REVILED

Raucous laughter shook the walls, and the heavenly scent of piping hot food filled the room. Adventurers drained their pints with the best liquor which was made even better when it didn’t hurt their purse. A loud cheer came from one table as two burly adventurers engaged in a game of strength. The winner pumped his fists in the air. Meridith could help but laugh at the display.

“This is a lovely place,” Aberny said nursing his drink.

“Thanks,” Meridith said leaning on the bar, “I’m glad that it was able to open.” Yula and Vaera walked out of the kitchen carrying bowls of hot stews and plates of steaming bread. “We could use some more staff though.”

“It’ll slow down eventually,” Aberny said with a laugh.

“Can you get them to quiet down for a minute?” Meridith gave Aberny a large grin.

“Watch this,”

Aberny brought his thumb and forefinger to his mouth and produced a sharp whistle. It cut through the noise and caused everyone to fall silent.

Meridith gave him a warm smile then turned to the crowd, “Thank you everyone for showing up,” she said which caused everyone to cheer, “To show my gratitude, I have someone to introduce you to,” she walked over to a wall with a rope and pulled on it. Mina appeared from the basement wearing a pink robe with blue flowers. Meridith placed her hands on Mina’s shoulders, “This is Mina, and she’s going to sing for you all. So, please show her some support.”

The crowd cheered, the men especially, as Mina took the stage. Mina plucked a sharp note which started a fast, jaunty tune. The crowd started clapping in beat with her playing. Mina’s playing helped keep everyone busy while Yula and Vaera finished serving the food. Mina finished her first song with a strong note. The shout that followed shook the entire room. Mina gave the crowd the largest smile Meridith had ever seen, which caused a table of young men to blush, and she started playing another tune.

“Your attendant is quite skilled,” Aberny said, “Your boss must be paying her a fortune.”

“He takes good care of us,” Meridith said watching Mina play.

“I’m glad,” Aberny took a pensive drink, “I’m sorry about letting you go.”

Meridith stared at her hands, “I understand why you did it,” she said, “But it worked well for me in the end, so all is forgiven. Not to mention, it worked well for you too.”

“I won’t deny it,” he said with a laugh, “I’ll gladly come to the slums for the discount you’re offering.”

“That’s the point,” Meridith patted his shoulder, “We want every adventurer to feel welcome here,” her smile turned twisted, “And if they misbehave, I’ll send you the bill.”

“Fair enough,”

The hours flew by, and one by one the adventurers left in a drunken stumble. Vaera and Yula were cleaning up the last of the dishes before heading up to bed. Meridith closed the tavern and headed downstairs with Mina. Skivret, Nimble, and Preddie sat at one of the tables in the basement while Oria and Kogna sat at the bar nursing their glasses. Reviled sat in its box. Its eyes started to glow when they entered.

“Excellent work,” Reviled said as they sat in front of it, “The adventurers will keep Samon from acting too hasty.”

“Agreed,” Meridith said putting her hand in front of her mouth.

“Why is that?” Mina said failing to hold back her yawn.

“Adventurers are sometimes called to support the guards,” Meridith said, “Because of this, they have the authority to arrest criminals. Not to mention, adventurers can be vindictive.”

“That’s why you wanted to reestablish your relationship with the guild,” Mina said with wide eyes. Meridith nodded with a sleepy smile.

“Adventurers are also pretty simple too,” Meridith said, “With a few exceptions, most adventurers are treated like ruffians, and they often pay more for services than any other citizens. But, by treating them well, we’ve guaranteed their loyalty.”

“And we now have a barrier to protect us from Decker,” Reviled said, “And we should take advantage of that.”

“What do you have in mind boss?” Oria said.

“There were several gangs keeping watch on the guild,” Reviled said, “We had our familiars follow them back to their bases. And they all serve under Samon.” Reviled gestured for everyone to come near. “We’re going to weaken Samon’s hold on the slums,” it said, “Two of the gangs are based in warehouses not too far from sewer gates. Skivret, we’ll leave these two bases to your wererats. Eliminate everyone in the warehouses.”

