Souriin’s eyes finally fell on the unraveled bundle of papers on the bed. The object of his distraction focussed in his eyes. He had read the scroll many times. The market was opening tomorrow. He would rise early, travel there by spell, and buy it. It would not even enter the auction. He already spoke to Nikrig. The item would not even feature on Anarak’s official lists. All he had to do was fetch it – and pay the highway robbery price. Oh well – if it was ten times the cost, it would have been worth it. He could hardly wait. Finally lying down on the bed, Souriin dreamt of his youth, a smile never leaving his face.

The newcomer was quite tall, haughty and certain of himself. His clothes, although made of fine cloth, were straightforward and looked to be about five years behind Ivrean fashion. From his looks, he would judge him to be no more than thirty, but his informers seemed to report him to be well past forty. He had jet-black hair and his beard hid some of the facial features, widening an otherwise thin face. He had really bright piercing eyes. Hmmm, Lord Draco was not at all what he had expected, but he prided himself on being able to adapt to each situation as it occurred. This wasn’t the first time that his reports gave him a false image. It was interesting to note though, that the man cringed at the mention of Gods. It seemed that Lord Draco was not very good at hiding emotions – as was often the case with those self styled intellectuals. All the easier to play the game.

"And may He bless the patronage of the Host," replied Souriin before looking around the opulent tent.
Now that was impressive. He seemed to have picked up on the customs before coming in. Maybe this was going to be interesting after all.
"I welcome you to the glorious city of Meldora sire, and hope that your stay is profitable"
The bait was set and all he had to do was take it.
"Yes well, my dear Anarak, that depends on you, does it not?" asked Souriin looking directly at the man.
The look made Anarak blink, and he fingered his broach under his doublet. The item would better work, or the game was up.
"My lord," cried Anarak, throwing himself face down on the carpet, "complications have arisen. Please forgive me!"
The carpet hid his face, which would make up for any bad acting, and besides it was difficult to strike a man who was groveling down on the ground. The seconds of silence that he counted were shear agony. The next tremor passing through his body was not completely faked, he noted with some pride. He hated the unknown, but he could not risk looking up.
"Oh bother, not again," sighed Draco, audibly sitting on the cushions. "Why can’t anything just be plain simple. Please, get up off the floor. That’s a good lad. Tell me what seems to be the problem."
Anarak blinked again. This was not the terrifying image that everyone painted. This wasn’t the ruthless killer the reports described. He looked more pitiful than dangerous. He didn’t even have an aura of power around him. So much for meeting legends.
"What’s the matter with you? I’m not going to hurt you," said Souriin, looking suspiciously at the dumbstruck man.
"My lord forgive me, it’s just that it is rumored that your anger knows no bounds." Anarak dared an upward glance, and almost giggled in relief. Souriin was looking out of the tent, an obvious irritation on his face. He looked down again before Souriin could see him smirking.
"Forget all that, and tell me where my merchandise is," said Souriin.
The irritation was still there. It would be best not to overplay it.
"There was a man here, my lord"
This was the risky part. He was hoping that a man as powerful as Souriin Draco had powerful enemies. He concentrated on the broach and relaxed his mind.
"He threatened to kill me. He broke several of my wares and seemed to go straight to the heart of the matter. He demanded the chest and all the contents. He seemed to know you, my lord"
Souriin passed him the snack bowl, and he munched on something. There should have been a slight tingling from the broach already, and yet there was nothing.
"Describe him" Souriin was now intently studying him. Not good. He had to concentrate harder.
"He was a large man. He had this weapon on him." He was trying to stay as vague as possible, but still nothing. The broach was not even giving him the hint of whom Souriin might be thinking of. Why was Draco looking at him so intensely?
Suddenly Souriin’s features seemed to relax, "Thank you very much Anarak, you have been most helpful."

Souriin clicked his fingers and it was as if a heavy veil fell from his head. He stood a bit confused teetering on his feet. His legs seemed to refuse to run. Suddenly he remembered in vivid detail whom he had really described, and cold sweat sprang out on his face. He glanced up at Souriin, but all he could see was drawn eyebrows, and a downcast mouth. All he could think of was that he hated the smell of burnt flesh.
"So who is Adara, and what does she want from me? This time though, I would prefer that you told the truth. In fact Anarak, I would prefer if you never lied to me again. A wizard’s curse can be a terrible thing"
Anarak wiped his face. The sweat was blinding him. Forget the commission, this was life or death.
"My lord, all I could tell was from her dress style. She’s rich, dresses in Pirsian silks, probably identifying her as one of the Pirsian Merchants’ Fold. Her only distinguishing feature was her necklace. She wore a star-pendant made of ruby, I would guess, finely engraved with runic symbols. I spoke to her several times, and she wore this every time. As to what she might want of you, my lord, I did not ask."
"Anarak, you have more than wasted my time. You have lied to me, and possibly plotted to take my life. You have my full attention now and I, or someone loyal to me will be watching you from now on. Oh, and I consider you to be in my debt for sparing your life. You would better be ready to pay that debt when I come to collect. If I ever again catch you meddling with me…well, I’m a squeamish man who dislikes the sight of blood, but I have friends who are not. Do we understand each other?"
Anarak had heard this part before. He was going to live. "Yes, my lord. Of course, my lord. Never again, my lord."
He prostrated himself on the floor. A little groveling never hurt anyone, whereas a lot of magic did. He had learnt to do away with pride a long time ago. In his business, it was a necessity. Soon enough, he heard a loud pop in the air, and when he looked up, Souriin was gone.

He had barely time to dust himself off, before a peal of laughter nearly made him jump out of his skin. He turned, and there she was, looking at him from the mirror. She clapped her hands with excitement, laughing openly.
"Did I not tell you once never to interfere in the affairs of wizards?"
He had enough for one day. He was definitely coming apart.
"Yes, and if you weren’t paying me so handsomely, I would have definitely stuck to that ideal"
She looked absolutely delighted.
"Did you see him strutting like a peacock? Wasn’t he magnificent?"
This was beginning to confuse Anarak, and he definitely didn’t like that. "Yes, and I would call him a few more choice names, were it not for the presence of a lady."
"Tut, tut. I only saw the end of the scenario. I take it things did not go as planned?"
"No, my lady, in fact I nearly lost my life because of your game. The gift you gave me did not work, and I was lucky just to walk away. I will expect full danger compensation"
She was pouting, which meant he should not press for more money.
"Pah, you were never in any danger. Souriin is not the murderous killer the stories make him out to be. It’s just more Rotan propaganda. Nevertheless, you did well, and you shall receive your full payment"
Now this was too much. The whole morning was a mess, and as a professional, he could not endure it.
"What do you mean? I had to tell him of you! This was not what you requested!"
He had always hated that patronizing, teacher-pupil look on her face.
"No, no. No matter. It is what I expected. It just shortens the game. In fact, I would have been disappointed if round one was not his. Ah yes, lord Draco and I are going to play a most magnificent game, and to the victor the spoils. The best part is, win or lose, I still win."

With laughter, she faded. His own face frowned at him from the mirror. This was too weird. He was going to take a long bath, and forget about this. It was time to invest in some magical security. You just couldn’t make an honest living in this city anymore…