Irish Mafia

The coffin smelled of my own sweat. There was hardly any air for me to breath in. Save for a small hole with a tube in the side, air was limited. It seemed like a suitable punishment but now I was starting to get paranoid. I knew the reasons behind putting me inside a coffin and burying me in the ground. I remember the call I received hours before they dragged me from the gas station. They beat me senseless, punching and kicking me all over the place. I was dragged into a car. Their main boss told me what I had forgotten. I was supposed to take care of a certain gold fish, the Don's daughter's gold fish. Someone had called me about the gold fish but I had missed that call. The girl's goldfish is now dead because of me. 

Swamped and Love

We’ve never talked much

Wish we did

I only see you

At the end

Of most days

My greatest urge

Is to speak

Mainly to you

Yet I find

I am busy

Wish I wasn’t

You fill my thoughts

Still we speak little

I like you

Adoration masked

My heart craves

To love you

Yet I hold back

I see you rarely

You rarely see me

We hardly speak

I am swamped with work

Swamped with work

Swamped with work

Commando Part 28

All forty three sets of eyes rested on the two foreigners who came to meet with them. The silent stairs made Maurice feel slightly awkward and tore his gaze away from them. Encircling the room stood dozens of guards armed with spears. Maurice's focus returned to the forty three members of this council. He noticed a quarter of them wearing garb similar to the ones guards, soldiers and militia wore. These council members donned a sash decorated in claws from various predators and beasts. Other members dressed as though they were merchants, but with more elegant decorations, and signs of wealth. The rest of wore clothing that resembled shamanic or religious priest, decorated in beads, and fur clothing showing their prowess in hunting.

Maphai introduced herself and Maurice who did not speak a word of their language nor did he understand. He could only assume what she was saying detailed their mission and venture through the unknown lands. She gestured towards him several times speaking to the council. For several more minutes she went on speaking to the council members.

When she was finished one of the council members stood up. He began to speak only to Maphai in his own language glancing over at Maurice a few times. It seemed like he was giving her a long winded speech. This council member pointed at him several times then pointed to the side a few times. Once this council member stopped speaking with Maphai she bowed saying a few words. Maurice bowed to them as well. All forty three members of the council bowed their heads an looked up as though they were going to say something simultaneously.

Maphai turned to Maurice telling him they were done with the meeting. He nodded his head and proceeded out of the council's room with Maphai following him out. As the two leaders exited the council's auditorium meeting room Maurice turned to Maphai. He asked her what did the council members say. She said council had given audience to a Vestrisian Soldier over a year ago. They were told about more Vestrisians either held prisoner or residing in other areas and a few could be in Tsubib Pajibe.

The commando paused in the hallway leading to the center of the palace. He looked at her with hope and felt flabbergasted. Maphai almost smiled at his expression, but went on to tell him there was another guy who might know the whereabouts of these missing soldiers. Maurice contemplated this for a few moments in the hallway. He realized these council members my not have helped directly, but gave directions to some who could help them. The mere mention of more Vestrisians still alive gave him more hope. Maurice wondered where they could be and who is keeping them prisoner.

Eager to hit the road Maurice asked Maphai about the ones living in Tsubib Pajibe. She said they would have to ask the locals. Seeing an opportunity the commando darted back to the dressing room. Maphai raced behind him as fast as she could to the dressing room. Both of them barged in the dressing room finding no other guests had arrived. The only ones inside were the hand maidens cleaning up after them. On the far corner of the room hung their clothing after receiving a swift wash. Despite their clothes being wet the two leaders changed back into their original clothing before they had to meet the council.

Several minutes later the pair of them made their way through the palace to the exit. They exited out of the palace through the doors they came in. Outside the pair of them discovered it had turned darker and nightfall was approaching. Acting fast Maphai suggested they take the route which wrapped around the rim. Both leaders found their way to a cobbled and gravel street that went around the rim of the crater. It appeared it would take them a few hours past nightfall to make it around the other side.

