Herald of the Storm by Richard Ford Read Free Book Online Page A

may just have a solution to your problem.’
    Merrick felt cold panic begin to rise in his guts. Being in debt to Shanka the Lender was one thing. Being in debt to the Guild was quite another. At least without his balls he’d still be half a man – what the Guild might do was much worse.
    ‘Honestly, Shanka and I are just ironing out some teething problems. There’s absolutely no need for you to get involved.’
    ‘Oh, but I insist, Ryder. For old times’ sake.’
    Fuck
.
    ‘Okay. I’m all ears.’ Merrick tried a casual smile, but he knew it wasn’t very convincing.
    ‘We have a job which will utilise your truly unique skills.’
Thieving? Gambling? Drinking? Surely they didn’t want to borrow his skills in the bedroom?
‘We want you to broker a deal with some foreigners. To see it through from start to finish, using your usual charm and finesse.’
    ‘Really? There’s no one in the whole city better suited to this than me?’
    Bastian suddenly stepped forward, his piercing eyes staring down with barely masked hatred. ‘It’s your particular pedigree we’re interested in, Ryder. You have contacts. Friends in high places who will come in very handy. Bribes will have to be paid, blind eyes turned to certain actions. You will make this happen, Ryder, and in return your debts to Shanka the Lender will be paid off.’
    ‘Sounds fair,’ Merrick replied, though it actually sounded shit. ‘Exactly what deal do I need to broker?’
    Bastian looked towards the diminutive Friedrik, who gave a long sigh before he spoke. ‘A slave ship will reach port in two days. When it arrives it will be empty. By the time it leaves, you will ensure it is full. Will this be a problem?’
    Shit right it’ll be a fucking problem
. Slavery had been outlawed in the Free States for over two centuries. The penalty for slave trading was public castration and execution by hanging.
    Merrick looked first at Friedrik, then at the cold, calculating eyes of Bastian.
    ‘No. No problem at all,’ he replied
    ‘Excellent.’ Friedrik smiled. ‘You’ll be given the details of when, where and how. All you need do is be yourself and turn on that famous Ryder charm. It’s unlikely you’ll see us again; from now on you’ll be dealing with Palien, so if there’s anything you need before you go, best speak up now.’
    Merrick thought for a moment and then gingerly rose to his feet. ‘Just one thing.’ Bastian scowled as though Merrick had just left a shit on the floor behind him. ‘Any chance you can lend me a sword?’

FOUR
    E astgate Market was the oldest in the city. Not the largest, certainly not the cleanest and it definitely didn’t display the richest wares; but it had a long history. It dated back to the Age of the Sword Kings, when the river barons had brought their goods down the Storway from the foot of the Kriega Mountains.
    How Rag knew this she couldn’t remember – it was just one of those useless pieces of information you picked up. She did know other things, however, that weren’t quite so useless. Things like where Harol the Fishmonger kept his stash of crowns and when it would be at its fullest. Things like which hand Carser the Butcher wielded his cleaver with so she could avoid it if he got too close. Things like what the fastest routes out of the market were for when things got too hot. Things like when the lads in the Greencoats would be patrolling and what time they took a break for dice and a swift jar of ale.
    The Greencoats were the least of her worries. Well, maybe not the least, but they were way down the list. They didn’t bother much about a lone street urchin. Some of them were even fairly sympathetic at times and turned a blind eye, either too lazy or too preoccupied to pay attention to young wastrels stealing morsels from the market stalls.
    No, it was the Guild that was the worst.
    They’d have someone wandering around now, sizing up the best punters for the catch, signalling to their pickers,