Tomis returned first, eyes searching the inn for any fresh arrivals, before rejoining Lucan at the table. The man-at-arms frowned, looking at the chair next to Lucan and asking, “The boy?”
“I put him in the room,” Lucan said, and upon seeing Tomis cocking his head, he added, “Everything of value is on my person.” Tomis nodded, though he didn’t seem approving of his choice. “How did The Yellow Parchment receive you?”
“Suspiciously…before the head of their court read the letter,” Tomis said. “Once he did, they received me with generous courtesy, ushering me into his study without delay.”
“And…?”
“He sang Master Saltner’s praises,” Tomis said. “And he is prepared to meet with you at your convenience. He wished to send someone to meet you or to come himself, but I told him that my lord will meet him when he is ready.”
Luca nodded sideways. He still didn’t want any of the guilds to know where he was, even if it seemed that this Parchment had great esteem for Master Saltner. “Did anyone follow you?”
Tomis nodded slowly. “A woman this time.”
Lucan chuckled. He reckoned that even allies could be curious, and now he held less ill feelings towards Mistress Yanna for sending a man to follow him. “Very well. We shall go and meet him once Ryder is back.”
Tomis nodded, leaning back in his seat.
Their wait was longer than Lucan had hoped. Ryder only returned after the midnight bell. He looked disheveled and tired, if untouched. Lucan let out a sigh of relief upon seeing his entry into the common room.
The man-at-arms joined them with cool steps, sighing as he sat down. “Quite the night, I’ve had.”
Lucan tilted his head. “Well, enlighten us.”
“There is indeed a warehouse where the boy said there would be one,” Ryder said. “And it is indeed owned, or at least commandeered, by a gang. The same one, that is. The Green Scars.”
Lucan nodded slowly. “Did you get close enough to get a proper look?”
Ryder shrugged. “Eeh, I would not say I was very close. Yet, I’ve discovered enough to aid us should we decide to storm the stinkhole.” Lucan nodded for him to continue. “The warehouse is well-guarded. It seems the goods inside are important indeed. I couldn’t get a proper count, considering some of the men were inside. More importantly, however, there is a gambling den not far from the warehouse, and a watering hole right beside it.”
“That must be quite enticing for their men.”
“Indeed, it is.” Ryder chuckled softly. “After midnight, at least half a dozen of them left the warehouse for the gambling den. The ones standing guard outside seemed more sleepy than alert as well.”
Lucan hummed thoughtfully, nodding after a moment. “Tomorrow, both of you will keep an eye on the warehouse. You must ascertain that it is not as well guarded after midnight.” He turned to Tomis. “On the morn, however, we shall visit The Yellow Parchment. Only after we have handled that matter may we pursue this God Orb affair.”
Both men-at-arms nodded. Shortly after, they returned to their room, where Lucan and Ryder slept on the beds, while Tomis slept on a sleeping pallet the innkeeper had brought them, and Venn slept on the floorboards.
They forced themselves awake a while after daybreak. Lucan left Venn in Ryder’s care and departed for The Yellow Parchment after a hasty breakfast.
Tomis led him through the slowly crowding streets, keeping a steady pace that eventually brought them to a rather unassuming building. It was well-built, but it was nowhere as opulent as The Blue Emporium, nor was it in a place nearly as lively. Still, a guard stood outside, and he seemed to recognize Tomis, giving him a nod and pushing the door open for them.
Tomis returned the nod and led Lucan into the building. A seated servant sprang onto his feet, throwing away a half-eaten piece of bread and smiling at them with the crumbs on his cheeks. “Welcome to The Yellow Parchment, good masters.” He frowned, scrutinizing Tomis, and then an even more manic haste seemed to take him as he bowed and ushered them towards a flight of stairs around the corner.
“This-this way, good masters,” the servant sputtered. “The headmaster of this Parchment awaits you in his study.”
Up the stairs, there were only three doors, one of them larger and heavier than the others. A guard stood outside it, much less imposing than Master Orin’s warden, but no less vigilant.
“The headmaster is expecting the good masters,” the servant announced to the guard.
The guard eyed them for a moment before opening the door, entering, and closing it behind him. A few moments later, he stepped out again, gesturing for them to go through the open door.
Lucan stepped inside first, followed by his man-at-arms. The first thing he saw was a large writing table, smooth and painted soft brown. Behind it stood a man in yellow robes, his arms open as though to receive an old friend.
“Welcome, your lordship!” The man bowed his head. “It is our honor to receive you here.”
Lucan paused. It was quite different from his experience with Master Orin. “Thank you, Master…?”
“Berren,” the man answered amiably. “My pleasure to be of service, Lord Zesh.”
“And our privilege to be received by you, Master Berren.”
