“I… Well, I’ve never really done this before,” Valintra had said, keeping her smile small and embarrassed. Fluttering her silver lashes, she averted her dark eyes. “Hiring a mercenary for anything… But I just don’t know where to turn and my poor father needs help.”
It had only been an hour since the half orc had come in. While the intense gaze of blue eyes under a black brow only passed over her for a moment, Valintra had been keeping a close eye on him. His chainmail did little to hide the movement of rippling muscle. When he sat at the bar to order a hot meal, she went to work.
The gossip around the tavern was already focused where she’d wanted it. A Coronian war hero, an old Drow who had defected from Alerar to aide in Raiaera’s corpse war and then come back with a small platoon of local soldiers after he’d saved them in the brink of battle, had been met with assassination attempts every night for the last week. He was a hero in the eyes of the people, having continued to denounce Alerar and work for justice in the rebirth of the township after Corone’s Civil War had left the town government corrupt and mean.
When she finally approached Casimir, buying him a drink and quietly asking his attention, she knew he’d been listening to the news and the stories. The foundation was laid, and she only hoped that she could lure him to her cause by virtue of a sad story, gold, or both. Stammering her way through introductions, now she only needed to extend her offer.
“He’s been ailing and last week Raiaera sent an envoy to see him, and you see, I’m worried for his life. I think one or both of them is trying to kill him. The first attempt on his life happened the night they arrived, and while the assassin got away, I have to wonder if this isn’t part of some plot.” She stopped and ran her fingers through her short hair, shaking her head before sighing. “My father is a hero, and has many enemies because of it. I…I really and truly worry that he is not safe. I need someone to find out who is attacking him and why. They won’t even let his children in to see him! I fear he may actually be dead.”
Tears sprang to her dark eyes and she rubbed them away before adding, “Please, I am no match for these men who bar the door. And I can pay very well.”