Kajulan took off her hat and threw it to the ground, grinding it into the ground with her foot. Ladun had stopped the three other criminals, hoping to explain their business to the two new recruits, but Kajulan had taken advantage of the pause to make a very public display of her displeasure with Jethin’s headwear.

“Are you done?” asked Ladun, who crossed his arms.

“Yeah,” said Kajulan, crossing her arms too.

Ladun was about to continue, but Tekole interrupted him, turning to Kajulan. “Do you think you might be trying too hard?”

Kajulan looked down at the hat in reflection, before spitting on it. “Maybe. But I’d rather try too hard than too little, you know.”

“Alright!” exclaimed Ladun through a strained smile. “Are you two done? Yes? Good!”

He turned, motioning for the others to follow him down the street. The big man was staying just as quiet as he had last night, but the noise from his footsteps made up for it. Ladun gestured at the buildings on either side of the road, a wide array of various businesses.

“You two know what a racket is?” Ladun asked. Kajulan and Tekole glanced at each other and shrugged.

“Alright,” continued Ladun. “I guess that’s one thing Jethin was right about. He may be an egoist, but he really did transform this city’s underbelly into a completely different beast.” Ladun stopped and turned around to face the others. “We’re here as a protection racket. We’re essentially making up for the lack of guard in this part of the city. We don’t really need to do much usually…” Ladun stopped, eyeing someone loitering outside a tanner’s shop. “But our presence here alone tends to get people…”

Ladun stopped again, this time snapping for the big man to pay attention to him. “Keep an eye on that guy over there. He’s acting suspicious.”

Almost on cue, the guy in question bolted, being chased by the shop’s proprietor. The big man jumped into action, making a dash to the thief, grabbing him, and pinning him against the wall. One punch was all it took for Tekole to look away.

“Yeah,” said Ladun, some disgust apparent in his voice, but mostly just a casual nonchalance. “This isn’t usually necessary. But sometimes you got to make an example, make sure the people know whose protection this place is under…” He winced at a particularly powerful strike. “Ouch. I guess he should just be happy the big guy prefers his fists and not guns.”

Another sickening punch and Tekole ran off. Kajulan followed, finding him sitting with his knees to his chest in an alley, breathing heavily. She put her hand on his shoulder.

“What’s wrong?” she asked. “Too much violence?”

Tekole shook his head. “It’s not the violence itself. It’s just the fact that, well, we could’ve been on the other side of that.” Tekole shook his head quickly, trying to calm himself down.

Kajulan sat down, awkwardly patting his shoulder. “Well, it’s not exactly the same. I mean, we were going to get shot. What’s happening to the guy out there is a few steps down from that.”

Tekole wiped his face with his sleeve. “I guess? But it still just feels too close.”

The two sat without talking, with only the bustle of the city and Tekole’s heavy breathing breaking the silence.

“Look,” said Kajulan, turning to him. “When I offered that job to you, it was meant to be…” Kajulan stopped, thinking of her next words. She balled her hand into a fist for emphasis. “It was meant to be a chance for you to take some initiative in your life. And sometimes, initiative comes with violence.”

Kajulan was almost talking nonsense now, but it seemed to be working to calm down Tekole, so she kept going. “Sometimes you’ll be on one side of it, and sometimes the other. It evens out. Everyone gets theirs at some point. You just got to do everything in your power to get to decide when that is.”

Tekole nodded. He wasn’t really sure what she meant, but it sounded right, so he decided to go along with it. Kajulan helped him to his feet.

“Better?” she asked.

Tekole continued nodding. “A little, yeah.”

Kajulan smiled. “That’s good.”

…

The two returned to find Ladun and the big man waiting for them. The big man was wiping blue blood from his knuckles with a rag, while Ladun gave them a surprisingly warm smile.

“Better?” he asked.

“Yes,” replied Tekole. He scratched the back of his head. “Just, gruesome scene, you know?”

“You get use to it,” replied the big man, discarding the bloody rag.

