There was a certain person in the underworld that is very good at his job. However, that job ain't killing or assassination or thing like that. What he is good at is delivery.
Information that need to be kept secret at all cost, treasure that need to be hidden away, and some time, just reporting what he has seen with his eyes.
He ain't never going to accept espionage job, but something like keeping tab on some random smuck just by watching them are too good to pass up. That is why he is in a pickle right now, because the good job he accepted came back to bite him in the ass.
Malory Crims can only curse his bad luck while looking at his employer.
So around a month ago some smuck came looking for him for a job. It was supposed to be some sissy heir to some rich family or something like that, but the actual person was more overwhelming than he thought. From the first glance Malory could tell the guy could snap him like a twig, well if they fight fair anyway, if it actually come to that he is pretty sure he can run away before the guy could do anything, Malory always managed to run away despite the odd.
The guy said
"Look after some people for me. Report to me at the end of the month."
"I ain't some nanny, or a spy. I ain't doing it."
"The people in question are in the Mahaiman recruit army, literally training in the backyard of Mahaima's capital. The pay are 1200 a month, take it or leave it."
Because of propaganda's purpose, the recruit army's training are in the open for all to see, and with it being the Mahaima's capital, it is literal a walk away for Malory. They say greed is the source of all disaster, guess they were right.
It was such an easy job, and he failed it.
"So can you tell me why my other source just told me the people in question are not there anymore."
It was kinda expected that someone who can throw that kind of money around are going to have two or three back-up plans, but it is bad that those other source come to his employer first, that mean they are essentially throwing the problem at Malory.
"Alright alright. I admit that I kind of fucked up there-"
"Double the contract fee."
"W-what"
"You pay back what I gave you in the first place, and another amount equal to that for breaking the contract. It was our term."
Malory raises his hands
"Now just wait a minute boss man. Ha... ha... I ain't breaking the contract yet, it says I need to inform you information about these people, and I think I can do."
Malory laughs nervously thinking about all the money he spent on booze and hooker. Let alone the amount for breaking the contract, he already spent most of the forward pay. One the other hand, he spent a night with the most expensive prostitute in the whole capital... The way she...
"The point is that I can give you some valuable information right boss man. With that we can be even alright."
He can only feel his employer giving him the "look" that say "You better do so."
Beside, it is not Malory's fault in the first place, what he is good at is "Delivery", not "Espionage". It is expected that if there was trickery in the cloak and dagger kind, it would catch him of guard. The reason the man hired Malory in the first place was because of his delivery skill anyway.
In this age, it is kinda hard to keep in contact with other people unless you are one of those legendary mage. Standard delivery is okay, but for the more important task, speed and safety is a must. 'One a month run back to my family's territory and keep me updated about those people', it was standard delivery job in the contract, Malory only has to report what he saw, not what he spied. The employer seem to keep constant update about the people in question, Malory doesn't really know why those people are important, but money are money.
"So the girl disappeared after the fourth day of the month. She didn't even join the army. Why though, I never look into it." Malory shrugs. It is not his job.
"And you didn't think it was important enough to report back to me?"
"Come on now, you know I only trade in information, not your henchman. What if the boy disappear in that time I was await and you blame me? I deal in information."
"...Continue."
"Anyway, the boy disappear two days ago, and when that happen, I immediately think of sending you a notice. I just didn't realize someone got to you first. But just so we are clear, it is not my fault alright."
Damn it, if only he knows who undercut him like that, he will kill that guy. How is he going to pay back that money in that short amount of time.
"Two day ago... The matter with the Lanton empire..."
The guy mutters something Malory couldn't hear before nodding at something only he can see.
"So... do I still need to pay back that money?" Cause he can run if the need arise. Well Mahaima capital city is a beautiful place, but running from debt is fair, right?
"Alright. You don't need to." Malory breathe a sigh of relief.
"In fact, I'm going to hire you to do some other thing after that whole debacle. In fact, it is your specialty, it is a standard delivery. I need to deliver some letters... anonymously."
Malory starts grinning from ear to ear, finally some real work after a while.
"You got it boss man. I ain't going to let you down, when it come to delivery, Malory Crims never fail."
The standard fees are 10000 for a letter.