Elsewhere
The Barton estate was surrounded by a small village, mainly a farming community with some merchants who specialized in trades important to the Barton family, such as the blacksmith, the dressmakers and tailors, and the mill. A single inn operated out of the village, and it was there that Marquis Zechs met the last member of his crew.
Immediately, Zechs was concerned about the man Howard had dug up. His name was Alexander Mueller, and Zechs had a feeling the man would prove to be unpredictable. According to Howard, Alex's specialities included close combat, surprise attacks, and sneaking around. But watching him down a mug of ale in two gulps left much to be desired.
When Alex rose to get another mug, Zechs leaned across the table to Howard.
"Are you sure about this man?" he asked. Howard nodded.
"He comes well-recommended," Howard said.
"By whom, dare I ask?" Zechs asked. Howard grinned.
"You don't want to know."
Zechs gave Howard a level stare, but leaned back into his seat and took up his own goblet of mead. He glanced around the inn.
"Where is Noin?"
Howard shrugged his shoulders.
"Still up in the ladies' room, I expect."
Zechs took another drink of mead, then saw Noin appear at the bottom of the steps. Once again, she was dressed in men's clothes, yet somehow, it made her seem more appealing. Her breeches hugged her hips and waist in a way that no women's clothing could do. Zechs felt a blush creep up his neck and spread to his cheeks, and it took every fiber of willpower to pull his gaze away from her and back to his goblet. Howard, on the other hand, made no effort to hide his approval of her chosen outfit.
Noin joined them and leaned her forearms against the table. Zechs noticed her slim fingers, likely deft and quick, if she truly was the expert lock-pick that Howard had claimed her to be. Noin glanced at him and flashed him a smile.
"Care to bring the lady a drink?" she asked him. Zechs' eyebrows rose quickly, and without a word, he rose from the table and stumbled over a chair, heading towards the counter. Alex was there still, flirting with a barmaid. Zechs waved her over, and the young woman approached him reluctantly, her eyes still on Alex and his sandy blond hair.
"A mead, please," Zechs said. The woman nodded and turned away, though Zechs watched her throw a glance or two over her shoulder at Alex. Could the man really be that alluring? Zechs shifted down towards Alex and rested a hand on his shoulder.
"I take it Howard has briefed you on the plan," Zechs said. Alex nodded, still drinking from his mug of ale. "And you think you can handle it?"
"Course I can," Alex said. He finished his ale in a large gulp and wiped his face with his sleeve. Zechs schooled his face to avoid a disgusted expression. "I'm just doing it for my share." Zechs pressed his lips together in a line and wondered what Howard had promised the man. The barmaid appeared before Zechs with the goblet of mead. He took it and handed over a coin as payment. The woman slipped it into the bosom of her dress, winking once at Zechs. He swallowed hard and turned away, content to leave the barmaid to Alex's attentions.
Zechs returned to the table and set the goblet down before Noin. She thanked him and took a long drink. Zechs watched her, until he realized he was staring at her. He looked away and saw that Howard was grinning at him. Zechs looked down into his mead and saw his own, foolish reflection staring back at him.