"And what's this exemplar of propriety name?" I asked. "Throshush
Alcides Hybarates, third tier noble of House Galvanus of Raibanth.
Whatever the hell a third tier noble is." "And he's the actual or
titular head of the Willowgreen Association here in Pavis?" I
asked. "Actual head I believe. I'm not certain if there is anyone
else from House Galvanus involved locally. They do not mingle with
what passes for nobility here in Pavis. And I don't believe they mix
with the Sun Dome types either." It was Belvani's turn to look
askance. "What, Dara Happans mingling with mere followers of
Yemalio? Not a chance. We couldn't stand the brilliance of Yelm
shining out of their collective asses. We're preferable to the rest
of you rabble but only just." He snorted in disgust. "We certainly
wouldn't be let in the main entrance. No, it'd be the servant's
entrance for us." It was pretty amusing to see the snooty Sun Domers
being treated like they treated the rest of us. But that wasn't
bringing me any closer to solving this mess..
"So the grunt work is done by lesser status members of the
Association?" Hallarax nodded and added, "Or by the growing number
of local agents they are hiring. It's much easier to make a living
working for them than starving without work. Of course some families
are just giving up and going back to subsistence fishing. And maybe
the odd bit of smuggling of course." Hallarax winked at us and we
rewarded this confidence with a laugh. Far be it for me to quash the
entrepreneurial spirit. "And of course," Hallarax added, "the
Sartarite exiles will have nothing to do with the Willowgreen
Association. They're making a decent enough living doing jobs for
the Garhounders or other groups that won't work with Lunars or
Solars. So far Count Solanthos has been using non-Willowgreen
outfits as well. Apparently a shall we say diplomatic meeting
between the association and him didn't go well." Belvani didn't
flinch at this so he either knew about it or wasn't surprised at
being left out of things.
I suddenly stood up, okay so I clumsily got to my feet. I still managed to beat Belvani up. "Thanks a lot for the info Hallarax, I owe you one." I never make such an offer lightly. He shrugged and said, "Glad to have been of help Treibonus. I don't know what good this information is going to do you though." "It's useful," I assured him. "Sorry about the goon." Hallarax waved my apology aside. "Don't worry about it. Maybe he'll be quicker on his feet next time and actually keep you out." Belvani and I laughed and made our farewells. We went out the way we came in past Hallarax's pals who were loitering around the outer office. I cheekily waved goodbye to the spotty clerk who tried to cower behind her desk and we emerged into the brutal midday sunshine. "So now what?" asked Belvani. "What else?" I replied, "We pay the Willowgreen Association a friendly visit."
To be continued
Oliver
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