When Marcel stepped into the drinking establishment called “Raving Ridel” it was like he entered a totally different world.

The brisk warm afternoon sunlight was suddenly replaced with darkness. The smell of ale and tobacco hung heavy in the air, only occasionally parting ways for the aroma of roasted meat and other foods.

Calling the tavern dimly lit was an understatement, the few dozen candles strewn around the restaurant sized bar were barely enough to illuminate the tables, let alone the establishment around them. While Marcel made his way up towards the bar he stumbled twice, knocked over two mugs of beer and a surprisingly small woman.

He slid onto one of the free spaces around the bar and waited for the barkeepers attention. While he stood there he contemplated how much of the ale smell came from ale that was still in its glasses, and how much from the ale that had left its captivity. And then also how much of it was from the ale his clothes had absorbed on his passage to the bar. Then he thought if there was anyway to get his clothes clean again.

“What can I do for you lad?” The barkeeper interrupted Marcel’s train of thought.

“I’m looking for information.” Marcel’s voice sounded weak as he hoped he wasn’t sounding idiotic.

“Information?” The man raised his eyebrows. “Well maybe I can help you with that. It depends…”

Marcel knew what was being played and pushed a copper piece over the counter. “Would that help?”

The barkeeper looked at it, and looked back towards Marcel in puzzlement. In reply to that Marcel pushed another piece of copper over the counter. He was hit with the same look.

“Well how much do you want?” He asked, rolling his eyes. Greedy innkeeper.

“Lad you didn’t even order something yet.” The man’s voice sounded utterly confused. “But for two coppers I could get you a nice Tunton Wine.”

“What? No. I want information. Can you help me with that?”

“Well again, it depends.”

“Lets not go through this again please.” Marcel sighed.

“But it does. Need to tell me what this is even about lad. Ale and wine? I’ve got you with all the information you need. Huntin, metalwork or tiny miniature duck statues? Not really my mug of ale.”

“Ohh,” Marcel realized the man had been literal when he had said it depends. Maybe he had played a little too many RPGs in his former life. “Well I want to find somebody. Or at least find out something about him.”

The man nodded. “Well who are we talking about? You see the guy around here?”

Marcel didn’t even turn to look around. He doubted the man would spend his time here. “No.”

“Hmm, what kind of guy is it then?”

“Well,” Marcel thought for a moment. “He could be aristocratic. Or has something to do with them I think.”

“One of those eh? Not really my strong suit, don’t follow the politics much if you get me lad. More of a monarchy kind of guy, you know? One strong hand keeps the thieving ones in check. Especially the ones from north of the border. Damn barbarians will steal all of our horses, but you know what’s even worse? I…”

“Aristocracy.” Marcel interrupted. “Know anyone who could help me with that?”

“Hmm? Oh yeah sure. See the guy in the back?” In fact Marcel couldn’t even see people sitting two places away, but he nodded. “He’s kind of dealing in those secrets and nobility things. Might be able to help you.”

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“Alright thanks.”

“So don’t want anything to drink?”

Marcel shook his head. “No I’m good.”

The barkeeper shrugged and turned away, moving to the next customer. Marcel wanted to pocket his coins, but found them gone. He looked to his left and to his right, but in this darkness pretty much anyone could’ve taken them. He cursed but let the matter rest. Hopefully it would get someone one of those nice Tunton wines.

After sitting down at three wrong tables, and awkwardly interrupting two conversations, Marcel finally found the right man. He had short black hair, was cleanly shaven. That was about all that was distinct about the man’s face. The rest of his features just kind of blurred into the sort of common everyday face you didn't think twice about.

After chatting with him a little Marcel found the man quite amiable, and they got along great. His name was Trider apparently and he had a great fable for betting, wine, and as it turned out miniature ducks.

After what felt like an apporpiate amount of small talk, Marcel got to the point though.

“I’m looking for information on some aristocrate family. They have the signal of a sun with a fish underneath.”

He said reciting the symbol he had seen on the guards' uniforms. He figured it was as good a place to start as any.

“House Mungol?”

“Might be.” Marcel shrugged.”I’m really not from here so I don’t know much about these things.”

“Well what would you like to know then? We have the basic newcomer package, which would get you a basic rundown on the history of the house, their political orientation and main residency. That would be five copper. If you’re looking for something more specific, well, things could get a little more expensive depending on what you want.”

Marcel thought for a second. The newcomer package didn’t sound too bad. After lightening his purse and listening intently for ten minutes, Marcel had gotten himself some basic knowledge of House Mungol. Trider was even nice enough to give him a little map of the city, a short list with the most important bullet points, and even a small magnet with the city's insignia along with that for free. Marcel loved goodies. Like any sensible person.

Unfortunately it still didn’t quite answer his questions.

“Well how much would be a special information packet about enemies of the house, more specifically let’s say, people their guards are looking for at the moment?”

“That,” Triders face turned sour. “Sadly isn’t an information we can get our hands on.”

A little disappointed, but not minding too much, Marcel got up to leave.

“But wait. What we could get you is some of the more inner gossip about their most recent dealings. Might not get you an exact list like you want, but could give you a hint.”

“I suppose that would be a decent start. How much?”

“10 silvers.”

It took some effort to not keep his eyes from bulging out. “10 silvers? That’s almost two months of cleaning stables.”

“A weird way of phrasing, but yes. Such information doesn’t come cheap.”

“Well I’m sorry but I don’t have that sort of money.” And since he wasn’t intend to go back to stable work, Marcel wasn’t sure if and when he would have it.

“There is another way for you to pay…” Trider suggested.

Marcel slid a few inches back and raised his hands. “Oh no. I’m not doing that. Thank you.”

“What?”

“I know I said I want the information, but not for these things.”

Trider laughed. “No, I think you misunderstood me. You are quite handsome yourself, don’t get me wrong, but I prefer blonde types. What I was talking about though, is a little contract for you.”

“A contract?”

“Oh, just a simple delivery mission. I have a scroll that needs to make its way to a certain person at a certain place at a certain time.”

Marcel thought for a second. There was no doubt in his mind that at least some part of the mission would be shady, or even bordering on illegal. But he didn’t have the ten silvers and no intention to continue cleaning stables for two months for that money.

Besides, he had spent a summer back when he went to high school carrying mail to polish up his allowance a little. How hard could delivering a scroll be?