Gristav strolls back past the House of the Silken Veil, its plaza now busier with the swell of traffic that comes with the lunch hour. Across the street from the prostitutes on display, a real-estate-savvy lunch counter is packed, the clear draw being its collection of stools, chairs, crates, and other makeshift seats from which the girls can be ogled rather than the rather stringy and undercooked meat pies they're selling.
The outside dining at the Three-Billed Duck is similarly busy, if not yet at standing-room-only, its lone advantage being the food. Gristav sees Sludge outside the railing before spying the gnome at the table on the other side, engrossed in a plate of griddlecakes.
"Griddlecakes, again? Eternally? Would you mind if I joined you? I know we've an agreement, but you might have had other plans?" Gris idly scratched at the hound's ears, with only a glance and a smile at the gnome inside the fence.
Walking inside, Gristav attends the tapmaster first. "Good day. One of whatever the gnome favors, and something brown to go with red flesh, and red flesh, browned, to go with that. Missed you the other day, was on my way to the arena, but you were off to the lobsterman's. I understand, duty. I didn't do any worse, without the native eye, but no better, either.", Gris banters, smiling.
"It'll get better. And Shorafa's no wizard, bub... she's a priestess. Divine magic. So you can erase that last bit from your mind and create some space," he says with a slight hint of a wry grin forming.
"Griddlecakes, again? Eternally? Would you mind if I joined you? I know we've an agreement, but you might have had other plans?"
The gnome glares back, offended. "One might as well complain because one has only air to breathe. Do you know how many ingredients go into a griddlecake? And how many variants of seasonings and extracts? And toppings! One has only begun to sample the possible toppings: butter, herbed butters, syrups of various saps and sugars and fruits and berries, spices from Garund and Casmaron and the vast reaches of the world. The permutations are virtually endless. Eternally? Yes, eternally, and longer!" he ends on a oratorical note, brandishing his fork. Sludge watches it wistfully, wondering if the morsel pierced thereon might be shaken loose.
"Good day. One of whatever the gnome favors, and something brown to go with red flesh, and red flesh, browned, to go with that. Missed you the other day, was on my way to the arena, but you were off to the lobsterman's. I understand, duty. I didn't do any worse, without the native eye, but no better, either.", Gris banters, smiling.
"What's that?" Alex replies before catching on. "Oh, aye, the lobsterman!" He straightens up, giving a surreptitious glance toward the kitchen door before grinning a bit sheepishly. "A temperamental sort. I give him a visit on occasion on Fireday afternoons to make certain he's sending us the best lobsters." He fills a pair of mugs. "Beef is it then? Or a spot of venison?"
Shrugging "They will likely be looking for passage back, but best to distance yourself from those thoughts."
Marce shrugs, weathering the rebuff with good grace. "Once in the Cove," he warns Phillip, "if they don't have the benefit of a man who knows the ships, they might want to consider returning by land. Haddock and Teach won't be coming straight back, and betting your life on the honor of a crew in Roderic's Cove is a fool's wager."
Braddon and Snake retrace their steps back to the south toward Wharf District. As they pass the Gold Goblin, they see several Varisians sitting beneath the shade of the verandah, eating lunch and passing around a jug, the preparation of the courtyard momentarily set aside as they take a break. None of the permanent employees of the casino are immediately in evidence.
Phil nods with a grave expression and expresses "Again, good work done swiftly... if you've the time tomorrow you're welcome at the Goblin?" before breaking off and farewelling his fellow halfling. Phil then returns to waiting and looking for sign of Braddon.
"Griddlecakes, again? Eternally? Would you mind if I joined you? I know we've an agreement, but you might have had other plans?"The gnome glares back, offended. "One might as well complain because one has only air to breathe. Do you know how many ingredients go into a griddlecake? And how many variants of seasonings and extracts? And toppings! One has only begun to sample the possible toppings: butter, herbed butters, syrups of various saps and sugars and fruits and berries, spices from Garund and Casmaron and the vast reaches of the world. The permutations are virtually endless. Eternally? Yes, eternally, and longer!" he ends on a oratorical note, brandishing his fork. Sludge watches it wistfully, wondering if the morsel pierced thereon might be shaken loose.
"Your gestures tease the hound. You'll not take offense if I gather a plate for myself, one with flesh? In Tien, there were such folk, and such philosophies. If you think griddlecakes are infinite..." Gristav left further elaboration for another time, and went into the taproom.
