Read Twilight of Kerberos - [Shadowmage 01-03] - The Shadowmage Trilogy (Shadowmage; Night's Haunting; Legacy's Price) for Free Online Page B

narrowed his eyes. “How do you know this? I saw no one else.”
    The ruined teeth grinned at him again. “That’s the point. No one sees us beggars. Just part of the scenery. There I was, just minding me own business, trying to get some kip in the door of the local bookseller. But I have a clear view down a certain alley, and what I saw there was... intriguing.”
    Lucius glanced about nervously, seeing if anyone else was taking an interest in the conversation, but the crowd seemed to be far more intent on securing deals on food, clothing, or luxuries.
    “And what, exactly, would a beggar find intriguing about it?” Lucius said dangerously, though he was a little unsure of what he could do to this man while so many people were close by.
    “Just going to dismiss me because I am a beggar, is it? Of no use to anyone, a stain on the backside of Turnitia? Well, I’ll tell you, my foolish friend. We beggars are the eyes and ears of the city. What we don’t see ain’t worth knowing. The wise man knows this, and rewards a beggar for the information he has.” Again, the tin cup was shaken in front of Lucius.
    Pursing his lips, Lucius considered the man and his words. Opportunity had so far eluded him this morning, and the beggar clearly understood the city and its workings. If the man’s intention was to call the guard and get a reward for finding a Shadowmage, if indeed he truly understood what had taken place in the alley the evening before, then surely he would already have done so. The greatest danger was, surely, that the beggar was simply fleecing him for a coin. Despite Lucius’ own financial circumstances, the beggar certainly looked as if he needed the money more than him. His face full of distrust, he reached into his pouch and flipped a coin into the cup.
    The beggar grinned openly as he scooped the coin out. “Ah, blessings of the Faith be on you.”
    Lucius watched as the coin disappeared in the folds of the man’s rags. He coughed to bring attention back to himself. “And you have information for me?”
    “Well, it seems to me you’re looking for good money.”
    “How perceptive.”
    “There’s a peddler across the way, near the fountain in the centre of this market. You’ll recognise him, has a green awning above his stall. Sells pans and ornaments, foreign junk.”
    “And?”
    “Ask for Ambrose. You’ll be thanking me later.”
    The beggar shifted his position, then stood, brushing himself down as if removing the dirt of the street would have any effect on his hygiene.
    “That’s it?” Lucius asked, frowning.
    “That’s it. Can’t do everything for you. My thanks for the coin,” the beggar said as he waddled away. Then, he stopped and turned back to Lucius. “Oh, and a word of advice while you are in the city. Always pay a beggar. You never know how fortune may smile upon you.”
    Lucius was left standing as the man disappeared into the crowd. He shook his head in disbelief, for if this had been a scam, it was a lengthy process simply to gain a single coin. Quickly, he reached down for his pouch to make sure that it was still there and was reassured by its bulk, filled with the proceeds of the previous evening’s gambling. Giving one more glance at the jewellery on the stall in front of him, he walked past it, heading towards the centre of the market.
    Finding a single stall with a green awning was not a simple task, he soon discovered. The market was a riot of colours, with many traders shadowing their goods and potential customers from the sun with gaudy parasols, awnings and wind-breakers. These clashed with the silks, wools and furs, which in turn competed with brightly coloured signs proclaiming that only they had the best deals in the city.
    The fountain was likely a new construction, for Lucius remembered no such decoration in this market years before. As he neared its carved grey stone, his thoughts were confirmed as he saw the tall and familiar figure of the Anointed Lord