Chapter 18 Something’s Afoot

Bob woke the next morning, to the sound of hammering. The builders were there before the sun had risen, working on the eastern addition to his shop. He glanced over, towards the fire, and saw all of the kids piled on top of each other, haphazardly across the floor. Trudy had already gotten the fire started, and Liam must have already gotten started in the shed, with the soup pot.

There was a soft knock on the door, and he pulled himself up off the floor with a wince. He was going to have to insist the beds for everyone get done today, so he could get Vivian out of his bed and into her own.

Unlocking the door, he saw that there were a handful of adventurers, shivering in the early morning chill.

"Any chance you could open up a bit early this morning?" asked the one with a bushy black beard.

Glancing behind him, Bob decided it wouldn't hurt, and let them in with a shrug.

"I can't believe all of the inns have to be clear on the other side of the city," grumbled the only woman among them.

Bob took his place behind the counter, while they stood around warming up. He figured none of them were really interested in buying anything just yet, and were waiting for the soup to warm up, inside out of the elements.

"Have you finished that mission for the alchemical potion yet, Issa?" asked one of them to the girl.

She shook her head no, and said, "Finding flowers in the cold is impossible, and that's the only way to make sure you have the right plant, is by the flowers."

"I have a few alchemical things, though, I'm not sure what they are," said Bob, pulling the bag down off the shelf of the alchemical ingredients and tools.

She quickly came over to pick through them, making excited noises as she went.

"There's going to be a hanging today," said the black bearded man, rubbing his hands together.

"Anyone we know?" asked another guy.

"No, just two random nobodies who thought it would make them some coin to try and plant false evidence on people. I hear they even tried to kill someone when they were released the first time."

"Stupid idiots, everyone knows that's the perfect way to get yourself in trouble. Should have stuck to the legal quests."

"Did you hear about the drinking contest last night at the Dragon's Breath?" asked Issa, her nose still in the alchemical bag.

"Did you actually go to that? I know you like your drinks, but there?" asked the bearded man incredulously.

"Of course I went!" she answered with a sniff, looking up at the man indignantly. "Bob, could I just buy the whole bag? I don't know if some of these might be what I'm looking for, but the guy who was wanting it would definitely know."

"Sure, how much do you think it's worth?" he asked, itching to ask about the drinking contest.

"I could give you 10 gold for it? I wouldn't be out much if none of it's the right stuff, but I'm sure Lord Winston would repay me that much."

Bob almost paused at the name of Lord Winston, because he wasn't aware that he was involved in alchemy, but managed to smile to hide it.

"Surely alchemical items such as these are worth more than 10 gold. How about 50?"

She froze with a vial of powder in one hand and a bottle of liquid in another. Looking up at him with a guarded face, she said, "That's a bit steep for items you don't know. How about 20?"

"I may not know what the ingredients are, but I do know that those instruments are worth quite a bit. Now, the ingredients may be no good, seeing as how I don't know their age, so how about 40?"

She sucked in a breath while she thought about it, glancing at the vial of powder.

"You said yourself that you would be reimbursed by Lord Winston," added Bob with a smile.

Sighing she nodded. "Alright. I'll pay 40 gold for it."

As she counted out the coins, the other two adventurers wandered back outside to check on the soup, and she soon joined them, hefting the sack of alchemy items carefully.

Trudy came back inside, shutting the door behind the female adventurer.

"Bob, do you want me to show Vivian how to run the front counter?" she asked as he carefully placed the gold in his coin purse.

"Yes, she needs to start earning her keep. She's already two days behind on room and board, and make sure anyone who might come looking for her, is aware of her debt slave status. I need to run some errands this morning."

"I understand. It's good that you were able to convince your father not to go to the Dragon's Breath. I hear they had a successful drinking contest last night, with the winner ending up winning 40 gold, and losing it when he passed out on the floor."

Bob laughed at the image and shook his head. He didn't intend to ever drink. Just the thought of drinking until he passed out was beyond him. Though, now that he was serving soup, maybe if he got some cheap ale, he could make some more money off of the adventurers…

Hefting a backpack full of the magical items onto his back, he nodded to Vivian as she carefully came down the stairs and stood next to Trudy. All of the kids finished with their morning bowl of soup and hurried to wash them, so they could get started on their morning runs around the city. He headed out, deciding to stop and see Paul at the clerk's office first, before heading over to see Jack, the merchant guild leader.

Stepping inside, he saw that Paul was busy with another customer, and decided to step back outside so as not to bother them. He didn't recognize the man, but knew that business at the clerk's office could be sensitive. Stepping around the side of the building, he waited for the man to leave, and watched the people starting their morning chores and jobs as the sun rose to the east.

It didn't take the man very long, and he was off, hurrying on his way. Bob rushed to get inside, before anyone else could come along.

"Ah, Bob, good morning! So sorry about that, but I had to deal with Lord Clark's son, Triston."

"That's alright, I only had a simple question," said Bob, wondering what Triston could have possibly wanted here. He was glad he wasn't seen by the man, as Clark was the last person he wanted to draw the attention of. "Could I get a permit to sell magical items? You see, dealing with the adventurers means I may encounter them far more often than I had thought I would."

"I would love to sell you one of those," said Paul, getting a sad and panicked look on his face, "But… well… let me tell you a secret. You can't let anyone know I told you, alright?"

"Alright," said Bob, confused by Paul's actions.

"Lord Clark just sent out orders on the City Lord's official document, that no one is to be issued new permits concerning selling or buying of goods, without his direct permission. If you already have one, you're good until next year, but that's only a couple of months away."

He held up a document, where he had broken the wax seal that had the City Lord's sigil pressed into it, where it specifically called out Hector and Bob, himself, as individuals to refuse all permits to.

"I'm sorry about this, and you've been so good to me, I just couldn't keep it from you."

"Oh no! What am I going to do?" Bob sat back in his chair, his mind running wild. He had to tell his dad as soon as possible! There was no way this actually came from the City Lord, could it have?

"You can still sell everything you buy from the adventurers to the merchants with permits to sell those things, you just can't sell them yourself. If I remember correctly, your permit allows you to sell anything that isn't magical. Surely by the time your permit expires, this can all be cleared up," said Paul, looking hopeful.

"I understand that your hands are tied. I don't blame you for this, Paul. How's your wife? Would you like another couple bowls of my soup sent over?"

"I would love some! My wife is feeling so much better! She was actually thinking of trying to get out of bed this morning, and do something, but I told her not to overdo it. The temperature has dropped so much, I can't think of her falling and freezing to death! Though, you should let me get the soup. If someone sees you delivering it, after this little note was delivered this morning, I would hate for you to get in trouble."

"I fully understand, tell your wife to listen to you, this winter is looking to be a nasty one."

Bob left after a few more moments of light chitchat, and headed over to see Alastair. If he was going to be refused a permit, there was no reason to go see Jack. He was glad he stopped to talk to Paul first, since he wasn't sure Jack liked him very much. Then he needed to find his father. There was something else going on, and Bob didn't like it.