"Good day. One of whatever the gnome favors, and something brown to go with red flesh, and red flesh, browned, to go with that. Missed you the other day, was on my way to the arena, but you were off to the lobsterman's. I understand, duty. I didn't do any worse, without the native eye, but no better, either.", Gris banters, smiling."What's that?" Alex replies before catching on. "Oh, aye, the lobsterman!" He straightens up, giving a surreptitious glance toward the kitchen door before grinning a bit sheepishly. "A temperamental sort. I give him a visit on occasion on Fireday afternoons to make certain he's sending us the best lobsters." He fills a pair of mugs. "Beef is it then? Or a spot of venison?"
"Mind you, I don't feel the need, in a place like this, but in a town like this, to ask how fresh the venison is. But I'm sure Quinta lets nothing but wonders pass from her kitchen, so venison, please. No rush, I'll be lunching with the gnome. I doubt he'll run out of things to say."
Braddon passes the Gold Goblin with barely a glance.
He heads down to the docks and gazes over the ships that appear to be in harbour.
"Mind you, I don't feel the need, in a place like this, but in a town like this, to ask how fresh the venison is. But I'm sure Quinta lets nothing but wonders pass from her kitchen, so venison, please."
"Aye, but you have no question about how fresh the beef might be," Alex chortles. "You see any cows wandering the streets and alleys? Or you think we fish them out of the harbor? You're a lubber, for sure; inlanders seem to think beef springs, fully-cooked, out of every kitchen."
"You can relax," he winks. "Just as the beef comes from outlying farms, the venison comes from hunters. You can buy both in Leeward Common, though the venison's 'dearer.'" He chuckles at his pun. "But if ever you're in doubt, nothing's fresher in a coastal town than the fish." Still amused, he gives Gristav a nod before heading to the kitchen to put in the order.
------------------------
He heads down to the docks and gazes over the ships that appear to be in harbour.
Braddon sees ... ships. Not as many as he was accustomed to seeing in Ostenso, and what craft there are are smaller and shabbier. Nothing like the Chelish naval galleons, of course, nor even the more modest merchantmen with their fresh paint and neatly-coiled ropes. Still, Roderic's Cove is only a short jaunt down the coast; that doesn't take an ocean liner.
The boardwalk is crowded with sailors and stevedores, officers and crew, going on and off ships, in and out of the waterfront taverns. It would be easy to overlook a halfling in the chaos.
"... if you've the time tomorrow you're welcome at the Goblin?"
The pair have reached the fork where the path leaves the road toward Cas Cazynsik's workshop. Marce nods in acknowledgment. "Aye. Ethel'll be there? She wouldn't forgive anyone not turning up to her party. I'll do my best to make an appearance." He gives Phil a nod of farewell and heads back to work.
Turning, Phillip heads back toward the waterfront. Glancing down the boardwalk, he spies Braddon examining the ships and Snake's distinctive hat above the heads of most of the crowd.
Nodding "Aye, Ethel'll be there." tipping his imaginary hat before Marce departs.
Noting Braddon, Phillip leaves his place of rest to draw within speaking distance - making his presence known with a "Afternoon... did your diversion bear fruit?"
"Mind you, I don't feel the need, in a place like this, but in a town like this, to ask how fresh the venison is. But I'm sure Quinta lets nothing but wonders pass from her kitchen, so venison, please.""Aye, but you have no question about how fresh the beef might be," Alex chortles. "You see any cows wandering the streets and alleys? Or you think we fish them out of the harbor? You're a lubber, for sure; inlanders seem to think beef springs, fully-cooked, out of every kitchen."
"Not at all. But venison won't be led to market or slaughter, convenient to a tannery. I think they've learned, from the beeve's example.", Gristav says with a smile.
"You can relax," he winks. "Just as the beef comes from outlying farms, the venison comes from hunters. You can buy both in Leeward Common, though the venison's 'dearer.'" He chuckles at his pun. "But if ever you're in doubt, nothing's fresher in a coastal town than the fish." Still amused, he gives Gristav a nod before heading to the kitchen to put in the order.
"If it were wrapped in doe, I wouldn't buck.", Gris tags out, carrying the tankards back to Natinilinus.
"Where in this town would a... dwarf, go for legal language?", Gris asks, taking a seat.
Noting Braddon, Phillip leaves his place of rest to draw within speaking distance - making his presence known with a "Afternoon... did your diversion bear fruit?"
Braddon looks to Phil and his face drops.
