Page 26 of The Barbarian King's Assassin (Magic and Kings 1)
“Don’t be stupid. Don’t get caught.
I rose and stretched. “Wasn’t planning to. As for you, don’t do anything I wouldn’t.”
“How about you don’t do anythingIwouldn’t?”
“That would ruin all my fun.”
“Be careful.” Said softly.
I put a hand on his arm. “Try and have some fun.” I left Jrijori and made my way to the alley accessible off the kitchen, currently empty this time of night.
Emerging into the narrow corridor, I glanced up. So many flat-topped buildings close enough together to make a perfect road in the sky, and yet I couldn’t use them. Tar was only one of the wretched defenses. The residents of Feoria took security seriously. They didn’t just protect the rooftops. Bars covered windows. Doors were thick and barred. It meant I had to be at the top of my subterfuge game.
Since I didn’t want to run into a patrol and explain why I wandered after curfew, about which they were strict, I headed underground to the nearest abandoned station.
I really had to wonder why they’d closed them off since a good portion of people used them in spite of the ban. When I’d questioned the staff at our house, I’d heard vague stories about monsters and people disappearing. Probably more likely robbed by their skiff drivers and their bodies dumped.
Despite being closed, the stations all retained some form of access via routes that bypassed the barricades. I entered a tea shop close to the Fifth, the inside, dimly lit, fragrant and moist from the many brews. A few of the tables held patrons. I knew where in the store to go to pull the rope, lift the hatch, and go down the steps, barely illuminated by the glowing moss that brightened as I passed.
The rough tunnel, shored by wooden planks and stone blocks, went straight and emerged onto the station’s platform, darker than ever. Logically, I understood it wasn’t any worse than during the day. No windows or direct access to the outside meant daylight never penetrated. Night or not didn’t matter. Tell that to the oppressive darkness that weakened the reach of the lamps.
Some folks lived here, their tents propped against walls, some of them lit from within by candles. A larger fire held a spit skewered with vermin across it. Their seasoned roasting almost tempted me to buy a bite.
I headed for the watery channel and the single bobbing skiff. The helmsman stood in the stern, eyeing the water. He wasn’t the only one. All the stations had someone sitting in a lofty nest, watching the channels.
I paused by the boat. “You working?”
“Ya.” He spat in the water before eyeing me. His pockmarked skin hung in wrinkles. His head was shaved bald and tattooed. One of his eyes held a milky film.
“I need a ride to Station Two.”
“Why? Ain’t nuthin’ there.”
“I didn’t ask your opinion.” I held up a coin.
He gave a slight shake of his head. “Not enough. The soldiers like Station Two but don’t like me.”
I added a second coin. “Not asking you to stay. Just drop me off.”
“Bah.” He held out his hand. The bargain struck, I stepped into the skiff. A moment later he pushed off, taking us into the dark tunnels. He said nothing. Neither did I, preferring to watch behind us in case someone followed.
My helmsman waited until we were between stations four and three to attempt bashing me in the head. As if I didn’t know he planned to steal my coins.
I caught his pole. Yanked it from his grip. Slapped him with it. Then, while he grabbed his aching and bleeding noggin, trussed him tight. By the time I’d finished, he glared at me from his seat in the stern.
“You chose the wrong person to rob.” Which reminded me. I took back my two coins. I only paid those who provided service.
“Who are you?”
“Death.”
“Why didn’t you say you was a killer?” he accused. “I would have never done that.”
“Because it’s more fun to give you a lesson on why you shouldn’t attack women.” I crouched in front of him. “Now, you’re going to tell me how to get this boat to the second station.”
“Fuck you.” He spat in my direction.
It never hit. I grabbed him and held him over the side. “Shall we see if you float?”