Time to check my sword, knives, and armour. Do not want to be spotted. Grab some coals from the unlit fireplace and rub them on my sword and armour, and keep some for my face. Pela is watching me prepare as she cleans up after dinner. I strap up, make sure everything is secure, and grab some cloth for later to wrap it around my boots and sword. No shield tonight; too much chance of it banging on something.

“So, I guess that is it. Thanks for the pouch and cloth. Here.” I hand her my wallet. “This is all I have. If you go into the Hall tomorrow, talk to Bertude. She should have some work for you. I guess I will see you another time.” Before she can speak or react, I leave. I do not want a pity kiss.

She is right, though. I cannot just stand here and let things happen. If something happened to the Rejects, I could never pay them back for saving my life. No tabard tonight; do not want to risk it. If I am caught, then Stillwater and the gang will be in trouble again.

At least I know the back way to the warehouse district. Where are the grain mills? Not sure, but I guess, thinking back, they should be round and broad. I used to hide behind them in Wellspring when I was a kid, never inside. I knew one kid who did, and that was it, he was found suffocated days later. Must have happened so quickly; he looked a bit shocked. And here is another reason I love and hate being a half-human: because I can see in the dark, I used to be put on all the midnight to dawn sentry duties while I was in the army. It sucked!

Head down toward Tanner Lane. I can smell it from a mile off—not a job for me. Best thing about Tanner Lane is that it connects to Wall Boulevard, which skirts the wall! So imaginative. If I survive tonight, I will say something to the Count about these roads. Something has to be done. Why not name them after famous Charters or, for Jenell’s sake, his family or something?

Over these last few months, Wall Boulevard has been great. Nothing to block you, but not many people are looking this way because, firstly, it is peacetime, and secondly, it is the other side of the wall that people care about.

This is strange; there are no lights on. Not one. I can hear the clock tower tenth bell on the edge of my hearing; two hours before the witching hour. Strange, but this is good. With the cloth and coal dust, it should be hard for people to see me. What was that? My lucky day, someone is coming this way. Well, that smells worse than the tanners—smells like Jimmy and a few unwashed sods. Look at that, I was right, and they have lanterns as well. Really smart fellows, I can see a lot with those lights. I can sneak past them real quick. First, I should listen to see if I can figure out what they are here for. I did not think this was their area.

“Okay, lads, keep an eye out for anyone comin’ and goin’ here. Malik wants us to take anyone else out.” Oh, fantastic, there are ten of them. If they have the upper hand, I can kiss my arse goodbye. Hang on—the Rejects! I know these Boys; they are not skilled, but if they try to jump the Rejects coming out, that’s it for my squad. I am going to make sure they know I am saving their collective skins!

“Keep to the shadows, lads. Remember, boss-man will kill you if you screw up!”

There goes Jimmy. Still has not turned off the lantern. Good, the Boys are drinking. If Jimmy sees that he will have their heads, then they will be too distracted to chase us. Maybe this is as good an escape route. I cannot see if there are any halves like me in this pack who could spot me in the dark. I just use Jimmy's advice—keep to the shadows. Sneak, sneak ... and past them. Did not even look up. I think they are playing dice too. The Sarge would have flayed the skin off my back if she saw that lack of discipline!

Still no lights. The Dock Boys look like they just got here. They would not have that much influence with the bureaucracy here. Malik is just a low-grade thug; he controls the smuggling in and out of the docks. No way he has enough control to affect the city

Another light, another ten Boys. Where are the patrols? There should be a few squads down here. I guess Stillwater’s gut was spot on—this does not feel right. What does Zlata have to do with this? Is she on Malik’s payroll? He must be making a significant play tonight. Wish I knew what it was.

There are the Count’s men at arms, in the only well-lit area around here. Three guards closed gate. No Boys here. Time to do a little scout around the wall. How would I make my way into this place? This is some effective security—barbed wire and three-metre walls. What is that glint? Is that glass in the mortar? Nope, it is some transparent substance, hard and sharp—my finger can attest to that. Honey and then bandage, stupid me. So, over the wall is not the best way in, but perhaps a frontal assault, if this is their target.

