Ascension (Blight Book 1) Read online

  "You are a born master."

  Stick shrugged. "A master in another lifetime who never forgot the skills, perhaps."

  "That's an intriguing thought."

  "Don't change the subject. The way you hold the staff and swing it, even your footwork, you have prior experience with weapons."

  "You mean the staff."

  He shook his head. "I watch you at knives with Mouse and other weapons with Oak. You hold yourself like a warrior with all of them."

  "Maybe I also have memories from another lifetime that my body has not forgotten."

  Stick looked at him and shook his head. "Maybe."

  "Can we call it a day? Warrior or not, you left new bruises on me and I'm tired."

  Stick laughed. "We can be done. What would you like to do now?"

  "I'm going to visit the doctor."

  "Want company?"

  "Not today."

  ***

  Doctor Johnston held the flat, cold metal of his instrument against Leo's chest while he listened through the earpieces. "Everything sounds good and your range of motion is back to normal. I would have told you to expect a full recovery from your wounds in seven to eight weeks, but you did it in four."

  "I hate to wait."

  The doctor laughed. "Put your shirt on. Do you want some tea?"

  "Yes, please."

  The doctor went to his kitchen and returned a few moments later with two empty cups and a pot of tea.

  "I have a proposition for you," Leo said.

  "Do you?"

  "Yes. How secure is this house?"

  "Structurally?" The doctor filled Leo's cup with steaming liquid. "As secure as any other building in this part of the city."

  "You have rare medicines and equipment. Has anyone ever robbed you?"

  "Never. It's bad for everyone if the local doctor leaves because he does not feel safe."

  "Exactly."

  "Why do you ask?" The doctor blew across the top of his cup and took a sip.

  "I need a safe place to store my coin."

  "How much do you have?"

  Leo told him.

  The doctor's eyes widened and he whistled. "That is a frightening sum to keep tucked into your belt in the streets. Perhaps it is time for you to leave the alleys."

  "Why?"

  "Because you can afford to live in a better place."

  Leo sighed and shook his head. "What I am proposing is that you store my money here. I will visit you to get whatever I need from time to time. I will pay you a monthly fee for the convenience. How does that sound?"

  "I do not need money."

  "Everyone needs money."

  "Let me say it this way, then: I already possess more money than I can use."

  "So? More can't hurt."

  "It serves no purpose."

  Leo paused. "You're serious?"

  "Of course I am."

  "Okay. It was worth asking."

  "I didn't say no."

  "You would help me for nothing in return?"

  The doctor smiled. "I didn't say that."

  "Ah, then what payment would you accept instead of currency?"

  "Currency of a different sort than coin. Information and association."

  Leo took a drink of tea and placed the cup on the small table between them. "You are speaking about something more valuable than round metal pieces, Doctor. Hold my coin here and I will share what information I can."

  "Excellent."

  "Are you willing to also share your information with me?"

  Doctor Johnston considered the question and nodded. "Absolutely."

  12

  Finley and Leo sat at a table and drank water while three boys from the alley loaded the weekly shipment of food onto a cart.

  Finley used a small knife to peel an apple as he watched the boys work. "This is the fifth week since we began our arrangement and I notice that you bring different helpers each time."

  "The first week I brought my closest friends. Since then, there are many volunteers to help carry the food away."

  "What do you give them for their help?"

  "An extra amount of food."

  Finley nodded and leaned back, closing his eyes as the sun warmed his face.

  "Are you a wealthy man, Finley?"

  "Not by a long journey."

  "Is it only food that you sell?"

  "That is my primary market, but I can acquire other items."

  Leo reached into his shirt and withdrew a list. "How about these?"

  Finley looked at the list and nodded. "I can get all of them."

  "How soon?"

  "Three days."

  "And your price?"

  The vendor's head moved as he added the figures. "One silver, twenty copper."

  "Round the total up. I will pay you two silver."

  "There's no need for that."

  Leo smiled. "I will make six silver when I sell the items."

  The vendor laughed. "Then perhaps I should take the items to the alleys myself."

  "You could, but I think that you would be robbed."

  "There is that."

  "Don't worry, I have no desire to become a merchant."

  "Then why buy the items?"

  "I continue to buy the food out of loyalty to you."

  "Truly?"

  "Of course. When I needed help most, you took a chance on me and were honest in your dealings." He reached out to place one hand on the other man’s shoulder. "As long as you are a food vendor and I have money, I will buy from you."

  "I don't know what to say to that, Leo."

  "There's nothing to say."

  Finley looked at the boy and nodded. "Why buy these other items?"

  "Because friends have made requests, and six silver is much less than the going rate in the alley."

  Finley took a bite of apple and chewed for a moment before asking Leo his next question. "What is it that you want to do with your life, if not be a merchant?"

  "I am not entirely certain yet, although I have had some ideas lately."

  "Do you sell the food?"

  "In a manner of speaking. I share the food and receive good will in return."

  Finley snorted. "Not much you can do with good will."

  "You would be surprised."

  "Of that I have no doubt. You are full of surprises today, Leo."

