Megra’s conversation with the doorman had done nothing to put her mind at ease. The knot in her stomach remained and seemed to tighten each time she laid eyes on the man. Were Megra anyone else she might have been able to ignore it, attribute it to the stress of the Hearths financials beginning to wear her down and causing her to jump at shadows. But Megra wouldn’t ignore it, couldn’t ignore it. 

While she lacked the size and cruelty of her dragon cousins she still had their blood and their instincts. Some peoples had different senses than others and one that was unique amongst the draconic folk was the ability to sense when their hoard was in danger. Somehow, someway the man was a threat or was at least was the portent of one.  Megra could have just kicked the man out for her own peace of mind but there was the reputation of the Hearth to consider. They were already struggling and couldn’t afford the perception of being unwelcoming.

For now she would wait for Ressa’s reports and have the man watched until he gave ample reason to be removed. In the meantime the madam put herself to work. After taking some time to greet the guests and direct some of the maids to more profitable sales she turned her attention to a task that had been on her list for some time. 

In addition to a brothel and tavern the Hearth also served as an outpost for adventurers and sellswords to find new work, claim rewards and gather leads. While that line of income may have fallen off worse than others in recent times Megra took pride in all aspects of the Hearth. Knowing that such business was only as good as the information one had she got to work clearing the old flyers and handbills from the Hearth’s notice board. By the time she finished the board was practically barren, large swathes of cracked brown cork now revealed like an unforgiving desert. 

Luckily one of their own was due to return at any moment with a full purse and a stack of notices. Forcing herself to ignore it she turned her attention to the bar and the tall orcish woman who stood behind it. 

“How are we looking tonight Jazel?” Megra asked as she approached the counter.

Jazel looked up from the mug she was wiping down, “Not too bad tonight ma'am," she answered in a husky voice. “Things keep up like this, we might actually hit our numbers, maybe even a little more if they can keep up the pace.”

Jazel nodded across the room to the group of mercenaries. Their table was piled high with empty plates and flagons. A steady stream of maids running from bar to table ensuring that the pile never grew past its current size.

“Wish we had a hundred just like them,” Megra said. 

“Not sure we could keep up if that was the case. Maybe a couple dozen would work but it’d be close.” 

Jazel was the most direct and unpoetic person Megra had ever met. Hyperbole, exaggeration and metaphors were a language she seemed incapable of learning. For some this was off putting for others endearing with Megra belonging to the latter. 

“Yes, that number does sound more manageable,” the madam answered. “For their next round please add a bit of the aphrodisiac if you would Jazel.” 

“Are you sure ma'am? I think we could get three more rounds before they start to slow down.” 

Megra thought for a moment before she answered. “No, I’d like to make sure the courtesans get a fair cut. Things have been extra hard on that end and I’d like to get those young men into a bed before they start to get cheap.”

The explanation was all Jazel needed and she set to work pouring a round of watered down ale before dropping in a bit of white powder from a vial in her apron pocket. After a brief stirring she gestured towards a few of the courtesans who took the tray to the men before settling in at the table themselves. 

Megra watched the process and gave an approving nod before she turned to head back to her room.  As she did her gaze happened to fall by chance to the large leather chair where the gray eyed man now sat alone.  

“The man in the chair over there, what is he drinking?” Megra asked. 

“Just ale maam,” Jazel answered. “Second of the evening, he sent the first one back.”

“Why did he do that?”

“He said he wanted a clean one which I found odd. You know I pride myself in keeping everything sanitary. So I sent the maid to explain that and he clarified that he didn’t want any of our “little extras” in his refreshment.”

Megra turned back, her brow furrowed and questioning. 

“How would he notice that? Did you use the amount we talked about?”

“Yes ma'am the same as I always do. I decided to try it myself and I couldn’t taste anything.. Still, I decided to just replace it and move on. He didn’t seem like he wanted to make it an issue and I thought it best to do the same.”

“That was probably the right decision,” Megra said, no longer looking at the bartender, her claws gently rapping on the dark wood as her mind worked. “ We’ve had all kinds through here, assassins, alchemists, apothecaries. How is he the first to catch it?”

“I’m not sure,” Jazel said. “Poison would be one thing but what we use isn’t common and it’s not like it causes harm the way we portion it. From what I’ve seen most would consider it a perk.”

Megra looked up and forced a small smile. “That's very true, perhaps he just doesn't like to have fun. Seems he’s in the wrong place for that but who are we to reject his coin?”

“I wouldn’t know ma'am, “ Jazel said, giving her honest answer as she looked over anxiously to a recently deposited tray of dishes.

“Me either, thank you Jazel that will be all but if our friend does happen to make any more notes please let me know.”

Jazel replied with a sharp yes ma'am before she turned away and rushed to take care of the tray. 

 Leaving the bartender to her work, Megra located Ressa and in a small office under the stairs she listened to what she had to say. 

*

"Well he’s a killer,” Ressa said in a surprisingly nonchalant tone. Her bare feet swung back and forth off over the edge of the large oak desk where she sat.

“He told you that?” 

“No, he didn’t really talk about himself except to answer direct questions and even then he was pretty tight lipped.”

“Then how can you be so certain?” Megra asked, her clawed fingers rapping against her crossed arm. 

Ressa seemed to ponder for a moment before giving a small shrug. “I guess I’m not. Not entirely but he definitely looks like a lot of killers I’ve met. It’s something in the eyes.  Kind of empty and distant like they’re miles away even when they're two feet in front of you. I spoke to him for nearly a half hour and I never felt like he was truly looking at me. I got the feeling he was paying more attention to his peripherals. That’s what gives them that distant look. True killers, who make a living at it, have to keep up with what’s on the corner if they want to survive very long.”

“So he’s dangerous,” Megra said. 

“Well yeah, but if he’s hunting, it’s not for any of us.”

The observation did little to soothe Zemu's paranoia. The thought of kicking him out crossed her mind again but it wasn’t like they hadn’t served dangerous guests before. It was the price of their business, a place like the Dragons Hearth operated in the gray spots of the world and so did many of its clients. 

“Did he tell you anything about himself? His plans? Intentions?” Megra asked. 

“Just that he was waiting for someone and he’d be gone after that,” Ressa answered. “And no he didn’t tell me who he was waiting for or what business they had together,” she added anticipating her madam's next question.

Megra had nothing else after that and dismissed Ressa with a sigh. The girl hopped up but hesitated at the door. 

“Ma’am I know tonight I’m on to work the room but Miriana is set to return any time and I was wondering if I might be able to get off early.”  Her tone was more reserved as she asked for the favor, a contrast to how cavalier her report had been. 

“Yes that would be fine Ressa doesn’t seem there’ll be much business to go around anyways. Check in with Jazel and the maids to see if they might need a hand first then you can be excused.”

Ressa happily agreed and thanked Megra before exiting the office leaving her boss to her thoughts. Ressa’s report had been a dud that did nothing to quash that feeling of unease nor provide her with reason to have the man removed. The madam spent some time considering her options before deciding she would deal with the issue head on.