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TRICKSTERS, Episode 3
(New to the series? Start with Episode 1)
“A brand? Of three fishes? You are sure?” Slick William looked at them from across the counter.
Slick William Baumgarter plied his trade in a humble storefront off the ever-bustling Bondmakers’ Court. The location placed him in a perfect position for two things: drafting official documents, and trafficking in information. To more honest eyes, William was nothing more than careworn scribe. To those who knew how the world really worked, William was the man to talk to when you needed a secret about this noble, an insight into that business’s dealings. His shop was an odd sort of neutral ground: none of the guilds molested him because he did not take sides, and the gentry only came to him out of shame or desperation, which put them in no position to alert the authorities about his racket.
Jack and Paul met William during a job that had gone particularly bad involving the marriage of a local boss’s daughters to a Tagini trader. William had saved their asses by knowing exactly the right words to complete the Ritual of Apology, without which they would have been hauled off across the Gray Sea and put to work in the infamous Tagini salt mines. Since then, Jack and Paul made it a point to be good to William, throw work his way, and William gave them answers when they needed them.
“Yeah,” Jack said, adjusting his vest. He reached over and pointed to his left shoulder. “It was right here.”
“It wasn’t new,” Paul chimed in. “Fresh, that is. It healed as much as a brand ever will.”
William nodded. He limped over behind the counter to one of the many stacks of books and scrolls in the little shop. Jack could never figure out the little man’s system, but whatever it was, it worked. In a handful of seconds William produced a single scroll. He rolled it open on the counter. It looked like a contract, signed by two parties. One bore the seal of the Duke, the other was the three fish.
“Ah…I thought so. It’s the seal of House Rinstaad. The current head of the House is Javin, Baron Rinstaad.” William pointed at the second signature. “Well, he is for now, at least.”
Jack raised an eyebrow. Like so many mannerisms from home, this one did not translate. William just looks at him. He squinted. “How do you…?”
Paul nudged Jack aside. “What do you mean, for now?”
Willam started to trace the lines of text with an inkstained finger. “According to this document, House Rinstaad is being dissolved, its lands going to the Duke who will parcel them out as he sees fit.” He scanned the document in silence then said, “Yes…it’s supposed to happen in two weeks’ time. It seems that Baron Rinstaad is the last of the line and is without an heir. His brothers and their families were slain during the recent unpleasantness with our neighbors to the north. No one can take the lands and title after the Baron dies, so it must revert to the Duke.”
William looked up. “The brand you found is traditionally given to slaves of the House. All the major Houses have a small number of bondslaves, those either captured during a conflict or who owe the House in some fashion. They usually work in areas where the Head of House would not trust one of the Lessers.”
Jack mentally translated “Lessers” to Edies for himself. “Okay. So…like a house slave? Nannies, butlers, things like that?”
William nodded. “Indeed.”
Paul leaned back against the counter. “Why would anyone want to kill a house slave on our doorstep? Why would anyone want to kill the slave of a fading House at all?”
The question hung in the air until William asked, “Was she with child?”
Jack and Paul looked at one another. Jack actually blushed. “Ah…I have no idea how best to check for such a thing.”
William fixed him with a look. “No, dolt. Was she showing at all?”
Paul said, “I did not notice, but then I did not look for it.”
William nodded. “I suggest you go back and take the body to one of the Physicks. Go to Vandir on Rose Street. Tell him I sent you.” He smiled a tight smile. “He owes me.”
Paul chuckled. “Doesn’t everyone?”
William’s smile relaxed and he turned away. “Now…out with you. I have business to attend to. Good luck, and try not to get yourselves killed. Pawns never last long, my friends. Never.”
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About the Author
Website: http://www.unquietdesperation.com
About The Secret Lair
The Secret Lair is a podcast and blog which follows the real life adventures of Kris Johnson and Chris Miller. Together with their staff of contributors and countless minions, they seek to dominate the planet, or at least the tri-county area, using the twin weapons of Discussion and Overwhelming Opinion. And zombies. And maybe a Death Ray. Or two.
I was prepared to not like William, but I do. Excellent, again.
Glad you like! Thanks for reading!
Characters and dialog are a strength in this story. Both leave me wanting to read more. I’m curious if you had to do any adaptaion to you writing for this serialized delivery method.
Not really, because this is an experiment for me. You see…I had two ideas for what to write. The first is a massive sweeping tale for which I have pages of notes. The second was became TRICKSTERS, which started as a writing exercise which people liked. I chose TRICKSTERS because I lack the skill to tell an epic tale as of yet (IMHO).
TRICKSTERS is a writing exercise for me. It’s as much about the exploration of how I write as much as what I’m writing. It’s about become disciplined enough to write on a weekly schedule. It’s about building up a writing practice. I do this publicly because it keeps me honest.
The serialized form is something I’ve always wanted to try. It provides an interesting vehicle for character growth. It brings to mind both comics and television, where the characters and story evolve over time in unforeseen ways. I’m allowing that chaos to help drive the story…there’s a thread I want to follow, but the plot is not a rigid one at this time.
I’m glad people are enjoying it. It’s gratifying to get feedback on what I’m writing as I’m writing it. I want people to discuss the episodes with me; the discussion will help inform my practice and future episodes.
As an exercise, what are your expectations when sitting down to write an installment? Minimum word count or length of scene? Do you work with any outlines or is this more free form? Just curious, yah know.
I adapt it to match my weaknesses. My goal at the onset was to release every week. Once I feel I’ve got that habit down, I’ll implement a word count goal, plotting outline, etc. At the moment, it’s free form, but as plot elements present themselves, I make notes and I try to expand upon them in new episodes.
Cool. An can I say how amazing it is that you are in a conference on the other side of the world and posting this stuff here. The interweb, not just for kids anymore.
I take it life has delayed episode 4?
Last week it was Hackday, This week it’s my wife’s operation. Going to try to write one up tonight,
I’m not chastising, just empathizing. Take care of yourself first.
I never thought otherwise.
No worries.
I’ve been a bit behind, so the first three episodes backed up in my ‘to read’ file. Finally got to them this week.
I’m enjoying it so far, and I’m looking forward to the next one.