SJ's stomach rumbled, and Kibble lifted his head from the cushion at the sound.
"I think I should eat," SJ said.
"I can call food, or we can go down to the bar, whichever you would prefer."
"I am fine eating here if they bring food."
Carlito stood and moved to his desk, where he pulled on a cord that hung by its side; within a few moments, there was a knock at the door before Poppy, the girl who had shown her to his room, appeared.
"Poppy. Would you be so kind as to get two specials from the bar? Oh, and a bottle of honey wine."
"Could I also ask that you get a hogling steak for Kibble," SJ added.
"Of course," Poppy smiled before she left again, closing the door.
It was so strange seeing Carlito with a servant for better of a word.
"Who is Poppy?" SJ asked. The whole change in circumstances was throwing her into disarray. This dragonling was, after all, a renowned assassin who spent his time killing indiscriminately to order. SJ felt torn, and her emotions were in turmoil due to the developing situation. How could a killer like Carlito be put in the same bracket as herself? Did he even consider good versus evil? Did he care? What was his alignment? Who was he really? The questions were never-ending, and she wasn't sure whether or how she could broach them. When she considered her stance, Carlito would be evil. He had to be, didn't he?
"She was a street urchin. Her parents died when she was still a young girl, and I found her on the streets searching the rubbish pits of District 5. I offered her a chance at a new life, and she readily accepted. I initially placed her in one of the orphanages I sponsor, but she didn't settle well and ended up moving here with me. Since then, she has learned to read and write and has just selected her class. She has a rather strong attunement to magic by all accounts, so she will soon be departing to attend the mage's academy here in Asterfal. She has worked for me now for almost six years."
From what SJ could tell, she looked no older than fifteen or sixteen. Carlito's recent statement that he sponsored orphanages completely surprised her, as well as that he had brought a child into his direct care, ensuring she was educated.
"Does she know who you are?"
"By that, you mean, does she know what I do? The answer is no. She has never been directly involved in any of my affairs."
"You said you sponsor orphanages?"
"Yes. Three of them in districts 3, 6 and 9."
"And why?" As soon as SJ asked the question, she blushed, knowing that it sounded rude.
Carlito just laughed. "I assume you are thinking, 'Why would an assassin who brings death to so many sponsor orphanages?' or something similar."
"To be honest, yes," SJ's palms were sweating as the conversation continued.
"Simple. Call it selfish if you wish, but children are one of the best sources of information in a city. They can get virtually anywhere unhindered or challenged. That means they get access to information that others wouldn't normally be privy to. Those who show promise, I will hire them as my eyes and ears. Many of the orphans in the city that I have sponsored over the years have gone on to successful professions."
It made sense now, and it was actually a perfect consideration. She had often seen children walking around the city, and she had never paid them any attention.
"As we are now bound, may I ask you something?"
"You may ask me anything you wish."
"Are you evil?"
Carlito tilted his head as a wry smile crept onto his lips. "What is evil? I know many see it as a stance of good versus bad, light versus dark, but are the lines ever that clear? During wars, soldiers fight for one side or the other. Would the losing side or the victor portray their enemy as evil, or would it actually be both? Were they any better during the conflict? Did they not both kill each other? Nothing is ever as clear as you may believe. If you don't reflect and analyse actions objectively, then they will form whatever view you wish to uphold, and bias will take hold. Alignments are a means, not a definition."
"So, what is yours?"
"Mine is Lawful Evil."
"Evil then," SJ frowned.
"Actually, that isn't necessarily true," Dave said. "A Lawful Evil alignment doesn't mean that a being is evil in the truest sense of the word. If anything, it means that they prefer order and will use the infrastructure around them to suit their beliefs."
"Some may call me evil for what I do. Some may call me good. To many, I provide a service that is no different from yours. My profession doesn't dictate my alignment as yours doesn't for you."
SJ was unsure how to respond. She couldn't argue with Carlito's statements, and his explanation of the variance between good and evil left her questioning her position even more.
"You said earlier that you would have to finish the other quest that was still open?"
"Yes. I had to accept all four to allow me to assign them to you. Therefore, I have to finish the final one."
"I had started to find out some details about Master Garshaws competition, but tracking them down would have been outside of the quest timescales. Won't it run out if you don't finish it?"
Carlito again laughed. "No. There is no specific time limit on completion, although bonuses are available depending on how soon it is completed. The seventy-two hours was only to align to your time in Asterfal."
"Which I could also still have extended," SJ sighed.
"Oh. You are staying longer?"
"I can for another three days if necessary. I will portal back to Killic before the harvest festival."
"A festival, you say?"