"No. You were right. She hasn't been there. No one has. There's just her stuff she left behind and some seed for her bird. Gristav says he can get us the fastest ship in Riddleport, but not until tomorrow. How did you go?"
Phillip's only response to Gristav's seeming claim to have the fastest ship in the fleet is a skeptically raised eyebrow. He lets his mouth expound upon his own findings. "The Coral Plunder sails tonight under the command of a Ferdinand Haddock... the next to leave would be the Fearful Jewel on Sunday night or Moonday under Jude Teach. Neither is bound for Roderic's Cove direct, but they'll swing by on their way past and drop off human cargo for 5 gold a person. Passage would be booked through the Captains directly, though you can use the name of my contact, Marce Washburn, to make sure the sailors don't stiff you on price."
"The captains and crew are working men, not nightingales - so I'd leave your reasons to yourself and share as little as you need. From Marce's words Roderic's Cove isn't likely to offer a way back by sea as easily, so you might want to find your way back overland."
"Of course you could always wait for Gristav's supposed ship, and his supposed command of it's destiny... if it's anything like his opinion in priests I'm sure it'll turn out fine." deadpanning a warning about the last time trust was placed wholesale in Gristav.
Running a hand through his hair Phillip ends with an honest question"Anything else I can set up for you? - whatever you plan, keep me in the loop eh?"
"Where in this town would a... dwarf, go for legal language?", Gris asks, taking a seat.
"Gas Forges," the gnome replies immediately, spearing an irregular polygon of griddlecake and eyeing it critically in the sunlight before popping it into his mouth.
"Of course you could always wait for Gristav's supposed ship, and his supposed command of it's destiny... if it's anything like his opinion in priests I'm sure it'll turn out fine." deadpanning a warning about the last time trust was placed wholesale in Gristav.
"That worked out fine," Braddon defends Gristav. "We made a fortune and the scars are healing nicely." Braddon's smirk betrays some understanding.
Running a hand through his hair Phillip ends with an honest question"Anything else I can set up for you? - whatever your plan, keep me in the loop eh?"
"Of course. I was gonna head off as soon as possible. You're not coming? Are we free tonight? I don't wanna face a spell caster alone."
"As I said before... I'm not leaving till after the Goblin's second night in operation is played out. If you put off your passage then I'll come with... but if you've eyes on the Coral Plunder's sailing then it'll be without me."
"When's the second night? Tomorrow? Would we be back by then? I suppose if we're working for Saul we should be there. Especially if there's another robbery. And Zincher might do that spider thing again. And Dayn may get better. And if we get the fastest ship in Riddleport, we'd be able to catch up to the others right?"
Braddon looks around forlornly.
"We should probably all stick together too if we're gonna face Lil. We did okay against the mad priest. Together we can probably take the mad mage."
"Where in this town would a... dwarf, go for legal language?", Gris asks, taking a seat."Gas Forges," the gnome replies immediately, spearing an irregular polygon of griddlecake and eyeing it critically in the sunlight before popping it into his mouth.
"...gas forges...", Gristav whispers, then argues more clearly, "Yes, but this dwarf's not fond of... still. Greatreave, bravo. If I hadn't ordered, I'd run off. But I should stay, at least some minutes... does you companion favor venison? Do you allow such?"
"Venison," he repeat, with a skeptical frown. "Flesh of a dead animal. I have sadly not succeeded in breaking Sludge of the barbaric habit. I suppose some aspects of biology are simply too ingrained to be denied." He waves his fork with resignation.
"When's the second night? Tomorrow? Would we be back by then? I suppose if we're working for Saul we should be there. Especially if there's another robbery. And Zincher might do that spider thing again. And Dayn may get better. And if we get the fastest ship in Riddleport, we'd be able to catch up to the others right?"
Braddon looks around forlornly.
"We should probably all stick together too if we're gonna face Lil. We did okay against the mad priest. Together we can probably take the mad mage."
As Braddon seems to be wearing himself out, Snake looks to Raccoon with a raised eyebrow and gives a slight shrug before turning his attention back to Braddon. "You know, I think that's a good idea, bub. Probably best to stick together on this one and wait until after the second night. If this Lil character has help, I'm willing to bet we're gonna need all we can get ourselves." Snake cuts his eyes back over to Raccoon, nodding.
Nodding to add his own affirmation to the pile, Phillip confirms "Aye, Moonday early it is... and barring misadventure between now and then, you'll have my hand turned to your purpose." smoothing out his mustache as he runs the permutations in his head with respect to the Cloud and the potential for the Fearful Jewel to sail before they're ready for it.
