Sword For Hire

Luckily, Richard had gone back to William’s garret to feel sorry for himself, which was probably best for all concerned. And it gave William some time and headspace to run his errands.                Hammad was leaning contentedly against the doorjamb of his shop, making the most of the scanty sunshine.                “Morning Ham!”                “It’s afternoon, mate, innit!” the shopkeeper replied cheerfully. “Where you been, mate?”                “Oh gawd, yeah, you’re right.” William grinned, looking up at the sky. “Here, where are your lads? Normally they’re up and about by now?”                “Them lazy bastards, they’ve been dancing a...

  There was more talent than usual on the street today, as they walked back into town after their sparring session on the Common... ‘talent’, that is, in both senses of the word. In particular, William found his eyes drawn this way and that, to every pretty face that went by. Even the girl in the pie shop had smiled so sweetly that he’d had to remind himself that she was about 20 years his junior and it was just her job to smile at everyone, purely to bring the punters in. That said, he’d made her giggle... and even Richard had been impressed at his gamesmanship, when William had chatted up a bona fide Lady, heading out of town on a horse. You’ve got to be in it to win it , as they say...                The talent that William had spotted now consisted of a decent crowd – mostly women – watching some sort of street entertainer, who was apparently making a good show of things and mostly blocking the thoroughfare. ...