"Yes. It is Killic's harvest festival in six days, and I need to be back in time. The coach will take four days on its return journey and will be leaving tomorrow. I would usually meet up with the coach prior to arriving back at Killic, but if necessary, I can go straight to my cottage or to Killic."
"Interesting, so you have portals set. Not many Legionnaires use them that I have ever known. Some have them set at guilds, but many don't have as they never own deeds to properties. Usually because so few ever stay in one place long enough to make it worth their while."
"I plan to extend mine when I am able," SJ said.
"Even more intriguing. I assume you would place one here in Asterfal at your home."
When Carlito mentioned SJ's home, the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. It was stupid of her to even consider that he didn't know where she lived when in Asterfal.
"I will be yes, eventually, once I am able to. That way, it will give me access to the guild when I join."
"Perfectly acceptable idea. That would allow you to come and go as you wish."
"Yes. I can then complete tasks for the guilds once I join."
"Guilds? So you plan to join a normal guild, not just the assassins?"
"That was my plan. Why is there a problem with that?"
"No. There would be nothing stopping you. You need to be careful of conflicts of interest."
SJ frowned. "What conflicts exactly?"
"There are often competitive quests between guilds, and they are willing to use the assassin's guilds to complete some tasks on their behalf. You need to be wary that targets in a guild you join could be assigned."
"I wouldn't have to accept quests against a guild I joined, though, would I?"
"No. But it can make it tricky for those wishing to complete them, knowing a fellow member is part of that guild."
"I would have thought the guilds already have assassins as members?"
"Some will, not all. We aren't a usual class. Assassins are a lesser chosen class than you may believe."
"How many are there in Asterfal?"
"Umm. Considering the three assassin guilds, I would estimate it to be around one hundred at the most. Many aren't what I class as true assassins. I would put that number nearer to forty beings. The remainder, I would class more as rogues over assassins. Several quests that are issued cross between the thieves guild and assassin guild, so can at times be taken by either."
"I had never considered the thieves guild."
"There is only one, and it's a terrible guild. They make their coin off anyone in society. They will rob or steal anything if the rewards are high enough. There is nothing that they won't attempt. They usually prey on the weakest targets."
SJ could feel the hatred in Carlito's words when he spoke about them. The confusion that SJ felt considering a thieves' guild and what they did compared to the fact she was looking to join an assassin guild felt strange.
"How are they worse than an assassin's guild?"
"Simple, really. They kill indiscriminately. If they believe they have an easy target, they may just kill them, regardless of their standing or position. They have no morals and don't need a quest to do what they do. Several of the gangs are affiliated with them, as you can imagine."
"If there are so few actual assassins from what you have said. Why are there three assassin guilds?"
"Different job types, basically. Each of the guilds specialises. The main guild I frequent the most is what I would call a true assassin's guild. They usually only assign quests with a predefined target. Of the four quests I claimed for your task, only two were from the best guild. The other two were from another. That is why there were no specific target details."
"I am guessing they were the Olivia and Justin ones from the main guild?"
Carlito smiled. "You would assume correctly."
"I still don't understand how someone would even go about raising a kill order."
"It's simple really. There is a central office where requests can be placed by proxy. Each guild then will either claim or reject quests. The guilds themselves never directly interact with clients."
"Have you never been sought out specifically, though, and offered jobs?"
"Oh yes. Occasionally, a being will request me directly. It is rare, though, as my standard hire fee is rather high. Clients do not usually know who will have completed a quest they have requested under normal circumstances. They may request a certain being, but it still doesn't mean that the requested being may have completed it. The only time it becomes apparent is when assassins have a telltale method of killing."
"I guess yours is poisoning?"
"Not necessarily. I have, on occasion, left evidence that will point out that I completed a certain quest, but it is rare."
"How did you gain your infamy then?"
"That is a rather long story that we can save for another time," Carlito answered as there was a knock on the door, and Poppy entered with a tray of food. Once she had placed the food on the table, Carlito thanked her before she left again.
Kibble jumped hungrily up and down now that the food had arrived, his little head bobbing excitedly as SJ moved the plate so she could cut the meat up. His little head darted forward, and grabbing the hogling steak, he hopped down onto the floor and dragged it under the sofa.
"Kibble," SJ said as Carlito laughed at him.
"Don't encourage him," SJ sighed.
They ate in relative silence, with Kibble purring while tearing into his steak, creating the most sound. Once they had finished eating, SJ stretched, and the food had been pleasant and filling.
"I think I should get going. I need to catch a friend before the coach leaves for Killic tomorrow," SJ said.
"I thought you were staying?" Carlito asked.
"Oh. I am, but I am hoping that a family I know will be returning to Killic."
"Are you short of certain professions there?"
