Will you be alright?
Eloni, relax. I've been in taverns before, it's nothing I can't handle.
If there is a brawl, I want to hear nothing from you about how I didn't warn you.
It's only a few drunks.
Are you yet strong enough to face more than one opponent?
I raised you, didn't I? That counts as at least four.
She grinned as she heard the dragon snort across the telepathic link. Be safe.
I will. She assured him, stepping into the King's Bowl Tavern. The place wasn't nearly as squalid as some she'd been in, and there were a few instrumentalists playing in the corner playing an upbeat tune. The place was crowded, but not overly so, and had a warm, welcoming feel to it. The scent of ale and hot food filled her nostrils as she looked around, searching for Carver.
"Can I help yeh, miss?" asked the bar tender, a big man with a short, white beard.
She stepped forward. "Is there a man named Carver here?" she asked.
He jerked his head toward the side. "He's over there."
Linea looked in that direction and saw Carver by himself at a table, drinking out of a pewter mug. "Thank you."
The bartender grabbed her shoulder, not roughly, but still surprising. "You'd best be careful, miss. That man's gotten himself into a fair bit of trouble over the years. It wouldn't do to get mixed up with him."
She looked him over carefully. "I can handle myself, sir," she said slowly.
He backed off, holding a hand up in surrender. "Just a word o' warnin', miss, nothin' more."
She turned away from him, once again spotting Carver and heading over.
"Ah, she arrives." he said, a smile on his face as she sat down. "I'll take this as a good sign."
"So long as you don't make any wrong moves." she told him.
"Ah, no need to worry. I've brought many women here for that reason, but that's not why I brought you." he assured her. "You! A drink for my friend, please!"
"Ah, no." she said quickly, shaking her head at the barman. "I don't drink. It tends to have... negative effects on me."
"Suit yourself." he said, shrugging. "How old are you, anyway?"
She raised an eyebrow. "That's for me to know and you to find out."
He chuckled. "Fine, fine. Keep your secrets, I don't want them." He leaned forward then. "Right. Down to business. You say you're here hiding, correct?"
"For different reasons than you, I'm sure."
He smirked. "So you've figured out I'm a dirty criminal as well."
"Takes one to know one." she told him. "That, coupled with the fact that my friend the bar tender warned me not to get mixed up with the likes of you. It was a subtle hint."
"Subtle as a cow in a dress shop." he said dryly, taking another gulp of ale. "Does that make you trust me any less."
"On the contrary." she said casually. "I think you and I understand each other perfectly. So go on. Tell me why I'm here."
He smiled at her. "Well, since you seemed so trusting of me earlier in revealing your reason for being here, I decided that you could help me with something. You're a criminal, are you not?"
"Well, that depends." she said. "A criminal takes from the good and uses it for their own gain. I only committed crimes in the name of good."
"All well and noble, but did you get the job done?"
She smiled as Eloni chuckled across their link. "I'd say so, yes."
"Did you ever steal anything?"
"I'd say so, yes."
"Anything important?"
"Oh, so very, very important."
"Really?" he asked. "What?"
"I can't tell you."
He sighed. "Linea, I can't exactly judge your talents in thieving if you don't tell me of your prizes."
"Who said I was the one doing the stealing?" she asked, with a raised eyebrow.
He gave her a confused look. "But you said-"
"You asked if I'd stolen anything." she interrupted. "I have, but I was part of a larger group. I was the archer. I stood guard outside the door and shot whoever happened to interrupt our progress."
He looked disappointed. "So... you never actually took anything."
"What's the job, Carver?" she asked. "Don't doubt my abilities, I have ways of getting things done."
Linea, what are you getting yourself into? Eloni asked warningly.
I can handle this. It's what I did long before you were ever around.
Carver sighed. "Fine. There's this blade. It's a sword that resides in Murtagh's weaponry, and I've seen it used for show many times. However, I wish to obtain it for myself for reasons of my own. I've only been able to scout out the area, though, and I've found this task requires more than just myself."
"Where is this weaponry?" Linea asked, leaning back in her chair.
"Just outside of Murtagh's stronghold, on the edge of the city." he said. "It's used to house guards, mostly, when they're off duty. The weaponry has two men posted outside of it at all times, but they switch at nightfall, and then again at daybreak. Always the same, every day. Now, tell me. How will you manage that?"
"Simple." she said, shrugging. "We hire a thief."
"Hey, wait, we?" he asked as she stood to leave.
"You're the one who pulled me into this. Are there any extra rooms here?" she asked the bar tender.
"We've got one last openin'. How long?" he asked, leaning against the counter.
"Not sure. I'll just pay the daily fee." she told him.
"That's four crowns up front."
"Done." she said, putting the coins down. "I honestly don't see what you're getting so worked up about." she said, turning back to Carver. "I'll help far more than I hinder."
"So you're waltzing into my plans now? Just like that?" he asked.
"Why not?" she asked slyly. "Besides, admit it, you secretly want me to help you."
He smiled and shook his head. "Can I get another drink, please?"