Chapter 2

"Productive couple of nights?" Orlov had been asking about every night ever eager to make a joke at how Król was like a child with a new toy. They grabbed a loaf of bread, splitting it between themselves and made their way to Kowalski. When they stepped outside the sun was still rising and the streets were empty except for a few passed out drunks here and there. In the alley they walked past there were two corpses from the previous night. Outside Kowalski's shop there were two men lying face down into the mud. When they stepped into the shop it was like stepping into a new world, it smelt of warm leather, the smell of nutmeg lingered in the air and the smell of different metals mixed in the air. The atmosphere was soothing and almost lulled you to sleep. Then in the back there was the sound of a man at work on the anvil. It was the first time Król had noticed her. "Is everything ready?" he was cold and impassive against her but besides this she still spoke with a smile on her face. "Everything is ready for you," she cocked her head to the side a bit, "Come with me to the back and you can try it on. They disappeared to the back and when they returned Król was ready. Everything was back, he had fine black cloth for his trousers, black leather armour especially found in the south, breast plate made from the best metal with wolves' chiselled lightly. Then Kowalski appeared through the door with gauntlets in his hands, "These are yours, they should go finely with the chain mail and breast plate you already have." Król took them and slipped them on. Everything fitted snugly as a glove and the metal was light. Król looked to Jean and spoke to Kowalski, without breaking eye contact with his daughter, "Thank you for the fine job you did." He placed three silver coins on the counter and the made for the door. Then he suddenly froze. Outside there were seven men, five of them were part of the city watch, the sixth man Król didn't recognise but knew was the constable due to him wearing the constable's uniform and the seventh man Król didn't recognise. Then there was a shout from the unknown man, "I am the new watch master and I'm here to bring in the man who killed the late watch master and his would be successors," he took a deep breath and grinned, "I have brought the new constable with me to make it known that my actions are just." The people began to stir from their peace due to the sudden commotion, women watched from windows, men came in bunches, while the children watched from hiding places and the old tried their best to seem disinterested but watched from the corner of their eyes. Król turned to Jean, "Bring me a tankard of ale," then he felt Orolv's hand on his shoulder, "Sorry, make that two tankards." He looked at Kowalski, then thought for a moment. "I need you to go out there and hold them off for a while," he could see the shock on his face, "how am I supposed to hold them off?" Król grinned, "No one said anything about fighting, and you just need to talk to them till Jean comes back with the ale." Without the slightest bit of pleasure Kowalski stormed out the front door and began his mad rant, shouting at the group of men. Ignoring the trade of words going on outside Król looked to Orlov, "I think I'll kill them," it was more of a question and Orlov picked up on it. "You won't have to kill all of them, if you didn't notice but three of our brothers are here." Król took another look outside and found Babyface standing with a group of women and the twins were standing with a group of men. Babyface was a handsome man, who women trusted with ease, you could trust his words and actions but you could never trust his looks because behind that beautiful smile was a demon that found peace in death. "How can you be sure they'll come to my aid," Król gave him a flat look. Smiling he spoke, "Babyface has always taken a liking to you and the twins showed all the brothers they support you," he spoke with absolute certainty. When Jean returned with two tankards foaming at the top Król smiled, "I guess this will tell me where they stand," then he grew dark his eyes held hatred and his voice filled with bloodlust, "Either with me or dead along the rest of the world." Jean took a few steps away from him, he ignored her and made for the door with Orlov in tow. When he stepped through the door all eyes were on him. He walked up to the post of the deck, leaned on it and took a swing from his ale. "There he is, the murderer," the watch master was pointing an accusing finger at Król. Ignoring him Król continued drinking and let Kowalski defend him. "Where is your evidence for such claims, calling a man a murderer without a single witness," Kowalski was talking to the crowd trying to break the watch masters statement. "Ah but there is a witness and the constable here has seen him and heard what he has to say," there was an outburst of mumbles and murmurs then came a few fingers pointing at Król. To everyone's surprise he hadn't moved except to take the occasional drink, then he put his tankard on the railing and moved down the steps of the deck. There came an unsettling calm, a calm that always comes before a storm. "So what exactly have you come to do?" he spoke in his enchanting voice, weaving his words into the hearts of everyone that could hear his voice. He soothed them into a dream. "It seems to me as though you've come to kill me," he