Episode 5: Hive of Scum and Villiany.

Episode 5: Hive of Scum and Villiany.

The Copper Coronet, like most slum-district taverns in cities accross Faerun, was dirty, dark and smelled of decay. This appealed to Talon on a number of levels, mainly because it reminded him of a cool dark hole in the ground in which an animal might shelter from the weather or a predator, both situations he could relate to from a number of angles. He also loved the Coronet because of all the places in Athkatla, this one reminded him the least of August Rencour.

Talon strode in confidantly, he had considered using the sewer access, but today he didn't. This was mainly because Lehtinan didn't approve of the use of the tunnels for business unrelated to his little corner of the slave trade, but mainly because Talon himself disliked passing by the slave pens, dozens of pleading eyes trailing behind him.

Talon prefered death over slavery, be it his or others, often killing slaves along with their masters when executing contracts, because just liberating would not save them from the memory of slavery. Talon would have killed Lehtinan for his part in the slave trade when they met, but at a crucial point Lehtinan had proved useful in Talon's life, providing locations to some of August Rencour's enemies in the merchant community amoung other things. Talon's policies on loose ends and slavery meant he'd have to kill Lehtinan eventually if someone else didn't, but for now the serpentine tavern owner was relatively safe from the bite of Tooth and Claw.

As Talon entered he noticed a fair few faces in the bar, some old some new. Most unfamiliar were the Helmite asleep on his feet over by the wall, the colorfully dressed nobleman by the bar, and the Kara-Turan in the corner, whom Talon picked as a bountyhunter by his bearing and watchful gaze. Korgan was there, but an amiable nod from Talon, to tell the dwarf he'd buy him a drink later, was enough to keep him out of his business for now. He had expected to see the de'Arnise girl around, pretending to be one of the common people again, her regular table had half a glass of whatever wine she had been drinking, but she was nowhere about, maybe she'd finally found an adventure for herself.

Approaching the bar, Talon was mildly concerned that Salvanas would blow his cover, but despite having been a drinking buddy of Rencour's that self-deluded fop failed to recognize Talon. Perhaps, Talon thought to himself, if I'd been female it'd be another matter. He wondered what the fool would do if he ever had a woman, after all he'd told Rencour so many tales about life at sea, and especially the great exploits of his magnificent captain, one would suspect he had an eye for other things.

Settling down on a barstool Talon ordered a Luskan ale, and asked Bernard to fetch Lehtinan. Expecting trouble, but being wise enough to want no part in it, Bernard delievered the tankard and his employer as isntructed, and withdrew to the kitchen.

"Mmmm Yess?" The slime hissed curiously
"Name's Bandon." Talon's glare permitted no question or doubt, Lehtinan got the point.
"You would be here about my spice order then?" Lehtinan played the game well.
"Yup, but before I make good on delivery I need to call in a favor." Talon could see the lump in Lehtinan's throat as he swallowed audiably.
"Anything I can do you know that."
"Two things, I need all the good word on a noble lass, name of Marquise, and I need word spread that I, Bandon, am looking for some low level work."
"What kind of work? I've never known you to be hard up for a contract"
"Not that kind, simple thug stuff, but I need it made real public that I'm looking."
"Done" He breathed, "Where will I find you."
"At your place, you can shack up with Madame Nin till my business in town is done."

Without waiting for an answer, Talon picked up his tankard and walked toward the stairs leading to the backroom. The thug in cheap chain guarding the door seemed ready to contest his passage but a shake of the head from Lehtinan quickly stilled him.

"Boo!" Talon shouted in passing, and chuckled quietly to himself as the guard flinched for his sheathed longsword, "Stupid thugs."