Den of Thieves: Afterparty

"They did what?" asked the man who called himself Daystar. 

"They threw a Solstice party," Grot said. "And they've been to the Bluddy Nose, too."

Grot kept his delivery absolutely deadpan -- he'd always been good at that -- but secretly he was enjoying the unbecoming, blotchy redness that now covered the boss's face. 

"Damn them," growled the boss. "They're supposed to be laying low, not introducing themselves to the entire Guild. Why didn't you tell me about this?"

"I am telling you about it. I didn't realize it was going to be a party until I got there."

Daystar was still red-faced, but his eyes narrowed at that. "Was anybody else from the Guild there?"

"No," Grot answered immediately. "Well, my cousin Keria, but she's more a member by courtesy. Stevedores. Works at the Bluddy Nose."

The boss drew a deep breath and very deliberately smoothed out the lapels of his jacket. "Well, that could have been much worse. And they trust you enough to invite you, I see."

Grot nodded. "They do."

"Hmph. Fine. Then you can keep an eye on them. At least they seem to be doing what I need."

"So what now?" 

"I need to get up to the office. Once you've dropped me there, you can go and visit again -- on foot -- and warn them to stay out of sight. I need to find some way to make them less distinctive, but..." 

"I'll warn them," Grot said. Better there than here, he thought, then cursed himself for a fool. This was a good job: it paid well, it wasn't too demanding, and the boss was every bit as cautious as he should be, given what he was doing. The boss was also high-handed and demanding, and not prone to explaining himself, which might become a problem.

Grot turned and left, heading for the stables; if he was going to have second thoughts about taking down the Guild, it was definitely better done there than here.