"Well?"

Levi grunted. As he turned away, he heard Carter's laughter ring in his ears. "Can't take losing to your student, Levi?" she teased him. He grunted again and started to walk away in a huff.

Carter frowned. "Levi? Now don't be like that," she chided him. The older Shadower whirled around, and a blade whizzed by her ear. She turned just as the dagger struck right at the same point with another dagger, at bull's eye. She glared back at Levi. He grinned at her and shrugged. "No, I can't take losing to a measly newbie, Carter," he admitted, smugly.

"Oh! You're horrible!" she said. She touched the hair by her ear, making it sure it was still there. Levi's eyes laughed at her. "Don't worry. It's there. Come on, I'm not that bad," he said. Carter smiled reluctantly. He was far from bad. In fact, she had heard from the other Shadowers that Levi was most likely the best blade thrower. Of course, no one told him that, otherwise he'd become unbearable.

"Bad? Compared to Kitty, you're just as bad as a monkey. All arms, no aim."

Carter laughed. Levi turned and smacked Will's shoulder. The bigger Shadower just laughed and winked at Carter. "He's no match to me with his fists, eh, Kitty?" Will said. Levi grunted and stepped back.

"I'll show you who's a monkey," Levi mumbled. Will shook his head and grinned. "All words, no action," the large man said. Levi rolled his eyes upwards. In his hands, the slish-slack sounds of edge against edge mocked the larger man.

"Stop trying to show off, Levi," Will said. He scratched his stubby chin. "Is that all this brother of yours' been teachin' ya, Kitty?"

The young woman blinked widely. "Y'mean he's supposed to teach me?"

Levi sneered at them both. "Yeah, go ahead and jab a man's pride," he said. Grumbling, he turned his back on them. With a seemingly effortless flick of his wrist, the dagger hit bullseye again. Shwick! The other dagger joined its partner. Levi marched up to the board and yanked his blades out. He stomped to his throwing position and sent the knives at the wooden target again.

"Someone's nursing an old grudge," Will said. Carter shrugged. "Actually, you almost weren't the only new recuit 'ere, Kitty."

"Oh? I didn't hear 'bout any candidates."

Behind them, Levi continued to hack at the board.

"Nobody ever does. You were different." The big man had an equally big grin. "The boy's 'bout yer age. Got rejected flat by Nathan, so I hears."

Carter frowned. "There weren't any Street boys left that were my age," she said. She spied Levi showing some interest. Will grinned wryly at her. "'Cause he's not a Street Boy," he threw a look a Levi, "Heard it was one of Ryan's men who nominated."

"Damn!"

When Carter turned around fully, her hand flew to her lips in attempts to stiffle a laugh. Levi's last throw had gone awry, finding its mark 8 feet up on the wall. Levi, obviously not 8 feet, was staring angrily at his dagger. "Get me that chair, Carter," he growled. She obliged, pulling the stool over to the corner.

"So, Ryan had the gall to recruit?" Levi said.

"Nathan said no."

The daggermaster snorted and nodded to Carter up on the stool. Rolling her eyes upwards, she climbed up and reached for the blade. "What 'appens to.. er.." She tip-toed, "Rejects?" She gripped the hilt and pulled.

"Depends," said Levi. "Did the worm get to present?"

"Drakah-no!" Will chuckled. "He only got to mention the name before it was rejected. The boy gets to live. Careful, Kitty, don't fall."

She climbed down with a grim expression on her face. Quietly, she said, "If I was rejected, I'd've been killed?"

Levi shook his head. "No." He shot a look at Will. "Well, maybe. But there was no reason to. You don't know a thing 'bout the Brotherhood to be a threat to it. Oh, get out of here, Will, unless you had something important to say..I can do without yer gossip."

The taller man grinned at them and shook his head. As he started to leave the room, Carter called out his name. "Who was the boy?"

"Oh. Name was Bryon."

Later that night, Levi suggested they actually eat in the dining room. "You haven't sampled one of cooks meals, yet, right? 'Bout time you meet Jir and Cook, anyway." She looked up at him and asked if Jir was Cook's helper. Levi went into a laughing fit. She scowled at him.

