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A man with slicked back hair, a pinching nose, and dark eyes steps from behind Reynauld, irritation at my interruption evident on his face. At least that makes two of us. I don’t want to be here any more than he wants me to be.
Reynauld turns to face the man now at his side, but the man doesn’t move. A few long seconds pass, and I can’t help but look between the two. From what I know of Reynauld I doubt this man’s obstinance will be well tolerated.
A final, silent glare from Reynauld spurs the man forward. “Of course, Sir. I will see you later this evening.” His superior makes no note of farewell as Jaren turns to leave. The man glowers at me, even daring to bump a shoulder into mine as he passes. A chortling sigh escapes me. I’ve met enough unfriendly pettiness in this city that it hardly fazes me anymore.
Reynauld turns, moving toward his stables. I assume I am to follow, although he says nothing nor gives me any kind of gesture to do so. I’m next to him in only a few large strides.
“Some of us struggle with authority more than others. I apologize for his rude behavior. It will be dealt with, I assure you,” Reynauld tells me. “Now, as I was saying. I was in the market earlier today, and my purse was stolen right out from under me. It’s difficult times indeed when you aren’t quite sure if you’ll return with everything you left with.”
I eye him warily as he talks, his words dripping with counterfeit innocence. He sounds ridiculous, playing the victim. He’s one of the wealthiest people in all of Turin. So many of our renowned blacksmith’s are owned by Reynauld, and our famous steel has all but been monopolized by his power. A few missing coins mean nothing to him.
“It’s definitely something the Guard is aware of—ensuring safety of person and property forallthe citizens of Felshan is our highest priority.” I give him a pointed look.
“You definitely have your work cut out for you. Since the king and queen took theirtemporaryhiatus from country affairs.” His sarcasm doesn’t go unnoticed. “It seems everyone has become a victim of theft nowadays. I’m sure the monarchs want to remedy this as soon as possible.”
It takes all my energy not to laugh in response to the hypocrisy he’s peddling, or punch him square in the face for openly insulting Cassus and Amelia. Probably just testing my loyalty, picking at it each time we cross paths. If even one crack forms in a dam, it can be prodded and dug through until eventually the entire thing crumbles down. He will never get that satisfaction from me. This dam of loyalty will never crack.
It would be nice for him to have the Guard Captain on his side, doing business out in the open instead of jumping through time-consuming hoops to keep it hidden. If he weren’t personally upholding the economy of Turin, bringing in more trade from his ties in the Kotar than any other citizen, and employing half the Turinian steel blacksmiths, the Guard would have raided his properties years ago.
Nobody ever knows exactly what he’s been up to, never able to pinpoint his crimes in a way that our laws will uphold were he to be arrested. He’s smart. He knows how to hide. And he has everybody so afraid of economic collapse that not even King Cassus will move against him.
“Well, that’s why I’m here.” I bow slightly, arms stretched out on either side. Reynauld purses his lips as he stares at me, clearly understanding my sarcastic gesture before he begins.
“I was at the market. There was a sack of coins in my satchel I was using to purchase a gift for my wife.” His wife? I steel my face at the lie, stopping a loud scoff from rising to the surface. “I’m fairly certain it was a young girl bumping into me that did it. She was maybe eighteen or nineteen years old. Hit me just below my chin. Brown hair, the color of wet sand. Wearing a dark cloak and trousers.”
“A cloak? And trousers?” I question.
“I thought it odd as well in heat such as this. Perhaps a guard, playing undercover tactics.”
I laugh out loud this time. “A guard, stealing your money at the marketplace?”
“Crazier things have happened,” he says, straight-faced.
All seriousness has left my body, and the smile doesn’t leave my face. “The only women currently under my command are stationed at Fort Frennin or Port Riga, at least a two days’ journey from here if they rode all night on the fastest horse in Felshan. It was not one of mine.”
“I’m not as convinced as you are. But if you say it wasn’t one of yours, then it wasn’t one of yours.” A smirk crosses his face as he finishes speaking, his beady eyes like that of a rodent as he looks at me.
“I promise you. If the Royal Guard wanted to steal from you, it would be much less obvious than a young girl in trousers at the market.”
“It sounds as if you’ve thought about it, Captain Montgomery.”
“Never,” I say, a grin giving away my real answer. “I do wonder though,” I continue, “why you care so much about a single sack of coins. You seem to be doing quite well for yourself.” I gesture with my hand around his home and estate. “I wonder why you’d put up such a fuss for a tiny bit of money.”
In a rare moment, his facade drops. “It’s the principle of it,Captain. That someone would steal fromme.” He speaks so forcefully I almost want to take a step back. But he straightens quickly and wipes at his jacket and sleeves, his mask returning with a single laugh. He reaches out and claps my shoulder. “I thought you of all people would understand that, as you deal with thieves all the time.” I glance at his hand on my shoulder before angling myself back until his arm falls back to his side.
“How sure are you this girl is the one who took your money?” I ask, unable to hide my disdain.
He quickly closes the space yet again. “Very certain,” he says sternly.
I eye him up and down. “Ok, so we’re looking for a young woman, not tall and not short, brown hair. Trousers. Maybe wearing a cloak. Anything else?” I reply with a smile that doesn’t reach my eyes, holding my ground this time.
“She’s a malicious little witch who took enough to cover a week’s worth of supplies. I want it all returned plus fifty percent. Or I want her prosecuted and thrown into prison.” He turns away from me, giving me time to drop the act as dutiful captain and mimic my silent disgust in his direction.
“You know the law is ten percent,” I respond.
“I want fifty.”
“I don’t control the amount owed in recompense,SirReynauld.” I wait to finish until he turns to face me. “But I can find this girl. And if she took your money, it will be returned plus ten percent and a few nights lockup depending on how much she stole. As per the law,” I state.
