The Tables Turn


Mid-morning, Owl burst into the apartment.
	"Found him!  He is sitting at a table outside a little eatery
not that far from the temple of Sigmar.  Whatever you are going to do,
you'd better act fast.  Rasputan gave him a throwing knife and a small
jar when they parted this morning.  I think he is waiting to kill
someone."
	Silk jumped to his feet, grabbing his cloak and stick.  "Good
job!  Come with me, both of you.  We've got to get to Freedman right
away!"
	They left the apartment and hurried towards the Rat's Nest,
but as they crossed over the bridge, they ran into Terrence.
	"Half a moment, guys," Silk instructed.  He strode over to
Terrence.  "I've been looking for you.  Got a job that suits you well;
short and sweet.  If you are interested in some quick cash, meet me at
the Rat's Nest in an hour."  Without waiting for a reply he returned
to Owl and Bash.  "Let's go."

"Good day, Mister Freedman.  My twin has been located.  Owl here will
guide you to him.  There is some need for haste, as he may not remain
at his current location for long.  Here is the remainder of the sum
that we agreed to.  I feel obligated to warn you that he is armed."
Silk handed Jubal ten crowns, trying to conceal the amount from Bash
and Owl.
	"Da, okay," the pit fighter replied.  Without another word, he
stood and exited the establishment with Owl.
	Terrence showed up shortly after Owl and Jubal left.  Looking
unsure of the location, he joined Silk and Bash just as they were
starting on a beer and a bowl.
	"Glad you decided to make it," Silk said, happy for a reason
not to take another bite of his meal.  "As I said, the job is short
and sweet.  I need a door opened.  It's probably barred from the
inside and the only other ways in appear to be through upper windows.
I think that you and the job are a good match."
	Terrence looked at Silk out of the corner of his eye.  "What's
the catch?  What's waiting for me inside?  Is this the emperor's house
or something?"
	"Catch?  Oh yes, there is one problem.  The person living
inside is a drugged-up paranoid.  He was last seen with four
bodyguards, and there is also at least one other person living the
house."  Silk paused from his meal and look Terrence directly in the
eye.  "I'm going to hit Rasputan."
	Terrence smiled.  "I'm interested.  What is the pay?"
	"I'll give you five now, and at least ten afterwards.  I will
probably be feeling generous if this matter is concluded to my
satisfaction."  Silk was also caught Bash's eye upon saying
'generous.'
	"I'll do it.  Are you expecting me to do anything else?"
	"Are you any good in a fight?  There's going to be action and
I won't be sorry for another arm on my side.  Even if you don't care
to bash some heads, it wouldn't hurt to have someone to do some
scouting.  If you just want to open the door and leave, fine.  I'll
tell you what happened with Rasputan afterwards."
	"We'll see.  When and where?"
	"Be at O'Malley's just before sundown."  Silk handed him the
gold and Terrence hurried out.
	Silk tried to choke down the rest his meal.  Supposedly it was
beef stew; he knew it could not be dog, because no dog could produce
that much gristle.  After his stomach was satisfied and the beer had
washed some forgiveness into his tongue, Silk and Bash spent the the
afternoon carousing with the locals.  Their stay at the Rat's Nest was
not as fun-filled as their last; everyone could tell they were waiting
for something big, but after buying a few beers they were made
welcome.

Silk was trying to get some rest when Owl, Crash, and Smash entered
the apartment.  All three were looking pale.  The latter two collapse
onto bedrolls, obviously traumatized.  Owl dropped into a chair and
stared into space as he spoke.
	"Well, it's done.  You don't have to worry about your double
any more.  Just as Jubal and I were coming up on the scene, you...
your double jumped up and threw a poisoned blade at a high-ranking
priest of Sigmar.  I...  well, it wasn't easy, but I got Jubal to kill
you.  I didn't think having you hunted by the law throughout most of
the Old World would do anybody any good."  He paused for a moment.
"After...  after you died, well, you...  no, 'it' changed.  It grew
taller and skinnier and...  lost all its skin.  Disemboweled thugs are
one thing, but I hope I never see anything like that again.  It had no
eyelids.  It just kept staring.  Jubal seemed to take it pretty well,
although we had to scrape up another 20 crowns between the three of us
to pay him for the job.  He killed him in an alley.  Not too many
people were around, but enough that the word is already spreading; I
don't think you're in danger from the watch or anything, even if any
witnesses knew your face.  I didn't hear anyone talking about you."
Owl closed his eyes, but quickly opened them again.
	"I hope I don't sleep for a week."
	Silk listened in horror as Owl described the obviously inhuman
creature that was committing atrocities in Silk's guise.  As Owl
narrated the demise of the demon, Silk breathed a sigh of relief and
offered a short prayer of thanks to whatever gods might be listening.
But realization came suddenly, "No, it's not done.  My double was just
a piece in the game, albeit a powerful one.  The one responsible for
bringing that obscenity to Altdorf is still playing, and we are the
only ones that know what is happening.  You all have done so much for
me already, but I still have need of you.  Take whatever time you need
to pull yourselves together.  We have to go out again as soon as you
are able."

Silk rapped on the side gate of Goering's estate.  "William the Sharp,
please," he said to the gateman.
	William soon arrived at the gate.
	"Can we talk inside?  Unsettling things are afoot," Silk said
quietly, but in great earnest.  When Silk and Owl were allowed inside
the gate, Silk instructed the footpad to fill William in on the
happenings at the eatery.  When Owl had finished his account, Silk
turned to William.
	"The poisoned blade was given to my double by Rasputan.  Owl
here, saw the exchange this morning.  It is clear to me that a plot is
in motion; one that seeks to make an impact beyond that of my demise.
I didn't expect your help when this was a personal conflict of mine,
but now the game is more important.  I need help."
	"Hmmm..."  William hummed thoughtfully.  "I don't see that as
the obvious conclusion...  about the game, I mean.  However, what did
you have in mind?"
	"Rasputan either knows what is going on, or has the
information that will lead to those responsible.  He must be found and
pumped for that information.  I had originally planned to hit his
place tonight.  I still think that is the best course of action,
especially if there are people present that can better deal with
things like the lads saw this afternoon.  I would be satisfied if you
were along, even if you didn't take part in the fracas.  Naturally,
you could bring whomever you wanted to support you.  Also, it would
give you an excellent opportunity to identify your master's gems,
should they be in Rasputan's possession."  Stepping closer, Silk
whispered, "If you could see your way clear, I could use some cash to
pay the lads.  They've been working for me for days out of the
goodness of their hearts.  Sixty would do, A hundred would be nice.
We could call it a finder's fee."  Stepping back again, Silk added,
"If you need to verify my story, just ask Freedman.  He'll tell you
right enough."
	William was silent for a while, then, "Wait here."  When he
returned it was with a smile.  "I'll go with you.  As you said, it
will make for an excellent opportunity to identify my employer's
gems."
	"Very good.  We'll stop to get Terrence, and then go over to
Rasputan's."

Silk surveyed his little army with more than a little pride.
"Terrence," he said with as much authority as he could muster.  "When
do you want to start?  I suspect that our chances will improve as the
night grows old, but you will be the most exposed, so you call the
shot."
	"Three hours before dawn," Terrence replied, obviously pleased
to be in on the decision making.
	Silk nodded, then left to have few words with O'Malley.  Upon
returning to his band, he quietly announced, "O'Malley has been
gracious enough to grant us use of a little place out back, so come
on, I want everyone get some sleep."



						Jeff Stehman