Settling on a path he asks "If Gristav's ship comes tomorrow and if it's ready to set out again so soon and if it's headed the direction of Roderic's Cove and if the Captain's agreeable... we'll lean that way." pausing to add emphasis "But... I'd feel more comfortable having a second option up our collective sleeves. With your blessing, I'd spend some words with Captain Teach and see if I can't ensure he doesn't sail early?" directing the question at Braddon to give a clear show of deference to him as the conductor of their small choir at least within this enterprise.
"Venison," he repeat, with a skeptical frown. "Flesh of a dead animal. I have sadly not succeeded in breaking Sludge of the barbaric habit. I suppose some aspects of biology are simply too ingrained to be denied." He waves his fork with resignation.
"In similar vein, my faen. Milkweed on the winds of wimsy, me... So if I've a bite or five, and left the rest in his reach? Or no, better to cut it to bites, and scatter them outside the fence. Quinta took lye to a pot I'd magicked clean, one imagines jeweler's rouge and a feltbelt treadle, for a plate licked by a prince.", Gristav jokes.
"Some talk of talking ship in pursuit of the perfumed quarry. Any interest in that? We'd not thought it your duty, but it might be ours, to indulge your will, if you would? I'll caution, you distinctive pair might tip a hand, if the gendarmes haven't already. Not that the rest of us, exactly, blend."
"With your blessing, I'd spend some words with Captain Teach and see if I can't ensure he doesn't sail early?" directing the question at Braddon to give a clear show of deference to him as the conductor of their small choir at least within this enterprise.
Braddon thinks for a moment and a moment more. The silence stretches just a moment too long before he responds, "Umm... sure."
He looks around and leans in, lowering his voice a bit."Did you see the letter the scribe sent? It said Scarlet Lil was with Kreeg or some guy on the Teeth of Araska. But Malkith pointed out that since we stopped the letter, Lil had no way to know to go to Roderic's Cove. But the General was gonna put it back 'cause the harbourmaster is one of his lackeys. But we didn't get the letter to the General until yesterday. So I guess Lil won't know to go there until her ship next makes port. Could we sail out and look for the Teeth do you think?"
"Some talk of talking ship in pursuit of the perfumed quarry. Any interest in that? We'd not thought it your duty, but it might be ours, to indulge your will, if you would? I'll caution, you distinctive pair might tip a hand, if the gendarmes haven't already. Not that the rest of us, exactly, blend."
"You've discovered her whereabouts?" Natinilinus asks sharply.
In his best explaining why a three year old can't have a second icecream voice Phillip ventures "The sea is a very big place Braddon... Much easier to catch a ship where it starts or stops than trying to sift the whole ocean for it while it's sailing." pausing to run a hand through his hair and ponder.
"No, I haven't seen the letter - I'm going off your word that says that Roderic's Cove was the place we needed to go. If there's doubt in that?..." pausing to let Braddon affirm his either lack of or firm conviction.
Snake looks back to the ranger with a raised eyebrow, curious if he's actually confident about the contents of the letter.
"Well, I never actually read the letter. It was written in Hellish. But Malkith read it. And it definitely told Lil to get Treeg to take her to Roderic's Cove 'cause Riddleport wasn't safe 'cause we'd been in her flat and someone said we were with the Gendarmes. I guess the ocean is a pretty big place."
"If they docked Oathday, wouldn't they have to dock again to get the letter? Could we grab her then? Would your whispers," Braddon turns to Phil, "be able to reach us before they left again? How long does it take to take on water?"
Braddon gives a wry smile and thinks "Markos would know."
"Some talk of talking ship in pursuit of the perfumed quarry. Any interest in that? We'd not thought it your duty, but it might be ours, to indulge your will, if you would? I'll caution, you distinctive pair might tip a hand, if the gendarmes haven't already. Not that the rest of us, exactly, blend.""You've discovered her whereabouts?" Natinilinus asks sharply.
"Only that a contact unilaterally planned to meet her someplace. Whether that means she was known to be there already, or to frequent it... I suppose I cannot know. We cannot even know she's aware of the contact's intent. But there's some intent to pursue that thread. Some, to rush like hounds. Some, after other business. But intent."
