Clouds above shifted with wind, obscuring the light of the moons hovering above, with the only illumination being the stretch of buildings adorned with lanterns. Some were candles encased in a red colored paper lantern, others were simply traditional glass, the types of lighting emphasizing the types of operations. The first a brothel and the other a gambling den, both resting on the edge of the western sector, yet remaining within the seedier southern area. These types of facilities saw much business, attracting the seedier patrons, the smugglers, thugs, and pirates. Many of whom were often violent and brutal, yet it did not matter for the purveyors, men, women, girls, and boys from the slums were in plentiful supply.

This area had recently been acquired by the ‘Bronze Sabers’ a growing criminal organization, one that started with smuggling and piracy, but had grown bolder in recent years. The previous group which had held this turf provided some safety and community to the nearby residents, the sabers simply exploited them to the extent that they could. Their business model relied on collecting ‘merchandise’ from the slums and selling them in the border between sectors to cater to the less affluent patrons with some silver to squander. To that extent their next target was obvious to anyone with eyes, they needed complete dominance over the southern sector, and the ‘brands’ were the largest obstacle.

That obstacle had just publicly painted a target upon its back after angering the lord of the city. Seeing the opportunity to gain dominion over the southern sector, the leader of the sabers provided half his forces to the city lord to assist him in his goals. The decision left them understaffed tonight, but by tomorrow the brands would be destroyed, after all, with Tariq “the bloody bull” seriously injured they were in no danger tonight. Sergius Maro lay back in his chair observing the ongoing operations below, the silver and copper talens changing hands as dice games were underway. Very soon he would be able to expand unimpeded, who would have thought the illegitimate son of a fallen noble house from the Ociri republic could become the future kingpin of Syroneika, the smile could not help but spread across his lips.

So engrossed in his fantasies was he that the leader of the Sabers failed to notice the commotion occurring outside his establishment, that is until the front door fell to the ground as the body of one of his men collapsed in a heap atop it. The man’s chest was caved inward as if he had been hit crushed by a boulder, with the entire establishment going into an uproar. Regular patrons immediately began fleeing for the rear exit, whereas the dealers, guards, and scummier guests unsheathed their weapons; a wide assortment of daggers, blades, axes, and hammers to name a few, confident in their numbers.

That confidence rapidly dissipated as the assailants stepped through the doorway, at their head was a man who stood over six feet tall, towering over anyone else. However, what drew everyone’s attention was the weapon in the giant’s hands, the massive Warhammer was almost as long as an adult woman was tall, its head as thick and wide as the skull of a bull. Anyone who saw it would be able to tell to who it belonged, but that wouldn’t have made any sense as the master of the weapon was injured early that day, he shouldn’t have been able to lift such a weapon, let alone walk to this place.

Their expectations however mattered little, as the reality was right before their eyes. “Hey Sergius, you chickenshit bastard, you think I wouldn’t know about how you’ve been eyeing my turf! You think I wouldn’t find out about how you’ve been exploiting and kidnapping the residents of the slum! Well, I’m here to tell you that you made a big mistake sending you men over to the Lord tonight, the Sabers are finished tonight!” Tariq’s yells spread throughout the main hall and into the second floor where Sergius was observing the actions below.

His eyes widened in surprise as Tariq moved rapidly through his men, with each swing of his Warhammer one or two men would be blown away. Even if the hit was on the leg or arm, it would leave the target immobile and screaming in pain, which were then easily dispatched with a knife to the throat by the cloaked figures who entered behind the larger man. Tariq acted as the boulder, barreling through, breaking every barrier within his path, while those that followed behind easily cut down the broken and demoralized guards. None even managed to escape, as whenever they attempted to flee a throwing dagger would impale their back, and soon after they would fall to the ground foaming at the mouth.

Soon enough the heavy oak door to the boss’s room came crashing down, having been literally ripped from the wall. “How…How is this possible. You were injured! I saw you in the arena… this is impossible! The Lor… The Lord is behind me, if you kill me, he will hunt you down.” Sergius unsheathed his saber, yet his hand was shaking uncontrollably, only when he mentioned the city Lord and his backing did, he manage to somewhat calm his frayed nerves.

“We can make a deal, no one needs to know what happened. Let me live and I won’t ever encroach on your turf.” Even if he had calmed somewhat, his voice still threatened to crack under the immense pressure Tariq’s presence exuded.

“I know that no one will ever find out, its real simple. It’s because none of you are leaving this place alive. Besides, whatever remains of your organization after tonight, they’re going to have their hands full dealing with the other families whom ‘you’ attacked tonight. If there is anyone to blame, blame yourself and your greed, you pushed too hard and expanded at the expense of too many. The others won’t question the ‘evidence’ much.” Tariq couldn’t stop himself from laughing, deep belly laugh that easily echoed throughout the building.

“You dirty bastard, I refuse to die here. And if I die, I’m taking you with me!” At that moment as Tariq took another step forward, Sergius kicked over his table and pulled out a javelin hidden underneath. Taking aim, the man threw with all his might, hoping to hit but also using the short window to charge forward brandishing his saber.

Using the fallen table as a jumping off point Sergius leapt into the air toward Tariq, just as the javelin entered his range. Rather than dodge out of the way, Tariq slightly shifted his body and then used the head of his weapon to deflect the projectile away from himself. Then using the force from the impact spun on his right foot, turning his body completely from left to right and using the momentum to swing his hammer towards the approaching enemy.

Unable to dodge, Sergius could only watch helplessly as the iron head of the Warhammer impacted upon his skull from his left side. The effect was immediate, the man’s skull pretty much disintegrating upon impact, shattered scraps of bone and brain painting the wall on the right. His lifeless body flew through the air, flailing like a broken doll and collapsing to the ground staining the floor red.

“Commander, we have searched the entire building, the kidnapped residents have been freed and all the members of the sabers have been slain as ordered. Would you like us to douse the building in oil and light the fire?” One of the cloaked figures appeared in the doorway, both their hood and weapons stained with blood.

“Finish searching the area, take whatever valuables you can find. Make sure to plant the evidence to implicate the sabers involvement in the attacks on the other clans and families. After all nobody likes an upstart, especially not one so brazen. But remember, they should suspect us, but nothing should point to our responsibility… and what of the brothel, have the people been freed and the perpetrators punished?”

“Yes sir, the patrons have been dealt with accordingly and the prisoners rescued. Many are not in a good shape, but they will live.” The cloaked figure performed a quick salute before departing, which was soon followed by the smell of smoke.

Taking one last look around Tariq pulled out his rusted chain, rubbing it lightly while gazing at the flames licking at the walls below. His arms were beginning to shake, struggling to maintain his grip on the massive Warhammer. “Damn, the pill is already wearing off. Guess I need to get going now… Now it’s all up to them to make their escape, hopefully we see one another again soon.”