Ascension (Blight Book 1) Page 4

  "That can wait."

  "No."

  Oak put his arm gently around Leo. The boy was strong, barely exerting himself, and still Leo felt most of his weight lifted by the support. "I'll help you get there and back."

  "Thank you."

  The two walked down the alley, leaving Stick and Mouse behind.

  "What is that boy up to?" Stick reached for his quarterstaff and resumed carving a fresh design into a bare piece of the wood.

  Mouse watched Leo disappear from sight. "I don't know what he's up to, but I intend to find out." He looked at his friend. "Interested in helping?"

  "Of course."

  ***

  Lord Argon’s expression conveyed boredom as he sat on his throne and watched Leo approach the table and place his tribute on the surface. "What happened to you, little lion?"

  "Nothing."

  "That's the story you tell the Keepers or your friends in order to look tough. When your lord asks you a question, you answer it."

  "I was beaten."

  "By who?"

  Leo bit the inside of his cheek and shook his head.

  "I have other things to do today, Leo. Tell me who beat you."

  The boy shrugged. "I don't know."

  "Was it one of us?"

  "No."

  Argon tapped his fingers against his left armrest. "I told you last time that you don't pay for protection."

  "I'm not asking for it."

  "I see." His eyes moved to the small stack of coins on the table. "If you have added the extra percentage, then your income is the same amount as last time?"

  "Yes, Lord."

  "I'm surprised to see you back here so soon. A kid your age doesn't make that kind of money once, let alone twice in the same number of weeks."

  "Thank you."

  Argon laughed. "Thank you." He got up and walked to Leo. Almost tenderly, he pressed points on the boy’s torso, nodding when he hit a spot that caused Leo to wince. After a moment, he stopped. "Whoever did this to you was big. You have deep tissue damage and broken ribs."

  "How do you know that, Lord?"

  Argon smiled. "Has my reputation faded? Do the young no longer speak about where their Lord Argon came from? Is the Wolf of the Pits no longer worthy of stories?"

  "Your reputation is well-known, Lord." Argon had been a gladiator champion of the Pits, the fighting arenas that provided entertainment for the wealthy and elite. Most competitors came as slaves and died within a year of their first fight. Argon had come to the Pits voluntarily at the age of sixteen. He had survived and triumphed for over a decade before being granted something rare: honourable retirement. He had taken his years of prize money and donations and used the funds to become Lord of the Alleys.

  "I learned from some of the best healers in the world. The ability to mend a fighter and get them back into the pit quickly is an art. The Pits attract the best healers from throughout civilization."

  Leo nodded.

  "Someone your age never earns protection."

  "Yes, Lord."

  "The main reason for that is that someone your age rarely tributes enough to earn it."

  "I understand."

  "When do you next expect to return to me with another payment?"

  "Next week, Lord, and every week after that."

  Argon looked at one of his advisors, a middle-aged man with a bald skull and long spider web-like scars running from the corner of his mouth to the back of his head. The man raised one eyebrow and nodded.

  "Fine." Lord Argon sighed and put one hand on Leo's shoulder. "As of this moment, you are now protected by the Lord of the Alleys. No one in the alleys may harm you without answering to me."

  Leo bowed his head. "Thank you, Lord Argon."

  "Keep offering tribute as you say you will, and that will be all the thanks I require." His grip tightened on the boy's shoulder. "Stop offering tribute and the protection ends. Do you understand, little lion?"

  "I do."

  "Off you go, then."

  Leo limped to the front door and exited the building. The giant guard nodded at him and the boy returned the gesture.

  Oak waited for him against the far wall. "How did it go?"

  "I now have the Lord's protection."

  Oak whistled. "By the gods, that is impressive, Leo. No one will lay a hand on you now."

  "It only protects me from the people of the alleys. Unfortunately, my danger lies outside the Lord's reach. If the Keeper catches me again, I think he'll kill me."

