Chapter 5: Speculation & Secrets
Jahari led the pair to a table at the back of the pavilion.
'We can talk here,' he said, 'however, I really don't know what possessed you to come back here of all places.
Leoric smiled and shrugged, 'what can I say, it's the closest place I ever had to a home,' he said leaning back in the chair with his hands behind his head, 'besides I really didn't have much of a choice.'
Jahari spied the Bonding Collar.
'I see you got baited, though, looking at you captor here I really don't see how you can complain.'
'Oh he doesn't…much,' Nadeshiko replied, 'but that entire aside, what can you tell us about the Jewel Moss thefts?'
Jahari poured out some water and offered them each a cup.
' Whomever they are, they're keeping most of their operation out in the Weave, while receiving orders from an individual playing the middle man here in town, who in turn is receiving his orders from someone else.' The Dreshi then mused, 'either that or he is pulling the strings and is good at avoiding suspicion.'
'This is all just speculation,' Leoric said.
'That is what a lot of investigation is,' Nadeshiko replied, 'and stop me if I'm wrong but if these people are not connected with the Thieves Guild, they have to be double careful, otherwise they would be killed or forcefully tithed for encroaching on their territory.'
Leoric toyed with his cup, 'yes that is how it works,' he said absently, 'one has to wonder what they want with so much of the stuff?'
The dry grass rustled as the Weaver shouldered his way through it, towards a pit dug deep in the sandy soil.
Within the pit was a large cauldron resting over a bed of white hot coal, kept as its constant temperatures by a pack of Coal Weebos that swarmed around it.
As the magi watched, another load of the sparkling moss was dumped into the pot and rapidly dissolved into thick ooze. This continued until the cauldron was in danger of overflowing, the lid was clamped into place. The cauldron was then hauled out of the pit while another took its place.
As the new cauldron was being lowered into place he thought to ask; 'how many does that make?'
A Dreshi with spiral scale pattern on the top of her head glanced at him.
'This will be the twentieth, Ardriss,' she replied as she absently slapped the clip board against her leg, 'why are you here, do we have new orders?'
'Yes Shazeen, I've received word that another shipment is due to leave Russet Frond soon,' he replied holding his hand out for the clipboard and began to leaf through the pages, 'there has also been a development regarding the Thieves Guild, as one of their Excise Men has been spotted in town.'
Shazeens' violet eyes widened, 'Is the Guild aware of us?'
'No, they seem to be searching for someone else,' He replied handing back the clipboard, 'Contact Ra'Zark in Kybarite Chapter and see if he can find out what they're up to.'
The afternoon sun cast dappled shadows over the wagon train as it traveled upon a path that ran along the shore of a shallow river winding its way through the Weave.
Their destination was a trading station on the Weave/Naroom boarder and Leoric and Nadeshiko had gotten permission from the wagon master to ride along.
The sun and the gentle motions of the Furok pulling the wagons threatened to lull them to sleep, and would have succeeded if not for the commotion in the grass, as a mushroom-like creature bourn aloft by large gas filled bladders at the ends of its four tendrils floated down from above.
'Balloon Weebo!' Leoric hollered as he scooped up Nadeshiko and threw her into a pile of moss and dove in after her as the dream creature swelled up and the exploded into a cloud of sleeping spores.
They had been able to take shelter in time, unlike many of the wagon train who fell victim to the spores and slumbered where they had fallen as groups of magi emerged from the thick growth, magining a hoard of Olem Fiends to subdue those still awake.
Their hideaway was also uncovered, and the pair soon found themselves joining the others in huddle between the wagons and the river as the footsteps of something huge shook the path.
'Just how are they going to move all of this produce with the wagons wreaked? Nadeshiko asked.
Leoric turned in the direction of the footsteps; 'I think we're going to find out,' he said grimly.