The best part of a week after the night of horror in the City and Podd was collecting the final few body parts. People were pointing them out to him now; a week was making them rather odorous. Some had even banged on his yard gate, complaining at the length of time it was taking to clear the streets of the dead.
"There's only myself and Ash." He'd told them. "It'll be done when it's done; you just need to be patient."
Aeony had given him a retainer and they'd found a few full purses, so Podd wasn't complaining, but the number of dead was huge. No one was officially counting, but people were saying that a fifth of the population had died in a single night. It wasn't anywhere near that of course, people always exaggerate about such things. Podd kept his own tally, though it was hard to count the parts of bodies.
"Five thousand or so, I reckon." He'd told Ash. "A lot of dead, but it could have been worse."
"Some were eaten, nothing left." Ash had commented.
The boy had been right; there could easily have been another thousand, eaten whole. Aeony had arranged for Dredger Demons to enter the City and dig a pit for the dead, otherwise it would have taken months to dispose of them all. Dredgers in the City, it had been a long time since anyone had seen that happen. There was a spirit of optimism after the destruction; some were even suggesting that a battle of some kind had been won. Won by a hero of the City no less.
Podd shook his head and thought it was probably all nonsense. Babaef was busy arranging his own coronation and Adamaz was helping him. It didn't mean they'd be friends for long. Aeony was actually being helpful, but again, he doubted if it would last for long. Give them a few decades and they'd all be at each other's throats again.
"Hey, you, bone collector. There are several bodies in the alley next to my house."
Podd had never liked Arro Jumban, the metal merchant. He'd never really taken to many people in the City, but the metal merchants he had a special loathing for. Pompous and much too full of themselves. Podd saw himself as a public servant though, with a duty to be polite to everyone. Unless they pushed him too far of course.
"They're behind your locked gate." Said Podd. "We can't get to them and we don't collect from private property."
"We don't do private property." Added Ash.
Jumban was rich and liked to think of himself as a bit of tough character. He put his face about a foot away from Podd's and glared at him.
"I'll unlock my gate and then you can take them." He hissed. "They're starting to stink."
"We only take from the streets mister." Said Ash.
Jumban turned towards Ash, his face going a nice shade of purple.
"Don't you give me that nonsense lad." He said. "I want them taken and taken now !"
"He's right." Said Podd. "We only collect from the streets. If you want them taken, get your guards to dump them in the street."
"They are my guards !" Shrieked Jumban. "I have two men left and a few servants."
Podd wasn't used to being shrieked at, he tried to avoid confrontations whenever possible. He turned his back on Jumban and began shoving his cart.
"Get the bodies out onto the street and I'll take them." He called over his shoulder.
They'd gone about fifty yards, when the sound of running caught Podd's attention. Two guards, probably Jumban's surviving men. They looked a little out of condition and were puffing a bit, as they stood in front of Podd.
"Our master demands that you collect the bodies on his property." One said.
Neither had drawn a sword, Podd did have a bit of a reputation as a retired breaker of heads.
"I'm going to the other end of the lanes." Said Podd. "Get the bodies into the street and I'll pick them up on my way back."
It was reasonable; Podd knew he was actually being more reasonable than he usually was. The guards showed no sign of going away though. One actually put his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"Our master wants the bodies moved now, he demands it !"
"Your master might demand that the river flows backwards." Said Podd. "And that isn't happening either."
The guard started to draw his sword, but Podd grabbed him, easily throwing him to the ground.
"Do you know what I'd get for killing you both ?" Asked Podd.
The second guard was backing away. As there was no answer, Podd told them.
"I'd get two coppers a pound for your body fat."
He meant it and they sensed it.
"Fine, we'll put the bodies in the street."
