Chapter 7 - Maneater

Ariadne was surprised when she saw the demon Taia walking towards her in an alleyway along with what looked like the guild master Witt. Unsure how to deal with the unexpected addition she straightened up nervously as they approached.

“Now Ariadne, I know I’m early. But as you can see a friend insisted on joining me. I trust you understand.” Witt emphasized the word insist as he spoke and Ariadne realized he likely had no choice but to bring the woman along.

“You, uh, you’re early.” She looked around before continuing. “The broker, the uh, person you’re here to see isn’t here yet. I was just supposed to wait here to meet him here too.” Her voice was stilted like she was still trying to process what to say.

Witt glanced at the girl, seeming to size her up as he tried to figure out what came next.

“And will this mystery person be long? I was promised an introduction.” She leaned closer. “And I do hate to be disappointed.” Her tone was jovial but both Ariadne and Witt understood completely the implied threat in her words.

“I…don’t know.” Ariadne sapphire eyes looked everywhere except back at the demon’s face. When she finally wrung up the courage to look the woman in the eyes she was surprised by how they were a mixture of purple and pink gem tones. “Do you know, um, Mr. Witt?” Ariadne leaned her head to the left to look behind Taia at him.

He stepped between the two women and if nothing else his significant height advantage commanded their attention.

“I do believe he said he would be here soon but he may be running late. Job hazard I imagine. Shall I go look for him at the guild Taia and you can keep Ms. Ariadne here company?”

Taia wasn’t sure why Witt was quickly progressing from seemingly protecting the girl to offering to leave. She finally tore her eyes away from assessing Ariadne and looked at Witt with a toothy smile. “As long as I get my meeting dear. Run along.” She made a little motion with her fingers like running legs.

Deciding that it probably wasn’t the time to quip about not being her lapdog Witt left the alleyway with a wave. He mouthed a silent “Be nice” to Ariadne behind Taia’s back as he left and received a curt nod in reply.

“While we wait I would so love to…chat. Tell me girl, how have we never crossed paths before?”

Taia was still looming in front of her so Ariadne felt she had little choice but to continue the conversation.

“Well, me and Orpheus, that’s who we’re waiting for, have only been in town for…six months…I think. We haven’t been adventuring very long together here so maybe we just haven’t met?”

The girl was clearly constantly scanning the alley in desperation for her partner to arrive.

Taia’s eyes narrowed. She was analyzing what she heard but there was annoyance too.

“No girl. I don’t care about your other work. What I want to know is how this Orpheus of yours became such a reputable knowledge broker that even Witt seems to trust him. He doesn’t trust anyone. At least not without profit.”

“I guess I can’t really say. I haven’t been helping him do this stuff for all that long. I mostly just run messages or watch stuff.” She could tell Taia was curious for more so she continued. “I think he got started because he realized that being in the dark only leads to an early grave. And information can protect you. And stuff.”

“To know that information is indeed a form of power at your age is…commendable. If a little sad. Shouldn’t you be pining for some boy at a harvest festival or some such?” Her tone switched back to the teasing lilt she was more known for so Ariadne hoped the probing questions were done.

“I don’t really care about that stuff. I just want to get my life…back on track.”

Before Taia could respond to what she thought was a curious turn of phrase the very nearby sound of a man’s boots alerted them both to a new visitor in the alley. His face was obscured by a worn down helm and he was clad in a set of dark hued leather armour wrapped in a dark blue cloak.

“How did you get so close before I heard your steps?” Taia couldn’t stop herself from asking the question that had immediately formed in her mind.

A deep, gruff voice echoed out of the helm. “I assume you’re here for information. Would you really trust a source who can’t stay quiet when needed?”

Taia cocked her head a she considered the question and quickly brought a smile back to her face as her surprise faded. The source of his skills could wait. Right now she needed more important information.

“‘Bout time.” Ariadne grumbled.

“I was…held up. But I saw Witt and he told me to hurry.” The man responded, crossing his arms as he turned to the demon.

“I’m Taia. A pleasure.” She extended her hand.

“I know.” He looked at the hand but didn’t take it. “Who wouldn’t.”

“Ariadne, this man you work with isn’t much of a charmer is he? Maybe we should get Witt to come back. He’s fun at least.”

The girl shrugged. “I prefer when this guy doesn’t fawn over a woman. Kinda gross to watch.”

