“It’s not,” Ignas confirmed.
Zara nodded. “The last couple of crops haven’t turned out well either. The weather’s been too cold, and a few fields were over-rotated between seasons.”
“The people should have been given adequate help in that time,” Faust muttered. “Hol is a substantial city with plenty of housing. It rivals the size of Limorous, possibly closer in size now with these slums.”
Rene put his hand on Faust’s shoulder. “It appears they are taxing them already, look.”
Faust glanced to his left. A Kingsley Knight took a small bag from an elderly couple and moved to another hut. If Hol would not provide for these people, they shouldn’t have been taking coin. The Guild of Artisans had a large base here that could help fix this. As the court merchant, the guild would follow his orders as if they came from the king. Thus, he had the authority to start reform through the guild so the knights would fall in line.
Faust passed more small huts and canvas tents with a frown. A cart of goods rested among the tents, and in the center of the crowd sat a few merchants with cards in their hands.
Ignas tilted his head with a scowl. “They’re cheating them of money.”
“Not just that.” Zara gritted her teeth. “Food and—”
“Family members,” Faust said. “It is time to test how good our card skills are.” He walked toward the small group.
Zara stepped near the lead merchant with a smile. “That’s quite the hand.”
“What’s it to you?” the man spat.
Faust walked closer. “It is quite the problem that you, dear sir, are cheating these people,” he said with a smile, stopping by Zara.
Rene came up behind Faust while Ignas moved to the outskirts of the group.
“And who are you, rich boy?” the merchant asked. “You gonna bet, too, or be righteous and buy the merchandise for the people? Scum like you don’t belong here.”
Zara rested a hand on her gun, but Faust placed a gloved hand over hers and shook his head. “I will join your game and prove your cheating ways. You are not a part of the Guild of Artisans.” He pointed to the medallion on the man’s belt. “I dare say you swindled that in a game or two.”
The man spat on the ground with a snide grin. “Then let’s play, pretty boy.”
Faust pulled out a small contract as he sat on the makeshift bench. “First, please sign this. If I win, everything you have here is mine. If I lose, well, you can decide.”
The man’s eyes flickered with great interest and glanced over Faust’s form. “Deal,” he said. “I’ll enjoy breaking you, boy.”
Faust kept his face neutral. If Konrad had heard anyone call him a boy, their head would have rolled. He passed the contract to be signed.
The man snatched it and scribbled his name.
Faust took the contract back, biting back a smile, far too pleased the fool had signed it.
The man motioned to the dealer.
Faust picked up his cards, amused. As he expected, these cards were bad, and he dared assume the man held the winning cards. Wind rustled his hair, displeased, and the natural magic bristled as if confirming his suspicions. It usually did, so he asked for another hand. This, too, was bad.
“Scared to lose, boy?”
Faust ignored him.
A small group broke out into a fight nearby, and eyes shifted to the scene, but it was enough for the cards in Faust’s hand to change under a water veil. “Are you ready, sir?” Faust asked.
The man glowered and showed his hand. “Three crowns and two swords.”
Faust sighed.
“I win.”
“On the contrary, good sir. I win,” Faust said with a sly smile, placing his cards down. “Royal court.”
“Impossible!” the man barked and stood tall. “You had help.”
Faust made a small gesture with his hand, calling upon his magic. Wind cut through the air, his sky stone shining brightly at his hip, and the man hopped back as the guild medallion fell.
Faust whisked the medallion to him and flicked his hands again. The man’s sleeves shredded, dropping cards to the ground.
The man moved for his blade, eyes full of fury and a promise of pain, but Zara sprinted forward and clocked the man in the jaw with a loud crack.
Faust stood. “I do not take kindly to those that sully the Guild of Artisans’ name.” They were a respectable band of merchants under Konrad’s command. He would not tolerate anyone tarnishing the king’s good name.
The man scrambled, but a gunshot landed near his head.
Zara cracked her knuckles, ready to pound the man into the ground.
“Your stock is now mine,” Faust said, “and all of it goes to these people.”
The crowd rippled with whispers. “It won’t last long.”
Faust turned to the crowd. “That is why I will take your case to Prince Faust, who in turn will report to the king. I, Lord Arcus, the appointed court merchant, swear on my fortune to ensure your voices are heard.”
The whispers grew at the mention of his title. It struck a chord. That meant the rumors would catch in the wind just as Faust needed.
“We’ve got company, my lord,” Ignas called as he moved through the crowd, gesturing at the Kingsley Knights headed their way.
Zara kicked the man unconscious.
Faust waved to the people. “Please excuse me, the carts are yours.” He tossed the contract to a woman. “That will prove it to those knights.”
Rene tugged on Faust’s hand. “Stop making a scene of this.”
Zara waltzed up with a chuckle and pulled Faust’s hood up. “You’re flashy. What did you hand them?”
Faust smiled. “A decree granted to Lord Arcus. He dispelled the wrongdoing and returned the items.”
Ignas whistled and flanked Faust on the other side. “But you didn’t play fair either.” He glanced at Rene. “A water veil. I’m impressed.”
“At times, it must be done,” Faust said.
Rene rubbed his temple.
Faust faltered. “I am sorry, Rene.”
“If only you meant that, my lord.”
“We should hide somewhere,” Ignas said with a glance. More knights were merging from alternative pathways. “There’s a perfect place inside the gates.”
Zara shook her head. “You can’t be serious.”
“And where exactly are you suggesting that we go?” Rene asked, his eyes narrowed.
“A place the knights would never think to check,” Ignas said.
Chapter Ten
Ignas guided Faust down a long, skinny alleyway with Zara and Rene not too far behind. The knights had yet to sound a big alarm, and Faust wanted to keep it that way.
Ignas surveyed the area before he stopped at an unassuming door.
Zara sighed. “Here? Really, Ignas?”
Ignas shrugged. “They would never look for him here.” Ignas rapped his knuckles on the door, and a small slot opened. He lifted a small bag with a smile. The slot closed, and the door opened.
Faust stepped inside after Ignas. Lewd sounds hit his ears, making them grow hot. This was a brothel! He’d heard stories from the knights how these places worked, but nothing prepared him for the sight of it. Faust stared at the scantily clad individuals wandering around the establishment. There were many exceptional looking men among the beautiful women.