"Not exactly; I am calling in favour of a friend, as the family were living under an inn in District 10 when I found them. I am hoping that they will settle with a new life in Killic."
"Very kind of you to concern yourself with a family from the underground. There are several places in the city which are the same. Traders or inns who allow the poorest to live underneath their buildings."
The thought of more similar dwellings, like the one under the inn, made SJ shake her head in dismay. She was angered by the level of poverty in which so many lived.
"I better get going. Thank you for the food and drink and, most importantly, for allowing me to know more about yourself."
"I have centuries of knowledge I can assist with. Do not be afraid to contact me if you have any questions. Now that we are bound."
It was still strange to know that Carlito had been given a guardian role over her as a protector because of Bob.
"Before I go, I forgot to mention that when I spoke to Master Garshaw, I had a conversation about his competition in District 4. I am unsure from your quest whether the father or the daughter is the target. From the information that he shared, the reason his daughter is able to do what she does is because of the father's connections that he has from using the criminals that work in the mines. I didn't get their name, though."
"Beatrice Fallon, and her father is Pierre Fallon."
Again, it was apparent that Carlito knew much more about the quest than he had let on.
"So you are aware of who the target is?"
"Not exactly, but I know who the competition are in District 4 and the Fallon's are the main beings involved in it."
"Who will your target be then?"
Carlito shrugged nonchalantly. "I will deal with both."
"Is there not just one target from the quest?"
"No. It just says competition. There could be twenty targets when I look into it fully. It will depend on what is revealed when I undertake it."
"You plan to do it soon?"
Carlito just tilted his head slightly, and a look crossed his face, making SJ well aware that it would be dealt with very soon. He did not need to voice his answer.
"Right. I better go. Kibble, come on," SJ said, scooping him off the sofa where he had settled again after finishing his steak. He growled in protest at being disturbed as SJ lifted him to her shoulder, his tail automatically curling around her neck. He curled, pushing his head into her hair, and SJ could feel the warmth from his nostrils on her neck. Poppy showed SJ back out, and it was only when she was outside on the streets heading back to District 11 that the full realisation of what had just happened hit her.
'I can't believe Bob has done that,' SJ thought. She couldn't decide if she was angry or annoyed or just plain old confused by the last couple of hours, knowing that Bob had involved himself directly in her life. She may have his blood in her veins, but she had never requested it; therefore, why did he think he had the right to get involved now? All the previous times when she had been questing and levelling, there had never been a need for a guardian. SJ wondered if Bob knew something she didn't about the whole situation.
"Just think of the benefits of having a dragonling as your protector. I still can't believe it has happened to you. Every day, something new occurs, which surprises me. For a fae, you definitely have an interesting and strange life. Which I am so happy to be part of. I haven't known so much intrigue surrounding a legionnaire before," Dave chirped happily.
A faint smile crept onto SJ's lips. She couldn't argue with what had happened to her. The problem that still needed answering was about the dark elves and fae, and now that Carlito was her guardian, she wondered if he might know anything. After all, he was nine hundred years old. She could even ask if he could infiltrate the dark elves. The thought made her feel a little giddy and excited at the chance of getting Carlito involved in the problems.
SJ didn't head straight home and instead went via the inn where Holly and the kids were staying. The outer door was still unlocked even at the late hour, and she entered and went to their room on the second floor. SJ knocked lightly. It didn't take long for the door to be answered, and Holly opened it, carrying a rather nasty-looking bruise on her left cheek.
"What happened?" SJ asked, shocked by her appearance.
"A bar fight. I got caught up in a ruckus between several gang members."
"I guess it was at the Dragon's Den?"
"Yes. I did a shift this afternoon, and two goblin gang parties were there. It started off amicably initially until Francis left, and once he did, the snide comments and bickering soon turned into violence."
"Was the bar damaged?"
"No more than has happened many times before. Elouise kicked them out eventually after a few broken tables and chairs. She said I would not be able to work while I have a bruised face," Holly said after stepping back and allowing SJ inside.
SJ looked around the room and towards the bedroom.
"The boys are already in bed. I think the excitement from the last few days has caught up with them both."
"There may be some more excitement in store for them."
"Oh? Why's that?"
"I have an offer for you. I want you and the boys to travel back to Killic with Alice when she returns."
Holly looked in shock as SJ spoke.
"I have arranged a home in Killic that you will be able to live in and have also got you a trial at the local inn. The owner is a dear friend of mine, and she has said she is willing to trial you for a full-time job there."
After silence stretched for an uncomfortable length of time, Holly eventually gathered her words.
"But why?" She stammered.
SJ just smiled back at her. "Why not? Would you not like a chance at a new life in a new setting away from Asterfal?"
