Clearscale

  I did my best to ignore the noise of the quickly filling meeting hall as I focused on removing the leftover Gloom-pulp from my claws. It was only a minor irritant, but I didn't like how it made my claws look yellowed like an old lizard. I should have taken more care to keep them clean, but I got reckless in my excitement to discover something new.

  "Have you given any thought to Cai Masaru Ryuzaki's offer?" Skitterspark asked from beside me. We were sitting near the front, waiting for the trials to begin.

  I nodded and let my tongue flick out, tasting the excitement in the air. "I have thought about it. It would please me to have access to more materials to improve my craft, and the skill boost he mentioned would be more than welcome. However, I hesitate to abandon my tribe. I still have loyalty, even if the former chief was a traitor."

  Skitterspark hummed in approval, a slight smile on his snout as he looked at me from the corner of his eye. "Yes, you are a true Cleverclaw. Loyalty is in our blood. That is just one more reason I must win today. If I become chief, I will swear our fealty to Cai Masaru Ryuzaki. Then, there will be no conflict if you serve him in the name of our clan."

  I blinked slowly, absorbing the full meaning of his intent. It was common for kobold tribes to serve a master. Such was the lot of beings with such limited strength. Some served out of fear, others in exchange for protection, while a lucky few served out of loyalty. It was our way. Yet there were many in my tribe who would balk at serving a human.

  "Hmmm. I believe that would be for the best. Our tribe cannot stay here if we are at odds with Cai. Leaving would be dangerous. Still, there will be some who would not be happy with your choice." I shared my thoughts.

  He nodded once in understanding. "I know. Yet I believe it is the right decision; not only for our safety, but for a better future. Has he told you about his spire and its purpose?" I gave him a nod and gestured for him to continue. "I can already sense that Cai is more than human, and he is growing quickly. I believe that tying our fate to his will bring us strength and purpose."

  I was quiet after that, absorbing his words. I didn't know Cai Ryuzaki that well, yet I had sensed what Skitterspark was referring to. There was something in Cai that spoke of greatness, —something that called to my instincts and told me that he was worthy to serve. At first I thought it could be something about the fairy dragon that was confusing my kobold senses, but even when she wasn't around I could feel it.

  The trial by combat soon began, with the youngest and least experienced fighters going first. For most of the contestants, this was more of an opportunity to show their growth than to actually compete to become chief. It was an honor to participate in a ceremony such as this. Everyone knew that the true challenge would be between Skitterspark and Cinderspine.

  I shuddered when I considered what might happen to my tribe if Cinderspine won. He was big, and a good warrior, but he was short sighted and already too self important. No, I would much rather Skitterspark win. The fact that I could then serve as Cai's personal alchemist would just be a bonus.

  Skitterspark soon stood to join the competition, though his seat didn't remain vacant for long. Flickerfoot, the dark grey former mate of Grimjaw quietly sat beside me. It was almost eerie how she seemed to appear out of nowhere.

  We sat in silence for several moments before she spoke. "I have been meaning to apologize to you." Her voice was soft and slightly sibilant. "While I never condoned Grimjaw's actions, I was unfortunately a tool he wielded against you. I could speak of loyalty and duty as an excuse, but in the end, I made my choices. I regret many of them."

  I looked at her, though she couldn't meet my gaze. Instead, she sat quietly looking at her hands folded in her lap, as if awaiting my judgement. I sighed, "I do not blame you for what he did, though you are right about making your own choices. I would like to know, however, my mentor…" I trailed off, unable to finish my question.

  The silence between us grew heavy, though the sound of the crowd picked up as Skitterspark and Cinderspine's match was announced.

  Finally, Flickerfoot spoke. "I didn't personally have anything to do with the former alchemist's death, though I do know of the plot against him. My blade was deemed unnecessary, as Grimjaw found a more convenient means. But yes, he and Goldenclaw schemed and arranged to have him killed as a means of isolating you. A punishment for your continued rejection, and an attempt to make you desperate." Her words were so quiet that I barely heard them over the crowd, yet they struck me harder than any physical blow could.