  ***

  Doctor Johnston opened the door and smiled. "Good afternoon, Leo."

  "Doctor." Leo smiled and gestured at the three boys standing behind him. "These are my closest friends, Mouse, Stick, and Oak."

  "Pleased to make your acquaintances, gentlemen." The doctor opened the door wider and stepped aside. "Please come in and make yourselves comfortable."

  The four boys entered the house and went into the parlour. Leo sat first, then the others did the same.

  "Can I offer you a drink?"

  "Thank you, but not today. I've brought the money."

  The doctor nodded and sat in the remaining chair. "Excellent."

  Leo looked at Oak and nodded. The large boy stood up, removed a fabric belt from under his shirt, and handed it to Leo who, in turn, passed it over to the doctor. "Would you please count this and give me a written note to acknowledge that I have left it with you?"

  "Absolutely." The doctor stood and took the belt to his desk. He opened it and counted the contents, then wrote the amount on a piece of paper and signed it.

  "Is this amount correct?" He passed the slip of paper to Leo, who looked at it and nodded.

  "That's right. It is only fair if you charge me a fee for this service, Doctor."

  "Our other arrangement will suffice," the doctor said.

  "Thank you." Leo looked at his friends. "I will never ask you to give my money to anyone not sitting in this room with me. If someone brings you a letter saying otherwise, they are liars."

  "I understand."

  "And, to be clear, if Mouse, Stick, or Oak come here on my behalf to collect some of the coin, they will
possess a letter with my signature. No one except me gets a coin from this house without a note and signature."

  "That is how it shall be."

  "Good. Now, let us share rumours and information."

  "We have a new Keeper in the neighbourhood," the doctor said.

  "Is he as kind and helpful as Hector was?" Stick smirked.

  "He is young and very kind."

  "That must be an odd change," Mouse said.

  "What is his name?" Leo asked.

  "Riley." The doctor paused. "He has been asking about Hector's death."

  "That makes sense," Leo said. "The twenty-four hours have long passed, but I would imagine the Keepers will continue their hunt."

  "Officially they can't, but this is a serious red mark on their record. I suspect they will not rest until they find the guilty party."

  Stick smiled. "I'm sure that everyone wishes them well in their search."

  13

  The bell attached to the front door rang to announce a new customer. The baker grinned and put two trays of fresh dough into the oven. "I'll be right out."

  "Take your time."

  The baker frowned and wiped his hands before walking out to the front of the store. His frown turned to a smile as he recognized the uniform. "Ah, you must be the new Keeper. Riley, isn't it?"

  "That's right."

  The man in front of the counter was young, perhaps twenty-five, tall and broad of frame with sandy blond hair. His uniform was clean, well-maintained. Riley was smiling, making the baker feel comfortable.

  This one looks different. Perhaps we will be safer with this Keeper walking the streets of our neighbourhood.

  "It's good to meet you." The two men shook hands.

  "You as well," Riley said. "People in the neighbourhood speak well of you, sir."

  "I'm glad to hear it. No one wants to buy bread from a grumpy baker."

  "When I was a boy, our baker was not a nice man."

  "I'm sorry to hear that. No sweet treats for you as a boy, then?" The baker turned and grabbed a sweet sticky bun from a tray and placed it onto a plate. He set it down on the counter and pushed it toward Riley with a nod.

  The Keeper laughed and reached for the treat, smiling as he took a large bite and chewed. "There were definitely no treats from our baker. Do I taste cinnamon on this?"

  The baker nodded.

  "Delicious. My thanks."

  "You are very welcome. What do you think of our neighbourhood so far?"

  "It's a very peaceful region. The people seem a bit . . . timid of me."

  The baker did his best to look confused by the comment but Riley laughed.

  "I knew Hector. He was a monster of the highest calibre. In truth, I'm surprised the doors were not all barred to me as the new Keeper."

  "He wasn't so bad as that." Best to remain neutral. This could be a trap to root out dissent. The Keepers are a devious lot.

  Riley shrugged and took another bite of the sticky bun. "I suppose none dare admit the truth for fear of what that will say about you. Let me assure you, good baker, I am not like my predecessor. You will find me a fair person."

  "That is good to know, Keeper."

  "Please, when we are alone you may call me Riley."

  "I don't know if that's such a good idea."

  Riley shrugged. "As you like. I hope that, over time, you will feel comfortable enough to do so."

  There was a noise from the stairs and both men turned.

  The baker smiled. "Keeper Riley, this is my son. Alexander, this is the new Keeper. Say hello."

  "Hello." The boy looked down as he spoke, making him difficult to hear.

  "Hello, lad. It's nice to meet you. You're a strong-looking boy. Do you help your father with the ovens, then?"

  "He certainly does." When I can convince him to come out of his room.

  "Excellent. You are fortunate to have a trade that you can learn. Your place in life is secure."

  The boy looked up and narrowed his eyes. The baker opened his mouth to scold him, but the Keeper laughed.

  "I see you are at that awkward stage of life where you dream of something more than the ovens and baking bread."

  The baker coughed. "Yes, he has become a bit rebellious of late, but as you say, that is his age."

