The Jackal's Song

Chapter 12: The Price of Orchids 

Although he wasn't sure he would need it, he also decided to put down the gold to buy a few other supplies. Given his ongoing money issues, he figured having access to a disguise kit, bedroll, or waterskin couldn't hurt. After that, he set aside his next few weeks' rent money and handed it over to the landlord. That left him with just a little more money than he'd started with two weeks earlier.

At that point, it was clear that if he was going to raise enough for the bard's college, he needed to make more money. Unfortunately, he could only think of two ways to do that: the Delve (if he could find another Dungeon to explore within a reasonable distance) or taking Aria up on their vague offer for more lucrative work.

He decided to pursue both options and to follow them where they might lead.

He spent another week at the warehouse. Despite the difficulty of the work, he did find that the mobility provided by his new armor helped, and he was certain the work he'd been doing was making him stronger. Some of the other guys teased him about that. “Keep putting on muscle like that, and folks will start thinking you're one of us," a burly dog named Jack said during a lunch break one day.

Senu looked at him for a few seconds, then shrugged. “I better start practicing my howls then."

The rest of the day was uneventful, but when Aria arrived for the first time in several days to deliver his week's pay, he took the opportunity to ask them about the extra work they'd hinted at on his first day.

“Aria, do you still have time for us to talk about the job you mentioned? The one that pays well?"

The fox paused, looking Senu up and down with a critical eye, and for a moment, Senu was worried they might have changed their mind.

“I have something that needs doing tonight. Was going to do it myself, but you might be a better bet. Let me think about it a little more, and I'll come find you. We'll talk."

“Thank you. That's all I can ask for."

Aria was true to their word and arrived at Senu's apartment just before dusk. They didn't say anything as they entered, but sat down at his table and motioned him to join them. When they did finally speak, it was with a low voice.

“First of all, this isn't strictly illegal, but we still need to be discreet. I'd rather not leave it to the guards as to where that boundary is. Understood?"

He hesitated for a moment but realized quickly he couldn't afford to overthink things now. He needed the money. He'd do what he needed to do to get it. The only thing that would stop him was if someone would get hurt. “Yes."

“Second, I'll cut you in for a third of my profits." They watched him at that, and seeing no objection, added, “If you do well, I might even throw in a nice bonus."

“Sounds good."

“Finally, if you take the job, it needs to be done tonight. If you can't make that happen, we're done here."

Senu nodded. “I'm a bit tired from the work this week, but I can manage. What's the job, exactly?"

Aria smiled, revealing sharp teeth. “Come with me, and I'll tell you on the way."

They waited until they were walking toward the western portion of the city before starting to explain. They kept their voice low, but their body language was all casual confidence. “So, the gist is that there are some rare flowers that I need you to retrieve."

“What kind of flowers?" Senu asked, realizing the fox wanted him to ask the obvious question.

“It's a type of orchid. You probably won't have heard of it before. It's rare to even out in Al'ar where they grow natively. The plants tend to wilt without precisely controlled conditions. The blooms are a bright purple and have a unique seven-pointed star shape. It just so happens, a wealthy merchant has been growing several of these plants in her greenhouse for months. They started blooming today and will lose their potency if they aren't harvested by tomorrow."

“Wait," Senu said. “I thought you said this wasn't illegal. Are you asking me to..." When Aria gestured for him to quiet down, Senu lowered his voice. “Are you asking me to steal this flower?"

“No! No, definitely not. It's... borrowing."

At his skeptical look, they sighed. “Okay, it might technically be stealing, but the owner isn't going to miss it. She's been in the capital for weeks. The orchids are just going to wilt and go to waste. So why not take a few of them?"

He rubbed the back of his neck, not wanting to argue the finer points. “So... do I need to know anything else about this plant?"

“Well, the flowers have a very short lifespan, so they need to be handled with care. You'll need a box or something similar that will keep them safe."

“That's fine," he said, reaching into his bag and producing a small wooden case he often used for extra strings.

Aria nodded. “That should do." A fang pressed down on their lower lip for a moment. “So, the other thing you need to know is that they're extremely toxic in their blooming state. If any nectar touches your skin, you'll be paralyzed within seconds and likely dead by morning. Jackal or not."

“Oh," Senu said, swallowing. “I'll need to find some gloves, I suppose."

“Already taken care of. Here," they said, pulling a small pouch from their own bag.

