“Sorry, but they have very strict rules.” Hadrian started to get up.
“Please, listen. I have asked around. Those who know the pulse of this city tell me there is a pair of independent professionals who take on such jobs if the price is right. How they manage to work with impunity outside of the organized guilds is a matter of speculation, but the fact remains that they do. This is a testament to their reputation, is it not? If you know these men, the members of this Riyria, I beg you, implore them to assist me.”
Hadrian considered the man. Initially, he thought him to be another of the many self-absorbed nobles looking for a chuckle at some royal banquet. Now, however, the man’s demeanor changed. There was a hint of desperation in his voice.
“What’s so important about this item?” Hadrian asked as he eased back into his seat. “And why does it have to disappear tonight?”
“Have you heard of Count Pickering?”
“Master swordsman, winner of the Silver Shield and the Golden Laurel? He has an incredibly beautiful wife named…Belinda, I think. I’ve heard he has killed at least eight men in duels because of how they have looked at her, or so the legend goes.”
“You’re unusually well informed.”
“Part of the job,” Hadrian admitted.
“In a contest of swords, the count has only been beaten by Braga, the Archduke of Melengar, and that was in an exhibition tournament on the one day he didn’t have his sword. He was forced to use a replacement.”
“Oh, right,” Hadrian said as much to himself as to DeWitt. “He’s the one with the special rapier he won’t duel without, at least not in a real fight.”
“Yes! The count is very superstitious about it,” Dewitt said nothing more for a moment and looked uncomfortable.
“Did you stare at the count’s wife too long?” Hadrian inquired.
The man nodded and bowed his head. “I’ve been challenged to a duel tomorrow at noon.”
“And you want Riyria to steal the count’s sword.” It was a statement not a question, but DeWitt nodded again.
“I am with the retinue of Duke DeLorkan of Dagastan. We arrived in Medford two days ago, part of a trade negotiation hosted by King Amrath. They held a feast upon our arrival and Pickering was there.” The baron wiped his face nervously. “I’ve never been to Avryn before—for Maribor’s sake, I didn’t know who he was! I didn’t even know she was his wife until I was slapped in the face with a glove. I’m scheduled to duel him tomorrow at noon so the sword must be stolen tonight.”
Hadrian sighed. “That is not an easy job. Taking a prized sword from the bedside of—”
“Ah…but I have made it easier,” DeWitt told him. “The count, like me, is staying with the king for the negotiations. His quarters are very near my duke’s room. Earlier this evening, I slipped into his room and took his sword. There were so many people around I panicked and dropped it in the first open room I found. It must be removed from the castle before he notices it is missing since a search will surely find it.”
“So, where is it now?”
“The royal chapel,” he said. “It’s not guarded and is just down the hall from an empty bedroom with a window. I can make certain the window will be open tonight. There are also ivy vines just outside the wall below the window. It should be a simple thing really.”
“Then why don’t you do it?”
“If thieves are caught with the sword, all that will happen is the loss of their hands, but if I am caught, my reputation will be destroyed!”
“I can see the reason for your concern,” Hadrian said sardonically, but DeWitt appeared oblivious.
“Exactly! Now, seeing as how I have done most of the work, it doesn’t sound so bad, does it? Before you answer, let me add this to the proposal.”
With some strain, the baron pulled the bundle from beneath his foot and placed it on the table. A hearty metallic jingle sounded when the saddlebag hit the wood. “Inside you’ll find one hundred gold tenets.”
“I see,” Hadrian responded, staring at the bags and trying to breathe at an even pace. “And you are paying up front?”
“Of course, I’m not a fool. I know how these things work. I’ll pay you half now and half when I get the sword.”
Hadrian took another controlled breath of air, still nodding and reminding himself to stay calm. “So, you’re offering two hundred gold tenents?”
“Yes,” DeWitt said with a look of concern. “As you can see, this is very important to me.”
“Apparently, if the job is as easy as you say.”
“Then you think they will do it?” he asked eagerly.