‘We need to hurry,’ Mila said, chewing at her lip. She wished Jaelin was here, but the scouts were yet to return from the mission to kill the goblin king. Not knowing how he fared put her on edge, on top of everything else.

  ‘What? You don’t think I’m hurrying?’ Wilson demanded.

  Mila hadn’t realised he was, but she had learned to navigate the gnome’s ego over recent months. ‘Of course. I’m just saying.’

  She cast nervous glances about them, peering down side streets, and up to rooftops. The Golden Blades were still in Avolo. The squad had soon learned of Rylan’s killing when they returned to the city. It seemed inevitable that his brother would try to get his revenge on the Rotten Apples.

  The Apples were on full alert, Stiff warning them not to go out unless they were in a large group. Twerk had offered to accompany her through the city, and she was grateful. But she didn’t think she and the gnome amounted to the large group their boss had in mind.

  Izil was dead, and Ashlyn was missing. But piecing together what Suzie had told her, Mila had a hunch where her friend might be.

  They reached the docks. Mila scanned the scene. It wasn’t as busy as it got in the summer months. Fewer ship captains opted to make the crossing this time of year. Her years of thieving had given her good eyes for finding a target.

  She caught sight of half a dozen labourers carrying barrels to the wharf. Most were older men, stooping under the weight they carried, and the years of wear and tear on their bodies. One of them was a straight-backed woman. She had her hair tucked into a cap, and her plain trousers and tunic did something to hide her shape. But Ashlyn still stuck out like a sore thumb.

  ‘There she is,’ Mila said, and Wilson followed her over.

  Ashlyn’s eyes widened when she saw them approach. She put down her load and walked over. ‘You’re back. You made it?’

  ‘Goblin king and mage both dead,’ Twerk boasted.

  ‘Good.’ She looked from one to the other. ‘Any losses?’

  ‘Hopefully not,’ Mila told her. ‘Jaelin’s still out there with Tree and Clamor.’

  ‘Then he’s in good company,’ Ashlyn reassured her. ‘I suppose you heard about Izil?’

  ‘The news is all over the city,’ Mila said.

  ‘Yeah. By the time it was done, it was too late for me to catch up to the squad. I don’t know whether Sal Blair knows it was me.’ She glanced at the wharf, where a deep hulled ship waited at anchor. ‘I just thought it best if I leave.’

  ‘Why?’ Mila asked. ‘You have friends here. What have you got back in Durnost?’ Ashlyn said nothing, but Mila saw tears coming to the tough girl’s eyes. ‘Where’s Christoph?’

  ‘Back at his farm. He was right. The goblins did attack. We managed to deal with it, but his father was killed. He’s needed there now.’ Ashlyn took in a short breath. ‘Besides, I’ve been a selfish bitch. Thinking of myself the whole time. I got Izil killed, and most likely someone else, if Sal Blair gets his way. It’s for the best if I just leave Gal’azu.’

  ‘That’s not how people see it,’ Wilson told her. ‘Those of us at Urlay were desperate to see Rylan get justice. We were desperate for Izil to get his revenge. You did all that. No one thinks less of you for it. On the contrary, many a drink was sunk to your name at The Rose. Or Smashed Marbles, I suppose I must call the place.’

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  ‘Well, that’s something,’ said Ashlyn. ‘But I don’t feel any better after what I did. All the hatred inside me, and the killing. I didn’t feel any release after I killed him. I felt worse.’

  ‘But that’s why we look up to you,’ Wilson told her. ‘We’re in an unpleasant business. I don’t want a crewmate who doesn’t care about killing people, like Cap. Or someone who enjoys it, like that bastard Stricken. So, you’ve got a conscience. You feel something. Well good. I’m glad.’

  Ashlyn hung her head, silent.

  ‘You’ll come back with us?’ Mila asked her.

  Greenblade looked back at the wharf, and the ship. ‘Alright. I guess I was running away from my troubles. Time to face them. Thanks for caring enough to come and get me.’

  They made their way back through the city. Sudden screams ahead made them look at one another.

