35th Day of Ash, 122nd Year of the Age of Steel
Masagh, Sabrione, and Riah crouched behind a set of barrel of some foul smelling substance Masagh didn’t want to think about. They were on the modest dock of a fishery along the Gray River. The only reason the ghoul knights had for being here was that it allotted them an excellent view of the squat pier where he had watched the turtle spirit drop off the smuggled wands.
“What are we looking at?” Sabrione asked.
“Trust me, they were summoning more of them.” Masagh reiterated. “I don’t know if more are still coming but they’ve got a lantern on inside.” He pointed to the warehouse where the vents in the gable ridge were illuminated with a faint light. “This is where the spirits were dropping off whatever the load was.”
“Okay, so some ship captain who also happens to be a powerful summoner is using water spirits to smuggle the wands in through the river, hence why Parthena’s spy assumed some fences in the docks were going bringing the goods into town…” Sabrione spelled it out for herself. “And whoever runs this warehouse is the recipient who might put us out of business with the goblins.”
“Exactly.” Masagh affirmed. Riah was looking between them, her eyes wide and her hands slightly trembling. This had been a training mission meant to educate her. Now it was much more.
“So, two problems. These folks are the issue in the city, but that ship is the source.” Sabrione was scanning the deck of the dock unseeing. Masagh could see the Weaponmaster doing some mental decision making on the fly. “We have to handle the ship right now, because they might set out again with the tide and we would have to try to find them later. But these people are the real threat in the city. Both need to be dealt with.”
“We know where to find these ones.” Masagh pointed out. “We could come back another day.”
“We know where they are tonight.” Sabrione said. Frustration played across her gaunt face.
“I can take care of the ship. You and Riah handle these ones. I only saw three but I’m not sure if they had more.” Masagh said after a moment. He wasn’t sure what he could do to handle the ship, but he would figure something out.
“No no, we’re too outnumbered to split up.” Sabrione said after a moment. “Here’s the plan.” A devious smile split her macabre features. Masagh had seen such a grin before. It always preluded some devious plot that involved copious amounts of trickery and pain, usually directed at her enemies. “You and Riah circle around front and guard the door. If anyone comes out detain them for questioning.”
“And you?” Riah asked.
“I’m going to light this place on fire.” Sabrione said casually. She was eyeing the roof of the warehouse.
“Going to burn them out? That’s not exactly subtle Sabrione.” Masagh said.
“Not going for subtle, going for quick. We end things here and then move on to the ship.”
Sabrione didn’t offer more explanation, she began shredding a fishing net nearby into strips along with her own cloak. Then she grabbed the unlit oil lantern from the end of the dock they were on.
“Come on, let’s get into position.” Masagh said to Riah as Sabrione began dousing the strips of cloth and rope in oil. The younger knight followed him up the dock. They dodged through a maze of fishing gear until they came up to the tall wall of the warehouse in question.
“Isn’t there a danger of lighting these other buildings also?” Riah asked worriedly.
“I suppose.” Masagh answered. “But no one lives in these so if it happens there probably won’t be any deaths. Besides the authorities should make it here pretty quickly if a building goes ablaze.”
“Well that’s comforting…”
“At least they won’t have their eye on the docks.” Masagh muttered.
They reached the large sliding gates of the warehouse’s streetwise entrance. Masagh pulled his hood lower over his face and drew the ghoul blade from its scabbard. He turned to the gate, waiting for it to open. Riah drew her blade beside him and also stared expectantly at the gate.
Nothing happened for long enough that Riah started fidgeting. The night was silent and they could not hear anything inside the warehouse or see any sign of Sabrione. She glanced from the door to Masagh and back.
“It’s fine, keep your eyes on the gate.” Masagh assured her in a hoarse whisper. Masagh was peering at the edge of the gate, remaining still.
Eventually they heard muffled voices, and then yelling. The stars above became covered in thick black smoke tendrils. Then the glow of a flame flickered over the roof. Then footsteps sounded in a rush inside. Masagh tightened his grip, ready for what was coming. Next to him Riah shifted her weight back and forth.
Then the gate opened and shadows moved inside. Smoke trailed out of the gate and figures pushed through into the street at a run. Masagh swiped out at the nearest one, a human man with rangy black hair and a scraggly beard. The flat of his blade caught the man across the head and he dropped without protest. The next man tripped over his companion. Riah moved forward and thrust her blade into the fallen man’s torso.
“Gods, Riah! We’re not killing them yet.” Masagh barked, raising the tip of his blade to the chest of the third man. He threw his hands into the air and backed against the gate, startled by the appearance of the knights. He was a tall and lean man who looked to have Hytori blood somewhere in his lineage. He wore a fine embroidered overcoat and a silken shirt with a frock. At his waist was a rapier in a fine leather scabbard. The money.
