Morning lessons being done, Haut and I walked down to the dining room where Kayle had our mid-day meal prepared for us.  Azabooth had gone to his room to change for some afternoon meetings.  

Kayle had set out a plate for each of us which consisted of bread, berries, grapes, and cheese.  Commoners would consider this lavish, because fruit was not common on the mainland, and typically imported from one of the elvish territories.  Most of the townsfolk relied on fish and grain-based foods, since Geaury was established on one of the 4 Huric Lakes.

Kayle's klee form was an average sized woman with shoulder length dark brown hair and green eyes, in her 40s.  She dressed as simple as one could as the wife of a successful merchant, wearing common dresses and a gold necklace with an emerald stone that Azabooth gave her when they were bonded.  Today, her dress was a dark blue, and her hair was pulled back in a french braid.

Kayle is our shoomitah, which is sort of like a mother in the cultures of men.  Unlike men, changelings cannot father their offspring, and require a male of another race to mate.  Changelings call this "The Curse of Amerish", or simply "The Curse."

"How were your lessons, podimae?" Kayle asked us in dwarven.

"Karuptik g'nasha sumpti fant," I replied, stuttering a little.

Kayle snickered, "Death as boring, huh?"  She raised one eyebrow and waited for a correction.

"Sumpti fant g'nasha karuptik," I corrected, putting a grape in my mouth.

"If you could keep your words in the right order, you could pass as a dwarf," she said smiling.  "They might think you mad though, so don't choose smart looking guises."  She looked at Haut grinning her same smile.  "Tisa?"

"Rohm.  Lostama untar Lontic Cleanse.  Imitak dumodo, Imala krusha dum," Haut replied.

Kayle blinked nodding. Her smile seemed to change from genuine to somewhat forced.  After a brief pause she said, "Yes.  The Lontic Cleanse is interesting."

Haut's reply referred to the Lontic Cleanse.  Around 35 years previous, the hordes of trolls, dark elves, and ogres invaded the southern settlements of men and hill dwarves.  The mountain dwarves were threatened too, but largely safe within their mines.  The armies of men and dwarves were pushed back to Kings Peninsula and losing badly.  Then, with no rational explanation, the invasion ended.  Human and dwarven settlements were ravaged and looted, but left abandon.  With or without an explanation, it still remains a factor in most politics on the mainlands.

"Sorry," Haut replied.  Our kishoomitah and kikoomitah died in The Cleanse, and Kayle never reacted well to the topic.

Kayle took a moment but finally responded.  "No, it's fine.  It's important you know this history."

"I'm thinking about changing my hair red!" I interjected, breaking the tension.  I looked at Kayle with bright eyes, and knew I'd get a response from Haut.

Kayle smiled herself and asked "Red?"

"Yes, I've decided I love red hair.  And freckles!" I said.  "My klee fees so bland."

"Red would match your personality," Haut said with a smile.  "All fire and attitude!  Besides, I agree.  The only thing your klee attracts are hobbits and old men,"  He joked.

"Haut!" Kayle exclaimed in a scolding tone.  "Your aundin's klee is beautiful!"

a'choo!

I shifted my face to match Haut's face, with a lazy eye.  "Huh huh!  Look at me girls, I'm so witty!  Come dance with me!"  I bobbed my head and shoulders, mocking him.

Haut and Kayle both laughed with me.

Haut jumped up from his chair, and started shifting into random guises, while mocking my sneezes.  "Guess who I am!" he said.  He stuck his hands out to his side a penguin and bobbed around the room, continuing to sneeze and shift to people we knew around town.

We all laughed a harder, and I threw a grape at him.  "That's not me!"

Azabooth entered the room in his dark green merchant robes, with a smile on his face. "What's going on in here?" he asked.  Seeing my impersonation and Haut continuing the act, he began to laugh too, though not as hard as the rest of us.

The laughter died down, and Kayle wiped her eyes.  "Headed out?" she asked, with her grin still lingering.

I held my nose, and shifted back to my klee.

"Yes, Bradley is meeting me and Mr. Dugerand at Gheejis Inn to discuss a shipment of stone," he said.  "Bradley and I have some preparation to do before we leave to Fork tomorrow, so we'll be home later this evening."

