rooms, which was fine with Merc. They weren’t exactly friends. More like occasional comrades who wouldn’t try to kill each other outside of the job. It worked for them.
When they arrived at the final door, Whisper gave two quick raps with his knuckles before opening it and motioning Merc to go first. Though letting anyone at his back was foreign, in this case he didn’t have any choice. He needed this meeting.
Rhaum sat behind the impressive wooden monster of a desk. It should have overwhelmed the little person, made him smaller next to it, but as always Rhaum’s height had no influence on the powerful presence the man projected, and the desk, which should have made him look ridiculous, instead became another item that was his right and proper due.
“You’re too hot to be coming here right now, Merc.” That was Rhaum, straight to the point and not caring if you wanted to hear it or not. Whisper was still at his back, and Merc began the various calculations he would need if his leaving needed to happen under less than happy circumstances. “The Guild has put out a price on you and your companion. Do you know how many are now interested, those pieces of shit who otherwise would look right past you? The girl is double the normal bounty. Even if it wasn’t damn good money, if the Guild finds out anyone helped you knowing you were in their sights, they’re going to take it personally. Hells, I should grab you both.”
Funny how Rhaum said it like it wasn’t a possibility, which they both knew it was. Rhaum wasn’t neutral. He worked with all parties, but his only loyalty was to himself. If it was in his best interest, he’d betray someone he’d worked with hundreds of times before. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t try.”
“As your compatriot insisted on this meeting, I’m willing to help. It would go a long way toward keeping our relationship in good standing for a little acknowledgement on how much I’m risking here. Say, if you’re not dead by the end of it, I might have a job you could help me with.” And Rhaum held out his hand.
As usual, Rhaum could read any situation perfectly. The handshake would make a magical contract, and Merc wasn’t in any position to negotiate. “I’m happy to do any job that doesn’t conflict with my own feeling of right or wrong.” It was as good as he could do under the Sword of Damocles swinging over his head, but at least it was something.
Rhaum gave a half-smile and took the hand, completing the contract. “Then glad I can be here for you.”
As he withdrew his hand, Merc suppressed the half-fanciful urge to check for the snakebite. It was how all his interactions with Rhaum ended, with the bone deep assurance he’d been marked and somehow poisoned, and not knowing where the antidote was. In this case, though, there had been no choice.
“Now you can’t say we don’t appreciate the help, Rhaum darlin’. We’re thankful we can always count on you.” The female voice came from the corner, and within moments the woman who spoke popped out from the shadows. She crossed the room, all five-ten of easy swagger and commanding presence, her coarse, dark hair in a no fuss ponytail and those near-black eyes bright as they latched onto him. “Been too long, Merc. I’m gonna get a complex if the only time you call me is for help, though.”
“Nemesis.” He clasped her forearm, the greeting second-nature to him after all these years, as was the smile she brought to his face. “Looking a little tired there. Am I keeping you out too late now that you’re an old lady?”
“More like I let you drag me away from an interesting situation, so be grateful for my kindness and mercy.” Her response was easy and playful, and a bit of weight shifted from his shoulders at the familiar camaraderie. She turned to Rhaum and clicked her tongue, motioning with her head towards the door. “Now that you and Merc are square, do you think you could give us a few to catch
When they arrived at the final door, Whisper gave two quick raps with his knuckles before opening it and motioning Merc to go first. Though letting anyone at his back was foreign, in this case he didn’t have any choice. He needed this meeting.
Rhaum sat behind the impressive wooden monster of a desk. It should have overwhelmed the little person, made him smaller next to it, but as always Rhaum’s height had no influence on the powerful presence the man projected, and the desk, which should have made him look ridiculous, instead became another item that was his right and proper due.
“You’re too hot to be coming here right now, Merc.” That was Rhaum, straight to the point and not caring if you wanted to hear it or not. Whisper was still at his back, and Merc began the various calculations he would need if his leaving needed to happen under less than happy circumstances. “The Guild has put out a price on you and your companion. Do you know how many are now interested, those pieces of shit who otherwise would look right past you? The girl is double the normal bounty. Even if it wasn’t damn good money, if the Guild finds out anyone helped you knowing you were in their sights, they’re going to take it personally. Hells, I should grab you both.”
Funny how Rhaum said it like it wasn’t a possibility, which they both knew it was. Rhaum wasn’t neutral. He worked with all parties, but his only loyalty was to himself. If it was in his best interest, he’d betray someone he’d worked with hundreds of times before. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t try.”
“As your compatriot insisted on this meeting, I’m willing to help. It would go a long way toward keeping our relationship in good standing for a little acknowledgement on how much I’m risking here. Say, if you’re not dead by the end of it, I might have a job you could help me with.” And Rhaum held out his hand.
As usual, Rhaum could read any situation perfectly. The handshake would make a magical contract, and Merc wasn’t in any position to negotiate. “I’m happy to do any job that doesn’t conflict with my own feeling of right or wrong.” It was as good as he could do under the Sword of Damocles swinging over his head, but at least it was something.
Rhaum gave a half-smile and took the hand, completing the contract. “Then glad I can be here for you.”
As he withdrew his hand, Merc suppressed the half-fanciful urge to check for the snakebite. It was how all his interactions with Rhaum ended, with the bone deep assurance he’d been marked and somehow poisoned, and not knowing where the antidote was. In this case, though, there had been no choice.
“Now you can’t say we don’t appreciate the help, Rhaum darlin’. We’re thankful we can always count on you.” The female voice came from the corner, and within moments the woman who spoke popped out from the shadows. She crossed the room, all five-ten of easy swagger and commanding presence, her coarse, dark hair in a no fuss ponytail and those near-black eyes bright as they latched onto him. “Been too long, Merc. I’m gonna get a complex if the only time you call me is for help, though.”
“Nemesis.” He clasped her forearm, the greeting second-nature to him after all these years, as was the smile she brought to his face. “Looking a little tired there. Am I keeping you out too late now that you’re an old lady?”
“More like I let you drag me away from an interesting situation, so be grateful for my kindness and mercy.” Her response was easy and playful, and a bit of weight shifted from his shoulders at the familiar camaraderie. She turned to Rhaum and clicked her tongue, motioning with her head towards the door. “Now that you and Merc are square, do you think you could give us a few to catch
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