[Eric Hood]

Eric Hood had no doubt that he looked out of place. The day was unseasonably warm, yet here he was walking down the street in a thick, fur-lined coat. To tell the truth, Eric himself was extremely uncomfortable in the garment. Howerver, one thing he had learned over the years was that if he was going to be in close proximity to the boss, he had better be prepared.

He strode up to the rear door of December's house. He fastened the coat tightly around his neck and knocked loudly. The knock was merely a formality. December was aware of Eric's approach while Eric was still blocks away. There was a scratching sound from above him, and Eric looked up into the huge reptilian eyes of the most hideous creature he'd ever seen. It was roughly man-shaped, and it had a prehensile tail that was almost as long as Eric was tall. Its skin was pale with alternating patches of fur and translucent scales, and it clung to the wall with long black claws on it's hands and feet. It was in an upside-down postition, with its head a few inches above the top of the door. The creature smiled at Eric and then tilted it's head sideways in a curiously human fashion.

"Good evening, J'Hasp," said Eric. He reached into his coat and brought out a shiny red apple. He tossed the fruit up into the air. J'Hasp caught it with a swipe of his hand and took a large bite out if it.

"Mmmmmm..." said J'Hasp.

"What do you say?"

"J'Hasp Thankss."

"You're welcome. The boss is expecting me. Is the door o-" The door unlatched itself with a loud *click*, and swung open. Eric stepped inside and the door closed behind him. He heard it lock, and felt the faint crackle of energy as the wards protecting the house engaged.

Eric walked down a short hallway and into the ornately decorated living room. A huge decorative staircase led to the upper level. The entire house was well lit, even though all the windows were closed and the thick curtains drawn. Eric felt the chill in the air even through his thick coat.

"Mister December?" called Eric.

"Welcome, Eric." December answered from the top of the steps. The large man wore a white tunic with fur around the collar. He descended the steps to meet Eric in the living room. The air temperature dropped with each step December took. Soon, Eric could see his own breath billowing out in a white cloud in front of him. The temperature had no such effect on December's exhalations.

"How ya doin' boss?"

"Has everyone arrived?" December ignored Eric's greeting. He always did.

"Lovvorn and Nodoki are here; I met them at the PanDemonica. Lovvorn was stuffing himself as usual, and I think Nodoki's died a couple of times since the last time I saw him."

"Indeed he has. And each death makes him more valuable to me. Has Lovvorn seen to those... tasks?"

"He says so." Eric shrugged.

"His word is good enough. He fears me too much to lie. I have already checked with the prison to verify Minis's death. I have not received word from Bephal yet, but I imagine that Author Hendragon is no longer amoung the living." December smiled, and Eric smiled back.

"Get with the others, " said December, "I want a meeting. Tonight."

"Where?"

"I will send J'Hasp for you."

Eric nodded. There was no need to tell December where to send J'Hasp. The creature could track anyone to any place in this city or any other.

"Masster..." J'Hasp's voice hissed from a far corner.

"What is it J'Hasp?"

"Ssomeone approachesss."

Both men turned toward the front door. Eric thought it was uncanny that the creature could tell that someone was outside even while he himself was curled up in a corner, well away from any doors or windows.

"Who is it, J'Hasp?"

The creature sniffed the air once.

"J'Hasp not know."

"How many?"

Another sniff.

"Two. One far. One near."

"Is one of them our blue friend?"

Eric had no idea what Decemer was talking about. What blue friend?

"No," answered J'Hasp.

There was a feint knock at the door. It was light and tentative, almost as if someone were afraid. Probably with good reason.... December despised surprises and disliked visitors. Whoever was on the other side of that door had both areas pretty well covered.

December stared intensely at the door.

"What is a child doing here?" he said to himself after a few seconds.

"A kid? How do you know that, boss?"

December dismissed the question with a wave of his hand. He walked over to the door and disengaged the wards and locks. He pulled the door open.

There was a small child standing just outside.

The little girl could not have been more than five or six. She was dressed in filthy rags; the majority of her clothes seemed to have been made out of old burlap sacks. Her face was smeared with grime. Her blond hair was dirty and tangled, as if a family of small birds had built a nest on top of her head. She looked up into December's cold face with sorrowful blue eyes.

