Owin #41 — The forming of a plan?

Owin watched Tam smile, though the old man’s scared face held a trace of irritation under the amusement. Owin knew the man did not like to have information withheld from him, but Owin could not share his plans with a man who was likely to repeat them. “I’ll let you know the plans as they come together. Right now, all I’ve got is a few random ideas.”

Tam chuckled and seemed to accept the statement. “You better get something better than that pretty quick. I’d say someone is out to have your neck.”

Owin nodded his head. “A number of people would say it was for a worthy cause, but I kind of like my neck unbroken. If you keep quiet on what I am doing, you’ll likely see some interesting things unfold.” The old man nodded his head and Owin glanced once at Gwen who had slowed her eating. “Can you tell me if the Uvarian Ambassador has arrived yet?”

Tam shook his head. “He’s not here yet. Probably will be soon. A Lord Tarrin. I understand he’s a younger man. Uvar needs the trade deal. They need money and have too much grain and lumber. I’d guess they sent a junior person so they could use his inexperience as an excuse for what they will in a few years call a bad deal. But they need the deal to go through.”

Owin pursed his lips. “It’s logical; don’t send your hard negotiator when everyone knows the deal will happen. If you send a hard one, people might think he’s holding back and might demand more than from someone who gave too much away to start with. Then you might think you got a great deal and want to close it before he realizes what he gave up.”

“Those are just rumors, of course,” Tam said, picking up his mug and drinking from it.

“What about Duchess Emilia? Does she have anyone from her household in town?”

Tam glanced down at the coins on the table and then back to Owin’s pouch. Owin grinned and pulled a couple more coins from his pouch and placed them on the table.

“This is Solva, everyone has a presence here. And if she had her way, they would give Solva back to her. But the dukes aren’t likely to do that, are they?”

“No. Not with them all fighting for position.”

“Her family has a house in the city. It’s in the east quarter near the Garden of Roses. A Lord Walis is living there. He’s a younger cousin. Likes to go drinking and play dice, but he’s not much of a threat. Skinny boy who’s too afraid of his own shadow.”

“Well, that is still something.” Owin leaned back in the chair and glanced at Gwen. She had stopped eating. Because the food is gone. He smiled at her; she knew when to take advantage of a situation. “Gwen, I think we need to get going. We still need to find our contact and get situated for the night.”

Owin rose to his feet. “Tam, it was a pleasure speaking with you again. It’d be best for me if people didn’t know we stopped here. I want to let people keep thinking I don’t know anything for a while longer.”

Tam shrugged. “A man’s got to eat.”

Owin pulled out a couple more coins and put them on the table. “Just for a few days at least. I think you’ll find it more interesting if I don’t get killed right away.”

Tam smiled, this time his scared face could not hide the mischievous thoughts in his head. “That might make it all worthwhile.”

Continue to next episode.