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Leech's odyssey-Chapter 12: debt
The sun had almost set when Leech had just finished his new training regiment. It consisted of his normal chores from their initial joining, but only a week after that the two were deemed ready to advance to official training. In this day alone Leech had been charged with fetching water, hunting wild game, and gathering wood for fires, while Alice stood in for Quartermaster Farren while he was away on a mission. Then he and Alice participating in hand-to-hand combat training before Leech was sent to practice his swordsmanship with sword-master Jericho and Alice to bow-master Hanna to better her marksmanship. Leech's skill with his blade scared most of the other assassins after he bested the sword-master, and because of that he was trained one on one with Jericho. The man was nearing forty but was still in the best shape possible being slightly over six feet tall and large muscles from years of swordplay. The two trained for three straight hours in the courtyard, opposite the others training as a group, until Jericho was too worn out to continue. "What's wrong old man? Ya tired already?", Leech teased his teacher. Jericho laughed a bit as he caught his breath, "Well we can't stay all be so energetic can we. Well we're done, so you're free to have the rest of the day to yourself, I'll see ya later.", the man said as he sheathed his sword, turned and left toward his assistants who were preparing the practice swords to be returned to the equipment room.
Leech sheathed he sword as well and smiled at the slight hiss it made as he did. He happily walked into the mess hall and called happily, "Hey Joe!", and a short, chubby man in his mid thirties waring a chef's apron and smiled, "Hey Red! you're a little early today ain't ya?". Leech waved a greeting, "Yeah, old man Jericho got worn out sooner today.", he then looked around cautiously and made his way to the chubby cook and whispered,"Hey, has he seemed a little weird to you lately? It seems like he's getting slower, and some days it's like he's not all there.". Joe seemed to think for a minute, "Well, he does seem to eat less these days. You think he's sick or something?", "I don't know, he could just be worried about something, but in any case i think i'll keep an eye on him. Could i ask you to do the same?", Leech replied worriedly. Joe nodded, "Of course. I'm sure it's nothing, but if we see anything bad we should tell Ray, he'll want to know if one of his weapon masters is in a bad way, ya know.", Leech nodded his understanding and then smiled, "Well, in any case, do ya have anything around that needs to be done?". Joe looked around then back at Leech, "Not that i can see. Why don't ya just relax till the meal is ready, then you can help me serve it.".
Leech smiled as he turned and examined the room for maybe the hundredth time, it was a large rectangular building divided into two sections, a dinning area and the kitchen. The two were separated by a long bar were everyone could drink at the end of the day after their duties were finished. The dinning area was the largest and held four sets of long rectangular wood tables with matching backless benches and three small round tables with two chairs each. Leech took a seat at one of the round tables and leaned back and closed his eyes. He sat there for several minutes and was nearly asleep when jump as he suddenly felt arms wrap around over his shoulders from behind. "Hi Red!", Alice said sweetly before kissing his check, taking a set in the chair opposite of him and placed a tall bottle of whiskey and two small glasses on the table, "So how's it goin?". Leech smiled, "Pretty good. I see you finished your training early today as well, how'd ya manage that?", "Eh, Hanna didn't see much point in wasting either of our time so we did one last test and she dismissed me early. Just between you and me, I think she's jealous cause I'm better than her.", she answered with a smile as she filled the glasses. Leech reached for one of the glasses, paused then grabbed the bottle, "Hey! Leave some for the rest of us this time.", Alice said annoyed before she downed her glass. She slammed her glass back down on the table and saw that the bottle was back on the table and Leech was leaned back in the chair again. She reached for it to pour herself another glass but when she picked it up it was empty. "You Jerk! i said not to drink it all!", Alice shouted as she through the empty bottle at Leech, hitting him hard in the forehead, causing him to fall back and crash to the ground. Leech lay on the ground in silence for a minute before he and Alice broke into laughter. Leech got back up and just as he was about to sit again when a commotion arose outside in front of the building.
Alice looked curiously in the direction of the ruckus, than back at Leech and rolled her eyes and they both said in unison, "Another fight". Alice sighed, "I'm gettin tied of this. It's an everyday thing, why can't these people just grow up and stop fighting over pointless s**t? Whattcha think this one's about?", she asked as she stood and stretched. "Does it matter? I mean our job is to stop the fights, not get everyone here to get along, right.", Leech said as he began walking toward the back door. "Where ya goin, the fights out front.", Alice said jerking her thumb over her shoulder at the front door. "I'm going to take care of it, just in a new way. You can wait here, I'll handle it alone this time.", he answered, then walked to the bar and grabbed another bottle of whiskey and tossed it to her over his shoulder as he walked to the door. Alice shrugged and sat back down in her chair, propped her feet on the table, and popped the cork out of the bottle, "Fine, just don't over do it.". Leech took on a shocked look, "Me? over do it? surely you're thinking of someone else!", then smiled as he grabbed his cloak that hung by the door where he put it every morning. She took a large swig from the bottle and stared at him, "Your glibness does you no favors ya know. Seriously, promise me.". "Fine, I promise.", he shrugged on his way out the back door, closing it behind him.
