by Terry Schott
"I will think of something. You can make change for my coin?"
"Oh." The vendor's look became pained.
"Life gives us a solution to one problem by delivering a new one, doesn't it?" Leo shook his head. He had made this same deal with three other vendors but none had enough coin to offer him proper change when the time came to complete the transaction. He had spent the morning discovering that having money you could not spend was sometimes no better than being penniless.
"It is dangerous to stand on the street with that much money, young master."
"You don't say?" Leo folded his arms. "Tell me that you have a solution to our problem."
"I do, if you are prepared to wait an hour for the food and your change?"
Leo paused. "Fine. I will return in one hour."
"I will see you then." The vendor bowed.
Leo stood straight and pushed back his shoulders. "I know how I must appear to you."
"What do you mean?"
"I look like a small boy with too much money."
"Yes, you do."
"It is difficult to find people who are trustworthy. I sense that you are such a person."
The vendor looked at Leo quietly.
"In short order I will become more than the poor-looking, shoeless boy you see now. I am loyal to my friends, and will bring them along on this ride to prosperity that I am on." Leo levelled him with a flat stare. "Neither do I forget my enemies or those who cross me."
"During my travels, I once saw a lion. It was chained in a pit and the owner had loosed a dozen ferocious dogs against it. The lion killed those dogs easily. Something about your look reminds me of that animal. I believe you."
"Good." Leo's serious look melted away and he smiled. "Then I look forward to a prosperous friendship." He stepped close to the vendor and extended his hand. "My name is Leo."
"You should not get so close to an adult with that amount of money on your person."
"I know." Leo did not move away.
The vendor sighed. I would be doing him a favour by taking the money from him, but I won’t. The vendor shrugged and stepped closer. "A pleasure to meet you, Leo. I am called Finley."
"I think this might be the beginning of an interesting relationship, Finley."
"I think you could be right."
3
Leo removed his shirt, folded it carefully, and placed it behind an empty barrel. After looking to make sure no one had seen him, he stepped into the street and entered the alley which he called home. The corridor was dim. Even in the daylight, light did not enter that area. He strode down the corridor and stopped in front of a large mound of rags.
"Oak." He nudged the pile with one foot. "Wake up. I need your help."
A voice groaned from the ground. "Go away."
"Come on." Leo bent down. "I need your speed and strength and I don't have much time to waste."
"I don't have any speed or strength."
"You will. I have food."
"Food?" The mound shifted and a face appeared beneath the dirty rags. "It's my turn to find some and share with you, but if you want to feed me I'm not gonna complain. What ya got?"
"I need you to come with me to find out." Leo reached for his friend's arm and tugged. "Time, Oak. We don't have much time."
Oak stood and let most of the blankets fall to the ground. He was tall and thick-chested. His arms displayed no muscular definition, but they were thick and solid. Large scarred hands with thick round fingers gripped a remaining blanket and held it around his frame. "Fine, I'm up. Where are we going?"
Leo gave him the details.
"Sounds like you're gonna need more help than mine."
"Two more should do it."
"Maybe. Stick and Mouse?"
"Of course."
"If it were anyone but you talking right now," Oak said, "I wouldn't believe you."
An accented voice spoke from behind them. "I'm not sure we should believe him, anyway." They turned and saw a young man squatting in the shadows. His eyes were brown and bright, his features thin and angular.
"Stop doing that, Mouse." Oak scowled and Leo chuckled.
"Stop doing what?" Mouse tilted his head and raised one eyebrow.
"Sneaking up on us."
"I did no such thing. I walked up as loudly as I always do. Maybe I should be upset, no? You care so little for me that you don't bother to notice me when I am nearby."
Oak looked at Leo. "Seriously. When's the last time you heard him get close to us?"
"I hear him every time."
"No you don't."
Leo shrugged and looked at Mouse. "Any idea where Stick is?"
"I'll go fetch him." Mouse moved further into the alley.
"Meet us at the exit."
Mouse raised one hand in acknowledgement.
***
"How long is he gonna take to check the place out?"
"Patience, Oak." Stick used a small knife to carve an intricate design into the bottom of his fresh quarterstaff, a six-foot-long shaft of hardwood resting across his knees. "No one rushes Mouse at his work."
"I don't want to rush him." Oak leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. "I just want to get some food."
Mouse dropped to the ground from the rail behind them.
Oak jumped.
"Everything is clear."
"For Christ's sake! I swear you could sneak up and steal a kiss from the Devil's backside without him knowing you were there."
Mouse grinned. "I see no one suspicious on the ground or the roof tops. The vendor has no one hiding to attack you in any shadow I can see."
"Good." Leo nodded. "Stick and Oak, come with me. Mouse—"
"Into the shadows." Mouse pulled a scrap of cloth over his head and jumped to grab a second floor railing. He pulled himself upwards and soon disappeared from sight.
The three friends approached the vendor. Finley saw them and smiled, raising a hand in greeting.
"Hello, Leo. I see you have brought friends to help you carry your purchases home."
"Finley." Leo’s gaze surveyed the shelves. "There is more food now than when I was here earlier."
"Only a little bit."
