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A clap sounded the end of their bargaining, and his clever fingered hand went to mid-table. Palm open, waiting for the handshake. His smile, the green eyes, and tanned face around them tilted from anticipatory to satisfaction and mirth. A mutually beneficial deal was the best sort. "That pays for the difference by itself. My cooking can be best described as 'edible'." With her clasp, their bargain was sealed.

They'd had their drinks waiting, and Viltre stood when the barman called. Variel liked her beer, if he were any judge, and he'd got hot sweet tea for himself. Before he turned, "I should warn you now: You're in my employ, so outside of a joke I'll tell you nothing untrue. But I'm the most dishonest man you'll ever meet." By this point, it wouldn't drive her off. More than likely the warrior would take that for some puzzle or challenge. Everyone seemed to trust you when you told them how untrustworthy you were. People were like that, he'd found.

Viltre felt no hesitation about warning his new bodyguard fairly. In his case, letting potentially close associates know beforehand was a good way to keep them from running off at the first sign of shady behavior. Even his mask was, in his home town, that of a notorious practical joker. It used much the same skillset, even. Also if she parted ways and decided to blab about what she'd seen, there were measures to be taken. Preferably bribery or some subtle work to destroy her credibility rather than jumping right to murder. Important to have options. Killing's so wasteful. Might need that person later.

Drinks came back to the table without incident, the bar being of a friendly mood at the moment. A step up from the last dive in which Viltre had interviewed someone. While he waited for his beverage to cool, the tall scribe began to lay out his business. "Death threats aside, I'm not up here in Sauti for my health. I'm expanding my business network, sure, but I'm also looking for someone specific. A favor to my sister's new family."

Viltre allowed the mischief to briefly leave his eye. That had been a neat piece of work, worth a moment's pride. He took a deep breath of the steam rising from his mug. Interesting blends they had here in the mountains. Young Kavensei hadn't rewarded himself for that heist; this would do. "Thank you. I get the impression she's happier there than where she was." Not like that was saying much, true as it was.

Hid hand dipped into the slingbag wallet he'd worn on a strap. Mostly held papers, inks, tools that wouldn't do well under his red sash. Lying on paper was just as fine an art as in person. "Do you one better, I've a sketch and a name." From the one Thallassa had sent, he'd copied the little girl's face onto a few broadsheets to start. One of these was retrieved and set between them, face up. "Her name's Elaxi. I understand she's my niece, and I mean either to find her, or the men who took her."