  9

  When it was time to visit the baker once more, Leo slipped out of his rags and left the alley, careful to make sure he disturbed no one on his way out. As he reached the main street, a silhouette materialized out of the darkness.

  "Damn it, Mouse, no matter how many times you appear out of thin air it surprises the hell out of me."

  Mouse smiled. "The skill has its uses."

  "Indeed."

  "Here." Mouse held out a small piece of folded parchment and Leo took it.

  "What is it?"

  "What's in it is the better question. A special powder."

  "For what?"

  "To use when you get attacked again."

  "I don't plan on being attacked again, Mouse."

  "Did you plan on the attacks before?"

  "No."

  "Rip the paper and fling it towards your attacker. Try not to get any on you. If it should happen . . ." The boy shrugged. "Do your best not to breathe it in."

  "What do I do after I throw the powder?"

  "Run away. If he gets a hand on you, drop to the ground and play dead."

  "If I fall to the ground he will make me do more than play dead."

  Mouse shook his head. "The powder acts quickly. Be ready to run."

  "Thank you."

  "Good luck. And on your way back home, travel the back alleys."

  "You know where I'm going?"

  Mouse nodded as he melted into the shadows.

  Leo shook his head and stepped onto the main street.

  ***

  "You look hurt, lad." The baker looked genuinely concerned.

  "A small fight where I live. I was dumb enough to be in the wrong place at the worst time."

  "Are you sure the money hasn't made you a target?"

  "Not at all."

  "That's good. I hope that you are putting it to good use."

  "I am trying my best, sir."

  "Not spending it on drugs or liquor. I would detect that on you and I'm happy that you are stronger than that."

  "I am."

  "Good." The baker stood. "Time for bath and sleep."

  ***

  Leo scanned the alley to make sure that it was clear before he left the baker's house. He followed Mouse's advice and moved through the back alleys rather than take the main street as he had done in the past. After five blocks, he started to feel optimistic. A moment later, a deep laugh from the darkness made his spirits sink. He turned and dodged left, narrowly avoiding the Keeper's hand. He tried to run, but the man tripped the boy, sending him sprawling.

  "Third time's a charm, boy." The Keeper's smile was terrifying as he stepped onto Leo's foot, pinning him to the ground.

  The packet.

  Leo scrambled for the piece of paper in his waistband. He took a deep breath and held it, then he tore the paper and flung the contents at the Keeper. The powder was fine, like flour, except it shimmered silver in the dim light. It drifted into the man’s eyes as he bent down to grab Leo’s head. Startled, the Keeper blinked rapidly and took a breath. "What the—"

  Leo tried to get to his feet and run but the Keeper pressed on the boy's foot, one hand coming up to scrub his eyes. "What did you throw on me? Flour? Goddamn, I can't see a thing!"

  He grabbed Leo by the hair and his fist streaked towards the boy’s face.

  A staff with intricate patterns carved in the wood appeared between Leo's face and the Keeper's fist, intercepting the blow. The Keeper's fist made a terrible crunching n
oise as bones contacted the quarterstaff and shattered. He shouted and his hands sprang up to rub his eyes again, causing him to lose the grip on Leo's collar. The boy scrambled backwards.

  Stick stepped between his friend and the brute. "It's not nice to pick on people smaller than you. We expect better from our elders, especially a Keeper of the Law."

  "What did you throw at me?" Spit flew from the Keeper’s lips as he screamed. "I’m blind!" He lunged forward in an attempt to grab Stick. The boy laughed and sidestepped the larger man, swinging his staff down to sweep the legs out from under his assailant.

  The Keeper fell, pounded his fist against the ground in rage, and launched back up to standing. "I'm gonna kill you little bastards for this!"

  "Are you sure about that, Keeper?" Stick said the words as if they tasted bitter. "We are willing to let this matter end. Leave my friend alone and we will do the same."

  The Keeper laughed. "Leave you alone?" He held his broken hand up. "You struck a Keeper of the Law. That is punishable by death and I will see the sentence carried out, rat puke!"

  "You can't see anything. How are you going to identify me?"