Tsubib Pajibe's streets that wrapped around the rim were illuminated with torch lights, braziers, and a few candle light street lamps. Each light was placed twenty to thirty feet of each other. Although they witnessed a brawl and death in the city no one would mess with these armed warriors strolling through the night. Maurice walked beside Maphai looking around to see if he could spot any signs of trouble. His walking companion placed a hand on his arm saying the rim of this city was more secure than the lower sections. Most of the residents here were either guards, militia, craftsman, servants, basket weavers, rope/net makers, and pottery makers. The commando relaxed a little when he saw several guards and Tsubib Soldiers armed with rifles on patrol. Feeling more secure about the darkened streets Maurice pressed forward. Just as they anticipated their journey around the rim took a few hours.

A few hours well into the night the pair of them made it back to the stables and the inn. Without a word Maphai and checked in just before the innkeeper, a woman in her fifties who looked a little younger, called it a night. She allowed them to bunk with their companions whom already rented a couple of rooms. The commando laid down on a cot taken from the storage under the inn. He wondered if Brittany and the others were getting along well in the comforts of that yacht. With this in mind Maurice got up to check with Maphai to see how things were at their yacht.

He had to stir Maphai from her bed. He managed to do without waking up Nanim, and Amonif who held a mug in his arms. The Forsythan held it in his arms like a child would do to a teddy bear. The mercenary leader woke up wondering what he wanted at this time of night. Maurice asked for the hand radio to get in contact with the yacht. She sat up and searched for the radio in her bag. She switched it on and began talking into it. They waited for a few minutes before someone picked up. As they conversed with Ordoz who sounded like he never slept at all. He said everything was going well at the yacht and that Cagan and Vylinsis found another route that could lead them to a wide river. Ordoz switched the radio off leaving them nothing but static on the other end. Giving up on communication for now the two leaders returned to sleep.

The next morning the two leaders stirred their men out of bed for an early breakfast. Amonif, Hilastes, Eyanosa, Nanim, and Oroceth sat at a couple of benches they put together outside. Maphai and Maurice explained what they discovered while speaking with the council of Tsubib Pajibe. Amonife, and Hilastes had hopeful looks in their eyes. Oroceth seemed stunned to hear news of more Vestrisians closer to them than they thought. Eyanosa nodded in approval taking a sip of his warm beverage. As they dined outside Maurice turned to look over his shoulder. He had a better look at the inn while Maphai explained where they could find a few of these missing Vestrisians. This inn appeared more modern compared to the adobe style structures around it, but still appeared to be from a previous century. It was constructed using mortar and stones that must have been dug from the earth. He could see the beams of wood creating the skeleton that was now covered. It had an odd shape to it which explained the numerous rooms and the large space for dining and the bar. This inn stood at three stories high with a crude tile roof. Within moments his view was blocked by a pair of large breasts.

He blinked and leaned back to see it was the flirtatious woman from yesterday. She smiled at him before grabbing his head then shoving it into her breasts. She took his head in between her bosoms rubbing them against his face. This woman did this for a few minutes before being told to back off and leave them to important matters. She let him go but not before placing his own hands on her chest making him squeeze her. Maurice started to squeeze her breasts before he snapped out of it then gently pushed her away. She shook her breasts and blew him a kiss before leaving them.

Multiple locals, and patrons laughed as Maurice shook the thoughts and experience away from his mind. Once the laughing ceased the mercenaries and soldiers begin discussing where they could find the Vestrisians in the city. Maurice caught the attention of a barmaid asking for the whereabouts of a Vestrisian who resides in the city. The barmaid pointed towards the city rim's flank, their right, saying there was a man with a thick beard who resides in a hovel he created. She then said there were four more men who fit the description of a Vestrisian and wore dog tags similar to his own. When he asked her where they lived she had no clue, but left him with a kind smile. Seeing the opportunity Maurice stood up urging his companions to follow him. At first they looked confused then realized what just happened. Each one of them got up to follow Maurice back to their rooms at the inn. Inside the group of warriors and mercenaries grabbed what they needed and left the rest of their belongings inside. Once they had what they needed the seven traveling companions left the inn. With Maurice in the lead Maphai and the others raced out of the inn into the streets. Regardless of who was watching them the seven of the rushed through the street that wrapped around the rim of the crater. Numerous inhabitants filled the street giving them a maze of obstacles to get around. Maurice couldn't tell how long they ran through the crowd of people who seemed to ignore them as they rushed by. A few of them acknowledged them but returned to their conversations and tasks. The world around him seemed to go by at his own running pace as he turned and moved around groups of people until he came to a structure that looked like a hovel made from stones and wood beams. Outside was a man in a dirty blue uniform, tattered and pieces missing, and replaced with leathery hide pieces. His dark hair seemed unkempt, shaggy, and a thick beard covered his face.  