pointed to a cart that had been sitting across the road, "You have already brought the cart of death used to collect corpses." He grinned, "So instead of bringing justice and putting me on trial, you would kill me without reason," there were gasps among the spectators as they saw the cart. Before he could continue the watchmen drew their swords but their movements were slow. He drew before them and killed to with a quick flick of the wrist slicing their throats and leaving them dying on the floor. Three remained and there was doubt in their eyes. He danced the dance of death with his sword as his partner. One, two, three, drop. Another man fell to his blade and the reaming two decided to attack him at once. He twisted in a single fluid movement, grabbing the sword of the first assailant he buried his own in the man's throat leaving it he moved to the second man, who was slow, he drove the sword into his neck and moved to retrieve his own sword from its resting place. He stood above his victims, sword dripping with blood. "Are these the men you've left your protection to," he made a sweeping gesture to the bodies by he his feet, "five killed by a single man." He saw the shocked looks on their faces as they thought of the previous events. "Don't listen to him, he has just killed five watchmen in cold blood," the watch master was pleading with the crowd. "I was only fighting back in self-defence, your men were weak and could have allowed the city to fall," there were mummers of agreement amongst the spectators. Król walked around the bodies in circles, never letting them take their eyes of him. "As the watch master will you take responsibility for the lack of dedication your men have," the men and women waited in anticipation. "Answer" came a distant voice then another one from a different direction. "I will not, I haven't had the chance to meet with them," Król grinned when he heard the words come out. Realising his mistake he tried to speak but was cut off, "So instead of cleaning up the city watch you decided it best to come here and accuse me of crimes I haven't committed and tell me and everyone else that there's a new constable?" the atmosphere changed. He was losing them. Król finally realising who the constable was grinned, "Is that your brother?" the question sat in the air and everyone thought the same thing. "Yes he is my brother, you all know him" he turned appealing to the gathering that had assembled. "What struck of luck that the constable of before disappears as soon as you became watch master," Król pointed his blood stained sword at him, "I wonder what could have happened to him." He paused and let the people think awhile and when they all came to the same conclusion he made his move. "the funny thing is I found the constable dead in an alley," he looked at the watch master, "at first I thought it was a robbery gone wrong but then again who robes the constable, but the thing is he was clutching his own guts and when I searched him he still had his belongings," he let his words sink in and simmer for a second. "Let's not forget what an upstanding watchmen you were I mean you took your orders from the nobles," there was a drop of fear in his eyes now. "I mean when merchants didn't want to work for a noble they'd just send you a letter and you'd make him disappear or bring false charges against him right?" Król shook his head slowly in mock disappointment. "Is this really the watch master you want," the anger of the crowd was thick enough to spread it on bread, "A man who will use his power of authority to fatten his purse at your cost." There were a few cries for justice and that's what came. Król leaped forward driving the tip of his blade through the silent constable's throat, he ripped it out and left him to drown in his own blood. But before Król could make his move on the watch master, his loyal followers came surging through the crowd. The people ran in every direction possible, trying to get away from the action. Before they could reach him they were attacked from behind by the twins then Babyface and finally Orlov joined in as well. Attacked from behind, left and right they had nowhere to turn. Then Król joined his brothers, it became one-sided after that. Having slit the last man's throat he looked at the reaming people, "you have to cut evil by the root, now the choice is yours," he waited catching his breath, "you can either take action and deliver justice or leave him and be oppressed." Without need of anymore instruction they grabbed the watch master and dragged him off to the pennant pole to be lashed by a six tailed whip. Król turned to the brothers present, "we best head over to the mayor of this fine city and make sure he knows he works for us now," the brothers smiled at the thought of running the city and they made their way through the city. Upon reaching the mayor's office they saw him leaving with three armed men. The twins and babyface took hold of the guards with blades at their throats while Król pulled the mayor into an alley. He placed his blade on the mayor's throat. "So where were you heading' on this morning?" Król could feel the man tremble through his blade, he couldn't help grinning. "I was heading over to calm the people," his voice trembling holding no power as the mayor should. "I'm afraid I can't let you do that," he paused and waited for the oncoming group to pass, "you see I want you to know