"Jir's the Weaponmaster." He nodded to the dagger at her waist. Carter was trying to make a habit out of carrying it everywhere she went. He said, "You won't have trouble with that, but you'll need to know how to handle the other weapons."

The main dining room was a typical little inn. There were smaller groups throughout the room, all eating, telling stories and `bonding'. There was only one thing missing: barmaids. Everyone stared blankly at Carter the moment she stepped into room. When their gaze shifted to Levi, they wisely went back to their own conversations.

Levi steered his charge to a table in the left corner. Three men were already sitting there, one of them was Will. "That's Bender," Levi pointed to a thin-looking man. Bender couldn't have been much taller than she was, she guessed. She sat down as Levi introduced the third man, with a faint scar over his left eye, "That's Paxson. I'll go get our meals. Any hope that Cook decided to change his menu?"

Bender snorted. "Risidia would croak first," he said. Levi grinned and left Carter with who she hoped were allies. They stared at each other, being one of the quietest tables in the room. Finally Will cleared his throat to break the silence, but the man next to him was already leaning forward. Bender whispered to her, "A tip to ya, the only thing worth downing is Cook's ale. He brews 'em himself. The rest just poisons."

"It's s'posed to be healthy," Paxson put in. The disgusted look on his face conveyed clearly what he thought of "healthy." Bender shook his head, eyeing Carter thoughtfully. "'Less, of course, you can't hold yer liquor."

She smiled. "I can drink tankard to your tankard."

The thin man grinned. "Don't be putting yer foot in yer mouth, girl. I don't drink by the tankards, I drink bottles."

"And still stay sober?" she retorted. The others at the table chortled. Carter went on, "Alright. Bottle for bottle. Do Shadowers take bets?" The men at her table choked on laughter, but she only looked expectantly at them. Bender shared a glance with Paxson, then with Will. Finally he grinned at her and asked, "What can ye'bet?"

"What would attract ya?" she said. Will caught her eye and conveyed some respect. Obviously being a barmaid at Harold's inn had taught her a few things. Smiling slightly, he nudged Bender's ribs. "You haven't paid your tax fully yet..." The latter rubbed his chin. Bender said, "Half tax for half tax?"

She shrugged. "Fine with me."

Bender laughed and hailed Levi. The Daggermaster was looking at them with suspicion. "Bring two bottles of Cook's ale, will ya?" he shouted. He turned to Carter, "Y'better be plannin' how to pay half-tax more than yours, Carter."

"No, you better be figurin' how t'live up t'losing to a girl," she said. Bender laughed again, just as Levi arrived. Carter's meal was placed in front of her, while the two bottles were settled in front of Bender. The thin man shook his head and rearranged the objects, replacing the meal with one bottle.

"What have y'done with my Sister, Bender?" Levi asked, more than suspcious now.

"Oooh, no. She's the one who wanted to bet," Bender said. "Ask Will about it. Right now, I wanna enjoy me'ale. Ready, girl?" In response, Carter brought the bottle to her lips. She replied, "Whenever y'are, Brother."

Both opponents were working their way on finishing half of their bottles when Levi heard the whole story from Will. Then two other Shadowers joined their table, eager to see the competition while Paxson had to retell the situation and swear it was truth, before Levi could believe it. "If you retch all over the place, Carter, you're cleanin' it up," Levi growled. She smiled in mock meekness and took her sip.

"One more, Cook!" someone called out.

So for the next half an hour it was gulp after gulp, and a grumble or two from Levi, but their little bet had gathered a few more spectators, and a couple more bets. The majority sided with Bender, while a minority for the sheer pleasure in poking fun at the veteran Shadower, voted for Carter. In the middle of their third bottle, Bender's asked, "So, whatcha'tink of Cooksbrew?"

"Bess'round," she replied, giving a little toast. The others around her cheered at her praise.

"'Least she's got taste!" someone said.

Bender chuckled. "Y'still feelin' up to it?" as he ordered their next bottle. He gestured at Levi. "Y'brother wants t'break me neck if I were sober." Some more chuckles from the crowd.

"Y'mean you're not anymore?" she shot back.