“Orpheus.” The man eventually grunted, completing the introductions. “What do you need?”

“All business I see. That’s fine. I need to know about that little show that Warlock and his friends put on a couple days ago. I’m told you’re a very knowledgeable fellow.”

“And what will you tell me in exchange? My information isn’t free.”

“I do seem to attract those who are lacking in altruism. How about this? I know a secret about something my employer is looking for. I’ll tell you what it is if you agree to help find it. Find it, and you get an extra reward.”

The man stood still and Taia wasn’t sure if he was considering the proposal.

“Your payment sounds like a job, not a reward.”

“I suppose it does. But what I’ll tell you is something no one else knows. I’m sure an enterprising fellow like you can use that somehow. That it has an added benefit that I may get something I want later too, well, can’t blame a girl for being greedy.”

He nodded. “Greed is fine. In exchange I’ll tell you about the weapons used in the attack; I don’t have any information I can share about who the attackers were.”

“You know something about the fire used? You are well informed just like Witt said. I had hoped for Warlock’s name but this could be useful too. Deal.”

The man nodded. “The Library wasn’t a random target. And it wasn’t targeted just because that demon seneschal liked it.”

Taia’s eyebrow raised. “Interesting, but how does that relate to the fire bombs?”

“Several books went missing from the library shortly before the attack. I heard it from a clerk. I’m told one of the missing books was an old treatise on formulae for burning ships at sea in battle. I believe the library was burned to hide the theft and make sure no one else could use the weapon. Or how to counter it.”

“A crime to hide a crime. Intriguing. But do you know anything about the fire itself?”

“Kafsi bomb. It burns like a grease fire. Water only helps it spread. You need to snuff it out, like with sand.”

Taia put her hand up to her chin, considering the answer. “Then how did Witt put out the fire at the guild hall? And how did he know how to do it? I never had a chance to ask him and I am ever so curious.”

Orpheus’ voice echoed in response from inside the helm. “Witt already traded me for that info, so I’ll tell you if you want as part of this exchange. I did promise to share what I know about the fire.” He paused. “Just don’t tell Witt. I usually protected my sources but you and he seem…close…so it should be fine.”

Taia laughed. “Not nearly as close as that rake wishes, I’m sure. But yes, we …play well together.” The lilt in her voice as she said the word play made Ariadne frown in disgust for some reason.

With a nod Orpheus spoke again. “Witt threw vinegar. When it mixes with one of the grease fire ingredients it makes a cloud that can smother a fire. He said it was a trick he picked up when he first opened the tavern after causing too many fires in the kitchen and knocking over a jar at the same time.”

“And that would explain why my clothes from that day still smell pickled. Fascinating. Not especially useful since the guards don’t tend to walk around with jars of vinegar, but I appreciate the information. Running down witnesses to who used the library may give me a suspect too. I’ll have to have a chat with Euryale.” She flashed a genuine smile before she continued the exchange.

“I did promise to respond in kind, so I will tell you that my employer is looking for mages. Anyone who can use magic. Any magic. I realize they are very rare, but find me a mage and I will find you a very, very suitable reward.”

Orpheus let out a shallow grunt. “Why?”

“I can’t say. No really, even I’m not sure. But I can tell you that it is very…very high priority.”

The man nodded. “Alright. We’re done.” He turned to Ariadne who so far had done everything in her power to stay out of the conversation by pressing into the wall behind her. “Come.”

As he walked he stopped for a moment and turned to look back at Taia over his shoulder. “One last bonus. A visitor will be coming soon. I expect the capital is making sure everything is in order. I doubt whomever your King is sending will be pleasant to deal with, so you may want tell your castle friends to be ready.”

He paused. “Actually, from what I heard it’s going to be someone you know very, very well who’s coming to check up on you.”

Taia’s eyes went wide. It may have been the first time she’d ever shown fear to anyone in the city.

As the two began to walk away Taia pulled herself together and called after them. “How do I contact you again if I need anything more?”

“Witt. He’ll find me.” Orpheus and Ariadne turned the corner and left the alley.

Unsatisfied with the answer Taia followed and was surprised when she turned the corner and saw no one there. The street was completely clear. She had no idea how the two could have vanished in broad daylight.

“I need to keep an eye on him, don’t I?” She mused.