I killed the watch master and that you're going to place a young man by the name of Aron as watch master of the city and Artur as the constable." There was silence after Król finished. "Let me guess you're going to want to be mayor next well I'm afraid things don't work like that around here so unless you have coin in your purse or you're willing to cross a noble I suggest you piss off." Król stood quiet and listened to the man's rant, darkening as he spoke. "Listen here I'm not asking for your cooperation I'm telling you what you're about to do," he spoke with an unsettling coldness in voice, he traced the blade down the man's throat and body finally coming to a stop by his balls. He applied a bit of pressure. "If you expect some type of bribe you're wrong, this is me holding your future in my hands," he paused for a minute then looked down and spoke with a grin, "well this is me with your life on the tip of my dagger, so what's your decision?" The mayor was in a real sweat, then Król looked down to see a puddle form around his feet. He turned to his brothers, "I think he's sprung a leak," they broke into laughter. "All right I'll do what you say." Król removed his dagger and looked him in the eyes, "Listen here, go back inside change your breaches and go address the city that you have a appointed a new watch master and constable," his voice darkened as he spoke, "then you'll go back home and tell your wife you love her after that don't come back out till night fall." As soon as Król moved to let the mayor go he ran like a whipped dog tripping over himself. Król made his way to the main road where he found Aron and ten men alongside him, "You will be the next watch master, which simply means you work for me so let's take your first step to cleaning this city," Aron nodded and they made their way to a brothel named Petite Charlie. They found the room of the men they were looking for, Aron and his men stayed back while Król and his men grabbed the man who was standing by the door flirting with one of the ladies. They barged straight into the room the twins knelt him to the ground in a corner of the room, while Król and Orlov made their way to the foot of the bed. Babyface was outside the door talking to the lady that was suddenly left alone. "Do you know who I am you ignorant bastards?" he spoke while hiding his body under the covers, the woman he was with scurried out of bed and stood in the corner naked. Król looked at Orlov and pointed at the girl and without saying a word he handed her a blanket to cover herself. "I know exactly who you are, your mistake however is not knowing who I am," Król was pleased to see him grow less unsure of himself. "I run this city now and the thing is I don't need you in it," Król turned to the twins and their captive, "strip him then put the poor sod to sleep." With a hard knock to the head, he was out like a light. Laying on the floorboards stark naked. Baby face walked in with the women at his side, "Brother Król what must I do with her?" there was a pause, thee tension grew in the room. "Slit her throat," he said it in such a matter of fact manner that Baby face was caught off guard for a moment but just a moment. He had his dagger out in the blink of an eye and she was crumpling to the floor drowning in her own blood. "Give me your dagger," Baby face handed his dagger to Król who in turn tossed it on the bed landing beside the hidden man. He quickly picked it and was pointing it at Król with trembling hands. "Here I thought you had more conviction in you," Król shook his head in mock disappointment with his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "I'm sorry I have to take your prey, I'll see if I can compensate you," Król turned looking at the young woman who had been standing in the corner. She fist looked at him in bewilderment then a second later she threw the mask away, "How'd you know?" Król grinned and shrugged his shoulders. "I guess it's due to the muscles I saw when you were standing naked and the fact that you didn't react to the death of the lady here," he nodded in the direction of the fresh corps. She smiled, "You have a sharp eye," she dropped the blanket and moved to a wardrobe and got dressed. "My apologies, I almost forgot you were her," Król looked the man in the eye. He turned and nodded in Orlov's direction and moments later the watchmen who had been waiting patiently outside stormed in. "This man and his companion there raped and murdered this young lady here," he pointed at everything in turn as he spoke. "He still has the weapon in his hands," Król pointed his finger at the noble. Without saying a word they grabbed him and dragged him outside and took him to the city cells, where he would wait to be judged. The mystery woman stood facing Król. She had full leather body armour, with two short swords at her side, a hidden dagger in her boot, two blades on her lower back and a couple of throwing knives hidden here and there. She was dressed for war and judging by the way she walked Król could tell with a single glance she'd seen her fair share of blood. "What's your name your name kid," Król eyes flared a bit the anger in his eyes was fierce enough to kill a battalion. "My name is Król and yours?" he spoke with a clenched jaw holding his anger at bay. "I'll tell you the next time we meet until then you owe me," then she was gone, through the window and off the roof.

