The Great Spa and Gangster Hide Out
“Sorry folks.” Red said. “This is as far as I go. This is your last chance to back out of any agreements you made to work here.” One girl decided that going home to the family farm and becoming a milkmaid wasn’t such a bad proposition after all. (On a side note, she didn’t become a milkmaid, she became Mrs Red instead. Well they say the best way to a woman’s heart is to lead her safely through the desert. Actually they say something else, but until you take your woman to the desert you have no right to argue.) The remaining people walked up to the large wooden door.
Seen from a distance the Spa looks like a desert fort. It is completely ringed by a wooden fence. (Where the original builders got the wood is one of those mysteries the have academics getting large grants.) It’s huge. Inside are fifty huts, or bungalows, as Monsieur DeBackrub keeps insisting. The reason the Spa is situated where it is, is no mystery. It enjoys year round sun. It’s slightly below sea level so you don’t get sun burnt, but can get a nice tan. It has four natural springs, hot, cold, perfect and mineral. And it is situated in no man’s land, so it doesn’t pay taxes.
Monsieur DeBackrub had everyone lined up in front of him. He looked everyone over, and made a fatal mistake. (Our four heroes had changed their names. As it would get confusing to say for example: ‘“Get scrubbing John.” he said to Brain.’ We will just use their names and pretend that no one knows them, especially Tricks. Well the only reason they did it was to protect Tricks’ identity, but Brain felt left out, you can make up the rest for yourself, the point is they have different names, but we’re using their real names.)
“You two are on scrubbing duty.” he said when he got to Brain and Opie. He had assigned tasks to the people that had brought letters of recommendation. As our four adventures had ‘lost’ their letters he was giving them the horrible jobs. Siege was taking a look around, for obvious reasons. “I have a special task for you, Tricks (remember, he wouldn’t have called her Tricks, he would have said something else. I’m saying Tricks so as not to confuse you.). If you could come with me, we will fix you up.” Remember she has just been through a bloody battle and spent a day in the desert. Monsieur DeBackrub didn’t want to take any chances so he took her to ‘Rich Bitch Grooming’ centre, or ‘Queens Parlour’ as it says above the door and told the women inside to ‘doll her up’. It took some time. Our little group had decided to keep a low profile, but some of the things they wanted to do to Tricks in the parlour were not going down well with our warrior woman. Having worked on the meanest of the mean, these parlour women knew their stuff, but I can safely say that Tricks is still talked about in salon circles.
“Please dear, if you don’t stop wriggling we can’t pluck your eye brows.” Tricks replied with something that suggested that they would be plucking Old Nicks eyebrows before they got near her with the tweezers. Let’s just say they did their usual good job and move on.
“Hey Opie.” Brain said scrubbing away at one of the floors. “When you woke up this morning did you think you would be scrubbing floors today?”
“You sound way too cheerful Brain.” Opie replied. “I rode a camel all day through the desert, I had to battle against a bunch of blood thirsty thieves and now I have to scrub hundreds of floors before supper. You were with me every step of the way, how do you remain so cheerful.”
“Normally I wouldn’t, but look over there.” He pointed with his scrubbing brush.
“Is that Tricks?” Opie asked in disbelief.
“None other. If it wasn’t for the sword on her back I wouldn’t have recognized her. Well the sword and the scowl.”
“Boy does she clean up good.” Opie said, going back to scrubbing. “You better not let her see you checking her out.”
“This is an opportunity not to be missed.” Brain said standing up and stretching his back.
“No wonder she hits you all the time.” Opie said, joining his friend. They walked in Tricks’ direction.
“Evening madam.” Brain said politely to Tricks. “Can we help you with your bag?”
“One more word Brain and I swear they will be printing you name on granite.”
“Ah give us a kiss their sister.” Opie tried to pull Tricks off Brain, but he didn’t have the strength. (I’m not sure if Brain got lucky or unlucky at this point.) Two Mobster goons came around the corner and pulled Brain away from Tricks. Jumping to the wrong conclusion they proceeded to beat the hell out of Brain. Even though Brain end up lying in a pool of his own blood, he still said it was worth it when Opie took him to the infirmary. Tricks told the men she was supposed to meet a Mr Bobby. The two goons sniggered to each other and then showed her the way, one of them rubbing his head, hoping it would leave a scar.
Opie met up with Siege on his way back to work. He related the details of Brain and Tricks’ meeting and then got back to scrubbing floors.
