servants and
persons of low degree for helpful bits of information.”
“Very well. My palace accountant will supply you with funds, for” which you will render a strict accounting.”
“As my lord wishes,” Nistur agreed.
“Then go and do my bidding.”
The two bowed their way out. In the hall outside the lord’s chamber they retrieved their weapons and draped the silver seals around their necks while the guards eyed them dubiously.
“You there,” Nistur said to a guard. “Lead us to the palace accountant.”
“Who are you to give me orders?” sneered the guard.
Ironwood thrust his seal in the man’s face. “We are the special investigators appointed by the Lord of Tarsis, fool! Hinder us at your peril!”
The man’s eyes went wide. “Yes, sir! Sorry, sir. Come this way.”
Shellring rejoined them before the gates of the palace. “You pulled it off!” she said, grinning.
Nistur hung the third seal around her neck. “You are now a special investigator for the Lord of Tarsis. With this, you can question the chief of the nomads himself.”
“Why would I want to do that?” She hefted the silver seal in her palm. “I wonder how much I can get for this?”
“Until we formulate a plan, you will keep it with you at all times,” Nistur cautioned.
“Let’s plan over a decent meal,” Ironwood said. “I’m starving!”
“A good meal and a bath sound like an excellent idea,” Nistur said. “Shellring, lead us to a decent establishment. I think we can dip into our operating funds to that extent.”
As she led them across the broad plaza, Ironwood grumbled. “This Lord of Tarsis is nothing but a jumped-up merchant or banker. You can tell by the way he pinches coins until his fingertips are stained with copper. A
real prince would have paid us with a lavish hand, not weaseled like a market-hawker.”
“Alas, this is not a princely city.” Nistur sighed. “The citizenry lacks even a proper appreciation of poetry.”
Shellring led them to a prosperous tavern called the Three Dragons. Above its spacious portal was hung a sculpture of the great winged beasts, wrought in bronze. Within, its appointments were as lavish as its sign, letting all and sundry know that this was an establishment that catered to a prosperous clientele. At their entry, an aproned man hurried to them, his smile of greeting turning to a look of puzzlement when he caught sight of Shellring.
“May I help you, sirs?” he said.
“Mine host,” said Nistur, “you may conduct us to a booth and bring us your best ale and whatever food you have prepared, so long as it be in sufficient quantity. When we have dined, we shall require the use of your bathing facilities.” At the man’s doubtful expression he held up his seal. “We are the special investigators of the Lord of Tarsis.”
Immediately, the man’s expression changed. “Certainly, sir! Come right this way! Nothing is too good for my lord’s officials!”
They were conducted to a spacious booth, and, with a speed that was near-magical, servers set pots of ale and great, steaming platters of food before them.
“These official seals are wonderful things,” Nistur remarked. Then they said little as they fortified themselves against the rigors sure to come.
Nistur burped discreetly as the platters were cleared away and sweet pastries were set before them. When the servers were safely out of earshot he spoke.
“Now, my friends, we must make plans. The city is closed up tight and guarded by the nomads. Escape will not be easy.”
“But our seals will get us through the gates,” Ironwood pointed out.
“Only to be among the savages, who will watch us with even greater vigilance than the bungling city militia. That will be no improvement.”
“I’ll have to inspect the city walls,” Ironwood said. “The nomads may not be numerous enough for a complete encirclement. If I spot a hole in their lines, we can be out through it after dark. They’ll have
persons of low degree for helpful bits of information.”
“Very well. My palace accountant will supply you with funds, for” which you will render a strict accounting.”
“As my lord wishes,” Nistur agreed.
“Then go and do my bidding.”
The two bowed their way out. In the hall outside the lord’s chamber they retrieved their weapons and draped the silver seals around their necks while the guards eyed them dubiously.
“You there,” Nistur said to a guard. “Lead us to the palace accountant.”
“Who are you to give me orders?” sneered the guard.
Ironwood thrust his seal in the man’s face. “We are the special investigators appointed by the Lord of Tarsis, fool! Hinder us at your peril!”
The man’s eyes went wide. “Yes, sir! Sorry, sir. Come this way.”
Shellring rejoined them before the gates of the palace. “You pulled it off!” she said, grinning.
Nistur hung the third seal around her neck. “You are now a special investigator for the Lord of Tarsis. With this, you can question the chief of the nomads himself.”
“Why would I want to do that?” She hefted the silver seal in her palm. “I wonder how much I can get for this?”
“Until we formulate a plan, you will keep it with you at all times,” Nistur cautioned.
“Let’s plan over a decent meal,” Ironwood said. “I’m starving!”
“A good meal and a bath sound like an excellent idea,” Nistur said. “Shellring, lead us to a decent establishment. I think we can dip into our operating funds to that extent.”
As she led them across the broad plaza, Ironwood grumbled. “This Lord of Tarsis is nothing but a jumped-up merchant or banker. You can tell by the way he pinches coins until his fingertips are stained with copper. A
real prince would have paid us with a lavish hand, not weaseled like a market-hawker.”
“Alas, this is not a princely city.” Nistur sighed. “The citizenry lacks even a proper appreciation of poetry.”
Shellring led them to a prosperous tavern called the Three Dragons. Above its spacious portal was hung a sculpture of the great winged beasts, wrought in bronze. Within, its appointments were as lavish as its sign, letting all and sundry know that this was an establishment that catered to a prosperous clientele. At their entry, an aproned man hurried to them, his smile of greeting turning to a look of puzzlement when he caught sight of Shellring.
“May I help you, sirs?” he said.
“Mine host,” said Nistur, “you may conduct us to a booth and bring us your best ale and whatever food you have prepared, so long as it be in sufficient quantity. When we have dined, we shall require the use of your bathing facilities.” At the man’s doubtful expression he held up his seal. “We are the special investigators of the Lord of Tarsis.”
Immediately, the man’s expression changed. “Certainly, sir! Come right this way! Nothing is too good for my lord’s officials!”
They were conducted to a spacious booth, and, with a speed that was near-magical, servers set pots of ale and great, steaming platters of food before them.
“These official seals are wonderful things,” Nistur remarked. Then they said little as they fortified themselves against the rigors sure to come.
Nistur burped discreetly as the platters were cleared away and sweet pastries were set before them. When the servers were safely out of earshot he spoke.
“Now, my friends, we must make plans. The city is closed up tight and guarded by the nomads. Escape will not be easy.”
“But our seals will get us through the gates,” Ironwood pointed out.
“Only to be among the savages, who will watch us with even greater vigilance than the bungling city militia. That will be no improvement.”
“I’ll have to inspect the city walls,” Ironwood said. “The nomads may not be numerous enough for a complete encirclement. If I spot a hole in their lines, we can be out through it after dark. They’ll have
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