She nodded in understanding. Every major guild had at least a few spies in their neighbor’s guilds. It was common business practice.
“I lost contact with them several weeks ago,” Jarnsmor admitted with a troubled frown. “We’ve sent several messages but haven’t received any reply. I’m afraid that they’ve been found out.”
And most likely executed or imprisoned. She could see why he was worried. “You can’t send any of your people in after them.”
“Not without giving the game away,” he agreed, mouth in a flat line. “If they are undiscovered, but unable to respond for some reason, I risk exposing them. It’s a small chance that’s the case, but I don’t dare react hastily. But no one knows you or your connection to me. It would be safe enough to send you in, I think. But I want you to report your findings to me.”
“I had every intention of doing so,” she agreed, mouth quirked up mischievously. “But if you want me to go and bring news quickly, it’d help if you lent me a ship.”
“Ah, that’s what you’re after.” His eyes crinkled up in amusement. “Alright, I’ll arrange it. Be ready to depart in the next few days.”
“I will.” Well, that was one problem sorted. Now to make preparations for everything else. “Can I ask when exactly you lost contact with them?”
“Some two months or so ago, we noticed that it had been a long time since we’d received any information from them.” Jarnsmor picked up his glass and twirled the liquid about in an idle way. “We don’t get regular updates from them, you understand, just when they have something to report. It could well be that their disappearance can be linked to the change of leadership in Fallen Ward.”
Siobhan blinked. “Fallen Ward has a new guildmaster?”
“As of about six months or so ago. The old leader had quite the funeral, I understand. I can’t tell you much about his successor, however. Actually, it was because I wanted information about the new guildmaster that I contacted my people. But ever since the change in leadership, we haven’t heard a single peep from across the channel. I haven’t the faintest idea if the new guildmaster is a man or woman. It could be some mythical creature for all I know!” he said disgruntledly.
She nodded understanding, well able to imagine how frustrating this must be. Information was vital when trying to conduct business with other guildmasters. If Darrens had been here, he’d have likely hit the table with a closed fist at this point, in sheer frustration. “I’ll try and find every bit of information I can,” she promised him.
“Good. Thank you.”
They ate in companionable silence for a moment before Jarnsmor cleared his throat and ventured, “The young man that is in your guild. He bears a striking resemblance to an assassin that hails from this city. Bloodless, I believe his name is.”
Hooo, so he’d figured it out that quickly? Or someone in his guild had recognized Rune and reported it. She looked him dead in the eye. “His name is Rune and he’s a member of Deepwoods.”
Jarnsmor held up a hand in a placating manner. “I’m not trying to stir up anything. If he’s with you, he’s with you. I’ve seen the way that young man responds to you, after all. I don’t expect trouble from him. But I am curious, how did you bring him over to your side? I’ve met a few people from Silent Order before and they are cold souls, like empty dolls. I’d never thought that they could be brought into a good guild.”
Yes, she’d had a few doubts about that herself the first few days with Rune. It was her experience with Wolf that had made her try at all.
“Did you seduce him away somehow?” Jarnsmor asked, head cocked.
“No.” The memory made her smile as she answered. “I scribbled on his face. Much more effective.”
“Eh?” Jarnsmor blinked, uncomprehendingly, then put his breakfast aside completely. “Now, you must explain that.”
Chuckling, she obliged and told him the story as she ate. Jarnsmor proved to be a good listener, only interrupting once to ask a question and otherwise paying strict attention to her. But then, this man ruled one of the largest guilds of the four continents. A man in his position had to be very, very good at communicating in order to stay in power.
When she’d finished, Jarnsmor laughed aloud. “Card games and doodling on people’s faces…now there’s a tactic I’ve never heard