Chapter 12: Louis

Quicksilver was a hub city. Southern mountain ranges and eastern Cobalt Range were rich in ore, both magical and mundane. Located along Quarry River that fed into the Alkaline River, the location was ideal for processing and shipping the raw ores that came from the various mines. That same advantage also meant smuggling and trafficking of stolen goods.

"Good Sir, I think your cut of this matter might be a bit high." Currently speaking to the head of the local crime boss, I felt he wasn't taking me seriously. He also hadn't heard of me which was irritating for a different reason.

"If it were to be too high, it only reflects the depths of expertise we bring to your little…operation." It was obvious he was used to being in charge and having his way. I was mostly unknown, with the only real proof that I was worth the investment a single gem. It was no surprise that his terms to fence the first stone would be so skewed in his favor.

"I don't wish to disparage my host, but you are merely transport service, the risk is ours alone." I hoped that was polite enough, it wasn't out of the question that thugs like these thugs would oft both of us and dump them somewhere never to be found. No matter how luxuriant the trappings, a den of immorality this was still.

"Of course, we are a transport service, we ship all manner of rare, exquisite ores. If one does not forget, we also will be offering our services as a connection to the highest of buyers. Hence why the price is as it is, and as it will stay." I wonder what he would say if he knew the demon that followed us would do.

Something about his arrogant jovial voice ticked me off. Unfortunately, once the stone was ours, it would be incredibly hot goods. There were two groups in the entire princedom that would be willing to look at it. Apparently, the fence I knew had be arrested on a morals charge, something about a watermelon.

"It feels like were being appropriated, hoodwinked." Harmony said bluntly. She was not use to others speaking down to her. I wanted to inform her that the way she presented her opinion was going to get us killed.

"Quite refined in your speaking, young lady. Has no one taught you to not interrupt the men when they are discussing business?" His eyes narrowed given, the portly boss a pig like appearance. It seemed to be the common trend, individuals in powerful positions get fat. Hence an artist like myself should stay an artist.

"Did no one teach you to trade honestly, least the Great Nightmare find you?" That was an old legend from long ago, the Great Nightmare supposedly came to be from fraudulent dealings by unscrupulous merchants.

Chortling to Harmony's response, he laughed for a moment before focusing on the young women behind the couch.

"To think you still believe in such children's tales. What a treasure." The princess was probably referring to the nightmare that was her bodyguard, there was no telling what he would do. I never knew such destruction could come in such a small package.

"Quite the adorable treasure you've found master Louis." I didn't like how he was eyeing and evaluating my companion. I knew enough to know that young girls had very harsh things happen when left to men like this. Even with our escape plan, I didn't want to chance things.

"One of the benefits of being a thief, I get to keep the greatest treasures for myself." I hope she picked up the compliment. It was very smooth and romantic in my mind.

"Since she is such an adorable lady, couldn't you reduce your cut?" More jovial laughter from crime boss.

"Of course, not but, at lest ill let you walk out of here unharmed." Reaching for his glace, the ice clattered as he picked it up. There wasn't any choice now that he was threatening us.

"A toast than to our partnership." Picking up his own glass, I clinked with it and swallowed the amber liquid in my glass. That was scotch, and harsh cheep scotch to. I suppose the crime boss is more about appearances. I was confident that we could escape this scum if we wanted to, but no reason to add more people to chase us.

"If nothing else, I shall have to make arrangements in order to do the job, so I hope you won't feel insulted if we leave?" Lady Harmony seemed to be spacing out as I finished my drink.

"A pleasure." With that crime boss made a gesture and a large man escorted us. We somehow managed to make it out of the lair of villainy intact.

"Is he gone?" I asked after we walked away from the nondescript mettle shop. Looking confused the princess nodded.

"Oh good." I stumbled into the wall. It took time before I realized I was completely breaking my gentleman thief image. When I looked the lady had already wondered on, no wonder her knights had trouble looking after her.

There was little to worry about someone recognizing her, anyone lacking magic skill would be unable to see through the concealment. Those that could, should see it as a rich noble playing around, instead of using make up. That was the hope, the real hope is that pink haired monster wouldn't be able to tell.

"Its hard being the night terror, isn't it?" I asked myself. We planned to leave tomorrow and there was little else for me to do now. I suppose I could use some cash, so we can stay someplace nice when we arrive in Ytterbium. If memory served there was tour spots in the city that the rich liked to visit.

I liked to steal the expensive paintings and jewels, but what really made me day to day money was pick pocketing. After stealing secure treasures, it was child's play to relieve drunk tourist of their coins.

We left the next day, making our way to the capital of Mercery.

"Now that we have your disguise sorted out, we can stay in some of the more high-profile places, instead of the reasonable accommodations we have been." The clopping of their horses made it difficult to hear, not a surprise when I got an odd response back.

"You're not high accordant?" She responded back. Despite not wearing fancy cloths, higher class common wear suited her well. A few buttons, a light ribbon on her shirt, her pants had light embroidery given an extravagant appeal. Stunning was his princess, though I'm not sure I'm getting thorough.

"I said, we can stay someplace nicer." I raised my voice and moved my horse closer together.

"Ah, sounds good!" She smiled at me, and I tried not to fall of my mount. The more time I spent with the lady, the more I understood why she had such a guard. She was devastatingly beautiful yet very approachable. Considerate of others and forward with her actions, I think she's perfect.

Once again there wasn't much to say. Traveling through country of Mercery, it was easy to draw comparisons. Claire de Lune was less mountainous, having more plains and lowlands. The road here was laid with metal plates, verse the stone I had expected. It also rose and fall like a leaf in the wind, and large crags existed along the way. It wouldn't be long before we were in the foothills and through the Iron Wall Pass, just a stone toss from the capital.

Ytterbium, the preultimint actinide. I don't know what that means its just on the welcome sign into the city. Returning our mounts to the rent a mare stable, we proceeded on foot.

The city was…shiny, cheap abundant mettles permeated architect of the entire city, pair with local woods and you get most buildings in the city. I was surprised to see stone streets, but it was easier to maintain in the high traffic volume. A smokey haze covered the city, produced by an endless number of foundries.

"I think the Ash Salt Hotel would be a good choice." It was a moderately famous hotel, know for its incredible metal art throughout the lodgings.

"I've heard of that one, Rene' supposedly cast the pillar casings in a strange way to give them a unique appearance."

"I had a Rene' to, 'A Chance Encounter'. The one they put in the gallery is fake you know." The work in question was a simple theme but had such a powerful execution it was a famous work. On a city street, the poor commoner is handing a dropped case, to a young noble lady. I understood it better than ever now.

"Such a romantic painting. I felt that was always his style, simple yet uniquely profound in his choices."

I didn't want to tell Miss Harmony that I didn't understand a thing about art, other than its price tag. Matter to the side, we checked into a two-room suite without trouble.

After settling, we sat down at the small round table in the room. It lacked the overflowing wealth and opulence, but it was very tastefully decorated, though heavy on the metal products. I pulled out few papers and dragged over the box with the pinons and climbing gear in it.

"Let us begin discussing what we have to do, and how we are going to acquire the first stone." It wasn't a simple operation, without a man on the inside there would be a lot more preparation.

"We got a lot to cover, and a lot of recon to do if we want to do this separately. At the lest we can see the sites while we scope out and scout the place. I know its going to be hard and I'm going to ask a lot of you. Up for it?"

"Are you kidding, I'm already a great thief, just show me what to do, this stone will be ours in no time."

Smiling at her response, we began to plot.