Winter was over and it was time for spring. The peasants who survived through the winter were getting ready to plant the next harvest. The gardens were in full bloom, the fields were completely green and wildflowers with their colors complimented everything. Even in the city people decorated their windows with nice bouquets making the shitty city seem a little bit more bearable.

Rufus was helping unload stuff at the river harbor. This time it was at Haley's request. Rufus was helping get the new business started. The company also hired a lot of people from the slums enabling people to earn money for their families.

"You really don't have to be here boss," said one of the workers to Rufus.

"Don't worry about it. My head would explode if was just lazing off all day."

The day ended around noon. Rufus went straight back to the bar to meet up with Haley and Edward.

"Oh, Rufus. How was your day?" asked Mrs. Jean when she saw Rufus entering the bar.

"A nice day to be honest. These kinds of normal days seem to be rare these days," laughed Rufus.

The bar was very busy, and they had more than one waitress now. Jean had hired a few local girls from the slums to work at the bar. Other small businesses had popped up all over the slums. The gang had opened brothels and bought factories. Business was booming and money came to both the gang and the citizens.

The reputation of the black rat gang had turned to a savior of the slums. The leader of the black rat gang, even though no one knew him by name, had become an icon in the city. A type of robin hood of the slums. People were saying how the black rat gang was the savior of the common people when the central government had abandoned them.

Rufus walked upstairs where the main office of the black rat gang was. Inside Haley was checking documents with Doreen while Edward slept on the couch. Doreen had decided to help the gang since she was in a way a member now. Leif had his own desk at the side to do his own logistics work.

"Oooo. Our great boss returns from his very important job," said Edward sarcastically.

"More important than yours. You just swung your sword all day in the backyard and after that, you have been sleeping on the couch all day," said Doreen.

"Oh, shut up lady."

"Stop fighting you two. Instead of letting insults out of your mouth, try filling it with some food and ale," said old man Haufen who entered the room with plates of food and pints of ale.

They all started to chow down on the food with enthusiasm. The food was good, and a cold pint of beer hit everyone in the right spot.

"It makes you think. Seeing these young people, who are almost kids working so hard to make other people's lives better," Leif said to Haufen.

"It indeed is a great sight. I believe these kids will one day bring a great change in this country," old man Haufen said back with a smile.

~ ~

The next day they got a message that the prince had ordered them to meet outside the city walls. They gathered outside the walls under a big tree. There the prince was waiting for them with August again.

"You came here fast. You really must like working for me," said the prince with a smile again.

"We don't work for you. We work with you," said Rufus.

"Potato, potatoe. Now let us go to the main point. Does the region Wallach or the count Vlad Hunyadi say anything?" asked the prince.

Rufus and Haley had no idea about him. Edward and Doreen knew him though.

"He is the count of Wallach region in the south. He is a powerful noble, but he is more than that. He is completely incorruptible.

"He hasn't arrived yet to one of the king's summons instead has been focused on governing his lands. He hates my father and his corrupt nobles. He could be a valuable ally to us, but more than that he is clearly a bitter enemy of all the corrupt nobles of this country. We have reason to believe he might be in danger."

"So you want us to work as bodyguards, I take it?" asked Edward.

"Yes, but unfortunately Vlad is a very stubborn man. I have tried many times to get closer with him, but it seems his hatred is directed at all royalty. I have many times wanted to work together with him, but he has refused every time. I already tried to warn him and send some soldiers to guard him, but he refused."

"So, we have to protect him without him knowing about it?"

"Precisely. Guard his castle in Wallach. Guard the castle at least for a week. Don't let the count know that I sent you."

"We will do it," said Rufus.

"And remember. He is a noble so he is not completely unable to protect himself. He also has evidently a very strong divine power. Just so you know," the prince added before he left.