The stocky ruffian led the visitors up a flight of stairs. The climb felt awkward, because the risers were too low and shallow for long human legs and feet Still, Aeron managed the ascent without stumbling. At the top, they found the leader of the Lynxes seated at a halfling-sized table tucking into a breakfast substantial enough for a giant.
Ombert Blackdale had the straight, shiny raven hair, luxuriant sideburns, and pleasant features characteristic of his kind. In his case, a round face and a sprinkle of freckles contributed to the general appearance of amiability. Despite the short sword lying ready to hand among his silverware and fine porcelain crockery, he scarcely looked the part of an outlaw chieftain, but anyone familiar with Oeble's criminal element could attest to the fact that he was almost as dangerous a felon as Kesk, though he lacked the latter's instinct for sheer viciousness.
'Good morning, Aeron!' the halfling called. 'Who's your friend?'
'Miri Buckman of the Red Hart Guild,' the ranger replied.
Ombert frowned and asked, 'The same guide who killed Kerridi and the others?'
'Yes,' Aeron said, 'but I can't afford to care about that right now.'
'If you say so,' Ombert said with a shrug. 'They were your friends. Welcome to the both of you, then. Will you join me? I like a good breakfast before I turn in, and I think Cook made enough for a couple more plates.'
The twinkle in his blue eyes said he understood very well that the kitchen had prepared enough eggs, toast, ham, bacon, and slices of apple and melon to feed a dozen.
Aeron hadn't eaten since the start of the previous night, and the steaming food both looked and smelled appetizing. He opened his mouth to accept the invitation, and it occurred to him: What if something was drugged? That would explain why the Lynxes hadn't tried to overwhelm him and Miri by force of arms. They knew an easier way to take them prisoner.
Yet he'd decided to gamble on Ombert. Otherwise, he and Miri wouldn't be there at all. It made no sense to go that far, then risk offending the halfling by declining his hospitality.
Accordingly, Aeron said, 'Thanks, we could use a meal. I'm afraid these cloaks are wet…'
'Toss them anywhere,' Ombert said. 'Someone will come around to clean up after us.'
The little chairs were hopeless for full-grown humans. Aeron realized that he and Miri would do better sitting or kneeling on the floor. She looked entirely comfortable in that attitude. He supposed scouts were used to taking their meals without the benefit of any sort of furniture.
The food was delicious, and nourishment seemed to push back his weariness a little. That was good. He wanted his wits sharp for the conversation to come.
Ombert let his guests eat in peace for a while, with only the clink of their forks on their plates to break the silence.
Eventually he said, 'Well, my friend, it seems you're the most popular man in Oeble. Everyone is looking for you.'
'Including the Lynxes?' Aeron asked
'Of course,' Ombert said, his voice as serious as could be. 'When I clap my hands, a net will fall from the ceiling.' Miri glanced upward, and the halfling grinned. 'I'm joking. The tanarukk is offering a considerable bounty, enough to tempt most anyone, but I'm inclined to let the Red Axes do their own dirty work.'
Aeron said, 'I was hoping you still hated him.'
Ombert smiled, but his eyes were cold.
'Hate's such an ugly word,' said the halfling. 'Let's just say that he and I have been trying to pick many of the same plums for quite a while now.'
'As I recall, he made a couple attempts to kill you.'
'I survived, and sent a warning. It's old news now. Let's talk about your adventures. What was in the lock-box you stole?'
Aeron saw no point in giving that particular piece of information away.
'I don't know,' he said. 'It's warded, and I haven't been able to crack it.'
'If you don't even know what it is, then why didn't you hand it over to Kesk as agreed? It's not like you to break a deal.'
'Kesk knew the box would be well protected. He didn't warn me, and Kerridi, Dal, and Gavath died. What's more, the Red Axes were planning to murder whichever of us survived the job.'
'So no one could trace the coffer to them. Fair enough, that certainly relieves you of any obligation. Though it doesn't explain why you're running around with the same guard you robbed in the Paeraddyn.'
'Kesk took my father hostage,' Aeron said.
Ombert frowned and said, 'That's a breach of the code, as I see it. Nicos was one of us in his time, and always dealt fairly with his fellow thieves. He earned the right to live safely in his retirement.'
'When has Kesk ever truly cared about the code?'
'You have a point.'
'Anyway, Miri offered to help me rescue my father. In return, I'll give the strongbox back to her.'
Shifting his gaze to the scout, Ombert arched an eyebrow.
'Wouldn't it be easier just to knock this rascal over the head when he isn't looking,' the halfling asked Miri, 'tie him up, then torture the location of the coffer out of him?'
Miri glared at him and said, 'I gave my oath.'
'Of course,' Ombert said. 'Forgive me, I meant no offense. So, it's the two of you against the Red Axes and all the lesser gangs who truckle to them. I'm afraid you're still facing some long odds.'
'You Lynxes could improve them,' Miri said, 'by joining forces with us.'
'Why,' said the halfling, 'would we do that?'
'If you hate Kesk,' she replied, 'this is a chance to spite or maybe even kill him.'
'Outlaws don't prosper by indulging such passions,' said the halfling. 'The successful ones concentrate on gold and silver.'
'If that's the case,' Miri said, 'the man to whom the lockbox rightfully belongs will reward you.'
'How much will he pay?' Ombert asked. 'Enough to warrant risking my entire operation in another blood feud with the strongest gang in Oeble? It seems unlikely.'
Miri drew a deep breath, evidently to calm herself, then said, 'Look. You spoke of following a code. Well, if the coffer doesn't reach its proper destination, a good many innocent folk will suffer. Lord Quwen and the people of Ormath need the gold the sale of it will bring.'
Ombert poured himself some tea from a silver pot.
'I've never been to Ormath,' he said, 'but I've heard tell of the place. The proudest, most warlike city on the Shining Plains, ready to attack its neighbors at the twitch of a cat's tail. If they're currently enduring hardship, perhaps they brought it on themselves.'
Miri blinked. Plainly, Ombert's knowledge of faraway lands had taken her by surprise.
She pressed on: 'Let's talk about Oeble, then. I can't tell you what's in the strongbox. It's not my secret to give away. I will say that in the right hands, it can bring prosperity to a good many folk.'
Ombert waved his hand in a vague gesture that took in the spacious room, the gleaming table setting with its bounty of food, the thick carpets adorning the hardwood floor, and the vivid tapestries on the walls.
'Oeble's prosperous already,' he said.
'For you reavers,' Miri answered. 'But how many other folk suffer as a result of your killing, stealing, and slaving? How many rot in poverty because they're too honest to join one of the gangs? It doesn't have to be that way. Given the proper opportunity, Oeble could make its gold lawfully.'
'Which doesn't sound like nearly as much fun,' Ombert said, and he shot Aeron a wink.
'It would be healthier,' Miri said. 'The rest of the Border Kingdoms scorn Oeble for the nest of robbers it is. Someday, one of your neighbors is going to clean it up. In other words, conquer, rule, and exploit you to suit themselves. Unless you mend your ways.'
Ombert added milk and sugar to his tea.
'Mistress ranger,' he said, 'you have some interesting notions. But I must tell you, I don't aspire to be a god or even the Faceless Master, and I'm not prepared to take responsibility for the welfare of every wretch in Oeble. I have enough to do just looking after my own followers. And as for the threat of someone marching into town and taking over, well, I'll deal with it when and if it happens. The Gray Blades have never managed to stamp out the Lynxes, and I doubt that an outlander garrison would fare any better.'
