The Stolen Crown

Chapter 14: A Bribe at the Door

The sun was in the process of its late fall, as the days grew darker and shorter with each one that slipped away. Its rays fell short, no longer reaching into the alleys and streets with the warmth of its gentle touch, but rather, giving way to the night. Most had already fled with hurried steps, as their bundled selves rushed to warmth and shelter. Though, in the encroach of the dark and the bitter cold, there were a few who still remained in the streets.

"Hurry up men," Andreas ordered, waiting in the threshold of a splintered door for those who followed him to enter. "Get in and go deal with the ones we need to. Get it done fast and we will get to have a calm night. No need for anyone to wait outside the door tonight. Cold tends to keep trouble away. So, you can thank God for the cold and maybe even some mist in a little. Now, focus on those we already have. And bring me some wine."

One after another, the armed guards crossed through the threshold and quickly vanished within the structure of stone that held the criminals of the city. Though, as the last one entered and Andreas pulled the door shut, a figure moved over the desolate streets, as the objective of her sight beckoned her forward.

Barely had Andreas taken a seat and released a loud yawn, before a series of knocks called for his attention. With a grumble and a sigh, he turned his eyes back to the door, though he did not move to answer, remaining seated with still limbs and a look of annoyance. The one who knocked, did so again, the call of their knuckles echoing loudly. With a twitch that pulled his eye and forced wrinkles to grow, he advanced back towards the door.

"Who are you?" Andreas demanded, throwing the flap to the door open, and the faint remnants of his joy vanished with a heavy sigh. "Other than my problem?"

"Open this door for me, now," the cloaked woman at the door ordered.

"Under whose authority, love?" Andreas asked with a laugh.

In silence, she held up a purse towards the flap and shook it until it jingled. The metal held within its place by the leather, strained the straps in a tantalizing dance, as the beholder was left to imagine its contents.

"Under this authority."

Andreas' eyes grew wide and his eyebrows high, as he watched and listened to the sound. Finally, though, with a scoff and laugh rolled together, he slapped the flap to the door closed and left the woman to the solitude of her wealth.

There she stood like a statue holding the purse of coins, though not for long.

The sound of metal and timber clacked and banged against one another, as the teeth of the door let loose and swung open. The touch of warmth left through the opening, and the light that had been kept within was set free, save for the figure that guarded it.

"Coin," Andreas demand, holding his hand out. "And that way I will care."

"When I get what I want," she replied, throwing her eyes up and revealing her beauty to the man before her, though it did little to reveal her identity as the Queen's friend. "Then and only then can you have this."

"Which would be?" Andreas asked with a grumble, his eyes following the metal, although he was quickly made to walk with a lit candle.

"I'm looking for someone," Helene said to Andreas, as they marched down the hall. "Someone who would be skilled in criminal activities."

"You're both in the right and wrong place," he replied with a loud laugh that echoed down the dark halls. "This has criminals, but they all got caught. Don't know how good they will be to you."

"And would you know where to find better ones then?" Helene asked, her tone stoic and calm.

I mean..." Andreas said, his smile slowly vanishing, as the rendition of his own joy was stripped away and replaced by a stoic expression. "If I knew, they would be here. Sitting in a cell. Waiting to be branded like the rest of them. But, I don't know for certain. You could try the taverns and inns, but they would probably cheat you out of that heavy purse of yours. Better that you stay here. Better if you let me carry it."

Helene seemed undeterred by his words, as her pace did not falter, and she continued to move through the structure. "Then who here are worth taking?"

"Depends what you have in mind," Andreas replied. "I doubt you want any of the men who have failed to pay their debts. Not much they can do... besides spend what isn't theirs. Got a few who assaulted a woman, if that's your thing, but they will soon be made useless in that department." He explained, holding two fingers up and moving them like scissors. "Got some who were drunk and heretics. And another that did some crimes with a knife."

"Do you know of any who can work with locks?" Helene asked, turning her eyes into a cell, only to quickly pull back and cover her mouth. "And any who are not so... rotten."

Andreas turned his eyes up and down the hall, his expression showing one consumed by thoughts. With a slow nod he turned his gaze down beyond any sight. "You're in luck. Caught two beggars just the other day."

Helene's feet fell still, as she stood in the hall and the light of the candle fell a few steps away. "I asked you if you had anyone who knew locks. I didn't ask you for a beggar."

"Come on," Andreas said, waving at her to follow, while doing little to slow his limping gait. "You didn't let me finish. You see, these two beggars were caught after they got into a brawl."

"What did they get into a brawl over?" Helene asked.

"The hell do I know?" Andreas asked back with a laugh. "I just caught them fighting. And like any beggar I come across, I put them in the pillory for a day and a night and then kick them out of the city. Like we're supposed to. Well, my wife, a bit like you, tells me I should be nice to them, seeing how it's almost the day of Christ's birth and all. So, being a good husband and not wanting to get on her bad side, I do as she wants and leave early to set them free. But, guess what?"

"What?" Helene questioned, playing along, the hint of sarcasm on her lips.

"The beggars were in the middle of escaping," Andreas continued, shaking his head. "And I don't mean trying to escape. Like so many fools, shaking back and forth, or trying to use strength they don't have to move the timber. Or having some other fool come over and help them. I mean, one of them was out of his punishment. He had actually gotten himself free of his bonds. I almost didn't believe it myself, would have sworn it was someone else who had set him free, but no it was him alone. And I am sure that if I had arrived a moment later, he would have set the other one free."

"Sounds like I should thank your wife then," Helene said with a smile. "Weren't for her, they might have gotten away. Might not have my man."

"Well, anyway, after I caught them, I knew that they were more than just your typical beggars passing through the city." Andreas continued, seeming to ignore her words. "I figured anyone who could escape from the pillory, was someone worth taking a closer look at. Haven't had the chance to get to them yet, too many other 'visitors' who need attention first. So that's why they are still beggars. Want to get a look at them before my men do?"

"Show me to them," Helene ordered.