“Get out of my way, you oaf. Why aren’t you guarding the South Wall?” Orion practically marched down Merchant Avenue, stabbing the stones with his feet, his personal guard rushing to keep up. Orion had just run into a group of Knights, who were blocking Orion’s way.

The Knight was going to respond, but as he saw who it was, he looked confused. “Apologies, Guildmaster.” He and his fellow Knights got out of the way, looking quizzically at the guildmaster that everyone considered dumb, jovial, and harmless but who had just called one of them an oaf.

Orion liked to think he always kept control of his emotions, but Vesper’s report shook him. Orion had spent years cultivating a reputation in Ness as harmless and a relationship with Larsen that provided Orion with influence while managing all the pieces that would eventually lead to him being the unquestioned leader of the city. But the role he created for that long-range plan was no longer relevant. Larsen and the thieves had taken care of that.

Thus, Orion could no longer afford to be the kind, harmless guildmaster. He had to be the firm and decisive guildmaster who would save the city from the traitorous thieves and the traitorous Merchant Guildmaster.

His initial plan was to leverage Larsen to at least get things under control. He would have Larsen reverse the clearing of the Lower Quarter. They would welcome back the Harvest Guild members, release those in prison, and compensate the families who lost homes. The second part of the plan was to invade the Wretched Quarter and clear out the thieves.

Orion had wanted to do that for years, but he knew it was mostly wishful thinking, but now it was not only a wish—it was a necessity. They had to have the Knights establish control over the Wall and the streets, and they would have to destroy any leadership the thieves had.

Having Larsen initially take part would make that easier. They had no hope of attacking the thieves until the Harvest Guild members were happy or at least no longer threatening civil war. Which is why Orion was marching down Merchant Avenue toward the Merchant Guild Tower for a meeting with Larsen.

As he expected, the Tower was under intense security. The front doors were closed, and Merchant guards were everywhere. Orion ignored them and went right up to the senior guard near the doors. “I’m here to meet with your Guildmaster.” The guard seemed unimpressed by Orion and was about to reply when Orion added, “I don’t have time for any objections. If you are about to do so, I highly recommend you re-think your answer.” Orion stared at the guard, who appeared shocked at the friendly and quiet Orion speaking in such a decisive voice.

“Um, I will need to ask approval, sir.”

Orion put his hands behind his back. “Make it quick.”

The guard disappeared behind a group of other guards and presumably left via a smaller entrance that was more convenient and less vulnerable to a direct attack. While he waited, Orion stood still, staring at the door. His personal escort of three heavily armed guards stood arrayed behind him. Orion was well-known, and his silent vigil drew plenty of attention. Merchant Guild guards wandered to see why the Craft Guildmaster was standing at the base of Merchant Tower. The intense look on his face kept any from asking questions, however.

Minutes later, the guard returned. He was respectful but blunt as he stopped in front of Orion and said, “I apologize, Guildmaster. Guildmaster Larsen is occupied with an important matter and requests if he can see you another time.”

“No.”

The guard did a double-take as Orion said nothing else. Clearing his throat, the guard shifted on his feet. “No?”

“Was it a request?” Orion frowned.

“Excuse me, Guildmaster?”

“You said Larsen requested if I could see him another time. That would seem to indicate that he would thus be willing to see me, as he made his reply as a request. I replied ’no.’ So take me to him.”

The guard looked around, but none of the other guards were willing to back him up in the conversation. “Sir, we are under heightened security.”

Orion turned to the closest Merchant guard to the one who was speaking to him. “Did you hear his words?”

“Sir?”

“Is every Merchant guard this stupid? I asked if you heard this young man state that your guildmaster requested another time, and I replied not.”

The guard looked at the senior guard who gave a slight shrug. “Yes, sir. I heard your conversation.”

“Then you will understand if I have my men kill this guard for insubordination and not listening to the desires of your Guildmaster. And you will then take me to Guildmaster Larsen, correct?”

Before the new guard could say anything, the senior guard held up his hands. “Guildmaster, there is no need for violence. You are a friend of the guild. I perhaps didn’t communicate your urgency well enough to Guildmaster Larsen. I will escort you myself.”

Orion nodded. “Wise choice.” And with occasional sideways glances, the captain of the gate took Orion to see Larsen.

Larsen answered the door to his office himself. “Orion! What a pleasant surprise. Come in!” Orion held up his hand to his guards and entered Larsen’s office alone.

“This is not a friendly visit, Larsen.” Orion replied. He used his normal voice, a voice he doubted that Larsen had ever heard.

“Is there a problem, old friend?” Larsen placed a palm on Orion’s back and walked him over to his couch, their normal meeting location. As Larsen sat down, Orion remained standing.

