Ean entered the Argonian Bookshelf to find Samuel struggling with an old chest near the back of the store. The elderly man was grunting and breathing hard as he struggled to push it back into a closet.
"Let me help you with that," Ean offered out of concern.
Samuel wheezed, "No need, I've… got… it." His voice betrayed the strain of his efforts. A guttural groan escaped his lips as he heaved against the chest, managing to nudge it a mere inch forward. Sweat beaded on his brow, and he swiped a trembling hand across his forehead as he prepared for another assault on the chest.
Ean chuckled. "Don't be stubborn. Your age is showing. There's no shame in accepting assistance."
Samuel relented and stepped aside. Together, they pushed the chest with ease. "Thank you. Sometimes I forget I'm not as virile as I used to be."
After tidying the closet, the two sat down to a simple lunch of bread and cheese. Samuel inquired about Ean's meeting with the king.
"I gave the King all the information I have. He tasked me with a very dangerous mission so I do not know if that means he trusts me or he's trying to get rid of me," Ean replied.
"Unless it's a state secret, what can you tell me about the mission?"
Ean's fingers tightened around the edge of the table, his knuckles turning white. "He wants me to travel into the Empire of Brindle and gather intelligence from any spies we still have there."
"The king trusts you. Otherwise, I'd be teaching someone new. The king is only asking you to do your job… or did you think you would remain safe and sound in Argonia your entire career?" Samuel stated sagely.
The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
Ean's wavering voice gave away his concern. "Won't I look suspicious snooping around? What if I get caught?"
"That is a risk everyone who engages in espionage must make. You will be fine as long as you stick to your cover story," Samuel assured him.
"I guess I'll need a new cover, or a very good reason for an Argonian Game Warden to be in Brindle."
"You need to be someone who is not out of place wherever you are. Yet is unimportant enough not to be noticed or remembered. Being memorable is your biggest risk. Uninteresting in appearance and personality is your goal."
"How do I do that?" Ean asked.
"Be someone boring." Samuel retrieved a worn clipboard from his desk and handed it to Ean. "Here, take this. A low-level bureaucrat with a clipboard can go anywhere and not be missed when they leave."
Ean noticed the bundle of books Samuel needed delivered to a post office in South Brindle. "What about a postal deliveryman? I can deliver your books and not look suspicious."
Samuel thought for a bit. "That will only hold up until you drop the books off. However, a postal inspector can travel without any post and not get questioned."
"And the clipboard will look natural as well."
They finished their lunch in silence. Ean was cleaning the table when he stopped and turned to Samuel, his voice serious. "Thank you, for all of your training and faith in me. As nervous as I feel, I'm confident I will succeed due to your mentorship." His throat tightened, making it hard to speak. "I… owe you a debt I can never repay."
They stood in silence, neither willing to speak their shared concerns about the mission. With his future uncertain, Ean tucked the clipboard under his arm. "I'm going to pack my things and then head out. I'll see you in a few days."
Ean dumped everything out of his inventory pouch onto the bed of his rented room. He removed everything that could give away his identity as an Argonian. The two-headed medallion went into the pile of things to leave behind. Then he reconsidered. If an assassin from Brindle was carrying it, it may have some utility I'm not aware of.
He dropped the medallion into his coin pouch and headed for the bridge in Riverside.