<div dir="ltr">Trey watched the man as he seemed to casually examine the various walls. There didn’t seem to be anything particularly interesting about it, but Trey was sure he was looking for something. ‘Could he be looking for me?’ The hole he’d gone into was one of a network that led through buildings. He knew the paths well and could watch from points without being seen. Having never known anything but the Keep, Trey had no reason not to think the man wasn’t looking for him. ‘What would the brave Matthias do?’ Among rats and mice, Matthias was a legendary hero whose exploits seemed to grow in the telling. It was pretty obvious the man was looking for *something*. Trey had no idea if he could actually win a fight against the stranger, and he wasn’t about to try. “What is it you want?” Reed looked up. It seems as though the very stones had spoken! Or had it been that rat? *Could* the rat speak? He wasn’t sure what the limits were on the Curses–if there were any at all! “My employer is looking for new buyers for his wares. He has a great many carpets he needs to sell and is determined not to leave until he secures a buyer or we have no choice.” It was the truth, and whatever he was dealing with didn’t need to know about the planned mutiny. Trey considered what he said. It matched what he’d overheard earlier, except the part about betrayal, but if he’d been planning to betray someone, he wouldn’t mention it either. “This isn’t a spot where you’re likely to find any buyers. You’re looking for something else.” There were holes enough in the walls, but by now the rat could be in any one of them, watching him. If it were the rat and the actual Keep wasn’t talking. Or someone invisible. Or a ghost. Reed shook his head. Too many variables. “I’d prefer to see who I’m talking to.” “I don’t trust you.” It was said in such a sincere way that he chuckled, despite himself. “Alright, that’s fair. We don’t know one another, after all. I don’t care to be watched, but I don’t suppose I can convince you I’m on a legitimate errand.” ‘What to do?’ Trey knew that, technically, the man was telling the truth, even though he had ill intentions in the future. ‘He hasn’t committed a crime, yet, and if I can help him he and his comrades won’t. It’s better to stop a crime before it happens than punish it after.’ “If I could find someone to buy the carpets, where could I reach you?” “We’re staying at the Jollie Collie. If you leave a message there, I or my companions will get it.” “Very well, I’ll see what I can do!” Trey scampered off along the tunnels and headed towards the town. He had no idea where, or if, he could find a buyer for the merchant. And if he couldn’t soon, he needed to alert someone to the plot. ‘I hope I can stop it somehow.’ --[Next Part Below]-- </div>