It had been awhile since Talon had been here but he most definitely remembered his contact in the Sailor's Nest. Talon left The Swinging Parrot and tried to orientate himself in relation to the front gate. Getting his bearings he set off. It took him a little bit to make his way to the Nest. Full dark had descended on the city and the street traffic was drastically reduced. From what he remembered it wasn’t necessarily a dangerous thing to be out, accepting the fact that one knew where one was. Most shops closed their doors and people spent the last hours of wakefulness in the comfort of their own homes or, in the case of those he was visiting, the comfort of a tavern.
The streets in this area of town were not stone and the entrance to the Sailor’s Nest was a muddy tracked mess from the recent rains. Not worrying about the mud, Talon stepped to the door and let himself in. In start contrast to the Swinging Parrot, the Nest was a bustling room full of flagon swinging patrons with one hand, hollering for a refill, and groping the serving wenches with the other. Talon wove his way through the ale stained tables and made his way to a closed door in the back.
Two hard knocks brought a small spidery looking fellow that walked with a hunched back. “Captain, good to see you again.�
“Talon, it sure be you wouldn’t it? Come in, come in. Been awhile,� the hunched man crept backwards allowing room for Talon to enter. A nod from his head sent a large man sitting in a chair to the side out of the room, but not before a long assessment of Talon. A small grunt from the little man closed the door. “I am sure you remember Rastal, he still finds it impossible that you bested him.�
“Rastal shall get over it I am sure. He has his value.� Talon made his way to a seat in front of a well worn desk.
“He may yet. He has been doing some extra training and I wager you may have another go at him if you plan on staying around here for any amount of time.� The man gently lowered himself into his seat behind the desk.
“If he must,� Talon sat forward a little bit. “I plan on being in the area for a few days at least. I have a task for you to do Sheldon.�
Sheldon sat as straight as his back would allow and his eyes slightly raised, “Excellent, it has been a little slow around and, as you know, your money is always good here.�
“So I expect. ‘Tis a simple task really, but one of some importance to me. Two names. Jeryn and Zyll. I want to know about their operations here. I want to know how many of Jeryn’s men are here and where they operate. For Zyll, I just need information on him, whatever you have.�
Sheldon sat back again allowing his back to bend his head down once again, “Zyll and Jeryn eh? They have a history, as you no doubt know. In somewhat recent past Zyll has gotten the bad end of some deals with Jeryn. Currently Zyll is trying to pick up the pieces but it is slim pickings. When the deal went bad for him he had to stiff a few people that don’t normally take well to being stiffed. He has since hired extra guards and has some more city guards on his payroll to look after his well being. Nobody really knows what exactly will come of it, but there are a choice few that would like to get a piece of Zyll. Jeryn, that name most often falls from the tounges of Zyll’s men, usually in the form of a curse. Truth told, Jeryn’s business has made some rich men here as well. Whatever happened, and there are few that really know the details, took from the rich and gave to the poor. Some of the small shops that were going under because of Zyll’s strong arm are suddenly quite prosperous. Only bad when you look at it from Zyll’s point of view. Will have to dig a little bit to learn anything else. Circumstances are odd and don’t lend themselves well to questions.�
Talon nodded and paused a moment in thought. Leaning back once again in his chair, Talon reached to his side and removed the coin purse and tossed it onto the desk. “This should cover most of your expenses for what I ask. Send a message to the Siren’s Call with the name Lonat when you have what I ask.� Talon got up to leave at Sheldon’s grunting acknowlegement.
“Talon,� Sheldon’s almost whisper turned Talon around before he exited the room. “Zyll and Jeryn is bad business. The circumstances are rich with the scent of spilled blood. Something is building and there are few that know what. It may be that your presence here is not a welcomed thing, it may get the response that nobody wants. This place is like a suspended droplet of water, the slightest shake could send it tumbling into the darkness below.�
Talon paused at the open door. “I hear you, we will see what happens. I best keep a low profile and you understand the trust you have by receiving that location. Best not spoil that trust.�
Talon left the bar deep in thought. Trouble was brewing from the sound of it. Hopefully Sheldon will be able to figure something out. Talon made his way back towards the Swinging Parrot. On the way he stopped by a very large Inn called Siren’s Call that he passed on his way to the Nest. Talon entered the Siren’s call and went to the front desk where he quickly rented a room under the name Lonat and told the desk to hold all messeges.
Talon then made his way back to the Swinging Parrot taking various routes almost getting lost at one point. When finally sure of his surroundings and sure that he wasn’t being followed he entered the inn and had a filling dinner. Talon then went up and entered the room where he found LiAra asleep and fully clothed holding the nightgown. Talon set himself in the chair and gave it a comfortable tilt and proceeded to catch what sleep he could as well.
