Free In Search of Spice by Rex Sumner Page A

stared at her. “City girl? Don’t let it get to you; this scum deserved it and a lot more. Professional killer, right Sara?”
    “Yeah, I killed his employer last year and he didn’t get paid. There may be more in his band waiting outside.” Sara improvised.
    “I know.” Sal was all efficiency, Sara was impressed, but Linda and Terri were looking scared, especially at this last comment.
    Sara called over the buzz of conversation in the bar. “Pat! Dan! Can you come over?”
    The boys came over reluctantly, Dan giving one of the men a last kick. They stared at the body on the floor, and the unconscious Lance. Before they could say anything, Carlson’s assistant arrived with a girl in tow. He picked up a body under each arm and made off with them, while the girl mopped the blood off the floor and left.
    “What...”
    Sal interrupted. “Seems Sara has a few enemies and they tried to take her out. That fight with you was a diversion, Dan, so they could kill her. Didn’t work out.”
    “Kill her? You’re kidding!” The boys stared at her for a moment.
    “We need to get her safely back to the ship and there may be others out there.”
    The boys looked at her for a moment, and Dan and Pat straightened at the same time.
    “No worries,” said Dan, “we’ll look after her.”
    “I’ll scout ahead,” volunteered Rat. He looked at the others and blushed. “I was a thief. Why I am on ship, to change what I am. But I got skills. I’ll go over the roofs ahead of you and spot any ambush. You can depend on me.”
    Sara grabbed his hand and smiled at him. “Thanks Rat.” He blushed.
    “Leave him alone, He’s mine.” Sal grinned at her; Rat blushed even more and looked at his shoes. Sal turned to the girls. “Are you going to be alright? Can you get back to the ship without fainting on us?”
    This got a reaction. Terri gulped, but Linda glared at her. “We’re crew! In this together. Tomorrow we may be fighting pirates and killing them ourselves. We just weren’t expecting it here, and it’s Terri’s hometown. She’s not even been drinking in the docks and she’s young. But she’s strong, aren’t you love?”
    Terri’s eyes hardened and she nodded. “We’ll be fine, not only will we not faint on you, but we’ll fight beside you if we need to.” She pulled her knife from her belt. It was a decent length and well used, but sharp.
    Mikkel came up with Connor and Selwyn. “OK folks, time to go. I’ve squared it all with Carlson, he’s going to dispose of the body and sort out the others. We’re all coming with you to the ship.”
    “What’ll happen to them?” Sara asked, her face hard.
    “Don’t ask. Carlson has connections and we’ve known him for years. They won’t trouble you again. Now come on, the back door is open and we’re going that way.”

Without another word, they filed out through the kitchen into the backyard. Rat squirrelled up the side of an ornate building and was gone from sight with barely a whisper, while Pat slipped ahead, motioning with his hand; Mot crossed the street and ranged ahead. The others formed a loose bunch and walked down the centre of the street, Mikkel in the lead with Connor and Selwyn at the back, checking behind constantly.
    Sara looked at Sal. “You’re like a military operation. You seen a lot of trouble?”
    “Yup. We run one of the biggest spreads in Fearaigh, and we’re always getting raiders coming down from the hills, men, elves, even the odd Dwarven band, though they tend to treat with us first these days.”
    “Elvish raiders?”
    “Renegades. Not part of the main clan, and they need to win their scars. Seems we’ve developed a bit of a reputation, and they try to hit us at least once every couple of years. They like our horses. Of course the Elf Queen sends a trading caravan once a year.”
    “I didn’t know.” Sara frowned.
    “Why should you? We look after ourselves and we’re proud of it. No mercenaries down our way.”
    Sara