The brothers had clustered a bunch of tables and were enjoying a morning drink when they heard the commotion outside. Król looked to Orlov and nodded towards the window, he casually made his way there. When he took a look outside his body went tense and the joy dribbled to the floor, the brothers could feel the tension grow and finally it burst. Baron Aurek came charging through the doors with his men close behind, he took long strides as he made his way to the centre of the room. All eyes were on him, "Where is the man that dragged me out here?" the brothers looked to Król. They each rested their hands on their weapons and Król was pleased that they were ready to fight but he knew they weren't going to fight and die for him but rather for their own survival. Król stood and made his way to Aurek, the room grew still and it seemed even the very air was holding its breath. They stood facing each other, each man sizing up the other and when they came to their conclusion grinned. "Are you the one that called me out here," the question was rhetoric and Król had no interest in wasting his time. "Are you done wasting time, fighting for scraps?" there were a few gasps as they listened to what was said. Aurek raised an eyebrow, "What ever could you mean, I'm sure you know that I'm the noble and you're the peasant," Król could see his words held no truth and rang empty in the air. Król motioned for them to take a seat by a vacant table. When they sat down a fine wine was brought to then with two rich silver chalets. "I wonder how well a noble as fine as you is doing in the royal court," he let his words dangle for a while waiting to see if Aurek would take the bait. "Don't be a fool, there are only a few nobles that make it to the royal court. A man as low as you wouldn't know," he had lost the cool in his voice and there was a slight edge to it. Król poured the wine for himself and Aurek, he to a few sips enjoying the sweet taste. "What makes you nobles so different from," Aurek burst out laughing and jumped in before Król could say another word, "You mean between peasants like you and nobles like me?" Król took another sip of his wine and sighed a heavy sigh filled with disappointment, "From each other," he continued from his interrupted sentence, "What make you nobles different from each other?" he stressed the last word so there might be no confusion. A deafening silence fell upon the room, not a single soul dare move or even breathe till one man spoke. "Accomplishments," it was the Baron who broke the silence. "To answer your question I'll first talk about accomplishments," he held one finger in the air and gave a wry smile before taking a swing from his glass. "I fought alongside our late king and under his command I captured castles, killed men and executed whoever he ordered me to," his men nodded in agreement and Król's men stared at the Baron wide eyed, clearly impressed. "After my service I was knighted and given land by him he told me to hold the key, he gave me enough men to defend this region of the kingdom from invaders," he took another sip to rehydrate his mouth, "and before we move on let's clear one thing, I am not the backwater Baron you think I am," a few eyebrows raised and a couple of the brothers burst out laughing. "I hold a seat in the royal court, my power and influence is greater than you think-" he suddenly stopped when he realised throughout his entire speech Król had not spoken, he merely sat drinking and refilling his glass. The Barons men picked up on the strangeness from Król's actions soon after but Król's men were the only ones who seemed to know what was going on and it was their own joke. "What the hells the matter boy," the Baron was shouting, banging his fist on the table, "have I left you pissing your pants, well I'm glad you realise your mistake!" The Baron was breathing heavy from his sudden outburst and was about to continue but was stopped by Król raising his hand to silence him. "I'm sorry but is that all you've got to your name Baron," Król's voice held pity instead of contempt and he spoke quietly, "if so that's quite sad since all you did was do what you were told like a good serving boy." The men present saw for the first time how cold Król truly was. "Let me tell you what I have done," he held up a single finger, "I have killed a man your men feared and someone you couldn't kill," he held up a second finger, "I got you to drag your rich noble ass down here to listen to what I have to say," a third finger went up. "I have secured a patron who will ensure we are comfortable in any city," a fourth. "I have the mayor dancing in my palm to whatever tune I sing," a fifth. "I have taken Aron city and it's watchmen," he held five fingers in the air then he looked at them and wiggled them around. Król gave him his kindest smile. "Let me tell you a secret Baron; you're sitting in a trap." Outside there was a gathering of the city watch and the watch master walked in and without saying a word he walked to stand behind Król. He raised his second hand another finger went up and he smiled, "I trapped the Baron who fought for the late king and who happens to have a seat in the royal court." he refilled his glass with his