The Black Bouquet

Yet he'd decided to gamble on Ombert. Otherwise, he and Miri wouldn't be there at all. It made no sense to go that far, then risk offending the halfling by declining his hospitality.

Accordingly, Aeron said, "Thanks, we could use a meal. I'm afraid these cloaks are wet…"

"Toss them anywhere," Ombert said. "Someone will come around to clean up after us."

The little chairs were hopeless for full-grown humans. Aeron realized that he and Miri would do better sitting or kneeling on the floor. She looked entirely comfortable in that attitude. He supposed scouts were used to taking their meals without the benefit of any sort of furniture.

The food was delicious, and nourishment seemed to push back his weariness a little. That was good. He wanted his wits sharp for the conversation to come.

Ombert let his guests eat in peace for a while, with only the clink of their forks on their plates to break the silence.

Eventually he said, "Well, my friend, it seems you're the most popular man in Oeble. Everyone is looking for you."

"Including the Lynxes?" Aeron asked

"Of course," Ombert said, his voice as serious as could be. "When I clap my hands, a net will fall from the ceiling." Miri glanced upward, and the halfling gri

Aeron said, "I was hoping you still hated him."

Ombert smiled, but his eyes were cold.

"Hate's such an ugly word," said the halfling. "Let's just say that he and I have been trying to pick many of the same plums for quite a while now."

"As I recall, he made a couple attempts to kill you."

"I survived, and sent a warning. It's old news now. Let's talk about your adventures. What was in the lock-box you stole?"

Aeron saw no point in giving that particular piece of information away.

"I don't know," he said. "It's warded, and I haven't been able to crack it."

"If you don't even know what it is, then why didn't you hand it over to Kesk as agreed? It's not like you to break a deal."

"Kesk knew the box would be well protected. He didn't warn me, and Kerridi, Dal, and Gavath died. What's more, the Red Axes were pla

"So no one could trace the coffer to them. Fair enough, that certainly relieves you of any obligation. Though it doesn't explain why you're ru

"Kesk took my father hostage," Aeron said.

Ombert frowned and said, "That's a breach of the code, as I see it. Nicos was one of us in his time, and always dealt fairly with his fellow thieves. He earned the right to live safely in his retirement."

"When has Kesk ever truly cared about the code?"

"You have a point."

"Anyway, Miri offered to help me rescue my father. In return, I'll give the strongbox back to her."

Shifting his gaze to the scout, Ombert arched an eyebrow.

"Wouldn't it be easier just to knock this rascal over the head when he isn't looking," the halfling asked Miri, "tie him up, then torture the location of the coffer out of him?"

Miri glared at him and said, "I gave my oath."

"Of course," Ombert said. "Forgive me, I meant no offense. So, it's the two of you against the Red Axes and all the lesser gangs who truckle to them. I'm afraid you're still facing some long odds."

"You Lynxes could improve them," Miri said, "by joining forces with us."

"Why," said the halfling, "would we do that?"

"If you hate Kesk," she replied, "this is a chance to spite or maybe even kill him."

"Outlaws don't prosper by indulging such passions," said the halfling. "The successful ones concentrate on gold and silver."

"If that's the case," Miri said, "the man to whom the lockbox rightfully belongs will reward you."

"How much will he pay?" Ombert asked. "Enough to warrant risking my entire operation in another blood feud with the strongest gang in Oeble? It seems unlikely."

Miri drew a deep breath, evidently to calm herself, then said, "Look. You spoke of following a code. Well, if the coffer doesn't reach its proper destination, a good many i

Ombert poured himself some tea from a silver pot.

"I've never been to Ormath," he said, "but I've heard tell of the place. The proudest, most warlike city on the Shining Plains, ready to attack its neighbors at the twitch of a cat's tail. If they're currently enduring hardship, perhaps they brought it on themselves."

Miri blinked. Plainly, Ombert's knowledge of faraway lands had taken her by surprise.

She pressed on: "Let's talk about Oeble, then. I can't tell you what's in the strongbox. It's not my secret to give away. I will say that in the right hands, it can bring prosperity to a good many folk."

Ombert waved his hand in a vague gesture that took in the spacious room, the gleaming table setting with its bounty of food, the thick carpets adorning the hardwood floor, and the vivid tapestries on the walls.

"Oeble's prosperous already," he said.

"For you reavers," Miri answered. "But how many other folk suffer as a result of your killing, stealing, and slaving? How many rot in poverty because they're too honest to join one of the gangs? It doesn't have to be that way. Given the proper opportunity, Oeble could make its gold lawfully."

"Which doesn't sound like nearly as much fun," Ombert said, and he shot Aeron a wink.

"It would be healthier," Miri said. "The rest of the Border Kingdoms scorn Oeble for the nest of robbers it is. Someday, one of your neighbors is going to clean it up. In other words, conquer, rule, and exploit you to suit themselves. Unless you mend your ways."

Ombert added milk and sugar to his tea.

"Mistress ranger," he said, "you have some interesting notions. But I must tell you, I don't aspire to be a god or even the Faceless Master, and I'm not prepared to take responsibility for the welfare of every wretch in Oeble. I have enough to do just looking after my own followers. And as for the threat of someone marching into town and taking over, well, I'll deal with it when and if it happens. The Gray Blades have never managed to stamp out the Lynxes, and I doubt that an outlander garrison would fare any better."

Miri scowled and said, "Then you won't fight alongside us."

"No," Ombert said, "certainly not. Aeron should have known better, even if you didn't."

"I did," Aeron said.

The halfling eyed him quizzically and asked, "Then why did you come to see me? Surely this isn't just a social visit."

"Naturally," Aeron said, "you aren't going to wage open war against Kesk simply for my sake, or my father's. It's not in your interest." To his surprise, Aeron felt angry at Ombert, as if Miri's extravagant fancies about duty and honor had infected his own practical thinking. He strained to quash the irrational feeling. "But there is a way you can help us and yourself, too."

"I'm listening."

"Miri and I have been raiding Kesk's various operations," said Aeron. "You can do the same. Steal his profits and destroy ventures that compete with your own. Kill the Red Axes responsible for controlling particular pieces of territory, then move in yourself. You won't ruin Kesk, but you'll weaken him, and improve your own position."

"How does that differ from declaring all-out war?"

"It's different if you make it seem like I'm the one doing all the damage," Aeron replied. "That way, it doesn't come back on you."

"No, but rather on you," said the halfling. "However this business with the coffer turns out, Kesk will never forgive you."

"It's already too late to worry about that. I just need him driven crazy, and all the Red Axes ru