Chapter 3

I sat up and grumped, and the old scribe snickered, “Stay in one night, and you might get some rest.”

I looked at her, and she just stood and began dressing. I stripped and changed into soft grey clothing before heading out. Someone had already started the two stoves, and I grabbed two men. I pulled out a single gold piece. “We need some hams and fresh eggs for breakfast. Also, try to get a half side of beef for tonight.”

They grinned, and the one with a freshly scraped face nodded. I turned to watch as people woke and started moving around. I caught the old man that had started on the walls around the top of the office. “After you finish with the girls’ loft, come see me. I think we are going to build a second floor with walls where everyone can sleep.”

He turned to look around thoughtfully. “That is a big job.”

I grinned. “We can do it together.”

He looked at me and grinned before nodding. I caught an older boy and fished out a silver piece. “As much tea as this will buy.”

He nodded and ran out as I went outside. I stretched and headed to help water and feed the animals. By the time I got back to the warehouse, there were a few guards there, and everyone was talking about the robbery of Countess Tresliss. Breakfast was a feast with not just ham and eggs but someone had found porridge. One of the women had asked the guards if they were safe from this thief, and the guard had snorted.

The day was spent sending runners out looking for work, talking to farmers coming into the city, and men leaving with carts or wagons. By the end of the day, we were showing a healthy profit. We had also brought in beams and thick posts bought from farmers quietly to start building another floor. I listened to every rumor, and one bothered me.

It hinted at the homeless doing all the robbing. A lot more guards came by than normal, and I stopped one of the guards that was warming his hands beside the fire pit. “Has anyone gone through the gates at night?”

He looked at me. “I would not know.”

I looked around, “Well, if the thief lives outside the city walls, he has to go through the gates, doesn’t he?”

The guard seemed surprised but nodded, “Yeah.”

He seemed to think about it and finally left. I went to bed early and woke to a guard poking his head in the door. I looked at him, and he closed the door. I dressed and went out to find a couple of men awake and talking to two guards. It seemed the guards and army had been doubled again, and they had been walking around. I went back to bed and woke to a young boy prodding me awake. I looked at him, and he smiled, “Momma said to wake you.”

When I came out, it was to the smell of tea. The women were toasting bread and cheese with leftover ham from yesterday. I spilled most of the gold from my purse into the small box being used for the warehouse funds. We worked on the second floor as runners came and went. When someone yelled for a cart or wagon, a man always jumped to go.

The rumors going around were about a Baron caught in the streets last night. The guards and militia were so angry they had beaten him. Several more homeless families appeared and were accepted into our group. The second floor seemed to fly together. We had it half done before it was dinner time. This time, a farmer had come to us to sell a couple of butchered sheep.

As the sheep was being cooked, several guards came by, and the talk turned to another wealthy merchant that was starting to point fingers at us. The guards shook their heads, “That stupid ass just wants the king to seize everything you have so he can move in and take over.”

Everyone was angry, but the guards snorted, “The guard commander pointed out to the king that everyone here stays outside the walls, so it could not be your group.”

I moved away to think and decided to pay the merchant a visit. It was late when I lifted my head and looked across the dark office. I slipped out of the bedroll and turned to fix it so anyone looking in would think I was still there. I had prepared for this; the office window had been oiled earlier and opened quietly. I slipped out and moved to the wall before heading towards the gate in the shadows.

I found a spot I could use and started climbing the rough stones of the wall. I hesitated at the top and listened before slipping over. I crossed the guard walk on top of the wall and went over the side. The climb down was much slower as I felt for foot holds in the dark. I moved away from the dark shadows of the wall and silently made my way through the city.

When I entered the gatehouse, I could tell no one had been in it since I left. I went up to the archers’ perch and filled my purse with silver before leaving. I knew the merchant was probably planning something, so instead of his home, I went to his shop. Merchant Dillon was a silver smith and had a huge shop. I used an alley and climbed the shop wall next to his.

I knew he had apprentices that normally slept above the shop. I went over the roof of his neighbor and down through the attic vent into his shop. I moved slowly and quietly to the ceiling hatch and opened it. A careful glance showed no one around, and I silently dropped to the second-floor hall. I moved to the stairs and crept down. There was a bell over the door that would ring if anyone opened the door, but that was it.