The pair of Claw Security Forces looked almost comical as they walked through the mall of the Mytair Market. A tan-skinned elf and a half-dragon with lavender scales, both dressed in chainmail with brass adornments. The elf was a head shorter than her companion.

Walking with a surety, Joyassa led the way to a shop closed with “Coming Soon” and “under Construction” signs. She stretched and plopped down on a crate with a sigh.

“They’ve been trying to fill this space for a year and have almost given up. It’s a good place to get out of the public eye and take a breather. My cousins and I would be in and out of here all the time.”

Shaphine said nothing about this sudden revelation of her partner's past and sat down on a crate as well. “What are you thinking?” she asked.

The dragonborn scowled. “It’s bad business, people stealing from the Market. The Merchant’s not likely to take kindly to any culprit. The shops make up his hoard.”

Dragons were meticulous about their hoards. In other races, the level of obsession a dragon normally felt would likely be considered unhealthy. But in the scaled rulers of Maulkir, it was just part of life.

“The alarms seem pretty well thought out, which makes sense if Mytair is the one putting them in when he shapes the place.” mused Shaphine. “Having it be an inside job would make the most sense. But..”

“But Balick’s report gave no indication of that.” the dragonborn finished with a sigh.

“Indeed. Balick has been one of my most paranoid lessees. Frankly, I’m surprised he’s put his wife on as an admin.”

A dwarf with a snow white beard had pushed past the curtain separating the unfinished room from the main thoroughfare of the Market. He was dressed in finery, satin with elegant trim, and much care had been spent ensuring every hair on his head was perfectly placed.

Shaphine stood, placing a hand on the hilt of her sword. “Who-” was all she was able to get out before her partner placed a hand on her shoulder and cut in.

“Mighty Mytair, thank you for stepping in and providing your take on the character of the proprietor of the Dapper Dragon. It is certainly helpful to our investigation.”

The dwarf sighed. “Must you be so formal, Joy? After all the times I watched you as a hatchling.” He turned to Shaphine. “She used to see how far she could climb up my tail, if you can believe that. Cheeky little thing, very determined.” he said in a conspiratorial tone, his eyes bright. Shaph held back a giggle.

“Mytair, sir, I’m in the service of another dragon now and on duty. My politeness reflects on Brannonth, and I don’t want to start a conflict by being too familiar, sir.”

“Fine, fine. The hatchling has grown and left the nest. But say the word and I can have a shop for you. I have a few spaces like this that are lying fallow, waiting for the right owner to come around.”

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The purple dragonborn rolled her eyes. “I’m no good as a merchant, Uncle. I’ve tried it enough to know I’d be penniless in a week.”

The dragon in dwarf form huffed, and made a gesture with a hand. One of the crates slid over, dragging a line through the dust. He clamored his short form up onto the box, perching on the edge. “I still think if you applied yourself a little more…” he groused.

“Excuse my intrusion, Mister Mytair, but in terms of our investigation, have there been any other thefts?”

The dwarf stroked his beard as he looked up in thought, his eyes breaking through the second form for a brief moment as he considered his hoard. “None that have been reported to me. As this merchant’s daughter said, talk of theft is considered bad for business, a form of bad luck. I’m sure some small things go missing here or there, the cost of business. But nothing so big or brazen.”

“So it's unlikely that we’ll have a second incident, unless a prize like the Panther cloaks are left in a similar state again.”

“Balick has already approached me. His shop will be more secure tonight, and his prize stock will be secured in the Tower. And my defenses there are quite formidable.”

Shaphine looked slightly displeased, as if the confirmation that the crime wouldn’t be repeated was a spot of bad luck. She flipped through her little notebook. “There was a sort of rolled up gate at the Dapper Dragon. I don’t think I’ve ever seen them deployed, would you be able…”

Before she had finished, there was a shudder and a crash as the linked metal gate built into the ceiling came down, pulled by the large moonstone scaled limb of the Dragon Merchant of the Market, looking strange, the arm of a dragon attached to a wealthy but unassuming dwarf. The arm folded back into the second form as the pair of investigators stood to examine the gate.

The metal wall had some play, as it was poked and prodded by the two. Joyassa’s brow was furrowed as she looked intently for the first time at a common sight from her childhood. Shaphine was a bit more thoughtful as she pulled and pried at it, to see how much it would flex.

The partners shared a look and turned to the dwarf. “We thank you for your time, Mighty Mytair” said Joyassa. “We’ll keep you informed as our investigation proceeds. Milo still handles your schedule, right?”

The dwarf gingerly descended the box and with a sudden flicker of draconic shape, the gate was rolled back up into the ceiling.

“Yes, Milo does my schedule. I’ll tell him this has top priority. Come by and see me when you have anything. If this is the work of some dragon seeking to bring me shame…” The dwarf’s voice deepened, and the fury of the dragon sent shivers down Shaphine’s spine. “Well, I’ll want to get this in front of the council as soon as I can.” he finished, the lighter tone showing no sign of the barely contained rage.

--

Back at headquarters, the pair commandeered a case room and covered one of the slate walls with what they knew. It wasn’t a lot to go on. The crime had been well executed, and they had no solid leads. They were running over the case with Captain Galitina Stone, their direct report.

“It all hinges around the Alarm on the gate.” declared Joy. “Getting around that is the key to it all. Motive and opportunity don’t matter. Someone broke in undetected, nabbed the goods, and got out. Probably the same way.”

“Your logic is sound,” said Captain Stone. “It would seem like we are at an impasse, but those briefings are given with a different tone. So you obviously have something you need from me to continue the case. What is it?”

Shaphine took the lead. “Captain, we need permission to break the rules a little…”