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

ything from you.”
    “ Then what Belgad wants is going to cost more than a bag of coins.”
    “ Tell me your price.”
    “ The contracts from my guild. Sign them over to me.”
    Belgad nearly rose from his seat to shout at the sword master’s face, but gritted his teeth to keep from doing so. It took him a moment to regain his composure. “I am not going to allow an assassin’s guild in this city again. You know my position on that matter.”
    “ Y ou’ve always said killings are bad for business, but that’s not true if killing is your business.”
    “ Killing isn’t my business. Making money is. Blood in the streets means fewer people to spend their coin. Fewer people spending coin means I make less. I’ve come a long way since Dartague, my friend, and I do not foresee returning to those ways. I spared you ten years ago because we came to an amicable agreement. You have stood by our agreement since, but if I was wrong in my judgment of you, then I will have to have you removed.”
    Adara eased a hand toward the rapier on her hip as she felt the tension rise on the verandah. She had seen no weapons on Belgad, or Lalo for that matter, but she had no doubts Belgad could take care of himself and there were likely numerous guards within shouting distance.
    “ There will be no need for that.” Fortisquo waved a hand at the Dartague. “I am retired. But it would do my ego good to have those contracts again.”
    “ I would rather not take the chance on your changing your mind at some future date.” Belgad’s voice was firm.
    Fortisquo stood with slowness and walked to the edge of the verandah to stare at the greenery below.
    “ One thousand gold,” Belgad repeated.
    Fortisquo continued to stare, his eyes following a yellow bird feeding from the long pink tube of a foreign plant he could not name.
    Belgad forced himself to stand. “ Fortisquo, I am not a man of patience.”
    The swordsman turned slowly, a grin still stretched across his face. “A thousand gold will do fine. But there will have to be some arrangements.”
    The big Dartague appeared confused. “ What do you have in mind?”
    “ First, you are going to throw a party.” Fortisquo winked at Adara.

 
     
     
    Chapter Ten
     
    Seemingly flummoxed, Belgad returned to his seat. “ What do you mean by party ?”
    Adara and Lalo leaned forward in curiosity. They had been discussing killing Kron Darkbow, and now the former master of Bond’s assassins’ guild was talking about festivities.
    “ A ball.” Fortisquo continued smiling “A festival of sorts.”
    “ Have you gone mad?” The look on Belgad’s face revealed his displeasure. “Should I have you admitted to the Asylum?”
    “ Darkbow isn’t set on killing you, at least not immediately, or he would have tried. First he wants to humiliate you.”
    “ He did that by burning my ships for the whole town to see.”
    “ Yes, but that was a message to you. If he had wanted to embarrass you publicly he would have left some sort of calling card, perhaps his name written in flames or something else as silly. He wants you to feel small and powerless. Oh, he might get around to trying to kill you eventually, but only after he thinks he’s emotionally crushed you.”
    Lalo opened his mouth for the first time since the gathering began. “How does Trelvigor fit into all this?”
    Belgad answered. “Perhaps Trelvigor provided information that led Darkbow to me, or perhaps Trelvigor was the original target, and somehow this man’s fury was passed on to me.”
    “ All possibilities.” Fortisquo shrugged. “But we have to keep our focus on the fact Darkbow’s main target is now you, Belgad.”
    “ None of that explains why you think I should have a festival.” The northerner remained unsmiling. “I would think I should have more important things with which to be concerned.”
    “ Let’s say you have this party here at your mansion,” Fortisquo said, holding out his hands to the opulence