Read Online Death and Honor: Book 2 of 2 by James Wisher - Free Book Online

at all. A blunt sword isn’t much of a threat.” He ducked into a door behind the counter and emerged a minute later with a curved, single-edged sword that seemed popular in the city. He drew the weapon and handed it to Xander.
    Xander accepted the weapon and made a couple slow cuts. He shook his head. The blade weighed too much for the counter weight. He’d overbalance if he made a full swing. If he were six inches taller and fifty pounds heavier it would be perfect but as he stood it would get him killed in a fight.
    The day boss must have seen the dislike on his face. “Is the sword not to your liking? I assure you it’s made of the finest steel.”
    Xander couldn’t argue that, the blade was one of the finest he’d ever seen. “The sword is well made, but the balance is too far forward and it’s too heavy for someone my size. If you have something lighter with the balance more toward the hilt I would be grateful.”
    The day boss snorted. “Anything else?”
    “Well sir, since you asked, I prefer a straight blade.”
    “And if I can’t find a blade to your specifications?”
    “In that case I’d like my old sword back.”
    “What? You’d rather have that rusty hunk of iron than the fine blade you hold?”
    “While I don’t wish to offend you, sir, all this fine weapon will do is get me killed. Better a poor blade that suits me than a fine one that doesn’t.”
    The day boss took the sword back and went back into the back room, muttering all the while. Xander noticed Kraven watching him and sometime during his discussion Kaylin snuck off. “I meant no offense.”
    Kraven smiled. “I didn’t think you did. In fact you were well spoken and I couldn’t find fault with a single word. My sword master used to say ‘a great sword doesn’t make a great swordsman but the wrong sword will make a dead swordsman’.”
    “I suspect your master was a wise man.”
    The day boss emerged from the back room carrying a slim, straight sword in a black sheath and clipped to a matching baldric. “I knew I had one back there. Give this a try.”
    Xander accepted the weapon and found the balance flawless. He held it up and looked down the edge, sharp and smooth, not a nick in sight. “This will suit me perfectly, thank you.”
    The boss shook his head. “That weapon belonged to a female member that died a year ago.” He said female with such contempt Xander knew he’d slipped a notch in the boss’s esteem. “Now the job. It’s simple, a merchant failed to make his protection payments for the last three months. I want you to collect it.”
    “Yes, sir. Is there a reason the merchant hasn’t paid?”
    “There is, he hired a guard. The guard sent two of my enforcers flying out of the shop last time we tried to collect.”
    Xander nodded. “Is there any limit on how I can deal with the merchant and guard?”
    “I don’t care what you do with the guard, but I want the merchant left intact. You can’t collect gold from a corpse after all.”
    “Got it,” Xander said. “Could you spare someone to show me the way?”
    “Sure, that’s a good idea. You being new he won’t know you’re a member. Kraven, fetch Nico will you?”
    “Any idea where he is?” Kraven asked.
    “It’s not much past noon, I expect he’s still in bed.”
    Kraven nodded and left by one of the side doors that led deeper into the building.
    “How come he sleeps so late?” Xander asked.
    “Because he’s lazy.” The boss made no effort to hide his disgust then he chuckled. “The kid’s a genius with locks so he’s worth keeping around. Don’t worry, Nico knows this city inside and out. You’ll be in good hands.”
    Kraven returned with a sandy haired boy about twelve in tow. Nico looked like he had time enough to throw on a wrinkled set of cloths. His hair stuck out in ten directions and his bright blue eyes latched on to Xander.
    “You’re new,” Nico said in a cheerful, piping voice.
    “You’re right,” Xander