions, “Yes, sir. What can you tell me about the Royal Spymaster and the Lord General?” Mister Ysel’s expression turned serious, “Should I wonder why you’re asking? These are powerful men.” Cooper shrugged, “After the Guild was raided I recovered some items that Master Loril left behind for me. One of those things was a list of names. Master Vorni’s name had been crossed off. The two other names were Royal Spymaster Yoren Aporigh and Lord General Hennit Arkady.” Mister Ysel nodded in understanding, “So you were left a Contract. Is that what you’re saying?” Cooper shrugged, “Yes, but I’ve also been told on more than one occasion that Assassins are used for more than killing. The last of Master Worthan’s classes also taught that the ‘desired effect’ need not be total destruction.” He paused but Mister Ysel had nothing to add. Cooper continued, “I’ve met the Lord General once. When I was a courier, I delivered a message to him. I’ve been to his home, spoken with people who work for him… he led the forces that destroyed the Guild and killed or imprisoned most of our members, but despite that fact, everything I know about him tells me that he’s a good man.” Mister Ysel had begun to nod. When Cooper finished speaking, Mister Ysel replied, “The Lord General was once a Captain in the King’s Army. He showed real promise and displayed absolute loyalty. For this, the King appointed him to Prince Lancaster and he was promoted to General. I suspect that this was not only the King’s way of protecting his son, but also a way to receive regular reports on his son’s activities. From what I recall, the Prince later bestowed him the title of Lord General, and since that time Hennit Arkady has been loyal only to the Prince. Which is to say, he hasn’t been disloyal to the King, but he likely isn’t providing the King with information either. He is a member of the Prince’s inner council, and is likely one of his closest advisors.” Cooper considered