Free Thread Slivers (Golden Threads Trilogy) by Leeland Artra

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    Ticca turned and walked the short distance to the very specific table she’d dreamed of sitting at for cycles. The table was one of the many open tables used by known Daggers. It was also one of the eight that could be permanently designated to a Dagger or Dagger fire-team. It was not a large table, just big enough for maybe two Daggers and a client or two to share. It had the advantage of being near the bar and the stairs, yet still commanded an excellent view of the left main room. It was also close enough to hear clearly the left room’s performing bard which was important to keep up on the best tales, news, gossip, and of course enjoy the entertainment. It was also far enough from the bard’s platform to allow conversing with clients. Most importantly, the table backed to a shallow nook so she could sit with her back to a wall so no one could come up from behind. It pays being an early riser. I beat Hairy and Frumpy again. But today I am going to move up a notch. Licking her suddenly dry mouth, she took some deep breaths to try and slow her heart, which started racing as she approached the table. Glancing around out of the corner of her eyes, she boldly sat down at the small table.
    Even though no one looked as she sat down, she was sure a few took note. Genne didn’t even stop his conversation and she’d half-expected him to protest. Genne hasn’t kicked me away from here, so he at least is willing to let me sit here. She let her pack fall into the shallow contour of the wall, which meant it was out of sight from the most of the room. She watched the room and shifted to get more comfortable; her shirt was sticking to her back a little. Damn, I was more nervous than I expected, she thought as she covertly pulled her shirt away from her back. Leaning back against the wall, she felt her smile grow now that she had successfully taken a more prominent Dagger table. A couple of notches higher on the Dagger scale, now I need to earn it. It only took a few seconds before one of the serving girls came over and put down her breakfast in front of her.
    “Which would you like this morning, your hot arit or the milk we got in? It’s real fresh.”
    Ticca smiled at her for the courtesy of the total lack of acknowledgement of the significance of her chosen location. “Actually this morning I’ll take both.” The serving girl stood for a second to see if she was going to be asked for the price of the milk. When it was obvious Ticca was not going ask she looked a little curious, but nodded and moved off towards the kitchens. Ah that got you a little curious. She let her smile turn to a smirk.
    As Ticca was taking her third bite, the serving girl came back with her milk and hot arit. Setting down the drinks, the girl moved off to take care of other customers. The expected familiar pair of young men came in the door and headed straight for her table. But, seeing it occupied, they stopped for a second and then turned, taking a different table. Ticca watched as they said something to the serving girl that made her shrug as she gave them their breakfast. Asking if I am an ignorant merchant’s daughter or something I bet. I know who you are and I know who you tend to work for, but you haven’t been paying much attention to anyone other than the big league Daggers, have you. After the girl brought back some hot arit for the two Daggers they drank deeply and then the hairy one put a highly polished dagger into the dagger holder in the center of their table. It had a wide winged hand guard, and a simple circular pommel; its hilt was wrapped with a blacked iron cord. Interesting, that is new. You two have only been doing simple patrol and guard stuff. Trying to move up to bigger jobs is risky. Especially since neither of you really look like the heavy fighting types.
    A soft thud announced Genne’s arrival at the table. She looked at him as he leaned back in the chair. He had taken the other Dagger chair which kept most of