Skreek set down the first pouch and reached for the second, examining it with the sa enthusiasm. When he looked up at Julian, his expression had transford completely.
"Skreek will do it," he said, his smile touching his eyes. "Skreek will contact Elara! Skreek will arrange an introduction! Skreek will provide whatever assistance you need!"
He clutched both pouches to his chest.
"But Sir must understand—this will take ti. Skreek cannot just snap his fingers and produce results. The thods Skreek must use are... delicate."
"How long?" Seraphine asked directly.
Skreek’s head tilted as he considered.
"Two days. Maybe three. Skreek needs to activate certain channels, send specific signals, wait for responses. The communication network that still functions is not fast—it’s designed for secrecy and security, not speed."
Julian nodded, accepting this reasonings.
"Where should we stay while we wait?"
Skreek’s instincts kicked in again, seeing another opportunity.
"There are hotels near here, Sir! Several good ones! But for distinguished guests such as yourself, Skreek would recomnd the Silver Moon Inn. It’s three streets over, closer to the respectable part of town. Clean rooms, good food, discrete staff who don’t ask questions."
He paused, then added with a slightly embarrassed cough.
"Skreek may have so... financial interest in the establishnt. But it truly is the best option for travelers who value privacy and quality!"
Lyanna laughed despite the tension. "Of course you do. Do you have financial interest in everything in this city?"
Skreek’s chest puffed up slightly with pride.
"Skreek is a very successful rchant, fierce lady! Smart investnts, good connections, and knowing where opportunities exist—these are the keys to prosperity!"
Julian couldn’t help but smile slightly at the crocodile-man’s shaless self-promotion.
"The Silver Moon Inn it is, then. How will you contact us when you have news?"
"Skreek will send a ssenger," the crocodile-man replied. "A young fox-girl nad Mira. She works for Skreek sotis, running ssages and small packages. When she arrives asking for ’Julian the Hunter,’ you’ll know Skreek has made progress."
"And if we need to contact you before then?" Cassandra asked.
"Co back here to the shop," Skreek said. "Knock three tis, pause, then twice more. That way Skreek knows it’s you and not so random custor. Though—" he glanced at the rapidly darkening sky visible through his small window, "—Skreek would recomnd not traveling through this part of town after dark. The shadowed market is safer during daylight."
Julian stood and his daughters followed imdiately.
"Understood. We’ll go to the Silver Moon Inn and wait for your ssenger."
He fixed Skreek with a serious look.
"But Skreek—don’t try to cheat us or betray us. The money I’ve given you is generous, and I expect results. If you take the paynt and provide nothing, or if you alert the authorities about us, you’ll regret it."
Skreek swallowed visibly.
"Skreek would never! Skreek is a professional! Skreek takes pride in delivering what he promises!" He clutched the coin pouches tighter. "Besides, Sir has been very generous. Skreek has no reason to betray such relationship!"
Julian nodded. Greed and self-interest were effective motivators, in their own way.
"Then we have an understanding. We’ll await your contact."
Skreek moved to the door, unlocking it once again and pulled it open to reveal the shadowed alley outside. The market was noticeably quieter now—the sun was setting, and honest rchants were packing up their goods for the night.
"Be careful traveling to the inn, Sir," Skreek said, his voice carrying genuine concern despite his greedy nature.
Lyanna grinned, her hand resting casually near her concealed weapon.
"I almost feel sorry for anyone who will try to rob us."
Skreek looked at her, then at Seraphine and Cassandra, then at Julian, and slowly nodded.
"Yes, Skreek supposes anyone foolish enough to target you would regret it very quickly. Still—be cautious. Not all dangers co from direct confrontation."
"We will," Julian assured him.
They stepped out into the alley, and Skreek called after them one final ti.
"Three streets over, then turn left at the fountain! You’ll see the Silver Moon Inn—it has a large silver crescent moon hanging above the entrance! Can’t miss it!"
"Thank you, Skreek," Julian replied. "We’ll see you in a few days."
The door closed behind them with multiple clicking sounds as Skreek engaged all his locks. They heard his muffled voice through the wood—"Stay safe! Don’t die! Skreek wants more of your money!"—which drew smiles from all four of them.
As they began walking through the shadowed market, Seraphine moved closer to her father.
"Do you trust him?" she asked quietly.
Julian considered the question carefully.
"I trust that he wants our money more than he wants to betray us," he replied. "And I trust that he genuinely cares about his source of information and wants us to help her. Those motivations should align with our goals, at least in the short term."
"But you’re prepared for betrayal anyway," Lyanna stated rather than asked.
"Always," Julian confird. "Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. It’s kept alive this long."
Cassandra was scanning their surroundings constantly, her eyes tracking every shadow, every potential threat.
"What if he reports us to the authorities? Tells them there are outsiders in the city asking dangerous questions?"
"Then we’ll deal with that when it happens," Julian said calmly. "But I don’t think he will. He’s a survivor, soone who has built a successful business in a dangerous environnt. He knows when to keep secrets and when to share them. And right now, keeping our secret is more profitable than exposing us."
After few minutes of walking, they erged from the shadowed market into broader streets, where magical lamps were beginning to glow. The architecture here was noticeably better—still dieval by Julian’s standards, but cleaner, better maintained and more prosperous-looking.
Other travelers moved through the streets—a mix of species that Julian was still adjusting to seeing together. A family of what appeared to be cat-folk walked past, the children chasing each other playfully. An elderly human couple sat on a bench, feeding birds. Two elven rchants were closing up their shop for the night.
It was all so... normal. So peaceful.
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