45 Rusty Nail (2/2)
While the street they watched wasn't a major thoroughfare, enough traffic passed through to make it a viable location for setting up shop. Especially one that sold trinkets and exotic items like the store they currently observed. The patrons came from every section of society. Sailors on furlough, citizens passing by, travellers taking a break on land, there was something to cater to all their needs. From small stone sculptures carved by the Volha Monks in their monasteries along the Ridge, to intricately designed silver jewellery formed by the magic of Teristani shamans.
The setting sun bathed Konstanz in a deep orange glow, a flash of light in the distance resolving into the Eye of the Great Dragon. Nikolai's testing of the spell continued, handled by Jarek these days. Nikolai claimed it was to give his apprentice experience, but Elya just thought he wanted to avoid the boring repetition required for testing. At least his description of the process sounded boring to her.
A twisted shadow flickered at the edge of her vision. She turned quickly and caught sight of a handsome middle-aged man in a mottled brown robe sweep into the shop, his dark hair streaked with solid grey. Elya gasped as the pendant on resting against her skin heated up. Fumbling the crystal hanging from a simple silver chain out of her shirt, she bit her lip at the ominous crimson light flickering in its depths. This was enough to confirm her suspicions. Whoever was behind this had ordered the assassination.
”What is that?” Alexis stared wide eyed at the magical pendant.
”It's a Flash Pendant. It's supposed to light up if there are signs of Dark Magic or Demonic creatures.”
Realisation dawned on Alexis' face and she tossed a few copper coins onto the table, probably more than five times the value of the terrible ale they'd consumed, even at the inflated prices of the Rusty Nail. They moved to stand but the scowling innkeeper rushed over and barred their way.
”Move aside.” Alexis yanked out her dagger and waved it threateningly, ignoring the suspicious glares of the inns customers.
”Now there's no need to do that Milady.” Elya gaped at the innkeepers cultured voice, all traces of the accent gone. If she hadn't heard him before. she'd swear the man came from one of the Houses in the capital. He held his hands out, palms visible to signal peaceful intent.The other customers seemed disappointed at the gesture. They would have hoped for a fight.
Lifting his eye-patch to show a perfectly healthy eye, the man grinned and slowly pulled a small roll of paper from the inside of the cloth, tossing it onto the table with a flick of his wrist. ”Please give my regards to the Count and pass this to him. I would have used the regular route, but your presence means that things have escalated and wasting time following procedure may be disastrous.”
”Who are you?” Elya whispered, keeping her voice as low as the innkeepers. ”And how did you recognise us?”
”While your attire is appropriate, you smell of soaps and perfumes, not the sea.” The man explained, fixing his eye-patch in place once more. ”The accents were acceptable, but weak. They don't match your appearance at all. Even under all that dirt you still look like Nobles. It may fool the local rabble, but anyone paying attention would double check after spotting so many inconsistencies.”
”I thought the accent was fine.” Alexis mumbled and Elya hushed her.
”Who are you?”
”I can't tell you if you don't already know Milady. My sincere apologies. You should leave before people become suspicious.” His demeanour returned to that of a sloppy innkeeper, glaring at them and waving a clenched fist ferociously. ”Git woman! If ya don't have decent coin don't ya dare to show yer face again.”
”You don't deserve even this much for this sorta swill.” Elya rasped. Even though she was surprised, she managed to come up with a response and snatched up a few coins along with the paper from their table. The innkeeper winked at them in approval, hurling insults as they left.
Scurrying back to their office in the guards quarters Elya pulled out the paper, showing Alexis the seal emblazoned on it.
”He's an agent of the Ministry of the Interior?” Alexis looked dumbfounded. Who would have expected the Ministry to have an agent disguised as a shabby innkeeper in one of the worst parts of town?
With trembling fingers Elya broke the seal and unfurled the note. It was probably intended for Nikolai's eyes alone, but in this situation she believed she had every right to see what was on it.
[Signs of 2nd Vilinian M. Corps Confirmed.
Motive: Vengeance/Reconquest.
Stardust funds for possible counterattack.
Caution and immediate action advised.
Z.A.]
”The 2nd Magical Corps was at Galicia right?” Alexis belatedly leaned out of the room to check if anyone was nearby. In their excitement and fear, they'd forgotten to take such a simple precaution.
”I didn't think any of them survived.”
”This is bad.”
That was an understatement.