Boots stomped along the stone street, purpose in every step. It was not everyday that one found themselves shot at by a mercenary company, even for a mobster. Ladun led, his short gait carrying him with surprising speed, while the others followed shortly behind. Kajulan and Tekole nudged their way past the big man to come upon each of Ladun’s sides.

“So are we going to go tell Jethin?” asked Kajulan.

“No!” said Ladun, not slowing at all to respond. “He’s out for the rest of the day. He’s meeting with . . . someone.”

“So where are we going then?” asked Tekole.

“A pub,” replied Ladun. “I’m not starting this shit without a drink.”

…

Immediately upon entering the pub it felt different than both the gambling den Kajulan and Tekole had visited a week ago, and the bar of the woman who the four had shaken down. It was crowded, but in a strange way felt empty. There were pockets of energy, for sure, but for the most part people were just there to drink their worries away. Ladun definitely belonged to that most part, as he took a seat and waved down a server, while the big man took a seat on the other side of the booth, looking as stoic as ever. Kajulan perched herself on a windowsill not far away, one foot up on the sill, and the other resting on the floor, an awkward attempt to fit her gangly limbs. Tekole stood closeby.

“He sure can drink for a small guy,” said Kajulan, watching as Ladun downed a glass of whiskey.

Tekole glanced up briefly. “Well, I’m sure anyone who’s worked for Jethin a while can drink.”

Kajulan nodded, her mind wandering. “Do we like those two now?”

“What?”

Kajulan closed her eyes and shrugged. “I mean, they were going to shoot us, remember? Jethin could’ve snapped his fingers and, blam blam.”

“Are we sure they would’ve shot us?” asked Tekole, a blissfully incredulous smile on his face. “Cause I’m not quite convinced.”

Kajulan sighed. “Yes Tekole, they would’ve shot us.” She reached up, running her hand along the side of his face. “I’m glad you’ve kept some of your naivety about you, though.”

Tekole clasped her hand. “Yeah, you’re right. It’s a little weird that we’ve been working with people who were willing to kill us a week ago though, isn’t it?”

“Don’t worry about it,” replied Kajulan. “That’s just our lot, I think. And besides, I’ve never once thought about killing you.”

“Perhaps too worryingly specific to be comforting,” began Tekole, “but appreciated nonetheless.”

You two leaned in, giving a quick kiss as rain began to patter against the window. Kajulan turned around, looking at the quickly fogging window.

“I feel like it didn’t always rain this much,” she said.

“Yeah,” replied Tekole, putting an arm around her. “It’s definitely been a rainy few years.”

Kajulan placed her finger on the window, beginning to draw something on it.

“What are you drawing?” asked Tekole.

“Jethin,” replied Kajulan.

“Ohhhhh,” Tekole said, nodding. “I get it. Because he’s a dick.”

…

Kajulan and Tekole took a seat next to the big man, too distracted with each other to notice how little room it left for him. He shifted uncomfortably, but said nothing in protest. Ladun was slumped on the table surrounded by glasses, the booze hitting him like a truck.

“Poor guy,” said Kajulan, laying her head on Tekole’s shoulder.

The four sat like that for a while, a mixture of contentment, alcohol, and simple awkwardness keeping them in place. People came and left steadily, some through their own power, and others between the shoulders of others.

“Ahem,” came a voice, causing Kajulan to lift her head up. A young albi man was standing beside the table. He was stubbly, and wore a grey coat that seemed to be a few sizes too big for him.

“Yes?” asked Kajulan.

“I hear you four work for Jethin.”

“Says who?” asked Kajulan defensively.

The man looked around briefly before replying. “Well, those suits, for one.”

Kajulan looked down at herself. “Oh, right.” She leaned back against Tekole, her relaxed posture unmistakably aloof. “Well then, what brings you to us?”

“I want in.”

“What?”

The man’s face froze up, as he began to rock back and forth on his heels. “Well, uh, you see, um.” He shook his head, causing his shaggy hair to whip back and forth, before continuing. “Well, I hear you’ve got a big operation going on in this city, see? And I want in, see?”

Kajulan was quiet for a moment, before busting out laughing. “Don’t know why you’re thinking we’re the ones to talk to about this, seeing as us two.” Kajulan gestured at her and Tekole. “Got in because those two.” She gestured at the big man and the now stirring Ladun. “Captured us at gunpoint.”

Tekole nodded in agreement, while Ladun began to eye the newcomer suspiciously.

“I like your attitude though kid,” Kajulan continued. “Do you really want to get involved with this stupid shit?” The man nodded rapidly. “Well then, I’d probably start with. . .”

“Kajulan!” Ladun whispered hoarsely, as sobered up as the amount of alcohol in his body would allow.

“Yes?” replied Kajulan, whipping around to face him.

“This guy’s very clearly a cop.”

Kajulan flung back around to face the man, and quickly looked him up and down. “Aw shit, you’re right.”

Before he had a chance to respond, Kajulan had whipped out the merc’s pistol from earlier and trained it on the man. Tekole reached over her, flipping the safety off.

