Rezkin arrived at the docks slightly before dawn. He had observed the guild’s handiwork lying along the riverbank and was curious about the marks left on the foreheads of the bodies. When Benni arrived, though, the warrior had thoughts only for the mission. This morning, they would visit the Serpents’ Guild. Rezkin had donned the worn brown cloak over his armor, and he pulled the hood low over his face as he approached the abandoned storehouse that the Serpents’ Guild currently used as its headquarters. The guilds moved their headquarters every few weeks to prevent the city guard from organizing against them. Many of the city guard members were actually on the various guilds’ payrolls, though, so it was unlikely anyone would develop an effective antitheft initiative.

Benni stood several paces from the master as he approached their rival guild’s hall. He could not believe the master would be so reckless as to show up in the open at the Serpents’ headquarters basically alone. The young sneak knew he would be essentially no help if things went bad.

Rezkin strode up to the guildhouse where two sentries, brawlers by the looks of them, lounged casually against the weathered wooden planks of the storehouse. They gave the appearance that they were simply standing around bored with nothing better to do, but Rezkin knew otherwise. He also noted the crossbowman on the roof. It seemed the Serpents were taking no chances after the attack and takeover of the Diamond Claw Guild the previous night. The cloaked warrior stopped several paces from the steps leading into the storehouse and waited.

“Who are you? What do ya want?” asked the scruffier man as he clutched the handle of a dagger at his waist.

“I am here to see the guildmaster,” Rezkin stated.

“Yeah, and who’re you ta be askin’ ta see the Master?” the thinner guard asked.

“My name is unimportant. I have a proposition for the guildmaster,” the warrior replied.

“Well, I gotta proposition fer yer mamma!” said Scruffy as he grabbed his crotch in a crude gesture.

“Your words mean nothing to me. I will see the guildmaster. Whether or not you live to witness it is up to you,” Rezkin responded.

“Ain’t nobody getting’ in ’ere without our say so, so you best bug off, you gutter-bred bastard,” said Thinman.

Rezkin cocked his head and replied, “Perhaps you should inform the guildmaster that I am here before you make your demands … or do you believe that you speak for your master?”