Jason

  "I need to stop somewhere to replenish my med kit. Get some antibiotics for Tsarek in case he shows signs of an infection. Some painkillers and amphetamines, too." Darion said as Jason caught up to him.

  "Don't you need to go to a healer for that kind of thing?" Jason asked.

  "You know what's the easiest thing to smuggle across the border?" Darion paused for effect. "Medical supplies. Officials turn a blind eye as long as it's packaged right."

  So they would get the medicine in some back alley. Great.

  "What do you mean by packaged right?" Jason decided not to protest the source.

  "Needs to be made out of the right stuff for it to get across. Should be able to rot." Darion's annoyance seemed to have faded already.

  "Have you been across the border?" Jason asked.

  "Do you know the hardest thing to smuggle across the border?"

  This time, he waited for Jason to answer. "I don't know. Weapons?"

  "A person. Someone can go over, but they aren't coming back."

  "I've heard rich nobles can go across and back," Jason said, a half-remembered rumor coming to mind.

  Darion snorted. "I'm sure they can. Karangasz are allowed across as 'refugees', but I don't trust that it isn't just some form of slavery. Why else wouldn't they be allowed to contact those that stayed behind?"

  "I've heard it's a place of miracles," Jason said, since it seemed that way from the novels he read, though he couldn't be sure how much of it was real.

  "To those that can afford it."

  "True." Even in his books, the rich still held the real power. "Let's get a uniform for you. You can rent one if you don't mind putting down the deposit."

  Jason didn't have enough money on him for something like that.

  "Yeah. Probably need something for Tsarek to wear that isn't covered in blood."

  "Alensar."

  "Right. Alensar." Darion's accent changed the last syllable of the name as he rolled the R.

  Jason cleared his throat. "I know where we can go."

  ***

  They startled Alensar awake when they returned with their purchases. Mr. Andrei had brought a chair from the kitchen and was sitting next to him, reading from a newspaper.

  "Do you have scissors? I need a haircut for Jason's scheme," Darion asked, going over to Mr. Andrei's cabinet and rummaging through drawers seemingly at random.

  Mr. Andrei stalked over and slapped his wrist. "Stop that and sit down. I'll get you some."

  Mr. Andrei handed Darion the needed supplies, ironically from the same drawer Darion had been digging in. Darion sat down in the abandoned chair.

  "Hold this," Darion said, handing Alensar a mirror. He hacked at his hair with the scissors, not waiting for Alensar to sit up enough to hold the mirror for him. His movements had a chaotic energy to them, and the first few cuts were visibly uneven. Jason couldn't watch long before he marched over. "Give me those."

  Darion grinned and obeyed, giving Jason the sense that this was the desired outcome, which was annoying.

  Still, part of being a personal servant was knowing how to cut hair, and Jason could do his job well. He evenly cut off the braids and then shaped the hair, combing it with his fingers. Mr. Andrei brought some food, but Jason was too focused to touch it. It appeared the food was primarily for Alensar, who resisted briefly before a combination of Darion and Mr. Andrei's badgering convinced him to eat.

  Darion explained the encounter with Marco as he took the braided strands, pulled off the beads, and separated them into piles. He took the biggest pile of beads and held them out to Mr. Andrei, "These should be worth a decent amount. For your trouble."

  Mr. Andrei took them. "You know I would help you without payment."

  "But you would complain a lot more."

  Mr. Andrei laughed and went to the other room, presumably to put them somewhere safe.

  "I have two from Oksana, and I have one from Da and Mum. Which do you want?" Darion asked Alensar.

  "Shouldn't you keep them?" Alensar asked.

  Darion didn't answer and waited.

  "I'll take the one from Ma and the one from Oksana, which you stole from me," Alensar said. "But hold on to it for me for now."

  "Stealing is a harsh accusation. Her favorite brother obviously needed two." Darion pocketed the rest of the beads.

  Jason felt even worse for implying the beads were symbols of killing people, when at least some of them were gifts.

  Jason continued to trim for several more minutes. He left Darion with a short beard, since that was the most common style among guardsmen. He then used a razor to shave Darion. It was easier than with Alensar, since he didn't twitch nearly as much.

