Page 93 of Wanted: Rogues and Bards

“It is not a bad thought,” Belstrom mused. “Assuming we can even locate this illicit den.”

Lirion made a noise like a scoff. “It can’t be too hard. If it was, how would he get customers?”

Belstrom nodded and scratched his chin. “You make a superb point. A business endeavor that makes itself too exclusive is destined for failure.”

“Enough jawing,” Fenric said grumpily. “Let’s get moving.”

They descended to the dock and split up, with Belstrom wandering in one direction and Lirion following Fenric in another.

“Have you been to Baza before?” Fenric inquired as they moved into the crowds of people. The sun was setting, but it seemed as if no one was in a hurry to head home just yet. The shops and taverns were still doing brisk business. Lamplighters were busy plying their trade, causing a mix of lights to pop into existence to chase back the dark. Depending on the wealth of the shop owner, the lights were candle, oil, torch, or even some magic orbs casting a warm, colorful glow.

“No, I don’t like traveling this far north. Gets too cold and you have to wear too many layers just to stay warm,” Lirion complained.

Fenric smirked. “Are you a warm-weather incubus who prefers skimpy clothing?”

Lirion finally cracked a smile. “It’s either that or rely on my meal to give me some cuddles to keep me warm, and we both know how reluctant certain people are to cuddle.”

Fenric let out a mock groan while keeping an eye on anyone who seemed to be paying too much attention to Lirion. “You’re never going to let me live it down.”

“Nope. Never.”

But the smile Fenric had worked to put on Lirion’s lips faded as quickly as it had formed. Since getting within a day’s journey of Baza, Lirion’s mood had become grim. His normal playfulness was nowhere to be seen, but it was to be expected. He’d been searching for his sister for so long and he was finally on the cusp of finding her. All his focus was on getting her free and making sure she was safe.

“What about you?” Lirion asked as they paused at a street corner that presented them with a motley of options. Directly in front of them was a cathedral dedicated to Yerin, the goddess of marriage, while on their left were two different brothels. The final corner of the crossroads held a small shop that appeared to specialize in ointments and lotions. They probably did brisk business thanks to the brothels.

“I’ve been here a few times and know the general lay of the city. I’ve got a few ideas of where Count Pierres might be operating, but there’s someone I want to consult first. An information broker who is good at having all the dirt on who’s doing what illegally around town.”

If he was lucky, Tookie hadn’t changed his office location. Well, “office” was being used very loosely. Tookie had a corner in the open market next to the wharf where he normally sat and doled out wisdom. On the surface, he sold string bracelets, just cheap little trinkets he wove between customers.

However, when Fenric and Lirion reached his spot, he wasn’t there.

“Damn,” Fenric muttered under his breath.

“What’s wrong?” Lirion asked as he peered down the block.

“He’s moved. I can’t imagine he’s out of business altogether. He was the most reliable informant in the city.”

“Let’s ask some of these other vendors. They look like they’ve been here a while. They might know something.”

Fenric nodded at Lirion’s suggestion and pointed for him to take the other side of the street.

Cursing his luck, Fenric started asking other vendors in the market. It didn’t take him long, thankfully. An old man selling meat-and-pepper skewers directed him to another market closer to the city center. An interesting change of locations, to be sure, but Fenric hoped that meant the man had found some success and been able to upgrade his business.

“Got it!” Fenric announced as he shoved a wood skewer of meat and green peppers into Lirion’s hand.

The incubus stared at the skewer, his brows lifting toward his hairline. “I thought we were looking for someone named Tookie, not dinner.”

“This isn’t dinner. It’s a snack,” Fenric corrected with a grin. “I felt I needed to buy a few skewers since that man over there”—Fenric swung around and pointed the two skewers he was still holding at a wrinkled old man flashing them a wide, nearly toothless grin—“was kind enough to tell me where to find Tookie.”

“Oh!” Lirion waved one hand and made a show of ripping a big piece of meat off the skewer with his teeth. “Oh shit! That’s good.” The words came out muffled as he chewed.

“That one is beef. I also have a pork and a chicken one,” Fenric said as he turned Lirion in the direction he needed to go. “But I thought because you don’t need food that you only ate in social settings, like on the boat.”

Lirion snorted. “I might not need food like you do, but I can still enjoy the taste.”

As they walked through the crowds, keeping an eye out for any suspicious-looking businesses, they passed the skewers back and forth so they could enjoy all the flavors. Lirion was right—the old man made a mean meat skewer with peppers. More than anything, though, Fenric was relieved Lirion wasn’t so stressed that he wasn’t able to enjoy a snack while in a heightened state of stress. Lirion still looked alert as he ate, eyes sweeping the crowded, narrow roads, but he wasn’t neglecting his body.

They had just finished their snack as they drew closer to their destination. Yet as they rounded a corner, they ran smack into Maxie.