Bradley is my other aundin, 4 years older than Haut.  Haut and I help Azabooth with minor matters of business around town, but only Azabooth and Bradley do the traveling.  Fork was a day and a half ride from Geaury, and served as a meeting spot between here Safe Passage and Reavric.

I asked, "Where is Bradley now?"

"Rhumba V'lar is in town with a stone shipment," he replied.  "He's taking a look through their stock to see if there's anything we want.  We only get the good product when we do the visiting though, so I'm sure it's just good practice for him."

Kayle walked over and gave Azabooth a long hug.  "Bring home some honey, if you find some in the market," she said.  "Itock brags about all of his connections in Good Burrow, but never has honey."

"We'll see what we can find, love," Azabooth replied, hugging her back in his large arms.  Looking briefly at us, he said, "excuse us, aundinae."  Then he pulled her around the corner.

I smiled at Haut, as he rolled his eyes at me and shook his head.  We continued to eat.

"Ohh!" Kayle exclaimed.  Then they both snickered, coming back around the corner soon after.

"Come, give me a hug, podoo," he said.  "I may not see you tonight before I leave."

Haut and I both walked to Azabooth and gave him a hug, each in turn.  Azabooth looked at us both with a smile of a proud koomitah.

Azabooth's eyebrows pinched together, and looked at Haut.  "I haven't forgotten about last evening," he said. "We'll discuss your punishment when I get home."

Haut replied, "ok," nodding his head.  Then he shot me a glance, as if to say "you owe me for this."

Stepping back continuing to look at both of us, Azabooth said, "Next week, we'll discuss some added responsibilities for the both of you.  It's time we grew our business a little, and I need your help!"

Haut and I both looked at each other, uncertain what to think of that.

Then he said, "I shouldn't have said anything, don't worry about it until next week.  I love you, podoo!"

Then he turned to Kayle and kissed her one last time on the cheek and whispered something in her ear.  Kayle giggled as he walked out of the room.

"I have some errands to run today, podoo, so I'll be out too," she said. "If you go anywhere, be home by 5 bells to help me with dinner," she said to me.  She gave Haut a look and said, "You better be home for dinner, and on your best behavior while Azabooth is gone."  Her message to Haut was obviously meant to convey a deeper meaning.

We both replied with affirmative answers.

Kayle walked out of the room to the front door and called back, "take care of your plate wear!  I'm not here to clean up after you!"

I looked at Haut, and grabbed his plate as well as my own.

Haut's mouth gaped at me. "Not arguing who washes the dishes?!" Haut asked.

"Not if you're helping me with..." I trailed off, not wanting to risk details if Kayle was still lingering around.

"Thanks!" he replied.  "I'll go get my stuff and meet you down here when you're ready."

I quickened my pace and took the dishes to the sink in our overly-large kitchen.  Then I grabbed the empty water jug from the counter and exchanged it with a full jug in the enclosure outside our door.  We may not have house staff to do our choirs, but that didn't mean Azabooth neglected all luxury.  Azabooth paid one of Mrs. Gible's house staff to deliver water to us every two or three days.

I quickly poured some water over our dishes, and scoured them with the sponge.  They were practically clean already making it quick work.  The way Haut and I would fight over this, you'd think it took hours.  After returning the plates to the cupboard I bolted upstairs to my bedroom.

I disrobed once again, and put on one of my nicer green dresses.  I went to the mirror, finishing the front tie, and smiled to myself while I shifted.  My body grew tall and filling out the dress with a nice shape.  Holding my sneeze in, I drew out my hair, changing it light blonde, and my eye color twisted to a deep blue.  My face slimmed out, taking on the appearance of a young beautiful woman I once saw at the market.  Of course, I changed a few details, lest someone mistake me for her.  I grinned at my deviance, and pulled my hair up into a bun.  "Perfect!" I thought to myself.

I grabbed my other purse from the back of my wardrobe, and a few silver into it from my lock box.  I really didn't know if I needed it, but if I had to buy the lute back, I didn't want to come unprepared.  I also wasn't going to bring all my coin after what happened the night before.

Satisfied, I hastily walked back downstairs.  It was difficult running in the dress.

Haut looked up at me, his face somewhat taken aback.

I beamed at him.  "I think I look pretty good too," I said with a smile.  Then I twirled around, letting him admire my creation of beauty!