  "I know what your friend looks like. Before I finish with him, he will lead me to you."

  Stick shook his head and sighed. "We tried, but I don't think we can end this peacefully, Leo."

  "Leo?" The Keeper grinned. "Now I know the little bastard's name. I won't rest until he is brought to justice."

  "Yeah." Stick bounced his staff lightly against his shoulder. "I know you well enough to understand that, Hector. Word on the street is you're the worst kind of monster. I think it's time we did everyone a favour."

  Stick took two steps forward and his quarterstaff flashed, jabbing the Keeper in the middle of the forehead, then once on each side of the skull. Finally he turned and swung the staff with all of his strength. It connected with the man's barrel-sized chest. As the staff struck the Keeper’s chest, he crashed to the ground like a toppled tree. There was a faint sound of bubbling air as blood leaked from the Keeper's mouth and nose.

  Stick stood over the Keeper's body and considered it for a moment before swinging the weapon down hard onto the base of the man's neck, snapping his vertebrae.

  He looked at Leo and nodded towards a rope hanging from a nearby wall. "Let's get out of here."

  Leo nodded and ran to the rope, climbing to the rooftop and accepting Mouse's hand to help him onto the flat stone shingles.

  Stick joined them and dragged the rope up. "We left no trace."

  Mouse nodded.

  "We just killed a Keeper," Leo said.

  "We just saved your life." Mouse wrapped the rope around his shoulders as they walked.

  "They will hunt us down."

  "That's a problem that wouldn't exist if we hadn't followed you."

  "You're right. Thank you. And I'm sorry."

  Mouse laughed. "Sorry for what?"

  "Getting you involved."

  Stick frowned. "We are family. You would do the same for me."

  "Absolutely."

  "Then there is nothing to be sorry for."

  "I will fix this." Leo's tone was confident.

  Stick laughed as he jumped to the adjacent rooftop. "That's what we're counting on, brother."

  10

  The guard nodded as Leo approached. "Morning, little lion. Right on time for your weekly visit."

  "Um, yes. Good morning."

  "He's expecting you." The man stepped aside and opened the door.

  Leo entered the building and paused, waiting at the entrance as the door closed. Minutes passed.

  No guide this time.

  He walked down the hallway until he reached the main audience hall and peeked through the open door. "Hello?"

  "Come in, Leo." Lord Argon sat at the large table across from a beautiful woman and large man, both dressed in rags of better quality than Leo's. The alleys had their own hierarchy and the quality of rags increased to reflect one's rank. Leo had seen very wealthy people walk past him dressed in rags made from better-quality cloth than he imagined royals would wear.

  "Usually you bring your tribute in the afternoon."

  "Yes, Lord Argon."

  "Place it over here." He tapped a spot on the table and glanced at the woman. She watched Leo with a bored expression, but Leo could sense her interest.

  He approached and placed the tribute on the table, then took a step back.

  The woman arched one eyebrow. Lord Argon looked down. "Silver?" He looked at Leo and chewed his lip. "You have increased your earnings by a large amount in a short time, little lion."

  "No, I haven't. This is my entire earnings for the week."

  "Offered as tribute?" Lord Argon sighed and shook his head. "What have you done?"

  "Gotten himself into serious trouble, most like." The woman smiled, making her appear even more beautiful.

  Lord Argon lowered his head onto one hand and wiped the corner of his eye. "If this has to do with a certain Keeper who stopped breathing yesterday, then I misjudged you, Leo." His mouth twitched into a grin and his eyes sparkled. "Have I guessed correctly?"

  Leo nodded.

  "Ha!" The man across from Lord Argon slammed his hand on the table and laughed, sounding more like a bear than a man. "We've been sitting here all night trying to figure out who had the balls for such a thing and this tiny runt comes in claiming the deed was his doing." He tilted his head back and laughed again. The woman smiled and Lord Argon grinned and shook his head.

  Leo remained still, unsure how to react. This looks good, but it could still end badly. For me, at least.