“Taking out a few thugs should be simple,” Skivret said scratching his scar, “But I’ll need to find something to rally everyone with.”

“You can take everything in the warehouse,” Reviled said with a chuckle, “That should be enough incentive.” Reviled turned to Oria, “Another gang is based in a gaming hall. A rundown shack in a back alley. I’ll leave that one to you.”

“I know the place,” Oria said, “But I’ll need some shopping money.”

“Take what you need,” Reviled turned to Kogna, “We’ll be sending you to give Blackhammer a message personally.”

A vicious smile came to Kogna’s lips, “As you command.”

“We want this done in three days,” Reviled said, “And we want to control the slums by the end of the month.”

Skivret hid in the shadows of a couple of crates staring at a rundown warehouse nestled against the outer wall. A pair of guards passed by as they performed their nightly rounds. Damn monster didn’t mention the guards. Skivret waited, and once the guards passed, he ordered the soldiers with him to approach the warehouse.

The soldiers scurried up the wall and climbed up one another so that they could reach it. The wererat at the top silently opened the wooden shutter and climbed inside. After a few minutes, he threw down a rope and signaled for the others to climb up. Skivret turned to the sewer gate and released a low squeak. More soldiers scurried out of the sewers, and they followed Skivret up into the warehouse.

The were rats silently skulked to the edge of the awning and looked down on the warehouse’s first floor. Around twenty humans occupied the first floor. Each wore plain clothes with daggers strapped to their belts. Skivret couldn’t see any wearing armor.

“When are we going to do something about that tavern?” one of the humans below said.

“Don’t know, but Samon wants us to watch and be ready.”

“Was the windman there yesterday?”

“Didn’t see him,” Skivret was confused when the human brought his cupped hands to his chest, “But damn, the women there were fine. That islander has a good eye.”

“What would you expect, he is their boss.”

Skivret held back his laugh. The master will find this amusing. He gestured to the soldiers, and they climbed up into the rafters. Five crossed to the other side and descended to the first floor while another five descended from their end. Once everyone was in place, Skivret crawled up into the rafters and lined himself up with one of the humans below. He drew his dagger and with one last nod, jumped down.

Skivret landed on the human’s shoulders and drove his dagger into his target’s throat. The other humans stared but were driven to the ground when the other wererats landed on them. The humans standing off to the side drew their weapons, only to be killed by the wererats hiding in the shadows. Skivret’s whiskers twitched in approval. Best to be quick and efficient.

Skivret pointed to three wererats, “Go back to the sewers and get the followers,” He said, “I want this warehouse cleaned out before the next patrol. I want everyone else to start going through everything. Pull out the most valuable stuff first, so that we get it to the sewers.”

The wererats scurried off as Skivret dowsed the torches. Unlike humans, they wouldn’t need the light.

“Sire,” Skivret turned to a soldier waving to him, “Look.”

The crate was filled with weapons, mainly shorts swords. Unlike their equipment, these swords were in excellent condition.

“Weapons,”

“This has armor,” another wererat called out.

“Bows and arrows over here.”

“Sire, this one has gold and silver.”

“Leave the treasure for the followers,” Skivret ordered, “Go around and grab as many weapons as you can carry.” We have enough here to outfit an entire camp. I wonder how Nimble’s team is doing.

Dammit. Nimble stared down at the five heavily armed warriors on the ground floor. This is why the monster told me to take this warehouse! Her soldiers were looking over the edge alongside her. Their whiskers twitching nervously. One of the warriors scanned the upper awnings, and Nimble pushed herself back.

Nimble knew that humans had skilled warriors among them. Most of them were at the tavern the other night, but she had never faced one before. Nimble peeked over again. At least they aren’t wearing thick armor.

“What are you looking at?” Nimble ducked back at the human’s voice.

“Just keeping an eye out,” another human said. Nimble’s heart drummed in her ears. “That’s what we’re being paid for.”

