The Hellion's Court

Chapter 2: The Truth about the Notes

Clooney examined the bank slip, turning it over in his hands. Even he was taken aback by it, whistling as he handed it back to Orius. He slipped it back into his pocket. It was only himself and Clooney sitting above the Den's tavern, in the council chambers. Orius had asked him to meet him here.

"No doubt about it," Clooney nodded, "that's the emperor's seal."

"What do I even do with it?" Orius asked.

"It's essentially a blank cheque." Clooney explained, "Though, I wouldn't go and empty the emperor's funds here. He'll come for your head before that gets approved. I wouldn't try to take more than you need. Also you'll have to take this to the embassy, they'll handle the money through the bank afterwards."

"That's a relief." Orius said, "I'm sure the guards at the bank would love to see me stroll right in."

"Right, at least you'll be safe at the embassy." Clooney nodded, "Unless, of course, you're wanted by the emperor, too?"

"Not that I'm aware." Orius said.

"Either way," He shrugged, "this means the emperor needs your help."

"Interesting," Orius said, picturing Imara's simple note in his mind, "I never though I would be helping the emperor. Imara, too, for that matter. She hated the emperor."

"You did say she was in debt to him." Clooney said.

"Her whole clan, yeah." Orius nodded.

"So, I guess what you need to ask yourself is," Clooney put his hands together in front of him on the table, "what kind of trip are you going to plan?"

"How do you mean?"

"The emperor has asked for your help, Thief-King." Clooney smirked, "Will the King bring his army to aid? What resources and power will you bring to help you with whatever task the great emperor might ask of you?"

"Do you think it's that serious?" Orius gaped.

"I do." He nodded, "The emperor has never been known to ask for help lightly."

"Do you think it has to do with how I set Tephim free?" Orius asked.

"That's probable." Clooney nodded, thinking on it, "I don't know if it could be anything else, actually."

"Misha will want to come, I think." Orius said, thinking out loud, "I'll send a letter to Quintir and ask him to regroup with us when he can."

"Looks like your old group is getting back together." Clooney smiled.

"Actually..." Orius started, "Would you like to come?"

"Me?" he cocked his head at the question.

"Yes. You, and Rinnel." Orius said, "I'm not sure when or if Quintir and Imara can properly regroup with us. Why don't you two come along as well? Are you up for an adventure?"

"You're serious, aren't you?" Clooney grinned, "Of course, buddy!" he clapped Orius on the shoulder.

"Perfect." He smiled, "You go tell Rinnel, I'll head to the embassy."

"You still know the way?" Clooney asked.

"If it hasn't changed, yes." Orius nodded, getting to his feet.

Clooney laughed and clapped his hands together. While Clooney and Rinnel were who he was closest to in the Den, he hadn't really considered them friends before returning. They always had, but they were never people he could truly trust. That's just how the business was. Rules or not, thieves were thieves, and what happened on missions were only for them to know. That said, he'd never been wronged by them before, and now he found himself wishing he could be better friends with them.