The land of the Gods (Complete)

Chapter 3 - Thaleara

"Where did you get this ring?"

Tristyn's voice was low, dangerous. His eyes fluttered up to her face for a second before flying back to the ring on her finger. She clenched her jaw, mind churning as she debated telling him the truth.

She decided against it.

"It was in the shop I recently had a job at." Thaleara lifted her chin, decidedly ripping her wrist from Tristyn's grasp. His hands grasped as he searched for her wrist again, but she moved her hand behind her back and out of his reach. Her wrist was now stinging and Thaleara was positive shehad red marks where his fingers were.

Tristyn made eye contact with Thaleara. She almost moved back to get away from him; Tristyn's brown eyes were wild, desperate.

"I'll pay you for it. Anything, however much you want, I'll pay for it. But give me that ring. I need it. I-". Tristyn took a steadying breath and momentarily closed his eyes. "I have a client who really, really wants one of these rings."

Thaleara was about to threaten Tristyn herself. If he told anyone, anyone, about the ring and who had it, she was as good as dead, but she froze on the words 'I'll pay you for it. Anything.'

Anything.

However much she needed, he would pay it. Perhaps... even two hundred thousand gold. Would he pay that? Was he that desperate for it? Thaleara knew nothing of Tristyn's outside life apart from his found inheritance. She didn't know if he had family to protect, a Mrs he went back to. A home, a life outside of his little gig here.

Thaleara scrutinised him. His facial expression, the ravaged look in his eyes, the terror so clearly written across his face and decided.

Yes, he was desperate enough.

"Two hundred thousand gold."

Thaleara almost whispered it. That was her indenture, that was her debt. That was what she owed. That's what she needed. Finding money was easier said than done in this horrific city. There was no honest work left, there was no job that could give her the money like that. That was why she was in the guild. Why she was now a rat thief; scurrying about in the tunnels beneath the city, searching for every bit of coin she could find.

Tristyn let out a large exhale, the air catching in his throat halfway, and stammered quietly. "I don't- I don't have that. I can't give you that."

Thaleara barely registered the harsh disappointment that flashed through her and felt mouth pull back about to snarl out her previous threat.

"But! But- please wait." Tristyn seemed to sense her immediate flare of cruelty and butted in. "I can give you half. I can pay half of that, and then twice my normal rate for the objects you bring me."

Thaleara considered.a hundred thousand was significantly less than she'd asked for, but it was half her indenture paid. And if he was doing double rates. Even if he couldn't pay it, it still meant he was in debt to her. A favour she could call in at any time.

She looked back to Tristyn, scrutinising him. He shuffled under her gaze and his eyes darted around the room, avoiding her gaze. No matter who from, it was still a favour. It may come in handy.

"Done," she said to him.

Tristyn heard in a thankful breath and began to mutter his thanks, but Thaleara shushed him, sliding the ring off her finger and pressing it into his right palm.

"Your plates and dishes will be in the usual spot," she told him, holding out a hand expectantly.

He gave her a shaky smile, before pulling out a large coin bag and passing it to Thaleara. She considered its weight quickly. Tristyn spoke, watching her as he did so. "I'll have your money by the end of the month, just after the winter solstice. I have to withdraw it all from my vault in smaller amounts, but it'll be here."