Phillip's eyebrows dip inwards as his mind turns to thought and he muses aloud in keeping with the flow of his introspection "Taking on water would imply the ship was at the docks for a scant few hours only... would've been enough time for many things if done with intent. If there was a letter left it would've been taken then or not at all. To me if comes down to one point of distinction... is Shorafa trying to screw us over, or is she just desperate."
"If Lil's in the wind, it's probable she's on the Teeth bound for or already arrived to Roderic's Cove. I'd wager my stake on that personally.
If not, it'll make for an interesting second night at the Goblin..." implying that if Shorafa wanted them out of Riddleport by sending them on a wild goose chase, then fireworks would fly tomorrow night.
Settling himself into resolution with a smoothing of his mustache Phillip closes "We're gambling, but my gut tells me Lil's not here, my head tells me to ride out Varisian Caravan night and my heart's screaming at me to sharpen my blades. Braddon, outside the murder house you asked if I was prepared... I wasn't then, but I won't be caught short again. Best we're all prepared for what might leap from the shadows of Riddleport" a brief glance towards Snake reinforcing that he's got more reasons than most to be ready for war.
"You've discovered her whereabouts?" Natinilinus asks sharply."Only that a contact unilaterally planned to meet her someplace. Whether that means she was known to be there already, or to frequent it... I suppose I cannot know. We cannot even know she's aware of the contact's intent. But there's some intent to pursue that thread. Some, to rush like hounds. Some, after other business. But intent."
"Hm," he turns back to his griddlecake. "I am an investigator. I find, and I find out. What's done with the information I ferret out is immaterial. You are satisfied you know where to find her, or do you wish me to continue my investigation?"
The halfling's words leave an ominous feeling within the tall man. "Raccoon's right. She's not here. And she won't be coming back until she knows it safe. If she's smart enough to get away with what she's done, she's not gonna be equally as stupid and just sail on back as if everything is okay. And if she's headed for the Cove..." Snake pauses a moment, thinking back on the words from Beltias Kreun that still haunt the tall man: "It's us took the risk of a new location, not the rest of you sitting pretty back in the Cove... back in the Cove... back in the Cove." "What are you doing here? Did Marzo send you?... Did Marzo send you?... Did Marzo send you?"
Shaking his head and reaching up to rub his eyes in frustration, "Damn." What in the Nine Hells am I a part of? If only I could remember SOMETHING about ANY of it. Taking a deep breath, "Yeah, Raccoon's got it right all the way around. Sharpen your blades and watch your back, bubs, this is gonna get worse before it gets real bad. Especially if we have to travel to the Cove to find Lil." Snake shakes his head gravely, knowing it could very well be the last place they visit. "So we ride out the second night and then we return to this Lil business. Leaving any sooner obviously puts The Goblin at risk - especially in this 'friendly' town. And I don't really feel like looking for another job. I don't think Saul would give me much of a recommendation for my next one if The Goblin gets hit while I'm not there."
The moment hits Phillip in the face like a chilled side of beef as he's put slackjawed for a pair of heartbeats. The practiced facade falls before being forcefully regained and the diminuitive scoundrel begins to remonstrate with himself for his stupidity "... Eu son un tolo cego, como, en nome da vespa fixo eu non me lembro!"
Chuckling as he shakes his head there is regardless a smirk on his face and sparkle to his eye as he looks to Serpe "Aye, a homecoming it will be..." the eyes met lingering and knowing before moving on "I'll speak with Teach and reserve our back-up, when next we see Gristav he just needs know to seek out his ship and captain, the less he knows the less he'll tell to all and sundry."
"I'm still for the arena this afternoon... if you're at an end it'd be an easy way to keep your mind free?" offering an invitation without strings.
Chuckling as he shakes his head there is regardless a smirk on his face and sparkle to his eye as he looks to Serpe "Aye, a homecoming it will be..." the eyes met lingering and knowing before moving on "I'll speak with Teach and reserve our back-up, when next we see Gristav he just needs know to seek out his ship and captain, the less he knows the less he'll tell to all and sundry."
Giving a resigned look, "You're right about that."
"I'm still for the arena this afternoon... if you're at an end it'd be an easy way to keep your mind free?" offering an invitation without strings.
Snake looks over at Braddon a moment before eventually shrugging. "I'll check out this arena. I got nothing else going on."
"I'm still for the arena this afternoon... if you're at an end it'd be an easy way to keep your mind free?" offering an invitation without strings.Snake looks over at Braddon a moment before eventually shrugging. "I'll check out this arena. I got nothing else going on."