  While he worked, Mr. Andrei left to reopen his shop.

  Jason stepped back to look at his work. The scar on Darion's face was more noticeable now, but it just enhanced his roguish charm.

  He smiled and raised a brow. "Am I more to your liking now?"

  "I don't like the look of soldiers," Jason said with a flat tone.

  Alensar snorted with laughter. "I was going to tell you to stop harassing Jason, but he can handle you."

  Jason went to the kitchen and got a broom. "Darion already told me he just says things without meaning them."

  He was glad he was facing away. He couldn't trust himself to be totally neutral in his expression.

  Darion tossed something to Alensar, who caught it with thoughtless ease.

  "You want to make sure to inject it in the muscle," Darion said.

  Alensar narrowed his eyes in annoyance. "I know."

  Jason arranged the packages of clothing on the table.

  "Darion, here is your uniform." He turned around with the clothes in hand, only to witness Darion dropping his pants with careless immodesty. Darion laughed at Jason's startled intake of breath and creeping blush. Jason handed the clothes over and busied himself with the box they had gotten from the consignment shop. It was tied with a ribbon, and the clothing was gently wrapped between thin sheets of paper. Darion had covered the cost; otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to get something nearly so nice.

  After a moment, Darion placed a hand on his shoulder.

  "Well, what do you think? Perfectly respectable?" Darion had a rakish grin.

  Jason shook his head and tried to make a joke, giving a half smile. "Even if you look respectable, doesn't mean you are."

  "Look respectable? Sounds like we might be able to pull this off."

  "Of course we can." He started adjusting Darion's uniform and smoothing out what wrinkles he could.

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  Darion grabbed his hand and winked. "I think the uniform is fine, Val."

  Jason slipped his hand away and frowned. "Don't ever use Val, Laude, or Mer lightly. Nobles take it very seriously, and you're about to be among them."

  Darion rolled his eyes.

  "We won't pull this off if you don't act properly. And better to establish the right habits."

  "That explains why you're so stiff. Don't worry, I'll be fine."

  Jason was suddenly aware of the set of his shoulders and didn't know where to put his hands. Not that it mattered what some outlaw thought.

  Jason held up Alensar's new-used jacket. The embroidered flowers on the lapel had some loose threads, and there was a small stain on the sleeve, but the quality was good. It wouldn't take much to mend.

  Darion peered over his shoulder and was much too close to his ear when he said, "You should try it on. You would look good."

  Jason reflexively pulled away from him.

  "Sorry. Forgot the Ang need to be 3 feet apart at all times."

  "You just startled me," Jason said and handed Darion the jacket. "Would you give this to Alensar?"

  Alensar looked up and down at it. "That seems a little much."

  "What? You always liked to be a little tacky," Darion said.

  Alensar rolled his eyes until his eyelids fluttered and held out a hand. "Give it here."

  Jason busied himself with the entirely unnecessary task of breaking down the box and folding it up. When he glanced up, Alensar was wearing the jacket and was pressing a small rectangular box against his bare thigh. There was a slight click as he pressed on the top, and then he started dressing. There was a small pill bottle lying on the pillows of the couch.

  He buttoned the jacket, but before he was halfway done, his hands were fumbling.

  "Dearest Braterko," Alensar said.

  Darion froze.

  "Did you take into account that we're not about the same weight anymore when you got the dose?" Alensar asked, his words slurring.

  Darion spat out a word. Jason didn't need to know Karangasz to know he was cursing.

  Alensar sat back down, sank into the futon, and closed his eyes, his breathing slow and steady.

  Darion scooped up the pill bottle and shook it, rewarded with a faint rattle. "At least he didn't take this yet. Wouldn't want his heart to give out."

  Jason didn't try to hide the horror on his face. "Is that a real risk?"

  Darion cringed. "Probably not? It's a potent cocktail at the right dose, so better not to try it, especially considering the crash after."

  Jason walked over to Alensar. "I think he's asleep."

  "Yeah, the stimulants were to counter that." Darion walked over to Alensar. "See if you can get him to drink a bit of water, or splash some on him to wake him. If we can get him a bit more awake, we'll be much better off."

