Have you heard?

Writers: AL, Jane
Date Posted: 24th June 2008

Characters: Zathris, Zandreu
Description: Zathris checks for mysterious activity with Zandreu
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 10, day 1 of Turn 4

Zathris

"Zandreu!" The Tavern Master was greeted with a warm smile and a handshake. "Thank you for seeing me. How are you doing?"

"Very well. I would say I'm completely settled in here, now, though what the staff say might be another story. Can I get you anything to drink? Or anything to eat?" The Tavern Master's offer was automatic but this wasn't a typical visit. Zathris had asked to see him, and that made the tavern Master wonder. Hidework not adding up again? He thought he had checked everything twice and the journeyman from the Hall had been very helpful in popping over a few candlemarks a day for a couple of sevendays to help clear the backlog of administration.

Some klah might be nice, but Zathris merely shook his head. He was there on business and he had some other matters to attend to. Zathris couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the thefts than met the eye. It was then that the thought of checking with the Tavern Master had occurred to him, and that was why he was there. Zathris just wish he had thought of it sooner. "Thank you, but no. I just had something I wanted to discuss with you." He looked around, then added, "Perhaps somewhere less out in the open."

"Oh? My office is over here." The vintner led the way to the small office converted from one of the private rooms along the east wall of the great room. "Come in, take a seat." Zandreu indicated one of the chairs in the now tidy office and closed the door behind the other man.
"What's the problem?"

Zathris sat in the chair offered and then asked softly, "Have you seen anything odd lately, perhaps in travellers who act peculiar? Nervous?"

Zandreu's eyes narrowed. "Why? What are you looking for?"

"We had some thefts a couple of sevendays ago." Zathris explained, templing his fingers together. "I just thought that, perhaps, someone came through here or perhaps you've noticed anything suspicious."

"Small thefts? Big thefts? Are you looking for a party of people or just a persona acting alone?"

"It looks like something done by one or two people." Zathris held his hands out in a confused gesture. "There's really only guesswork as there isn't much to go on, but what was taken wasn't huge. It was just...disconcerting."

"Care to tell me what was taken?"

"A complete set of runner tack." Zathris shook his head. "Not a small thing to get away with - evidently a high quality set with some heft to it. Also some smaller items. Could have been one person but most likely not more than two."

"Do you think they'll be sold, or used? Because if they were stolen to be used then they're probably long gone."

"To be honest, I have no idea." Zathris shook his head. "It's a possibility they could have been taken to be sold, especially since it was a rather nice set."

"Hmm. Well I've heard nothing in here about such things for sale."

"No one acting strange?" Zathris pressed gently, "Skittish, nervous?"
Granted, the theft wasn't an extremely huge one, but one never knew.

"Nobody that I've noticed. I can ask the staff, though. It will be a good reminder that they should always bring odd behaviour to my attention."

"Yes, if you would please, that would be great." Granted, some time had passed since the thefts, but it didn't hurt to keep out a sharp eye. "And if you would let me know if you find anything strange, please."

"I will, of course. Is there anything else?"

Zathris shook his head. "No, but I appreciate your willingness to keep an eye out for me."

The Tavern Master nodded. "The last thing I want - or the Hall wants -
is for the Tavern to develop a less-than-pristine reputation. And becoming a meeting place for thieves would do that. It's in our own interests not to allow that to happen and to help the Hold out whenever we can."

"Certainly, I can understand that." Zathris stood and held his hand out to Zandreu. "Thanks again. I'll be sure to stop by some time and take advantage of your hospitality again."

"We will look forward to that."

Last updated on the June 28th 2008

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