Senu opened it to retrieve two black leather gloves with long sleeves that would go up to his elbows. “Not exactly the thickest leather," he said, still a bit concerned.

Aria chuckled. “It just needs to keep the nectar off you, not block a sword."

“Right." He looked at the gloves and then the case. “How many do I need to grab?"

“Not much, but we need to make sure it's high enough quality, so get at least four."

“Got it. You're certain there will be that many?"

“Positive."

“And what will you do with them?"

“Make good on a contract." When he missed a step, Aria shook their head. “Look, if it makes you feel better, I'm reasonably certain they'll be used for medicinal purposes. They're a powerful alchemical ingredient, and there are far more reliable poisons for those who are in the market for that kind of thing."

Senu took a deep breath, then fell back into step. “Okay. So get at least four, don't let anyone see me, and don't let them touch me without protection. Anything else I should know?"

“Don't forget to breathe," the fox replied, tail wagging.

Senu's ears flattened and he had to stop his own tail from curling around a leg. “Right."

They turned a corner and continued towards the northern districts. As the two walked, the buildings around them gradually became more opulent and spaced further apart. By the time they were half a mile away from the city walls, Senu was beginning to realize the neighborhood was filled with mansions.

“Out of curiosity, why me?"

“I have a couple of reasons," the fox replied. “First, while I could sneak in myself, I would rather not be seen anywhere near the place if I can avoid it. I'm known enough in certain circles that I might be recognized. Hell, they might suspect me anyway. So, while you're in there, I intend to create a nice alibi."

“Okay…"

“Second, I keep telling you I'm not a criminal. I'm not much of a burglar, and I'm not nearly as light on my feet as you. I don't want to risk alerting the housekeeper or some servant who might be wandering the halls."

“Is there any hired security or special patrols from the city watch?"

“Nothing like that," Aria replied. “As far as I can tell, the merchant who owns the place left the staff and her wife behind. The only ones in the house are a housekeeper, a chef, and the groundskeeper, and they live in the servant quarters attached to the kitchen. None of them will be patrolling the house, and the only reason to venture into the greenhouse will be to do some routine care. With any luck, they won't even notice a few missing blossoms."

“That's good news, at least. So where is this greenhouse?"

“It's on the other side of the garden. You'll need to be careful sneaking around it, but as long as you're quiet, you shouldn't run into anyone. There's a public green at the end of this street. Don't call attention to yourself and wait until nightfall. Do the job, then come find me at the Boathouse when you have it. Just slip the box to me under the table."

A few seconds after Senu gave his final acknowledgment, Aria separated from him, making it look like a natural divergence. Regardless of Aria's insistence to the contrary, he did not doubt that trespassing would certainly be considered a crime as would “borrowing" the orchids. It was the first time he'd been asked to do something illegal. Still, he didn't think Aria was the type to do anything truly harmful, and if the flowers were just going to waste anyway…

“Just get the job done," he told himself as he made his way to a discreet section of the green to wait for sundown.

An hour or so later, the last of the light from the horizon had faded and the light of the occasional passing carriage was all that he could see. When he'd seen no one for more than a quarter of an hour, Senu rose, adjusting the hook of his cloak, and made his way back towards the main house. Using a branch he'd liberated from a tree as a makeshift cane, he also did what he could to disguise his height.

 Marigold Manor loomed large against the darkening sky, its grand facade illuminated by the soft glow of strategically placed lanterns. Despite its opulence, the house had an air of practicality, reflecting the nature of its owner, Marigold Fenwick.

Senu took a deep breath, scanning the area for any signs of movement. Satisfied that no guards were present, he moved carefully along the perimeter of the estate, keeping to the shadows. As he rounded the corner, he noticed a few staff members moving about inside, their silhouettes visible through the windows. He waited until they passed out of sight before continuing.

“Right," he said. “Let's get this done."

Reaching the back of the mansion, Senu crouched low and observed the greenhouse. It was a large, glass structure, meticulously maintained and glowing faintly with interior lights. He spotted a door with a sophisticated lock, and as he approached, he could sense the faint hum of arcane energy reinforcing it. This would be tricky.

With deft fingers, Senu worked on the lock, his focus unwavering. He carefully manipulated the tumblers, feeling the subtle resistance of the enchantment. A click echoed softly in the still night, and the door swung open. Senu allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction before slipping inside.