Ladun motioned for the others to follow him. “Now, the good thing about something like this happening is it expedites the whole thing. One pummeling sends just as much of a message as us lingering around for a day. People get the idea.” He stopped in front of a restaurant. It was small, with a brick exterior, wooden door, and large windows.

“Now,” began Ladun. “We’ve got one more thing we have to do today. Every business on this street is up to date on their payments, except this one.” He looked at the two new recruits, but paid special attention to Kajulan. “Now, there’s a difference to how we handle this than to how we handled that thief. The guards won’t care if we brutalize a petty crook here and there. But if they get wind that we’re beating business owners in the middle of the day, well, that confidence will not go unpunished. Keep your cool.”

The four entered, Tekole and the big man having to duck to fit through the door. It wasn’t crowded, but there were at least a dozen customers spread throughout the restaurant, and a lone albi woman tending the bar. Ladun motioned for them to take a seat at a table in the corner, all the while staring directly at the bar. The woman took notice of them, but didn’t react much beyond that.

“What are we doing?” asked Kajulan impatiently. Ladun shushed her, making her bristle.

“Quiet,” he whispered. “You want to seem like you know what you’re doing. We’re building tension. Let her get inside her own head.”

The four waited, occasionally glancing down at the bar, but the woman continued to ignore them. Eventually, Ladun stood and headed down to the bar, flanked by the rest of the much taller ensemble. He put an elbow on the bar.

“So,” he began. “Business seems to be doing okay. Not great, but okay.”

“Just get to it!” the woman snapped, throwing Ladun off guard. He stood up straight.

“Now, those are some bold words from a woman in debt to Jethin. Or did you not realize you missed your payment last week?”

“Yeah,” squeaked Tekole, contributing very little to the confrontation.

The woman ignored him, still focused on Ladun. “Yeah, I’m not paying for that shit anymore. I’ve got a new deal now. Better, and cheaper.”

“Really?” questioned Ladun, in a manner that suggested he didn’t believe her.

“Oh yes,” said the woman mockingly, as she began polishing glasses. “A rich man came in a few days ago. When he heard about my predicament, he said that was a damn shame, and offered the same protection for cheaper. Guess the rich need a place to drink, too.” She placed the glass she was currently polishing on the table and pointed at the four. “Oh, and tell your master, whatever his name was, that said protection includes protection from him too.”

“Well,” said Tekole, trying and failing to be assertive. “You better pay, or were gonna,”

“You’re gonna what? Huh? You look like a lost school boy playing dress up.”

At that point Kajulan jumped over the bar, grabbing the woman by the collar and pushing her up against the liquor cabinet.

“You better watch your mouth! Tekole…” Kajulan caught herself, pivoting. “I, have had a very bad day. So I suggest you do as your told, unless you want a hole in your neck!”

“Not here Kajulan!” Ladun hissed through gritted teeth. “There’s too many people.”

Kajulan ignored him, forcing the big man to lift her by the collar of her suit. She continued to stare daggers at the owner, but she seemed kind of pathetic now, so it wasn’t very effective.

“Let’s go,” said Ladun. The big man released Kajulan, who gave one last glare before reluctantly following the others out.

…

“So,” began Jethin, pacing the mostly empty lobby, with the four criminals waiting to be admonished. The table and chairs that had been there in the morning had already been removed, giving Jethin plenty of space for his speeches. “Not only did you fail to get the payment. You also lost me a customer, permanently!?”

“Well,” said Ladun, hanging his head in a sign of deference that he knew Jethin expected. “She had already decided to switch rackets when we got there.”

“Pathetic,” sneered Jethin, enjoying Ladun’s performance. “I expect you to watch over…” Jethin paused, letting the words ruminate in his mouth. “One! Lousy! Street! And you fail!”

“I’m sorry sir,” said Ladun. “I promise, this will be the only time this happens.”

Jethin turned his back, and took a few steps away from them. “Oh, it won’t be. I know it won’t be. Someone has been poaching all my rackets. Protection and otherwise.”

