Chapter 61: Lenore II

Leo’s head snapped towards Lenore, shoulders immediately tensing. “What’re you—”

“Relax.” The woman cut him off. She exhaled another puff of her pipe, an eyebrow raised in amusement. “Spade told me everything. No need to get worked up.”

The [Fragmentholder]’s jaw clenched, the words doing nothing to appease him. Lenore seemed to anticipate his response, because she chuckled lowly.

“Don’t worry, I hardly care. I’ve no need for fragments. I’m quite happy with the little empire I’ve already built.”

“Doesn’t mean I like you knowing about it,” Leo muttered. Lenore sighed and shook her head.

“Come now, it’s not everyday an old fling comes back from the dead. Of course I was going to get as much information as I could.” She twirled the pipe around her fingers, the smoke circling around with the smooth, practiced motion. “Now, do you want to hear about the fragment or not?”

Hazel eyes narrowed. “Depends. Are you gonna charge me more if I say yes?”

“No additional fee. Consider it part of our crest deal.”

Leo bit his lip. On one hand, this would effectively lock him into a 50% cut without much room left for negotiation. But at the same time, considering how huge Alnwick was and the strict guard presence, this could very well be his only chance to learn more about a fragment here.

If he walked away from the city knowing there might’ve been a fragment that he’d let go, he’d never stop regretting it.

“Fine,” the former [Thief] conceded. “Where is it?”

In response, Lenore reached over to the dresser and opened the bottom drawer. From where Leo sat, he could make out stacks of papers and files carefully organized between dividers.

The woman navigated the files easily, pulling out a card and shutting the drawer again. She tossed the card onto the table and it slid to a stop beside the serpent-shaped incense burner.

Leo leaned over and squinted down at it. The card was made of thick, creamy paper that was undeniably expensive, and golden embossed letters looped across its surface.

Annual Masquerade, he read. The smaller inked words below it contained more information, including a date and a location that he didn’t recognize. It was clearly an invitation to a ball. A very expensive one too, if the invitation card was any indication.

“A masquerade?” he said, voice dubious. Lenore took another puff of her pipe.

“It’s the most famous ball in Alnwick,” the woman explained. “Quite exclusive. You’ll only find the wealthiest there, or those with power and connections,” she added with a smile. She belonged to the second half, her tone implied.

“What’s that have to do with the fragment?”

“Patience, I’m getting there.” Lenore adjusted her position, leaning closer.

“The masquerade is only the first half of the event,” she continued smoothly. “After the ball is over, there’s an even more exclusive auction.”

Leo sat up straighter, sensing where this was going. Lenore smiled.

“I have it on good authority that one of the items being auctioned this year contains a concealed fragment.”

Leo’s eyes darted back down to the invitation, mind churning. A fragment hidden in the auction? It was difficult to believe.

But at the same time, if someone wanted to try selling a fragment without getting caught, this would be the place to do it. The guards were always more lax around wealthy functions like this, and an auction of this caliber would have plenty of other rare items to disguise its presence.

He frowned. “Concealed,” he repeated. “You don’t know which item?”

“Unfortunately not. Only a few do. They can’t exactly advertise it to the general public. I’d wager most guests aren’t even aware of the fragment’s presence.”

“Would someone really just sell one?” Leo muttered. An image of the destroyed village flashed in his mind again, of Clearside and the Hounds mulling about its streets. So many were willing to kill for a fragment, and here someone was willingly handing one over for money.

“Plenty of people are perfectly happy with their place in the world.” Lenore cocked her head. “Becoming the system administrator would be quite the burden, you know. Lots of us would rather live peaceful, comfortable lives without having to worry about the responsibility.”

The woman’s expression was unreadable as she spoke. Leo stared down at the invitation card again.

“…Why’re you telling me this?” Even if Lenore didn’t want the fragment, she could easily buy it and resell it herself for an even higher price.

“A favor to Spade,” Lenore replied. “That, and an exchange.”

That got Leo’s attention.

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“For what?”

In response, the woman rose from the bed, silk robe trailing behind her as she stepped across the room. Leo watched her movements warily, but her shoulders remained lax and casual.

“I can get the three of you into the auction if you agree to bring me an item I want.” She stopped walking and turned to face Leo. “I can’t go myself, you see. I’m too recognizable, and I’ve made enough enemies that I’d rather not risk it.”

“What’s the item?”

Lenore nodded at the wall. She stood in front of one of the many paintings Leo had noticed hanging around the room earlier. She touched the frame with her free hand, the other one still holding onto her pipe.

“A painting,” she said simply.

Leo blinked; he certainly hadn’t been expecting that. Lenore laughed.

“Surprised? What can I say, I’m a collector.” She shook her head and sighed. “I suppose I just can’t let go of my Ellisean roots.”

She was from Ellis, then. That would explain the sea serpent incense burner. It was a very Ellisean symbol, and the country was indeed famed for its arts.

“The painting,” Lenore continued, “is another piece by this same artist.” She nodded at the one she stood in front of. “It’s extremely valuable.”

“Who’s the painter?” Leo couldn’t help but ask, curious. The woman’s smile sharpened.

