A Conversation Over Breakfast

0:00The Thieves' Guild. Written by Jake Kerr. Chapter 43. A conversation over breakfast. The Thieves' Guild. Mala and Dala woke the next morning tangled in rough sheets that seemed a little softer due to them being wrapped around them both. As Dala later got dressed, Mala watched her strap on the breast armour and she had to smile because without a tunic or padding underneath, that's exactly what it was. We need to buy clothes for you. That armour is scandalous. A fundamental tactic when fighting is to employ distraction. If you're telling me this is distracting, then this is a valuable battle resource. Dala spun around in an elaborate little dance and Mala laughed.

1:00It's you who are distracting my love. The two of them made their way down to the tavern. It was early and their payment of the crown for a single night's lodging promised them a hot breakfast. They sat down at a corner table. Unlike the night before, the green leaf was mostly empty. A man and woman were having breakfast across the room and what looked like a lumberjack was drinking coffee near the bar. The bar maid took their order of bread, cheese and eggs and left. No sooner had she left than a young man in a red cloak slid into a chair at their table. Mala put her hand on her dagger while Dala tensed across from her. The man flipped a silver coin in the air, caught it and then placed it on the wooden tabletop. He looked at Dala and then Mala and then back to Dala. Where are you from? He was clearly a wizard so Mala was guarded in her replies.

2:00Dala however spoke up immediately. From Ness of course. My friend works in the warehouses. I keep house in our apartment. Dala smiled sweetly. The young man moved the silver coin around the top of the table with his finger. I don't believe you. He picked up the coin and held it between his thumb and forefinger, waving it. You made a bet for a crown. No one calls them crowns anymore. It's an archaic term from another time. This. The man waved the coin. Is a silver. Mala did her best to feign nonchalance. And yet you knew what Dala meant. Do you not think that she perhaps used the archaic form to make her bet sound more official? Mala looked at Dala. That sounds like something you would do. Indeed. A challenge couched in classical language bears more weight. Dala nodded. Mala loved how the two of them so easily picked up on each other's unspoken communication.

3:03The man snapped his fingers closed around the coin and lowered his hand to the table top. I considered such a thing unlikely as it may be. That was but a way for me to understand how you navigate lies. What I'm really interested in is that. The man pointed directly at Dala's chest. For her part, Dala adjusted the black leather armor and grinned. You and every other man in the tavern. Not your bosom, your dwarven armor. I'm not so foolish as to believe you don't know how rare it is. He turned and looked at Mala. And yours. You both are fully equipped with armor and weapons that is mere rumour to nearly everyone. And it is your luck and mine that it is not a rumour to me. Who are you? In due time, you still haven't answered my question. Where are you from? Mala couldn't get a good measure of the man. He didn't seem to carry a weapon, but he was dressed in scarlet. His magic was his weapon.

4:04He was aggressive in his questioning, but not threatening or tense in any way. Dala looked at Mala, and it was clear she was hoping for the experienced thief to navigate this subterfuge. Mala was certain that her decision on how to answer the man would shock Dala. We come from Ness, the other Ness, from across the mountain. Mala waited for the man to call her a liar, or to challenge her to prove her claim. What she wasn't prepared for was his actual response. The dwarves are trading with Ness. For the first time he appeared unsure of himself, perhaps even frightened. Believe what you want. Dala leaned forward once again following Mala's lead. It is your turn to answer. Who are you? The man stared at Dala for a long time before doing the same with Mala. She finally lost patience. You seem less interested in the armour and more interested in what's underneath it.

5:06I am both interested in the armour and the two who wear it. I believe you, by the way, the use of the word crown seems like an ancient Ness thing to say. And I can't deny that the dwarves would have more influence with your city than anyone else. The man let the sliver coin fall from his palm to the tabletop where it spun for a bit. But you ask who I am. It is a reasonable question, despite my reticence to answer. I am laryard, senior wizard, banished to the northern forest. I was considered a child wonder who could perform the dragon transformation at the age of 12, but my specialty was far-sight. My wizard peers delighted in my unique ability until I spent one too many times peering into trivial quarters. What did you see? Mala was totally enthralled in his tale. It matters not. The point is that I let slip what I saw to someone who knew Traville and that led to my banishment. You don't seem banished. I escaped. Travelled banished us as well. And we also escaped.

6:07She was curious if laryard would believe the claim even with it being true. He did. You must tell me how. I used magic Traville didn't know I had taught myself. The Guardian is now standing in stone where before he prowled invisible. Mala proceeded to tell laryard how Dala and Mala had escaped by using flour and throwing knives. Laryard was quiet and attentive and both Mala and Dala proceeded to tell him their full story, only leaving prosper and Katrina out of the telling. It was foolish, of course, but laryard seemed trustworthy and his interests seemed more sincere than a trap. And we escaped past the bones of the dragon. Ah, poor cragigah. He was the last of the mighty dragons from the north. It is rumored he is the one who taught Traville how to transform into a dragon, but only after he was imprisoned and tortured. I remember the news of his death. He had presumably insulted a mighty wizard who turned him to stone.

7:08His bones are not stone, but they are frozen in place. Ah, the rumours do seem to take on a life all their own. Laryard, you believed us and I believe you. Mala paused as the barmaid brought their food. She didn't touch any of it. But what are your plans? You stopped at our table for a reason. Was it curiosity? Or are you going to turn us in in exchange for your own freedom? I fear that believing you is not the same as trusting you. Laryard laughed and slid the silver coin in front of Dala. My plans? My plans have been to wait aimlessly for a sign as to what to do with my life. And my friends, you are that sign. Technology made banking easier, travel easier, shopping easier. Home insurance is still catching up. Kin is changing that. Smart technology that helps you find coverage fast and real people when you actually need them.

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