  "Ordering me around when this is your fault." Jason stood up and wiped the sweat from his palms on his pants. He went to the kitchen and found some water. When he turned back, Darion was kneeling and holding Alensar's hand.

  "I need to be able to see him breathing," he said softly. "I know he'll be fine. I just…."

  Jason used his kerchief to wet down Alensar's face, eliciting a soft groan. But he didn't wake up.

  They looked at each other. Darion pulled out the pill bottle. He let a pill roll out onto his hand.

  "We need to cut this up." He stood up, went to the shelf, and used a dagger to cut up the pill. He took the minuscule fragment and forced it into Alensar's mouth, then followed with some water.

  Jason picked up the bottle and brushed the rest of the fragments back in.

  They waited a few minutes, then Darion gave him a few light smacks on the face. Alensar opened his eyes halfway.

  "Ugh. Darion…what...the...hell?" His Karangasz accent was thick.

  "Time to get up. We gotta get moving. Come on." Darion leaned over and got one of Alensar's arms over his shoulder and lifted him.

  "Let me sleep…" His head rolled back, and he slumped toward the couch.

  "Oh no, you don't." Darion then pulled him into his arms, with one arm under his shoulders and the other under his knees. Alensar's head flopped on his shoulder.

  "Should we wait until he gets better?" Jason asked.

  "The stimulant is short-lived–this is as good as it will get." With some effort, Darion stood and frowned. "Get the door. I'll get him down the stairs."

  Jason ran forward and got the door, then closed it behind them. Darion struggled down the stairs, clearly winded. "He's not that heavy, but he's not that light, either."

  With some maneuvering and cursing from Darion, they managed to get Alensar between them without dropping him. The stimulant must have worked, since he started to stumble between them, rather than just being dead weight.

  Mr. Andrei led them out of a metal gate to the courtyard rather than through his shop. He was shaking his head the whole time.

  The city was well and truly awake now. Sellers pulled out fabric awnings in browns and tans to protect from the sun, with an occasional red or yellow from a wealthier merchant. As they went through the streets, they had to maneuver around stalls selling clothes, cookware, produce, and fried sweets. People kept jostling and cursing them as they walked through.

  But now they looked much less conspicuous, a clearly drunk or otherwise inebriated gentleman being carried by his servant and another hired man. Darion's sword at his hip and battle-scarred face kept anyone with less than honorable intentions at bay.

  As they approached the wealthy quarter, the noise of the crowds faded. The chipped paint disappeared into clean pastels, and wooden stalls transitioned into windowed displays. The foot traffic eased onto a wide sidewalk, and carts became carriages. After what felt like at least three times as long as the usual half-hour walk, they reached the gates to the noble quarter. To Jason's surprise, they didn't encounter any trouble when they entered the area. They met a few guards, but all of them just gave a nod in greeting and left them alone.

  "Seems like we're having no problems getting in," said Darion cheerfully.

  "Yes, and that worries me."

  "Why?"

  "Because they were waiting for us," Jason murmured.

  True to his assessment, when they came through the gate of Laude Granthor's estate, Thaniel was sitting on a bench outside the house's walls. He was whittling what appeared to be a second wooden leg, though he stood and left it on the bench as they approached. He nodded to Darion, not even acknowledging Jason.

  "Stay out here, I need to fetch Laude Granthor."

  He left the heavy wooden door open. They went through the thick wall to the front garden. Jason left Alensar with Darion as he closed and barred the gate.

  Darion eyed the manor's white plastered facade. "Nice place."

  "Keep your hands to yourself."

  "Hey now, I'll have you know that I'm not a pickpocket."

  "Why do I doubt that?" Jason rolled his eyes.

  Alensar interrupted them by groaning.

  "Do you think he's in pain?"

  Darion snorted. "Not a chance, but, sure as hell, he will be later."

  The door to the manor opened. Laude Granthor stood in the doorway. She had opened it herself rather than waiting for a servant. A bad sign.

  "Jason, I expected better of you." She looked at Darion. "You will be appropriately compensated, and I will give a recommendation. Now bring him inside and get him to bed."

  Thaniel closed the door behind them as they followed Laude Granthor to the servants' stairwell near the entrance. It was quicker that way.

