Assassin Adept

by Brian Keller

  Later, during lunch, a first–year guild member approached and cleared his throat, “Um, you’re Cooper, right? I asked the kids over there and they pointed at you.” As he spoke, the young man made a slight gesture of jerking his chin over his left shoulder. Cooper set down his fork and gave the young man his full attention, “Yes. I’m Cooper. Why are you looking for me?” The young man shifted from one foot to another and then looked to Cooper’s right, “And that’s Kolrem? I was told that “he rarely comes up for air when he’s eating”.” This drew a chuckle from everyone nearby and Cooper replied, “Yes, this well-fed, yet apparently starving lad is Kolrem.” The young man replied, “Well, in that case, the two of you have been summoned to Master Worthan’s classroom after lunch. He said to tell you that you’ve been excused from your remaining classes today.” Kolrem looked up from his plate and glared at Cooper, “What’ve you done now? Whatever it was, I had nothing to do with it.” Cooper shrugged. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d done something wrong without knowing it.

  Despite the fact that the first year students were in their beginner’s Combat class, Master Worthan hardly had the room to himself when the boys entered. There were eight older boys seated near the chalkboard upon which Master Worthan was drawing three overlapping circles, as if it were a three leaf clover but with the leaves too close together. On a table between him and the class was a model displaying a series of interlocked gears. The old man turned to see the two boys entering and gestured for them to take a seat. Kolrem chuckled, “Well, it looks like we won’t be sent back to the woods or to Kalistos, or at least not today anyway.” The boys seated themselves. Master Worthan put the final touches on his diagram and turned to face the class, “Good afternoon. Today’s class will be the first in a brief series intended to instruct you on the subjects of Analysis and Sabotage. I will preface the entire course by simply stating that it generally takes less effort to destroy a thing than to build it and maintain it. To continue this analogy, I direct your attention to the display.” He swept his arm over the construct as he spoke, “Each structure, whether it be a physical one such as a building or a city; or a non-physical one, such as a business, organization, or a government has components that contribute to its existence. Some components are of greater import than others. To better describe this concept, we will use the example of these gears. In order to operate smoothly, each piece must interact as designed.” He began to spin one gear which, in turn, caused all others to rotate. As he continued, he held up a finishing nail and began lowering it into one of the gears, “It takes very little to interrupt the operation.” As he spoke, the gear snatched the nail from his hand, which caught then locked the gears together where they meshed. Master Worthan continued to speak, “In this example it takes very little effort to re-establish the working condition”, he removed the nail and the gears resumed their movement. “This next example is to further exemplify the relative importance of the components.” He stopped the gears from spinning and removed one of the teeth from the first gear then resumed turning the display. It still operated, but it would pause at the missing tooth before the next one would catch. He glanced across the classroom, then he stopped, replaced the tooth and removed a tooth from the middle gear. He then resumed turning the mechanism. Everything continued as normal until the gap was reached, then the second and third gears stopped and everyone could hear the teeth of the first gear clatter against the second as they rotated past. Master Worthan continued to turn the gear as he spoke, “You can see the relative importance of one change versus the other. Removing the first tooth merely caused an interruption. Removing the second tooth disrupted it entirely. This example is a demonstration of Key Vulnerabilities. The purpose is to determine how to cause the desired level of disruption with the minimal degree of risk and exposure.” One of the other boys raised a hand and was acknowledged, “Sir, don’t you mean the maximum level of disruption?” Master Worthan shook his head, “No, mister Marcus. I said exactly what I meant to. Sometimes a minimal disruption is all that is needed. Sabotage doesn’t equate with ‘total devastation’, though it certainly sometimes might.” The last phrase was accompanied with a wink. He then continued, “The purpose for holding this class at this time, instead of during its regularly scheduled period, is due to some recent events.” He paused, whether to simply take a breath or to build anticipation was anyone’s guess, “We know that Jarell, our former Master of Coin, has subverted a portion of Guild infrastructure for the purpose of bringing in slaves. We could quickly take control of our structures by force and kill those in his employ, but this might not alleviate the entire problem; plus it might cause unnecessary damage or exposure of our own organization. Additionally, the distribution and usage of his new poison is still cause for some concern. Instead, I will introduce you to the process of sabotage. The first step of which is to collect as much information as possible regarding your target, whether it be a physical structure, or an organization. Once you understand the structure, it then becomes a simpler matter to identify its most accessible vulnerabilities… and exploit them.” With this last phrase, Master Worthan removed the pin at the hub of the center gear, causing the gear to fall away entirely. “Anything about that analogy remain unclear?”

