After the meeting, Gunnar decided to head down to Blacksmith Street to a fence he knows. Walking past a few shops, he comes upon The Tinker’s Place, ignoring the few funny looks he receives because of Caw. The owner and operator, Winkle, is a little weird, but if there is precious metal on the market or something dodgy afoot, he will know.

As Gunnar opens the light pine door, a small bell tinkles, telling everyone inside that a customer has arrived. Many metal items line the walls, from a silver plate to a pewter jug. Unmarked swords can be provided, for the right price, of course.

A gnome with scarlet hair and wearing thick goggles comes out of a back room. Seeing who it is, he grins. “Ah, my friend Gunnar. You are a little early for Caw’s spiked collar.”

“Yeah, I know it won’t be till next week, but that’s not why I’m here.” Caw walks over to the side and plops down, giving a massive yawn. “I was wondering if you’ve noticed an increase in silver-made goods?”

Lifting his goggles, Winkle’s eyes flash bright emerald. He scratches his short, scarlet beard. “No, no-one has been selling those types of goods. Not a great want for sterling silver as it is for the top end of town.”

“Great,” Gunnar says sarcastically. “Thought you might have noticed an increase in the silver market.”

Winkle gives a short laugh. “Why didn’t you say so? There has been an increase in silver bullion. Not enough to disrupt the market, but definitely a bit of a flood of silver, ninety-eight pure.”

Muttering a few choice words, Gunnar leans on the countertop. “Do you know who’s been buying the silver?”

“Not me, as it isn’t good enough for any of my experiments, but I know that the Jewellery Store in the Bazaar bought same. Goes by the name Gunter’s Gems.”

“Seriously? Gunter’s Gems? By Mela’s grace, that’s weird. How do you know about this?” Gunnar asks.

Winkle’s eyes grow wide with fear. “The deal we have is still on the table, yes? Even though you are not Watch anymore?”

Gunnar rolls his own eyes in response. “Of course. Whatever you tell me will be just between you and me.”

Smiling at Gunnar, Winkle takes a breath, just as Caw starts to snore a little. “Last week, a member of The Wilted Flower Gang tried to sell off some silver filings, about two hundred grams worth. As I don’t move that material, I suggested Gunter’s Gems instead.”

“Where would the Wilted Flower find silver?” Gunnar ponders.

“Don’t know, don’t care. Come back next week for the collar.”

And with that Winkle heads back into his workshop. Gunnar looks over at Caw on his back, belly and legs sticking up into the air, completely asleep. “Oi,” he shouts. With a huff, Caw rolls over, tongue lolling out of his mouth. Gunnar shakes his head. “Come on, we gotta catch up with the others.”

🔹️ 🔹️ 🔹️

As WayWocket and Stillwater head to the Noble district, Stillwater wonders if they could avoid meeting up with Cyric. Will WayWocket be okay? Knowing there’s no point in asking him, they continue to Affluent Road where Peregrine Young has his clockwork shop.

Approaching the orange and brown brick building, Stillwater sees the clockwork emblem of Peregrine. She walks up to the door and pushes it open. At her touch, the door suddenly starts to move on its own, emitting a smell of machine oil with the sound of metal gears running. It swings open sufficiently to allow them to enter the store.

All around the shop are glass cabinet and display drawers, each with astonishing technological feats, from a clockwork bird with the sweetest song to functional pocket watches that only the wealthy could afford.

From the back, they hear a female’s voice. “One moment, please.’

Stillwater and WayWocket walk up to the central bench and wait. That doesn’t last too long as WayWocket becomes distracted by a small ball. At first glance, it seems to be a well-forged ball, but as WayWocket studies it, he realises it is an empty grenade, inside which his concoctions could be easily stored and used.

Way looks around the display case for an opening, as a lovely elven woman enters from a backroom. “Welcome to Peregrine’s shop, home of the Master Clockworker. How may I help you?”