“He’s so stupid.,” she said. “Now you have to do all the floors by yourself.” At this point she didn’t offer to help, she continued not to offer all through the conversation.
“It’s not so bad.” he said not even thinking about asking for her help. “It was very funny, and when he called her a sister, I swear I almost peed my pants.”
“Well it was stupid of him.”
“I guess.” he replied. “Any luck finding the box?”
“I’ve found plenty of boxes, but none that a medallion would open. I just wish the map was more specific.”
“I hate to say it, but the map is very old, it might be too late. For all we know someone could have already found it.” Opie was getting into the scrubbing. He still found a novelty in bazaar activities. He had seen one of the women staying at the spa knitting, and he thought he would like to give it a go.
“Don’t say it.” Siege said. “I know we will find it, even if it takes for ever. I want a perfect wedding.”
“Then I guess eloping is out of the question?” Opie joked.
“Only as a last resort. Well, keep scrubbing, I’m off to check the rest of the Spa. Maybe I’ll get lucky.” A few minutes after Siege left, Brain arrived, his head in bandages and his left arm in a sling. He was still chuckling, but softer, the loud stuff hurt too much.
“Hey Opie.” he said carefully getting down on his hand and knees. “Backrub said I was still fit for scrubbing duty, would you mind breaking my other arm, or should I go insult Tricks some more.”
“Brain, sometimes you go too far. One day she is going to kill you.”
“I can’t wait, I hope it’s in the throes of…Yes sir, sorry sir. I’ll get right back to it sir. That guy can be a real toss.” Brain waited for Monsieur DeBackrub to leave before he added that last bit. “Remind me why we have to pretend to be working here?”
“We need the box, and if more people find out about you know what, we will have another fight on our hands.”
“I’m not sure which is worse, scrubbing floors or fighting wars.”
“I kind of like it.” Opie replied. Brain just looked at him in disbelief.
Tricks walk with the two men. They were heading for the far part of the Spa called ‘The Compound.’ The original designer had thought, correctly, that the mobsters that were coming to hide out would feel more at home in this section. Unlike the rest of the Spa, this portion opened out into the desert, it also had dark alleys and carriage boots. No expense was spared to make organized crime feel at home. From time to time one of the employees would fire arrows into a window, at no extra cost to the guests, merely a deposit for the arrows and a bit of insurance for the employee, in case someone got out of hand.
“So you’re off to see Bobby No Face.” one of the goons asked.
“Yes.” replied Tricks. “Why is he called that?”
“I think it was his father’s name.”
“Yeah.” replied the other. “Bobby the Ripper.”
“No, I mean No Face.” Tricks tried again.
“Well his father was the Ripper. So he wanted to name his son after h
im. First he tried Bobby the Obnoxious then Bobby Talks Back Too Much. Then one day his father got the hell in, I mean he was the Ripper after all, and we’ve been calling him No Face since.”
“So it’s a family thing.”
“Don’t speak about the family. There’s feds everywhere.”
“What?” Tricks asked genuinely puzzled.
“Right.” Tricks gave up trying to follow. She was hoping that none of the goons in the area were the ones that came to her pub. She needn’t have worried, as all of them had retired with a decent disability package. After the silence dragged on a little, one of the men, the one without the scar asked Tricks how much she charged for a quickie. He started his own scar collection that day. They dropped her off at the Capos villa and went to compare their freshly acquired scars-to-be.
In Sal Ca’pin’s own words
“I (Ouch) knew (Ouch) there (Ouch) was (Ouch) something (Hot damn that hurts) up (Ouch) the (I think you get the picture) minute she walked in. She was a good-looking dame, but nobody sends someone like her to the likes of No Face. So I asked her what she wanted. She says that she was a special, but only for No Face. (Think I lost consciousness at this point, but no one told Sal) So I’ve got her sword finally. She stared at me with those green eyes, I’m the Capo, the boss of bosses and I’m thinking I want out of the room. Are you getting this? Good. I can tell you that I was scared, wait, make him forget that bit. (It was light when I woke up, but apparently Sal had kept talking.) So I was standing in the room, and there was blood everywhere. We didn’t even find all the pieces. She knew her stuff all right. If she hadn’t just killed No Face I would have brought her into the family. Needless to say we can’t have that sort of thing going on. I ordered her killed and that stuck up prig DeBackrub as well, what the hell kind of a name is that anyway? Actually better not have me saying I ordered anyone killed, drop him on his head a few times. (I’m not sure after that, it was dark, but it might have been that my eyes had swollen closed.) So when I knew she and her two partners were dead we all went out for some steak. You got that. Good. I think you can take a moral away with you. Don’t mess with the mob. Capesh? Okay boys throw him out.
