The kid was working the street near the wharf as the ship docked. Fresh meat, he thought to himself before finding an inconspicuous place to watch the people offload and mark his targets. The people of Soupat were beginning to recognize the rag tag gang of youths that constantly were lightening their purses so a new ship with new sailors who would likely get drunk and prove easy targets was always welcome.
As he positioned himself he noticed a man slip off the ship rather quickly. It was not uncommon for ships to transport passengers but there was something... odd. The man was alone and had an air of confidence that a regular passenger didn't have. And although he thought he had blended in rather nicely to the surroundings, a shiver ran up his back when their eyes met. He knew this was something to report to the "Master".
He watched as the man walked by the tavern district and followed him at a distance he felt not even this man would notice. Almost loosing him a couple of times he used all of his skills and knowledge of the streets to keep an eye on the man and watched as he walked right into the Company Stockade's gate. The guards didn't even challenge the man! No, wait... it looked like the man challenged the guards! With that he scurried back to the Blind Pig.
When he arrived the Pig was still fairly empty aside from a couple of sailors drinking and gambling with a whore on each of their knees. The boy chuckled to himself they would not leave with anything left in their purse but stayed off the temptation to take his fair share. The whores would surely get upset should he take from a customer. Instead he stayed on task and found the collector. The collectors took in the funds from the pickpockets, whores and thugs and took said funds to a back room where only The Master along with a few close advisers were allowed. Although the collector really didn't understand what all of this meant he agreed to pass on the message.
As the collector pushed open the door and walked in before closing it behind him. A moment later the collector walked out and told the boy he'd best get in there but prior to doing so he told him not to look The Master in the eye.
The boy walked in and seated before him was a man dressed in black robes. There was a large ruby ring on his left hand which held a tankard of what the boy presumed to be ale. In his right hand a cigar. The boy did not want to disobey so he kept his head down to be safe. He knelt, shaking a bit. Fear had gripped him and his mouth had dried.
A whack upside the head, Tell him what you saw! The boy about soiled himself before recounting the story and when finished it took the prodding of a thug to get him to stand up and walk out.
Meanwhile the robed man sat there stoking his beard in thought.
