[Askoga]: 89.Novels.Kode.Chapter 6

The next several days were similar to that. Savera stayed with us, and helped greatly in the training of the men. They would have to continue the dance for several more weeks, perhaps even months, before they could move on to a new dance. Later they would spar. These days passed without incident, though after three days more of staying at the Happy Dryad, I moved everyone back to the Bull’s Eye.
During the meals I ate with each of the people in my group, getting to know them better. I quickly learned that the sneakiest of them was Ploz. He was a short man, who was quick on his feet. He had stringy reddish-brown hair and blue-green eyes. Of all of them he seemed the most likely to betray my band, and so I watched him carefully. He was also one of the most interested in learning to use the fashoke.
After two weeks of fashoke training I began frequenting bars again, trying to get back to business. I knew that those who knew I was an assassin for hire would spread the word that I was back in business. I spent the mornings and late evenings looking for customers while the men and Lot practiced. They were good enough now not to need the supervision of two people. In the afternoons, I would break off my hunting to teach them about poisons. Once they learned the basics of poisons, I would move on to stealth training, and then to other weapons. Later, I would have them studying all three every day.
Finally, in the third week since I’d begun going to my old haunts again I found a job. Two men were talking in the corner near my table in low voices.
“So I says to ‘im, ‘You better watch your mouth, or I’ll put a stop you your blabbering’ An’ he didn’ think I meant it. He thinks he’s all high an’ mighty, but he’s just a lump in the dirt.” I admit, at first it didn’t sound like much, but many of my jobs start out with something small. The man speaking was a grubby-looking peasant. He didn’t exactly look like all of his work was honest, either. His voice was low and rough; it reminded me of sandpaper.
Grubby continued, “He looked at me like I was some rock in ‘is path and spat, ‘You can’t do nothin’ to me.’ Then ‘e just turned away, the dirty cur, and walked on down the road, like I hadn’a even said nothin’. You know how close ‘e is ta Lord Halfen. ‘Im an’ Lord Halfen got what’s commin to ‘em, anyway. I’d like ta see both o’ them six feet under, yeh know.” Ah, now they were getting somewhere. My waiting and listening might pay off this time.
“Them taxes is too high. My wife has ta work, too, in order for us ta pay them. She ain’ too happy about that, neither. Means there’s no one home with the children. I think it’d be good if’n he were outta here, too. ‘Sides, he murdered my youngest son. Said it were for the good of the people, an’ we didn’a want no thieves aroun. Me, I said he were jus’ tryin’ ta make a livin. I’ve had ta resort to thievery a few times, m’self, jus’ my son were caught at it.” The second man was no cleaner than the first. He was tall and lanky, and his brown hair hung in clumps. Obviously neither of them had had a bath in weeks.
Grubby nodded, sympathetically, “Yeh. I allus wunnered why them taxes is so high. ‘T aint right. Lord Halfen jus’ sits there, watchin’ ‘is pile o’ money grow an’ grow, an’ all he does is count it. ‘Taint fair, I say.” I decided that now would be a good time to reveal my presence to them. Grubby, especially, seemed like one willing to pay for the assassination of the earl. And, he seemed the more likely of the two to be able to.
“If you’re serious about wanting Lord Halfen gone, I could do it for you,” I said off-handedly. I tried to make it seem that I didn’t really care about the job as I drank some of my beer, my eyes on Grubby’s face.
Lanky stared at me, “I dun wanna be caught payin’ no ‘sassin fare. You can, if you want, Keld, but I won’ have no part of it.” He stood and walked away.
Grubby—or Keld—watched his friend leave, then turned to me. “You from aroun’ here, mister? If’n you were, then you’d know better than ta make suggestions like tha’ aloud. Sure, I’d like ta see Lord Halfen gone as much as any other man in ‘ere would, but I don’ know if it’s wise ta ask fer it.”
I watched him carefully, then nodded. “Want a drink? I’ll buy,” I offered to let him set a time and date for business.
“Maybe ‘nother day. Ya know a good place?” Keld accepted, leaving the place up to me.
“Sure. It’s called the Bull’s Eye Bar. Know where it is?”
“Yeh, I’ve heard’v it. Tomorrow? Late afternoon I’m free fer a drink.”
“Sure. I’ll be there. Ask for Askoga.” Ah, it felt wonderful to be conducting business again. I stood and nodded to Keld. “Tomorrow, then.” As I walked out I glanced around, then ambled on down the road towards where I thought the lord’s home would be. After a while I saw a peasant woman carrying a chicken and a basked of groceries. As we neared each other I nodded politely to her.
