Goodman of Ochre-Clan

Inevitably, the word that most people thought of when they saw Gerred Ochre-Clan for the first time was “messy.” The dwarf did very little to discourage such a reaction: there was always something of indeterminate origin stuck in the mud-red hairs of his waist length beard, and there was yet to be a credible report of him wearing clean clothes. To see his living quarters would be to assume that something terrible had happened to the occupant. Newcomers would receive an additional shock, as Gerred saw little reason to be polite to those whose value was yet unclear.

But this assumption did a grave disservice to Gerred. Behind the admittedly off-putting mess was a sharp mind and a coldly analytical gaze that missed very little. Despite his outward demeanor, he also had an unexplained ability to worm his way into almost whatever relationship he needed to, and stay there. He also had no patience for anyone who would not take him or his business seriously. To offend Gerred Ochre-Clan was to lose access to the best information broker in Mearn. It was also terribly rude.

Nevertheless, Ash liked him. He was honest, often brutally so, and was adamant that all dealings be fair and bloodless in his presence. Plus, he could be quite friendly when he chose to.

The first thing he said when Ash and the Valkyries walked into his office was,

“Ash. You’ve brought trouble.”

Gerred’s so-called office was a strange place: a room on permanent-rent above one of the less-seedy taverns, Gerred had converted it into an all-purpose meeting space and shop. The fine, dark-wooden desk over which he negotiated all manner of deals also featured select specimens from his “collection,” an often-extortionate lost-and-found for Mearn’s forgotten items. A sturdy, securely locked chest held anything of real value. There was no pretense of a front; Gerred was too important to too many people to bother. For all that, his office was oddly welcoming. Gerred kept the room comfortable-if not exactly clean-there was always a fire crackling, and refreshments to be found.

He was on guard from the second the Valkyries appeared. The fact that the other prominent decoration in the office was the enormous axe behind the desk was lost on no one.

“Hey Gerred,” Ash said. “The nice women wanted to ask you some questions.”

“Don’t see what two Valkyries would have to ask me,” Gerred said, voice measured but low.

Ash’s whole body tensed. She didn’t think Tienne and Solenia had done anything to betray their profession, and this was not a productive start to the meeting.

“Don’t look so surprised, girl,” Gerred said, his steel eyes still locked on the Valkyries. “The cloaks don’t do a thing to hide the armor, and those two sure ain’t locals. May as well wear a sign.”

Tienne took the invitation to commence hostilities. She strode forward, and slammed her hands on the desk. The force of blood-red armor hitting the desk sent the displayed curios rattling.

“Fine. She told us you would know where the keystone was,” Tienne demanded. She helpfully jabbed a finger at Ash. “Well? Do you?”

“As Ash must’ve told you, I don’t do ‘legitimate’ business here,” Gerred said, unfazed. “And besides, I’ve got nothing to say to anyone who disrespects my workplace.”

Tienne was about to say something else, but Ash was struck with the absolute conviction that she not be allowed to say it. Ash jumped forward, joining Tienne at the desk. She bumped into Tienne, as if to push her to the side, but all she accomplished was to bounce painfully off her armor. She didn’t let that fact interrupt her.

“Gerred, please, you know me. I wouldn’t bring bad news to you. I respect you. We all respect you. Okay, so this may be a little unusual, it’s nothing to do with you or anyone. They just want to find something. You’re good at finding things. This is business, not an interrogation.”

Ash only remembered to breathe when the lack of air forced her to stop talking. As she desperately filled her lungs, Gerred silently evaluated her. The dwarf was all but motionless and, with most of his face covered by thick beard, his eyes gave the impression of a piercing lamp. After just a few seconds, Ash felt like she would simply crumble to dust. But just as the sensation became unbearable, Gerred leaned back in his chair, and crossed his arms. Ash let out an embarrassingly loud sigh. This was Gerred’s deal-making stance. They were safe, for now.

“Alright then. You want a rock. Not much to go off of.”

“‘Rock’ isn’t entirely accurate,” Solenia said. She moved to join the others at the desk, and sat down on one of the stools, as if everyone else hadn’t almost come to blows a moment before. “You might have heard it called a “keystone.’ It’s a small, pitched black oval. Anyone who’s held it will tell you it’s unbreakable, but not what it’s made of. Most of all, though, it’s Scribed. Impossible to miss.”

Ash flinched. Now magic was being brought into it. She shouldn’t be surprised, not really, since the only way Tienne and Solenia could have done what they did back at the hideout was to invoke the Words of Creation. But to hear it mentioned so casually reminded Ash that whatever Tienne and Solenia were up to, it was proper Valkyrie business. Ash rather preferred not to deal with that sort of thing.

If Gerred was taken aback by this revelation, he didn’t show it. A little magic was probably nothing, in his line of work. He took a moment to think.

“Sorry, can’t say I’ve heard of it.”

This surprised Ash, mostly because it wasn’t true. Gerred worked very hard to cultivate a reputation that he was impossible to read, and that he could not be fooled. Like his messiness, however, this was a front. In truth, Gerred Ochre-Clan was certainly an expert negotiator, but those who knew him could spot the subtle tells that revealed when he wasn’t saying something. Ash knew Gerred, and the fingers of his right hand had just curled.

“Well, that is too bad,” Solenia sighed. “But I suppose there’s nothing to be done. I appreciate your time, goodman of Ochre-Clan. What do I owe you?”

“Nothing. Payment is for services rendered. Now, kindly leave my office before you scare off my customers.”

With nothing but a nod, Solenia got up and walked out of the room. So abrupt was her exit that even Tienne could not keep the surprise off her face. Both Tienne and Ash jumped to follow the elder Valkyrie. They caught up to Solenia halfway to the tavern’s exit.

“That’s it,” Ash protested, more than a little offended that all this fuss had come to nothing. “You do know he was lying about not seeing your stone, right?”

“Obviously. But, we had no proof. Confronting him would have accomplished nothing.” Without stopping, Solenia turned to look at Tienne.

“So, now that our investigation has seemingly hit a dead end, what would you suggest?”

Tienne stood up straight and met her teacher’s gaze.

“If our target really does have relevant information, then we must observe him. Hopefully, he will lead us to the keystone, or at least another lead.”

“Very good. Now, dear Ash, does said target have a home to go back to?”

“Yeah, he’ll leave in a few hours, probably. Sooner, if you spooked him.”

“Then our course is set. Ash, I hope you don’t mind staying with us for a little while longer. We would appreciate your help in following goodman Ochre-Clan.”

“Fine, fine.” Ash said, waving her hands in surrender. “I can’t imagine I have much of a choice anyway.”

Neither Valkyrie felt the need to respond to that. Instead, the trio wordlessly completed the journey out of the tavern. Just as they walked out onto the street, Solenia stopped and looked back at Tienne.

“I would have also accepted, ‘wait for him to send someone to kill us, and interrogate them.’”