Stillwater smiles and asks in a charming voice, “Is there any chance we could have a word with the Master?” Giving a slight bow to offer her utmost respect, Stillwater waits for an answer.

“I’m sorry, Professor Young is busy this morning working on an artefact from the Count. Any questions you need to ask about his work, I will happily answer.”

Not wanting to ignore the salesgirl, Stillwater says, “May I ask your name?”

“Most certainly. I am Lensa Miraceran, apprentice of the Professor.”

Bowing slightly, Stillwater continues. “Pleased to meet you, I am…” she catches herself about to say, Sergeant “…Joan Stillwater of the Rejects Charter. I have a few questions, which I think you could answer.”

“Happy to be of service to the Hall’s Champion.”

Stillwater poised to ask her first question. Instead, WayWocket jumps in to say, “Lensa, how much is the ball, and do you have more?”

Stillwater glowers at the quirky gnome. “Later, Way.” She turns back to Lensa. “I was wondering if you have knowledge of alloys?”

Clearing her voice, Lensa answers, “Yes, you need to understand alloys and metals in my role.”

Stillwater breathes a sigh of relief. “Way has information on a new alloy we have discovered.”

Lensa’s face pales at Stillwater’s comment. Her eyes avoid Stillwater’s. “A new alloy?”

WayWocket pipes up, but his voice droops, losing any emotion. “It is a fake version of Favinonian silver. It is an alloy made from copper, nickel and zinc with a covering of silver.”

Lensa’s face has become ghostly white. She shakes her head, saying with a steady voice, “This is not a new alloy but one that is used in cheap jewellery and other ornate goods.”

“Oh.” Stillwater is puzzled by her reaction. Something seems to be amiss. “So, would it ever be made into cutlery?”

Lensa shrugs. “It could be…”

WayWocket jumps up on the counter. “False, false. You are not knowledgeable of this alloy! The heart must leave this untruthful faeborn.”

Lensa’s face turns red, and she glares at WayWocket. He retaliates with his own glare. Lensa can see the magiks and danger bouncing behind this drug-addled gnome, and she takes a step back.

WayWocket then skips down to the ground and starting to head to the door. Stillwater reaches over, grabbing Lensa’s collar and hefting her over the counter, holding her easily with one arm. The sound of tearing cloth fills the room as Stillwater’s arm ripples with strength.

Her voice growling, Stillwater asks, “Now, no lies, do you know about this alloy?”

Swallowing, Lensa mutters something but can’t answer due to the pressure of Stillwater’s hand on her throat. Stillwater drops her on her arse and glares at her. Standing up and leaning against the display, breathing in and out with effort, Lensa replies, “He is right, I haven’t heard of this alloy.”

Shaking her head and noticing that WayWocket has left, Stillwater knows she needs to wrap this up quickly, but something nags her about Lensa. “When will Peregrine be back?”

Rubbing her throat, Lensa glares at Stillwater. “Later this week. He is travelling to Einion.”

“Fine. Remember, when people ask a question, answer it with the truth. By the Trinity, if I hear any different, I’ll return and be far less kind.”

Leaving her before she can answer, Stillwater flings open the door. A considerable squealing noise resounds as the clockwork system snaps and bends under Stillwater’s strength. Ignoring Lensa’s protests, she strolls out and starts to look up and down the street. WayWocket is easy to spot, sitting across the street, drinking an elixir.

As she walks over, WayWocket is already on to his second flask, the ball in his hands. Joan ignores the theft; she’s more worried about her friend than a rude woman’s merchandise. Taking in a calming breath, she realises that she’s changed since leaving the Watch. “Are you alright, Way?”

WayWocket looks up sadly at Stillwater and drops the ball on the street. It bounces down the road and rolls into a drain. “When will it end, Pure Heart? When will the pain stop?”

Not waiting for an answer, WayWocket hops up and starts skipping down the road with Stillwater in his wake, the ball forgotten.

Stillwater considers their encounter with Lensa; something about the Elf’s answers doesn’t ring true. If I have time I will return, she muses.