The Krakos: Book Two of The Legend of the Artificer

Chapter 19

Tibalt probably should have checked the contents of the letter. The day had passed fairly slowly after his unplanned heist, and it was only after Elmer transformed and the four of them decided to 'tour' the night life of the town that Anais made her move.

Tour, of course, here meant Grim and Angel taking advantage of hyper sensitive ears in their party. There was a lot you could learn from wandering around a night marketplace. Tibalt himself was preoccupied with an incredibly interesting conversation between two vendors about how they really hoped the Ultimas siblings wouldn't be coming through any time soon with their 'posse' when Anais struck.

"Hm. Red holkind," a familiar voice said from behind him and Tibalt went stiff. "Dressed like a wealthy commoner trying not to advertise the wealth, accompanied by a scarred cleric of the Faretti family."

Tibalt swallowed and turned to face the woman he had stared down not even hours before. Angel was busy munching on some sweet and didn't seem all that bothered by her piercing dark eyes.

She was out of her robes, dressed far more casually in pants tucked into boots and a shirt with an exposed corset. A cloak around her shoulders humming with magic, and a hood over her head. So, she wasn't supposed to be out here.

"Sorry, were you looking for me?" Tibalt asked lightly and took a bite of the freshly grilled meat skewer he'd bought.

"You don't see many clerics of Moshao," Anais said as she eyed Angel's monk-like robes and massive scythe.

"Not many pledge their allegiance to her," Angel replied and then tilted his head. "Can we help you with something?"

"Hopefully," Anais said dryly. "You two don't seem very shocked."

"We've had a lot of surprises today," Tibalt drawled and then tilted his head. "You don't seem shocked, either."

"Why would I be? You already snuck into my office," she said and drew out the opened envelope. "That was a lovely glamor, by the way. I couldn't even catch a glimpse of it."

Ah.

Well, fuck.

"Ah..."

"I must say, your clothing is better fitting this time," she commented and held out the letter. "But that was a masterful performance. If it weren't for my enhanced hearing, I would have never recognized you. You're quite noisy."

Oh. That was why, then. Tibalt slowly reached out to take the letter from her grasp and unfold it to scan over the contents.

High Mage Lumos ~

A little mouse told me you had a pest infestation. What a pity those pests can't actually recognize Chiis magic. What could they be hiding, I wonder? Don't worry, there's some exterminators here in the city. Why don't you find a dandy red holkind hiding his wealth, a pretty little enfield who's got a taste for money, a Moshao human cleric with a funny leg, and a bad-tempered brotherly human curse breaker?

~ A friend.

Seriously? That was it? She must be itching to get rid of these two siblings, damn. Tibalt folded the paper in half after Angel read over his shoulder and held it back out.

"I'm not sure I would call myself dandy," he drawled and she took it.

"Well, you do have an eye for style," she said as her eyes scanned over the revolvers on his hips. "Don't tell me that's enough to say I have the wrong party."

"You're better off approaching Grim. He's the party leader," Tibalt said and crossed his arms. "Do you need us?"

"I had my people look into you," she replied and tucked the letter back away. "A merchant with a history of being kicked out of guilds, two adventurers that were born to fame, and a holkind with absolutely no presence anywhere in this kingdom before this week."