They left the lifeless streets behind. With someone on his back, Sheffield had let his guard down. It was only when Maria stopped and murmured, "We're surrounded," that he realized a gang had closed in around them.
Among the thugs approaching with ill intent, Sheffield spotted a familiar face.
"Boss Hoss, they're my guests..." Schofield said to the scarred man with a broad smile.
"You're my 'guests' too," Hoss said with a vicious grin.
Schofield barely hesitated before handing over the 1 Gold Narl Annan had just given him, pain written all over his face. "That's my guide fee. It's yours now."
"Looks like you made a tidy sum... Fine, I'll let you go. What about those two fools?" Hoss looked at Annan and Maria, who had stood motionless from the start.
"Who's he calling fools?" Annan asked Maria.
"Is there anyone else here?"
"Hey. Psst. Over here..." Schofield whispered to get Annan's attention, signaling for him to pay up and stay safe.
"I refuse."
Even Illymoyas couldn't get another coin out of Annan. Were these people tougher than her?
Normally, Sheffield would have sold out the two stubborn fools already. But they worked for the Minister of War, and they had just saved an ordinary person...
From what Sheffield knew of Hoss, even a King would have the gemstones pried from his crown. Threatening him with their connections would be useless...
Schofield wanted badly to sell them out and walk away. But remembering how they had saved someone, he gritted his teeth. "Boss Hoss, for Mother Fim's sake, let them go..."
The name made Hoss frown. He gave Sheffield a long look, then waved impatiently. "Fine. You can go."
Schofield let out a long breath and hurried Annan and Maria between the thugs.
Hoss sniffed in Maria's direction, then