Owin #50 — The Life of a Thief

Gwen looked over her shoulder again as she passed by the other people on the streets.  She did not see anyone that appeared to be following her, but the crowds had growth thicker over the course of the morning.

Looking up at the street sign, she continued past the intersection and forced herself to slow down.  She did not want to draw attention to herself, but as she glanced at the people she passed, she realized that hardly anyone paid her any attention.  It took a moment before she understood the difference, but disguised as a male servant instead of being a young woman, far fewer people seemed to even notice she existed.

No longer worried so much about drawing attention to herself, she continued toward The Carriage House, the first of three public houses where she might wait for Owin to approach her.  However, as she walked, another concern filled her thoughts.  Their initial plan had been to lose anyone whom the Steward might send to follow her.  It had been assumed someone would follow her and both she and Owin both wanted to keep anyone else from knowing where they were staying.  But that was before the man promised he would not send anyone to follow me.  If he betrays that trust, can we trust him to do anything else for us?  So, should I try to lose anyone or let them follow so Owin can see them? The question worried her because she did not know what she wanted more.  If someone did follow her, at least they would know where they stood with the Steward.  If no one follows, then we don’t know if he will betray us later or not.  I wish I could ask Owin what to do?  Knowing that was not possible, she decided to keep her pace slow and risk someone tailing her to the public house.  I could always try to lose them later.

After a couple more blocks, she stopped in front of The Carriage House. The front door and windows were open to let out the summer heat. After a moment, her eyes adjusted to the darkened room and she could see a nearly empty public room filled with many tables and chairs.  She noticed only one group of men around a single table.  Of Owin, there was no sign.  However, not expecting him to be ahead of her, she walked inside and moved toward the back of the building.  The five patrons glanced in her direction, but their attention did not linger.

Picking a chair that placed her back against the wall, she turned her attention to the open door and windows.  Owin had said that someone following her would have to take a moment to look inside before they would be able to see her in the darker room.  In doing that, they would make themselves obvious.  She gave a half-hearted shrug.  It had taken her a moment to be able to see inside, but she was not sure if she would notice anyone watching her or not.

So intent on watching the door, Gwen did not notice the barmaid approach her table.  Startled, she took a moment to realize what question she had been asked. “Sorry, yes, I’ll take an ale,” Gwen said.

Once the woman left to fetch her drink and Gwen tried to relax and look natural.  She lean back in the chair, then crossed her legs before realizing she had not done it as a man would.  She leaned back again, but ended up fidgeting with her dress coat.

A giggle to her left brought Gwen’s attention back to the barmaid, who set a mug of ale on the table. “If you’re slacking on your job, your master is not likely to know unless you get so drunk you can’t walk straight.”

Gwen looked up at the young woman’s smiling face and swallowed. The woman has to know I am not a man, right? Not trusting her voice to hold the illusion, she grabbed the mug from the table and took a deep drink.

The woman shook her head.  “You don’t have to guzzle your drink to impress all women.  Let’s be honest, you may not be the handsome type, but you look to have a respectable job. That speaks well of you.”

Gwen searched for something to say as the barmaid smiled again.

“Ma’am,” Owin’s deep voice came from Gwen’s other side. “I’ll take an ale as well. My friend and I have some business to discuss.”

The barmaid stood straighter and nodded her head before she left for the kitchen.

“Where’d you come from?” Gwen asked.

“I came in the back,” Owin said, nodding his head toward the door set in the back wall. “There’s a privy and another room back there for dining.” He scooted a chair around to sit next to her. “Not a bad location to pick. I didn’t see anyone following you. Anyone come in after you?”

Gwen shook her head. “No. But….”

“What is it?”

She swallowed another mouth full of ale. The bitter liquid warmed her stomach. “I couldn’t get in to see Lord Walis, but I spoke with the Steward of the house. A Renald that said he’s got as much, or perhaps more, influence in the city as Walis. He reports directly to Duchess Emilia.”

She watched Owin nod his head. “It was always a chance that we would not get to the Lord. What did the Steward say?”

“He wasn’t sure he trusted what I told him. He wants to verify it.”

Owin frowned. “That could cause people to discover what we’re up to.”

Gwen nodded her head. “I didn’t know what else to do.”

“You did fine. Will he help us?”

Gwen shrugged. “He wants us to meet someone at a pub tonight.” She bit her lip as she looked into the distance. “It’s near Patrick Square. Iesa’s Public House,” she added after a moment. “I was afraid I’d forget the name.”

Owin shifted to his right slightly. “What does he want with us there?”

“He didn’t trust me entirely, but he felt what I said was credible enough that he had to check it out. He wanted me to tell him where we were staying, but I refused. So we agreed he’d make his decision and we’d meet at the public house. There will be a man with a green shirt and a red cap waiting after dark with further instructions.”

Owin leaned closer. “Damn.”

“I’m sorry, Owin.”

“No, Gwen, really, you did fine. I just don’t know if we can trust meeting this person. It might be a trap.”  He shrugged.  “I don’t know. It all depends on what kind of man this Steward is, what he learns of the plot from his sources, what he thinks of you, and if there might be any way to turn the odds in his favor–or his Duchess’s favor–by betraying us.”

Gwen nodded her head and opened her mouth, but said nothing.

“What is it?”

She picked up the mug and took another sip. “I don’t know. I’m probably not the best judge of people, but I felt like we could trust him.”

Owin did not respond immediately as the barmaid returned with his drink. Once she left, he took a drink and set the mug down. “Gwen, I trust your instincts. You’re probably a better judge of people than you know.”

She could not help but smile. However, doubt continued to eat at her. “What if I’m wrong?”

“Well, I think the best option is that we leave here separately. We’ll avoid each other for the rest of the day. Find someplace to lay low. Perhaps you can go to the market or just sit in Patrick Square and wait. Then go into the pub and meet this contact. Find out what your Steward has agreed to. If it is safe, I’ll join you, if not, I’ll make sure you can get away.”

Gwen sighed. “Great, sitting and doing nothing for a whole day.”

Owin patted her arm. “The exciting life of a thief.  If that’s want you still plan to do with yourself once we are done here, you’ll need to get used to it.”

Owin #51