Now For Something Diiferent

Moab peeked around the amphora of oil once more. Nothing. Of all the jobs they took on, this observing stint was the worse. No action just sit and wait... and wait. He and Pract were on their fourth day watching the Dik-mara and his doings. Three days of, leave the house, walk to his shop and sell the baskets consigned to Dik by local weavers.

Moab fingered the white stone that hung from the chain around his neck. This stone was his good luck charm.  Pract always chuckled when he saw the “ good luck “ piece.  Moab had found the stone on the body of a dead waljie , killed when a dart had slipped through his visor and pierced his brain. Pract questioned how a stone that got its owner killed by a next to impossible shot through the visor vent could be called “ lucky “. As Mo shifted to relieve his cramping bottom, a blade passed through the air where his head would have been.

Without thinking, Moab swung his long dagger from its place on his belt and caught the would-be assassin in the throat as the momentum of the swing brought the killer forward past the amphora. A second stab finished the assassin before he could defend himself. Now, Moab, assumed “ assassin “ was the correct word here. Moab didn’t recognize the vest or weapon on the body but he sure felt that it was a planned killing.

Pract came racing from his hiding spot, long sword drawn and a slab of metal in his hand. He stopped short and stared at the body and shrugged. He spoke three  words  “ Are you okay ? “ and his gaze swept the alley.  Seeing no movement, he leaned over the body and searched the corpse for coins or valuables. Turning the body on to its back he examined the robes.

“Mo, this one is a Fortan sect killer. He was on a mission. And it was you or your head. “

Moab grinned and said “My bum was sore and I moved and slipped a bit on the cask. Lucky I guess. “

Pract  mumbled ” And you think the stone saved you. Pfft   ! “   and  spit onto the dirt. “ They pay these guys 4 – 5 dremes for a job like this. Someone really wants you dead. Hey, you’ve been romancing some rich merchant’s wife or daughter?  If you have, we need to leave and quick “

“   Wait a minute, she worked in the Shilva Bar and I paid her, honest.  It must be this job.  Maybe the Dik saw us or me and sent the Fortan. “

“   And why not both of us on the list  ? “  croaked  Pract

Mo grinned “  Because   , I’m the brains of the outfit “

Pract spit and smiled. When Pract smiled most people reached for a weapon or ran. Moab smiled right back.

“  Well  , we’ll finish this job and blow this place.  One more night at the Shilva and we leave come morning. “

Above is my effort at an adventure story. There is more but lucky for you not much more,

Weather : bright and sunny but the temperature won't break freezing pt. to-day. We expect considerably higher temps Mo - Tu - maybe 40 F

There will be no snow transmogrification ( moving the stuff ) in the backyard , I'll wait now and see how the melt goes.  There is a channel for melt water out to the lawn and the snow mound is basically out past the shade line and mostly in full sun for the aft.