  Kobolds were laid and hatched in clutches, then raised by designated caretakers in a community. My experience was slightly different, as my mentor recruited me at a young age to learn his craft.

  Kobolds didn't have much of a concept of father and mother—other than as a means of keeping track of lineage to avoid potential inbreeding. Yet, I thought I understood the concept better than most of my kind, as my mentor was my sole caretaker. He was a kind and loving man.

  I grit my teeth and felt a spike of pain as my own claws dug into my palms. I had long suspected, yet the confirmation of Grimjaw's involvement in my mentor's death sent a new wave of hatred through me. I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing. At least my potions had played a part in the traitor's demise. I would have to be satisfied with that.

  I opened my eyes as the sound of the crowd surged once more. Looking down at the arena, I watched as Skitterspark and Cinderspine exploded into action. I would have to think about my feelings later. The fate of my tribe was currently being decided.

  I sat at the edge of the arena, my eyes fixed on the combatants as they clashed in a flurry of steel and claw. Skitterspark and Cinderspine faced off, their eyes locked in a fierce stare. Both warriors were experienced, and it would be difficult to say who would win. Skitterspark was undoubtedly more skilled, but one hit from the larger kobold's maul could be enough to end the fight.

  Cinderspine charged forward, his massive maul swinging in great arcs. Skitterspark danced out of the way, his spear flashing in the torchlight as he parried a blow. The force of the impact sent shockwaves through the ground, and I felt the scales on my neck stand on end. Cinderspine's eyes blazed with fury, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he swung the maul again and again.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Skitterspark sidestepped and weaved, avoiding the blows by mere inches. His spear flashed out, striking true time and again, each hit finding its mark in Cinderspine's exposed limbs. The larger kobold stumbled back, his maul wavering in his grasp, but Skitterspark was relentless. He pounced, striking at the weak points in Cinderspine's defense, each blow landing with precision to debilitate and wear down his opponent.

  Cinderspine's face twisted in rage as he stumbled back, his stance weak from the pain and blood loss. The guard captain took advantage of the opening, striking again and again, his spear slicing through the air with deadly accuracy. The larger kobold's defenses crumbled, his strength failing him as Skitterspark's attacks mounted.

  Cinderspine let out a roar as he dropped his maul and lashed out with his claws. Skitterspark allowed one of the claws to connect, trading a trail of gashes across his arm in exchange for the chance to get in close. Thrusting the butt of his spear under his opponent's legs, he used the haft to leverage Cinderspine off his feet. The guard captain spun in place, using his short tail for balance as he twirled his spear and leveled it at the prone Cinderspine's throat.

  There was silence for a heartbeat before the chamber erupted in shouts and cheers. Our new chief had been decided; and for better or worse, our futures would now align with Cai Masaru Ryuzaki.

  As I rose to leave, but Flickerfoot stood with me. "Tell me more about our future master. I heard Skitterspark mention his spire, and a mission."

  ****

  Dmitri Sokolov

  "Hey Dmitri, look here. Sissy-man-boy likes play sissy music." Sergei laughed uproariously at his own joke as he took a guitar from its case and began to play it obnoxiously.

  I shook my head and tried to ignore the giant blond idiot. It had taken a week of searching the city to find where our target lived, only to discover he wasn't home. We were supposed to be searching his apartment for clues as to where he might be, or if we were lucky, where his cyka aunt was. If we could take out the bitch aunt, we wouldn't have to worry about keeping the man alive to lure her out.

  "Hey Dmitri," Sergei's voice interrupted me as I began going through the drawers on the desk. "Why don't we just find nice old neighbor lady to take. Nice old ladies always make good friend. It would probably work to lure him da?"

  "Idiot! You want to take care of a little old lady for weeks just to see if maybe she's his friend? Bring the police chasing after us?" I shook my head at my luck. Being stuck with a stupid muscle head was more work than it was worth.

  Unfortunately, the higher ups in the organization wanted someone who was from the main branch to observe the operation. They sent Sergei directly from the Motherland to make sure things got taken care of. He didn't even speak good English.

