Thieves' Honor

Dungeon Crawlers

Nexus led the wealthy guest down to the Oddities downstairs. It was too early in the afternoon to talk upstairs. He carefully dusted the spiderwebs in his path so his guest wouldn't run into them. Venus cleared off the cellar room table and placed a tray with a pitcher of sweet tea and small tea cookies.

"Thank you for your generosity." The man said. He sat on one of the creaky chairs. He wasn't sure if the chair could hold him with how much the wood whined under his pressure.

Nex sat in front of him, "So what is it that you need?" He poured himself some tea as well as some for his guest.

"Your thieves.".

"Which one? Eek is free. She's hard to control and can't do hard jobs but she'll trade you what she steals for something shiny. Though I doubt a man of your status would have to pay so cheap.". He couldn't help glancing at the fourtism armor under the wide cut neckline of the elf's mage's gown.

"The Meadows siblings.". He took out a newsprint and flipped it to the second page. After the story of heroism about a golden knight saving the King of Wulfden was the masked thief blamed for the destruction and missing things in the servant's quarters. Including the missing money in the payment to assassinate the king but an overestimated sum from the one coin he gave him.

"Well the price will range depending on the danger and they don't steal from other criminals.".

"I would like to contact them personally.".

"I could call Cacey in. It's a bit early for a nocturnal man." Nex took a sip of his tea. "Might have to wait for the golden hour.".

Narcis let out a passive sigh and dropped a few gold coins in front of Nex. "Would this help you?".

The gentleman nodded. "I'll wake him up. Give me a moment." He stepped aside to go contact his thief privately. Venus sat in his place to keep the seat warm.

"Like the tea?" She excitedly asked.

"It's good. Thank you again.". He lifted the teacup to his mouth. If anything at all he wetted his tongue with only a drop. The smell was sugary like a dessert; he could enjoy that.

"My husband is very picky. He doesn't eat much. So I'm glad you like it.".

"That's nice.".

"The cookies are fresh too.".

She eagerly watched him. Narcis took the hint. He hesitantly took one and put it to his lips. He couldn't fake it so he took a bite. It was crunchy and buttery like one of those cookies out of a grandma's sewing tin.

"You treat your guests very nicely." He complimented as he finished the rest of the cookie.

"I try!".

Nex rejoined beside Venus, "It'll be just a second, sir.".

Cacey tumbled out of a portal, sleepy eyed, uncombed hair and all. He looked like he washed up on a beach. Desperate for caffeination he took Narcis' glass.

"Careful it's-" Nex stuttered.

Cacey choked. His tongue sizzled like a slab of meat on a hot grill. He spat the tea back in the cup and slammed the cup down.

"Sweet tea!" Venus finished, "I'll get you some water!".

Cacey held his hand over his mouth. It was burning like fire got on his tongue with the stinging of potent capsaicin. The only thing that touched his mouth was sickly sweet tea.

"Nice to see you again." Narcis greeted. "Are you ok?" His tone was uncertain.

Cacey nodded. He pulled his mask off to breathe better. Since it was skintight it also put pressure on his teeth. He tried not to use his tongue as he talked. "I can't have sweet things. Or sour. Or spicy. Sugar is the one that really hurts.".