Business as Usual
Bjorke walked into the Salty Sailor, her hat pulled down low over her face, her clothes dusty from the long ride. She strode up to the bar, signaling the barman, Nixx.
His face lit up as he recognized her. “Hey, long time no see! Not since…” his face fell suddenly, as he remembered the last time she’d been in his bar. “Now, you don’t blame me for what happened, do ya?” He stepped back, out of arm’s reach.
She shook her head slightly, grinning. “Nah, Nixx, not your fault I got slipped a mickey in my drink, is it?” The cold glint in her eye belied the joviality of her tone. “Not why I’m here, anyway. It’s business as usual.”
The goblin nodded, and pulled out a jug of bourbon and a mug for her, and a large bone for Hero. She leaned forward to hand him several gold coins, holding his gaze to make sure he understood. “I’ll be upstairs.” Taking her drink, she headed for the uppermost section of the tavern, in the darkest corner, away from the hustle of the bar. There she sat, sipping the smooth liquor – Nixx remembered her favorite – with Hero under the table, tucked out of sight, gnawing quietly on his treat.
The gnome climbed into the chair, looking as if the height of the seat was intended to insult him. He tossed an envelope on the table. “Here’s this month’s report.” She reached out of the shadows to pull it towards her. “Big doings this month! A new dress shop opened up in Stormwind and she went to see it! Spent the night at the Inn – the best room.” Bjorke couldn’t help but smile at this. “Went to the shop in the morning, lunch with daddy, and back home by midnight. Yep. Big doings!”
Bjorke stacked the gold coins on the table in front of him.
“Why do you pay me to watch her? All she does is sew. Ladies come for fittings. She goes to town for supplies. Visits her mother once a month… that’s it.”
She leaned forward deliberately, reaching for the coins. “If you don’t want the money, I can hire Heath instead…”
Before she could blink, the coins were gone. “No, no… I’ll do it! If you want to waste your money, it’s fine with me!” And just as he had arrived, he went again, cursing slightly at the furniture.
The bar downstairs hummed with the usual type of sounds – laughter, the occasional angry outburst, clink of mugs. Pipe smoke mingled with the salty sea air and the smell of raw and cooked fish, wafting up into her room, comforting her in its familiarity Hero, asleep under the table, yipped and growled lightly, his paws twitching as he chased after his dream demons.
Hero’s dreaming ended abruptly as the night elf approached. Alert once more, his change in behavior also alerted his master. “About time,” she thought to herself. He folded himself into the chair, stoic and silent. Bjorke merely sipped her drink, waiting him out.
“Where’s my money?” he asked at last.
“Where’s my report?” Her voice was calm, and very quiet.
“There’s nothing to report. He hangs out in the woods all day. You want to know how many deer he’s killed?”
“You lost him, didn’t you?” She leaned forward just enough to bring the edge of her face out of shadow, staring at him.
“No, but… I got bored. He never did anything!”
Bjorke sighed. She figured as much would happen. While she felt obligated to assist the younger Jiv’undus, he did not seem to want her help. “Very well. I have a new assignment for you. This one should prove more of a challenge, but I’m certain you are up to it.” She pulled a slim envelope from her vest, and slid it across the table, along with a heavy coin purse.
The elf looked over the information she provided, frowning. “Not much to go on.”
She shrugged. “You are a resourceful fellow. I’m sure you’ll work it out. Meet me here in a week.”
Nodding, he tucked away the money and dossier. Under the table, Hero turned his head to watch him go, only putting his head back on his paws when the elf had left the tavern.
Once again, Bjorke leaned back in her chair, stretching out her long legs, to wait for the next informant.
