Chapter 3: A Pouch of False Gold

I looked up from the large bread bowl of hunter’s stew. The two men walking towards my table did not belong here. One was a young noble dandy and the other looked like a rich merchant. I ignored them to blow on the hot stew and take a bite. I chewed and watched as they finally stopped across from me. I sighed after swallowing and sat back, “Yes?”

The old merchant cleared his throat, “Are you the thief taker?”

I smiled and nodded, “How can I help you?”

He tossed a heavy pouch on the table. I reached out to open it and saw a lot of gold coins. Something was not right though and I poured them onto the table. I used my finger to turn several over before looking at the merchant, “These are fake.”

He nodded, “That is how you can help me. Find the bastards that replaced the gold with these worthless pieces of lead.”

I took another bite of stew and chewed while thinking about it. The young noble leaned on the table pulling a fancy dagger. My other hand came over the table as he was reaching towards my face.

I grabbed his wrist, placing my thumb on the back of his hand as I twisted and yanked. He slammed into the table as my hand slipped the dagger out of his hand. I nodded to the merchant as I released the noble, “for ten percent of what I return.”

He puffed up, “that is robbery!”

I smiled and flipped the dagger before throwing it across the room to slam into the door frame, “then find another thief taker.”

He glared and spun away, the noble snarled as he rubbed his wrist, “this is not over.”

I ignored him to return to my stew. The rest of the room laughed though and he stomped after the merchant. When I finished eating I slipped the serving girl a few extra coppers before leaving. I headed into the slums of the city and slipped into the shadows. When the man I was waiting for limped past, I reached out and yanked him into the narrow alley.

He opened his mouth to yell and froze as one of my clubs jabbed him in the stomach, “Quiet.”

He nodded and looked around as I held up two pieces of silver, “who is buying lead?”

He grinned and looked from my face to the silver, “I will tell for a gold piece.”

I shook my head, “You already owe me for not taking you in for stealing.”

He swallowed and finally nodded, “It be a noble lad. He tries to hide what he is but we have eyes.”

I shook the silver coins, “Name?”

He shook his head, “We do not know his name. He is supposed to buy more lead tonight at the Black Owl.”

I put the silver coins away and he growled. I released him and flipped a single gold piece towards him as I walked away. The Black Owl was in a dark part of the city, they did not even bother to light the few street lamps on the streets and they sure did not bother filling them with oil. I slipped in the back door and smiled at the young lass that glanced my way.

I sat at a dark shadowed table and pushed a silver across the table. The serving girl swayed by and the silver vanished before she continued on her way. I had been here a few times and she knew me. Her next trip past my table a tall mug slid across. I knew I did not have to worry about being poisoned or drugged. I lifted the mug and sipped the cool cider with a sigh.

The ale here was a good way to kill yourself but the cider was pure nectar. I spotted the two lead mongers sitting at a lone table. I relaxed and sipped the cider as slowly time passed. I was almost ready to leave when the slim cloaked noble opened the door. His cloak hid his features but the richness told everyone what he was. I watched and waited as they spoke and he pushed a couple of gold pieces across the table.

He lifted the heavy bag they set on the table and his cloak opened to reveal a fancy dagger I recognized. I smiled and sipped the last of my cider before standing and quietly leaving through the back door. I was waiting across the dark street when the noble left the inn. I followed him easily as he walked through the dark streets not even looking back.

He went towards the part of the city that had stock pens and slaughter houses. He hesitated at the mouth of an alley and I slipped into a dark doorway. After looking back, he walked past the alley and opened the door to a tiny shop next to it. I waited and watched and a little later a short, thin man appeared.