Rising Fame|Darkthrone, New Morilanta

[Kender Bard]

The Adaez family had not been home from their Ronduin trip from too long before the next job came up.

Cloak was walking around the shop, overseeing things and waiting for a customer of any kind to walk into the door. She was allowing Calan a rest for the day, having persuaded him to let her take over things. She was bored, after all.

When the customer came and showed her the family's calling card, however, she was swift to fetch him. After leading their newest client into another room (and setting Fausta and Deodon to discreetly watch him) she headed to their living quarters upstairs. "Calan," she called out. "I need you. We have another special order."

[tuo]

Calan glanced up from some meditation. "all right, coming down." He said before rising and walking to the main room.

[Kender Bard]

Cloak left Calan to the customer as she went to close the curtains and keep away anyone looking for idle business with them. Fausta put down her needle and thread and watched the exchange was interest.

The man showed Calan the card again, in case it was necessary. "It took a great deal of time to get a hold of you," he announced. "And a great deal of luck as well. I am actually acquainted with the young woman you did a service to in Ronduin. And she knows that I, on behalf of my employer, am interested in getting work as well. But I wonder, in all of Morilanta, which must be brimming with people who'd cut a throat for a copper bit, if you're really the people I should be seeking out. This is no small job I'm considering."

"It is rude to tease," Cloak announced as she rejoined Calan. "And my temper is not as steady as my husband's."

"It's a very, very high profile that I speak of," the man added lightly. "Royalty."

[tuo]

For a second after hearing that it was royalty he honestly considered refusing the job out of hand for the risk involved before calming down and taking a deep breath. "From which kingdom?" If he was using royalty accurately there were only so many places this man is talking about. "And how much money are you offering?"

[Kender Bard]

"Caelium," the man answered lightly. "The job is to kill the Princess Luminous, both out of protest of King Brightmore's change in legislation as well as to ensure that Prince Dami will take the throne instead of his sister. It may be premature to kill her now... She is only a child. But it will only prove harder to do as time goes on. As to the amount of money offered..."

He smiled. "How does twenty five gold sound?"

[tuo]

"Do you have proof that you are able to pay such a hefty sum? I do not like being cheated." Calan responds in a cold tone while furiously thinking about how to proceed with this.

[Kender Bard]

"I wouldn't show my gold to thugs," the Maelstrom man sneered lightly. "But here. In good faith." He slipped a solitary gold coin out and held it out to Calan. "There is much more where that comes from. And besides, what idiot would skimp payment of the man able to kill the princess?"

[tuo]

Calan took the coin and examined it. "I'll need your name in addition to the gold before I agree to anything." He says while slipping the coin into a pocket or pouch before turning his gaze to the man to glean any possible information he can from his appearance and memorizing it.

[Kender Bard]

"Galan," the man replied. "Galan Tupp."

Fausta snorted very softly. Cloak glared at her and she fell back into sullen silence.

"So do we have a deal?" Galan asked.

[tuo]

Calan looked at 'Galan' for another few moments before extending a hand to him. "It's a deal. I trust you don't really care how the princess dies as long as she dies and it cannot be traced back to you correct?"

[Kender Bard]

"That is correct," Galan answered with a firm shake of Calan's hand. He also gave Calan a second gold piece. "There. The rest after you complete the job. We will rendezvous at this address when the princess is dead." He handed Calan a slip of parchment with a Maelstrom address on it. "Is there anything you need to know?"

[tuo]

Calan considered it for a few moments before answering back. "Only if you feel there is anything more I need to know."

[Kender Bard]

"Then our business is concluded," Galan remarked. Cloak went to the door and opened it. With a bow, Galan let himself out.

Cloak shut the door after him and locked it as well. "This is big," she stated. Fausta gave a sarcastic clap. "Shut up, girl." Fausta smirked but lowered her hands. "Calan, this is much bigger than your job in Ronduin. There's no way just two people will be able to pull it off. I think this is going to be a family venture."

[tuo]

Calan remained silent and checked out the window before making sure it was covered as well. "If the two of us could not handle it dear, I am uncertain how much the children will increase our odds." He responded with a worried tone.

Deodan's face scrunched up at that. "Hey, you already said we were good, why couldn't we help you with this?"

[Kender Bard]

"You know my worth," Fausta added, annoyed. "I proved myself at Ronduin!"

"You proved you could follow orders in a strange environment," Cloak snapped. "Be silent, both of you. The adults are talking." Fausta growled but quieted as Cloak moved to stand near Calan. "I think we can handle it, Calan. You and I are good enough. But the scope of the operation will require more hands than we possess together. The children will be useful in other things. And besides, if you did not think the four of us could manage this kill, you would not have accepted the job. Unless, of course, you were simply hoping he would hand over all his gold up front."