Haut frowned at me.  "Noo...  I mean yes, but no, you're way over dressed and too pretty."

He must have been joking.  "Too pretty?" I scoffed, continuing to smile. "Right!"

Haut continued to stand there.  He was serious?!  My smile dropped.

"Really," he said.  "Look... First, you're outclassing these men, whoever they are.  If they're robbing people in the dark, they're obviously not lords and nobles.  You need to dress like someone you would imagine them walking through town with."

"Second," he continued, "these guys are in the lower echelon of the pack.  Like wolves!  If you're the prettiest girl in the room, you put these guys in competition with the alpha males, and they'll give up before they start.  You need something that's not ugly, but not too pretty!  You see?"

I wrinkled my face in disappointment.  He was probably right, but it would have been wrong for me to just give in.  "And you're an expert at attracting men?" I asked, smiling a little at my wittiness.

"Heh, no," Haut said.  "I have been known to catch a girl or two though, it's not much different.  Women may not challenge each other to fight with swords, but they're just as vicious.  More so, actually.  The alphas ones always chase away the rest of the pack from their prey."

My shoulders slumped.  "So... put back on my other dress?" I asked, disappointed.

Haut nodded and said, "Nothing flashy.  Remember, you're not a merchant's daughter.  You work for a living today."

I went back to my room, and found an off white blouse and light brown dress.  "At least this will be more comfortable to walk in," I thought.

Walking back to my mirror, I shifted my features a little.  I looked much the same, but just not as perfect.  I shifted my eyes to dark brown.  My skin gained a little rougher texture, and pushed one eye slightly closer to my nose than the other.

"How's that for average ugly?" I asked myself.

I walked back downstairs to where Haut was standing, and spread my arms in a curtsy.  "Homely enough for you now?" I mocked.

"Yep!" he replied, moving on to the next idea in his head.  "Now, we need to figure out who these guys are.  You said you didn't recognize them, right?"

"No, I figured they're part of a merchant caravan or something," I said.  "It was dark, and I guess I didn't really see how they were dressed.  I just know one was average height with darker hair and kind of a deep voice.  The other man was shorter, and had a high annoying voice.  I think his hair was lighter, but I didn't see."

"Did they wear a guard's band or anything around their right arm?"  he asked.  "You know, like they were in a garrison to the outposts?"

I looked up trying to remember details.  Nothing came to mind.  "I guess I don't know," I said, looking back at him.  "I don't remember seeing any special. They didn't have a cloak or like that if that helps."

"Nah, it's summer," he said with a smirk. "You're the only one who puts a cloak on when it's warm out."

I made a face at him and bobbing my head from side to side.  Then I rolled my eyes.

"Fine, let's start at the store houses," he said.

"Store Houses!?" I replied.  "Didn't you say you were at The Pig And Hallow with me?  Isn't that where we start?"

"No." Haut said.  "They only sleep there.  All the work done in town is at the stores, and merchants do their dealing at Gheejis Inn and Gammery.  They could also be making a delivery to Geaury Mannor, but I'm betting they're at the stores."

I was taken aback with his answers.  I've heard Azabooth talk about the stores before, but never at length.  I had certainly never been there before.  "I've never been to the stores," I said.  "And how do you even know any of this?"

"My lessons with Azabooth," he said.  "I think he wants me to work with him and Bradley, so he's been explaining more about how trade works to me.  You're usually still sleeping when we talk about it."

I started to boil with jealousy.  Sure, Azabooth said we'll be talking about more responsibility, but he never talked to me about business.  Maybe he'll teach me to sweep or something...  I'm smarter than Haut thought!  

My face probably showed my feelings, but I wasn't going act like it bothered me if I could help it.  "Let's go," I said as I pushed past Haut to the door.

We began to walk out our alley towards the street, and I started at a voice, "You never told me your name." 

Whirling around, I saw Haut had shifted before stepping out the door.  He was a man who looked to be in his early 30s.  He wore long curly dark hair, about a half foot taller than me.  His face was clean shaven and had dark brown eyes.  Handsome of course!  I've never seen Haut use an ugly guise.

"Schiel Ovey," I replied, contracting my voice a little, just enough to disguise it.  "You know, you look about 10 years older than me.  Are we to say you're my brother or a child thief that took me when I was 6?"