  Master Worthan turned his back to them as he faced the board, “Now allow me to direct your attention to this diagram. The three circles could represent any aspect of whatever we’re analyzing, but for the purpose of the class let’s label them thusly.” He then wrote one word in each circle, “Supply”, “Process”, and “Purpose”. Once he’d finished writing he stated, “Let’s study this as if it were a blacksmith shop. Supplies are needed, depending on the functionality. If the shop has its own smelter then ore, wood, coal and such are needed. Also, wood and coal are needed for the forge. A smithy is also a fixed location, so the site would also be considered in the Supplies category since it is an initial requirement but also in the Process category. Therefore, the shop is listed in the shared space between Supply and Process.” He paused and looked over his shoulder to make sure everyone was still paying attention, then returned to continue writing, “In the Process category, we have the Smith, any assistants, and whoever runs the smelter. Also in this category we have a significant overlap with the Supplies category, since the Processing has supplies and requirements inherent to itself as well as the location where the processing takes place. Additional space is also required for finished products before they are transferred to the buyer. The buyer, or client, could be considered the Purpose for this example, but the Purpose could also simply be the end product, whether a sword or horseshoes. Depending on this distinction, the overlap between Process and Purpose could be either storage space or transport, depending on whether or not the product is to be shipped to the client.” The old man then turned to face the class, “To continue this example, if we wished to merely delay production for a day or two, it might only be necessary to quench the coals in either the smelter or the forge. If a more permanent disruption is needed, then other options would need to be analyzed. If the smithy is located in a somewhat isolated area, it might only be necessary to interrupt supply caravans. If there is no shortage of sources of raw materials then it might be more effective to kidnap or kill the Smith. Though it might also be possible to simply hire him away.” He placed his hands on the table and glanced over the system of gears, “Each option has different effects, but each option also poses different levels of exposure. Analysis is what allows us to create the desired level of disruption while minimizing our exposure.”

  Kolrem raised his hand, “Sir, didn’t you say that the purpose of collecting us here was because of Jarell bringing slaves into the city?” Master Worthan smiled and nodded, “Yes. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. That problem brings many more facets to consider. Not least amongst them is the fact that should the army and the guardsmen discover that a slave trade is happening right under their noses, they’d simply assume it was the Guild that was responsi
ble for it. It’s as much in our own interests to keep Jarell’s operations a secret, as it is in his.”

  Master Worthan returned his attention to the board and described several other functions, points of connection and areas of overlap. He referred to these areas of overlap as “Transitional” or “Pure Overlap”. He stated that in either case, these areas denoted an increased strategic value.

  Cooper began to fully understand the enormity of their situation, Jarell had taken over much of the coastal neighborhoods, and while the Guild worked to re-establish control Jarell had hired mercenaries to attack them, and had succeeded in killing several of their more accomplished thieves and assassins. It could easily be assumed that Jarell played some role in the increased pressure and scrutiny exercised by the Army and the Watch, which further restricted the Guild’s ability to respond. As Cooper looked at the board he was asking himself, “To what purpose?” During his conversation before they’d fought, Jarell had spoken as if he wanted control of the Guild, but what good would that serve if the Guild itself were completely disabled? Cooper was on the verge of recreating the diagram in his mind, but this time trying to map out the Guild within the circles. Perhaps that would help clarify Jarell’s plans. Master Worthan’s voice interrupted his thoughts, “These classes will meet each day after lunch until complete. Each class will last two hours. When the Analysis classes are complete, we will have new subject matter to discuss. The time is now 3pm. Now go to attend your regularly scheduled class.”

  As the boys left the classroom Master Worthan called out, “Cooper. The council wished me to inform you that your restriction is lifted. Please refrain from activities that might cause them to regret their leniency.”

  Chapter 8

  With Cooper’s current schedule, there was almost no time for anything other than classes. During the next month there was a morning when he had a couple of hours free while Miss Camilla was called upon to assist in an ongoing Guild project. Cooper took this opportunity to visit Chesim at his home in the Waterfront district. He hadn’t had a chance to see them since he’d slipped away to visit them near the end of his first year. He hoped everyone was doing well.

  As he crossed the Trade Quarter and approached the Whitefoam River, he considered how he should reply to the inevitable questions; what had he been doing for the last couple of years? What was he doing now? Was he learning a trade? Why did he have a sword at his belt and daggers across the back of his waist? The Whitefoam River was already behind him when he’d decided to tell them he’d been learning the Smithing Trade. He had been learning to fight from anyone who would teach him and would sometimes hire on to assist merchants transporting goods to and from Kalistos City. He hoped someday to become a skilled sellsword.

