Shadows of Reform (Probably being edited)

Chapter Thirteen

Markets were the same in every city. There were vendors on every street, some selling good merchandise, others not; some would advertise their items to as many people as they could, while others let the quality of their wares do the job themselves. Jason and William were not experts at selling things, but Jason knew enough from Dragger to be able to sell something. 

"Fresh deer meat! Beats Standard quality!" Jason roared above the noise of the crowd. 

"You really think people will believe you? You must be kidding." Will whispered to him. 

"Not if it sells our supplies before we begin the fight." Jason spoke, then continued: "Bribe money is good money." 

"Whatever. Let's get this crap sold." 

"Don't say that too loud!" Jason hissed. 

"Okay, fine." William looked embarrassed, even though he was older than Jason. "Deer meat, fresh from the fields!" 

A group of Security troops walked by, then stopped as one of their members strode up to the booth.  

"Fresh meat sir?" William asked. 

"Afraid not. Not fresh, anyways." Will grew angry at the remark. 

"Do you want some or not?" 

"I sure would, but your prices are too high. Mind lowering them?" The man raised a hand, and Jason noted a small knife. Will was poised to strike, his muscles tense. But Jason held firm, and put a hand on the shoulder of his friend. 

"Just let it go. Tonight, my friend." William relaxed a bit, but did not stop anticipating an attack. He handed the wrapped meat to the soldier, and the man placed a single Debt on the table.  

"Good luck!" the man walked off, laughing as he went. 

Jason patiently watched the disrespectful man leave. Will clenched his fist after them. 

"You really do have patience, don't you?" 

"Yes, I do. I did have to put up with these people for my whole life." 

"More patience than I have then." 

"Never mind that. We have food to sell." 

------ 

That night, Jason watched as William began packing up the meat and Debts into packages to take back. They had not sold much, so there was a lot to pack. 

"Mind helping me out a bit?" 

Jason was not joking anymore, and his reply reflected that. "I'm watching." 

"For what?" 

"Them." 

"Still think they're gonna return? Really?" 

"You must be prepared." 

And sure enough, there they were. The three men from earlier who laughed at him. "And I was right." 

"Damn. How we gonna do this?" 

"Quietly." Jason gripped the handle of his knife as the soldiers drew closer. William reached in his coat for the guns, it seemed, but instead he drew a small cylinder.  

"So, you guys still packing up? Shame, I was hoping for... an extra discount." 

"No sir, I am afraid we are packing up. You'll have to come back tomorrow." Jason snickered a bit. 

"I prefer getting my food now. I am really hungry." The man reached over the counter. Jason slapped his hand down. "What's wrong pal?" 

"We are closed." Jason tensed his grip, causing the man to bend a little from being uncomfortable. 

The two men behind his inconsiderate friend stepped forward. Jason whipped the man's arm around, into an arm bar. Will tossed the cylinder, then flicked it forward at the first man, causing the cylinder to extend into a baton, which hit the man square in the chest. The man that Will hit collapsed over, gasping for air as Jason broke his opponent's hand, then let him drop, sprawling out on the floor in pain. 

Jason and Will converged on the last man in unison; William had him on the ground while Jason drew his blade. It was over in seconds, and the rush of hot blood from the dead man made Jason laugh, as the two victims behind him began whimpering and crying. 

"Now don't whine, your turn hasn't come... yet." Will secured the two men, and forced them to stand. 

"What now?" 

"Easy, Will. They come back with us." 

"Of course they do."  

Jason helped William drag the bodies away. There was much work to be done, and he did not want to be left behind.