“’Scuse me, ma’am, but would y’ know where I c’n find Lord Halfen? A friend o’ mine works fer ‘im, an’ I was wantin’ ta visit ‘er.” I mimicked the peasant speech of the area, making my voice rougher and lower.
The woman pointed down the road, the way she’d come, “It’s down that’a way a mile or so. But don’ count on gettin’ to see yer friend. M’lord don’t let many people stop an’ talk to his servants.”
“Thankee kindly, ma’am,” I replied, and tipped my hat to her as I continued on down the road, whistling to myself. I noticed the sun’s position and decided that there was still enough time for me to observe the place for a little while before I had to return. Let the men miss a lesson on poisons, they were probably sick of memorizing anyway.
When I got to the place the first thing I noticed was that it was huge. Next I noticed that the man used not only dogs, but also geese to guard his home. At the moment, though, both types were penned up. I sighed. The geese may prove to be troublesome.
After a shadow-length or two of observing I returned to the Bull’s Eye Bar and the meeting room. The men and Lot were already there, eating. I sat down across from Koshin and smiled at him. He looked me over.
“You seem happy today, Askoga. Did we get a job?” His green-brown eyes searched my face. He was not nearly as tired now as he had been those first few days of fashoke throwing. Good, that meant he was getting used to it. Maybe soon we could add another set of lessons into the day. I was looking forward to stealth training.
“Maybe. I’ll meet with him tomorrow afternoon while you will be studying some more poisons.” I paused and thought for a moment, then said carefully, “If you like, though, you and one or two others can watch. Don’t sit too close, though. He'll want a private deal.” With that I began eating. The food was better now that business was starting up again. After this it would only be a matter of time before word got around that I was back.
Savera had watched our conversation. When every one else had left she looked at me. Her mouth twitched in the odd almost-smile of hers, which I always knew was real feeling. “Good. I wish you the best of luck in your bargaining tomorrow.”
I nodded, “Thank you, Wizop. Thank you also for staying to help with training. I don’t know what I would have done without you. How are they doing?”
“As well as could be expected, I suppose. Lot is quick, as are Pachok and Falsde. Jopel still hasn’t quite got the hang of it, but he’s managed to do fairly well. Soon I’ll need you back to help with their dances.”
“I’ll be able to help again soon. Well, I should get some sleep. As I recall bargaining requires a certain amount of thought.” I grinned and laughed softly as I stood. Savera nodded.
“Good-night, Askoga. Sleep well.” I bowed slightly to her in response, and retired to my room, where I promptly fell asleep.
The next morning, I woke early, several hours before dawn, and stretched, feeling relaxed. I left and retreated to the forest, where I would wake my still-sleepy muscles by practicing my weaponry. As usual, I began with my fan, but then I switched to swordplay, and by the time the sun rose, I was practicing my archery. As the sun touched my dark skin, warming me more still, after my workout, I headed to the pools to bathe, and then returned to the inn, to herd everyone else toward the pools, then the clearing, for training. This morning, I would test them, and we would begin sparring if they were ready.
For the test, Savera and I each took a student aside and began sparring with them. I mostly followed the patterns of the dance they had been learning, but with each person I added a few changes, different for each one. Savera, I noticed from the corner of my eye, was doing the same. The only one that didn't pass was Jopel, and I instructed him to practice some more on his own, while I showed the others how to spar safely.
Once they got the hang of it, I went back to the Bull's Eye, to prepare for bargaining. Keeping in mind the geese, and how much I reckoned Keld would be able to pay, I came up with a price of three kalys, to start. The lowest I would go would be three gafels (one kaly and one half gafel).
I went up to the 'tender, and spoke casually, “Think there'll be a big turnout this afternoon?”
The man, who had been 'tender here at the Bull's Eye for only three years now, shook his head, “Nay. Just the usual.” He eyed me for a moment, then added, “Congratulations.”
I smiled at him, “Thanks. It should pan out, I think I've got 'im hooked.” I waved farewell, assured of a quiet afternoon for bargaining, and headed out to spend some time observing the earl's abode. I still had a bit of time before I had to return.
At the manor, I noted, once again, the geese and the dogs. This time, I watched only these guard animals, noting the time of day during which they were fed. The animals were well-fed, which would make my job harder. It also meant, though, that if one or two missed the drugged food, they wouldn't tear me apart. Well, actually the geese might anyway, but at least I wouldn't have to worry so much about the dogs.