  Lord Argon stood, picked up the coin, and flipped it through the air towards Leo. "Keep your coin, Leo. No tribute this week. In fact, you've done me such a favour, perhaps I should pay you." He looked at the woman and she blinked before nodding. That seemed to settle the matter for Lord Argon. He reached into his breast pocket and tossed the boy another coin.

  Leo's breath caught as he noticed the colour spinning towards him. He snatched it from the air and looked down at the gold coin resting in his palm. "My lord, this is too generous. I don't understand."

  "You thought I would be angry?"

  "I thought you would either turn me out from the alley or kill me."

  "Killing a Keeper is very serious. If you are caught, the wrath of the entire city, even the country, is called down upon you and everyone connected to you. This is true, and in most other cases I would have turned you out." His smile disappeared. "I do not condone killing Keepers, do you understand me?"

  "I do."

  Lord Argon nodded and his grin reappeared. "That being said, Hector has been a thorn in my side for some time. I have asked the gods to kill that man more times than I can count. I do not often part with coin. Hopefully you can appreciate the gold in your hand and what it represents to me."

  Leo bowed low. "I do, my lord, and I thank you."

  The man at the table stroked his beard and laughed. "Lord Argon is happy with you not because you did the deed, boy, but because you got away with it."

  "That is not certain, is it?"

  Argon poured a drink and returned to the table. "Over a day has passed since the Keeper was killed." He looked at Leo. "Barely, but the time is past, am I right?"

  "Yes."

  "You are too young to remember the last time a Keeper of the Law was murdered, Leo, but I remember it well. Sacred law governs this matter, and it states that they have one day after the event to find the guilty party. Should they fail to find the killer by then, the investigation is ended. Since the Order of Law Keepers was begun, they have never failed to bring a killer of their own to justice."

  "Finally," the woman said, "it would appear that their perfect record has been broken."

  "So it would." Lord Argon nodded.

  "This will cause a large ripple across the country," the large man declared.

  "The Keepers will use this to their advantage," Leo said.

  "What d
o you mean?"

  "Instead of finding the real murderer, they will take this opportunity to place the blame on an enemy that is untouchable under normal circumstances."

  "You are clever, boy, and absolutely correct. My sources tell me that it will be a powerful alley lord."

  "You?" Leo asked.

  Argon shook his head. "Not this time. My advance knowledge of what is to come provides us with a unique advantage. I am told that it will be one of three possible alley lords. When the Keepers finally decide who it will be, the remaining lords will rush in to claim the vacant territory. I intend to be the victor in this matter." Lord Argon reached into his pocket and withdrew another silver coin. Instead of flipping it through the air, he walked to Leo and handed it to him.

  "Maybe this boy will be the one to replace you, Argon," the woman said.

  Lord Argon shrugged. "There will come a time when someone must." He looked at Leo. "Until then, you live in my alleys and are mine. Do you have a problem with that?"

  "None, my lord."

  "You do not owe tribute on the coin that I give you."

  "Thank you." Leo bowed.

  "I look forward to seeing you next week, little lion."

  11

  Stick swung his quarterstaff low and Leo blocked it with a loud clack from his own staff. They traded blows until Stick stepped back and raised a hand to halt the sparring.

  "Did you perform that last combination on purpose?"

  Leo wiped sweat from his brow with the back of his hand and nodded. "I saw a chance to move you so that the light would be shining in your eyes."

  "Perfect." Stick ran a hand through his dry hair and tapped his staff against Leo's. "You are a natural at this. We've only been practicing for three weeks and already you can get an occasional scoring hit on me."

  "I haven't come close to touching you."

  "Maybe not." Stick grinned. "But you would have struck an average opponent once or twice by now. That's very good, considering the short time spent." He narrowed his eyes and sat with his back against the wall. "I think you're lying to me, though."

  Leo sat down. "About what?"

  "You're not a beginner. I can see it in the subtle things. I might be young, but there are few who could best me. I recognize skill when I see it."