Day 14, Fall of 511 AV 14th Bell The Establishment Eridanus dithered in front of the advertisement board, wondering if there were any interesting once-off offers he could take. He had been here a few days back, applying for the courier job, but ended up competing against another applicant. It was normal, though, for demand would always exceed supply in the jobs market especially when winter approaches and people start to get desperate for some form of security in the form of assured income to keep themselves alive (and warm) for the next season. Suddenly, a dishevelled merchant rushed into the building, shouting for Master Tua. The owner of the place was not as his usual spot at the counter, however, for he had stepped outside via the back door with a bunch of rather muscular men to discuss their matter in private. The man looked like he had been through a scrape, but it was evident as to what his career was from his dressing and the modified pouches vendors wore to keep select specimen of their goods if possible to facilitate business on the fly. After all, businessmen never stopped looking for opportunities. "Master Tua! Where in blazes are you? Tua! Tua!" He hollered, looking around. The people in the establishment glanced at him, but took no further notice, for people in Sunberth tend to be pretty self-centered due to circumstances and they gradually returned to their own issues. He glanced around wildly, before settling his gaze on Eridanus. Despite the varied crowd, it was still easy to pick out the Vantha, for the contrast between his pale skin and wild, unruly obsidian-colored hair sporting the shades of Morwen's lights proved to differentiate him quite strongly from other humans. "You, you! I know you! You were here two days back, weren't you?" The merchant exclaimed and pointed at the Vantha, making his way over to the advertisement board. "What..." Eridanus began, but he was interrupted by the merchant, who seemed intent on getting his views across. "Just listen, alright?" The merchant gasped with exasperation. "I need Tua's runners to do a job. I know he has a girl but she's off-duty today. I also know that he hired a new one, and I think that it's you." "But..." The Vantha tried to put a word in, but he was waved off again by the merchant. "Look, you were there applying for the job so it meant you were interested in, or had to skills to do it. I honestly don't care if old Tua actually hired you, and I don't have the time to wait. If you're Tua's new word-runner, I'll drop a note and make sure he pays you the commission. If not I'll pay you myself. Just answer me, do you want gold?", he continued, his beady eyes gazing intensely at Eri. He nodded slightly, and this was enough for the merchant to continue. It was like what he wanted to say was built up inside, his mouth being the dam that stopped the tide of words that would follow. "Oh thank Xyna!", the man exclaimed. "Take this first, and listen closely." He handed a waxed-sealed note to Eri, and he promptly tucked it securely into the folds of his clothing. "My name is Hurate Gundere, I'm a vendor operating in the Castle Commons. I was accosted just now by a band of thugs. But they weren't ordinary scum. No, they were visibly searching for something, and I might have an inkling what it might be. No don't ask, it's for your own good if you don't know and it doesn't concern the job. No, I acted as if I fainted and they searched my body, of course not finding it. As they left, I overheard them grumbling and from what I heard, it seemed that a couple of my guards are in league with them." He paused for a moment, wiping the sweat from his brow. He noticed the look of confusion on Eri's face, and he continued hurriedly. "What guards, you ask. I rented a warehouse storing my... goods and of course quite a few guards to make sure the goods remain in my possession. Of course, I pay them well enough to discourage them from just deciding to steal them, but recently a few of the more enterprising ones began to investigate my business and, I'm sorry to say, decided that they wanted to get their hands on one of my items." "My house was burgled not too long ago, and now I realized that it was no random occurrence. It was all planned. When they realized that my house nor myself carried the item, the only logical conclusion is that it's in the warehouse." The merchant gulped, trying his best to quickly brief the runner. "They do not know that I suspected them and so believed that they have all the time in the world. From my own investigations days ago I estimate that less than half of the guards are in on this plan. I also have a good man who takes charge of the running of the guard operations, but he is probably unaware of this dastardly plan. The thugs are probably on their way now to the warehouse, possibly with the intent of reinforcing the traitors to overwhelm my loyal guards." "I need you to reach there before them, and inform my man-in-charge, Gregory Vittory so that he can take the appropriate measures. The note will prove the authenticity of my message and the details of the location is written on the back of the note." He gradually steered Eridanus towards the door. "Hurry! If we're lucky, the robbers might have stopped for a drink somewhere or take a detour for some side business. If you run you might make it before them. Go!" Upon hearing that last frantic cry, Eridanus turned around and bolted. As the merchant detailed his story and gave a brief on what was happening, his mind had been frantically processing all the information and planning an optimal route to the warehouse. He knew that he had to balance safety and distance, and had settled on a plan just before he found himself being pushed towards the door. With a route firmly in mind, he turned at the next corner, jogging at a steady pace, actively controlling his breathing to prevent early exhaustion. |