88. MI: WIREMU

Firstday was looking to be busy. My role today is Scout, Spy and backup if needed. I first shadowed Tabitha, Mayakku and Appā to the Watch HQ and waited in case they needed backup. After about an hour and a half, the door crashed open, and a very angry dwarf rushed out accompanied by two subordinates. I recognised her as Störst the Enchanter, and she was swearing up a storm. My dwarvish is getting near fluent, but I definitely heard some previously unknown words here. I decided to follow her.

I was dressed casually and using Veneer to make small changes. I had various coloured shirts and accessories on me to blend in. It is a better use of Veneer than playing pranks on the staff at the inn. Veneer was becoming more useful but it was still only small things like hair colour. I could appear to change the shape of my eyes and bone structure a little. I could appear to have buck teeth but couldn’t stretch to Orc tusks. I could change the tone of my skin, but only small areas, e.g. face and hands, were OK, but not whole arms. That included changing to a nice Orc green. What I was missing was an acting skill. I was relying heavily on my Deceive Skill, which worked but wasn’t great.

When I followed Störst, I was back to the pale skin of my youth. I felt a bit strange, especially after paying all the gold to darken it. I listened to her all the way to the Enchanters Supreme. My dwarvish went up to 9. It was clear she had some sort of backup plan that she was going to put into action. Shortly after she entered the building, three employees came out and ran in three different directions. I picked one to follow. After about a quarter-hour run, he knocked at a house and was let in. Only about two minutes later, six armed people came out and headed south. They were obviously ready and waiting. So I changed some details and followed them.

They congregated in a tavern close to our warehouse compound, and after three more groups arrived, they went upstairs to a private room. I wasn’t sure how many there were, but there were more than fifteen of them. A smartly dressed man arrived and gave them their instructions to capture Mayakku alive. They were to wait till Skygge left, and then they would go in. There was a kill order on a large female Orc with a scar down her face. That was the deal they had with the Watch. They were free to loot anything they liked after the capture and the kill. It was to look like a robbery. The man then talked to the two Watch patrollers at the gate. I saw coins change hands, and they were replaced by two of the other group.

Only Ruku and Tāttā were in the warehouse with two other guards. Do I get them out and let the raid happen in an empty place? We will lose a lot of goods for no gain. If we can capture some people to question, it would help. Skavt and Ört are at the quarry, but Najprej and Drugič should be at the Inn. I went there to give them a heads up and time to get their armour on. I then went back to the Watch HQ. I wrote a note and put it in Dusk’s saddle where Tabitha would find it and waited.

It wasn’t much longer when they emerged and mounted up. I saw Tabitha read the note, and then she sent Nyx to me. Nyx couldn’t speak or write, but she could follow instructions. I got out our symbol board when she made her presence known, and she followed Tabitha’s instructions about which symbols to press with her Shadow Manipulation and in the necessary order. The alphabet was too slow, so we had a number of symbols worked out for common things and people. Nyx’s “Talk warehouse Ruku” was enough for me to know she would discuss it with Ruku. When she was away from the HQ she talked quietly to herself, saying she would prefer to continue to meet with Sione as he may have answers. In my opinion, that would depend on how confident Ruku was.

I let Tabitha discuss things with Ruku while I scouted the opposition to make sure nothing had changed. Nyx came to me with the message, “Tāoke in fight.” I swung around to leave Tāoke with Najprej. Tāoke's presence gave me more confidence, and he could indicate through the bond if he wanted us to return. We would probably be too late if it was an emergency, but it was something.

I shadowed Tabitha until she met with Modrica and then went on ahead to the tavern where the meeting was to be held. I had a table for one reserved on the balcony of the first floor of the Tavern where the meeting was to be held. I should be able to watch the street and listen in.

I switched disguises before entering. I was now dressed like a well-off playboy. Pasty white skin, red hair and green eyes. I pushed Veneer to add a few freckles and a goatee. Tabitha hates goatee beards, so yes, I was winding her up a bit. She may not see me, but I am well inside her Spatial Awareness range, so she will know. Veneer was mid-Apprentice Level now and getting more flexible and able to stay active for longer. My status now showed me as a Merchant with a speciality in Fine Goods. My Manipulate Status was now Journeyman Level, and I was impressed that Ruku’s ability to look at statuses was not able to penetrate it. That gave me more confidence.