“Blackhammer’s being a bit paranoid, don’t you think? Having us man this warehouse as a trap.”

“It’s because he’s taking the Legion seriously, especially after the incident.”

“Blackhammer wasn’t pleased about that.”

Dammit! Of course, the monster’s rampage is the cause of all this.

“Did you check the oil traps?” Nimble’s ears perked up.

“Why they’re still ready. Just need to toss the torch, right?”

Nimble scanned the area. Barrels lined the lower floor but there were no torches around them. She also noticed several barrels lined up along the wall behind her. She backed away slowly from the edge and gestured for the soldiers to follow. The barrels were tightly shut with lead and wax, but they each had a cork. She gestured for the others to get on either side, and they silently tipped one of the barrels over. Nimble then drew her dagger and stabbed it into the cork. Gently she worked the cork out of the hole.

Pop!

“What was that!”

“Sounds like it came from above.”

“I’ll keep them distracted,” Nimble whispered, “Open the other barrels then lock the door from the outside.”

Nimble quietly ran to the edge of the awning. She jumped down with her dagger pointed at the largest human, but he effortlessly stepped out of the way. Nimble rolled and faced the warriors.

“What’s a sewer rat doing here?” the large warrior looked down at her in disgust.

“Must be trying to steal something. Just kill it already.”

The large warrior lifted his hammer and swung down. Nimble jumped back, and the hammer struck the stone floor.

You fight a lot like me. Oria once said to her. Nimble threw her dagger at the warrior, but he dodged it. So the best thing to do is get your opponent to move where you want them to, then strike when they aren’t looking. Nimble ran up the hammer’s shaft and jumped at the warrior’s face. There’s nothing greater than seeing that shocked look on their face right before they die. The warrior stared in horror as her short sword pierced his left eye. Nimble gave the blade a twist and jumped off as the body fell to the floor.

“Damn rat!” another warrior drew a bow and shot arrows at her.

Nimble ran behind one of the pillars as the arrows flew past. Some lodged themselves into the oil barrels with rivulets of oil dripping down the arrow’s shaft. Nimble pulled the arrows out to let the oil flow freely. A squeak to her right drew her attention, and she ducked. A blade passed above her and struck the wooden support. Nimble scurried under the attackers legs, drawing blood as she slashed at his calves, and ran along the barrels. Shadows moved to her left, and Nimble stopped just as a spear launched in front of her stabbing at the barrels to her right. Footsteps came from behind and she ducked under the spear. Nimble saw a ladder in front of her and headed towards it, but something pulled her off her feet and slammed her into a support pillar. The heat from a torch burned her ear.

“What’s wrong with you two?” a fighter wearing thick iron gloves looked at the other adventurers, “How could you let it get away so easily.”

Nimble reached into her belt and pulled out a sharp rock and threw it at the fighter’s face. The fighter yelped in surprise and threw her across the room. She screamed as she hit the floor. She stared at her sword on the other side of the warehouse, and her right hand tightened around the torch she exchanged it for. Nimble smelled the oil pooling up behind her and tossed the torch over her shoulder.

The warriors looked horrified as the flames rapidly grew and raced up the wooden walls. The heat started searing Nimble’s fur, and the first explosion caused her to recoil. Blazing oil flew across the building setting the second-floor awning on fire along with the pooling oil on the other side.

“Damn it, we need to get out of here!” The warriors dashed for the door. Turned and climbed up the pillar. “Damned Gods, why is the door locked?”

Nimble ran towards the window on all fours. She gritted her teeth as hot oil splashed against her, and the heat burned her fur. The pain drove her forward, and she dove out of the window. Nimble gasped as she hit the ground and took several deep breaths as she watched the warehouse be engulfed in the fire.

“Lady Nimble, we need to get out of here!”

Nimble felt the soldiers pick her up and carry her back to the sewers. I hope his majesty had an easier time. A thunderous roar blasted down the alley as they disappeared into the darkness.