The dead of night. Kayne stood at the middle of the playground, having snuck out of his home.
He was waiting for his sponsor. She usually appeared in the area around this time. She had been doing so for several months.
Thankfully, she actually appeared today. Wearing actual rags this time, she sat down on a bench and folded her little arms.
"Is your network ready?" She asked impatiently.
"What. No greetings?" Kayne said jokingly. "What happened to your manners?"
"I won't waste my elegance on commoner filth." She said decisively. "Although I'm impressed you even know that word. How did you aqcuire such knowledge?"
"My work requires tact." he bullshitted.
"Fair enough." She bought it. "Now answer the question."
"It requires only a mission...and a few extra silver." He said curtly. He knew the 60 bronze he had on him couldn't be enough. The Devi's would probably ask for a coin minimum.
"That all?.... I expected more difficulty. I'll pay 10 silver. 3 to initiate, and 7 when the job's done." She said, bringing out a silk purse. She opened it and brushed past the bevy of gold, searching for silver like it was spare change. She brought out 3 coins, dropping them upon the bench, but keeping her finger on them."Now. The mission."
Kayne was still processing what she just offered him. That was the price of a small cabin. Admittedly a one man cabin...
BUT STILL.
And from what he saw, there was at least over 12 gold coins in there.
1200 silver
120 000 bronze.
She could buy this whole district with her pocket change!
Who was this girl!
"Ahem. Whatever you need lady, we shall provide!" Kayne said in a manner similar to a particular hat wearing boy.
She rolled her eyes, then looked squarely at him.
"Let's begin then."
He shut his mouth and listened attentively.
"Every night for the past 4 months, a particular noble has been coming into the bar down here. A kid, no older than 18. He's been coming here with some friends of his in elaborate disguises.
At first I thought they were just messing around, but then I noticed they never reeked of alcohol or anything of the sort. So I got curious.
I tailed them for a while but I can't find out everything on my own. I know he's up to something but I can't figure out exactly what due to my...limited street smarts.
That's where you and your network come in. Your job is to secure information on whatever this noble his up to...quickly preferably. Did you get that?" She said, summarizing her request.
The hell. That sounded really high level. He thought she would just want eyes around the city. No wonder the pay was so high.
"A few details are missing." He said, being one to not miss crucial information on a case as touchy as this. "The noble's name, location of his bars and penalty if we are caught."
"...His name is Sir Kent of House Zelcris. He frequents the Northern bars only...and until the nature of their activities are exposed....I can only assume death." She said briefly.
Oh. Death. Nice.
"....I'll take it." He said, because he had invested too deeply to pull out now. Fortunately it wasn't his neck on the line. "Anything else you want to say?"
"Yes actually." She said. "How are you this capable at my age....As a commoner no less. You display impressive moral resilence for a 5 year old. No training can teach that."
"It's my secret. And no amount of gold will make me tell." He said, unable to come up with bullshit to answer that well aimed question.
Frowning, she stood up and stared at him, then tossed him the 3 coins. "If you attempt to scam me...I'll make sure you regret it." She said in a voice so cold it felt unreal coming from a 5 year old.
"Do not worry. A 5 year old wouldn't even be able to escape poorly trained guards. Or even carry sufficient luggage to survive a run." said Kayne, trying to avoid the demon's wrath.
"Fair point. Farewell then....Name?"
"Kayne. But people call me Cain."
"You said Cain twice."
"No, one strings longer."
"...True. Still terrible." She said curtly. "Goodbye." She said before her hand glowed blue and she drew a circle in the air, which caved in to form a white void. She then entered the gap and it disappeared.
Kayne stood there for 5 minutes, processing what he just witnessed.
She just teleported.
Like in the movies! Or those comics kids used to read!
It was like magic!
Magic!
Magic was a thing in this world!
This discovery changed so much!
He stayed there for an extra ten minutes, mulling over this discovery.
Why didn't the peasants use it?
Why had he never seen it till now?
So much unknown....but this far from discouraged him!
If anything it made this task far, far easier!
If he could utilize this, he could use magic instead of pointy sticks and long knives.
Imagine the turf wars!
...
Kayne was getting ahead of himself. He would ask his mother when he got home. For now he needed to focus on his mission....But this made him wonder....what else didn't he know about...
******
"My lord, the night deepens." whispered a man in peasant clothing. "We must return soon."
"Leofric be calm. I am aware it has been long since the moon rose." said a hooded peasant.
He was seated, and in front of him lay several documents. On the other side of the table was an obese old man, who hid no part of his nobility "Minister Vaugn. I hope to continue this discussion when next we meet."
"Haha, of course Sir Kent." Said the old man. "These plans are brilliant! With this....Yes....I shall become more than a simple minister.
"Indeed lord. Well, I take my leave. Take care Minister." Kent said as he got up, leaving the Minister smiling in his chair.
As he and his entourage climbed up the stairs, he gritted his teeth.
"Do not worry lord. It is for the greater good."
"....I hope so Leofric. I truly do."