  ‘Come on,’ said Wilson, and they ran towards the sound. A crowd had formed. When they pushed through, they found two bodies lying on the street. It was Fortune and The Hoffmeister.

  Mila knelt by them. The Hoffmeister stirred, turning awkwardly to look at Fortune. ‘He’s dead, isn’t he?’

  Fortune was indeed dead, on -3 hit points. The Hoffmeister was on 2, in need of aid.

  ‘I can save him,’ Mila said. ‘Here, hold this.’ She handed Ashlyn a potion of healing. ‘Put his head in your lap and get ready to give it to him.’

  ‘You’re not going to waste one on him, are you?’ Twerk complained.

  Mila glared at him. ‘Help me get his armour off, will you?’

  The gnome grumbled, but complied. ‘It was Sal Blair?’ he asked The Hoffmeister.

  ‘Yes. He was quick, on to Fortune before we knew what was happening. Pecs caught him on his sword hand,’ he said, proud of his friend, and gesturing to an armoured glove that lay on the ground. ‘Pecs and The Bludgeoner gave chase. But I don’t think they’ll catch him. If only those scouts were here. They’d be able to track him down.’

  ‘Hmm,’ said the gnome. He picked the item up. ‘I might have a solution to that.’

  In the meantime, Mila used her kit to sew up the worst of the wounds. Femke had taught her that it was better to close the holes before administering the magic draught. ‘Alright. On my say so,’ she told Ashlyn.

  ‘Don’t use the whole thing if you don’t need to,’ Wilson advised. ‘Get him back to life, by all means. But he doesn’t need all his hit points restored.’

  Mila threw him a disbelieving look. ‘She’ll use exactly the amount I tell her to. Now close your hole and let us get on with it.’

  ***

  ‘It was weird,’ Tree told Lothar, The Explorer nodding in vigorous agreement. ‘The main part of the goblin army was travelling north. They were attacked when crossing a vale south of Urlay. Hundreds lie dead. I think it’s fair to say it was the last straw. They scattered in all directions. I don’t think they’ll be a threat to Gal’azu again.’

  ‘Good. Because there is always plenty on my plate to deal with,’ Lothar said, allowing himself some more than justified grumpiness.

  ‘One other thing you might want to know. Looks like The Harvester survived the attack on Dorwich.’

  ‘The who? Am I supposed to recognise that name?’

  ‘Only the most dangerous killer in The Blades.’

  ‘Really? Better than Clamor, or The Guvnah?’

  ‘Not better, necessarily. Anyway, thought you ought to know. I spotted his tracks close to the vale. Looks like he was following the goblin army, and taking a few lives when he got the chance. Revenge for Dorwich, maybe. Don’t know why he didn’t come to Avolo.’

  ‘Alright. If he’s as good as you say, then that’s useful information. It’s just that right now—’

  ‘—There’s more,’ said Jaelin. ‘We carried on to Urlay. It’s deserted. There were signs of fighting. But it wasn’t goblins. Whoever attacked the goblin army, also attacked Urlay. Seems like we have a new threat on our doorstep.’

  ‘Great. No doubt it’s The Apples who will have to deal with it. But for now, I’m just pleased those goblins are gone. What?’ he demanded when the two scouts shared a look.

  ‘You’re not the least bit curious?’ Jaelin asked him.

  Lothar sighed. ‘Sal attacked some of the squad before you returned. Eddie is only alive because Mila stumbled on his dead body shortly after the attack. I need to deal with Blair once and for all. Then I can worry about the goblin killers.’

  The Explorer shrugged. ‘Fair enough. You need help finding him?’

  ‘Well, funny thing. Because you weren’t here, Wilson took Sharptooth out. Reckons the warg caught Sal’s scent, heading north. Makes some kind of sense, if Blair is returning to Dorwich. Last question, and related to both topics. Clamor?’

  ‘Came back to Avolo with us,’ said Tree. He’d caught Lothar’s meaning, and paused to think. ‘He’s loyal to Sal. But he’ll only just be finding out about what happened here, same as us. I don’t think you need to worry about him.’

  ‘But he may go looking to rejoin Sal once he knows his whereabouts?’

  ‘I guess. He might, yeah.’

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