The Brotherhood of The Black Rats

1.8 Getting The Band Back Together

8| Getting the Band Back Together

As the sunrise lit up the morning sky over Battery Park, the fat black rat emerged from below the Bowling Green subway station. It scampered across the paved pathways around the shattered globe, weaving around a scattering of early rising tourists as it made its way down to the waterfront.  

Spider was waiting on a park bench, taking in the view of the Statue of Liberty as it approached. 

“There you are, my dear,” he said, lowering his hand to the pavement for the rodent to climb into. “Did you find your brothers alright?” he asked, scooping the creature up to his eye level. 

The rodent made its reply with a simple shiver as Spider ran a gloved hand down its back once again. For a moment it nuzzled it’s limber rodent snout against the top of the gloved palm. 

“Good, good, good,” said the man, removing his bowler to once again place his pet onto his bald scalp. “They are going to make us very rich,” he added, taking a moment to let the rat get comfortable atop his head. “Very rich indeed,” he stated, gently returning the hat to his head, tugging ever so slightly to fit it into place.   

A very thin smile formed on his lips as he closed his eyes, taking in the day’s first warmth of the rising sun. He arched his back then outstretched his arms as if he were only just now waking. The sky was an exceptionally brilliant shade of grey.

“So, are we getting the band back together?” a smooth Irish voice asked from behind him. 

“I didn’t know it had broken up,” said the Spider keeping his eye’s closed as Simon McQueen and Kai Davenforth sauntered closer down the sidewalk toward the harbor.

“We thought maybe you had forgotten about us.” Said Kai as Simon made a playful sweep at Spider’s bowler swiping the hat from the resting man’s head, revealing not but a sweat damped scalp of dark skin, and empty air.

“What kind of Gutter Mage Guild waits to be summoned?” asked Spider coming to life as he grabbed back his headwear from Simon. 

“A lazy one,” retorted the Alchemist with a sharp smile as he tossed the bowler back to Spider. 

“One without turf to protect, or spells to spill, or wine to steal,” added Kai.

“More like one that’s been bidding it’s time till it can take The Belvedere Court for all it’s worth.” Noted Spider taking in the sight of both the young men in front of him now. 

Simon McQueen had been the erstwhile leader of the Brotherhood of the Black Rats for something close to four years now. When he’d first come to New York, he’d been the son of Alchemist eager to make his way far from his homeland. Spider had helped turn him into one of the greatest potion makers the city would ever see. 

Kai was his second. His closest comrade and next in line to lead the Black Rats when Simon would step down, or get caught, or simply disappear as so many Gutter Mages had in the past. He was orphan born to the Gutters and an impeccable Cardsharp. 

“You know us too well,” stated Kai as all three of the thieves exchanged more formal greeting with the rising Sun at your back. 

“It’s your Band,” said Spider pulling away from his embrace with Simon “I’m just the man with the gigs.”

“And what Gig would that be?” asked Simon

“One willing to pay more than triple what anyone has before,” answered Spider catching the attention of the two Black Rats in front of him. “Assuming of course, you can still play?”