A Gathering of Fools (Vensille Saga Book 1) by James Evans

Author:James Evans [Evans, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2018-01-26T07:00:00+00:00

Fangfoss led the way out of the cellar and back up the stairs to his room on the first floor, collecting a large jug of ale from the kitchen on the way through.

“Between you and me, Hitton was not one of life’s great thinkers. He was a decent organiser but his loss won’t really slow us down. I’d like to believe I might be a bit more flexible, a bit more, well, realistic.”

He poured ale into two mugs and sat on the bench near the window, sipping.

“I’ve been here a long time. I’ll probably be here long after you’ve gone. I might lose a bit while you’re here but I might gain a bit of something else. I’ve always known this life wouldn’t last forever, that I’d need to move on. Maybe your arrival will bring that forward a few years.”

Marrinek sat down at the other end of the bench and sipped his beer.

“I like a man who can see the opportunities that lie beyond his present difficulties. It suggests a degree of intelligence. Tell me about the money. How fast is it coming in and from what sort of activities?”

Fangfoss sat back, leaning against the wall and stretching his legs out in front of him.

“The money? Well, the value you ‘liberated’ from the cellar is about three months’ profit from our work across the northern end of the city. We have other interests in the surrounding towns but those are rather less profitable and we don’t bring the money into the city. Smuggling is a big part of it but we also run some bath houses and inns, some gambling dens, fight pits, a few loans and various other little bits and pieces. The Duke’s river taxes and duties have been good for us, since there’s now plenty of room for smuggled goods.”

He paused to fill his mug. He waved the jug at Marrinek, who shook his head.

“What about the nobles. Any action with them?”

Fangfoss grimaced.

“Tricky. Risky and dangerous. Some of them like to gamble and some struggle to pay their debts but we have to tread carefully when collecting. Anyone else who doesn’t pay gets a beating but the nobles have their own protection, so mostly they pay with little favours. You know, they turn a blind eye to something or bring in some contraband from the country. The Duke knows about it, I’m sure, but he just doesn’t care as long as the city is peaceful.”

He finished his ale and set the mug down on the table, then walked back to the door and called downstairs to the maids. He closed the door.

“And obviously we have to steer clear of the Aviary. Can’t afford to attract their attention.”

Marrinek raised an eyebrow.

“The Aviary? I haven’t heard that one before.”

“Yeah,” said Fangfoss, “I’m not surprised. The Duke has a secret police force, very small, very close. They sit within the City Watch but run their own games. Mostly they keep an eye on the nobles - make sure none of them are getting too close to the Duke’s throne.

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