Rumpold sighed. “Despite his name, he’s a rather serious person. If I’d known he was the one who’d taken the Eye in the first place, I would have thought twice about taking it. Unfortunately, I didn’t find out until after the device was stolen from me.”

“So I’m assuming he’s some kind of underworld figure,” Nurn said, putting down his empty cup and picking up the Lord of All’s, which, apart from one small sip, hadn’t been touched.

“Puzzle is reported to be one of the most powerful crime lords in the city,” the wizard explained. “Probably the most powerful one actually. I admit, I’d heard of him before this, but hadn’t really paid much attention. Wizards tend to be fairly private, you know. Anyway, since the whole incident blew up, I’ve discovered that, whoever Puzzle is, he’s not afraid of using threats, even on someone of my status. I fear the brigands you stumbled upon were sent by him.”

“Can’t you cast some spell or something, or call on your fellow wizards for help?” Velvet asked.

“Sadly no.” Rumpold shook his head and looked at his cup mournfully. “As the whole Eye thing was, shall we say, unofficial, calling on my comrades would probably get me in more trouble, not less. As for using magic, I’ve tried, but it’s hard enough when you have a link to a subject you have information on. All I know about Puzzle is a name, and not even his real one. Plus, being a wanted crime lord, he probably has some kind of protection against detection. Only a seriously high level spell would stand a chance of locating him, maybe Gulgash’s Universal Identifier, or Mormon’s Deep Sight, but both of those would need several of the council members working together to cast.”

“So where does this leave us?” asked Nurn.

“Puzzle’s representatives made it very clear that they believe I still have the Eye. The only thing I can think of doing is trying to locate the person who stole it from me.” The wizard looked at his guests hopefully. “Perhaps, as you also need this item, you could be of assistance? Working together, we may be able to trace it. I was in the middle of doing a magical search when I was attacked.”

“And that brings us up to date,” said Lord.

“Indeed,” Rumpold said. “Now you see why I thought you could help me. I am capable of defending myself in a fight you understand, as long as I’m prepared.”

“But I’ve heard of wizards wading their way through groups of warriors,” said Velvet.

The mage made a face and a dismissive gesture. “Stories mostly my dear, or if not, they were armed with magical artefacts and loaded up with battle magic. It’s not as easy as the tales make it seem, though this is not something that I should really be telling non-magic users.”

“Yes, I expect you like to portray an image of invulnerability to the unwashed masses, don’t you?” Nurn commented dryly.

“You have no leads or clues to this thief now?” asked Lord.

“No. Nothing,” Rumpold said. “I’ll try my spell again though, this time with better protective wards on the house. It’ll take a day or so. The only other thing I could suggest is either the Thieves’ guild or the local City Watch house, though both of those places may ask awkward questions.”

Lord sighed. “Very well. We shall return tomorrow. Are you sure you’ll be safe this time?”

“Don’t worry about me, I’ll be ready for any other attacks,” Rumpold said, standing up.

“Good.” Lord nodded at the wizard and moved to the door. Glancing back at Nurn and Velvet, he opened it and strode out.

Velvet said goodbye to the wizard, who waved a hand at her in distracted fashion, and followed the Grey outside.

Lord was in the street, petting his horse. From the expression on his face he was less than happy with the outcome of the interview.

“What now, boss?” Nurn asked.

“We shall do as I said.” Lord looked at Velvet, who smiled nervously. The man could be extremely intimidating. “So, Velvet, was it?”

“Yes, sir.” It was all she could do not to curtsey.

“Well Velvet, do you know of a nearby hotel? I don’t wish to walk across the city back to the one from last night, only to have to repeat the journey tomorrow.”

“Well,” Velvet considered. “There are some nearby, but they’re the up-market places. Very expensive, so I hear. I’ve not stayed in any myself.”

“Money is not an issue,” Lord said.

“Very well then. Follow me please.” She turned to mount her horse, but Lord interrupted her.

“Also…” he started.

She looked around, and was surprised to find that he looked rather shy all of a sudden. “Yes?”

“I wouldn’t usually impose on someone like this. You have your life to live, but you’ve been helpful and courteous thus far, qualities which are rare enough in any t... t place.”

Velvet frowned, but listened as he continued.

“Would you consider continuing to aid us? You seem to know your way around the city and wizards, both of which would be of considerable help. I can provide a small stipend as well as food and lodging, should you require it.”

Velvet thought about the men she’d seen running from the wizards’ house, as well as the one lying dead up the stairs. Then she thought about the previous night, and what might have happened had Lord not intervened. She took a deep breath and looked at the large man and the small Grey. Nurn waggled his eyebrows at her and winked, making her smile.

“Very well sir,” she said, her mind suddenly made up. “But I’ll have to report to my work and let them know I’ll be away for some time.”

“Of course,” Lord said. “Show us to the hotel first, and then we will discuss options, and you can contact your employer.”

Velvet nodded and turned back to her horse, mounting it with slightly less effort this time. Still, she was slower than the other two, and by the time she had herself sorted out both Lord and Nurn were sitting on their own beasts, waiting for her. “Sorry,” she said, flushing. “I haven’t ridden in a while.”

Lord smiled kindly. “We are in no great rush, take your time.”

She flushed even more, and kicked her horse in the sides harder than she’d intended. The beast moved off quickly, and she spent the next few seconds simultaneously trying to guide it and figure out the best way to the nearest hotel. She managed, and after a short time they fell into what had become their usual formation, with Lord just out in front, and Velvet and Nurn following just behind.

She guided them out of the wizardly backstreets and onto the main avenue once again, where they trotted along at a good pace. The roads were still quiet, but there was certainly more traffic about now.

Something occurred to Velvet, and she dropped back a little bit to ride beside Nurn. In a low voice she whispered to the Grey. “What did Lord do to the last wizard who lied to him?”

“What? What do you mean?” Nurn said.

“In the house, upstairs, you said he should convince Rumpold like he convinced the last wizard. What did he do to the last wizard?”

“Oh that.” The Grey laughed. “He just asked him several more times, with his hand on his sword. I’m sure the poor fellow thought he was going to come to harm, but Lord wouldn’t use violence against someone who wasn’t a threat. That’s just not his way.”

“Oh,” Velvet said. Then again. “Oh.” She smiled and nodded. “I see.”

“Do you think this hotel will have a decent dining room?” Nurn asked wistfully. “A few biscuits are hardly a hearty meal. I’m practically wasting away here.” He patted his belly, which didn’t look very skinny to Velvet.

“I’m sure they will,” she replied, and then hurried her horse along to make sure she turned off at the correct street. It wouldn’t do to get lost just as she’d been hired as a guide. How would that look to her new employer?