Chapter 11 - Hungry Like The Wolf

“Oh, rare to see you in here except for our weekly games Euryale.”

It was a few days later and Witt waved at the purple haired demon as she walked into the guild hall. Her stiff white uniform, a blend of both military and what could only be described as an academic style, was a stark contrast to her usual more casual wear during their games.

“Um, uh, hello Mr. Witt.”

She glanced around nervously, clearly concerned to be overheard though few were in the guild hall this time of day. She noticed there was the same pair of old men as always near the front playing some card game with a peg board of some kind. And the only others were a party of four adventurers led by a pink haired young woman Euryale didn’t recognize who were discussing what job to next undertake by the quest listings.

“Did you find my associate?” Witt asked, trying to prompt her to let him know why she had come.

“Yes. Yes I did. He was enigmatic like you said. But this Orpheus did seem to know when the visitor from the capital is coming like you said he might. I still find it very strange I didn’t get any kind of message directly from the capital. I hope the courier wasn’t hurt or anything…”

Euryale became lost in her own thoughts. I can’t believe I had to resort to using a knowledge broker to find out when an official visit is happening! How embarrassing. I should have been the first to know! But I couldn’t go back empty handed to Taia since she was so kind as to offer to help. And I need her help for what I have planned.

Still, I did find out that the visitor should be arriving in the area just outside of town at noon two days from now.

And all I had to do was share how many prisoners the Viscount currently has in the castle. And that was easy since there’s just that one woman in the cells, although even I don’t know her crime. Maybe I should ask Xorn?…

Witt tried to pull Euryale from her reverie. “I’m glad he could help you. Hope he didn’t over charge you.”

“No, he was very helpful. Do, do you happen to know how he gets his information?”

“No idea! And honestly…I always assumed I was better off not knowing.” He leaned in to whisper the last part into her ear with a conspiratorial tone before standing back again.

“What brings you here then?”

Right! Euryale thought to herself. I need to set this up just right. It’s the only way…

Plucking up her courage she posed her question. “I was wondering if I could put in a request with the guild Mr. Witt.”

“A request? Now that is rare for you. Need another rare tome tracked down?”

Her eyes widened in slight surprise at his suggestion since it was not what she expected. “No, no, no. I mean, those are always lovely. Though expensive. B…but in this case I want to hire some adventurers for a job protecting someone.”

“Protecting someone? Wouldn’t you be able to just ask Xorn to send some of his guards?”

Her eyes darted about as she struggled to reply. She wasn’t a great liar when pressed and she knew it.

“We…well, with the recent attacks I don’t think he has any guards to spare. He was just complaining to me the other day about needing more in fact.” Using a true statement, even if not the whole truth, gave her a bit of confidence as she replied.

“Oh, well that makes sense.” Witt ignored the awkwardness of her reply. “So what do you need?”

She breathed a sigh of relief.

“Well, there’s a visitor coming from the capital soon. Two days from now they should be here. And I’d like to request that some adventurers provide extra security.”

“Must be an important person. I’ll arrange for my best!”

She suppressed a yelp of surprise. No! I just need a scapegoat for Taia. I can’t take the chance that anyone actually powerful shows up!

“Ac…actually, it’s not that the person is important…”. Her mind whirled trying to think of the right way to frame things. “It’s just that I don’t think they are used to long travel. And they might be tired. By then. And if they are, it would be a shame if any of the lesser monsters around town showed up.”

She thought of one more thing to say. “And…we don’t have a lot of available money while we’re sorting out the counting house fire. You see?” Her voice was low as she let out the last bit.

“In that case, I do know a retired adventurer who takes on occasional jobs without charging much. His skills may be a bit rusty but nothing around here would phase him. That work?”

“Yes!” She beamed. “Sounds perfect!”

“You know you’re always cute when you’re happy.” Witt said with a sly grin.

“Ack!” Euryale’s face went beet red. She obviously wasn’t used to compliments.

Witt laughed heartily at her discomfort. “Sorry! I just knew you would react that way!” He kept laughing a bit but was obviously trying to stifle any more.

Eventually he continued when she seemed unable to respond. “Alrighty then, should I tell the adventurer to be there all day?”

Euryale’s mind snapped back to the problem at hand. Noon. The visitor is coming at noon…

She walked over to a nearby map of the area on the wall of the guild hall and pointed to an area on the outskirts of the city countryside. It was a small open space within the forest as one approached the City from the west.

“Could he be here around…half past noon…to escort the visitor into the City?” Her slight paused was not missed.

“Half past noon you say? You sure about the time?”

“Yes!” She responded, a little too loudly. “Half past. No need to trouble this retired adventurer of yours any earlier than needed.”

“Well, if you’re sure.” He shrugged. “I’ll draw up the quest contract and send it over to you later today. You can give the courier I send the deposit if the details are sufficient.”

“Th, thank you Mr. Witt! Thank you very much.” She smiled again, though Witt thought better than to tease her again.

“See you later Euryale!” Witt waved as she moved to leave and he went back to his paperwork using the bar as a makeshift desk.

Euryale was too lost in her own thoughts as she walked back to the castle to notice the pink haired woman leave the guild hall right after her.

Rose gloated internally as she hurried her steps. She must be underplaying things, but it has to be the same person we were warned about. I can finally impress Warlock and show up that blue haired elf when I tell him I got the information about the arrival first!

Meanwhile Euryale was equally congratulating herself in her own thoughts.

This should work out. It’s the only thing I can think of. But I’m sure it will be fine. When the adventurer shows up he’ll be too late. Whatever accountant the capital is sending will already be dead.

I just need to tell Taia the wrong time too so that she arrives right after the adventurer. She’ll think he killed the visitor and no one will suspect.

…that I’m the one who’s going to murder him…