The Real Story
“Here toots, have a brandy.” Sal said when Tricks walked in. She still had her sword on her back, only one person had tried to take it away, and he was in no position to mention the fact that he had failed, not unless you gave Lady Laseer a call. Sal hadn’t seen a weapon in years, so he just thought that it was some sort of sex toy. Tricks took a sip and asked if she could have a Beer rather. He organized one and asked her to sit. Tricks still had no idea what was going on. She sat and waited to be filled in. (Not that kind of filled in you pervert.) Instead of telling her anything Sal just looked her over and whistled. Tricks would have jumped up and chopped his head off if the ten goons hadn’t come into the room at that moment. One of them whispered in Sal’s ear.
“I have just been informed” Sal said after the man had repeated his whispering. (If it wasn’t for his goons, I’d tell you that Sal was a deaf old balding pansy.) “that you are carrying a weapon. Is this true?” Sal looked her over, but couldn’t seem to decide if his men meant a deadly weapon or that her body was a weapon. He figured that if he were any older he would probably have died of a heart attack just from looking at her.
“What of it?” Tricks replied, making it clear that any objections would be met with a substantial force. Not knowing who she was one of the goons reached out to point at her sword.
“If this goes so do I.” Tricks said after they had carried the crying goon away. Sal not wanting to ruin No Face’s night told the goons that she could keep her weapon. (I knew he was lying about that. There are very few people that can take Tricks’ sword from her, actually no one can take Tricks’ sword away.) Sal was starting to worry that maybe Monsieur DeBackrub had sent the wrong person.
“How long have you been in the game?” Sal asked, naturally meaning the Sisterhood.
“Since I was fifteen.” Tricks replied, naturally meaning the warrior hood.
“Then I guess you’ve seen some pretty disgusting stuff in your time?”
“You wouldn’t believe some of the stuff I’ve seen.” Tricks said “I sometimes wonder if some of the things I’ve seen were ever men.” she continued remembering one particular battle.
“Then I guess you are the right person.” Sal said, he almost smiled, but everyone knows that Sal only smiles when large sums of cash are placed in his hands. “If you could do me a favour, please call him Bobby?”
“Aren’t I supposed to ask for the favour?” Tricks had heard a couple of mob stories.
“If you call him Bobby and one day you need a favour, it will be granted.”
“Thanks, shouldn’t I get going.”
“No, no, there is still plenty of time. Have another beer.” Sal knew that she talked a good game, but he didn’t what to take any chances. She would be less likely to scream if she was a bit tipsy. Five beers later she probably wouldn’t have screamed if the ground opened up and the dead attacked. (Actually she probably wouldn’t have screamed at that stone cold sober. Maybe I should have used if all weapons were banned, she might scream at that, but more likely she would have chopped it in half.) One of the goons led her to No Face’s room.
Tricks is not as stupid as I seem to be making her out to be. She had a clear idea of what was going on. Her plan was not to break cover unless she really had to or they found the box. She had decided that she would get the guy blind drunk and then knock him unconscious. When he woke up she would then pretend that he had had a really good time. The only problem with her cunning plan was that Bobby No Face didn’t drink. The goon knocked on No Face’s door and told him his present from the Capo had arrived. No Face opened the door, the sack still on his face and let Tricks in. The goon walked away hoping No Face would leave something for the rest of them, until he met up with his two friends, new scar one and two.
“Wow Sal really knows how to pick them.” Bobby said, looking Tricks over. Tricks was too busy looking for the bar to notice.
“Where’s the beer?” she asked after a quick look around revealed nothing.
“I don’t drink.” he replied. “I could order you something.” Tricks was about to say no when she saw the box.
“What is that?” She pointed at the box.
“Just a box I found in the desert, I was about to open it when I heard you were coming.”
“Can I see it?” she asked, hoping she didn’t sound too eager.
“Knock yourself out. I’ll get you some beers.” Bobby stuck his head out the room, and saw that nobody was around. He knew that screaming wouldn’t bring anyone running, he had paid to see that that wouldn’t happen. With the coast clear he could put his plan into action. I will tell you his original plan, because he didn’t get to do it. He was going to take off his sack, scare her enough so that she would be weak. He would then rape her while stabbing her and then climax with her death. He got to the sack taking off.