  "Maybe he will run off and become a soldier or a Keeper," Riley suggested.

  "Or a lord," Alexander mumbled.

  The Keeper laughed. "Set your sights high, then. Good for you."

  Alexander glared at the Keeper and turned to run back up the stairs.

  "Get back here," the baker called out, but Riley raised a hand and shook his head.

  "That's okay. I must be going anyway. What do I owe you for the bun?"

  "That was a gift to welcome you to the neighbourhood."

  Riley shook his head and pulled out a small change purse. "A Keeper must not accept gifts. I appreciate that Hector caused confusion about that, but while I am here, there will be no lines crossed."

  "I understand. It is one pence for the bun. I feel bad for giving it to you, now. My intention was not to force you to part with your coin."

  "Think nothing of it." Riley found the proper coin and placed it on the counter. "I would have purchased one anyway once I learned there was cinnamon on them. It was delicious and I'm certain that I will return often for more."

  The baker nodded and accepted the coin.

  Riley stopped halfway to the door and turned as if a sudden thought had occurred to him. "I am searching for Hector's killers."

  "Oh."

  "I know. It's a strange thing that they remain at large. The Council of Law is very distressed that this is the case. If you help us find the guilty men there is a substantial reward."

  "I will be sure to keep my ears and eyes open."

  "One hundred gold coins."

  The baker's eyes bulged. "I beg your pardon?"

  "That is the reward for leading us to the murderers."

  That's more money than I would make if I lived two lifetimes as a baker. "I will contact you right away should I hear anything."

  "Thank you." The Keeper smiled and exited the store.

  14

  "There's another one here to see you."

  Leo glanced up from carving his new quarterstaff and looked past Oak at the boy standing a few feet away. "Send him over."

  "This is the fifth one today."

  Leo nodded and resumed his carving. "Keep tally for me in case the number gets much higher and I lose count."

  Oak grunted and walked away.

  "Morning, Leo."

  "Morning."

  "Name's Albert."

  Leo blew the wood chips away from his carving and ran his hand along the spot to check for smoothness as he looked up at Albert and smiled. "I know your name, Albert. You're twenty feet down the alley on the left wall, am I correct?"

  Albert smiled. "That's right."

  Leo set the staff aside and motioned for the boy to sit beside him. "How can I make your day better?"

  "Word is that you have money to lend."

  "If money is what you require."

  Albert tilted his head. "I think it is."

  "Money is rarely what we need."

  "I don't understand what you mean."

  Leo nodded. "How much do you want?"

  "Fifteen copper."

  "That's a respectable sum and it's certainly not my business but, if you don't mind answering, what would you do with the copper? Go back to your spot and count it? Rest the coins under your head at night to make your sleep more peaceful? Sew them onto your clothes as ornaments to catch the light and make pleasant sounds while you walk?"

  Albert laughed. "Of course not. I would use it to buy—" He paused. "I don't know if I should tell you. The more people who know about my plans the more dangerous it likely is."

  Leo raised a hand. "That's fine. I don't need to know exactly what you would do with the money, just that you would do something with it."

 
"Of course."

  "Let's say that you need rope, a knife, and a set of lock picks." Albert cleared his throat and Leo smiled. "Money would be required to buy such things, but until you could make the transaction, there would be danger that someone would rob you, am I right?"

  "Yes."

  "That's what I'm talking about. It would save you time and reduce the danger to you by asking me for the items instead of the money."

  "I understand what you're saying."

  "Good." Leo leaned back and crossed his legs. "Then how can I make your day better?"

  "Well." Albert moved closer and leaned in to whisper. "I would like a small shovel, twenty feet of rope, three candles, and a flint and steel."

  "How soon do you need it?"

  "Right away?"

  "What does that mean?"

  "Huh?"

  Leo spread his hands. "To me,‘right away’means that I expect you to reach behind you and pull the items out of thin air. If I tell you I need something right away, I can't leave until I have them. Is that what you mean?"

  "Oh. No. If I could get them by tomorrow at noon that would be good."

  Leo nodded. "Excellent. Then, by‘right away’, you mean a day from now?"

  "Yeah."

  "That's great news, because I couldn't get the items now, but I can have them for you by the time you want."

  Albert grinned. "That's perfect."

  "We've determined that money isn't what you were looking for, but it is what I'm interested in. I need to buy things and don't have enough coin to do so. If I get you the items, then I will want you to repay me with coin. Will that be possible?"

  Albert laughed. "Yeah. If things go as planned, I will easily be able to pay you the fifteen coppers."

  Leo winced. "’If things go as planned’is not a phrase that makes me comfortable."

  "Why?"

  "Makes it sound like things might not work out in your favour."

  "No problem." Albert shrugged. "If it doesn't, I can return the items to you."

  "I don't need those items, Albert, you do. If I get them for you, then they are yours, do you understand?"

  "Kind of."

  Leo pretended to think about the situation for a moment. "Look, maybe it's just better to give you the coin?"

  Albert looked confused. "Yeah, maybe that's best."

  "Okay, then." Leo whistled and Oak came over. "Albert needs a loan of fifteen copper."