The Price

Vox wiped the sweat from his brow. With a final heave, he pushed the case of wine into it's place beneath the counter, alongside two identical sets. Slumping into his chair behind the counter, he let out a sigh of relief. He considered pouring himself a glass, until he spotted a stain on one of the tablecloths across the room. Letting out another sigh, he shook his head, gathering up the dirtied fabric, replacing it with an identical one. He knew he wouldn't get a break; there was always something to be done, and there was no one who could do it besides him - at least no one who could do it better.

His polishing of a crystal glass was interrupted by a ringing noise, a signal of the front door opening. It was rather early in the morning, but he was expecting a customer today. Vox eyed him subtly, a tall man of dark complexion, but light of hair. Dressed in commoners clothing, a belt knife at his hip, and dirt on his boots, which he, thankfully, wiped off before entering. Vox leaned on the counter, a toothy grin on his face.

"Welcome to the Silver Rose, stranger. What can I get for ya?"

The stranger took a seat at a stool in front of the counter, placing a hand on his neck.

"I could use a Horisian Special." He said, now moving his hand to his chest.

Vox nodded, scratching his right ear, pressing a pinky nonchalantly to his cheekbone.

"Small or Large?" He asked, keeping close attention to the strangers raised hand.

"Large. With some orange zest, if you have any." He moved his hand to his other hand, clasping them together.

Vox quietly slid a gold coin out of his vest pocket, flashing it for the briefest of moments, just long enough for the gold shine to catch the light.

"Plenty for you, friend, though I'll have to grate it first." Vox said, slipping the coin back into his pocket.

The stranger nodded, before saying "Of course. I'd prefer the ice in chunks. And in a metal tankard. In fact, go ahead and make it a double."

Vox opened his eyes wide.

"A double? Hell…"

He knelt, opening a small drawer in the counter that only he knew about, sliding out twenty gold coins. He rose up just in time to see a flash of Steel. Thinking quickly, he grabbed a tankard, raising it up just in time to catch the blade.

The strangers form flashed, and moved lightning fast, leaving a trail of dark blue light as he moved, twisting his jagged dagger out of the cup, and appearing behind Vox, lunging to strike again. Vox whipped out a dagger of his own, a straight Bladed piece concealed by his boot, parrying the attack.

The goblin flipped over the counter, launching himself with his hands, jumping back into the main floor of the inn. His hunter whipped behind him in yet another flash of light, but Vox used his momentum against him, outstretching a leg, causing the man to careen towards the hard wood floor. Vox managed to catch him just in time to stop his fall, quickly disarming him with a well-aimed strike of his daggers pommel. Finally letting him hit the ground with the quietest of thuds, he pulled out a metal set of cuffs, binding the man before he had time to resist.

"Don't you even think about moving, or I'll get you like the bloody pig you are! Who sent ya?!" Vox snarled, pressing his blade lightly to the man's neck. The assassin scoffed, and shifted his weight, trying to knock Vox off. He knocked away the dagger, but heard the click of machinery, and felt the blood pour from his back, as a spike of cold iron pierced his spine, coming from a small compartment in the goblins heel. The light left his eyes, and Vox let out another sigh. At least the man's coat had soaked up the blood. Rolling him into the same stained sheet he had removed earlier, Vox hefted him into a wheelbarrow, taking the man out of the inn just as the sun began to rise.

Moving quickly, he dumped some food scraps on top of the cloth. Satisfied, he walked right out the front gate, giving a nod to the guards, mumbling good morning greetings. Finally he arrived. He knocked on the wooden door of the farmhouse, being met by an older man, with a scar across his face.

"Mornin' Earl. Got some more-eh, some feed for the hogs."

The man, Earl, nodded grimly.

"Hogs've always got te eat", he said in a quick, high pitched tone.

Vox nodded, letting the man take the "feed", dumping it into a wooden trough, already full of slop, and watched as two dozens pigs raced to get the first bite, devouring the trash, the cloth, and what lay beneath. Vox handed a coin to the man, taking the wheelbarrow back to the inn. Dirty work, in all sense of the word. But it had to be done. If the guests in the inn thought they weren't safe, they'd leave. And if they left, they'd stop buying drinks. And when that happened, they'd stopping telling him things they otherwise wouldn't. Important things. Important for the Rebellion. No, it had to be done, even if it was dirty.

Wiping his boots at the door, just as the now dead stranger had, Vox let out another sigh. The door knob was getting loose.

"Least the floors clean." He said, taking a seat behind the counter just as Nathaniel entered the common area.

"Morning mate." He half-said, half-yawned out.

"Mornin' Boss." Vox responded, hiding the assassins jagged dagger up his sleeve so quick a hawk wouldn't have noticed.

Nathaniel walked across the room, preparing to leave, but stopped and turned, staring at the floor where Voxes boot spike had killed the man. Nathaniel crouched down, rubbing his hand across the wooden plank. Voxes heart skipped a beat. Nathaniel looked up.

"I think this board is rotting, or something, mate. I'll see if I can't find someone to replace it."

Relieved, Vox shook his head, a small smile on his face.

"No worries Boss, I'll get it done. Mind putting in an order for some brandy while you're out?"

Nathaniel nodded, thanking the man and assuring that he would, leaving to go about his business.

Vox shook his head again, this time in amazement at his own luck, a sigh of relief leaving him, before he remembered: There was more work to be done. He chuckled to himself, hopping out of his chair.

"Now, where'd I put that bloody screw driver…"