Tabitha and Modrica arrived shortly after me and were seated inside on the first floor. They were out of sight from me but easy for Hearing Aid to listen in. Major Sione was easy to see coming as there were not many Mer in town, and he was the only one in military uniform. He was accompanied by a young human female in civilian dress. They were shown up, and I heard Tabitha stand to greet them. Modrica didn’t.

“Hello Skygge,” Sione greeted her. “I was expecting Sten as well? You must be Modrica.” I assume they were shaking hands or something. “This is Abigail.”

“Sten was held up with an issue at the warehouse and won’t be here. You may be able to shed some light on the issue for us?” Tabitha was not beating around the bush.

“Oh?” Sione queried.

“Yes. Do you know why Störst would send twenty fighters to storm our warehouse to capture our enchanter?” She asked.

“Twenty fighters attacked you? You obviously prevailed.” Sione said.

“No, they waited till I left before they attacked. The fight will be happening now.” Tabitha corrected him.

“Yet you are sitting here? You are reputed to be a good fighter, Modrica. Why are you not there?” Sione asked.

“We are not needed there,” Tabitha answered. “You sent us Ruku, and he seemed very capable.”

“Against twenty fighters?” Sione sounded concerned.

“He has got some help,” Tabitha said. “We want to know why because it doesn't make sense.”

There was silence for a moment. I took the opportunity to check with Tāoke through our bond and was reassured everything was fine, and I was to leave him alone as he was hunting.

“This is not how I expected this conversation to go,” Sione muttered. “You are aware Störst was burgled last week.”

“Yes, the Watch won't stop questioning Mayakku, and she is obviously incapable of it.” Tabitha was starting to get angry. Sione won’t know her well enough to recognise it, but I did. Abigail was staying silent, but she was obviously brought here for a reason.

“I think the prevailing opinion is that she knows more than she lets on. Whitby’s report should clarify that, and I should have a copy on my desk when I return. For us, at MI it is more about what was stolen. Störst was supposed to be looking at the enchanting in some diagrams we acquired, which were stolen from her desk.”

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“You left sensitive military information in a place where any old thief could break in and steal it?” Tabitha said in disbelief.

“We checked her security, and we are confident that not ‘any old thief’ could do this. It would take a very specialised thief or, more likely, thieves. A few weeks ago, I requested information on people in the Kingdom with a Shadow Affinity. There was a thief registered with the Jern Mercenary Guild who appeared to have a Shadow affinity. Her name was Tabitha Carter. I believe she could have done this. However, the records state she and her brother Warren were assassinated in Hrothgar about a year ago.” Sione stopped and just let the statement hang.

“You think this burglary required someone with a Shadow Affinity?” Tabitha asked.

“It required a lot more than just an affinity, but I think that was needed. I put through the request because I believed there was a shadow affinity user in the Comedic Rhythm performance.” Sione continued.

“What would you be wanting with such a person?” Tabitha asked.

“A person with such an affinity is wasted in mere entertainment. Especially if they have the skills to rob Enchanters Supreme.” Sione started.

“That is an unsupported connection between the two events.” she declared.

“Nonetheless, I would be looking to employ such a person.” Sione finished.

“Imagining that there is such an amazing person, I doubt there was anything you could offer them. The world would already be there for the taking. That is why such a person would not exist.” Tabitha said.

“Oh, I don't know,” Sione said. “People don’t exist in a vacuum. The Merpeople are big on family, so an offer to me that benefits my family is much better received than just a coin-based transaction. I think the same is true for the Orcs.” He nodded to Modrica. “Some people also have a cause they are keen on. A deal that benefits or helps them with the cause is often well received. I know, for instance, that a lot of people, Orcs included, are opposed to the slavery that is rampant in the empire.”

This guy was very dangerous. He had received information, but he was very clever at using that information. To entice and offer help to Modrica and the ‘family’ and help to combat slavery is pressing all the right buttons.

Tabitha changed the topic. “You know the city watch is riddled with corruption?”

“Really?” Sione asked.

“Sten witnessed the patrollers at the gate be bribed to leave, and the ones attacking our warehouse had a deal with the Watch to be sure to kill Modrica.” Tabitha explained.

“Can you prove this?” Sione asked.

“Sten witnessed the bribery, and there are bound to be some survivors of the attack to question.” Tabitha continued, “We don’t particularly want to hand those survivors to the Watch as we think they will disappear.

“You are very sure of the outcome of the fight.” Sione was puzzled.

“We can go there after this if you like,” Tabitha offered.

“I was hoping to talk to Sten as well,” Sione said.