“I get it.” Tricks said looking at him squarely where his face should be. “Your father ripped your face off.”
“Yes.” Replied Bobby thrown off a bit by the fact that she wasn’t screaming. “Doesn’t this make you feel weak?” he asked pointing to his face
“Not really.” replied Tricks having seen far worse things. “I’m more into rugged good-looks, and possibly someone with a face.”
“It doesn’t matter.” he finally said, a little disappointed that she hadn’t screamed, but he still had time, and a sharp knife. “I’ll make you scream yet.” He dove at her, but at the last second realized that he had made a mistake. Tricks went on instinct. Bobby No Face finally got his scream, but unfortunately it was him. She chopped him at the knees, groin, elbows and head, and then before he fell apart she chopped him down the middle. Ten sections fell to the ground. Tricks wiped her sword on the bed, picked up the box and calmly walked out the room. She passed one of the goo
ns on the way.
“Hey aren’t you supposed to be with No Face?” He asked.
“No.” she replied. “I wouldn’t let him play his little game and he went all to pieces.”
“No, no, the boss wanted you to stay the whole night.”
“Go tell your boss I’m no longer a sister, from now on I’m Tricks of Clemville, Capesh?” The guard stared at her while the words sunk in. He turned and ran, he had a bad feeling that she meant the going to pieces literally. She found her friends, told them that the charade was over because she had the box. They decided to have a beer to celebrate. Because she had already had five she forgot to mention that she had just killed Sal Ca’pin’s close personal friend.
“Here Brain, see if you can read the inscription on the box.” Tricks said handing the box over. They were sitting in the spa’s recreation area. They had just been served by one of the girls from the camel train. She winked to let them know that their secret was still safe with her. Tricks explained that they were no longer in disguise.
“Ah, like that’s so fantastic.” she said. “I’ve been like dying to tell everyone that I was like saved by the great Tricks, it’s like so awesome. PS all the drinks I bring you are like totally free.” Tricks thanked her and she shuffled off giggling.
“Anything Brain?”
“No.” he said turning the box around. “It’s not magic. Looks like plain old ancient to me, Opie?” He handed the box on. Opie looked at it and smiled.
“It says if you try to force the lock all the contents will be destroyed.”
“I guess we’ll have to try find a lock smith.” Tricks said a little disappointed.
“I doubt that will help.” replied Opie. “Unless you place the medallion in this marked area there is very little chance of saving the contents.” At that moment Monsieur DeBackrub made an appearance.
“What the hell are you doing here?” he said. “This is for guests only, get out.”
“Shut up you big phoney.” Tricks shouted right back. “We’re paying customers now.”
“Where is your money then?” he asked. He was about to ring the bell when the contents of Sieges pockets mysteriously appeared on the table. “Oh, welcome to The Great Spa, I hope you enjoy your stay.” He took a leather bag from the counter and emptied the contents into his hands. It was filled with gold pieces. Siege had recently walked through the very affluent town of Barock. He walked off very happy.
“Will you look at that.” Opie said as Siege started to put the things back in her pockets.
“What?” The others asked. Opie pointed.
“Siege has had the medallion all along.” Opie said picking up the medallion from the counter. “I remember seeing her take it from the barracks commander, but I completely forgot.”
“When was that?” asked Brain.
“You were injured at the time.” Opie told him how they came by the medallion, and then he tried it in the box. “It fits, now all I have to do is turn it in the right sequence and it should open.” He reread the instructions and turned the medallion. The lid popped open. They all looked inside, and it was empty.
“Great, now what?” Brain asked downing his beer and ordering another round.
“I don’t understand.” Opie said searching the empty box again. “The map said that the box would give us directions.”
“Maybe it’s another riddle.” Siege said hopefully. “Like the box has nothing in it so do nothing?” she tried. Tricks and Brain tried to look at her, so Opie gave her a kiss and held her hand.
“I could do that.” Brain replied. Trying to finish his beer so he could order another one. He was still having trouble with the bandages, but as they weren’t impeding his drinking ability he was ignoring them. “A few days to heal, and then what. Do you think the box will suddenly get a direction?”
“Who knows?” replied Tricks. “Stranger things have happened.” The others agreed with that. Opie had the feeling he was missing something, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. Monsieur DeBackrub returned with the keys to their new suite.