Once he was outside he was in total darkness as the sun had fully set by then, he threw the cloak over his shoulders and tied the it's ropes together just below his neck. Leech smiled as he watched his feet and legs meld into the darkness on the ground. Once he was totally merged with the shadow he felt a elated feeling the large open space. He soon got over the nice feeling as the fighting around front got his attention. He speed through the haze that was the shadow to the crowd that had formed around the confrontation. He crept through and under feet till he was just inside the fighting area. Two men stood in the center only inches apart, both had bloodied and scratched faces and hands from already throwing several punches. The taller man, Eric, had been the nicest and most helpful when Leech and Alice first arrived, though his demeanor at that moment was far from his normal self. "You son-of-a-b***h! Who the hell do you think you are!?", Eric shouted in the other man's face. The shorter man was Liam, he was an ambitious young man who had tried on many occasions to get rid of Leech and Alice, possibly because he felt threatened by them. "What the hell are you talking about, i haven't did anything!", Liam screamed back, "You lyin sack trash! I Know you stole it, now give it back, now!", Eric yelled angrily as tears seemed to form in his eyes. Liam suddenly shoved Eric, hard, causing him to trip backwards. Liam let out a small laugh, "Ha! Just what is it you think i stole anyway?". Eric stood and dusted himself off, "You stole a knife from my footlocker! And not just any knife, but one that was forged by my great grandfather and been in my family since, not that you'd care of course you selfish b*****d!". Leech thought he saw a look of shame cross Liam's face, but it was gone as soon as it came. "I've stole nothing from you. If you plan on accusing people of things, you should have proof!", Liam snarled as he turned to walk away.
Eric's fists clenched and jaw tightened before he screamed, "I don't need proof when i see it with my own eyes!", then within a second he sprinted the short distance to Liam. Leech speed to cut him off as he saw a faint glimmer from Eric's hand, which arced back in a counterclockwise motion to deliver a deadly shot to Liam's back. Just before the strike hit, Leech shot from the ground and caught Eric's knife in the right shoulder. Gasps and startled expletives erupted from all around as Eric stood scared and dumbfounded as Leech stared back and forth between the knife and the attacker, Eric tried to speak, but nothing came out. Leech slowly and angrily removed the blade and tossed it to the side, causing the crowed to part as it speed though them and thudded into the outside of the mess hall. "You stupid ********! You know murder is punishable by death, and besides, how would killing him make getting you heirloom back! What if he had hid it somewhere, or already sold it to someone, then where would you be? Next time calm down and think, idiot!", Leech lectured before knocking him out with a left uppercut, "Now sleep it off fool.".
Leech turned to face Liam who had been knocked to the ground by Leech's arrival, "Now you, let's have it!", Leech ordered as he outstretched his hand. Liam stood, "what? the kid's knife? Like i said i don't...", he was cut off by a backhand from Leech. "I don't like liars Liam, or honorless thieves, now give me it or the back of my hand will be the least of you problems.", Leech warned the man. Liam took on a defeated look, "Fine dammit! here ya go freak.", he mumbled as he reached into a pouch on his side and presented the small dagger to Leech. He snatched it from Liam and placed it in an empty slot built into his left boot, "Now what did you plan to do with this, i mean it's old and doesn't look too special.", Leech inquired. Liam sighed, "Forget about it kid, you wouldn't understand anyway.", Liam then turned to walk away, but Leech flipped over him and landed right in front of him, face to face. "Humor me.", Leech said clearly annoyed, Liam smiled, "Ha! look kid, you don't really care, so just drop it.". Leech punched the man in the stomach, "Tell me, what were you planing to do with it?", Leech hissed quietly. Liam fought to catch his breath, "F..Fine! But not here.", Liam whispered. Leech looked around, "Alright people, i think everything is done now. Maybe you all should go about your business.", Leech called out in a friendly yet serious tone, and the crowd dissipated.
Once everyone was gone Leech nodded his head at the mess hall, "We'll talk about it there, while it's empty." Leech stated as he lifted Eric's unconscious body over his shoulder and walked through the front door of the large building. When they stepped inside Leech saw Alice still sitting in the chair with three empty whiskey bottles on the table and one that was almost gone in her hand, Leech could tell she wasn't totally sober anymore. Her head snapped toward them just as Leech laid Eric on his back, on one of the benches, "I thought you promised you wouldn't over-do it.", Alice remarked. "Hey, he started it! he stabbed me!", he whined mocking offense and pointing at Eric. Alice's eye widened momentary then a look of annoyance came over her and she waved his excuse off dismissively, "You get stabbed all the time, I'm sure you'll be fine.", and she turned away from him. Leech walked over and sat at another smaller table with Liam, "Why don't you get a blade stuck in ya and see how you like it.", he mumbled to himself. "What was that!", Alice called, Leech's head snapped of nervously, "Oh! um...nothing. Nevermind", "That's what i thought!", she said taking another drink from her bottle. Leech sighed relived and looked at Liam, who sat across from him, "So, start talkin. Why the hell was the dagger so important for ya to get, and don't tell me ya just needed the money from sellin it cause we both know that no merchant would pay much for it.".