Leothrad's Personal Prize Chapter

It was midday and Leothrad and his Angoths were thirteen ships deep in the fortress of Cren war galleys linked together. His attacks during the night destroyed a considerable amount of damage to the Cren fleet. He could tell ships were starting to break away and attack the Irkan ships and Crowsians. However, other ships moved to the reefs where they were met with strong currents that drove them into the reefs. Some got caught in whirlpools and sank to the depths as the ocean destroyed them.

Leothrad fought his way deeper into the columns of ships with hundreds of warriors behind him killing the rest of the enemies he forged a path through. Most tried to surround him on each ship, but a storm of arrows rained down on them followed by battle hungry prisoners his men freed along the way. He was please to know more ships came to their aid. Word about a large Cren fleet must have reached the Councils’ ears forcing them to send in more ships. To his dismay the Makool managed to enter the fight using magic to resurface some old ships from the bottom of the ocean.

His Irkan friends were fortunate they had four vessels full of Makool fighters, which fell quickly to arrows and ballistae fired on them. Leothrad was about to board the fourteenth vessel when he realized his men were a whole ship behind him. At his feet were plenty of warriors and creatures to fight. He did not care how many he had to fight as long as the ships behind him were losing troops in the battle fronts over the fleet of ships.

His sword arm ached for more kills as he unsheathed a Kopis he received from General Apkis as a thank you gift for saving him from annihilation at the hands of the Makool on a remote island south of New Angeris. Leothrad swung his sword slashing an enemy in the face then swung it the other way cutting into an enemy’s neck. He took the Kopis and hacked down into a skull as he shoved the other blade into a chest. The Champion twisted both weapons out as he jumped down and commenced the killing. Swinging both blades and twirling around Leothrad made short work of thirty enemies as they backed away from the mad foe their false god despised so much. He sliced more necks and stabbed seven chests killing twelve more then paused to glance at his handy work. There were still plenty of kills to go around in circles.

Nineteen warriors attacked him at once and tossed the Kopis into a Goblin’s chest as he grabbed the weapon of another while cutting another in the back of the neck. He held an axe for a brief moment before burying it in the skull of another, which fell instantly along with five others he killed. Leothrad realized he would get bored of counting if he tried to keep up with how many he killed. So he plunged himself into the crowd of enemies like a mad warrior that was blood drunk. As killed his enemies he glimpsed more came aboard to surround him. He saw it one of his victim’s eyes before its head flew off its shoulders. Most of them tried to swing at him but missed or were kicked back. Some had fled jumping overboard as others fought on or watched the butchery.

He found it hard to have pity on such creatures after hearing what they did to any woman they had in their clutches. Leothrad go the feeling that many of these were spawn from the women captured and felt inclined to kill them. The Angoth was so busy killing his way to the bow that he nearly forgot he was not alone until a shower of arrows killed most of the enemies that gathered behind him.

As the arrows started to hit the deck behind him he had thirty three enemies left to face. He saw his brethren and Freed Allies allow him to continue his killing spree, which littered the entire deck with bodies in large quantities that covered every inch.

“Wait, wait. Before you kill of us, you must know something.” A Goblin said stalling his death at the hands of the ferocious Angoth. The Goblin stood near a Cren Priest-Warrior who looked at him with hateful, betrayed eyes. It was an Elite Goblin that spoke to Leothrad who waved a hand to the other Goblins. Four Goblins grabbed the Cren Servant as one of them slit his throat.

“Best not let him hear what I have to say. There is a descendant of the Cren God who would be of use to you.” The Goblin informed Leothrad, he then pointed behind Leothrad.

“You see that red Galley that is slightly bigger than the rest. That is where the Descendant hides while his servants command us.” The Goblin spat. “Now Angoth, kill us.”