"Thomas Smithson, pleased to meet you," Haut said back.  "You should age up a little so no one asks where you're mommy is."

He was right again, I was too young...

I glanced around briefly and placed my hands to my face, pretending to cover a cough.  As I did so, I increased the skin volume around my face, and released my facial muscles ever so slightly to get the right affect.  It only takes slight adjustments to have a big impact.

"Story?" I asked, starting to walk.

"You are my scribe... we're merchants," Haut replied uninterested.  Odd, I was so caught up in my own appearance, I didn't catch that he was dressed a little nicer.  Maybe not quite as nice as Azabooth in his merchant robes, but not poorly.

Walking ahead of me, Haut said in Seech  "And speak Seech if you're not keeping in guise.  You should know this."

Seech is a the changeling language.  At least, it's sort of a language.  Changelings have a second set of vocal cords that make sound at pitches that only animals can typically hear.  We can only activate them by making sound with our lower vocal cords.  It doesn't matter what sounds we produce to activate our Seech vocal cords, as even humming can activate them.  Humming was actually more convenient in most cases, since you didn't have try to keep two conversations going if others were listening.  On the other hand, it'd be awfully strange to sit around to people humming at the same time.

It looked like a typical morning as people of all classes walked up and down the streets.  The shops were lively, and have been since I could remember.  Azabooth said that it wasn't so about 15 years ago.  He said that the Lontic Cleanse was a wake up call for humans to stop fearing magic, and the more humans have learn to use it, the more it impacts everyone.

I had lived in Geaury my whole life, but never been where we were going.  "Where are the stores," I asked.

"On the south side of the manor," he said.  We continued walking down the street, and then he said, "I hope we find them today."

My eyes grew wide...  "What?!  You said we'd find them earlier.  We need to find them!"

Haut didn't turn back.  "We'll do the best we can," he said.  "You've never been past the manor.  Geaury isn't a small town."  

He was right.  Despite my 16 years living in Geaury, I didn't go outside the places I knew. My shoulders slumped at the thought of not getting the lute back.  This really wasn't an option though.  We needed to find them.  I pushed Haut from the back, "common, we need to hurry up then."

Haut turned back to look at me while continuing to walk backwards.  He shook his head in exasperation and shrugged his shoulders.  Then he turned back and started walking faster.

At the end of my street, I could see the entrance to the markets on the other side of the cross road.  Unlike the night previous, it was bustling with activity.  Even busier than Shop Street.  All of the stalls were occupied with the majority selling produce and fish.  Aside from food, you could also find merchants selling perfumes, cheap wines, and even "healing potions".  Those were probably just a fraud of course, but fun to make jokes of.

We neared the stall where I was assaulted.  I slowed to a stop and looked around the area.  It looked much different with people around.  The waves of  customers continued to push past me as I surveyed the area.  An old man was selling fish in this stall now.  He had a wild grey beard and a matching crown of hair around his bald head.  He appeared to be chewing on his gums and he watched people pass by.

The wood of his stall, as with the other stalls, originally painted white, but worn now.  On the post that marked the boundary of the stall were three lines of dark red angled down.  I walked closer to get a better look.  Had the man that hit me been bleeding?  If it were any other day I would have regarded these marks as unimportant as any other.  It wasn't though, and I was certain someone wiped blood from their fingers here.

A mixture of fear and anger came over me, and I started to shake.  It was hard to describe the feeling as I recalled my helpless feeling of the night before.  I retraced the events with my eyes, looking down the large walkway, following it up to the post, and then where I fell to the ground.  The smell of fish hit me bringing back the memory of the rotten odor.

My eyes followed up to the stall, where the old man now was.  He was staring at me shaking his head, still chewing on his gums.

The mans eyes opened a little wider as to clue me into the fact he was communicating with me.  He repeated toothlessly, "I thaid, freth caughtth Lewbath, thikth copper for a thmall, eighth for a large thpesthemen."

I instinctively just shook my head and said, "no thank you."  I barely registered what he had said, but that's just how you responded to vendors in the market.

I took a second to come fully back to my surroundings and noticed Haut must have kept going. I turned to follow in Haut's direction, and then my eyes widened as I heard that whiny voice.

"You wacked it good, din' you, Richmond."  His sound was so distinct.... So annoying...  It was followed by a short laugh in the same whiny tone.