Liam looked around as if to ensure no one else was around, "Fine, ya damn little freak, but keep your mouth shut or we'll both be dead. These people i owe money to wanted it. I don't know why, and frankly i don't care.". "How did they even know about Eric and his dagger anyway?", Leech asked, "I don't know! All i know is one of their people in Ungar told me to get it and have it to them by noon tomorrow. Now the way i see it, it's your responsibility to take care of it." Liam said in almost a whisper. "How did you get into debt in the first place?", Leech asked, "It's not important now, but i used them to handle one of my marks in exchange for the full bounty and a favor. i payed the money, but they still want that dagger.". Leech grabbed the item from his boot and stuck it in the table top and began looking it over closely, "Why would they want this, it's in good condition for its age but still just plan.", he thought, until he felt something strange about the cross piece. There was a slight discoloration there and on a hunch twisted the hilt, as he did so it gave way and easily swiveled off. "Well damn! I guess we may have found out what's so special about this thing.", Leech announced as he dismantled the dagger. Once the two pieces we apart Leech looked inside the dagger's hollow hilt and found piece of rolled paper. He slowly extracted the old document and unrolled it, once he did it turned out to be an old deed for large area of land. "Well! i think we know what they really wanted now.", Leech said to Liam as he put the paper in his pocket and reassembled the knife. "What now?", Liam asked, Leech thought for a moment, "We'll go to Ungar for you, and once there bring down their organization.", Leech responded, standing from his seat. "We who?", Alice called sounding irritated, "You and me of course!", Leech answered happily.
"Like hell i am, I have things here to attended to!", she said standing wobbly and nearly falling, "Oh yes we are! Liam here will take care to you equipment duties.", He said gesturing to the man in the chair. "Him!? That idiot doesn't know the first thing about it!", Alice protested, "Trust me, he can do it. Besides, it'll only be for a day maybe two, it'll be fine.", Leech said, putting a hand on her shoulder. Alice's mood became more pleasant, "Fine. I'll go. When do we leave?", she asked passively, "Just before dawn, so i think you've had about enough of that stuff." Leech said removing the now empty bottle from her hand. "Hey, I was drinking that!", she whined, Leech laughed, "That's right, you 'were' drinking it, until you finished it about three minutes ago, and it's your last cause I'm cutting you off for today.". Alice opened her mouth to whine more but was cut off by Joe's voice, "Alright! Food's ready. Ally, if you ring the bell for me please.", he said kindly. "And Red you can serve the front two, I'll get the back two. Oh would you like to take care of the VIPs too?", Joe asked in the same kind tone, "Sure, i don't mind.", Leech said as he walked over to the bar where Joe was with two large pots of stew he made. "Mind if I...", Leech said pointing at a pot with his wooden serving ladled, "Oh, of course not, go right on ahead.", Joe said happily. Leech dipped the ladled into the stew and retrieved a small amount and tasted it, "Wow Joe! This could be one of your best stews yet!", Leech complimented. Joe laughed, "Ha! thanks kid. I do my best ya know.", he said proudly, just then the crowd walked in, "Well, come on, let's get to work.", Joe said lifting his pot from the bar and set about serving his tables and Leech did the same.
After the lower assassins had been served, Leech moved to the VIPs, which were the two Dockens at one, the weapon masters Hanna and Jerico at another, and Joe sat alone at the third, normally Farren would sit there. Leech served the Dockens last, as was normal, once they were served Leech spoke to Raymond, "I need permission to take care of something in Ungar". Raymond looked up from his bowl, "Really? And what might that be? To my knowledge you've not graduated to taking contracts.", he said smiling. "True I haven't, but there might be a security issue to take care of there, and though you'd rather send someone more experienced I'd like you to send me and Alice, kinda like a test, we handle the matter successfully and we become able to take contracts.", Leech proposed. Raymond looked intrigued, "Hum, it does sound like it could be good, tell me more about the threat and I'll decide then.", he said gesturing for Leech to continue. "Well, Liam owed an organization in Ungar a favor and they wanted Eric's family dagger, which turned out to hold an old deed in the hilt. If they knew the both of them, then it would stand to reason that they also know where they are, which means where we all are, and therefore could attack if not taken care of.", Leech said making his case. Raymond nodded, "Good point. Fine, i believe the two of you can handle it, so have at it.", Leech nodded happily, "Thanks! we'll take care of it. We leave just before dawn, and i think Liam can fill in for Alice till we get back.". "Sounds ok to me, i wish the both of you the best of luck.", the man said raising his class to Leech.
 randomizor301 · Fri Dec 10, 2010 @ 05:46pm · 0 Comments |
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