Walking at a relaxed pace in the general direction of Malaki's Morgana leisurely wandered throughout the crowds of busy shoppers leaving only missing valuables in her wake, it was a busy day and busy people didn't notice things until it was far too late, including thieves.
Cheerfully grinning Morgana continued towards the slums when all of a sudden her eyes widened in surprise and she stopped in front of a small and dusty book shop.
There was nothing remarkable about the book shop on the outside, it was looked cramped and seemed to be tended by an elderly man, however if one was to look very closely they might just noticed the small cherry blossom motif painted on the corner of the stores name “Queen’s Books”.
Morgana smiled and rolled her eyes, of course she was well aware that her spies had placed several venues throughout several countries to gain information but she had been unaware of their exact location.
Smiling in nostalgia Morgana went into the bookshop, hearing the tinkling of the bell the old shopkeeper looked up in alarm, seeing how it was only a young girl the man relaxed and gave a kindly smile. “What can I do for you young miss?”
Morgana smiled as she noticed the purposeful way in which the old man coveted his hands with a thin binding “You can show me your hand.” The old man froze but held out the bandaged palm nonetheless.
“As you wish little miss, though I don't know why you would need to see my hand?” Morgana continued to smile pleasantly.
“Show me your bare hand.” The man looked in shock as he unwilling unwrapped the binding and showed her his hand, the hand with a glowing red rune on it. The man paled, “As I suspected,” drawled Morgana “you're someone who went against the queen of thieves and are now stuck working for her due to an obedience rune.”
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The man's face sharpened as he lost his nervous persona and kept his voice even “That's correct young miss, they caught me trying to steal from the queen so I ended up with this.” The man held up his palm before looking back down at Morgana, eyes narrowed.
“The real question here is why you know about this, and more importantly why the rune responded to you when it's only meant to respond to those higher up in Queens command.”
The man knelt down his head bowed in respect as his tone turned formal “Mind telling me who I am currently addressing young mistress?”
Morgana laughed aloud “Oh I like you. It's nice seeing one with the common sense to kneel!” Morgana let a shark's grin slip “I am the one known as the carrier of the Queen of thieves.” The man's face trembled with all too real fear “I apologise for any insubordination on my behalf my lady.”
Morgana let a light smile touch her lips “It's fine, if I'd wanted you dead I would have done it already,” The man stiffened “but that's not what I'm here for. My lady, the Queen, has requested that I gather information on the city of thieves and it's new leader.”
The man nodded “Of course my lady, after her majesty left no one has yet to claim the title, though some have tried, the current leader of the thieves is a young man named Lamorak who despite being in charge claims he still holds allegiance to the queen.”
Morgana grinned this was not unexpected, Lamorak was another slum dweller she had picked up who had later sworn loyalty to her. Although the city of thieves was useless to her at current times it would certainly help things if she was still in charge later.
Looking back at the old man Morgana smiled sweetly, “Thank you for your help. Forget me and our entire conversation.” watching the old man's temporary confusion as the rune on his hand lit up once more made Morgana let out a small grin as she left the shop not looking back, having a useful supplier of information always made things easier, especially when they couldn't remember you.
Still smiling Morgana continued on into the slums until she finally reached Malaki's Base of operations. Knocking on the door Morgana smiled as she recognised the man from last time who let her straight through to the boss face paled at her arrival. Walking into Malaki's office Morgana paid no heed to his shocked face as she smiled “I need you to forge some documents for me.