break."
Caim took a sip and sighed as the cool wine trickled down his throat. "I was, but sometimes people need killing. That's what I do."
"It didn't sound like you were too eager to take it."
"Well, I couldn't stand to see Mathias beg."
"You never say no to him."
"He's a friend."
Kit reclined on an elbow, staring up at him. "A friend wouldn't put you in danger for a few pieces of gilt."
Before he could think of an answer, the door opened and a young man entered. The newcomer's colorless eyes swept around the room as the door closed behind him. He was alone.
"Hubert's here," Caim said. "Why don't you go keep an eye on his roughnecks?"
Kit hopped off the table with a spin. "It doesn't sound like you need my help. Maybe I'll go watch fireflies instead."
"As you like."
As Kit vanished through a wall, Caim focused on the youth crossing the wineshop. Hubert Claudius Vassili looked every inch the foppish noble's son he was, from the floppy, wide-brimmed hat cocked roguishly on his head, complete with a ridiculous sky blue feather, to his fine cavalry boots, polished to a high shine. A slender rapier hung on his left hip, more of a showpiece than a real weapon.
Hubert stopped in front of Calm's table with a hand on his sharp, smooth-shaven chin as if considering where to sit, and said, "The blue falcon hunts at midnight."
Caim kicked out a chair. "Sit down before you draw more attention to us than you already have."
Hubert dropped his hat on the table and called for a cup of the house best before he settled into the seat. "Ah, Caim. It's good to see you again, but you don't have to worry. Every man in here is an ardent supporter of the Azure Hawks. They've pledged not to give up the fight until the theocrats are dragged down from their gilded thrones."
Caim glanced around the taproom. "Gathering quite the little army, aren't you? I thought I saw a few tinmen shaking in their armor tonight."
Hubert spread his hands as if delivering a benediction. "The people clamor for freedom, Caim. I am but a humble servant of the public welfare."
Caim tossed the purse onto the table. "And regular infusions of my money don't hurt either, do they?"
Hubert covered the purse with his hat and pulled it into his lap. "Not at all. The Hawks are very grateful for your generosity. It's donors such as yourself that fuel the engines of our progress."
Caim couldn't resist. "You've had progress?"
Hubert didn't notice the jibe. "Naturally. Our forces are marshalling. Plans are being laid. One day we will free the people from the Council's tyranny. One day very soon!"
He glanced around as if expecting a chorus to support his claim. A few tired drinkers nodded in his direction, but most simply stared into the depths of their cups.
"Well." Hubert turned back to Caim. "It will happen. And we'll have you to thank."
"So why did you feel the need to bring a gang of strong-arms to our meeting?"
"How-?" Hubert gave him a weak smile. "I should have known. They are merely waiting outside for my protection. The streets are dangerous these days. I would never dream of insulting a man of your talents."
"Good. I wouldn't want any misunderstandings, Hubert. I respect what you do, misguided though it may be at times. However, this will be my last donation for a time."
"But we need your support now more than ever. Things are heating up. We're staging demonstrations nearly every day."
"I understand, but I've got my own problems."
"But-"
"Look, Hubert. I'm taking some time away from the contract game."
"How long?"
"I'm not sure. A couple months, maybe more."
Hubert leaned across the table. "Then come join us. We could use a man like you."
Caim pushed his empty cup away. "No offense, but I'm not interested. Your little enterprise has been interesting, and anything that keeps the bigwigs off balance is good for business, but you don't need my help to burn down storefronts and break into warehouses. You've got plenty of supporters now, right?"
"Sure, I can assemble disgruntled clerks and teamsters by the hun dredhead, but I need fighters, Caim. Sooner or later we're going to have to face the Reds head-on. We'll need you."
Caim sat back deeper in the shadows. He knew what Hubert wanted: another pawn to push around in his game of politics. But Caim wasn't interested. He had his own battles to fight. Giving to the Hawks had seemed like a good idea, a