"I guess I'm free if I'm not saving Dayn. Were we getting those gems split up? Has fancypants sold our stuff yet?"
"Magnimar's on the case... I'd wager he'd likely be back later this afternoon."
"Okay, let's lose the money we have then."
"I'll see you there, have to speak to a man about a ship first."
"Sure. Do you want us along? I make a great bodyguard."
Back at the Three-Billed Duck, a serving-woman steps out into the outdoor dining area with a plate of venison and two mugs. Looking around, she spies the gnome and approaches his table to deliver the order. "Venison, and two ales, sir."
Smiling Phillip shrugs "Up to you, I'll not say no to the company." the halfling then turns to Snake to see if he's an intent to come also.
Regardless Phillip's steps take him back along the docks towards Cas' shipyard, and he explains to any accompanyment along the walk "The Fearful Jewel is in for overhaul, and Marce thinks it'll be fit to sail likely late on Sunday. My thoughts are to offer Teach an invitation to the casino's Varisian Night, along with his crew of course, so that they'll be in no fit state to sail till the morning following."
"Only that a contact unilaterally planned to meet her someplace. Whether that means she was known to be there already, or to frequent it... I suppose I cannot know. We cannot even know she's aware of the contact's intent. But there's some intent to pursue that thread. Some, to rush like hounds. Some, after other business. But intent.""Hm," he turns back to his griddlecake. "I am an investigator. I find, and I find out. What's done with the information I ferret out is immaterial. You are satisfied you know where to find her, or do you wish me to continue my investigation?"
"Any more you might learn would be more to sail with, and secrets are shield and sword, facing spells. But I don't think you'll find her. And I respect your time, too much to waste it. You've put me on to the Gas Forges - it was obvious, really; I'm just too involved - And I'll be bound there next. I've an earlier mystery you might add light to, if you'll accept the mission. The Flying Cloud is the fastest ship in Riddleport, and the how of that is..."
Back at the Three-Billed Duck, a serving-woman steps out into the outdoor dining area with a plate of venison and two mugs. Looking around, she spies the gnome and approaches his table to deliver the order. "Venison, and two ales, sir."
"Thank you, miss.", Gristav says, with a nod that hinted at him rising from his chair. "If I might settle up, now?", Gris asks, closing an empty hand to open it an instant later, full of coin. "For whatever you've brought to the table", he said, gesturing to take in Greatreave's cakes, the ales, and all. "For your master and mistress, with my thanks. And another for- well, Millicent, is it? Another by way of apology, to whoever had to lye and boil the crock I returned. I had hoped to make all your burdens, less. Not hers, any greater. I am sorry; magic is part of my blood, I forget it's not a part of everyone's world."
When the girl had gone, Gristav set to finish his outline to Natinilinus, and some portion of the venison, all at once. "A Garundi wizardess, or perhaps a witch. There can't be many, about. There's a bearded, burly, boarder, and a bowl-cut oarsman, also in the party rebuffed from boarding. But its the Garanne, I most want the name of, or whatever you might gain of, as I'm guessing, her services being more dear, she was either purpose-hired, and perhaps turnable, or if not turnable, likely to be more highly placed than the beard and the bowl."
A small-cut bite had disappeared almost as if by magic, with every pause. A brace more vanished, before Gristav warned, "I have to caution you, the witch had a deckful of sailors spellbound. I wonder, if she'd any art affecting your friend. Do take care. That is, if you'll take the charge, at all?"
Falling in step with the others, Snake listens to the halfling's plan. "Hm. Sailors and ale. Gotta say, that's one idea that I can't find any way for it to fail."
The gnome leans forward over his momentarily-forgotten plate, his eyes gleaming. "You want me to find this southern woman? Or discover the Cloud's secret?"
"I want you to find out about the Garanne, who she is, who she works for, who she was working for that night. Same for the beard and the bowl. Don't risk hide nor hound, it's only trivia, for now, but proofs to defend your involvement in later matters, to those who are skeptic. Not of you, of me, and all fruit of that vine. My instinct leaves others unreassured. Better to recount your successes, a list that daily grows."
"I very specifically do not want the Cloud's secrets hunted. I'm hoping to get them handed over. And if denied, I'd respect that choice. But others want them, so be aware. Others, with thugs and witches in hand, and in use. Now, once, thwarted, but I would not bet, gentled."
"Done," he agrees. "I shall ferret out this woman and her accomplices. How shall I contact you when I have the information?"
Braddon shrugs and follows Phillip, half listening to his plan.