Without so much of a word Leothrad cut the Elite Goblin’s head off and commenced to kill the rest of the Goblins who put up more of a fight than the rest since they were cornered. Their sword arms were no match for his as he cut them down like peasants against a heavily armored Hoplite. When he was done thirty Angoths and Velts climbed on board the galley. They had to face another group of enemies that came aboard. His senses told him the enemy were losing ground and ships faster than ever as others broke away and sailed straight for the island rather than the reefs.

This battle was over despite the numbers of enemies still around to fight. He spotted the main galley the Goblin Elite told him about over the heads of twenty enemies. It was three ships away from him. Ilkabad came to his side with his spear in hand. Blood dripped from the spear point as he prepared to plunge into another battle. His Kopis still sat in its sheath as though he never used it at all.

“Ilkabad, you do the honors.” Leothrad stepped to the side as more warriors gathered behind. He heard some fighting still going on behind him, but slowly subsided as his warriors gained the upper hand. The warrior heard catapults fire in the background and smash into a score of ships. Some projectiles destroyed the links of some ships causing the galleys to drift away.

Iclkabad charged a large goblin shoving his spear into its stomach and pushed it back. The ones behind his kill made way as he forced it into three others behind it. One fell over board and another had the same spear go through him. The third fell to the floor as the Angoth let go of the spear and unsheathed his Kopis. Ilkabad moved swiftly killing numerous enemies leaving the one he knocked to the floor for last. He held onto one that was too confused to even cut him or pull away. The handsome Angoth warrior used his Kopis to cut down twelve more enemies left and right as several began to retreat.

Leothrad watched his handiwork as he forced the rest to route still holding on to one and kept kicking the other to the floor. The Champion smiled as he watched the enemy retreat to other ships to join others on the retreat to make a stand against the allied forces. Ilkabad brings his sword back ready to strike and swings it across severing the enemy’s head off. He turned to the one lying on its back and stabs into its guts.

Leothrad found it amusing and applauded Iclkabad for a few moments as others joined in the applause as though it were a spectator’s event. Borix came to his side with an Ogre’s hand axe. Several other Velts came up behind him. “Are we close to the master of this fleet?” he asked.

“If you’re talking about the so called descendant that is here, then yes he is.” Leothrad said pointing at the red galley a few ships away.

“Then what are waiting for?” Borix exclaimed stepping forward, but Leothrad put his arm in his path stopping the Velt.

“Let the archers send another volley. If our warriors are tired they won’t make it to the main ship without suffering heavy losses.” Leothrad told him

Borix turned his head and yelled. “ARCHERS!”

Somewhere in the back another Angoth officer yelled the same thing. From behind them two separate volleys of arrows were fired into the ranks of the retreating enemy. Some had fallen in between the gaps and drowned others fell to the arrows as scores ducked for cover. “Another volley should do it!” Leothrad yelled as he stepped up to the platform that connected another ship to the one he was on. He was ready to step closer to the main galley and claim his prize. Ilkabad and Borix stood beside him ready to fight their way with him. Scur came in behind them and took position next to Ilkabad.

“Scur? You little rascal you’re fighting with us? Ha ha!” Ilkabad ruffled the young Angoth’s hair and kissed him on the head.

“Splendid you’ll become more famous than our Champion Leothrad.” The lover of Leothrad’s sister boasted as the Champion stepped up and walked across the platform. He would have came in using the other vessel behind their’s, but he felt like using this path instead.

As he came aboard the other vessel scores of warriors and slaves armed with clubs, and maces emerged out of the lower decks of the galley. He had Ilkabad, Borix, Scur and Ilexra the Adorcene armed with a bow. She fired the first shot as Scur killed the second one. Borix hacked at three enemies at once while Ilkabad shoved his spear through a throat. Leothrad joined in killing his way to the other ship. As he made it to the next platform an Ogre raised a massive war club and smashed the platform to pieces forcing Leothrad to back into an enemy. He turned around and killed it. There was only the quarter deck he could take now since the platform was destroyed.

“To the stern!” Leothrad yelled as he cut his way through a group of enemies. His followers were at his heels as he came up on the stern to see how close he was to this main galley. It was surrounded by other war galleys filled with enemies and arrows. Some corpses riddled with arrows could be seen at the feet of the regrouping enemy who saw Leothrad with a small group with him.