Bowing his head again, Master Berren pointed to the chairs across from his table. “Please.”
Lucan nodded thankfully and took a seat, though Tomis chose to stay on his feet behind him. He noted that the merchant chose to take a seat only after he did.
“Your man claimed that the matter was of utmost discretion and importance,” Master Berren said. “I can assure you that no word said here will leave my study.”
“It is indeed a venture of great importance, and of great bounty as well.”
Master Berren smiled. “Pray tell.”
“We have come to an agreement with some allies here in the Union,” Lucan explained, hoping to get the man on his side from the beginning. “You no doubt know of the imperial canal that cuts through the Union from Barwalis, yes?”
Master Berren nodded.
“With the war in Barwalis coming to a head, we believe that clearing the canal between Varencourt and Silvergate would bring ample opportunities to all of us.” Seeing the man frown, Luca continued, “Of course, a local guild of weight shall lead the charge, but we wish to have some allies in this venture, for the good of all.”
“I see,” Master Berren said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “That is a rather grand undertaking. It would cost plenty of coin, I reckon.”
“It would indeed,” Lucan said. “And it would ruffle a few feathers as well, as you can imagine. But…as I have said, already there are allied guilds prepared to push forward with it. I have an engineer in Silvergate ready to begin on our side of the border. The lords on our side are prepar–”
“If I may,” Master Berren said. “I have no doubt in your ability, Lord Zesh. I have friends, and even if I didn’t, few are ignorant of your feats in the Wilderlands. It is said that you delved so far south that you reached the Wildermen’s storied Daughter and returned alive.” He chuckled. “I wonder if that’s true, but I do know that Lord Golan Zesh has indeed been lying in capture, only to be rescued by your hands. I doubt not your ability, believe me.” He paused, taking a breath. “And well…I owe Master Saltner gratitude that one could not count even if they tried. He is a man of great wealth, and The Parchment would always look to join hands with him.” Seeing the surprise on Lucan’s face, the man smiled and said, “If you wish for us to be at your side in this venture, then we will be happy to lend our aid within reason, and of course, The Parchment will expect to reap reasonable benefits as well.”
Lucan was still raising his brows in disbelief by the time the headmaster finished. He hadn’t known that word had spread so far about his excursion into the Wilderlands, though he imagined that such happenings couldn’t be kept secret for long. He wondered if Mistress Yanna and Master Orin had known too but had chosen not to bring the matter to light so as not to praise him too much as Master Berren had. The head of The Parchment in Varencourt also seemed to hold his lawfather in good esteem.
“It seems we are in agreement already then,” he said.
“Indeed,” Master Berren said. “Now we only need to see to the particulars.”
Lucan nodded. “Then you must have word with Master Orin of The Blue Emporium.”
It was Master Berren’s turn to raise his brows now. “Huh, I should have known The Blue Guild would be involved.” Then he frowned, tilting his head quizzically. “Is the Blue Guild leading this venture then? They do not lack for coin or power, but they are not of Varencourt.”
Lucan shook his head. “It is The Golden Wheel that leads the effort. You ought to meet them at Master Orin’s table. It is better that they explain matters to you, since we still have some obstacles to overcome.”
“Of course.” Master Berren nodded.
Lucan, still disbelieving, realized that their meeting was drawing to a close. It was an unexpected windfall, considering how pressed for time he was. “Well, then, Master Berren, it was my privilege.” He stood up. “I thank you for receiving us so generously.”
“It is my honor.” The man stood up, dipping his head again. “We shall see each other again?”
“Of course.” Lucan smiled.
After the formalities were seen to, they were led out of the guild. Lucan and Tomis hurried to blend into the street, taking as many side alleys as they could, and noting that some gang ruffians lingered in some of them, though none seemed too interested in them. They came to a stop after a while, and Lucan turned to his man-at-arms with a silent question.”
“No one is following,” Tomis said.
“Huh.” Lucan nodded. “Good. Let us go then.”
Once they were back at the inn, Lucan sought out his second man-at-arms, and they met at the same table they often did.
“We have The Parchment,” Lucan began. “Or so it seems at least.” Ryder nodded. “Tonight, you two will watch the gang’s warehouse again, and if they keep to their arrangement, we will attack it on the evening of the morrow.”
Ryder leaned back in his seat. “Should we not be patient, master? Perhaps a few more days?”
Lucan shook his head vehemently. “We have little time for these adventures, and we do not truly know if they are worth our sweat yet. My time here is invaluable. If this affair rocks the boat of our undertaking with the guilds, it would be a loss I am unwilling to take. We must strike swiftly, and hopefully find where this Orb is.”
Both men nodded, and Lucan sighed. “Off with you then, and don’t let the least shiver of a hair pass you by.”
The two men-at-arms nodded again and were soon out of the inn.