A Toad's Spy

As soon as the chosen and the elf left his office, Nickolas let his forced smile drop. It's a good thing Kar'Desh is a decent storyteller, otherwise it would be harder to explain off why he constantly summons him. It's easy enough to pretend his jokes are funny and his stories amusing because it's close to the truth.

Joan, Nick's favourite lover, notices the sour expression on his face and asks, "What's on your mind?"

She was always observant. She probably realized Kar'Desh wasn't just telling a story.

"I'm out of time aren't I? Summon Ida, would you?"

Joan purrs, "Greedy greedy. Am I not enough for you?"

She's more than enough. Nick has never known anyone as compliant or skilled as Joan, but variety is the spice of life as they say. "She's too expensive to keep around for sex. I've another job for her."

He was hoping to observe her a while longer but with Kar'Desh working with the damn chosen, he's run out of time.

He stumbles out of his seat and over to his desk where he prepares a payment in advance. Ida always demanded payment up front for any services she deems extra. Normally Nick wouldn't put up with that kind of behaviour, but he's sweet on Ida. After all, it's not often you can get your hands on a servant willing to do anything for money. She's blonde, besides. A somewhat rare trait Nick covets.

Ida and Joan emerge and Ida curtsies. "My lord."

Nick hoists the bag of coins in the air. "This is yours if you can keep quiet."

Ida smiles and begins slowly undoing her dress. Nick lets her, but this wasn't what he had in mind. After her dress is a heap on the floor, Nick continues. "I need you to keep watch on an elf. The templar's new prisoner. White hair and a big Sun brand on his chest."

She stares at the herself clearly confused. "Dressed like this?"

"Discreetly. Once he's withdrawn to the castle, relay any information to me."

She bows. "Yes my lord."

Then leaves, presumably to get dressed into something less conspicuous.

Although it would be easy enough to order his troops to keep an eye on the elf, they would draw too much attention. And they've often been bought off, either by the templars or some other noble family, although he's not sure why anyone would do that.

No one, however, would try to buy off a peasant. What's the point? What could a peasant possibly know or do? Besides, if she's not wearing the Épicier blue, who could guess she works for him?

Nick falls into his favourite seat and groans at the expense. Even when he's not paying him, Kar'Desh is still a burden on his coffers. But he's too valuable an asset to let go. Because of him, Nick now has advanced knowledge on the beastmen, well ahead of his peers. It's a truly terrifying prospect, but potentially a profitable one. Not to mention... He has to go over what the elf said again, but it sounds like the entire royal family are mages. Yet another truly terrifying prospect. That information alone is worth keeping the elf as his tool. Even if said tool is bound to turn in Nick's hand.
But what was that bullshit about poetry? He emphasized the same word twice so it couldn't have been just random backstory he was constructing. A warning perhaps? He'll have to look into that.

Joan wraps herself around Nick and whispers in his ear. "Shall we pick up where we left off?"

"Yes. Yes we shall."
He could think about this shit later. For now, he should indulge himself.

___________________________________

"I don't have any work for you ashskin."

Ren nods. "I see. Thanks anyway."
No one had work for him today. A lie of course. He knew his way around a construction site and Solaris always had new construction going on. But elves have a reputation as terrible builders because of New Town so no one wants to hire him. Even invoking his dad's name did nothing to sway the foremans.
Ren's own father didn't have work for him either, although that's for a different reason. His father has to hoard some more money before starting another project for New Town. As much as Ren hated the work Épicier gave him, he couldn't deny their consistency. As of right now, he was skipping every breakfast and most lunches to keep his sisters fed. And he knew both his and Kar's mother were doing the same if not more.

Ren found himself under the old oak in the centre of New Town, sitting on a rotten bench idly watching a group of kids play tag and vendors wait for customers to hopefully show up. No one wanted to visit New Town after all, and the rain didn't help. His father had a long way to go before New Town could be considered presentable.
He mused to himself. "What am I going to do?"

Doing odd jobs for different stores and businesses wasn't working and he refused to work for Nick again. He'd rather starve than steal from more people. Maybe one of the other noble families? They're probably better than Épicier, but he's never heard of the Hozfur or Vulpe families hiring elves. Working for the temple would require he give his soul to the human gods and like Kar explained, they aren't real. Just corrupted versions of the elven lords and that doesn't seem like a good cause to sell his life to.
His mind flashed to the Artisan's guild. He didn't have any skills besides stealing and construction, but maybe they could use an assistant? Would that even pay enough to feed his family? Probably not... Who would pay well for a child's job?

He couldn't help but let thoughts of what Kar would do pass through his mind. Ren knew what he would do... Kar was usually right about things which always saddened Ren, because Kar's morals are all kinds of messed up. That was made painfully obvious with their last job.

If nothing else, it can't hurt to try working for the other families. He wouldn't dare try the royal family because there's no way he could be a soldier even if they were hiring. The thought of killing someone terrified him so much, his heart felt heavy against his chest at the mere thought. Especially after witnessing Kar do it.
No, he'll try the Hozfur and Vulpe families and if that fails, he'll have to find work as an artisan's assistant no matter the pay. He prepares himself for disappointment and potentially aggressive rejection. He laughs to himself. "Like they'll even consider it. Maybe I can get Kar's brother to work with me at the guild."