One laughed at them until an arrow hit his chest and he fell joining the dead at the feet of his brethren. Leothrad saw he only had two more ships to go. There was the one he had board from the stern and one next to that one. He turned to Iclkabad. “Are there any other warriors in reserves?” he asked.

“I am not sure, but I could get more men as you start the attack.” Ilkabad suggested.

“Thought you’d need more men.” A voice said behind them. Leothrad turned to see Evnar with fifteen able bodied warriors ready to kill the enemy.

“We cannot swing from this stern to the other bow over there, but we can jump to that bow nearest our position.” Leothrad planned a strategy while observing the ships around his target. There were plenty of enemies left to fight, only some were starting to break away in defeat. More prisoners broke free two ships away from the main one drawing some forces away. Leothrad jumped from the stern and onto the bow of the next ship where a few score of enemies sat waiting for orders. They turned their heads and saw the group of warriors board their ship. He turned to see archers notching their arrows to fire. “Ilexra, you and the archers take care of the ones on that ship.”

“Yes, Champion, archers to me!” Ilexra gathered the archers and fired a volley into the ranks of the archers as the warriors attacked the first group.

These goblins had been itching for a fight all day. They rose up with their weapons in hand gazing at the fresh meat they could fight. Leothrad went on with the fight killing as many as he could. He wanted to force his way to the platforms connecting the two galleys and the large vessel in the center. His warriors fought the Goblins who seemed more of a challenge than the rest.

Some managed to block several blows from Leothrad forcing the Angoth to fallback and join his colleagues had similar trouble. They lined up and charged as one making slow progress with the killing. A dozen Goblins fell to his sword once he got where he wanted. More arrows had been fired on the enemies aboard the other vessel, which was the last obstacle in Leothrad’s way.

Leothrad killed his way to the stern of the ship forcing the Goblins and Cren warriors retreat to other vessels as ten more broke away smashing into each other. On board three vessels the slaves were brought out left there. Slaves from others were also left on board. This was something Leothrad never expected to see. When he turned to his left there was a sight he was too familiar with, but was glad to see it.

Cren warriors, servants and slaves fought the Goblin raiders and Ogres on ships surrounding the barge like vessel in the center. He noticed the Veeks, Crowsians and Irkan were five ships away from his prize. His gaze turned to the ship next to his prize and saw Goblins fighting Cren warriors even as arrows showered down on them. He saw two Ogres standing guard at the entrance to the cabin of the barge.

His target was inside the barge that he wanted to board and claim his prize. Leothrad turned to Ilkabad who was fighting an Elite Goblin. “Ilkabad, take command here, I’m going for that barge!”

“Of course Leothrad!” Ilkabad obliged killing the Goblin as six more poured out of the cabins. Leothrad jumped from the stern to the other ship’s stern and clung to an enemy Goblin with one hand and the railing with the other. He pulled himself up pulling the Goblin off and into the water. As he came up he kicked a Cren warrior in the face before jumping down on the deck. He glared at Leothrad with hate in his eyes. Paying no heed to the Cren Leothrad brushed past him as five arrows struck him. Leothrad felt the glory of being near his prize, a descendant of the very god that forced the Angoths from their homeland many years ago.

He stood on the ledge of the stern facing the barge and the two Ogre guards who were busy watching raiders and warriors fight each other as two more ships abandoned the fleet. As he jumped he dove for a pike on the deck and snatched it up as he landed. Leothrad twirled around throwing the pike into the chest of one of the guards. He had no intentions of breaking up any of the enemies who were fighting each other now. His focus was on the last guard, the very last obstacle remaining. The Ogre charged after him with the halberd in its hands. It swung at him and he ducked under the blow going for its knees. He unsheathed his kopis and sliced through he monster’s legs. Leothrad heard it collapse with pain coming out of its jaws as he rushed into the barge. 

Commando Part 27

Going through the gates of Tsubib Pajibe the commando and his companions found the city resting inside a crater. Just past the gates as more of the road leading downward to the edges of this crater. Tsubib Pajibe's structures filled the entirety of the crater and even overflowed its rim. The city itself had a few levels on top of each other along the inner sides and rim. Inside its center stood towers, citadels and a single keep mixed with a tower. Much of Tsubib Pajibe's architecture was built out of stone slabs, stone cut into perfect rectangular shapes and plenty of mud brick structures. At the end of the crater stood a large palace.