As I turned to look back, I instinctively diverted my face down as not to be seen.  "Idiot," I thought to myself, I'm not even in my klee let alone a guise they knew.  I looked back, and saw the short blonde man looking at the post on the stall.

It was him!  The one that found the lute and purse!

I looked back in the direction Haut went, and cursed to myself.  I needed Haut.  Thinking quickly, I walked up to the fish stall where the old man looked back at me and cocked his head.  I then turned to away from him and shouted as loud as I could, "Fresh caught Lewbass!  Six copper for small, eight for a large specimen!"  Not pausing, I repeated myself as to fit my full message.

As I shouted in Lower Common, I said in Seech, "Haut, I found them!  They're going towards Shop Street!  One man's name is Richmond!"  I only hoped he heard me.

A few passers by gave me looks causing me to blush a little.  I turned and smiled widely at the old man who was shaking his head at me and I took off exiting the small area in front of the stall.  As I rounding the post in my haste, I ran headlong into a man's chest, knocking him backwards into a few others who had stopped at my outburst.  I focused... It was the blonde man!

He was already staring at me, and if my stall crier act didn't get his full attention, then the impact of my forehead certainly did.

One of the men he fell back into helped him regain his balance and asked if he was ok.  The blonde man responded affirmatively, and looked back in my direction.  As he looked at me, his face morphed from a scowl to a neutral expression.  He seemed to fully take in my appearance, and then his face softened and formed an innocent smile.

He appeared to be in his late 30s with leathery tan skin, as though he worked in the sun a lot.  The man's sun blonde hair was straight and though not exactly a mess, it seemed to jet out around his head.  His cloths were that of a commoner with a dirty off-white hemp shirt, and dark trousers.  He wore a dark leather belt and sturdy boots.  To the right girl, he might have been handsome, but I found him and his appearance quite the opposite.

I smiled apologetically, shaking my head lightly from side to side, "I'm so sorry!"  My heart was racing.  The game just changed, and I needed to think quickly to work the guise.

I heard a man say behind me, "Watch where you're going, woman."  Simultaneously, I heard in Seech, "He fancies you, play this out."

The blonde man gave Haut a rude look, and returned his gaze to me.  "It.. It's fine, Ms...?"  He questioned for a name as Haut pushed on past us.  He seemed to be nervous.

What was my name again?  I paused briefly and then blurted out, "Schiel!"

I cringed inwardly at my outburst.  I thought to myself "Settled down," and took a moment to assess my situation.  I needed to play up the charm a bit.

"Are you sure you're alright?"  I slacked my shoulders and cocked my head as though doting over a cute puppy.  Inside I was screaming at myself and hoping I was doing this right.  I read books for fun, not fraternize with dirty men!

"No, no, it's fine!" he said with a stupid grin.  The man scratched the back of his head and paused a moment.  Then he thrust out his hand, "Engle!"  He paused briefly and clarified, "I mean, my name is Engle!"

I reached out and femininely put my hand in his, continuing to smile.  His grip started forceful and loosened as I winced.

"Ohh oh, I'm sorry," he said.

It became apparent that I was in a good position and needed to take advantage of this.  He seemed to be more concerned about his act that me! 

I released my hand and said, "Well, I'm on my way to town, shopping for lutes, Engle," I said.  "Where are you headed?"

Engle retracted his hand nervously, and he shoved both hands in his pockets.  His eyes squinted briefly as he paused to think about it.  "Uh.. Oh, uh.  Me and Richmond.  Richmond's my friend.  Well we're going to find a... uhh..."  Engles eyes seemed to widen as he connected the dots.

"Well we're selling a lute," he said.  "Or maybe it's a violin?"  He looked a little befuddled at what to call it for a moment, and then continued.  "No, it's a lute...  Maybe we can do...  I mean, I know Richmond would sell it for cheap if you're interested, Ms. Schiel!"

"Just Schiel", I smiled.

"How could he not know the difference between a violin and lute?!" I thought to myself.

I squinted my eyes and turned my head.  "Why cheap?" I asked.

Engle's mouth gaped slightly as he considered an answer.  It took a long couple seconds, and my heart quickened.  This man was obviously not very bright.  Damn if I don't cover for him I'm going to blow it?  This was outrageous!

