The other two men nodded in hearty agreement and departed, peering through the openings in the lush, green walls in search of an empty spot. Vambran turned back to Jenis and ordered three mugs of her finest dark ale. Soon enough, he had the drinks in his hand and was working his way through the various patios, seeking his companions. He finally spotted them in a corner around a table meant for two. Shrugging, Vambran set the drinks down and grabbed an unused chair from another table and squeezed in beside them.
"Here's to gold weighing my pockets down," Adyan drawled, hoisting his own mug up to clink it against the other two before downing a long gulp.
"And to the ladies we spend it all on," Horial added, winking as he slurped from his own mug.
"Hear, hear," Vambran agreed, smiling. After each of them had savored the taste of their ales, Vambran settled back in his chair. "Did the men get their payments?"
"Aye," Horial said, drawing his finger through a wet spot on the surface of the table. "All except Ludini, who had to tend to some family matters in Mimph and caught the ferry there first thing this morning. But I already knew he wouldn't be around for several days. I put his share away for him."
Vambran nodded and replied, "We may have a job in a tenday or so, not sure yet. Will Ludini be back by then?"
"Should be," Horial replied, sketching something with the moisture. "What sort of job?" Vambran rolled his eyes.
"Oh," he said, "some merchants the temple has been using keep complaining that the competition is bullying their caravans whenever they try to use a certain waypoint on the Golden Road. We may tag along on their next run to see to it that it stops."
Adyan snorted into his mug.
"Merchants," he scoffed.
Vambran raised a single eyebrow at the sergeant who, realizing he had just insulted all three of their families, raised a hand in placation.
"Oh, not our Houses, sir," he said quickly. "I just meant the foolish, no-sense kind."
Vambran couldn't maintain the glare though and broke into a grin.
"That's all right, Sergeant Mercatio, you just keep right on insulting my family. You'll make captain in no time."
Horial guffawed as he was drinking and nearly choked.
"Adyan never met a man he couldn't insult sooner or later," the man said, wiping foam from his nose.
The three of them chuckled a moment longer before Vambran grew serious.
"Listen, you two," said the lieutenant. "I have something weighing on me that I need some help with."
"Name it," Adyan said, setting his empty mug down. "I'm there."
"Absolutely," Horial added. "Whatever you need. We've been friends a long time, Vambran."
Vambran nodded, having known to expect the two men's willingness. "Yes, we have. And we've been through some rough scrapes along the way," he said, looking at each of them intently. "Some things we don't even talk about anymore." The lieutenant raised his eyebrows to emphasize his point. "This may be one of those times before the night's through."
Both men's faces turned solemn.
Good, Vambran thought. They understand.
"We're your friends," Horial said. "Whatever's going on, nothing's changed in all these years. Not even that."
"We'll help you any way we can," Adyan drawled, frowning. "Just tell us what you need."
"Are you both sure?" Vambran asked. The two sergeants nodded. "All right, then," the lieutenant continued. "Last night, Emriana and I ran up against some fellows who I think were pretending to be city watchmen. These thugs killed two people, supposedly in the line of duty, but I think there's something else going on. Today, I got jumped by three vermin who definitely weren't after my coin. Someone is hiding something and is awfully intent on keeping me from finding out what it is. But that's exactly what I intend to do, and I need someone to watch my back."
"Sounds like a mighty good time to me," Adyan drawled, popping his knuckles and grinning, emphasizing the diagonal scar on his chin. "What's the full story?"
After flagging down a barmaid and ordering another round of drinks, Vambran proceeded to explain his tale to his two friends. When he was finished, they nodded.
"Hey," Horial said, "I already told you I was your man, but after hearing that, you know we have to set things right."
Adyan nodded in agreement. "If nothing else, you'll be wanting that dagger back," he joked. "When do you want to kick their door in?"
"Tonight," Vambran said. "As soon as you two are ready to go."
Adyan looked forlornly at the half-finished ale sitting in front of him. "Might want to finish my drink, first," he said hopefully.
Vambran rolled his eyes and laughed.
"I think we have time for that," he said.
The trio sat and conversed for a little while longer, finishing their drinks, and set out to begin their night's work. As they departed, Vambran glanced skyward and noted that clouds had rolled in off the Reach, obscuring the waxing moon and bringing the smell of rain with them.
It would be a good night for hunting, the lieutenant decided as he withdrew his sacred medallion with Waukeen's profile graven on it. Closing his eyes briefly, Vambran drew upon the divine blessings of his goddess, visualizing his sister's dagger in his mind and concentrating on discerning its location. He felt an urge to travel west, toward the docks. Nodding, he set out, leading the way.
None of the three noticed a single figure lurking among the deeper shadows of a doorway across the street from the Crying Claw. As the three friends made their way down the street, the figure cautiously stepped out of those shadows and began to follow them.
"Yes, I was the one who sent the two Halanthi priests down to the city watch station house with instructions to burn the bodies," Grand Trabbar Lavant said. "How is this a concern of the Sapphire Crescent?" he asked Kovrim, who stood in the Waukeenar high priest's offices, staring at the rotund man with the pudgy fingers, each of which sported a gold ring, heavy with diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds.
"Then you interfered with an investigation of murder!" Kovrim replied angrily, ignoring for the moment how unbecoming it was for him, a mere Syndo priest in the temple's hierarchy, to speak to the Grand Trabbar that way. "Why would you do that?"
Lavant smiled. "Please, Syndo Lazelle, calm yourself. If you will hear my explanation and give this matter a moment's thought, I think you will come to understand the importance of seeing the events play to this conclusion. But I will not abide you raising your voice to me."
Kovrim bowed his head in acquiescence.
"Of course, Grand Trabbar," he said. "I was out of line. My apologies."
"Not at all, my brother. It is often a narrow and treacherous line we must walk in order to ensure a bountiful return on our spiritual investments. The Merchant's Friend would have everyone enjoy the windfalls of shrewd trade, taking us ever closer to the golden age that lies ahead, but there are many poor investments that beckon to us during our dealings. We all struggle from time to time, allowing anxieties over whether or not our coin has been spent wisely to cloud our judgment. You speak from the heart, and that is good, but you must remember that only cool heads can prevail at the bargaining table."
"Of course, Grand Trabbar. Thank you for helping to guide me in my spiritual commerce. May you have many returns on your investments in me."
Lavant smiled, nodded, and said, "Now, to the issue of the two unfortunate victims of last night's crime. What occurred was a result of some very delicate business negotiations that had hit a snag along their course to completion. Those deaths were an inelegant and short-sighted solution, and if I had been privy to the plans from the beginning, I would have counseled strenuously against it. But what was done was done and, by the time I found out about it, could not be reversed. Rest assured that those responsible have been harshly dealt with.