What is Malik thinking? His Boys are not trained for this. Dark alleys and bar fights, yes, but against qualified men and women? My money is on the guards. This does not make sense; too many variables here and no sign of the Rejects. They might have changed their mind. Yeah, right, Stillwater changing her mind about something this fishy—like Mela’s grace she would. Gunnar and WayWocket would follow her blindly. In the end, with this sort of threat level, they could all get killed. No time to find out if they are here or not. Where would be an excellent place to skulk around and still keep an eye out for—?

Lucky me, I nearly ran into another group of Boys. It appears they are keeping away from the entrance to the grain mills. With this many, they could rush the Count’s guard, and it would be over without too much trouble, and whatever their plans, it would be done and dusted. This does not feel like the Malik I know.

Ah, here is a good spot. Not the freshest smelling area but it has a lot of cover, and I have a good view of the entryway. Now, back to overthinking. Let us look at the day: Malik was in lock-up, then Zlata ordered his release. What is their relationship? She thought I was with them, but of course, I am just one of their victims. This is making my head hurt! I am missing something. Just cannot put my finger on it. Wish I had some more of that ale; it had a little nutty flavour to it. And now we play the waiting game.

I really need to obtain one of those timepieces that rich people have. Then I would not need to worry about catching what time it is from the town crier; I can just look at the thing, and there you go. It would make life easier, and time might go faster because I can keep track of it.

Let us have a look at the men: polearms, useful for giving yourself space; armour, with breastplates, greaves, and gauntlets; backup sword on their belt; and stationed behind some barricades, so those polearms will have the advantage. And the other two guards seem to have some heavy repeater crossbows too. The road is clear for a good line of sight. Nothing is going to make it through that. They could hold off twenty, maybe thirty men. You would need some hefty lads with good shields to screen that assault. Some lads up on a wagon to give some cover fire so those crossbowmen would think twice before attacking.

Look over there—another group of four. If they hear anything they could hold this place until the morning; does not matter how many Malik throws against them. With me attacking from behind, it would be over as soon as.

Weapon check: cloth is not in the way of my draw; knives are within easy reach for close combat and to throw. Wish I had a repeater handbow, that would be great too. Maybe a gold-gilded timepiece too … Okay, let us stay in this reality. I would need nearly eighteen hundred slips for that. I think superior armour would be better than just some trinket.

What was that? Another light has gone out. From both ends now. This must be it. If they are doing this, they must have a way to see. And another. The guards notice that one. I cannot see a thing due to my position. They must be better than me at sneaking around.

Heart is starting to race. What am I doing here? Calm down, this is just another battle, nothing more. Slow it down, breathing, heart rate; calm. Think clearly—this is going to be over real soon. I hope Stillwater, Gunnar, and WayWocket are here. Except for the lights at the gateway, there is nothing on the street. Breathe. Check sword, still muffled, knives there. Wish I had my shield now. I can see that those on watch are freaking out. Sorry, lads, I can't help until they reveal themselves. I can hear them call out to the others. Oh no, it’s going to be a bloodbath. It is just me, so if I jump out now, I can kiss my arse goodbye.

Wait. All seven guards are there now; two in front with polearms and the other four with repeaters. No way anyone is going to pass them. Did one just drop? To make this night even more perfect, there are two more. Two in the back now. What is happening? I can see that they are frightened now. There goes another, and now two more. If it were me, I would take out the lights now.

Lights out. I called it! I still cannot risk jumping out there. There must be twenty of them, or they are using some sort of witch-work to take out the guards. Think. Whatever they are using, all those guards are dead men. I feel for them.

I would strike now. I bet there are at least ten. This does feel like a more elite group than Malik’s Dock Boys. How am I going to do this? If I go out there without a plan, I am dead. I cannot take on ten expertly trained soldiers. There go the last four.

What the Abyssus, there are only three of them! No way three men could take out twelve! This makes my job a little easier. If I can get the jump on them, advantage me! Wait for it, let them go inside.

Oh good, there are the Rejects. Phew, I am not alone. Great, I have been sitting here for so long now my leg is asleep. Three on three, with Rejects’ advantage. I can head home after warning them about the Dock Boys. Do not need to work myself up so much.

Oh no, now there are two following the Rejects. This is not going to be my day.