The New Apprentice

Chapter Fourteen: Old Games

After a week of travel, I gaze out the paneless window from my guest chamber in Château Montsombre, Gallica, which overlooks a thick forest and only a single, thin road that twists and turns before finally making it to the castle gates.

The last (and first) time I was here, it was the first set of negotiations with the late Lord Deparnieux as the Recruiter's Guild set up our profit storehouse in the dungeons of Château Montsombre. It was to remain secret to anyone outside of himself and the guild and to have the late lord's protection in exchange for him having access to ten percent of the guild's funds. Considering Lord Deparnieux's stability as a warlord and how geographically protected Montsombre itself is, it was a great deal since the guild was making more money than its storage could handle.

Since then, the path leading up to the entrance has become littered with signs of the new lord's tyranny. From heads mounted on spikes to rotting prisoners left in their cages, this new Lord Deparnieux sends a clear message: he is not to be trifled with. There is anticipation in the air as I lean my head on the cold, stone wall.

The door opens behind me. I glance back to see Killian entering our room, plopping himself down on the writing desk, deep in thought. I turn back to the window and change my train of thought. If you can afford it, never plan your escape near your captor-- especially if he knows you well.

I begin to consider what Deparnieux might be risking in inviting us--three very competent members of the Recruiter's Guild--to the very site of our gold storehouse. If we were any less experienced, we'd surely be tempted to steal some and leave, which has been done before under the former Deparnieux (Gerald, the third person on our team during the negotiations, was tracked and punished). Still, something tells me Deparnieux's son is more watchful than his father ever was.

So, what is he risking?

"Whatever he does, he's smart enough not to piss us off enough to set the guild on him. He might just lose a war against us," Killian muses.

"He's taken Bellevue and Cloche-forte, though," I counter, "and those are the two best places to ally with to launch an assault against the Château. That worries me. And he keeps squashing his enemies as quickly as he makes them."

He nods, sighing, "We wanted a stable warlord..."

"He'll want a larger share, but he still needs our protection," I continue, determined to find his weakness. "Montsombre may be protected from troops and cavalry, but trees aren't a problem for rogues like us." I can't help but smile and even feel a little excited. "How many members do we have?"

"Almost 300."

"Good," I murmur, "good. Then we actually have a fighting chance. When do we meet with little Deparnieux?"

Now he is smiling as well. "We dine tonight."

Our eyes meet for a brief second before I am overcome with a wave of disgust; but whether it is directed at him or myself, I cannot tell. I quickly shift my gaze back out the window, trying to only focus on the meeting tonight and pushing away thoughts of how quickly I fell back into the rhythm of things.

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Before the dinner negotiations tonight, I remember that there is something important I must do to ensure our third companion stays out of my way over the course of the journey.

Killian is sharpening his knives as he always does before important events to calm himself. It gives him a sense of control.

"I'm going to pay Cedric a visit," I call on my way out the room. "He didn't give me a very warm reception," I say pointedly, "so I need to make sure he'll follow my lead during dinner."