The Wraith of a Snowy Sea Part 6

Wellstone was never nice this time of year then again Zendaya never did like the city anyways. They walked the muddy roads of the outer ring of the city, the poorest area, and where most the Guilds now hung out. Back before the ban on the heroes Guilds, only the underground Guilds rule these roads, but now there were many more Guilds members looking for blood on the streets of blood.

                Spencer had asked around about the Nightwalkers, and the only thing he could find out was they were good squirrels who helped a lot around the city. Also, Spencer got the word, to his dislike, they were hiding from the Whispering Hoods. The order of magic hunters who carried out the Emperor’s ban of the arcane arts at the point of a sword.

                “Not good,” Spencer said when he found out about the Hoods, “not good at all.” But nothing more was said on the matter as they walked the streets at night.

                Spencer walked beside Zendaya with the other crew members off doing something for their captain, something Zendaya didn’t know. They didn’t really tell each other what their orders were and most of the time ran off to do their own things.

                “You seem on edge,” Spencer remarked looking richer than any other squirrel who had ever walked these streets before and yet did not seem to care there were so many eyes on them.

                “I don’t like being in the city,” she said. “Too many eyes.”

                He grinned and said, “A true lover of the sea. I take your father didn’t bring you on land much.”

                “No, not much,” she said keeping her dark red cloak close to her while hiding her face. The cloak the color of the city and one Spencer never wore. “How do you stand the smell?” She asked.

                “I didn’t say I care for the city much either,” He responded. “I can’t stand the smell, nor would I have ever cared to come to this part of the city before now. I have a finer taste for life.”

                “I can tell,” she said eyeing his perfectly clean clothes.

                He laughed and then said, “Yes, I guess it is obvious.”

                “Very,” she said stopping as four dirty looking squirrels came walking up to them. They did hide their blades or their intention to remove all Spencer’s riches.

                Zendaya stopped as Spencer moved forward smiling at the cutthroats or thieves. “Hello,” he said not eyeing their rusted daggers. “You gentleman also out for a midnight walk?”

                “Shut it,” one of them barked.

                “Give us your acorns,” Another order.

                Spencer didn’t let the smile fade as he leans on his crane. “I don’t believe this is about the source of your wine tonight,” he said, “this is about us asking around for your master.”

                “Don’t know what you are talking about,” the big one said.

                Spencer nodded and then pointed to the smallest squirrel with the golden ring around his finger. “That my friends is a Guild a ring. The only question is which Guild.”

                The cutthroats looked among each other not sure what to do. “Let’s not fight,” Spencer said. “I would hate to have to win and gentleman, I will win.” He said it with such certainty it made them all pause for a moment, but it was a moment too long.

                The needle-thin sword hidden in his cane flew out like a single wolf tooth. It bites the biggest squirrel across the face dropping him to the ground screaming. He dashed to the next one poking the poor fool putting him out for the count. The next one didn’t waste any time and fleed the short battle leaving his ally with the ring left.

                Who was standing there unhappy at his friends who failed too fast for any kind of good story to come from the night. Spencer placed his sword back in his crane with a sigh. “Shall we get some tea?”

                “Not yet my friend,” the squirrel said. “I need to know why you two are looking for my Guild?”

                “To ask your leader some question,” Zendaya said stepping up beside her Captain.

                “Yes, what she said.”

                “Question about what?” The squirrel asked.

                “A wraith,” Spencer said.

                “Oh?” The squirrel asked with on eyebrow raised. “Very well, follow me.” He turns on his heels walking down the road.

                Spencer started to follow him when Zendaya stopped him and whispered, “Are we just going to follow him?”

                “Well, I am in need of some tea,” Spencer said and then called out. “Sir is there tea where we are going?”

                The squirrel cloaked in red hood and old clothes said, “Uh, yes.”

                “Then yes we follow him.”

                “Are you mad?” She asked. “This could be a trap.”

                “Could be.”

                “And you are just going to trust him?” Zendaya asked trying not to raise her voice seeing the unknow squirrel waiting on them.

                “Trust? Oh, no, I don’t trust him,” Spencer said. “I don’t trust anyone, but he knows where the Guild is while we do not.”

                “Has this been your plan all along?” She protested.

                “I didn’t hear you coming up with any ideas,” he said pushing past her and started following the hooded squirrel. Zendaya sighed and followed them both sure it was to her death.