  Darion took a deep breath before he maneuvered Alensar into his arms.

  Jason led him up the stairs and to Alensar's room. He went in first and pulled aside the covers. Darion dropped Alensar onto the bed and nearly lost his balance. He grabbed a bedpost to steady himself.

  "He'll need a lot of water, most likely."

  Jason nodded. "I'll ring the kitchen."

  Laude Granthor came into the bedroom. "You will do nothing more, Jason. You are suspended until further notice. I don't know how this disaster occurred, but allowing him to get drunk is unacceptable. Truthfully, I should dismiss you right now."

  As if Jason could stop Alensar from doing anything. He didn't argue.

  Laude Granthor was not a tall woman, but the cold ferocity with which she spoke silenced any protest from Jason.

  "Are all nobles so foolish, or just you?" Darion said with a smirk.

  "Excuse me?" Laude Granthor's fury showed itself around the edges of her voice. "I withdraw my recommendation, and you must leave immediately."

  "Do you think I give five shits about that?" Darion scoffed, standing up to take a step closer. "But go ahead and fire a man who is willing to serve an outlaw like a Val. And I can guarantee you Ts–Alensar will be right pissed if you fire Jason."

  Jason noticed him stumble over the name, but he wasn't sure if Laude Granthor had.

  "And who might you be?" she said, somehow calmer.

  Darion eyed her for a moment. "I could ask the same."

  "Might I remind you that you are in my house?"

  He frowned slightly, then nodded to himself. "My name is Darion."

  He gave a low-rank bow that somehow looked sarcastic.

  "Laude Elaine Granthor," she said, giving a superior bow every bit as proper as one could expect from her. "Do you have a surname?"

  He raised his eyebrows. "Thresh"

  "Lying to me already?" she said. "You underestimate your infamy, Darion Houndsblood."

  "Karangasz have more than one name, and I thought that the name Houndsblood should be mentioned as little as possible," Darion said with a half-smile.

  "You're more clever than you look."

  "Can't say the same."

  Any goodwill on Laude Granthor's part was lost immediately. "Or perhaps not, since you continue your brazen insults."

  Darion shrugged. "You wouldn't have liked me regardless. Might as well give you a reason."

  Something about this comment seemed to deflate Laude Granthor's fury.

  Alensar made a soft sound, and Darion abandoned the conversation. He dropped to a knee at Alensar's bedside. Darion touched his shoulder and murmured something soothing in Karangasz. The lines on Alensar's forehead eased.

  Laude Granthor tapped her chin with a finger. "I'm starting to suspect something else happened than a drunken night on the town. "

  "More like a stabbing and three men dead," said Darion as he removed Alensar's boots. "And I'm already being blamed for this asshole's misdeeds."

  Laude Granthor's eyes widened. "Will the city guard get involved?"

  Darion snorted. "What? Nah. They were thugs trying to rob him. Part of a city gang. The guard would probably thank him for the good work, that is, if they weren't bribed to look the other way."

  "Why are you being blamed?"

  "Because I'm the best brawler in the city," Darion said without the usual arrogant lilt.

  "And what is your relationship with him, exactly?" Laude Granthor was watching Darion closely as she said it.

  Darion gestured broadly. "Since you seem to have figured out my name. Surely you can figure out the rest."

  Laude Granthor crossed her arms. "What would you be willing to do for him? And no jokes."

  "He's all I have left in the world. I'll do whatever I have to." Darion looked at Alensar once again.

  Laude Granthor paused for a long moment before speaking. "I still don't understand what happened and why he's like this. Jason, explain."

  Jason started slightly, but his training prevented him from stumbling over his words. "Of course, Laude. Some men attacked us while we were walking home. Val D'Ambrosia fought them off, but was badly hurt. We mended his wounds and provided medication for his pain. However, the dosage of the medication was miscalculated."

  Laude Granthor's cool demeanor slipped. "Why have you been standing here instead of getting him a real doctor?"

  Jason stood up straight. "Yes, Laude, right away."

  He then rushed out of the room, leaving Laude Granthor and Darion to their drama. At least it looked like he still had a job, for now.

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