After an eternity past I winked and drew my head closer to his.  I whispered with a sly smile, "I'm ok if it was stolen.  I don't have a lot of money to spend anyway."

Pulling back, Engle cocked his head and gave a little smile.  Then he looked around, checking no one heard.  I hadn't done anything wrong, but strangely his nervousness made me look around too.  I was certain no one close was paying attention, but distantly, I caught a man avert his gaze from me as mine landed on his.  

Strange... but then I thought about it.  That must have been Haut!  I silently thanked Amerish, and looked back at Engle.  Raising my eyebrows and shaking my head lightly I said, "soo... can I see this violin?"

He seemed to be fixated on me, and I wasn't sure he heard me.

Yuck!  Are men really this dumb?  I wondered if this was how girls reacted to Haut when he went out.

Finally, he smiled, "Yeah, um."  He looked around, apparently getting his bearings, and said "yeah, this way.  We need to find Richmond!"

Engle seemed to get excited and started walking a little fast.  I was struck with an odd feeling of dominance, and decided not to keep his pace.  It didn't take long for him to check back at me and adjust his pace to mine.  He kept about five feet ahead of me, checking back every so often to see that I hadn't lost him.

I had to admit, until left to my thoughts while we walked, the excitement of the experience seemed to overtake me.  The deception.  Having Engle fall all over me.  Yelling in the stall obnoxiously.  Being allowed to think however, I remembered how malicious and dangerous these men were.  Even if they lacked intellect, they had no problem assaulting an old woman, and laughed about it.

As I considered this, my fear came back to me bringing an alert sensation along with it.  At the same time, my anger seemed to refresh, giving me a sense of determination.  This feeling must have a name, though I knew of none. It was a force that propelled you forwards at your problem while simultaneously making you want to wet yourself and run the opposite direction.

I waited for Engle to look back again and then glanced behind me for Haut.  He was gone!  I panicked and looked over my other shoulder.  He wasn't there either!

Wait... 

Yes he was, but not as the man I saw at the market.  Haut was still guised as Thomas, and he gave me a node.

I replied with a pierced lip smile, and turned back.

The street was still active, but unlike the market, the groups of people were much more spaced out.  It was also a lot quieter and peaceful, and you could hear the birds and occasional horse traffic passing by.

We made it a couple blocks past our shop when Engle broke the serenity with that cursed voice, "Richmond!  Richmond, stop, it's me Engle," he hollered... Like someone wouldn't know him by his voice alone...

I looked, trying to see who he was calling at but no one was responding.  Engle kept on shouting in front of us.

Finally, a man carrying a sack, about a block ahead away stopped and slowly turned around.  I didn't even have to be close to see he wasn't as happy to see Engle as Engle was to see him.

I remarked to myself at Engles apparent lack of social awareness and shook my head.  Then I peaked back at Haut, who was several yards back.  He nonchalantly examined the goods put out by shopkeepers as he strolled down the street behind us.  The smirk on his face seemed to indicate he wasn't oblivious of my companion.

As we approached Richmond, I noted bruising around his nose and on his forehead almost immediately.  He obviously found a different shirt, but I could see scratch marks under his chin from where my fingernails caught him.

I got the sense that Richmond was not as easy to impress as Engle, and I decided a more passive approach would be best.  Perhaps this was less of a decision as it was the fact that I felt intimidated by him.  I had no idea what to expect, and kept silent, letting Engle speak.

"It's a good think we caught you, Richmond!" Engle said excitedly, looking back at me with a smile.  He turned back to Richmond he continued, "this is Schiel, and she want to buy our violin!"

The more I was around Engle, the more I wanted to strangle him.  I cocked my head looking at him with a confused face, and then looked back to Richmond.  If I left this up to Engle, I might be going home with a violin.  So much for being passive...

Standing up a little straighter, I corrected, "A lute."  My tone was quiet and a little uncertain.

Richmond paused and took us in for a moment.  He finally said, "Oh?"  He looked back at Engle.  "How much did you tell her?"

"8 silver," I replied, before Engle had a chance to speak.  I had no idea how much they expected to get for it.  I knew a new lute cost around 5 to 10 time this, but 8 silver was all I had with me.

Engle and Richmond both looked back at me.  Engle's eyes looked wide but Richmond was much more stoic.