On the other side of the Spa things were looking grim. Sal had his hands around a goon’s neck.
“How can you let Tricks walk right into my home?” He asked as the man passed out, or chose not to answer. Sal tied to throw him against the wall, but he was a feeble old man and only managed to drop him. Seeing what their boss had intended, two goons picked him up and tossed him against the wall. “Go and see if Bobby is alright. Who knows what she’s capable of?” He found out very quickly. He followed his now very hyped up men to the carnage that was Bobby No Face’s room. Sal picked up the piece of arm that still held the knife.
“At least he died fighting. Put him in his sack and bring him to my room, and be quick about it.” Sal walked off. The goons ever faithful to their boss’s requests, and always taking him literally had to chop up the body some more, but it still wouldn’t fit in his sack. So they buried the extra bits in the back garden. (Maybe Sal was right when he said they didn’t find all the bits.) Sal placed the sack on the table.
“Such a small man in the end.” he said. “Is he all here?”
“No Capo.” One of the men replied.
“We can’t even find all of you my dear friend.” Sal closed his eyes and said an oath. He opened his eyes and looked at all his men. “She must die, her and anyone with her. Capesh?” They all vowed that she wouldn’t live to see the sun set. “Good, go break out the bag pipe cases.” (Crossbows don’t fit in violin cases.) They first sent out scouts to find Tricks. They found her at the moment Opie let go of Siege’s hand. When they reported back they said she was with two accomplices at the bar, drinking lots of beer.
“Good.” Sal said rubbing his hands together. “Let’s wait until they leave. Kill the other two, but Tricks is mine.” The goons looked at him with a new respect, but they were really worried that the old man was starting to lose it.
“I don’t get it.” Opie said on his fifth beer, up to that point he had been holding Siege’s hand, and she had been matching them drink for drink. As she had never gotten drunk before she was completely plastered. She tried letting go of Opie’s hand, hoping that the alcohol would wonder off like it always did, but it had gotten itself so entrenched in her blood stream, it decided to hang around and see what would happen. It didn’t have long to wait. Siege leaned closer to Opie.
“I can’t feel my teeth.” she said touching them with her fingers. “Are they still there?” Opie assured her that they were. She giggled and then threw up in his lap. Seconds later she was asleep on his shoulder.
“Brain could you carry Siege to her room, I’ve got to go clean up.” Brain looked at the situation and laughed.
“No problem.” he replied. “Tricks look after my beer, I’ll be back.”
“Don’t be stupid Brain.” she replied. “Finish your beer. Opie go get cleaned up and then we should all hit the sack, tomorrow we’ve got an empty box to solve.” They did as they were told.
Sal positioned his men for the ambush. It would work perfectly. Sal had his crossbow trained on the door, but if he missed the twenty other men would guarantee that Tricks would not walk away. The other twenty men were ready for her accomplices, ten each with loaded crossbows. They sat and waited, and waited. “I’d be surprised if they can walk.” Sal said to his second in command. “How long have they been sitting in there?”
“Many hours, but the more they drink the easier it will be to take them down.” he replied. Sal nodded. A little later he fell asleep, accidentally letting his crossbow go off. It shot one of his own men in the leg. The man didn’t even cry out. He limped off to see a doctor. The rest of them waited on. When Sal woke with the sun on his back all his men were still awake and watching the door.
“Are they still drinking?” He asked. No one answered. “Are you sure they will come out the servants exit?” It seems Sal had wasted his night. As paying guests our four heroes had gone out the front way.
; They had gone as far as the hot spring. Brain couldn’t carry Siege any more. Opie gave it a try, but after he tripped, they decided to take a break. Brain stripped down to his underwear and jumped in. He then remembered that his bandages were still on. So he took those off. Then he remembered that his arm was in a sling. He looked at it, but couldn’t find the sling, so he tried the other arm. It wasn’t there either. Then he started to wonder how he had carried Siege so far. He was just starting to think when something caught his eye. A slide. He forgot all about the other problems and took a slide; it was fun so he kept doing it.
Opie sat on a bench with Siege’s head on his lap. She would wake up every now and again to throw up on Opie. Her stomach was always full. Tricks watched Brain slide for a while and then thought it would be fun to spin in circles and sing show tunes. Brain saw her and decided that spinning was not a good idea if you’re drunk, besides it was making him dizzy.
