They reviewed the plan and then portaled to the merchant’s doorstep, leaving Daugi to hunt in the forest. The early morning sun illuminated the cracked cobblestone stoop that Jake had memorized when the merchant kicked him off of it three months prior.

“Circle around the side,” Jake whispered, pointing, “that’s where the horses are kept, and there’s an entrance to the main house where you should find all the shinies your pockets can hold. And remember, the yearlings are the little ones!” Fenn ducked beneath the windows as he slipped off around the corner of the building.

“Right,” Jake mumbled to himself, shrugging off his haversack, “for the distraction…” he pulled a long green sifan cape and a matching dyed leather half-face mask from the pack. Donning both articles, he rapped on the door and struck a dramatic pose with fists on hips and elongated mask nose in the air.

He stood there for a full minute, unwavering, until the merchant opened the door, bleary eyed in his nightshirt. It was clear he’d been sleeping in.

“What the… what?” The fat man asked, utterly puzzled.

“I am the Great Green Gallantro, here to amaze you!” Jake said in a theatrical voice. He swirled his cape and spun and leaped, turning a twisting flip and landing with arms upraised.

“Who?” The merchant asked.

“The Great Green Gallantro! Surely you have heard of me! I am the premier private entertainer in all of Corone! Witness the wonder!” Jake cartwheeled and landed balanced on one foot on the edge of the stoop.

“Why?”

“Surely such an influential man as you must have many friends he needs to entertain at dinner parties and such… The Great Green Gallantro is at your service.” Jake hopped backwards off the stoop and bowed deeply, swirling his cape about.

The merchant rubbed sleep from his eyes and leaned on the doorframe.

“Can you juggle?” He asked.

Why does everyone always want juggling? Jake wondered. He dug six stones out of the garden and tossed them into the air in a rapid crisscrossing pattern, catching each and tossing it again before it could hit the ground. The crisscross became a wheel, and the wheel became a figure of eight. Juggling was bloody boring.

“Now that is impressive!” The merchant exclaimed. He applauded softly for a moment.

Jake wanted to throw the stones at him, but instead he kept them spinning through the air, hoping that Fenn was already inside the manor.