"I do not want to negotiate a new price."
"I am not asking you to." Finley shrugged and pointed at the produce. "When I went to get change there were a few small snippets of food at my shop. Your price is a deal for me, and so I decided to throw the extra in." He smiled. "I'm certain you can put it to better use than I."
"That is kind of you. My thanks."
Finley laughed and stepped back from the stall. He reached into his pocket and removed a small cloth purse. "This holds your change, Leo. I assure you that there is no trap. I believe you when you say you will buy more from me. A good vendor does not bite the hand that fills it with silver. How would you like to complete the transaction?"
Leo stepped close, removed the silver coin from his waist, and held it out. Finley extended his hand and the boy dropped the coin into the man's palm.
Finley inspected it and passed the change to Leo. "Count it, if you like."
"I trust you."
Finley laughed. "That's refreshing. I have provided bags to carry the food away which are included in the price. If you return them for your next purchase, I will discount the price accordingly."
Leo glanced at his friends and pointed at the food. The two began to gather the sacks.
"You're going to share it with others aren't you?"
"Yes."
"That could be dangerous."
Leo's gaze slid towards the older man, but he said nothing.
"When will our next meeting occur?"
"In four days."
"If you like, you can bring the money to me at a safer location."
"Where would that be?"
"Do you know the tanner's shop near the fish market?"
"I do."
"He is my brother-in-law. We can meet there and exchange money in a more private manner,
if it pleases you."
Leo thought about it, then nodded. "We can try that. So far you have been trustworthy, Finley."
"And that is how I will remain, Leo."
Leo extended his hand and the vendor gripped it. "Next Tuesday, then. The tanner's by the fish market."
"I look forward to it."
4
Leo travelled the alley alone, walking deeper into the dark corridor with a new spring in his step and a grin on his face. His feet slipped inside the scuffed boots he had purchased. I can feel the blisters starting to form, but that's better than worrying about stepping on metal and glass with my bare feet.
His step slowed as he reached the door farthest from the street, at the end of the dark alley. The walls of the small building were painted black with charcoal. A dark, metal-studded door was the only entrance. In front of it stood a gigantic man with bare, heavily muscled arms and a bald scarred head, his arms folded and eyebrows furrowed into an unwelcoming expression. Leo stopped a respectful distance from the man and looked at the ground.
Minutes passed. Leo continued to look at the ground, inspecting the stitching on his stained tan boots. I will have to trim a few loose threads near the toe so they don't pull out fully. I doubt they are waterproof, even though the man said they were. I wonder-
"What do you want?" The giant's voice was dark and raspy, like a heavy stone being dragged over metal.
Leo looked up from his boots and paused to be certain that the man was talking to him. It was impossible to know for certain. The man continued to glare past him with the same menacing look.
"I would like to meet Lord Argon."
The guard snorted. "You dumb in the head, boy?"
"No."
"Must be." He blinked slowly and lowered his gaze to glare at Leo. "Nobody likes to meet him. Those what have to show up in front of him run to get here, but they would give everything they own to run back to their homes and avoid entering this building."
Leo nodded.
"Nobody likes to meet him."
"I would."
"Go away." The guard scowled and looked past the boy.
Leo remained where he was and focused on his boots once more.
Minutes passed, then hours. Leo hunched down against the far wall and pulled the rags that served as both cloak and blanket around him. He removed half an apple and bit into it. He chewed slowly, keeping his attention on the fruit in his hand. When he swallowed, he glanced at the giant once more.
The man watched him with a blank expression.
Leo finished the apple. There was a sound and a small metal panel slid open and a voice murmured through it. The giant nodded. The panel closed and the door opened with a screech.
"Well, boy, looks like you're gonna get your wish." The guard stepped to one side and pointed at the opening. "Get your ass in there. Lord Argon will see you."
Leo stood and approached. As he got close, the giant rumbled at him. "You don't even look scared."
I'm not. Leo walked past him and entered the building.
The door closed and a short, hunched man with wisps of stringy white hair looked at him. "This way." He limped forward.
Leo was led to a large, dark room. Fur pelts covered the walls. Torches cast flickering light and produced black smoke while they burned in metal holders. A massive wood table sat in the middle of the room. There were men and women scattered around the room, all of them dressed in heavy cloth with fur trim. At the opposite end of the table, the man known as Lord Argon reclined on a large chair covered in black fur. He sat with one leg draped over the arm, a goblet dangling from his hand. His long black hair was well-groomed, as was his heavy beard. Leo gauged that he was taller and more muscular than the man standing guard outside. He raised the goblet to his lips and drank, his eyes expressionless as Leo stood at the far end of the table.
"What's your name, lad?"
"Leo, Your Grace."
"Your Grace!" Lord Argon laughed and leaned forward to set the goblet on the table. "You wait outside all day just to come in and insult me?"
"No."
The lord leaned forward and raised one eyebrow. "You don't seem properly afraid of me. I know you're not new to the alley." He tapped his head with a knuckle and looked at the bent man beside the boy. "Is he damaged in the head, then?"
"No, Lord. The boy's brain works properly, by all accounts."
"Did you hear that, lad? Lord. Not Grace. I'm no stinking king."