“No spinning Tricks.” Brain said in the sternest voice he could muster in his drunkenness.
“What you going to do about it?” Tricks replied playfully.
“I’ll come down there and paddle your backside.”
“Ooo, I can’t wait.” she replied, spinning again. Brain decided that he would have to show her he meant business. He got quite close, but Tricks shrieked like a little girl and ran away, spinning whenever she was far enough away from Brain. At this point a guy from another party at the perfect spring joined them.
“Hey guys.” he said. “You got any extra stuff?”
“Huh.” Brain replied profoundly. He had been about to catch Tricks.
“You know some weed, or whatever you’re taking.” Brain actually giggled. They told him they had nothing, but he left like he didn’t believe them. Tricks went and looked after Siege so Opie could wash off. He joined Brain at the slide. Tricks thought it would be funny to hide from the guys, so they would panic when they got back, then she could jump out and surprise them. As she wasn’t all there, she chose a well-lit corner and the guys saw her almost immediately, but she still insisted that she gave them a fright.
They got back to their four-room suite and found the complementary bottle of vodka. They decided that a quick game of forfeit coinage would be fun. A simple game, if you miss the glass you drink, if you get it in the glass you nominate someone to do a forfeit. (They were very drunk, so I’m not sure how much of the rest of this is true.)
“Bulls eye.” Brain said, he had already had many misses. “I nominate Tricks to give us a pole dance.” She had already made him do it, to hilarious consequences. “Use that wall as your pole.” Tricks jumped up and gave a performance that kept both the guys sitting cross-legged for quite some time. At some point Siege made the boys show their naked butts to the world, a chambermaid happened to be passing at the time, but she was more impressed than offended (they claimed).
“I’ve got a good one.” Tricks said smiling through the haze of alcohol. “Opie do a pole dance against Brain.”
“Hey that’s not fair.” Brain replied indignantly. “You’re only allowed to nominate one person.”
“Tell you what Brain, if you can get the coin in the glass.” Tricks replied with a big grin on her face. “Then I will do a pole dance against you.” Brains hand was shaking so much that the coin went in the complete opposite direction. The girls roared with laughter as the boys put on their show. The boys spent the rest of the night trying to win so they could get the girls to put on a show. Brain managed to win a Tricks pole dance, where he was the pole, but it wasn’t until the last shot of vodka that they managed to get the girls to pole dace against each other. It was only slightly marred but Opie holding Sieges hand so Brain could get a good look. I’m not sure how long the two guys had to stay seated after that. They decided to all go to bed, until Siege found a bottle of champagne. Things really got rakish after that.
The next morning Tricks was the first to wake up. The first thing she noticed was that she was completely naked. The second was the completely naked Brain next to her. She quickly gathered up her clothes and went to her own room. She couldn’t remember what had happened. Truth is that none of them remembered what happened after they had gotten halfway through the first bottle of champagne, let alone where the other two bottles had come from. She checked on Siege and Opie, they were in the same bed, but fully clothed. Tricks left them to sleep and went out. She had a quick swim and then did some of her neglected sword workouts. She didn’t notice the goon watching her. He got paler and paler as he watched some of her moves.
Siege woke up and punched Opie. This woke Opie up.
“Why you do that?” He asked.
“You had an affair.”
“No I didn’t.” replied Opie, pretty sure he hadn’t touched Tricks all night.
“In my dream.” Siege replied.
“Oh.” Opie replied and laughed. That might have been a mistake.
“So you admit it?”
“It was in your dream.” Opie replied, logic firmly on his side.
“But you had the affair.” she said telling logic to go take a flying leap.
“Was she worth it?” Opie asked trying to make light of the situation.
“You tell me.” she replied and stormed off. Opie sat staring at the slammed door.
“What have I done?” he asked it, but it just hung there not saying a word. (But you could tell it was laughing on the inside. Never trust doors I always say.)
Siege spent the rest of the morning soaking away her troubles in the mineral spring.
Opie woke up Brain and together they went to find some breakfast. Opie told him about Sieges dream.
“That’s a real toughie.” Brain said between mouthfuls of fried egg, bacon and greasy mushroom. As he always says a good greasy breakfast is better than any hangover cure, until he could perfect one. (He once tried to liquidize the breakfast and drink it, but after being violently ill he didn’t try that again.) “In her mind you have cheated on her, but you didn’t, did you? Last night is a little foggy.”
