Chapter 25

• They left an hour later. The carriage took them somewhere north from Easterwel.
• Oliver didn't lose orientation, but one didn't need specific tracking skills to know they were getting pretty far away from everything. The coachman left them and they headed to the place Callum was given the address of.
• They paused before the old, presumably empty building. "Did they choose the place?" Oliver asked and stopped before entering. "Yes, and I wasn't in the position to negotiate. ""How many of them are going to be in there?""Two." Oliver took a look around, yes there wasn't much around, which was never a good sign, and said"You know they'll be more than that. ""I should hope not that many." The Lord adjusted his hat adjusted "Are you ready?""Let's get this over with. ""I want you to know if..." Cal began and Oliver squeezed his shoulder "You'll tell me later, right?""Right. Oliver?""Yes, Cal?""Thank you.""Always. And you'll thank me in another way."He smiled and they entered. The first thing Oliver saw were two men, one standing guard, the other one sitting in a chair in front of the big door, opposite the entrance on the first floor. It was semi-dark and dusty and Oliver caught the smell of something stale, or moldy. It definitely wasn't a place where people spend much time or had hot drinks in the afternoon. "Good day, gentlemen, " Callum greeted and the short one-pointed. "Search them."The man who got up was huge, bigger than Oliver, and way slower. "Who's this?" he grumbled and tried for Oliver "We said no... ""None of your business. Now back off with the threats, yeah? " Oliver glanced at Callum, who was quietly observing him. Oliver knew what he looked like when he wanted to sound threatening. And even though he hated to be in a position to do it, or abuse his intimidating posture, now was one of those times he had to. "No tricks, all right?" The smaller man said, the question directed at Oliver. "That will depend on you." He answered and the other man said "Get them in. But watch over them. Especially the soldier." The giant nodded and led them further in. At the opening of the door, Oliver saw where there were three more people sitting around a table. They were very seriously outnumbered and Oliver hoped they'd find a way to really talk to the men and that they hadn't already made their minds up to just shoot them and be done with it.