Shefton gulps and nods. "You have my word...for what it's worth," he stammers and then hurries off. Unless someone stops him, he gets out of the taxidermist shop as quickly as he can.
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"So, I can...uh...go then?" Shefton asks, edging slowly back down the hall towards the exit.
"Well, I... I could ask her if she has a job she can give me," Shefton stammers. "If that's what you'd like me to do, that is. I... I don't know how good I'll be at the honest life, but...well, I can't be any worse at it than the dishonest life, I guess."
"I'm...urm...flexible," Shefton replies. "To be honest, I'd prefer to just skip town, but if you'd prefer, I could go back to the Lady Vanderboren's home or whatever else you think is best."
Shefton stares at the floor for a few moments after Nemien leaves, shifting his feet and clearly trying to decide whether to say something. After a moment or two, he does. "I don't suppose you might consider letting me go now? I know you have no reason to trust me and all that, but...well...I won't be of much use to you in the Lotus Dragons' hideout. I've never been in there, so I don't know the layout. I can't help you find your way around, and I'm not much help in a fight. I'm too much of a coward. There, I admit it. I'm a coward. In fact, I'd be more of a liability to you if you insist on taking me with you. I'd just get in your way. You'd have to watch over me. A lot of hassle for you with little benefit is all I'm saying. But if you insist I come with you, I'll come with you. Just thought I should say my piece."
Tippi lets out a sigh of relief as Lavinia and her servants leave the room and she no longer has to worry about maintaining Shefton's masquerade. "Nicely done," she tells him with a warning glance, "but don't go too far. If we can't persuade Vanthus to kiss and make up with his sister, we're going to have to tell Lady Lavinia how terribly you misled us all. I suppose we're off to storm the lair of the Lotus Dragons? Any ideas how we might get in? Shefton?" Shefton shrugs. "I'm not actually a member, remember? Vanthus was my sponsor. Still, your best option is to go to the taxidermist's and speak to him. He's not just going to coming right out and tell you what you want to know, but, well... I'm sure you can think of ways to convince him."
"A shipping business, milady," Shefton responds. "Nothing that you'd find very interesting."
Shefton bows clumsily to Lavinia. "Apologies for my appearance, milady," he says. "But yes, I'm a...um...business acquaintance of your brother's, and I can help direct your friends here to where he might be."
"Well, there's the Lotus Dragons," Shefton says. "Vanthus is trying to rise in the ranks there. I think I told you that already, though. He was supposed to sponsor me until he betrayed me. Um...he obviously betrayed that Penkus guy. Uh... charming anecdotes? Uh, well, he...he can be really funny at times. Great sense of humour. Sort of. Well, rather morbid one, really, but great if you're in the mood for it. Um... He usually dresses really smart. He's got that goatee thing that he keeps trimmed. Women swoon over him. Uh...really intelligent. At least, I always thought so, but I'm none too bright. Um..." Sweat drips from his greasy forehead as he tries to think of more to say.
Shefton goes pale. "Well, I... He goes even paler. "I really have told you everything I know. Everything I can think of, at any rate."
Shefton lowers his head and nods. He looks disappointed, but it's also clear he was expecting the answer. "Well, I had to ask," he says. "The Taxidermist's Hall is at the southwest side of the West Drenches near the wall with the Slave Quarter." |