Dusk Falling (Book 1) Read Free Page A

the bars a nondescript bag of woven hemp that made the familiar ‘chink’ of coin. Aya accepted it with a nod.
    On their way to the door, passing a solitary Hunter on his way to speak with the Bounty Master, Aya handed the bag to Serrtin in exchange for the warrant papers. With such a large sum it was always wise to have it carried by the largest most intimidating of the team. It helped in avoiding potentially time-consuming nuisances. Plus Aya read better, so the warrants went to her, at least until they met up with Agemeer.
    Stepping out into the light of full day, the Bren mage squinted as she unrolled the scroll. It was made of a pliable fibrous material, most likely woven from a type of plant matter. The words were written in the careful precise scrawl of one of the Circuit’s penmen. The picture as well as script was much more detailed than the warrant that had adorned the Wall.
    Drawn from the description given by the Client at the time of issuing the contract, Aya was beginning to become quite adept at reading the images for more than face value. Gryphon warrants tended to be the most accurate of any of the symbol warrants because the Chase had somehow offended or acted against an organization. Organizations or those with power tended to afford more coin in dealing with those sorts of affrontments. Often times these Clients had their own artisans construct the caricature of the warrant.
    The image on the scroll Aya held in her hands was of a man, age in determinant. Black ink was used instead of charcoal or the cheaper stain, bespeaking the Client (whoever it was) as someone who had money to spare and were not some backwater gathering. They valued accuracy. Though no expert in such crafts, she could recognize and appreciate the grace and style of the penman. A professional no less and not Circuit paid.
    So the Bren could deduce that the Client was no ordinary group either but one that could appreciate the Arts even in things like a warrant. Thug-sects were out. The man of the picture was either Elven in heritage or Elven-kin by judge of his high cheekbones, tapering jaw and long pointed ears.
    It was not Aya’s job to delve into the hidden meanings behind warrant caricatures but it was difficult not to. Clients who did not want potentially crippling information to leak out to their rivals or the public in general knew they could rely on the Circuit to avoid unnecessary attention. Questions were asked of course but the information was kept to the Bounty Masters and other top personnel, Hunters excluded. It cut down on trouble that way. If the Hunter didn’t know, the Hunter didn’t care- giving in to possible sympathy with the warranted was not something spoken of and missions were completed on time. It was for the best.
    Trailing the bulky form of Serrtin, keeping the warrior in the corner of her sight, Aya was surprised to see no name listed in her inspection of the warrant. None at all. “There’s no name…”
    “What?” Serrtin asked with a glance back at Aya. The Yarcka fairly parted the crowds of people like a boat through water.
    “I said there’s no name listed on the warrant.”
    “That’s alright. We’ll just have to do this the old-fashioned way- stompin’ around and knockin’ a few heads. And I’m sure our ‘little friend’ will help us out. Let’s get back to Aggy and then head out. One more watered-down shot from this place and I might start my stompin’ a little early.” Serrtin said, eyeing the locals meaningfully when they got in her way.
    ‘Our little friend’ was Kcrienalpralopar, the Asrai. Purchased at a traveling bizarre scant miles north of the Barrier, she had been close to death. Luckily, due to Agemeer’s wealth of scholarly knowledge her life had been saved and Kcrie joined their team. The Hunters’ luck on missions improved dramatically with her inclusion. As with all her kind, the Asrai possessed a high since of justice and was upright almost to fault. Kcrie’s