  "Besides," I continued, "Only a moron or a crusty self-righteous twat would give themselves up in exchange for an acquaintance. This isn't some fantasy story. People like that don't actually exist."

  Sergei came out of the bedroom flipping through a book. "I don't know, maybe he is moron. Look, he has picture book." He held out a book filled with cartoonish pictures of strong men and scantily clad women. "I think it was even written backwards. Besides, how do you know this not fentezi istoriya?"

  "Because there's no magic in this world. What kind of shitty fantasy story doesn't have magic? Hey!" I broke off my search at the sound of tearing paper. "Sergei, I told you we don't want anyone to know we were here!"

  The big man only chuckled and shrugged as he folded the torn pages from the picture book into his back pocket. "What? I like pictures. No one reads books after purchase anyway." He moved on to inspect a shiny copper plate on a stool. "Anyway, there is plenty of magiya in home country. How long has it been since you were home? Perhaps American women simply do not have magiya like Russian women?"

  I couldn't help but chuckle bitterly. "Not everyone can stay in Russia. The Krasnaya Ruka needs people to look after our interests in America. Besides, the magic of a woman isn't what I was talking about. That sounds more like romance bull shit than fantasy. If This is a romance novel, I don't think I want to be a part of it. Especially not with an ugly mug like yours as my partner!"

  The taller man laughed as he came over and put a big hand on my shoulder. "Perhaps you should not judge too quickly. Russian men have good charm too. I could show you what good time 'size' means."

  I blanched and took a step away, eliciting raucous laughter from Sergei once more. Seeking to change the subject, my eye caught on the copper disc in the blond buffoon's hand. "What kind of language is that?" I asked, snatching the intricate carving to inspect it more closely.

  My partner shrugged. "I thought was pretty picture. Maybe I keep it too."

  I shook my head and set it back on the table. Taking out my phone, I began to take pictures. "We don't want to leave more evidence that we were here. Let's take pictures of everything we can, then get out of here. I would like to stay and surprise him, but we don't know how long he'll be gone. Besides, we don't want one of the neighbors to notice us and call the police."

  "Bah! You worry too much about police. You forget to live! Besides, we pay plenty to keep them looking other way da?"

  "Idiot! Nyet! We pay specific detectives to misdirect from drugs, weapons, and other… 'goods,' that we traffic. We don't pay all of the police to not come when they are called."

  I began pulling out every paper or note I could find and snapping a picture. There wasn't a lot. It would have been easier if people didn't keep everything digitally now. In movies, there was always some scrap of paper or journal that had all of the information someone searching needed. Sadly, it didn't seem my life would be so easy.

  I was in the middle of digging through the pockets of all of the clothes I could find when I heard Sergei grunting from the bathroom. I sighed. I knew taking him out to eat Mexican food was a bad idea. I was beginning to wonder how long this "quick" visit was going to take. Then again, perhaps we would get lucky, and the target would come home early.

  I patted the revolver in my jacket pocket reassuringly. Other types of handguns might be more realistic, but I had always wanted to play Russian roulette with someone. So far, I’d never had the opportunity. Still, one could dream.

  I paused as I had an idea. Taking a random person from the hotel was definitely a bad idea, but if we could find one of his friends, I might get to play my game for the first time. We just needed a place to begin looking. It was unfortunate that there wasn't even a laptop here, otherwise I might be able to figure out more.

  Perhaps we should start asking around at the local bars. I didn't know a man alive who didn't frequent the closest liquor stores and pubs. I knew that some religions chose to abstain, though it was hard to understand why. Living without alcohol sounded like trading the hell of the afterlife for a hell on Earth. Even so, there was no religious iconography anywhere in the apartment. Well, none that I would recognize anyway.

  "Sergei, hurry up!" I called to the grunting giant. "We have more work to do. Besides, I think you'll enjoy our next stop." I grinned to myself. It was only a matter of time before we caught up with Cai Ryuzaki. Hopefully, we could have some fun with his friends along the way.