Sethel turned back to Robin and Mendel with a bow. “Sethel Sigmund Salisbury III at your service. What brings you to beautiful Barrelgutt Row this fine night?”
“Drake Leone is buying drinks?” Robin asked.
“That mob boss would never buy drinks, but those green skinned lugs would never know that.
So, we best head to my office before they return, thirsty and quite upset.” Sethel trotted up the street Robin and Mendel in tow. “I was not expecting you this evening. Good thing for you both, that I heard those buffoons through my window.”
Sethel stopped in front of a small abandon shop its windows boarded. It also showed signs of age and exposure to the elements. A sign once hung over its door but appeared to have been only recently removed.
“Well, here we are, not much to look at but got it for a fair price.” Sethel fumbled with a rusty chain that held the door closed.
Once removed, he bided his guests to enter. Mendel entered first. Robin saw the flash that indicated the wizard had lit his staff to provide much needed light. Sethel brushed past them both in a mild panic and soon enough several candles were lit inside the shop. The shop was bare and showed heavy signs of neglect. Robin noticed a few bags piled against one of the walls its paint cracked but was free of mold. If Sethel had purchased the place as he stated, at least the roof didn’t leak, Robin noted.
“Nice place you got here Sethel.” Robin tried to convey a positive tone.
“Yes, a bit of a fix-me-upper, but it will be good as new in no time. My business partner and I will renovate it very soon. So, what brings Robin & Mendel to visit this night?” Sethel began to light a fire in an old stone fireplace in the main room.
“Information,” Robin looked at Mendel who face was a mask of disgust. “Do you think could whip up some chairs for us Mendel?”
“Yes, good idea since I will not be sitting on the floor during our visit.” Mendel began chanting and in a flash three chairs and a table appeared in the room. Upon the table was a tray filled with a teapot and teacups. The aroma of fresh brewed tea filled the empty room. Sethel noticed the tea and rubbed his furry hands together with delight.
“Nice chairs and such an exquisite table.” Sethel’s eyes flashed with excitement.
“Calm yourself Fawn. They will disappear along with me when I depart your most delightful company.” Mendel glanced with smugness at Sethel as he poured three cups of hot tea.
“Dear Mendel, you did not think I would take them from you?”
“I have firm conviction. That you have a habitual tenacity to procure things that contradict your possession.”
“Well once I know what you said, I could take offense. Tell me...How can I help you both this night?" Sethel began to stir his tea.
Robin placed his empty teacup on the table and stood and began to pace. Mendel recognized Robin’s familiar thinker mode. Robin stopped and looked at Sethel, who grinned with a look of bewilderment.
“We are here for information on what rumbles in the street.” Robin his eyebrows rose with a devilish twitch.
“Well often many rumbles occur. Knowing what exactly you wish to hear is another matter.”
“What do you know about a dwarf named Dugan Van-burrow?”
Sethel grinned and placed his teacup upon the small table. He stroked his short curly beard and seemed to enjoy this new game afoot. Mendel sighed and stood and walked over to a nearby boarded window to try and peek out into the street.
“Dugan Van-Burrow is in town I hear, wealthy from what I have heard as well.” A fleeting smile passed over Sethel’s face. Robin looked at Sethel and recognized the Satyr lost in a momentary fancy of the mind. He laughed; satyrs were such perpetual dreamers.
“Sethel the real question is, has someone in dark circles taken interest in Dugan and his jewels?”
“Jewels, you say, I have heard a rumor.” Sethel lowered his voice and leaned toward Robin. “There may be an interested party in such items, though I will not be the one to speak their name.”
Robin threw a small bag of gold coins on the table in front of Sethel. The Satyr’s eyes lit up but then he took a posture of insult.
“Robin a bribe...I thought we were friends.’
“Think of it as an investment in your new business, whatever it will be. By the way who is this partner of yours?”
“A charming fellow, more of a silent partner. But enough of that, and advice to you, Drake Leone has desire for such jewels, why this is, no one has said.” Sethel looked about as if he expected someone to leap from the shadows. “Also, there is a rumor of a person known as Odin.” The small empty room erupted in a sudden crash. Robin and Sethel spun around to see Mendel picking up the broken tea pot.
“Sorry slip of the fingers did not mean to interrupt your stimulating conversation.” Mendel apologized. Robin looked at Mendel, he noticed the wizard’s hands shook and he looked a bit paler than usual.
“I am sorry what about this Odin fellow?” Robin wanted to know more about the being who owned that name.
“Odin has been around here asked a lot of questions and a few more bodies have lined the streets as of late. I am not sure how that Cyclops fits into this, but he arrived a few days before your dwarf did. “Sethel yawned, though it was fake. It was a polite indication, to his guests this get together had drawn to a close. Robin took the signal and stood up.
“Sethel, should I need anything else I will send Alida.” Robin looked at Mendel who seemed lost in his own thoughts. He still appeared shaken by something.
“Well, it was a nice chat, please do come again.” Sethel grinned.
“Mendel, it’s time we hopported back to the shop I need to talk with Alida.” Mendel appeared not to hear Robin at first but then smiled. Robin walked over to his friend and stood next to him in preparation of the hopport. There was a flash and both Robin and Mendel disappeared.
© Cathalson – 2008 / CANNOT BE USED WITHOUT PERMISSION.