"Whatta bitch y'are! I'm more sober than you!" As if to prove his statement, his took a long drag of his bottle. His supporters shouted encouragement. "Y'show her!" She snorted, boldly repeating his act. Someone threw a snide remark at Bender for losing to a girl. Carter smiled. She also heard Levi mention something about being foolish again. After that last bottle, she was beginning to wonder if he was right. Cook's brew of ale was a lot stronger than what she was used to.

Her worries, however, faded away with each swallow. "What're'ya? Some ale-barrel?!" she said. The comment drew some knowing chuckles. Paxson grinned at her. "That's the closest thing I've heard Bender been called!" he told her.

"Yeah, well, ain't loosin' to some female. We'll finish Cooksbrew if we gotta," Bender said. She considered the possibility as she drank some more. "Risidia-be-damned, it's gonna be a sad place without Cooksbrew!" she slurred. Half-drunk she missed the comical look of worry that cross Bender's face. He turned his body and shouted, "Hey, Cook! Y'think we gonna finish y'brew?"

"Like-Drakah you're gonna drink me out!" Cook shouted back. Carter laughed along with the others of the room. She lifted her bottle in praise. "Here, here, Cook!" she said with Bender echoing it. When someone called for another bottle, however, both opponents groan quietly to themselves.

Many bottles later, both opponents stank of ale and were dead- drunk. They had been holding on to their last bottles for the past 15 minutes. Half of their crowd had already returned to their own tables laughing at never-ending stand-off, their bets forgotten. Levi snorted in contempt. "Oh, give it up already. Y'know the person who drinks the next is gonna lose," he said.

"Drakahnooo," Bender said, waving his bottle. "Jus'wannagive.. th'girlachance t'backout."

She stiffled a burp. "Like'th'domain'll freeezover. Y'know y'gonna loooooose. Why'doncha'drink?"

"Why'donchuu?" They stared at each other; or at least, in the relative directions for neither really registered what was in front of them except their bottles. "Oh, c'mon, already. Someone drink!" cried out another Shadower.

"Yeah'you!" said Bender and Carter at once.

Levi rolled his eyes upwards at Will. "See what you get me in?" he said.

"Me?!" Will chortled. "If ya 'member, you weren't here when y'should've been." He was thoroughly enjoying Levi's frustration, now. The larger man winked at Paxson. "Besides, I 'member something like this not too long 'go.."

"I did not get drunk," Levi protested. "At least it wasn't this hopeless. These two won't even end their little bet. And I was stupid enough to actually bring her here so she could meet Jir.."

"Speaking of the demon," Paxson whispered. Immediately, the crowd around them tried to group up together in neighboring tables, toppling a few chairs in the process. The two drunkards were still oblivious to their surrounds, including the two figures that loomed around the entrance. Paxson grabbed Bender's arm. "Jir and Reman just walked in!" he hissed.

"Whoo?" Carter asked. As she swung her head, her body nearly followed the momentum onto the floor. Levi prevented her fall and pushed her back in the chair, pinching her. "If Reman and Jir finds out you're making a fool of yourself, you're dead," he whispered. The female Shadower smiled lopsidely, rubbing her sore thigh. "Sweet Risidia, tha'hurt...I wouldn't be makin' a fo--Ow!"

"Is this the Sister y'brought in, Levi?" Jir asked, coming to their table. Carter fought a growing grin as she looked at the tall man; somehow he reminded her of Nathan. Suddenly, it wasn't very hard to stop grinning. She threw a sour look at her Brother. "Yeah," Levi said. "Was going to ask when it'd be a good time to start her trainin'." He tried not to pinch Carter's thigh too hard, for she was already digging her fingers into his arm. At least the pain brought her temporary sobriety.

"Guess it won't be tonight," Jir said. His curt tone nearly made Levi wince. Jir not only had the reputation of being Weaponmaster, but he was also the Discipline Man. Levi had broken enough rules in his early membership to still recall the sharp punishments. He pinched a little harder and said, "Well, she's had a long day.."

The expressionless Reman was no help either. "Training?" he asked.