Their focus returned to the road which was flanked by stone huts, wattle and daub styles, adobe style houses. Each structure was inhabited y a family of four or five. Most of these structures were spread out at the beginning of road. There were homes behind others among the typical artisan workshops, patters, sculptors, weavers, some smiths, and most showed they were forest loggers, and small farmers or herdsman. Just like the soldiers, militia, and guards every man wore a sarong but were shirtless or had a less decorative shirt on. As for the women they donned decorative short sleeved dresses with designs and beads. All of the children wore wrapped loincloths for the boys and hide skin dresses for the girls.

They had no time for sightseeing or interacting right now and pressed further into the city limits. Maphai took the lead of their group as they approached the the edges of the crater. Going further down to the Crater they came across buildings with two stories showing the wealth and craftsmanship. Each one had a small totem or decorated masks next to the door or on top of the doorway. As they proceeded deeper, they noticed more militia patrolling around and the buildings getting higher and wider. Among the populace were plenty of those belonging to other tribes and those who were considered foreigners. According to Maphai and Nanim those out of place figures were from the Kinowee, Odaw, Utsali tribes, and other city states such as Oramatra, Khasungai, and Oceanrest Var. The rest of these foreigners Maurice recognized as explorer from Eoth, Evusia, Lybesan, Malvieth. There was a band of explorers sitting at a table in the large patio attached to a local hostel. Maurice counted eleven heads around this table. Only five of them appeared to be dressed for exploration whereas the rest were a guide, three bodyguards and a pair of mercenaries. Maurice recognized one of the mercenaries as an ex- soldier of the Nevoran Federation and the other was an Evusian ex conscript.

Maurice's gaze was drawn by another explorer who sat on a crate. This particular explorer was a woman in a typical explorer's outfit who had set her gaze upon Maurice Viyamor and his companions. She tipped her hat and winked at them while shifting around on her seat. Maphai only shook her head and directed them to a stable where they could place the steeds. While they were settling the cat steeds in the stable a couple of figures approached from behind. One looked like a creepy fellow with a pencil mustache that appeared awful on a bumpy face under a battered stock man hat. His posture looked bad and seemed hunched compared to the other figure next to him. Next to the bumpy faced creepy figure stood an average height man with a handsome face, a stubble for a beard, four scars on the left cheek from the claws of some creature. Both of these figures wore identical suits.

Their suits appeared to be the same style and color as the one's worn by goons of the Caligari Syndicate. Each of them eyed the Sarcagosee soldiers and warriors. Maphai told them not to spill any blood in the streets of Tsubib Pajibe since it would cause panic among locals and anger the authorities. Her words were heeded by the commando and his companions as they somewhat ignored the two goons. Yet these two goons ignored her words and made a move. Believing they were being sneaky these two slowly slipped their hands into their coat pockets. Before either of the goons could draw a weapon all seven mercenaries and warriors drew their firearms.

Seeing the drawn weapons forced the pair to stop in their tracks. They took their hands out of their coats and turned around. Maphai muttered that those two were just a couple out of hundreds of Caligari's army of goons. Maurice's gaze followed these two who were lured over to the winking explorer. She lured the two creeps over to her and led them inside the inn. He presumed it was so she could spread her legs and please someone.

The commando returned to what they were doing. He unloaded his pack and weapons from Cogan's back as Ebony, Warriorblue, Grey Hunter, and Temeenu were also unloaded. Each Sarcagosee and mercenary placed luggage on their backs. Saddle and Harnesses were carefully taken off so they wouldn't anger the cat steeds. When the saddles and harnesses were set aside, they looked at Maphai who was the only one with clear knowledge of Tsubib Pajibe. Realizing she was being put on the spot Maphai said they well be meeting the Council of Tsubib Pajibe. According to Maphai this council had 43 members seated as the main governing power of the city-state. She led the group further down the street. They came upon a bridge linking the rim of the crater to a mid-upper level of the city.

Tsubib Pajibe's levels appeared more like towers and raised platforms linked together by bridges. Some bridges were along others were short depending on where pillars and platforms were located. They were built from stone and wood. Maphai took them through three platforms crossing several bridges. One of the platforms was where they witnessed a brawl. Two armed figures launched themselves onto a trio of other figures armed with goloks and metun daggers. The two assailants wielded barong and pinute blades wearing tattered clothes that appeared more like a bunch of shawls sewn together. Just from looking the clothes one could tell the shawls wrapped around the figures loosely enough to hide weapons.

