1. The Fourth

    Private Heartwood

    'Maybe.' The Fourth did not blink as he continued to stare at Azimidas. There was something about the man, a niggling suspicion that left the mercenary with more questions than answers. 'I doubt they will tell us anything we do not already know,' he said, turning to study Anira. 'But it would...
  2. The Fourth

    Private Heartwood

    Whilst Anira busied herself admiring the contents of another woman's wardrobe, the Fourth made his way to the balcony overlooking the water gardens. Despite his earlier scepticism, he saw no harm in giving the Lady Lark room to spread her wings. Perspective was important, and allowing Anira to...
  3. The Fourth

    Private Heartwood

    He lost nothing by having her along, true. But a bard's loyalty was questionable at the best of times, and her father wasn't the only one whose reputation preceded him. The Greatest Fool might have advised caution, were she here. Then again, maybe not. Assumption is the mother of all...
  4. The Fourth

    Private Heartwood

    A bit of fun, a bit of risk. The Mahapravin took it in all in his stride. Surprise turned to acceptance turned to relief as the man in question cleared his throat, stood taller, as men of means were wont to do when placed on the backfoot by those they deemed of lesser import. And I am...
  5. The Fourth

    Private Heartwood

    Three days of desperate searching had turned up nothing except more questions. And as always, someone had talked. Less than twenty-four hours after Mistress Selani's disappearance, a letter had crossed the Greatest Fool's desk, highlighting the facts, or the lack thereof. By the thirty-sixth...
  6. The Fourth

    Private Lost in Transit

    'These'll make her pay attention,' replied the Fourth, patting his chest where the papers were hidden beneath battle leathers. With the Arshakans nosing around, she would have to. To sit on their hands was to invite calamity, and the Fourth quite liked Crorefell as it was. Dangerous, exciting...
  7. The Fourth

    Private Lost in Transit

    'Jhagarth? Arshaka's lapdog?' His wasn't a name widely known nor talked about. But everyone who was anyone knew where his loyalties lay. Read, the Steel Rabble. 'Shouldn't be too hard to drum up support against the bastard, what with the letter. The hard part's trackin' him down.' Of all the...
  8. The Fourth

    Private Lost in Transit

    'So I've been told.' Taking the offered hand, the Fourth eased himself back onto his feet. Still smarting from the impact, and the shame of being put on his arse by a knuckle-dragger, the mercenary examined the nook through narrowed eyes, not one to dwell on the recent past. 'You at least...
  9. The Fourth

    Private Lost in Transit

    From prophets to dead men. The door to the stairs thumped shut as the two bruisers squared up to Dancer. Vitriol spit forth from chapped lips. Knuckles cracked as the thugs made a show of it. The Fourth watched a moment, quietly amused. The blades in his hands thirsted for blood, and he was...
  10. The Fourth

    Private Lost in Transit

    A lot could be said about the Sixth and his choice of vices, how they seemed to dictate the course of his life. 'Y'know, once all this is done and dusted, I've half a mind to lock in you in a room for a month,' the Fourth frowned, serious as always. 'Maybe lose the key while I'm at it.' Until he...
  11. The Fourth

    Private Hollow

    The Fourth wasn't much of a duellist. A fair fight was one that could go either way, but he had been in enough murder-brawls to know what worked and what didn't. In a two on one fight, going for the weaker opponent first was often the best play. One less weapon to cut you down. Of course...
  12. The Fourth

    Private Lost in Transit

    'Seems that way.' Drawing one of his long knives, the Fourth crept closer. The buildings to either side kept the Sun's heat off their backs, but even so the mercenary could feel himself starting to sweat. Ambushes were no fun when you were on the receiving end, and Amaryk's friends sure didn't...
  13. The Fourth

    Private Lost in Transit

    'Aye. High time.' Gazing forlornly at his pint, the Fourth shrugged, made to stand. With the cadre going to general quarters, there was very little time for boozing. He had never been much of a drinker anyhow. 'Here,' he said, passing the tankard off to a mercenary the next table along. 'Raise a...
  14. The Fourth

    Private Hollow

    The cluster around the bridge had grown hectic. Bodies twirled, cleaved or caught off guard by Peony's axe. Weapons flashed in turn, biting into leather and steel plate. Three to one, four to one. Up on the ridge, the Fourth was having an easier time of things. The bow was unfamiliar in his...
  15. The Fourth

    Private Lost in Transit

    The Fourth smiled at the mention of Rashmi. 'That's on the assumption she allows you to wake up at all,' he replied, fixing his gaze on the stairs as the Sixth went on. 'Mmm. I met with the Fifth and the Seventh briefly. Seems the war council has been postponed.' As soon as the words left his...
  16. The Fourth

    Private Hollow

    Creeping through the shadows, the Fourth kept his head down and his feet moving as the camp woke to repel them. A man of the surface, his eyes were not accustomed to the darkness awaiting him between the rocks. The archers had chosen their positions well, he had to admit, climbing up to a small...
  17. The Fourth

    Private Lost in Transit

    It was busy inside the Spear and Stave. Practically heaving. Punters crowded the tables, talking and drinking, arguing and gambling. Pint-pullers flexed their pouring arms, passing mugs of froth and fancy to the buxom wenches waiting on standby beside the bar. It was an hour past midday...
  18. The Fourth

    Private Hollow

    'Looks like it.' The Fourth had to agree with the boneknitter's assessment. The cavern beyond the underground river was dark, with plenty of places where a sentry might choose to conceal themselves. As for the bridge... 'Try not to break wind, Peony. Don't want the damned thing collapsing on...
  19. The Fourth

    Private Lost in Transit

    'Shake the nest and see what falls out?' I like it. Finishing his meal, the Fourth sank the rest of his wine, eager to set things in motion, though wise enough to realise results would take time, if indeed a thorough audit turned up anything to begin with. 'Never did take Amaryk for a fool,' he...
  20. The Fourth

    Private Hollow

    This doesn't feel right, the Fourth frowned, keeping his thoughts to himself. Too obvious, too... careless. Stepping softly, he let Margrave create some distance between them. The little mousekin woman knew her business, her size a boon when it came to going unseen and unheard. Every now and...
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