"Well, 'course, she's my First Sister," Levi said. Jir's eyes danced at them; a dangerous thing, thought Levi. "Well, then. I'll be expecting her 'morrow 'noon, Levi," the Weaponmaster said. His gaze shifted slightly to another occupant of the table, "And you haven't been showin' up in a while, Paxson."

The scarred man tried to keep a straight face as he half- supported Bender's balance. "I'll be there soon, Jir. Been takin' care of a job," he said. Paxson attempted to lean against Bender to keep him upright, but the shift was obvious enough for Levi to wince: Bender was not being cooperative. Jir pressed his lips into a thin line. "Well, then, best we look into the next job y'take and see whether we can work it out so you can fit more practice in, shouldn't we, Reman?"

The younger Shadower smiled briefly.

"We best be off then. Remember, Levi, 'morrow," Jir said. He glanced around, noting that everyone else in the room was obediently minding their own business... Or fearing that the "Discipline Man" would call them out. He caught Reman's eye before turning back to the table where Levi was on the verge of sighing with relief.

Lowering his voice, Jir said, "By the way, y'better get yer charge to bed, Levi, before she disgraces herself. And you, Bender.."

"Shir! We're jus' gettin' 'quainted!" the drunken man slurred. Jir gave him cold frown and even through his intoxication, Bender had the sense to shut up. "I hope you haven't drunk Cook's ale dry," the Weaponmaster said. The opposite Shadower shook his head and grinned faintly. "Always got a bottle for you, Jir," Bender said.

Jir raised his eyebrows. Once again, his gaze fell light upon each member of the table as if to ask if this was the best they could do. Then, he nodded curtly and turned around. The Weaponmaster and the Second Man's assistant made their exit as quietly as their entrance, but as before their presence and now lack of it was sorely felt by the occupants of the room. There was an barely audible sigh from the men who thought Jir and Reman had left beyond hearing, but as both men turned the corner, they shared an amused smile.

"Dammit, Bender, you and your drunken ways nearly got us called out 'gain," Paxson said. His partner merely grinned and swung his bottle around. Bender declared, "Oh-c'mon! We jus' pulled a faast 'un on 'em!" Feeling victorious, he brought the ale to his lips and drank. He looked at his surroundings dazedly, moaned and then fell out of his chair.

"Risidia-be-damned, the girl won!"

Levi stepped out of Carter's room, frowning at the body that lay crumbled in the bed. When she had heard she won the bet, the female Shadower stood to declare her victory. Instead, she found herself being caught by Levi before she blacked out. Levi thought to Loth, the Thieving God, don't you dare make her a drunk like Bender. When he turned around, he found Will leaning against the wall.

"I'm sure you got a kick out of my misery," he said to the grinning man.

"Misery, what misery?" Will said. He joined Levi's side as they walked out of the area. The grin was still widely pasted on his face when he said, "You should be proud. She out-lasted Bender, king of the drunks!"

"A lot of good that'll do! If she developes a taste like Bender.." Levi snorted in contempt. "As if you did any good, old brother. I don't supposed you or Paxson bothered to tell her who exactly was her competition?"

"Why should we have?" Will stopped, forcing Levi to turn around and face him. The older Shadower was scratching his chin thoughtfully, but his face was void of mirth. "You know her words had better hold water, or at least be able to fake good.. Otherwise you're dead." He continued his walk, patting Levi on the back. "Cheer up, brother, she did pretty good.. You should have seen the way she went into the bet. Quick, swift, so damned sure of herself. She learned a damn thing or two at that inn of hers."

Levi felt a sense of pride in his charge. The moment he detected the feeling however, he scowled. "What 'bout the terms?"

"She drew Bender into it." Will chuckled. "She knew she'd better let him draw the terms. If she offered her worth of spit, he'd scoff that she wasn't worth betting."

This time, Levi did smile. He said, "And Bender can't have bet more than Carter could afford."

Will nodded again, "Cause he'd look like he was gonna outbet her out of the game. Wi' Carter bein' new and female, Bender'd only look like a coward." The larger man laughed again. "He had to take the bet, and he had to make the bet reasonable."

