“Good,” said Lee. “In the meantimeI'll check with my contacts here. I should like to get the… feel ofthings.”
Dina nodded in agreement. “I can check the templesthis evening,” she said, still chewing.
“I don't want you going off by yourself. I amcertain there are agents of the north about. Probably informantsamong the locals as well.”
“How would they know who we are or what we'redoing?” she asked, swallowing the remains of the berry.
Lee lowered his tone to a whisper. “They knewabout us from the time we left Sharpstone, and we were followed, atleast for a time, out of Valshara. Clearly they have a more efficientsystem for gathering intelligence than we do.” He scowled. “Iintend to change that.”
“How do you plan to do that?” She picked upanother strawberry.
“I am very wealthy, my dear,” he stated.“And so are many of the people we have met, such as Lord Broinand Lord Ganflin. Information is nothing more than a commodity. Ifyou have the coin, it's yours.”
“But won't the informants have already beenbought?”
“Almost certainly,” he affirmed, smiling.“But the one dependable thing about scum is that they willalways serve as many masters as can pay. But I won't be contactingthe street dregs directly. I have friends among the nobility. I'llmake the inquiries through them.”
Dina furled her brow. “And what happens if yourfriends have been bought as well… or worse, joined our enemies?”
He shrugged. “Then that will tell me what I needto know. But I doubt they'd betray me openly. Most know me from mydays studying under local sword masters. I had a reputation as a veryskilled swordsman.” He chuckled and shook his head. “Thenobles aren't what you would call courageous, at least not in the waya soldier is courageous. They wouldn't risk my wrath unless they werecertain they could get away with it.”
Dina recalled watching Lee battle the elf seeker,Berathis. “I don't imagine any of them would want to upsetyou.”
Lee grinned fiendishly. “Not unless they want meto pay them more than a social call. But, I know one lord I cantrust. I saved his life.”
“Really, how?”
“He made the mistake of drinking and gambling atthe wrong tavern,” Lee replied. “And he tends to flashhis money when he's had too much wine. Not something you want to doin Baltria after dark. I stopped three thieves from killing him forhis foolishness.”
“Well, I hope that would buy you a bit ofloyalty,” said Dina. She yawned and blinked her eyes. “Andon that note, I need to rest for a bit. Wake me before sunset.”
Lee nodded. “Just don't leave until I return.”
“And you remember that you are not invulnerable,”she said, as she got up from her seat, making sure not to forget herstrawberries.
Lee laughed, sprung up and snatched a berry for himself.“I'll be fine.” He made his way to the door and venturedout into the city streets.
The sun was still high in the sky, and the heat remindedLee how far removed from Sharpstone he was. He had sent a messengerto his friend early that morning asking him to meet him near thedocks. He couldn't risk being noticed. Dina was right to think thatthe nobility could have been bought off. Their entire world revolvedaround the acquisition of wealth. In some ways they were no betterthan bandits. Then there was the real possibility that they had sidedwith Angraal, which would be worse. Bought loyalty could bechanged but a true believer…
It wasn't long before the houses transitioned fromtypical Baltria dwellings into the structures that had been built ontall pylons. Lee had been in the city during a particularly bad floodyear, when the water had risen enough to cover the high porches. Itwas a wonder the entire city wasn't drowned, but Lee discovered thatBaltria was equipped with a system of drains and manual pumps thatcould be used to keep the majority of the city dry.
The mold stench of the docks filled the air as Leeneared. Sailors in brightly colored shirts and hats stumbleddrunkenly through the streets, and merchants shouted their wares topassers-by. It wasn't long before Lee could see the tall masts of theships peeking over the roof tops and sounds of orders being barkedand bells ringing carried on the air. A minute later the massive dockcame into view. It stretched out from east to west as far as the eyecould see. When Lee first saw them, years ago, there were hundreds ofships coming and going, loading and unloading. But now there wereless than fifty ships in all.
Lee frowned. The dark times havestruck everywhere.
The Plank Walkers cafe, where he was to meet hisfriend, was located only a few yards from the docks. Mostlypatronized by officers and merchants, Lee knew the place well. Itboasted the best seafood stew in the known world, a claim wellsupported by popular opinion. Lee had once tried to get the owner togive him the recipe but to no avail.
Lee climbed the stairs to the deck where a short, plump,young woman greeted him. She smiled warmly and showed Lee to a table.
“And what'll you be havin' today, sir?” sheasked cheerfully, with a thick Baltrian accent.
“Seafood stew, of course,” Lee replied.
“Right away.” She spun around heading to thekitchen.
A few moments later a young, dark haired boy brought himsome bread and a bottle of wine.
“Careful, Starfinder,” said a voice from thesteps. “That isn't weak northern wine you're drinking.”
“Lanson Brimm.” Lee laughed. “I don'tthink it's my drinking that needs to be monitored.”
Lanson was a tall, slender, middle-aged man. His fine,sandy blond hair blew carelessly in the sea breeze. He wore a bluecotton shirt and trousers with white silk embroidery, and asilver-handled short sword hung from a black leather belt.
Lee stood and embraced the man tightly. “It's goodto see you.” He offered him a chair. “Are you eating?”
“I'm sorry, my friend,” said Lanson. “Imust leave you soon. Frankly, I was surprised to get yourinvitation.”
“Why is that?” asked Lee.
Lanson shook his head and wagged his finger. “You'vemade some powerful enemies. Every noble in the city has been paid forinformation on you, and the Gods only know how many street vermin areon the lookout.”
Lee straightened. “Paid by whom?”
“Don't be naive, Starfinder.” Hereached over and took a piece of bread. “The ambassador fromAngraal started making inquiries months ago.”
“Ambassador?” Lee exclaimed. “InBaltria?”
“I'm afraid so,” said Lanson. “He andhis attendants have set up residence inside the governor’smansion.”
Lee suddenly felt exposed. “The King allowedthat?”
“Allowed?” laughed Lanson. “He gave itto him.”
“And the governor?” Lee asked.
“He moved into his own private home, claiming itwas his decision.”He bit off a piece of bread. “I…” he swallowed. “Ipersonally think the man is no longer running the city in anycapacity.”
“Why would you think that?” asked Lee.
Lanson shrugged. “Because crime is down, and inspite of the empty docks, profits have never been better. GovernorGreenly is a moron. He couldn't manage the city in good times. If hewasn't the King's nephew, he would never have been appointed in thefirst place. No, Angraal is in charge around here. They'repumping gold on top of gold into the economy.”
Lee was appalled. “So you want them here?”
Lanson nodded indifferently. “Sure. They're goodfor the city. So long as they don't send an army our way, I don'tmind.” He could see Lee's apprehension. “Don't worry. I'mnot one of the faithful.Those people are lunatics.”
“The faithful?”said Lee. “What in the name of Dantenos are the faithful?”
Lanson cocked his head. “You have been gone a longtime, old friend. The faithfulfollow The Reborn King of Angraal. They claim he's thereincarnation of King Ratsterfel, and spend most of their timecausing trouble for the temples. Lately, it's become fashionable tobecome one of them if you're nobility. But, if you ask me, it's abunch of hogwash. None of them really believe it. They just like thattheir purses keep getting fatter.”