Bastard

Oak leaned against the wall across from the black building, absently picking grains from a stalk of wheat. "Why does he want to see us?"

"Who cares?" Stick sat on the ground, his quarterstaff resting on his knees as he carved a new pattern into the wood with fine movements of his knife.

"I do." Oak peeled the remaining grains from the stalk and stuck it into his mouth. "And why doesn't Mouse have to be here too?"

"He does." Demenik leaned against the wall with his friends, eyes closed and face lifted to warm in the sun.

"Then where is he?"

"I'm here."

Oak looked to his left and swore while Demenik and Stick chuckled. "Demenik"—Oak glared at Mouse, who was kneeling a few feet away—"can we please tie a bell around his neck when we don't need him to be so gods-damned stealthy?"

"We can try, but something tells me the bell wouldn't ring, would it, Mouse?"

Mouse shrugged. "I would be willing to find out."

The door across from them screeched and the guard signalled them.

Demenik pushed away from the wall. "Time for our meeting, gentlemen."

They entered the main hall and stopped in front of the large table. Lord Caladan sat on his throne, and a man sat at the table watching them with a neutral expression on his face. Demenik did not recognize him.

"Uh-oh," Stick mumbled from behind him.

Demenik scowled at his friend and then turned toward the throne. "Good morning, Lord Caladan." He bowed. "I have brought my friends, as you ordered."

"Good morning, Demenik. I'm curious to see what your tribute has climbed to this week." Lord Caladan motioned for the boy to put his coins on the table. When he did, Caladan chuckled. "Business continues to grow."

"I am lucky."

"From what I hear, luck has nothing to do with it."

Demenik could not stop himself from smiling. "Luck has everything to do with it."

"A joke you would like to share with me?"

The smile disappeared. "No, Lord."

Caladan looked at the other boys, taking a moment to stare at each one before moving on to the next. "I know your captains by their growing reputations." His gaze lingered on Oak and the boy glared. "Good to see that you are doing well, Oak."

Oak nodded stiffly. "Father."

"What?" Demenik frowned and turned to face his friend.

Lord Caladan laughed. "I see that my son kept information from you."

"I didn't keep it secret." Oak shrugged. "It never came up. No one bothers to ask about parents in the alley."

Demenik looked from his friend to the lord. They look so much alike. How could I have missed the similarities?

"Oak is not the only bastard of mine living in the streets, Demenik. At the moment, he is one of the most promising, thanks to you. I assure you that having one of my children in your inner circle will not offer you any advantages with me."

"Will it be a disadvantage?" Demenik asked.

"No." Lord Caladan's gaze shifted to the other boys. "Stick and Mouse are also known to me. Some of the most skilled individuals in your age group have gathered under your banner, Demenik."

"Did you summon us for a purpose, Lord or just to formally meet?" Mouse's gaze was trained on the man sitting at the table.

Lord Caladan followed his line of sight and smiled. "I asked Demenik to bring you because it is time to make an offer, and you should all hear it from me directly." He gestured and the man at the table stood. "Allow me to introduce Keeper Riley, Hector's replacement in the trade quarter."

Riley stepped forward and shook hands with Demenik. "Hello, Demenik. I have been hearing some interesting things about you. It's good to meet you."

"I'm sure you are mistaken, Keeper Riley. I have broken no laws."

"Who said anything about breaking laws? The few who recognize your name speak well of you."

"That is good to know."

"Oh, wait." Riley looked up as if remembering something new. "There is one person who doesn't like you very much." He paused and stared at Demenik. Demenik kept his expression blank.

"Someone claims that you killed Hector," Lord Caladan said.

Demenik laughed. "That's ridiculous."

"Don't be nervous, Demenik," Riley said. "I'm not here on official business."

"Shouldn't you be?"

The Keeper shrugged and Lord Caladan chuckled. "Over the years, I have worked to insert people loyal to me throughout the Council of Law, as well as other private and select organizations. Riley is one of us. He grew up in the alley and his efforts work to further our cause. We are fortunate that the accuser approached him and not someone else."

Demenik nodded. "Who is claiming that I killed Hector?"

"The baker's boy."

Oak swore and Demenik turned to face Mouse, who shook his head. "No one saw us, Demenik. If the baker's boy is making an accusation it is a guess, at best."

Demenik tilted his head and frowned. "It will be his word against mine. I would assume that they will side with him."

"It doesn't matter." Riley shrugged. "You will not be accused. The boy hates you, by the way."

"It's impossible to tell anything about him. He hasn't said a word to me." Demenik's eyes narrowed. "He told you about the baker's arrangement?"

Riley nodded.

"Why won't he accuse me? I think he wants to see me suffer."

"He does," Lord Caladan said, "but we are about to extend an offer to him which will make it impossible for him to speak."

"What kind of offer?"

"We will discuss that later. The important thing is this: the Council of Law is now prepared to accuse alley Lord Triax of killing Hector." He smiled. "Which means that I will be increasing my power base by acquiring his territory when he is removed from it."

"Why are you telling me this?" Demenik asked. "I am a small player, Lord. This has nothing to do with me."

"You have proven yourself in the few months since you first stepped into this room. The easiest way to execute the plan requires actions that I believe you are best-suited to perform. If you do well, Demenik, you stand to profit and gain further standing in my court."

The better bet is that I will take a fall, Demenik realized. He doesn't want to expose valuable assets when he can use someone new like me. I'm backed into a corner and there's nothing I can do. Except prosper from the opportunity. "I'm honoured for the chance, Lord Caladan."

Caladan watched Demenik for a moment and then nodded. "Riley will contact you soon to arrange the specifics. Do not fail me in this, boys. You may go."

***

Oak kicked at a stone on the ground, sending it skittering ahead. "I don't like this, Demenik."

Neither do I. "It will be fine."

"You know what he's doing, right?"

"Yes."

"If trouble happens, we will be on our own."

Demenik stopped and the others did the same. "That is untrue. Since we first met and began to help each other, one thing is assured: we will never be alone."

"We will succeed," Stick said.

"Yes. We will."

***

Riley looked at Demenik's tribute coins on the table. "He pays you the standard thirty percent?"

"Twenty."

Riley raised one eyebrow and glanced at Lord Caladan. "Getting soft in your old age?"

Caladan laughed. "The boy is different."

"You are fond of him."

Lord Caladan shrugged.

"Why did you choose him for this, then? The odds are excellent that he will die."

"I chose him because I think he can succeed."

"It will be interesting to see if you are correct."

"In matters such as this, I usually am."

"That is true."

"There are many who said infiltrating the Keepers was impossible, and yet here you are."

Riley smiled and stood. "I must go." He bowed and walked toward the exit.

"It is good to have you close to me again. This is an important time. We will meet again soon."

Riley stopped at the door, looked over his shoulder, and grinned at Lord Caladan. "I'm happy to be home again. I look forward to seeing you again soon, Father."