Though it was an amusing situation, Levi couldn't help but scowl a little. Will suppressed a laugh, knowing very well Levi would rather be stabbed than called a soft-hearted person. "That still doesn't account for her taste of ale," Levi said.

They had come to the main junction in the hall. Will nodded to one end that led to the meeting hall. Levi knew there was another conference on some raid; one he couldn't be involved in because of Carter. Not that he minded much. He prefered quieter jobs. "Drakah if I know 'bout that, Levi," Will said. "She lived in an inn. I'd be thinking she learned a few things 'bout ale in a place like that. You're her Brother." The man grinned. "You figure it out. I'll see you around?"

Levi nodded, watching Will disappear to the other end of the hall. His destination was in the other direction. Just as he had made sure Carter had gone to sleep, he received a summonings from Nathan.

The Second Man nodded in acknowledgement and waved that Levi should relax in his stance. "A seat, Levi?" he asked. His Daggermaster shook his head, saying that if the matter didn't take long.. Nathan shook his head, leaning back in his chair. "No, it shouldn't. Is Carter sleeping?"

Just a simple question like that from Nathan could make any man sweat. Levi scanned the room, wondering if Reman was there. "Yessir."

Safe behind the curtain of shadows, Nathan smiled amusedly. "Reman isn't here. He's still out with Jir. And for the sake of this meeting, I wanted to call you before that little .. ahh.. incident this evening. So don't look like as if you're going to be skinned, Levi."

The other man half-grinned. "With all due respect, Nathan, any man who doesn't think he's going to be skinned in your room probably will be."

Nathan chuckled. "I heard that Jir will be seeing Carter tomorrow?"

"Yessir." Levi paused. When he heard nothing from Nathan, he went on, "It'll be an afternoon session."

"Ah," Nathan said. "Good. Jir arranged it?"

Levi nodded.

"I trust you'll have her ready to see her new instructor?" Nathan asked. The Daggermaster's left corner of his mouth twitched. Both knew the next morning would not greet Carter cheerfully.

Good old Jir never misses much, Nathan thought. A morning won't be enough for Carter to totally sober up, though. And that thought only caused Nathan's smile to widen a bit, knowing that Jir had earned his name as the Discipline Man. There was a suspicion tinkering around in Nathan's head that his new Shadower was going to have a little taste of that good old reputation.

"Yessir," Levi answered the previous question. Under his breath, he added, "If I have to throttle the girl awake myself."

Nathan chose to ignore the comment. Enough chit-chat; it was time for business matters. He leaned forward so that Levi could see his face and the seriousness it bore. Part of being the Second Man was so that the members of the Brotherhood could see a representative of authority. "Othis has been reprimanded. And he has been transfered to the Southern District of the city. He has orders to stay there for two weeks before he should dare enter our halls," he said. "I don't think he'll break those orders.

"I do not, Levi, want to deal with this sort of matter again." His eyes bore into the Daggermaster. "Rules do and will apply. You had and still have the rights to kill anyone who threatens your charge again in that manner. But by Loth, if any Brother dies because of you defending your charge, you will regret bringing her in. Do you understand, Shadower?"

"Yes, sir," was the clipped reply. Nathan looked grimly upon the other man. He was seething with anger, Nathan knew, despite the fact that Levi could adopt the emotionless stance easily. "Sir?" Levi said tightly. Nathan nodded, giving his permission.

"With all due respect, I would not ask in any other matter, but I need to know. Was Othis' punishment enough?" Levi's eyes narrowed. "We all know he's not the only one who has those intentions."

"But he is the only one who has acted upon them," said Nathan. "And he is the only one right now who is recuperating in the Southern District." He nodded again, this time to affirm the realization that flashed in Levi's eyes. His choice of words already told the Daggermaster tha Othis' punishment wasn't merely a exilation. The corner of Nathan's lips curved upwards: did you think I had grown soft in my justice?

Unconsciously, Levi shook his head to the unsaid question. "Is that all, sir?"

"That is all," Nathan said. Just before Levi closed the door behind him, Nathan added, "A close update, Levi. Remember, she's not safely a member, yet."

Copyright © 1996-1997 Juliana Ng

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