X: Valet

(3) Okay, Valet, come with me (if earlier - 1)

"Hurray!"

This exclamation was so loud that he raised his eyebrows. It was lucky that Seth wasn't there.

"Don't make me regret it"

Hunter sounded as if he was already tired from our time together.

"You won't even notice me"

I assured him with a categorical wave of my hands. Hunter got up from his seat and left the kitchen. I hurried after him.

It was always dark in the docks – this place was under the bridge, near the water. It smelled bad – not only fish and slop, but also... murder and death. I myself have been here for only one reason – to resell the goods I found.

We had to put on capes – we didn't always wear them, only when we visited certain places or went to work. And the docks, as I said earlier, were one of the most ill-fated places in the city. Hunter got information there, because that's where all the snitches gathered.

At that moment, I was just praying that we wouldn't accidentally run into Barlow.

"Wait here for a second..."

I've already managed to get upset that I won't watch the "interrogation".

"I need to buy something"

And I was immediately delighted.

Hunter got lost between the half-collapsed parts of the bridge, and I decided to wander a little among the shops – very close so that Hunter could easily see me when he returned.

I came across a very frightening character – thin, exhausted and, frankly, he seemed completely insane. In the truest sense of the word. He was shaking over the rag where his goods were lying and muttering to himself.

I didn't want to get too close, but I caught sight of the bottle he was selling. I didn't know much about magic back then, but the shiny powder that was inside immediately came back to me – it was a huge rarity. Something incredibly useful. An ingredient that replaced any other. Adaptable to potions and spells. It was worth a fortune. And, as I said, it was almost never sold anywhere.

"How much?"

I asked, rooting out all my courage from the inside.

The stranger followed my finger and smiled.

The hope that he had no idea how valuable this thing was died immediately.

"Hundreds and hundreds of gold pieces"

I chuckled. Probably, if I had told Hunter about this, he would have definitely asked Seth for the right amount – Magic would definitely have needed this bottle. But for some reason I didn't want to tell them about it. I was eager to get this powder and keep it a secret.... And then wait for the right moment.

"Will you take it?"

I could tell by the look on this lunatic's face that he was mocking me. I don't know what in my appearance exposed a poor man.

"No"

The stranger laughed, and I began to wander around.

It was necessary to act as soon as possible – such goods did not linger for a long time. Although, it would seem that only a few people were engaged in magic in this city. The others probably just didn't want to give them such a huge advantage.

Uh... should I teach you how to steal? I don't think so... Let's just say that in such cases – when you want to take something right in front of someone else's nose – you need to create a distraction. The main thing is not to make it so obvious that after the item is missing, suspicion immediately falls on you.