DoT: Aftermath, Part Two

"Boss!" 

 Vallista Greycloak looked up from her desk, where she was going over her father's accounts. They'd been working together for years, as he'd been grooming her to take his place; there was very little here that she wasn't already familiar with. 

She wasn't sure if that made it hurt less, or more. 

She looked coldly at the doorway, dread gathering in her chest. First that idiot furniture-carver, then a month later her father's death, and now, days after... some new disaster? She would be turning thirty-three tomorrow... if she lived that long. "What is it?" she asked, keeping her voice calm by an effort of will. 

"Beggars, boss. Mother Lardner herself, right out in the streets." The boy was human, just entering adulthood, but he wore the colors; he was a full member of the gang.

"How many?" asked Vallista, rising immediately and reaching to buckle on her swordbelt. 

"That's the thing!" The kid looked baffled. "It's just her. Derlina put the word out to hang back, let her walk, and sent me to tell you." 

Vallista narrowed her eyes, and the kid swallowed. Derlina wasn't overstepping, exactly; but she was the newest of the gang's lieutenants. On the other hand, she was solid and loyal, and if she'd been the first one present... She made the right call, Vallista decided. The more established lieutenants and their crews were going to hate that; they were all circling each other like sharks right now, angling to be the one who became her Second. Derlina wasn't nearly experienced enough to compete with them for that, but this was the kind of opportunity they'd all been looking for. 

She found her purse, tossed the messenger a Silver. "Good work," she said. "Take me there."

He nodded immediately, maybe a little too fast. "This way, boss."

"What's the word?" asked Gazin, She was one of the island's few lizard-folk, and sometimes got mistaken for a dragonborn. She had a desk with a custom-built chair in the front office, where she functioned as both secretary and bodyguard. Normally she didn't advertise her skill at combat, preferring that any unwanted visitors be surprised; but these weren't normal times. 

"Have everybody stay put," Vallista said. "Mother Lardner comes alone, I meet her alone. And Derlina already has eyes on her."

"You sure, boss?" asked Gazin. She grinned a toothy grin. "Don't want to lose my meal ticket, here."

Vallista hesitated, then nodded. "I'm sure. The beggars aren't going to hit us, and if they were they sure as the hells wouldn't hit us in broad daylight. Not unless the balance of power has changed beyond any hope of recovery." She turned back to the messenger. "Lead on, Kid."

He nodded and led her out the door.