Aniz ducked into a small pocket of space on the side of the road to stay out of the way of the jostling crowds. Era was quite busy today despite the fact that it was drawing close to the dead of winter. Everywhere one might look various citizens of every class and social standing were buzzing about like bees. Of course, bees tended to be quite a bit more organized than the crowds of this particular city. Even standing above most everyone in the crowd wasn't helping, as no matter where Aniz moved he found himself being pushed around by those around him. It had gotten to the point where he felt like he would scream to the high heavens if he didn't get out of the unbearable mass of flesh that some called a street. Of course, he’s pulling off the main road had been for more reasons than his own stress. In his hands he held a finely printed note containing an image of the item he was set to recover for his employers. The image depicted the crest of a rather well known noble family in the city. His employer, a Rune Knight by the name of Joachim, had called upon him thanks to him developing level of fame in the city. He had personally tasked Aniz with locating the lost crest, and turning it in to a gate guard as he was set to move forward on his own task in just two days. The crest depicted was that of a pair of swans entangling their long necks in a rather beautiful pattern that reminded Aniz of a few books she had read over the years on the subject of romance. A blush came over his face as he remembered some of the more intimate scenes from pages long past, but with a shake of his head he returned to the task at hand. The crest itself was supposedly made of a rather expensive and hard to find material, and that made the job all the more important to his employer. Obviously the family did not want anyone finding the crest and pawning it off for a rather exorbitant amount of jewels, there was enough shame to the family name without the crest being on display in a decrepit pawn shop somewhere in the lower wards of the city. Aniz didn't so much care about the family's honour though, he really was just in this job for the reputation and reward. It was hard enough to be working with a Rune Knight, but at least Joachim seemed to be worth his salt in some way.

Pulling the leather strap of his backpack tight over his shoulder, Aniz took a deep breath before wading back into the unwashed masses. Now he was a man on a mission, and to get the job done he readily pushed past those in his way. A short walk later and he arrived in a less crowded part of town where he might be able to get a word in with some of the citizenry. He approached a woman with a nervous smile and politely asked her if she had seen the crest while showing her the picture he had. The woman only shook her head after a quick glance and continued on her way. Aniz sneered at his as she went. Turning to a man just a few steps away he asked him the same question, and showed him the drawing as well. He too answered that he had not seen the crest recently, but Aniz thanked him for taking the time to answer him. Walking further up the street he found an elderly woman sitting in front of a tea shop. Knowing how helpful and kind the elderly could be, Aniz knelt down beside the old woman and held out the drawing. "Have you seen this crest, ma'am? It's very important that I find it quickly."

The old woman pulled down her faded spectacles and gave the drawing a hard look. After a minute she replaced the spectacles atop her nose and gave Aniz a nod. "I saw a shifty looking boy with a bauble like that just a few minutes ago going up the street. If you hurry you might just catch him." Aniz graciously thanked the old woman before taking off towards the direction he had been given. It wasn't long before he caught sight of a very shifty looking boy who clearly didn't want to be picked out of a crowd. Casually strolling up alongside the boy, Aniz grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him around. When he looked into his eyes with a stunned gaze he could immediately tell that he was the crook.

"Where's the crest?" He asked with a cool, but menacing voice. The criminal shook his head nervously. "I don't have it anymore, honest. I sold it to a guy named Gaud, he'll buy anything if it looks expensive enough. He's back the way you came." Aniz released the crook and jerked a thumb over his shoulder. Clearly getting the message, he took off in a hurry. He, on the other hand, turned back up the street and made his way slowly back to his previous point. He kept an eye out for any character who might seem like the type the criminal had described, and after a while he caught wind of a man who fit the profile. He ran to catch up to him and moved ahead of him to block his path. "Gaud, I presume."

The man gave him a rather uncomfortable look, clearly expecting trouble. "That's me. Aren’t you the one who get me the bag from the merchant" He said. Aniz held out his hand, and explained the situation pertaining to the crest he had been sent to retrieve. Upon hearing that the Rune Knights were involved Guad immediately handed the shining crest over. Apparently he didn't wish to provoke the ire of the knights, and Aniz really couldn't blame him. The two then went their separate ways with Aniz making his way to the main gates of the city. Once he arrived he waved down the nearest guard and passed along the crest making sure to tell the guard who it belonged to. After being assured the crest would be returned to its proper owner, and with his reward being passed along to him in turn, Aniz decided to return to the house he was trying to buy, he was staying at for his duration in Era. It had been a long day, but he felt certain another one was just around the corner.


1125 WC