Exploitable Weaknesses by Brian Keller (best interesting books to read txt) 📕

door, just as they had the other House. Loryn waited outside. This group of kids looked a little older than the last bunch. They made protests at the uninvited entrance but they presented no immediate threat. It was just something to take note of at the moment. Cooper was halfway to the House Father’s door as he spoke loud enough for all to hear, “We’re Guild, and so are you, or at least you should be. That’s what we’re here to talk to your Old Man about. Sit still, but pay attention. Nobody has to die in this House today.” By the time they opened the door to the House Father’s room, he was already reaching to open the door from the other side, to investigate the voices. As soon as he saw Cooper, and recognized Rukle, he retreated into his room. Cooper and Rukle both tapped their Talent and quickly followed. The House Father almost yelped, “Two on one? Is that how you conduct your business?” Cooper smiled, “We haven’t come to kill you, or even fight you. We’ve come to remind you that the Guild owns this House. You simply manage it for us.” The House Father shook his head, “No. I bought this House from the Guild. It’s mine.” Rukle spoke, “No, you didn’t. That’s not how it works, and you know it. You bought a Charter, a license; not the House.” The House Father glanced around nervously. “How do I know that you’re not some of that foreign muscle? They’ve been rooting around, looking for places to move into.” Cooper walked toward the man, who appeared to shrink away. Cooper reached into a pocket and held out his hand for the man to see, “Would any of those thugs show you something like this?” The old man glanced at Cooper’s outstretched hand and almost choked, “Is that-?” Cooper acknowledged, “A token. Yes. Remember it well. If my colleague requires that I come to visit you again… well…” He turned to Rukle, “Show him.” Rukle tossed the bag he’d brought from the other House Father’s room at this one’s feet. The man picked up the bag and looked inside. His face went pale and he dropped it as he recoiled, and the dead House Father’s head rolled out of it onto the floor. Cooper masked his surprise well and as he turned to leave the room he spoke clearly, “I trust there will never be a need for me to return. The most recent Guild directive still applies. Is anything, somehow, unclear?” The House Father’s voice quivered, “N-no, mi-mil-lord.” Cooper turned to Rukle, “All appears to be in order now. You know what yet needs done. I have tasks of my own.” Rukle nodded and they left the House. As they entered the street, Cooper turned to Rukle, “His head?!” Loryn sucked in a quick breath and Rukle’s voice took on a plaintive tone, “You said something ‘recognizable’!” Cooper’s voice raised an octave, “Yes, a peculiar ring, or that distinctive knife he was wielding would have been sufficient. It would’ve created the doubt that he would later confirm…” He shook his head, muttering, “Dragging body parts through the city…” He took in a breath, in preparation to say more, then merely said, “Never mind. I suppose it got our point across, and will undoubtedly add to the Guild’s mystique. I know that I’m not likely to forget it any time soon either.” They parted ways; Rukle and Loryn headed to the Dregs and Cooper returned to the Ruins.

When Cooper returned, the rest of the members were awake and most had already eaten. Spen and Naro were tending the small cooking fire and had prepared a kettle of porridge. Spen had a wooden spoon in his hand and gestured with it toward the kettle as he looked at Cooper with a questioning expression. Cooper gave him a brief nod and went to his pack to retrieve his bowl and spoon. It appeared that Birt had already eaten so Cooper ate quickly. Once finished, he thanked the two Journeymen, then nodded to Birt and pointed towards the door. “Ready?” he asked. Birt nodded, stood and pulled on a cloak as added protection from the breeze coming off the bay.

Cooper led Birt to the excavated hole and said, “Follow me. Step where I step. There’s something you need to see.” Once they’d stepped down and rounded the corner, Cooper pointed out the chest, then indicated the flask of poison on the underside of the lid, “There might be more poison inside, but after giving it some thought, I doubt it. Jarell had all this packaged to be moved. It wouldn’t suit his purposes to have all the contents poisoned in the event of a clumsy porter.” Birt seemed to express more interest in the trapped flask than in the multitude of bags and pouches. He asked, “Shouldn’t we disarm this?” Cooper shrugged, “If you want, go ahead. Right now, I need to remain focused on other things.” He reached in and plucked a pouch from the chest. He could tell by the weight that it was either coins or heavy jewelry. He opened the pouch to look and was satisfied to find coins. It wouldn’t be wise to attempt to purchase real estate with a handful of stolen rings and bracelets. He handed the pouch to Birt, “Do you think that’ll be enough to buy two modest houses in Miller’s Flats? I still have most of the coin from the pouch I withdrew yesterday as well.” Birt looked uncertain as he hefted the pouch, “I don’t know. I’ve never bought a house before. We’ll need to ask around to learn what houses sell for. And we need to conceal our intent to purchase, or the prices will surely rise as a result.” Cooper knew about Supply and Demand, and the fickleness of the market, but he also knew that Birt had more experience with the legalities of business