"I'm sorry mister..." she said "But our house was burned and we have nothing to eat. Can you help us? Please?"

We? thought Eric. He leaned over to try and see past December's huge frame without revealing too much of himself. There was a man standing in the street not far away, watching the little girl. The girl was by far the better-dressed of the two.

December looked up and saw the man. Then returned his gaze to the girl.

"Why does your father not come and ask?"

The girl shrugged.

"It's a sympathy play, boss." said Eric. "He sent the girl because she-"

December made a slight motion with his hand and Eric fell silent.

"What is your name?"

"Katerina." the girl curtseyed awkwardly.

"Well, Katerina..."

Eric watched as Demember reached into his tunic and pulled out a small pouch of what he presumed was gold coins. The pouch itself was silk... probably worth more than everything that the girl and her father owned. He gave the pouch to the girl. She almost dropped it from the unexpected weight.

Yep, thought Eric, Gold.

"That is for you." said December. "Buy yourself some food."

"Thank you, mister." said the girl. She smiled, and then got a curious look on her face. "Mister?"

December raised an eyebrow.

"Mister, why is it so cold in your house? Aren't you cold?"

"Very cold, Katerina." said December. "Very, very cold. Now go back to your father before you freeze."

The girl turned and walked back towards the street. December shut the door. The wards pulsed back to life.

"What was that all about, boss?" said Eric. He twitched slightly as he asked the question. Eric was one of the few men that December allowed to question him, but it was a privelege that Eric did not want to abuse.

"What do yo mean?"

"The gold? She work for you or something?"

"Not yet. Perhaps one day."

"I don't get it... Why'd you give her a sack full of money?"

"Poverty is the worst kind of suffering, Eric. A slow and painful death not measured in hours or days, but in years. I was never one to enjoy the pain of others..."

"Boss?"

"...unless, of course, their suffering serves to benefit ME. "

"Oh. I see."

"I am sure that you do not. Go and gather the others."

Eric nodded and escorted himself to the back door. He still wondered about the boss. December had always been loose with his money, but just giving it away to the first person who asked?? Eric wondered what December would do when he had the entire homeless population of Montfort camped outside is door looking for a handout. Unless he WANTED that to happen for some reason...

[Fletcher]

Fletcher stepped inside the store and turned is nose up at the dusty smell of the cluttered shop. He let door swing closed, almost in the face of the dark-skinned woman behind him. She shoved the door open again with one hand... and almost tore it off it's rusty hinges.

"Thanks." said the woman.

Fletcher grunted something, and then frowned.

"I haven't been in this place one second, and look-" Fletcher held out his arm so the woman could see it. There was a smudge on his immaculately clean sleeve. "I'm dirty already."

"Awww.... You want me to get that out for you?" The woman's hand strayed down the the large leather whip that hung at her side.

"uhhh.... no." said Fletcher. "Where is Ivar?"

"How should I know?"

Fletcher frowned again. His dislike for the woman was almost as great as his dislike for the human garbage that he had been sent to collect money from. They always smelt bad and got dirt and blood on his clothes.

"Ivar!" Shouted Fletcher. "Ivar, I know you're in here!" A fat, sloppy man appeared from behind a pile of assorted junk. He had apparently been hiding.

"You..." he said as he spotted Fletcher. "...and You!" Ivus's eyes widened when he saw the beautiful and well-armed woman that had accompanined Fletcher. Zade. Fletcher was bad enough... but Zade was much worse. Zade's presence meant there was going to be some trouble. The painful kind. He took a few steps back, almost knocking over a stack of dented pots and pans. The sign on them said 'On sale - CHEAP'

"Surprised to see us?"

"It...I...I mean..."

"I take it from your tone that you don't have our money. The boss wants his money, Ivar. He wants it now." Fletcher's voice was smooth... soft and unthreatening. This was what made the implied threat even more frightening.

Ivar had backed himself into a corner. Fletcher judged that the man was about three seconds away from babbling incoherently...