“Your idiotic plan is over, Larsen.” Orion’s words and commanding tone left Larsen in shock, who sat in his chair with his jaw dropped open. “Do you realize how bad things are? Do you?” Orion started to pace, ignoring Larsen’s replies if he had even made any. “The Harvest Guild will eventually attack and overwhelm you.”

Larsen’s face turned red, but he remained seated. With a measured but strained voice, he replied, “Orion, sit down. What has gotten into you? You have no idea what is going on. You’ve been too busy wandering around Founders Park and sitting in your tower.”

The idiot still believes my charade. Orion didn’t answer but stood still, staring at Larsen. Orion’s behavior clearly rattled Larsen, whose normal response to being crossed was to fly into a rage.

“There is no risk from the Harvest Guild. Their members from the Lower Quarter are being relocated to the streets of the Wretched Quarter. Trader’s Bridge is under close watch, and Saxe has the Wall, the rivers, and the Knight Watch secure. What do you think Polo is going to do? Fly to us?”

“Listen, Larsen. Your overconfidence has finally become your undoing. If Polo wanted to, he could simply swarm over Traders Bridge. Have you forgotten that his guild is the largest by far? Do you have any idea how many people live around the Outer Fields? How many are in the mines?” Orion leaned close to Larsen, and with a sneer added, “They will overwhelm you. It is only a matter of time.”

Frowning, Larsen replied, “Your fear betrays you. What has happened, old friend? Do you not realize how well things have gone? The Lower Quarter is practically cleared. We will be seen as saviors when we invite them back with the explanation of Polo’s betrayal.”

Orion clenched his teeth. “I am not your old friend, you fool. I’ve sat here watching your pathetic machinations do nothing more than alienate the city. But now you’ve gone too far. Do you realize what is across the river?”

Larsen took time answering, the shock of the Orion he thought he knew transforming into the cold and angry man in front of him seemingly too much for him to grasp. Waving a hand, he finally muttered, “There is nothing across the river but the Wretched Quarter and the Ash Fields. Why does this matter?” With Orion towering over him, Larsen finally stood up.

Good. His temper is rising. He finally understands I’m not who he thinks I am. “Wrong. There is resistance in the Wretched Quarter. They are armed and organized. Your assumptions of the Harvest Guild are not only stupid, but they ignore the threat from across the river. Can you imagine if these forces rally the Harvest Guild members to attack across the Great Bridge? You will rush to defend yourself, and then Polo will overwhelm you from the Harvest District.”

“What has gotten into you?” Larsen grabbed Orion’s arm, but Orion shrugged it off. “What force could possibly be arrayed in the Wretched Quarter? It is dangerous and wild. Who has filled your mind with these thoughts? This is so unlike you!”

Crossing his arms, Orion replied with a steady but commanding voice. “They are the thieves, Larsen. They have raided our warehouses and silos for centuries. It is now clear that they have been organized. The thieves will attack from the Wretched Quarter with the help of the Harvest Guild members your idiot plan drove into their arms, while Polo awaits to deal the death blow.”

Larsen went to speak, but Orion held out his hand. “No! Listen to me you fool. You will send your guards out to bring the Harvest Guild members back. You will release the old families, promising them reparations. Once you have re-settled the Harvest Guild, we will clear the Wretched Quarter.” As Orion spoke, a smile formed on Larsen’s face, which irked Orion to no end.

“Thieves? My friend, you have hated thieves your whole life! I see now what has happened. Your mania for destroying the thieves has clouded your mind. You are looking for some kind of excuse to clear the Wretched Quarter. We even discussed this recently!” Orion shook his head, but Larsen laughed. “It all makes sense now. Listen, Orion. Leave it all to me. We have broken the back of the Harvest Guild. Let us destroy Polo, and then I’ll work with Saxe to send some forces into the Wretched Quarter.”

Orion closed his eyes and took a breath. Larsen was a lost cause. He could never see the flaws in his own plans. His ego was too big. It was time for a new plan, and the first part of this new plan was to lull Larsen into complacency. Reversing course, Orion clasped Larsen’s arm. “You have given me much to think about, Larsen.”

The smile that spread across Larsen’s face filled the room. “Of course, old friend! Think about us sharing the rule of Ness, with Polo out of the way.” Patting Orion on the back, he added, “We will clear the Wretched Quarter. I understand your concern. The time just isn’t right.” Larsen gently pushed Orion on the back. He feels he has won and is moving me to the door. Orion had to suppress a laugh. Having Larsen feel he had won was what he wanted at that point.

Orion started toward the door. “Thank you again, Larsen. You were right, of course. I let my hatred of the thieves get the best of me.”

“It is understandable. They are a blight on the city. But for now just secure yourself in your tower. I have things under control.”

With a handshake and few more words, Orion left Larsen’s office.

He had a new plan, one he thought over as he left the Merchant Tower. The first step was clear and had to be done as soon as possible.

Kill Larsen.