Finding The Finder (Closed to Aephyr)

[redrout]

Joseph knew Ioder in the sense that one knows a recurring customer at a shop, enough to greet, but not enough for much any other conversation. Which is why it was surprising when Ioder showed up to his room as he was reading up on their mercantile prospects. He was a slim blonde man who he could almost mistake for vincent, had their hair length not been different and the unmistakable flamboyant purple cloak that was seemingly always round Vince’s shoulders.

Joseph’s door was open, as was his practice nowadays, he was trying to get to know the rest of the players in the Heirarchy, after all. Joseph looked up from the papers in time to see Ioder settle into the seat across from the small table he’d commandeered from one of the other empty rooms.

“Ioder, how are you?” Joseph said, sliding the page he was looking at toward the others.

“I’m well enough, Joe,” Ioder replied, placing a hand on the wood of the table, feeling along the grain. “Are you familiar with the magician’s glass?”

Joseph’s brow furrowed. “I don’t believe I am, what kind of thing is it?”

“It’s a magical artifact of immense power, but usable only by a few people in the world. I have recently discovered clues to it’s location, and I would like you to retrieve it. I understand that you are engaging in some very, lucrative, business practices with Vinnie, and if you wish to continue to reap those benefits, I need you to contribute more for the benefit of the Heirarchy.”

Joseph looked up at Ioder, turning over the proposition in his mind. Though he could probably get on his way back to being a merchant without too much difficulty, there was something about membership in the Heirarchy that he couldn’t quite put his finger on. What he did here seemed to have a little more weight than just selling clothes to random passers-by. And something told him that an organization as secretive as this wouldn’t simply allow a person to walk away without consequences. So it seemed that he had little choice in the matter, but if Joseph was being quite honest with himself, he’d have probably taken the job anyways. Joseph sighed.

“Well, I suppose I have no choice, then. Where did you say it was?”

“I didn’t actually,” Ioder said, smirking. “But I know somebody that can help you find it.”

[redrout]

Contribute more, my ass, Joseph thought as he drew his cloak tighter around his face and neck as the wind stung at his exposed skin. He probably just didn’t want to come out all this way and track this thing down himself. His horse walked on toward the towering mass of stone and wood that was Knife’s edge. It was almost like a mountain in the way it sloped upward from the edges of the town toward the twin peaks of cathedral and castle, both of which were snow-capped.

Joseph reached in his pocket and dug out the parchment that Ioder had given him, unfolding it with stiff fingers. It had a crudely drawn image of a man named Aephyr Valentinius, as well as details on where the glass was last seen. It said Aephyr tended to travel with caravans, or reside in the Valentinius Estate, which was on the northern border of Knife’s Edge. With any luck he’d be to the city soon, and he could warm himself with a crackling fire and a little warm mead. He spurred his horse a little faster, urging him onward.