Samul took Dorm through the dusty streets of the town, leaving the increasingly inebriated Nate in the bar. The bandit drew considering glances from the women while the men crossed the street to avoid him. These people knew what the man was, who he worked for and it both made them afraid and allured according to gender.

Dorm didn’t know where he was going but it was not the where that was important but the who. He was going to see Blake Taylor, the leader of Blake’s Blades and if all went well within a few days he should be part of the Blades. It was Blake Taylor who would led him to Saffron, Nerieth or whatever name she was using this time around. And Dorm Harkaway would see that justice was done as he always did, for Marietta Tuck the widow, for the families of the trial of dead that Saffron had left behind, but most of all because the Alliance had ordered it. And Dorm Harkaway always followed orders.

But right now he was only Dorm Harkaway on the inside. Outside he was playing the part of Dorm Rendell, a petty tough and gang enforcer from New Peking. It was cover that had served him well before and he was sure it would this time; Blake was from New Peking.

The two men came to another tavern, this one bigger and wealthier looking than the one Dorm had met Samul and Nate in. Inside it was well lit but smoky enough to not be able to see the occupants of the corner booths. Samul nodded at the barman who motioned him towards a staircase next to the bar. They ascended the staircase, Samul letting Dorm go ahead. The bandit was being careful, not taking any chances. Dorm would have to watch himself and not make any sudden moves. If he did anything stupid Samul would shoot first and ask questions later. Dorm doubted that anybody would protest or call out the bandits if some stranger was killed and his body left in a ditch. He had to be smart here.

There was a big man outside the door where they stopped. Samul had a few quick words to him and the man nodded and came over to pat Dorm down. Dorm stopped him a