The interior of the greenhouse was warm and humid, filled with the rich scent of soil and blooming plants. Rows of exotic flora stretched out before him, each carefully labeled and organized. Senu moved cautiously, aware that some of these plants might be dangerous. He hummed a few barely audible notes to summon a spirit that could provide minor assistance.

Guided by his unseen servant, Senu navigated the greenhouse with ease, avoiding the more hazardous specimens. His eyes scanned the labels until he found what he was looking for: the rare orchids, their unique blooms unmistakable. The flowers were larger than he had anticipated, but he managed to fit them carefully into the box he had brought.

Just as he was about to leave, Senu's foot caught on a thick tendril that he hadn't noticed in the dim light. He stumbled, and a potted plant teetered on the edge of its shelf. Reacting quickly, he caught it before it could crash to the ground, his heart racing from the close call. The noise had been minimal, but it might have been enough to draw attention.

As he exited the greenhouse, Senu moved with renewed caution, every sound amplified in the stillness of the night. He had nearly made it back to the safety of the shadows when he heard footsteps approaching. A servant had been alerted by the noise and was heading straight for him. Senu ducked behind a large bush, holding his breath.

The servant, a male bat, paused just a few feet away, scanning the area with narrowed eyes. Senu remained perfectly still, willing himself to blend into the darkness. But the bat's keen senses had detected something. Their eyes met, and in that brief moment, Senu knew he had been seen.

The servant opened his mouth to sound an alarm. More out of instinct than any conscious decision, he called on his magic and fired a beam of arcane energy, striking the bat squarely in the chest. The blast hit with more force than Senu had intended, knocking the servant off his feet and slamming him into a nearby wall before he crumpled to the ground. Senu quickly approached the fallen bat, his heart pounding as he checked to make sure he hadn't killed the poor creature.

Satisfied, he knelt and used his dagger to cut a small tuft of fur. He had to act quickly if he wanted to solve this. With a few murmured words and a gesture, Senu cast a spell. This wasn't something he'd learned in his effort to become a bard, but something that was more intrinsic. It was a power that all jackals carried within them, but one he'd never been very good at controlling. Still, focused his mind on the tuft of fur to create a link between himself and the unconscious bat. The servant gasped and Senu pushed at his mind to erase the details of Senu's face from his mind. There was no way to know if he'd succeeded, but as the spell ended, he was at least satisfied that he'd done everything he could.

The bat stirred, and Senu wasted no more time in slipping away as quickly and quietly as he could through the garden. He exited the mansion grounds.

He took a roundabout pathway to the riverwalk before making his way to the boathouse. Aria seemed to be in good spirits when he arrived and sat across from where they were seated in a dark corner of the bar. He briefly caught sight of Greyson, the human he'd met here earlier, but he only gave Senu a slight nod before returning to his conversation.

“You're back sooner than I expected. Any trouble?" Aria asked, their eyes scanning Senu's face before picking up their glass of wine.

“A few close calls, but nothing I couldn't handle," Senu replied, trying to keep his voice steady. The adrenaline was starting to wear off and it was all he could do to keep his hands from shaking.

Aria nodded, retrieving the box from under the table. They inspected the orchids, a satisfied smile spreading across their muzzle. “Excellent work. These are in perfect condition."

“So, what's next?" Senu asked, eager to be done with this, at least for now.

“Here's your payment, as promised," Aria said, sliding a small pouch of coins across the table. “And a little extra for handling things so quickly."

Senu took the pouch, feeling the weight of the coins inside. It was more than he had expected. More than he made in a whole week, even with the generous pay he earned at the warehouse. More importantly, he now had enough money to apply for the Harmonious Accord, if he wished.

Aria continued, “There's probably more work if you're interested. I can always put someone with your skills to work. Keep your ears open, and I'll be in touch."

“I'll be ready," Senu replied, pocketing the pouch and rising from his seat. 

As he left the Boathouse, he was surprised to feel very little guilt about what he'd just done. He didn't like thinking of himself as a thief, but a part of him was satisfied that he was at least a competent one. The lingering doubt only came when he thought about that servant. If he'd hit the bat even a little harder, it was possible he could have killed him. If that weren't troubling enough, there was also the concern that his spell might not have worked. If the bat remembered that a jackal had been the one that attacked him, it wouldn't take the authorities long to come to him with questions. If that happened, even Hake wouldn't be able to keep him safe.