“Would that be about his affinity?” Tabitha said bluntly.

Sione wasn’t expecting such a blunt admission of the affinity, but Tabitha and I figured it wasn’t a secret that could be kept, even though we didn’t want to advertise it. I didn’t want to have offers from all the trading houses, but we figured Sione already knew so we could use it to bargain with.

“It would,” Sione said.

“He is not interested in working for you either,” Tabitha said.

“I wasn’t going to offer him a job. I was going to offer him some help with his cause.” Sione said.

“Help with no strings attached?” asked Tabitha sceptically.

“Well, in this case, helping him will also help us in our opposition to the empire. Let's say a few strings, loosely held.”

“At least you are not trying to hide it, although strings tend to multiply and tighten over time.” Tabitha accused.

“I am sure you will have some sharp instruments and contingency plans to cut them loose if you get unhappy.” Sione was at least being honest as far as Truth Sensing could tell.

“As long as everybody keeps that in mind,” Tabitha said. “What about you, Abigail? Why are you here? You haven't said a word. Are you here to seduce Sten? Honestly, he is too smart to be taken in by a pretty face, so you are wasting your time there. On the other hand, I might be up for a few rounds. Shit, she is blushing. Really Sione?”

“Abigail is not here to seduce anybody,” Sione said firmly. “She is here looking for someone to help her get her parents out of the empire.”

“A sob story is definitely Sten’s weakness. I am not sure you noticed, but we are far from the empire here.” Tabitha was not giving any slack here.

“Her parents…” Sione started.

“Wait!” Tabitha interrupted, “Why don’t you let her tell it?”

My Truth Sensing is probably a lot more effective on Abigail than Sione.

“My parents own an independent trading vessel called the Seabreeze.” Abigail started. She was quietly spoken and seemed quite shy. “They normally trade between here, Kirghiz and the Mer islands but make the occasional trip elsewhere if the cargo is profitable enough. They had a shipment to the empire’s Northport. They had made the trip before with no problems, but this time they disappeared, and I can’t get a response from anyone.”

“How do you know they didn’t just sink in a storm?” Tabitha asked.

“The Shipping Guild keeps track of those details, and they have verified the Seabreeze arrived in Northport, but they have no record of it leaving.” Abigail was quite calm.

“When did this happen?” Tabitha queried.

“About eight months ago now,” she replied.

“I don’t know what you expect us to do. Northport is only accessible by ship from this direction, and we are heading south to Kirghiz.” Tabitha said.

She was quite hard on them. I guess she is right that I am a softie for a sob story, but I think she is being a bit hard. It is giving Truth Sensing a good read, though, and I don't believe Abigail has lied yet, although with Truth Sensing being at a higher level, I am getting the feeling she isn't telling the whole truth. Sione would be able to lie without me sensing it.

“I… ah, I need to get to Kirghiz, and I want to work for my passage.” She was very close to lying there. She wants more than that.

“So you are broke. We are not a charity, and Sione would not have brought you to this meeting without another purpose. What is it? No, not you, Sione, her.”

“I … ah … I have an affinity and want somebody to learn from,” Abigail said quietly.

“This kingdom is good at training affinities. All you need to do is serve five years in the military. Why not do that?” Tabitha continued to push.

“I obtained an exemption for her,” Sione said.

“Of course you did, and I am guessing her parents weren’t just merchants were they? They were on your payroll, right?” I didn’t hear anything, but Tabitha must have gotten some sort of affirmative. She continued, “Are you here to spy on us, Abigail?”

“N-n- no, ma’am.” Abigail sounded truthful, surprisingly.

“Don’t, ma’am me. I am no lady. I am also not convinced. If that is what you want, you will come to an interview tomorrow at noon at our warehouse, and you will come alone.” Again she must have gotten some kind of nod. “You can come with us now, and I will show you where it is. Sione is coming with us too. There will be blood and dead bodies. Don't bother turning up tomorrow if you can't handle that.”

“Whitby is one of the reliable members of the Watch and high enough not to be bullied. If you want the Watch involved.” Sione said.

“I am not sure yet. The Watch might be more trouble than it’s worth.” Tabitha said. “Let’s go and see what happened first.”

They rose and paid for their drinks. They hadn’t eaten anything, not like I did. There was quite nice food here. I watched them walk down the road toward the warehouse and watched for people who might follow or go and report elsewhere. Modrica stood out wherever she was, and the Watch wanted her. Nobody followed, but two people scurried off quickly.