by Kebdl Amradji on October 13th, 2009, 4:31 pm
(OOC: Self-moderated)
Kebdl didn't have long to wait. Before he'd finished his drink, the bartender returned to his end of the bar after making the rounds in the common room.
"Got a bite," the man said as he rummaged through a cabinet for a bottle. "Gold first, then you get a name." He found what he was looking for, a bottle of amber-colored wine, and went back out to the tables to deliver it. By the time he returned, Kebdl had a gold Miza ready. "Right then," the man said as he tucked the coin away. "Name's Dylanes Marrow. He don't want no meeting face to face. Prefers me as a go between, as his offer ain't exactly on the up and up." He paused there, meeting Kebdl's eyes with a sharp glance.
Kebdl nodded his agreement to the terms, and the man continued. "Seems there's a wrecked vessel a few days ride south. May just be a rumor, but your employer would like to know if there's any truth to it." With a careful glance to either end of the bar, the bartender leaned closer under the pretence of taking a rag out from under the bar. "He's already hired a wagon, just needed a driver who could protect himself. If there's cargo, anything valuable, he wants it brought back." He straightened and began wiping the end of the bar where Kebdl was sitting.
Kebdl finished off the last of his ale and set the glass down. "Pay?"
"10 gold mizas for the trip. Double that if you bring back something valuable."
Kebdl let his eyes wander around the room, as if pondering his decision. One of the patrons returned his gaze to his cards a little too quickly. Noting the fine cut of the man's robe and the swell of his well-fed belly, Kebdl pursed his lips and turned back to the bartender. Time to see if the messenger is allowed to bargain... "15 for the trip and double."
The bartender's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "12 and double."
"13 and double, and he pays for a healer if I'm hurt bad."
There was a long pause as the bartender considered, clearly consulting whatever guidelines Dylanes had given him. Finally, "Done." He held out a calloused hand to Kebdl, who took it and shook it with a firm grasp. "Go to Windmount Stables, give them Dylanes name. They'll give you the wagon."
Business concluded, Kebdl stood and made his way back outside. His horse was still tied where he'd left it, though the urchin was nowhere to be seen. As Kebdl began untying Finder, though, the boy stepped out of the shadows at the gambling hall's side. "Wanted to sneak up on them if they tried for it," he said, hefting a thick piece of wood.
"Clever boy." With a grunted laugh, Kebdl swung into the saddle and tossed the boy a gold miza. "What's your name, lad? I may have further uses for your cleverness."
"Tyriun." He gestured with his chin to the store he'd been leaning against when Kebdl had found him. "You can find me here most days." With that, the boy dashed off into the shadows. Kebdl swung his horse around and headed toward the more reputable side of town.