D7Hot [ day 70 ]
Amelio Broachcask hobbled away from the Scabport branch of the Royal Bank of Specularum after having deposited the princely sum of 7500gp into his account.
"Another job well done," he thought smugly to himself.
Burnt Sienna, the ex-Shield Maiden, was now safely in the hands of the Scabport Thieves Guild Militia. The STGM had handed over the reward money with no delay at all.
The ship had arrived at the Scabport docks cleanly. The lazy and corpulent officers of the Scabport Thieves Guild Customs Department gave it a cursory glance. They didn't even bother to ask for the papers for the buxom, hooded and manacled slave girl chained in the main cabin. They simply asked for the search, quarantine and documentation "fee" of 50gp.
The trip through the Scabport streets was without incident. Noone even turned to look at the girl being frog-marched through.
Jethro, Simon, Pitt and the female slave had arrived safely over the inland route so Amelio's bunch was back together again.
"They're selling her termorra, boss"
Amelio look up over his morning paper, The Scabport Times.
Pitt, the halfling, was standing by the door.
"What?" said Amelio.
"The STGM is selling Burnt Sienna termorra." repeated Pitt. "And can I have some toast please."
"Certainly not," barked Amelio. "Where did you hear this?"
"I was checking in at the TG - like I always do when I arrive in towns - and I overheard two guardies talkin'. One says 'We got ourselves a live one at the moment' 'You mean the Shield Maiden tit-slut' 'Yep' 'She passed the DL [ Detect Lie ] so was innocent after all. Still, they gonna sell her tomorrow anyway.' 'Sex slave or work slave?' 'What do you think?! - I wouldn't mind her in my sack!'."
"But surely she must be guilty of something!" Amelio was aghast. And yet, what difference did it make - he'd got his fee, after all.
"Any idea how much? I suppose she's up for auction."
A wicked scheme formed in Amelio's brain. Why not buy her back, take her to the Shield Maidens and sell her for a profit?
Wait a minute though ... Burnt Sienna said that Roger killed the guard. In that case, she might have told the STGM. And if so, there would be a new reward posted for Roger in a matter of hours. Better watch out for it. And they don't know that Simon is my agent...
Nah. It would never work. As soon as Burnt Sienna is put up for auction, it will
be in all the papers:
"Scabport Thieves Guild Militia Admit Expensive Mistake"
"Amelio Broachcask Arrested for Embarassing the Militia"
Amelio spluttered into his coffee.
"Let's leave town at once," he snarled.
THE END