Excerpt: Society of Masks (tentative)

Society of Masks
Chapter 1
Sher

In which a Decision is made

Sher watched the ship approach the docks, the crew drawing up the sails as the ship floated slowly down through the air.

She placed the dagger back in its sheath, her nails were as clean as they were going to get.

She turned to the man she knew as Breaker, “Time to meet the captain.”

“Aye, the Eagle is behind in her payments.” Breaker took a final swig from his flask, brushing his sleeve across his mouth as he stood up.

Sher followed as Breaker began the climb up the steep cobbled road way to the dock where the Eagle was berthed. As they neared the pier, the crowds grew thicker. Dockworkers, bundled against the winds, working the ropes to secure the air ship.

Sher dug her hands deeper into her pockets, winter was coming, you could tell. The dark clouds roiling down in the valley would bring snow; the Eagle had just beaten some bad sailing weather.

Breaker made his way across the wooden pier stopping a short distance from where the captain and the Port Master stood. The captain glanced their way and Sher saw him stiffen as he recognized them. A grin crossed Breaker’s face as he rocked back and forth on his heels. Sher watched the men on the deck and scanned the porters on the docks as they pulled the winches and swung a crane over the ships hold. They worked far too hard for their coin.

“Captain,” Breaker began when the Port Master had left. “You have a little unfinished business.”

“So you say,” the captain turned and headed back to the ship.

Breaker reached out, grabbing the captain’s arm and forcing him to turn about..

“Yes, I say. And so does Hood. We’ve been waiting for our payment for too long.”

Breaker was standing too close the captain, who blocked his view of the deck. Sher saw the captains crew begin rushing down the gangplank.

“Breaker!” she yelled drawing her dagger. It was too late, the mate had reached her captain. The captain swung hitting breaker with his fist. The mate’s blade following Breaker to the ground. Breaker pulled his dirk and kicked the mates feet. She lost her balance and fell, the sword blade skewering Breaker sending blood flowing on the dock.

Sher turned and jumped over the dockside, landing roughly on the rocky ground below. She heard the voices and footsteps heading for the fight. She dashed for the nearest alley, rushing through the shadowy corridor.
She paused briefly as the alley opened to the busy flow of the Tanner’s Street, just above the market. Catching her breath , she moved into the street blending with the flow of bodies.

Hood would not be happy. Breaker wasn’t a smart man, but he had been good at what he did. And the Eagle’s payment had still not been collected.

Sher left the busy street, turning into the Mountain Star. As her eyes adjusted to the dim light of the pub, Sher glanced around. A typical crowd for this time of day. She settled into a seat away from the door and placed a coin on the table.

The serving wench approached, “What will it be today?”

Sher lowered her voice to a whisper, “There’s been trouble, Callie” She watched as Callie’s smile disappeared. “Breaker’s dead.”

“I told you to stay out of this.” Callie replied, her voice harsh. “What do we do?”

“We don’t do anything. I need to get the information back to Hood, and then I need to get him his money.”

Callie turned her back to Sher and returned to the tap. Sher watched her smile at the men at the bar while she filled their glasses. She returned to Sher slamming the mug on the table. “If anything happens to you, I will never forgive you.”

Sher finished half the glass. Callie was pointedly ignoring her. Sher left quietly through the side door and walked down the alley. The ale had clamed her nerves, but not her thoughts. She needed to get to Hood before the rumors did what would she tell him?
Chapter 2
Silk
A madman, A victim

The business was done. Alvian pulled on her dress and adjusted her hair watching his reflection in the mirror.

He had stayed within the rules and so she took the standard payment, although he was so careless that she had to restrain herself from pocketing his ruby studded cloak pin as she helped him finish dressing.

With a polite kiss on his cheek, she ushered him to the door.

With a sigh she returned to the mirror gazing at the way the silk fabric clung to her belly. There was no denying it anymore, the time was not just late, it was not going to come.

A knock on the door broke her reverie and Donno entered the room.

“I saw the client leave,” he said as he flung himself across the bed.

“A busy night?” she inquired.

“The duchess and her husband,” he replied . Grinning he added, “Separately. She doesn’t know that he was here first, and he hasn’t a clue that I am screwing his wife. Yet.”

He rolled on the bed to face her, “Do you think there’s an angle here?”

“Merely good gossip, although I have heard it would be a good lay as well.”

“Ah, yes, the boys will talk” a lascivious tone entered Donno’s voice, “And he is.”

Donno got up from the bed and walked over to her. Standing behind her, he looked in the mirror to her eyes.

“You’re crying,” he said reaching around to give her a hug. Then placing his hand on her stomach, “Oh.”

“That’s never an issue for the boys. What are you going to do?”

“Yes, what am I going to do?” she said.

“Scarlet will let you stay, you know that. We all love little Jenna and your child would be loved too.” Donno sat back down on the bed.

“This is no place for a child.”

Alvian saw the hurt look that crossed Donno’s fair face.

“Jenna has three meals a day, walls that hold out the winter winds and no more rats than are in the High Palace. There’s more than one child out there who would gladly trade places.”

“Donno, what we do … Is it right?”

“It pays the bills.”

A soft tapping sounded from the door. Donno jumped to open it.

“Sweet Jenna,” he said, letting the young girl into the room. “Why are you up so late? You shouldn’t go down the halls alone.”