"I'd like to see what the I'll get at this here music store," Richmond said.  "There's also a pawn swap I saw on my way in heres.  This here violin..." He paused, and then corrected himself, "lute runned in my family, see.  It's worth something to me."

I looked at Engle and cocked my head.  He squirmed nervously, obviously not wanting to anger Richmond, nor lose his chances with this pretty girl.  I pressed him with my eyes.

These men were idiots!  Let's not overlook they were terrible liars, Engle already told me it was stolen...  Despite my fear, something sort of broke in me as I lost the ability to keep up with their act.  Maybe a different route...

"Fine," I said.  "Here's the deal."  I straightened my back and stood up completely straight.  I began speaking like I was lecturing one of my audinae about congruent triangles.  "You aren't getting a penny from either one of those places.  Simti, the bard whom you stole it from has paid me a good deal to recover the lute, and I've already described it in detail to each of the merchants."

As I spoke, I cried, "Help me!" in Seech to Haut.

Engle shrieked, as Richmond continued looking at me.  Richmond's eyes squinted while I spoke and I could see the anger building.

"Work the guise!" I thought.  I needed to up the ante.

"The fu..." he began.

I cut him off, "Thomas," I said, and motioned at Haut from behind me.  "Meet my associate," I said and turned to him.

Gods!  Haut chest now filled his shirt and he stood about a foot taller than Richmond!  Haut held one hand behind his back, feigning to hide something.  I almost laughed seeing his nose was even bent!

"Mistress?" he said in a rumbling deep voice.  He glowered at the two, maintaining an intimidating gaze on Richmond.

As I peered at Haut, I saw two city guard walking leisurely down the street in our direction.  Whatever was going to happen, we had to hurry this along!

"You think you can intimidate me?" Richmond said.  "I got me a poker too."  Still holding the sack over his shoulder, he put his other behind his back and held the pose.

This wasn't good!  I had to think... I'm going to lose my chance, if I don't act quickly!  I held my composure as I began to sweat.  Seconds past as I stared at him.  Covering my terror, I forced a grin.

"You're not from around here, Richmond,"  I said. "Simti came to me, because I have... arrangements.  If you thought Thomas was my muscle, you're mistaken." I motioning over my shoulder, "They are."

I turned to look at the guards with my back to Richmond and Engle.  The guards were closer, but not looking at me!!  A second ticked by.... another second... Fnially, one of guards looked up to see me smiling at him.  As our eyes caught, I immediately nodded.

...Wait for it....

The guard smiled, and nodded back!  YES!!

Then...

NOOO! They both started walking directly to us!  I had to make this quick.

Haut saw it too, and glanced at me.  Then he turned to Richmond and Engle and held his hand out.

Engle was visibly shaking, and looked back and forth between Richmond and Haut.

"I'm done playing boys," I said.  "You have the count of 3, or swap stories with my cell's current occupant...  I only pay for one cell, so you three will have to fight over the bed."  My face was stone as I locked my true emotions.

I could hear the heavy footsteps and clanging of the guards chain mail behind me.  Engle turned, and bolted towards the docks.  Richmond's eyes were wide, but it seemed like he couldn't give in.  A bead of sweat rolled down my face, and I prayed a silent prayer.  I was out of time!  I had to push it just a little further!

In a commanding voice, I skipped one and said, "...2 ...3, Timmons!  Take take them!"

Immediately, Richmond broke.  His hand shot out to Haut with the sack as he turned and fled.  The bag had completely missed Haut's hand and fell to the ground.

I watching them run, and my shoulders slumped and my legs felt weak.  Then my face slumped too, overcome with emotion.  A tear came to my eyes, but I wasn't done!  Just a little longer...  I just had to play off these guards, and I could go home!  Hold strong...

"What was that ma'am" I heard a guard say behind me.

I looked at Haut, and the tears began to roll down my face.  As I turned to meet the guards, my legs gave out propelling me into Haut.  Clumsily, he caught my fall, and looked at the guards.

They snapped upright and alert as they registered my distress.  Faces full of concern, one of them asked "Ma'am".  The other moved to help Haut with me.

Haut looked after the men and paused a moment.  Then he pointed.  "Those men!" Haut exclaimed, "They stole her purse!"