Den of Thieves: Telk's Reckoning, part two

"What's this I hear?"

Orek Silverfist was too large for the office door, but he came through the doorway with a graceful twist, lowering his body for a single step. He wore loose clothing in shades of gray, covered with a loose, gauzy mantle that looked vaguely like a funeral shroud. It wasn't the plain-but-nice suit he wore when he was in the office; this was what he wore when he was doing work. A black cap covered his silver hair, but the mask that would have hidden his nose and mouth hung loose around his neck instead.

Telk looked up from beside his desk, where he was inspecting the lump on the back of Smash's head. He swallowed, then pressed forward. If this disgrace meant his fall, he could at least meet his fate with some dignity. "It's what I said in the note, boss. I've been taken -- completely. Chest's empty, money's gone. There was fight earlier -- a big one -- and by the time it was over Smash was missing. Then Vik showed up, and when I went to give him my cut the chest was empty."

Orek frowned, but the expression was thoughtful rather than angry. For all his size, Silverfist wasn't a berserker; he was calm, disciplined, and precise. He wouldn't lose his temper; he wouldn't make an angry mistake. Telk had been counting on that, but seeing it in action was reassuring and terrifying in equal measure. 

"You're not trying to play me, are you?" Orek shifted just a little bit, a panther flexing its claws as it lined up to pounce. 

"No, boss," Talk said quickly. "We're loyal -- both of us. And even if we weren't, we aren't stupid enough to pull something like that."

Orek studied him for a long moment. "All right. Walk me through it. A fight broke out... who started it?"

"One of the dockworkers," said Smash. "It was real crowded 'cause of the bard -- like, I had to turn people away crowded -- and one of 'em punched the guy next to him. With all the people, it was a brawl before I could get to 'em."

"I see," Orek came forward and gestured for Smash to turn around before taking a moment to examine the massive goose egg on the back of the hobgoblin's head. "And this is why you were missing?"

Smash nodded, and from the sound of his voice he was fiercely embarrassed. "I was knocking people over the head and throwing 'em out, trying to break it up, and somebody knocked me over the head." 

"I found him a few minutes ago in a sling under the bridge," Talk said. "Had to do a bit of work with a rope ladder to get him back out."

Smash shuddered, and Orek stepped back. "All right, turn back around. So somebody took out Smash and stashed him under the bridge. Where were you?" 

Telk gestured. "Just outside the door, slapping people around to get their attention. By the time I did, most of the crowd was gone. I was lookin' for Smash when Vik showed up, and that's when we found out the money was gone."

"How did you find out?" asked Orek, calm and relentless. 

Telk swallowed. "Well, I... I unlocked the chest and I opened it, and it was empty. Vik saw--"

"I already heard Vik's piece of this," said Orek, quietly. 

Oh, yeah, he's furious. Telk forced himself to straighten. "So I sent you that note, and went to ask the bard if he'd seen anything. He hadn't."

There was a moment of silence as Orek considered this. "Could the bard have done it?"

"I don't see how," Telk said reluctantly, because it would have been extremely convenient if the bard had done it and happened to be sitting out there with the money still on him. He knew better, though. The Sacred Twins didn't love him that much. "I could hear him playing the whole time, and Edwin -- he's the server -- swears the guy kicked the bench over and kept them both safe behind it."

That earned a grunt from Orek. The big man looked at the windows, clearly noting the metal bars, then said: "So somebody was fast enough and quiet enough to get in and out during the fight." 

Telk nodded nervously. "It was either that or magic, boss."

Orek looked around. "Very well. I believe you. You're forgiven this month's cut, and I'll send funds so you can pay your people. And then we'll find the people who did this, and make an example of them. Nobody cuts in on the Guild." He hesitated, then added: "If you think of anything else, send a runner. Otherwise, I'll let you know."

Telk nodded. When he looked up again, Orek Silverfist was gone.