The Rainmaker

It was raining, I didn't turn to see Alontor looking smugly underneath his umbrella (how did you know he looked smug? Wouldn't you be smug if you were using an umbrella before it started raining?). Instead I just kept with the reins (ha I spelled that right in your face homonyms!) and directed us to the guard who had sent me away before. Alontor had started smoking a cigar, the smoke was unpleasant to say the least.

"Do you have to smoke that?" I'm not opposed to cigars, just this one was awful.

"Oh Trezlan must you judge me for my bad habits?" We approached the guard and he held out his hand in the universal symbol for stop and against my better judgement I did. Alontor had assured me he had a plan.

"Didn't I tell you to..." And then he passed out from the smoke Alontor blew into his face. He indicated I move forward and I did with rapidity. As soon as we were beyond the check point Alontor pitched the cigar over the side.

"Surprised there weren't more of them, I thought I saw at least three other guards at that checkpoint." I had in fact seen that many.

"They are currently detained attempting to hussle a farmer out of his wifes company for the evening."

"That's horrible."

"That's Lork."

"What was in that cigar am I going to pass out?"

"Do you have an allergy to xanya weed?"

"No I don't think so."

"Then no you will not." And with that I moved on, Alontor directed me to where I was to take the weapons. A small farm village outside of the main Lork city (Lork had expanded since I'd last been there including gathering up farmers and farm land so they could supply the main city). I put the cart into a barn and hopped out. Alontor brought me to a farm house where there were other similarly dressed ranchers, though none of them had umbrellas.

"Where's my payment?"

"Job's not even half done yet Mr. Lorentino, we paid you and Hanlon for a revolution, that's what we will get."

"Swell." Hanlon screwed me again! You know when I saw him before I might have just kind of asked him what the job actually was. But no, no I didn't because despite him admonishing me for not wondering about it. I STILL DIDN'T ASK!