“No I didn’t. “ Opie replied. “How can you blame a guy for what does on in your head?”
“She’s not a guy.” Brain replied. “They don’t think like us. I’m not sure that they do think. I mean we had fun last night, but this morning when we walked past Tricks she was all dagger eyes.”
“I noticed, do you think Siege told her about her dream.”
“I think it was me who was in trouble.” Brain replied stuffing some more bacon in his mouth. “Wawatis.” he said and then chewed and swallowed. “What do you think we should do?” he finally said.
“I really don’t know, maybe chocolates and flowers.”
“Are you nuts, then she’ll really think you’re having an affair.” Brain replied mopping up the last of the grease with his bread. “Tell you what, cut your losses. The best way to get over a girl is to find another one. What about those two?”
“I’m not interested. I think I’ll go find Siege and try apologizing.” Brain made a whip sound. Opie looked at him and said “At least my being whipped is figurative.” Brain watched him go and decided to introduce himself to one or, after what he saw last night, both the young woman.
“Any chance of picking you up?” he asked when he got to the table. The one girl said they were taken, but the other one smiled at him. “I’m Brain.”
“Hi Brain I’m Carol.” The other girl rolled her eyes and left, muttering something about a girl’s only weekend.
“Well Carol.” Brain said sitting down. “I was just telling my friend how perfectly dressed you are. I hope you don’t mind me joining you, but I just had to see you up close. Let me just say that I would have walked the Great desert for such a sight. You are even more pretty up close, may I?” He reached over and touched her hand. He sighed. “Even lovelier to touch.” Carol blushed. (He might be a complete toss the rest of the time, but you have to give him one thing, he can pick up girls. I think you know where this is going. A few more smoot
h lines and back to her place for a quick drink and well you can guess the rest.) Tricks watched him walk passed hand in hand with the young girl. She was doing a complicated manoeuvre with her sword when it ‘slipped’ and pegged into the ground between Brain’s legs.
“A little more grip, Tricks old girl.” he said throwing it back. He probably shouldn’t have said her name. His little underage girl ran over to Tricks and asked her to sign her copy of Country Life Celebs. Then Carol ran off to find her friend, in no time Tricks was surrounded by the Mineston Girls Choir. Brain resigned himself to spending the day in the cold spring.
The goon got back and told Sal what he had seen. He recounted it with awe. Sal was not a complete idiot. He knew that there would be very little chance of taking on Tricks where she had the advantage. He would have to wait until they were in the desert. Then he could shoot them from a distance.
“We should follow them when they leave. I have to stay and have a meeting with the other families, but the rest of you are going to ride out into the desert. I don’t care how long it takes but I want them dead. In the meantime keep a watch on them.” They swore a blood oath on it.
Tricks finally remembered that she had killed the mobster. As she didn’t want to talk to Brain she told Opie and Siege. Opie visibly paled.
“You killed a mob boss.” he said horrified. He too had read books on the subject.
“He wasn’t a boss. I don’t think.” She replied, thinking that she probably shouldn’t have told anyone.
“Whatever.” Opie said. “You killed a mobster. Don’t they start wars over thing like that?”
“Only if you’re a rival family.”
“Well at least we can feel safe then.” Opie said sarcastically. “Whatever possessed you to do that?”
“He had the box and he charged at me with a knife.” Tricks replied, hoping that Opie would run out of things to say.
“We could tell them it was self-defence.” He thought about it for a little while. “No that won’t work, they will probably kill us anyway.”
“Quiet Opie.” Siege said. “Tricks, why are you still alive, surely they should have killed you already?”
“I don’t know.” Tricks replied. “I would have thought that last night would have been the perfect opportunity. Maybe they haven’t found the body.”
“Then we better start packing and get out of here.” Opie said, then Siege shushed him again.
“Tricks do you think they know who you are?”
“Yes, I bragged.”
“Typical.” Opie added, then wished he hadn’t as both girls looked at him.
“Opie go find your friend.” Siege said. “Tell him the situation and have him meet us in the room.” Opie left, but he wasn’t happy about it. He kept looking over his shoulder.
“Let’s assume they haven’t found the body, could you pretend it wasn’t you?” Siege asked.
“I have a better idea.” Tricks said suddenly smiling. “Sal Ca’pin promised me a favour. I complied with his portion, so he owes me one.”
“What do you mean?”
