Chapter 7.7

Massoud slowed the horse to a trot and got off and began to walk. He needed time to consider what had just happened. He left the horse at a stable where one paid for and was ensured discretion. No one would know he left his horse here, or that he had been here. The first concern was to arrange contact with his man in the interior ministry and find out what the current situation was. Too much had happened in the last day or so that was unplanned. He didn’t think it was anything he couldn’t account for but information was the currency he needed most at this time and he was willing to trade a great deal to get it.

He walked into the Jade Griffon, a tavern that while seedier than he would have liked was also known for keeping secrets. He asked the barmaid for a room in the back and paid her well enough to make sure he would not be disturbed. She showed him the small room and left. By the time she came back with the ale he had sealed a note he had just penned.

“Do you have a boy who would be willing to earn a bit by doing an errand for me?” he asked.

“Of course, sir,” she replied, “My little brother will do whatever you like and you can be assured of his complete discretion.”

Massoud gave her a sidelong glance and nodded in the affirmative. Her language was more than a barmaid and this was unusual, and he wasn’t in the mood for unusual any more. It had seemed to cause far too many problems of late. There had been far too many such things that had got him to the point of having his arm in a sling and being a wanted man in the city.

He was on the verge of getting up and walking out when the boy walked in. He was no more than fourteen years old and had the look of one who was quick. Massoud decided to stay and test the boy first. The chances of someone looking for him here, waiting for him, were far too slim weren’t they? He laughed out loud at his paranoia. The boy of course took the laughter as a good sign.

“Tell me boy, what is your name?”

“Perceval, sir.”

“Excellent Perceval. Now tell me lad, If I were to offer you a piece of silver to deliver this note, and be quick about it but make sure no one saw you, could you do it?”

“Of course,” he said and threw his head back in a show of pride, as if what was asked was too easy for one of his skill.

“Excellent,” Massoud said. “And if I were to offer you another silver to make sure no one ever heard a word about this conversation and the mission you were sent on?”

“Then it would be as if it never happened,” Perceval said in reply quickly.

Massoud smiled. It was in fact one of the things he liked most about dealing with highlanders. Every last one of them had a sense of honor that ran deep. As long as you could align it with your own purposes things were fine. It was when things fell out of alignment that caused all the problems, like the last couple days. He banished that though from his mind and continued, “And one final question Perceval. What if someone offered you a gold to tell you about our agreement here?”

Massoud watched the lad. The two stared at each other for a moment. The boy reached and pulled out a knife and gently drew it across his open palm drawing a thin line of blood. He laid his hand in front of Massoud on the table and stood silently. This was a bit dramatic but then the boy was only fourteen. He was swearing a blood oath to be true to Massoud. Yes, he liked this boy very much. Massoud in turn drew a knife and sliced his palm gently and the two shook hands.

As this was completed Massoud gave instructions quickly and ended with, “Can you do this?” The boy nodded. “Excellent. You have just enough time to make this happen.” With that Massoud pulled a gold coin from his pouch and the boys eyes went wide as he handed it to him. Yes it was too much but Massoud considered it an investment. “Remember, tell no one. You have given me your blood oath.” The boy nodded and left.

Massoud sat back in his chair and took a sip of ale. This would set up a meeting with his contact in the interior ministry. It was but one thing of many he needed to do, but perhaps the most important. He took another sip of his beverage and called to the bar maid for some food. Deciding how to deal with Duilach and Roy demanded his immediate attention. Yes, the Left hand may be his best choice, if he could make it happen. Massoud smiled. He was still quite confident, even with all that had happened, that things were going well.

~ by ridgewalker on June 5, 2009.