I'm sorry things are so slow lately, I have too many stories started. It just sort of got away from me, but I'm trying to get a few chapters done each weekend anyway, I'd rather be slow and do a good job than fast and sloppy. I do know what I am going to do with this story though, so here's a short chapter to tide you over until I can get more done.
Chapter 10 A Fox in the Henhouse
Reven sat at the table eating his breakfast when one of the boys who ran errands for the Inn came to his table.
"Sir?" the boy asked.
"Yes?" Reven said, then took the letter the boy held out to him. He tucked it into his shirt and finished his meal, waiting until he entered his room before pulling it out and breaking the seal.
He reread the letter, an invitation? He thought with confusion. It was for a party to be held at the palace, then he glanced at the signature again, Oh, he thought with a smile. Clever, it was more than he would have expected from the man.
It was Lord Jerrin's mistress, Lady Hestris. Now it made sense, though the thought of inviting a thief to a gathering of highborn wearing their best jewels made him smile. At least I can get a look at the possibilities he thought, though he knew he wouldn't be working for awhile, not until he got his chance against the slavers. At the thought of his new goal, he lost his smile.
He pulled out his packs, he was sure that Lord Jerrin wouldn't be expecting him to dress up to their level, and perhaps to some degree he was right. Reven wasn't interested in the height of Valdemaran fashion, but he did have good taste and access to far more possibilities in formal wear than was available here.
It was one of these possibilities that he pulled out of the pack, he shook the tunic out and it's wrinkles seemed to disappear by magic Reven grinned, it was one of the benefits to having contacts in the Empire. The tunic had been made with magic for this very thing.
It was a deep blue embroidered with silver thread, it's buttons down the front were a stone that appeared metallic, darker than the silver. The pants he pulled out next were a silver grey that shimmered in the light of the candles. Then the dark blue leather of his short boots and the deceptively simple silver chain he always wore with this outfit. A white undershirt and the earring with the a dark blue stone that glinted in the light.
The earring was actually more useful than not, it held a passive spell that would warn him of the lies of those he talked to. He didn't have to activate the magic himself, so the guardians of this place should leave him be. Especially if he kept himself tightly shielded.
In any case they would become fixated on the stone and not him, if it grew too annoying he could lose the thing after all, it was an easy thing to replace.
That evening he rode up to the palace and was admitted by the guard after they examined his invitation. A servant took his horse and he followed another servant to the room where the party was being held.
Reven paused at the door, he smiled slightly at the glittering gathering. Vanity was a profitable thing. He sighed as he noticed more of the type of clothing Lord Jerrin had been wearing. He closed his eyes for a moment in self defense before opening them to find the man he needed to find.
He picked up a glass of wine from a passing page and wandered the party in a seemingly random path, but one that allowed him to search for Lord Jerrin. He sipped very lightly, noticing with amusement that others were not quite so circumspect as he.
He stiffened slightly as he noticed a figure in white, a Herald he thought. What was the man doing here? He shook his head slightly, it was unlikely that this was a trap. His former patron knew the folly of that being that they were under bond.
There he was Reven thought with relief. Off to the side Reven stood with his Lady friend, Reven caught his eye and made his way slowly to where they stood.
"Interesting way to hold a meeting" he murmured as he stopped in front of Lord Jerrin, he nodded to his companion.
Jerrin smiled slightly "It got you here didn't it?"
He nodded and waited for the other to speak, the silence lengthened until Reven sighed "Alright I needed access and information here, and you are the only one I know who might help me."
Jerrin regarded him gravely "And what is it you need to know?"
"I have heard rumors of slavers" he noticed the other mans start. "I have found many times in my travels, that when something like that flourishes, there is usually someone in power behind it. I seek this person."
"Why" Jerrin asked, a wary look on his face.
"Let's just say I hate slavers, and those who support them" he said shortly.
Jerrin watched him intently, then nodded and relaxed. "Alright, I'll give you any information you may need.
"How much will it cost me?" Reven asked.
"Not a copper" Jerrin said quietly to Revens surprise.
"Why?" he asked.
"If you take out the slavers, Valdemar will be the better for it" he said, his tone more serious than Reven had ever heard it.
Reven nodded and shook on the deal, it was set. The rest of the party he sat back and enjoyed himself. It wasn't often he rubbed elbows with his potential marks.