  Remali answered the door when he knocked. She had her hair pulled tightly back and wound into a bun behind her head. Her hair was dark, almost black, but she had a few gray hairs that Cooper never remembered seeing before. She had a questioning look on her face but as soon as she looked at his eyes Cooper saw her expression change to one of recognition, “Cooper! You’ve grown so! I almost didn’t recognize you!” At her exclamation, he heard noises that sounded like scraping and scrambling coming from behind her. He heard two voices, one male and one female, call out almost in unison, “Cooper!?!” Moments later Remali was being jostled almost to the point of being pushed through the doorway. She’d been in the process of stepping back and welcoming him into her home. Cooper watched the proceedings unfold with a barely discernable grin. As Remali turned sideways to step further indoors, Chesim and Eva pushed forward past her. Chesim grabbed Cooper’s right hand and pulled him into an embrace as Eva embraced the both of them in an attempt to give Cooper a hug. Cooper’s grin expanded into a full chuckle as the siblings tried to speak over each other, “Where have you been?”, “How are you?”, “What have you been doing?”, “How long has it been?”. Remali finally prevailed as she spoke over the both of them, “Chesim! Eva! Let go of him long enough for him to come inside! Cooper, please come in.”

  As Cooper entered and scanned the interior of their home he saw that almost nothing had changed since his last visit. He turned to Chesim, “I’m so glad you’re home. I feared that you’d be out fishing with your father.” He almost ended it as a question. Chesim replied, “Having two of us fishing from the same boat doesn’t usually bring in any additional fish. I’ve been working as a laborer on the docks and at a couple of warehouses. It’s hard and heavy work, but it pays regularly.” Cooper nodded at this as Eva blurted, “What about you? What have you been doing?” Cooper recited his prepared falsehoods, even describing the appearance of Kalistos City to lend credibility to his tale. Everyone listened with rapt attention as he described the minarets that towered above the three-story buildings and the vastness of the forest to the west. As Cooper spoke his eyes shifted from his hosts to his surroundings. It was obvious that they weren’t starving, but neither did it appear that they were increasing their wealth. Like so many families in the northern and southern coastal neighborhoods, they were surviving. Still, for all the simplicity and meager scratchings they called Life, they were genuinely pleased to be in one another’s company. They were a Family.

  As Chesim took his turn talking about things going on in the Waterfront, he described the ships that had been coming in to conduct trade. According to Chesim, it had become commonplace for ships flying the Caldori flag to arrive, but when Chesim boarded to help with the unloading he’d often see Lukasi flags hastily and incompletely concealed behind boxes or under a coil of rope. These ships always seemed to have dozens of people in chains secured below decks, but inevitably these people were no longer onboard when the ship departed. Cooper’s three hosts agreed that there had been several rumors of many people, chained together like work crews, being led into the Ruins at night. There were no subsequent rumors of anyone being led back out. Eva also insisted that recently, she’d heard stories of several unchained people being taken into the Ruins on horse drawn carts, always at night. According to the stories, the carts belonged to drovers who work out of the Dregs or Miller’s Flats. Neither Chesim nor Remali had heard any stories like this, but there was also no reason to doubt. Cooper could only wonder at the purpose for transporting people into the Ruins. These stories would undoubtedly be of interest to the Guildmaster, assuming he hadn’t already been informed by the Guild’s network of informants.

  Cooper knew he couldn’t remain for very long. He still needed to return to the guildhouse to resume his classes. As he shifted in his chair and explained that he would need to leave, all three chimed in with questions about when he might be able to return and visit again. Eva started to lean forward to place a hand on his leg but was drawn up short since Remali was putting a braid in Eva’s hair. As Cooper stood he shook Chesim’s hand and looked at Remali, “Please give my regards to Faril. I would’ve liked to have seen him too, but I am not surprised that he’s out fishing.” Before he left, Eva escaped Remali’s clutches and gave him a hug.

  As Cooper stepped outside and inhaled the breeze coming in off the water, he was so distracted by thoughts and memories that he failed to note a figure wearing a wide brimmed hat observing him as he left Chesim’s house. As Cooper turned south towards the Whitefoam, the figure backed between two buildings and limped east towards the docks. As the man stepped onto the boardwalk, he was assisted into a carriage. After he’d seated himself person reached within his cloak, revealing some gaudy finery underneath, to retrieve a quill, a vial of ink and a rolled up bit of parchment. As the carriage pulled away, he began to scribble.