smile slowly fading away. The room grew tense as the silence grew. "Now that we're done keeping score how about we get to business and why I called you out here," he looked at the Baron's captain who had slowly been creeping forward. Król raised an eyebrow, "Even if you manage to injure me, I'll just order my men to kill every last one of you." The Baron seemed puzzled, Król provided an answer with a simply finger aimed at Zolnerowich. The Baron looked to his captain guard, "There's nothing we can do except listen to what he has to say," Zolnerowich began his protest but was cut off by the Baron. "He has a blade at our throats, let's not give him a reason to draw blood," Król smiled at himself and he thought it amusing that the Baron assumed he needed a reason to kill. He stood and made his way to the window, "Why don't your men move their horses to the stables," he could see the shock on their faces without looking at them. "Don't worry we won't continue without you," without much protest they slowly dribbled through the door. Król eyes were drawn to Zolnerowich and his horse, he saw the glisten of a sword and he felt it beckoning him. He smiled, "Brother Orlov, I don't think we're going to get much sleep tonight," Orlov walked to stand beside him. "Król are we going hunting?" he smiled and simply shook his head. "Baron, what would you say about our current king?" there was silence. Król turned around to face the Baron, "What would you say about our king?" he never changed his tone, but the irritation was in his eyes. "Well I would I say he is an incompetent fool who couldn't lead his horse much less an entire kingdom," Krol smiled and the brothers broke into a round of laughter. "What about the banished prince, dear Baron?" there was silence and quite whispers among the brothers. "What do you mean?" Król smiled his lazy smile. "Do you think the banished little prince will be able to retake the throne?" The Baron stood knocking his chair back, "If he does, I'll serve him like I served his father and to show my allegiance I'll serve him the great city of Ming," there was a new fierce fire in his eyes. Król heard the Baron's men outside making their way to the door. Seal the deal. He made his way to the Baron and they stood face to face, their men stood around them ready for what happened next. But no one would be ready for Król. "I'll give you Ming city," Zolnerowich broke out laughing. "Do you know why we haven't taken that city," no one said a word, "let me tell you, it's simply impossible not without an army with a couple of siege engines and towers." Król held four fingers up so Zolnerowich could see. "Four days and Ming will fall however I won't guarantee survivors," the brothers chuckled at that. Aurek saw the conviction, "What would you want in return for the region?" Król smiled, "Well it's only custom for the hero to receive four gifts for his great deed." Aurek held his eye and calculated his options, he took a deep breath and held it. Finally he let it out. "What do you want?" there was a cluster of disapprovals but Zolnerowich was the loudest, "You can't be serious my lord, he is just a slave on top of that he's a child." Król let the comment slide. He held up one finger, "A pardon from what we do next," he raised a second finger, "We keep everything we take from the siege." A third finger went up and he smiled. "We'll talk when we next meet," with that he disappeared up the stairs and retired to his room.

The sound that resonated through the night was the notes of a lute and the gentle tap of the rain falling. The night was cold with the breeze and the swaying trees. Men laid in their beds cuddled with their wives, not even thieves would dare disturbed this cold night. It all came to a stop when the moon reached its peak, the shadows began to stir and lanterns flickered in the night. Król made his way outside with his lute case. He stood before the brothers and watched as the rain fell upon them. He met each man's eye and was pleased with what he saw. He silently whispered "What a night to wash away blood." He looked at Orlov, "I think it's time we set off, however we do need horse," he flashed his smile and the brothers got a slight shiver. "The Baron's men were so kind enough to leave their horses in their stable, we take them and everything we can carry." With that they went to work slipping into rooms and stealing what they could, slitting throats of men that stirred in the night. Król slipped into Zolnerowich's room and found a sword resting against the wall near his bedside. It had a wolf as the pommel and a fine leather scabbard with silver patterns tracing its length. He felt compelled to take it into the night. He grabbed the sword and replaced it with his own, he placed his newly acquired sword on his waist and he found the weight comforting. He took as much of Zolnerowich's belongings and fled into the night. When they made it to the stables each man grabbed a saddle and prepared a horse. Król made his way to a jet black stallion. He smiled to himself and thought Twilight will be your name. In response the stallion nudged up against him. With their new horses acquired they rode into the night making their way to Ming city.