It was surprisingly empty. Larger crates lined the walls along the outside. Rows of smaller ones that came up to Vi’s waist stretched away from the door for about half of the space. In the other half, they were stacked in mountains. The logic of the two sorting methods was lost on her.
“While my assistant verifies the goods, could you please show me the most recent ledgers?”
“Of course.” The shorter man went off to a far corner with Deneya, rummaging through a chest. That left the taller man with Vi.
She walked down the first row of crates, straining to open a heavy lid. Inside the box, settled on a nest of wood shavings, were some of the largest sapphires Vi had ever seen. Most were rough-cut, but they would still produce several stones of enviable quality in the hands of a skilled jeweler.
“Jewels,” she murmured. “I thought Twintle was keeping fish and food?”
“That was only for the siege. His fleet was the smallest and fastest—they could slip past any Imperial vessels. Now he’s sold off most of those wares.” The man paused, narrowing his eyes at her. “I would think you would know that as the assistant to the councilor.”
Vi laughed brightly and moved onto the next crate. “I’m sure you know how it is… they never tell the helpanything. Just expect us to read their minds.”
“Isn’t that the truth.” He shook his head sadly.
“So he deals in gems now.” Crate after crate was filled with sparkling items that would fetch incredible prices. Where did Twintle get the money to invest in such a pricey business? And just how much was here?
“Rumor on the docks is the Le’Dans are quite sour because of it.”
“Oh?” Vi paused, sliding up to the man. She made it a point to glance over at Deneya and the other guard. “Say, what’s your name?”
“Adeem.”
“Adeem,” Vi repeated. “I do love good gossip, especially when it involves nobles.”
“Who doesn’t?” He chuckled. “All I know is that Richard Le’Dan has come by twice and both times were… quite contentious.”
“I see.”
“Twintle said that’s part of why he’s hired us to guard the place. He’s worried the Le’Dans will come during one of his secret meetings.”
“Secret meetings?” Vi could feel the muscles around her ears tense, as though they were trying to widen themselves so she could better hear what he would say next. This was what she had come here for.
“They happen at night. I think it’s Twintle’s suppliers and movers. Men and women—mostly men, though—come carrying crates in and out.”
“What do they look like?” Vi asked, trying not to sound too eager.
“Twintle is very secretive about his trading practices… They all wear red hoods, like a Crone.”
Vi laughed. “How odd,” she said lightly, though inside she was barely bottling her excitement. Twintle had moved the meetings of the Knights of Jadar from his home to his warehouse and he was amassing wealth for the Knights there. He was likely distributing it as well. Everything lined up with the bits of information Deneya had collected. “Do you know when the next meeting is?”
“I imagine when the Lord is back. He usually holds them once per week, right at the end.” The guard shrugged. “Though, again, it’s not as if they tell me anything.”
“Right…” Vi’s eyes landed on a stretch of chests locked with heavy padlocks. She began rummaging through her bag. “Adeem, can you be a dear and please go fetch me a quill? I seem to have misplaced mine.”
“Of course.” He eagerly scampered off.
Vi leaned over, crouching behind one of the chests to hide her motions. “Juth calt.”
The lock was off and Vi set it aside. She opened the chest hastily, not even wasting time with a glance in Adeem’s direction. Rubies winked up at her in the low light of the warehouse’s flame bulbs.
Rubies… Vi closed the chest, straightening away and looking at all the other identically locked chests. Chests of Western rubies.
“Here you go.” Adeem had returned, and he wasn’t alone.
“Everything checks out on my end,” Deneya said in a tone that implied she wouldn’t be able to stall for much longer. Which was fine—Vi already had the information she needed.
“Mine as well. Thank you both for your flexibility in this.” Vi made some marks in a ledger and smiled brightly at both the guards, imagining her illusioned cheeks dimpling.