Leo bowed to acknowledge the correction.
Lord Argon scratched his temple and looked at the old man once more. "What have you learned of this lad?"
"Very little. His name is Leo and he came to the alley seven months ago. He has few friends and spends his days as most do, trying to find enough food to survive and a warm spot in the alley to sleep at night."
"You said he has few friends which implies at least some. Any names that I would recognize?"
"Oak, Stick, and Mouse are known to us."
"Yet Leo is not. Interesting. He leads them."
The bent man frowned and shook his head. "I would not say so, my lord."
"Then you are a blind fool." The man gestured at Leo. "Look at the boy, Giles, and pay attention for once today." He tilted his head back and sniffed the air like a dog. "He has the look of a hunter. I can smell the scent of lion on him from here."
"I don't understand, my lord."
"Of course you don't." Argon picked up the goblet and waved it. "You're a sheep. A stupid old sheep. You have your uses, of course, but a young hunter stands close enough to rip your throat out and you are unaware of the danger right at your throat."
"I'm sorry, my lor—"
"Leave us."
The man backed away, his head low. "As you wish."
As the man left, the corner of Leo's mouth ticked upwards.
"Something amuses you."
"No, Lord." Leo bowed his head.
The Lord of the Alleys stood and approached Leo, stopping in front of him and reaching down to grab the boy's chin and tilt it up.
"Why are you here, little lion?"
"To offer tribute."
Argon smiled. "If you have money, you should keep it for yourself. Whatever small amount you possess will disappear soon enough. When someone offers me tribute, I expect them to do so regularly. I also begin to take notice of them."
"Good."
"Good?" Argon frowned and then laughed. "Everyone leave us."
Leo’s eyes remained fixed on the table while the others shuffled out of the room. The door closed with a click and Argon walked back to sit on his throne. "Sit down, boy." He motioned at the table in front of him. "With a pair of balls your size, you need to rest your legs."
Leo sat, careful not to smile. I'm playing what could become a dangerous game. Still, it's too late to turn back.
"Put your tribute on the table, then."
Leo removed coins from his waistband and placed them on the wooden surface.
"That's a tiny sum."
"It's ten percent of my earnings."
"Really?" Leo could hear new interest in Argon's voice. "You have taken to stealing, then?"
"Do you care?"
"Not really." Lord Argon paused and looked at the money for a moment before looking at Leo. "It is better if you offer this as a gift."
"Why?"
"Because then I can thank you for the offer and politely refuse."
"You would do that?"
"Normally, no." Argon refilled his goblet from a large bottle of dark liquid. "But there is something about this scene that sets my bones on edge. An unknown street rat waits outside for hours, voluntarily, so that he can come in and offer me a tribute of pennies. You should be cowering in your rags, yet you sit as if this is your court instead of mine. That fact should infuriate me. Such things have happened before with ambitious pups, but you don't come off like others have. You are not insolent or challenging." He stroked his beard, looked at the money, and then at Leo. "The voice
inside my head tells me to reject your tribute, but it also tells me to accept it. It is rare for me to doubt myself."
Leo nodded. Argon watched him.
Finally, Argon stood and laughed. He walked to Leo's side and picked up the coins. "Are these a gift, young lion?"
"No, Lord." Leo's tone was solemn, formal. "I offer tribute."
Lord Argon's fist closed around the coins. "Then I accept your tribute, Leo. As a new tribute, I offer you one thing only."
"Opportunity?"
"Perhaps. I prefer to think of it as my attention. I will be watching your actions more closely. I expect to see you again with further tribute. Ten percent is small, but I will allow it since you have earned almost nothing. Moving forward, I expect twenty percent." He stared at Leo intently for a few moments and then shrugged. "Earning more and increasing your tribute will cause me to look upon you with more favour."
"Yes, Lord."
"I offer you no protection."
"Not yet."
"You say that as if you know my rules."
"I do."
"Then go out and prosper, young lion." He placed a hand on the boy's shoulder and squeezed.
Leo stood and bowed, then left.
"Why did you accept his tribute?" a woman's voice asked from the shadows. "Usually you smack the young ones around and take their money."
"Did you not sense something different in him?"
"Of course." She emerged from the darkness and went to lay on the throne, the dim light flickering along the muscular curves of her half naked body. "I am surprised that you did."
"He will be trouble."
She smiled and raised her arms over her head, stretching like a cat. "More than you can imagine, my lord."
Argon moved to the throne and leaned down to kiss her. He bit her lip and smiled. "It's been a while since we've had excitement in the quarter."
"This one could bring about your demise, my dark wolf."
"A challenge." His hand ran down her leg. "I enjoy a challenge."
5
Oak plopped down beside Leo and looked at the coins in his friend's open palm. He finished chewing his food burped. "What you plan to do with the rest of it?"
"I plan to spend it."
Oak rolled his eyes. "Uh, yeah, but on what?" His foot tapped Leo's dirty boot. "You bought some clothes, but nothing fancy. The boots still smell like the dead man they were likely pulled off of yesterday before the crook sold them to you, and your clothes have fewer holes but they are still dirty rags."