“That’s the interesting part; no one knows who their identity is. The current theory is that these works are done by a famous artist under a pseudonym.” A mocking edge entered her tone, and Leo studied her closely.

“…I’m guessing you don’t think so.”

Lenore clicked her tongue and stepped back over to the canopy bed, plopping down on it. “The auctioneers don’t understand art.” She took another long drag of her pipe, blowing out a perfect circle of smoke.

“I’m fairly certain I know who the painter is, and if I’m right, those paintings are worth far more than any of those fools could imagine.”

She chuckled lowly. “It’s certainly worth more than its going rate. And that brings me to you.” Lenore nodded at Leo. “I’ll get you three into the auction as long as you bring me that painting. I’ll even provide you the money for it, but of course you’ll be in charge of finding and bidding for the fragment yourself.”

Leo frowned, running over the offer in his head. “And the crests?”

“I’ll sell them for you for 50% of the profit.”

He bit his lip. Buying the painting wouldn’t be difficult, especially if Lenore was providing the funds. They’d have to use their own money for whatever piece held the fragment, though, provided they were able to find it in the first place.

Still, the more he thought about it, the more inclined he was to agree with the deal. Considering how high profile the masquerade and auction seemed to be, he doubted they’d be able to get in themselves, and it was true that 50% of the sale from the crests would still be a considerable amount.

“…Fine,” Leo said. “On one condition.”

Lenore raised an eyebrow, waiting. The [Fragmentholder] swallowed.

“You said you could sell the crests for 900 gamils, which means we’d end up with 450. I want half of that now.”

A slow smile spread across Lenore’s features. She cocked her head. “Don’t trust me, do you?”

“It’s not personal or anything,” Leo muttered. Hazel eyes flashed darkly as he remembered Aldas and the money he and Allan had spent five years saving. All of it down the drain in seconds. “I’ve just been fucked over before.”

Lenore hummed. “I’ll do better.” She nodded at the bag of crests. “I’ll give you the 450 gamils now. The auction is in three nights. You’ll come to the Pearl before the masquerade to prepare, and if I manage to sell the crests for more than 900, I’ll give you the rest of your share then.”

It was a better offer than Leo had hoped for, not to mention a testament to how wealthy Lenore really was if she could pay him 450 gamils out of pocket.

“Deal.”

Lenore smiled and rose from the bed. She took a final puff from her pipe, then set it aside atop the table.

“Wait outside,” she said. “I’ll meet you in the hallway.”

Leo nodded. It was a precautionary measure, he knew, to avoid him learning where she kept the Pearl’s money.

Clutching the bag of crests close to him, Leo exited the room, carefully shutting the door behind him.

The hallway looked the same as before, all the doors still closed. He inhaled, relieved to finally be away from the thick scent of incense even if a few traces of it still lingered on the floor.

A few minutes later, Lenore stepped outside carrying an innocuous brown pouch and a card. Leo’s eyes landed on the latter.

“What’s that?”

“A note to the owner of the Blue Cup.” The woman turned and began to descend down the stairs, only glancing back at Leo once with a raised eyebrow. “A tavern. I assume you’ll need a place to stay until the auction.”

Leo followed behind her, the stairs creaking a little beneath his feet. “You’re not about to take an even higher cut in exchange, are you?”

Lenore chuckled. “Of course not. The deal is already made. This is simply a bonus for an old friend.”

The two stepped back into the lobby where Allan, Spade, and Kai were waiting. Leo noted the way Lenore’s dark blue eyes shifted over to Spade, and he privately wondered just how much higher she would’ve charged them if not for her past relationship with and goodwill towards the [Executioner].

“Done?” Spade nodded at them. “You were up there a while.”

“Your companion’s an interesting one.” Lenore stepped over and handed the tavern note to the other woman. “I assume you remember where the Blue Cup is?”

Spade chuckled. “My memory hasn’t begun failing me, no.”

“I would certainly hope not,” Lenore said with a smile. She paused, and for a moment it looked like she wanted to say more. Seemingly deciding against it, her dark blue eyes moved over to the window instead.

“We’ll have customers arriving soon,” she murmured. She turned back to Leo and held out the brown pouch. Leo raised the bag of crests at the same time, and in a simultaneous motion, they swapped them.

Both of them opened their respective bags at the same time to check their contents. Leo found a pile of gold coins nestled inside the pouch. He picked one up, rolling the cool metal between his fingers to check that it was real.

“How much is that?” Allan whispered. Leo told him as he began counting, and the [Healer]’s eyebrows shot up.

“I’ll leave you to explain the rest,” Lenore said, typing up the bag of crests once she was satisfied. “I’ll see you in three nights.”

Leo nodded and closed the pouch as well, having verified the amount. It was hard to believe the deal was over so quickly; it had simultaneously felt both too long and too short. Still, he was relieved. They’d finally sold the crests off and would have enough money to buy supplies now.

“Thank you for helping us,” Allan said.

Lenore waved the gratitude aside. “It was no trouble on my end.” She sounded amused.

Behind the counter, Kai waved cheerily. “Come back soon!” he called.

After a few more farewells, Leo, Allan, and Spade turned and exited the Pearl.