Outfoxed (The Fox Witch #1) - R.J. Blain Page 0,52
duty. They’re expecting riots because of how bad last night’s storms were. He’s the one who pitched me the offer, and he gave me a pass after I’d finished laying our dead to rest. He figured I’d only need one. They’ll help me secure new wait staff once I’ve moved down. We’re going to be moving the cellar down there today before the next wave hits.”
I considered going for broke and shooting my double like I meant it, but I took another sip rather than escort myself to complete drunkenness. “Any word down the line about Batbayar?”
“His place was missed. I sent a runner to check, as I knew you’d be worried.” Brent waved to Alastar, who walked over to join us. “This is my waitress. Her name’s Jade, and she’s always been one of the steadier hands. She’s been known to beat a head or two in as a bouncer when needed, and she’s always done a good job of protecting the rest of my staff.”
Alastar looked me over, his eyes narrowing when he took in my ears and tail. He pointed at my charred stick. “What’s that?”
“It’s wood I salvaged from near my property. I’ve a deed for a place in the outskirts, which is still standing. I work over at a martial arts center, and I was told to get wood to carve a katana, which is what I’ll be learning to use.”
The man frowned, but after a moment, he nodded. “Katana? The Japanese weapon?”
“I have one. She was a gift from my previous landlord.”
“Tied?”
The idea of peace ties, to keep weapons from causing harm in the wrong hands, annoyed me, but as he was from Asylum and I wasn’t, I turned, presented my back, and pointed at the linen-wrapped bundle under my pack. “She won’t be hurting a soul there.”
“No, I suppose not. Let me see your weapon, and I’ll have a carry pass drawn up for you in addition to your Asylum entry pass. I can’t give you a full pass, mind you, but I can get you to work, and if your boss has you catching sleep and dropping your things in his lot, I don’t much care, nor will anyone else. It just keeps you from wandering through Asylum without an escort.”
I gave Brent my shot glass, shrugged my pack off, and retrieved Peace, unwrapping her from the linens before easing her from her sheath. “Her name is Peace.”
“Nice weapon. And you’re taking formal lessons?”
“I work for Batbayar, who operates Rising Sun Martial Arts Center. He’s using me to educate his students on how to fight with weapons. I’ve done some sword work before, so I guess I’m mildly competent.”
“I know of Batbayar. Nobody gets better than mildly competent against him. And I did know he had a young woman working as his assistant, but I wasn’t aware of who. This simplifies matters, as he has a different class of pass for you. You’ll need to talk to him and go to City Hall to have your passes merged.”
“How many types of passes into Asylum are there?” I asked, while returning Peace to her sheath.
“The one Batbayar has for you is a dormitory pass, so in a way, it’s more restrictive than your access pass, but combined, you’ll likely be given an upgraded pass, as you’re in demand with several employers. I’ll write a note for you, make a request for your carry permit, and make a recommendation you should be given better access to Asylum.” Alastar raised his hand, snapped his fingers, and waggled his hand at the guards, who joined us. “I need a carry permit for Miss Jade along with a request for enhanced Aslyum access. Please note in her record she is employed with both McCoy and Batbayar, and it would be prudent to maintain her safety through the storms. Miss Jade, do you have a cellar or intact property that will need to be moved to a safe location?”
“I do,” I admitted.
“How accessible is it at current?”
“My house is still standing, barely. It’s easy enough to get into.”
“I will send my guards with you to your home, and they will bring what they can carry here in two trips. After that, you will need to see Batbayar and acquire your passes. I’ll send a runner so Batbayar is aware you will be to his place within the next two or three hours. McCoy, I’ll send a team to retrieve your wares and take them into storage until your