The drunk crashed heavily into the street, kicking up a sheet of dirty water from the overfilled drain that softened his fall. Passersby cursed or laughed depending on how much water sprayed and upon whom. Emmaline watched with amused interest as she set down the tray of wooden tankards on the bar. Jessup, a good natured if somewhat dim witted lad who served as the bars dishhand took he tray and vanished into the back with much clattering of pottery. Kargi emerged from the kitchen and shot her a furious one eyed glare.

"You had better no let me catch you pocketing tips," the dwarf grumped with the ill temper that only a dwarf that thinks he is being cheated of gold can muster.

"I won't," Emmaline replied impudently, giving the dwarf an offensively innocent smile. Kargi glared for a moment longer and then stomped away muttering in his own language about how if she didn't bring in twice the custom he would have her thrown onto the street. Being thrown onto the street was not appealing, though the converted hayloft in which she and Neil were living was hardly the high life to which she hoped to become accustomed. Unfortunately room in Altdorf was at somewhat of a premium, especially since the city was packed with panicky refugees. Emmaline could have returned to the College of Magic of course, but her erstwhile master would certainly want an installment on her dues and probably involve her in another of his harebrained plots. Even more importantly, if she was going to move the stolen Wyrdstone it was best that no one from the College knew she was back in town.

"All set," Neil said, dusting his palms of theatrically after his ejection of the thief. Emmaline reached into her cleavage and produced three fat gold pieces which she deposited into one of Neil's pockets to her lovers evident amusement. Neil had spent the last several days setting up the buy for the Wyrdstone. The magical nature of the clientele meant there was a better than average chance of being swindled unless you took sufficient precautions.

"I'm done with my shift!" Emmaline called and stripped off her apron with a suspicious metallic jingle. Kargi's shouted reply was unintelligible but it was close enough to the end of the afternoon shift for her to finish. With any luck they would be considerably richer by morning.