In the early hours of the morning, two mercenaries rode in a cart along the Minanter River and into the walled city of Starkhaven. Esme sat on a heavy chest in the back, casting Byrne the occasional thoughtful look. This new job was – plainly – nonsense. Attend a ridiculous party as Lord and Lady Barclay of Ansburg – that city state’s reputation as a backwater to hopefully cover any social faux pas. Sniff out a target that they knew by description only: an artist in great demand, currently serving a Marcher noble, the medium of their work left out of the briefing. Abscond with them, somehow. The city rolling by did not seem easily absconded from.
She kicked him. Not very hard, just on the side of the boot.
“This doesn’t seem like our usual sort of work.” Perhaps it paid hideously well? Still odd, even if that were so. Caro was very cautious unless you got him in an actual fight then he lost his mind. She couldn’t imagine him making a stupid decision on coin alone unless they were in much worse straits than they currently were.
Harlin’s was a step above the taverns and rest stops that Esme would typically frequent on her own. More expensive, of course, but you could walk out of it dressed like a rich man without being immediately robbed. They’d sent Alred ahead to reserve a suite of rooms for planning and changing. She collected their key from him in the common room and headed on up.
The room was nice enough. Blond woods and white, embroidered linens. Esme drew the shutters and flopped down on the double bed, just barely managing to suppress a groan of pleasure. She hadn’t slept somewhere so nice in a long time.
Not that she’d be sleeping now. But a real bath? With hot water? That seemed quite possible. And if this job took more than one night? That would be no hardship – except possibly for their pockets.
“Why’d you want me for this? And not Ceren or Lelindin.” Would her leg hold up to dancing in a fancy, tight laced gown? He’d regret that if she trod on his toes.
She kicked him. Not very hard, just on the side of the boot.
“This doesn’t seem like our usual sort of work.” Perhaps it paid hideously well? Still odd, even if that were so. Caro was very cautious unless you got him in an actual fight then he lost his mind. She couldn’t imagine him making a stupid decision on coin alone unless they were in much worse straits than they currently were.
Harlin’s was a step above the taverns and rest stops that Esme would typically frequent on her own. More expensive, of course, but you could walk out of it dressed like a rich man without being immediately robbed. They’d sent Alred ahead to reserve a suite of rooms for planning and changing. She collected their key from him in the common room and headed on up.
The room was nice enough. Blond woods and white, embroidered linens. Esme drew the shutters and flopped down on the double bed, just barely managing to suppress a groan of pleasure. She hadn’t slept somewhere so nice in a long time.
Not that she’d be sleeping now. But a real bath? With hot water? That seemed quite possible. And if this job took more than one night? That would be no hardship – except possibly for their pockets.
“Why’d you want me for this? And not Ceren or Lelindin.” Would her leg hold up to dancing in a fancy, tight laced gown? He’d regret that if she trod on his toes.
05-07-2024, 09:39 PM