He put his hand up, indicating for the others to give him a moment. “I do not know. What! This person thinks gives them any right to move in on my turf.”

“Wait,” said Kajulan, speaking up.

Ladun glanced up at her. “What are you doing?”

Kajulan ignored him, continuing to address Jethin directly. “So, you know that someone’s been taking your business, and you’re still trying to blame this on us?”

Jethin turned to look at her. “Well, I’m blaming Ladun mostly. He’s been here the longest.”

“That’s bullshit and you know it!” shouted Kajulan, both hands in fists. “We did nothing wrong! You just like flopping your dick around!”

Without even being prompted, Jethin’s two bodyguards drew their revolvers, and Jethin approached Kajulan, hand resting on the hilt of his seax.

“Well, look who’s finally showed up to the party! Thank you for joining us!” Jethin motioned for his guards to lower their weapons. “Now, you can hate me all you want on your own time, but I’d like you to remember that you made an oath.” He turned once again, pointing up at the ceiling as he did so. “An oath, to show me the respect I deserve, and to do as I say! Now, I don’t know how seriously you take oaths here in Aslacka, but in Tajlynd, we take them very seriously.” Jethin put his hand over his heart. “I, especially, take them very seriously. And I have no tolerance for people in my employ breaking them.” He turned back to Kajulan. “Do you understand me, Kajulan?”

She looked away. “Yes,” she answered quietly.

“Good!” exclaimed Jethin, clasping his hands together. “Now, I need some time to reevaluate things. You can all go home. I’ll see you next week.” Jethin left the room, flanked by his guards.

“Thanks for that,” Ladun said, grabbing her hand and shaking it. “It means a lot, but you probably don’t want to do that again.”

Ladun left, followed by the Big Man, who nodded at her. “Same,” he said.

Kajulan and Tekole were left alone in the room.

“I think we should go back to that place,” said Tekole suddenly.

“What?” asked Kajulan, cocking her head.

“That restaurant. I mean, we can’t just let someone talk to us like that, right? I think?”

Kajulan smirked. “Look at you Tekole, taking initiative. I mean, if that’s what you want to do, then I’m all for it.”

Tekole was silent.

“Well?” continued Kajulan. “Let’s go then!”

…

The two climbed the fire escape of a building opposite the restaurant. It was pitch black out now, the sky overcast, but the outside of the restaurant remained fully lit, no doubt an attempt to discourage any potential retaliation from Jethin. Kajulan and Tekole peered over the edge of the building’s roof. The restaurant was guarded by three people, dressed in the uniforms of the Romba guard, including padded longcoats and simple kettle hats. At least one carried a shotgun, and the others were surely armed.

“So,” whispered Kajulan as she peered over the edge of the building. “What’s your plan?”

“I don’t know,” Tekole whispered back. “Honestly, I thought you’d handle the specifics. I’m still new to this.”

Kajulan muffled a laugh, and scooted back from the ledge. “Well, I’m not magic. I can’t outsmart bullets, so unless you have a plan, I think we’re going to have to call this one off, genius.”

“Hey!” said Tekole, rubbing the back of his neck. “No need to be rude! I’m not thinking straight. It’s been a crazy day!”

Kajulan snorted. “Don’t worry, I’m just pulling your chain. When she said she got new protection, this wasn’t what I was picturing.”

The two sat quietly in the dark for a moment, with even the perpetual rumbling of Romba’s industry nearly silent.

“You know,” began Tekole. “I’m still happy I went with you. Even with everything that’s happened. With Jethin and all, I mean.”

“Oh,” said Kajulan, not quite knowing how to respond. “Really?”

“Yeah. I don’t think I’d normally ever have envisioned something like this being where my life was heading, but sitting here now, I’m kind of glad it did.”

“Well,” replied Kajulan. “I’m glad you went with me.”

It was silent again, and Kajulan felt Tekole’s hands find her own in the dark. They looked at each other for a moment, nothing but their eyes fully visible, and the two leaned in, lips meeting in a kiss that somehow felt much more meaningful and impactful to them than it had just a few days ago.