Tricks explained, and then explained what she was going to do. By the end of the explanation they were both laughing. Tricks went off to carry out the plan and Siege went to inform the guys.
Siege told them the score, they weren’t that impressed with the idea, but they said they would wait and see. While they were waiting Opie picked up the box again.
“Still nothing.” he said after looking inside again. “I don’t think anything will appear if it hasn’t by now.”
“Yeah.” replied Brain. “We must be missing something.” They looked it over, but nothing sprang to mind. “Doesn’t it say anything more on the label?”
“No, just the instructions.”
“Maybe there is something else on the map.” Siege said, but the two guys shook their head. She opened it up anyway. Opie walked closer and looked, but he couldn’t find anything.
“Maybe when we found the box the original map changed, you know magic like.” Opie said, remembering that the map they had was a copy.
“You could be right.” Brain supplied. “But if we have to find our way back to Nad you can count me out.”
“I don’t believe that.” Siege said. “We have all the clues, now we just have to decipher them.”
“Sorry Siege, but I think this adventure is over, even if the mob doesn’t get us.” He put the box down and asked the others if they wanted to go get some lunch and a beer.
“Look at that.” Brain said getting excited. “The sun is reflecting off the medallion.” Opie looked and sure enough a small gold spot was on the map.
“If we place it right, then it should point the way.” He sounded even more excited.
“Doesn’t the sun move?” Siege asked. The both looked at her.
“She’s right.” replied Opie. “We don’t know what time of day, let alone the time of the year it should be in position.”
“Let’s find where it fits, we can worry about the sun later.” They searched the map. Opie spotted the square first, only because he lifted the map to the light.
“Put it on and see what happens.” They did. The gold dot was pointing at Hardpassvil.
“Now if only we could figure out the time, and which way the map should be we should be back on track.” Brain said. He pulled the map, he meant to pull it closer so he could fold it away, but instead he stopped.
“That’s strange.” He showed Opie.
“May gods.” Opie said not believing his eyes. “Do you know what kind of skill that takes?”
“What?” Siege asked. Opie showed her. “So?” she wondered.
“It doesn’t matter where the sun is.” he said moving the map. “The point is always on Hardpassvil.” Siege watched as they turned the map completely around, but the point didn’t move. “It must be the design of the medallion. Now all we have to do is hope Tricks is successful.”
Tricks marched right passed the goons and opened Sal’s door. Sal was in conference with the heads of the other families. It was going to work out better than she hoped. She could now shame him into granting her favour in front of the other families.
“Hi Sal, remember me?” She asked all smiles.
“Yes, you killed a close personal friend of mine.” he replied. Oh well Tricks thought, they do know.
“Okay, then I have come to ask for my favour.”
“What favour, you murdering whore?” Tricks just smiled at him.
“Are you denying me the favour you promised me in front of all these people?”
“I owe you nothing.” He spat on the floor in front of her.
“I assume that you think he is a man of his word.” she said to the other men around the table. “Think again. He promised me one favour if I called Bobby No Face, Bobby.”
“Is this true?” One of the other men asked.
“Yes.” Sal said remembering.
“Then honour your agreement, or there can never be peace between us.”
“But she killed him.” Sal replied.
“Tell me young lady?” The man asked. “What happened?”
“I walked into his room, he attacked me with a knife so I killed him.” Tricks said calmly.
“You didn’t call him No Face.”
“Not once.” she replied starting to enjoy Sal’s discomfort.
“Okay.” Sal said. “What is your favour?”
“You let me and my friends go.” she replied.
“I can’t.” replied Sal.
“Why not?” The man asked.
“I swore a blood oath to kill her.” Sal said showing the cut on his left hand.
“Yes.” the man said. “You must ask for another favour, perhaps a quick death.”
“No, give us a week’s head start before you come after us.” Tricks said thinking quickly. She had hoped that the plan would work, but it was falling apart.
“You have one day.” Sal said. “At dawn tomorrow I send my men after
you, no negotiation.”
“Fair enough.” Tricks said and smiled. “But I promise you on my word as Tricks of Clemville.” There was a loud intake of breath from around the table. “That after I have killed all your men I will come back and cut your balls off.” She turned and left. She heard one of the men telling Sal he was a fool and wanted no part of his deals. Tricks laughed as she left, but wasn’t sure if she would be able to carry out her threat. There were so many goons around, and Sal would probably send every man he had just to make sure she never came back.
Chapter 11