City of Rogues: Book I of the Kobalos Trilogy by Ty Johnston

that line of work. This associate made sure of that years ago. He bought out all contracts for the guild where I was provost, effectively putting me out of business. I owe him no favors.”
    Adara huffed again as the first boot slipped into place and she grabbed the other one. “I take it you don’t need the money?”
    “ The associate was kind enough to make sure I was well compensated before my forced retirement.”
    “ It sounds as if you got a good deal.” Adara tugged on the other boot. “You made out with some gold and don’t have to work.”
    “ Let’s just say I enjoyed my profession.”
    Finally, Adara pulled up the last boot.. “You at least could have heard the fellow out.” She  stood and stomped the boots into perfect fit, then appeared in the doorway.
    Fortisquo stood in the center of the front room with the remains of a mostly eaten apple skewered on the end of his sword. He gulped down the last of the fruit in his mouth. “I am no longer in that line of work.”
    “ And what line of work would that be?”
    “ I killed people, and I was quite good at it. I headed the assassin’s guild for nearly five years.”
    Adara’s jaw dropped.
    Fortisquo slung his sword’s tip, sending the apple flying across the room to land in a corner on a fine rug. “I’m going to need more than this for breakfast.” He belched and dropped his sword into its sheath.
    Adara stood motionless, her jaw still hanging.
    Fortisquo snapped his fingers in front of the woman’s eyes. “Adara.”
    She blinked and scowled. “I never knew you were a hired assassin.”
    Fortisquo laughed again. “Would it have made a difference?”
    Adara thought about it for a second. “Probably not. I guess it’s no different from what we do.”
    “ Don’t fool yourself,” Fortisquo said. “It’s quite different from what you and I do. An assassin kills anyone he has been paid to kill. A professional duelist only kills when necessary.”
    The swordsman turned and headed toward the exit. “Are you coming, or do you wish me to send up food?”
    Adara sighed. “I’m coming, I suppose.” She took several steps toward Fortisquo.
    “ Good.” The swordsman glanced back at Adara as he turned the brass knob on the door. “I’d hate to spend breakfast with the bartender again. The man can pour a decent ale but he can’t fry eggs worth —"
    Fortisquo went silent and stared out the door.
    Adara looked across the room to see two muscular figures in leather armor in the doorway. Each of the men carried a large crossbow with arrows pointed at Fortisquo’s chest. Behind the two in leather stood the man who had spoken with Fortisquo a half hour earlier.
    “ Master Belgad insists upon meeting with you,” Lalo the Finder said.
    Fortisquo looked to Adara. “It seems we will be having breakfast with that associate after all, my dear.”
     
    ***
     
    “ Tell me your problems.” Fortisquo sat in a chair of iron bands on a second-floor verandah overlooking one of Belgad’s gardens. Next to him sat Adara. Across a table from them, Belgad lounged on a marble sofa layered with silk pillows and a pale Hiponese throw with edges of gold stitching. Behind the master of the manner stood Lalo the Finder, patiently quiet.
    “ Do you know of Trelvigor?” Belgad sat up straight. Now that Fortisquo was here, it was time for business, and Belgad never relaxed when it was time for business. One’s senses became dull when reclining.
    The former assassin nodded to his former associate. “ I passed the house a few days ago.”
    “ I’m having him tended in the central healing tower.” Belgad looked to Adara, then back to Fortisquo. “He’s expected to live, but will likely wear scars the rest of his days.”
    Fortisquo eased back in the iron chair to become as comfortable as possible. “ What do the wizard’s misfortunes have to do with you?”
    “ Possibly nothing,” Belgad said, “but events since look to be linked to the fire. A few nights