Maurice glanced at the trio who were red sarongs with a black stripe and turquoise designs all over. Each one wore nothing over the upper body save for a sash. Forced to stay and watch the fighting the commando and his companions witnessed the small bloody squabble. Wielding their blades, the two tattered shawl men quickly attacked two of the sarongs wearing figures. One of the figures died instantly whereas the second sustained a wound as he parried the attack. Retaliating against the attack the second warrior killed the first attacker with several strikes while receiving a few more wounds in the process. Full of adrenaline the second attacker rushed the sarong warrior to the ground defeating him before rushing at the third. Both combatants engaged each other swinging blades, exchanging blows, parrying, dodging, striking at each other in search of weaknesses and holes and their opponent's defenses. For several minutes the pair fought on until one of them grew tired and drained from wounds and bled enough that forced him down. To everyone's surprise the sarong wearing fighter overpowered the attacker bringing him down to his knees. Moments after bringing his assailant down the sarong drove his blade down into the attacker.

Maphai informed her friends there were at least seven assassin guilds and gangs within Tsubib Pajibe and the city of Waikun. Most of the gangs remained unknown except for one called the Dragorse Snakes. Up to three guilds existed within the confines of both cities. They were known as the Doombows, Patient Jaguars, and the Venomcry of Dawn. Other guilds and gangs existed but were lesser known, shrinking, dying, or too small. According to rumors one of the assassin guilds served the city-state's council.

Once the violence was over and the last combatant left the area for the lower levels things seemed to calm down. Moments later Maphai herded the Sarcagosee along to the next section. Wasting no time, the small group made their way to the palace where the council governed the city. This palace stood about four stories high and as wide as a large hill. It had an adobe shape and style. Up close the palace's windows balconies, and a few spires. The doors to the palace were purple with a basket handle arch frame.

Ten guards stood at the gates with a ranking officer as captain. Maphai had them stop at the edge of the path leading up to the palace. She and Nanim went up to speak with the leading guard officer. The two mercenaries spoke with the officer negotiating their way inside. Several minutes passed before they made an agreement. Maphai returned with Nanim in tow behind her. The council of Tsubib Pajibe had given audience to them, but only the leaders could speak to the leaders. Maphai looked at Maurice who nodded agreeing with these terms.

As Maphai explained to Maurice the arrangements Nanim took the rest of their group back to the stables. His gaze was focused entirely on Maphai who told Maurice they had to dress according to the city customs. For a few seconds the commando was confused. He scratched his head until he realized they had to dress up in order to meet the Council. This 43-seat council would meet them in two hours. Maphai grabbed Maurice by the arm as she started for the door. She pulled him towards the palace doors. Both doors opened to them as a head servant approached the pair. He beckoned them to follow him inside. Maphai replied to this servant with a word Maurice assumed was a yes. The mercenary kept pulling him along as she followed the servant through the main entrance hall of the palace.

What they had walked into was a complex arrangement of support beams, pillars, rooms, raised catwalks leading to different locations in the palace. This was only center part which occupied a large portion of the palace's area. The servant led Maphai and Maurice to a side door. He took them through this side door, which brought them to another hallway. From there they were taken to a guest room that appeared to be a mixture of a dressing room and a cleansing room. Several tubs made from carved stone sat against one of the walls. Wasting no time both leaders undressed, got in the tub and cleaned themselves. A few hand maidens scrubbed their backs clean as they scrubbed everything else in the hot waters of the bathtubs.

Once they had cleaned up the two leaders got out, letting the maidens dry them off. When they were dry enough the handmaidens picked out traditional clothing for each one to wear according to gender. Within an hour of bathing and dressing the two were led straight to the room they would be meeting the council.

Maurice and Maphai entered a room that was in the shape of an auditorium or amphitheater with a roof over it. In place a usual section of seats to fill the space where forty-three raised chairs sitting upon a stone piece crafted to resembled a wide ramp. In these seats sat the members of the 43-seat council of Tsubib Pajibe.