Jerrod
Two days before being forced to pretend to be a musician at Antonetta Alleyne’s engagement party, is handing over a half-crown to a criminal informant in the Yu-Shuang Noodle House on Yulan Road.
watches through weary eyes as the little man scuttles out the door. He hasn’t been one of the Ragpicker King’s usual informants, but he brought the news that the well-known privateer Laurent Aden is holed up in a sea cave along the coast. This is, in ’s estimation, a mildly interesting piece of information. Not urgent, but something Andreyen would want to know, if he didn’t already. The Ragpicker King has worked with Aden in the past and, for all knows, might find him useful in the present.
likes to be here, at his usual booth in the Yu-Shuang Noodle House, for four hours every Sunsday afternoon. He never knows exactly who might show up, but the Ragpicker King pays well for information that doesn’t waste his time. Gathering these reports and judging their usefulness always fell to . Ji-An just frightened everyone away, and Merren was too interested in individual stories and would keep informants talking for hours. smiles slightly, thinking of Merren, then starts in surprise when someone slides unexpectedly into the booth across from him.
hates being surprised. Merren is bad for his concentration.
“,” says the newcomer. “It’s been a while.”
gazes narrowly at the large, pockmarked man across from him, and his heart sinks a little. He knows what this means. “Kaspar,” he says. “I thought perhaps you’d left town since you stabbed the Prince’s cousin.”
Kaspar is clearly not amused. “I cooled my heels in Jahan for a while, but I’m back now.” He slides a piece of crumpled paper across the table. “A message for you.”
unfolds the paper. He recognizes the cramped printing, the handwriting of someone clearly trying to disguise their penmanship. I may need you soon. Be ready, and tell Maeva, Bron, and the others to be ready, too. It is signed, below, in printed capitals: PROSPER BECK.