Chapter 6: Miniatures for a young lady

It had been a long tense night. I had spent most of it in the Wizard’s Walk but I had finally found what I was looking for. Jasmine said she was going to be busy on a complex project so I was on my own for a few days. I glanced at the two cats as they slipped out of the shadows. They had the trick of being able to remain unseen when they wanted.

They also seemed to love eating porridge. I held the door open for them as the drakes flew through. Dragon hummed as she rubbed against my neck and we walked into the tavern. Only a few people were up as I crossed to my table against the back wall. Young Teresa came in and smiled before turning to tell her mother I was here.

I sat as the cats jumped onto the table and the drakes landed. Griffin slipped through a window and across the room to land on the table in front of me. He folded his wings and nodded to the Emerald cat before sitting. I smiled and reached out to take the tiny message scroll from under his right paw.

I opened it as Teresa brought three large bowls of porridge. She slipped them off the tray and onto the table before pulling a small wrapped piece of beef out of her apron. She held it out and Dragon jumped off my shoulder and landed on her arm to take it. I shook my head as I looked at the message, “You spoil them Teresa.”

She grinned as she sat and started petting each of them. I sat back and slipped the message into my shirt. Her mother appeared with my mug of hot spiced cider. She set it on the table with the two thick slices of toast covered with melted cheese. I smiled and slipped her two silver pieces which was a lot more than the meal.

She smiled as she left and I sipped my tea and started eating. When I was almost done the front door opened. Silver walked in looking tired and a little strained. He glanced around before crossing to sit. Teresa blushed and stood to collect the now empty bowls. I smiled at Silver, “It looks like you had a night worse than mine.”

The cats were laid out purring with all the drakes draped over them. Griffin was cleaning his claws and Dragon was curled up around my warm cup of cider. Silver smiled, “I do not know why you insist on feeding them.”

I looked at my friends and smiled, “They may not need it but they do enjoy it.”

I looked at him, “So what do you need?”

He sighed and turned to accept a cup of hot cider from Teresa. After she left he took a sip and sighed before glancing around, “In Duke Thomas’s treasure room is a shield. On the back by the buckle is three large rubies. I need you to switch the rubies and bring the ones from the shield to me.”

I lifted Dragon to my shoulder before drinking the cider down as I thought. I looked at Silver, “What do the rubies look like?”

He smiled as he slipped a small pouch across to me, “Like these.”

I opened the pouch and then closed it, “You want me to replace the other rubies with these?”

He nodded, “Yes, these have simple warding spells on them.”

I finally nodded, “I will not be able to get in until tonight.”

Silver smiled, “Tonight will be fine.”

I grinned, “What is my payment?”

He grinned, “Well, you have been reading that book on the essence of transhifting objects I could perhaps enspell something for you.”

I thought about it and grinned, “A rope, one that can lengthen at least three times its length and then shorten.”

Silver nodded, “Done.”

I nodded and stood, “Jasmine has a project so I am on my own for a coupe of days. I will bring the stones to your shop once I have them.”

He nodded and stood, “Tomorrow morning.”

I glanced at the table, “Come on you.”

I started walking and a moment later the drakes and Griffin flew through the door when I opened it. I knew the cats would find their own way and left. I woke to Dragon patting my cheek and the others all draped over me. I moved them before getting up and washing. I dressed carefully before leaving.

I stopped to eat before heading towards the richer side of the city. Duke Thomas’s estate was one of the larger and better protected ones. It had high walls around it and guards walking around. I stopped in the shadows to look along the wall. There were street lamps every thirty paces and a guard that patrolled as well as city guards that walked the streets.

I glanced down at one of the cats rubbing on my leg. It looked towards one corner and I stepped back into the alley. There was several loud and belligerent nobles arguing with two guards. I watched as more guards arrived and finally slipped back and walked quickly. I headed down the alley and turned to head away before finally turning towards the estate.

I crossed at a corner and ignored the light from the street lamp as I jumped and climbed up the wall. At the top I laid flat and carefully looked around but all the inner guards were together up where the nobles were gathered. I dropped over and crouched when I landed. Dragon landed on my shoulder and patted my cheek before pointing.

I smiled when I saw the open window and nodded before standing and walking towards it. Griffin was sitting on the window sill when I reached it. He moved as I jumped and caught the frame before pulling myself in. I found myself in the duke’s study and glanced around before moving towards the door.

Treasure rooms are either on an upper floor or in a basement. The duke was more open about things so after I peeked out the door I headed towards the stairs. I went up and followed the torches. At one end of the third floor was a bright lantern with a guard standing beside a narrow set of stairs.