“Thanks honey,” said Kajulan. The man put his hands up, backing up slowly as the four got up from their booth. Ladun tumbled a bit, causing both Tekole and the big man to rush to catch him. Kajulan kept the gun pointed as they headed towards the door. The bar was somehow even quieter than it was before as the four left, everyone’s attention trained on them. The man kept his hands up until they were safely gone, before collapsing into the booth, trying to catch his nerves. Maybe his boss was right. Maybe he was bad at this stuff.

…

With Ladun’s movement hindered, Kajulan took point. It was getting dark now, and work whistles were audible from several points in the city.

“So how did that asshole track us down?” asked Kajulan, repeatedly grasping and ungrasping her hands in frustration.

“I mean, the shootout at that medicine shop, probably,” answered Tekole.

The big man nodded.

Kajulan shook her head angrily. “You know, in all my years of independent work, I’ve never once had a run-in with the city guard! Now I’m dealing with them twice in one day!”

“Same,” added Tekole.

“Well yeah,” replied Kajulan, rolling her eyes. “But you had like, a day and a half of experience. That isn’t really saying anything.”

“It isn’t usually like this,” said the big man, doing his best to keep Ladun moving under his own power. “Something’s wrong.”

The four came to the long abandoned hotel. Tekole went to grab the knocker, but Ladun got to the door first, immediately opening it. Once again the furniture was done up completely differently, an ornate seat clearly for Jethin in the back of the room, with several impressive but clearly less ornate seats running along the walls. Jethin, wearing a long, gilded tunic, along with several people Kajulan and Tekole had never seen before, were standing around a small table in the middle of the room. Tekole’s guards quickly went to draw their weapons, but Jethin put his hand up.

“No no,” he said, leaving the group and approaching the arrivals. “Even though they were not invited to this meeting, I was hoping to speak to them.” Jethin immediately approached Ladun, ignoring the others. “So,” he began, clasping his hands together. “Is our vassal still with us?”

“Yep,” replied Ladun.

Jethin frowned, taking a quick whiff of the air. “Have you been drinking?”

“Of, course not,” Ladun forced out.

“You!” said Jethin, pointing at the big man. “Get him out of my sight before I lose my temper. I do not appreciate drunkards thinking they can waste my time.”

The big man effortlessly slumped Ladun over his shoulder, and left the building.

“Now then,” said Jethin, putting his arms around Kajulan and Tekole’s shoulders as he led them to the middle of the room. “How did it go? Eventless?” Both the smile on his face and the tone of his voice made it clear Jethin already knew the answer was no, nay, was hoping the answer was no.

“No,” said Kajulan.

“Oh, really?” Jethin replied, unclasping their shoulders and walking ahead a bit. “Who stopped you?”

“Some mercenaries,” answered Kajulan. “Apparently they call themselves Sapphire Crest.”

Even from behind, it was obvious Jethin’s mood had dropped severely.

“You know them?” asked Tekole.

“Of course I know them!” hollered Jethin, swinging around. “Hell, back in Tajlynd I’d hire them. This isn’t how they work though. They aren’t your common men at arms rabble. They’re professionals. They wouldn’t just be serving as some wannabe crime lord’s muscle carte blanche. But they also don’t care about my rackets. At least, they shouldn’t.”

Jethin turned the two around and began pushing them towards a door to the hallway. “Go,” he said. “Me and my associates need some time to discuss these new findings.”

…

Kajulan and Tekole waited. Already half an hour had passed, and with no follow up from Jethin. Kajulan was about ready to call it quits until one of Jethin’s bodyguards opened the door.

“Jethin requests your presence,” he said, before turning abruptly and marching back towards Jethin, the hauberk under his robes clinking as he did so. Kajulan and Tekole stood and reentered the lobby. Whoever the people Jethin had been meeting with were gone, and some of his mobsters were already moving the chairs out of the room. Jethin was sitting in his chair at the back of the room, legs crossed and chin resting in his palm.

“What is it?” asked Kajulan bluntly.

“Wait until you are addressed!” snapped Jethin, before standing. “Now then, as I’m sure you know, the street I assigned you two is not the only one that we’ve been losing ground on. My rackets are being poached all over the city, undoubtedly by Sapphire Crest.”

“So what do you want us to do?” asked Tekole.

Jethin put his hands behind his back and began to pace. “I’ve mulled it over, and I’ve decided that if they want to leave their station and step in on my game, I’m more than happy to step on theirs.”

Jethin stood in silence for a moment. Kajulan was about to speak up, only for Jethin to unexpectedly continue. “You see,” he said. “Sapphire Crest might be more famous for their assassinations, or their contracting with less than savory factions, but they have plenty of legal enterprises too.” Jethin’s hand swung up. “Most notably, convincing workers to “keep their heads down,” so to speak.”

Kajulan tilted her head. “You want us to bust up a union?”

“Oh, no no no,” said Jethin, putting his hands up. “You see, there’s a coercive element to everything we do. The implicit understanding that if you don’t go through us for your needs, we’ll do whatever you don’t want to happen ourselves. I want you to help it get up off the ground. Provide protection, rough up some guards, whatever. Just make sure that whoever’s in charge gets the message, and that Sapphire Crest can’t do their job. Now go home. I’ll send a messenger to each of you in the morning.”

“You know where we live?!” exclaimed Tekole.

“Of course I do!” Jethin motioned for them to leave. “Now shoo. I have no more need of you tonight.”