One...

"I don't have no money today, Mister Fletcher!

Two...

"Maybe you come back tomorrow? Or the day after?"

Three...

"Ohpleasedon'twreckmystoreagainmisterfletcherpleaseit'sallthatIhaveohpleaseohpleaseohplease!"

"Your store is already a wreck, Ivar. Everytime I tear it up it ends up looking better! Maybe I should start working on YOU for a change?"

"....Ohpleaseohpleaseohplease...."

"Oh, shut up."

Ivar's mouth snapped shut.

"Why don't you have the money?"

"huh?"

"Why don't you have the money?" Fletcher repeated himself in exactly the same tone... an annoying habit of his that often drove people crazy

"Why?"

"Why don't you have the money?"

"Wha-- you never asked why before..."

"Why don't you have-"

"OH, ANSWER HIM YOU FAT PIG!!" shouted Fletcher's companion. Fletcher turned to frown at Zade briefly. She frowned back, and they both returned their attention to Ivar.

"There's to many of you!" he finally answered.

"What are you talking about, Ivar?"

"This man comes and he wants money and now you come and you want money! There's not enough money to go around!"

"What are you talking about, Ivar?"

"This other man! HE wants me to pay him now, just like I pay you!"

"What are you talking abou-"

"Please stop doing that! You drive me crazy when you repeat yourself like that!!"

"Me too," mumbled Zade.

"Then answer my question in a way that makes sense. WHAT man?"

"I don't know."

"WHAT man?"

"He says not to tel-"

"Zade..."

Before her name had left Fletcher's lips, Zade had reached down and snatched up her whip...

*CRACK*

With a snap of of her wrist she opened up a long cut along Ivar's right arm.

Ivar yelped and fell to his knees.

"ERRIC! He says his name is ERIC!"

"Eric what?"

"I don't kno-"

"Zade..."

*CRACK*

"OUUCH!!!" There was now a matching cut along Ivar's left arm. "HOOD! He his name's Eric Hood!"

Fletcher turned to Zade.

"Ever hear of him?"

"No. Never heard the name before. Maybe he's making it up..."

"NO! IT'STHETRUTHISWEARPLEASEDON'THITMEWITHTHATWHIPAGAIN!"

"Who does he work for?"

"He didn't say!"

"Zade..."

"NOOOO!!! PLEASEIDON'TKNOWANYTHINGELSE!!!"

"Get up."

"huh?"

"Get up off your knees, Ivar. She's not going to hit you anymore. I promise."

Ivar stood, and braced himself for another lash from Zade's whip.

"Now calm down and tell me what happened."

"huh?"

"Now calm down and tell me what happened."

"I told you... This man comes in and wants protection money just like you. Only you weren't around and he threatens me. He has this little knife-"

"What did this man look like?"

"Thin...kinda like you, only taller. Brown hair. Long nose... like a mouse. He has this little knife-"

"And you gave this man our money."

"Yes," Ivar gulped.

"And now you can't pay us."

"No." Ivar gulped again.

"Sounds like you've got a problem."

"Yes."

"So what are you going to do?"

"I love my store Mr. Fletcher, but there are just too many of you! I don't have money to pay everybody."

"So what are you going to do?"

"I'm leaving. Going to another town... Bephal maybe. It's quiet there. I already talk to this cloth merchant, he wants to buy the building."

"Cloth merchant, eh? He make good money?"

"Oh, yes."

"What did you tell him about me?"

"Nothing! Nothing, Mr Fletcher! He don't know nothing about you! He's gonna have to find out the hard way like I did!"

"Good. I'll be watching out for him."

"What about me, Mr. Fletcher? You gonna let me go since I'm closing soon? I brought you a good customer. You gonna let me go?"

"No."

"huh?"

"You gotta pack all this stuff up, right? We're gonna help you."

"how?"

"Zade, wreck this junk-heap. And give Ivar a matching pair of scars down his legs."

"You-You said she's not gonna hit me anymore!!! You promised!!"

"I lied. Zade..."

*CRACK*

"AAIIIIIGGHHHH!!!!!!!!"

[To Be Continued]