The grand front hall greeted Satchel as he crossed the threshold. A large circular rug took up the majority of the checkered marble floor. High above the rug hung a crystal chandelier whose fragments teased and played with the light. Directly across from the entrance, a wide staircase split into two perpendicular directions as it met the wall and climbed up to balconies on either side of the hall. Large paintings hung on every wall. The ceiling had a mural depicting a battle scene. Satchel tilted his head back to take it in.

  Jarek whistled and said, “Nicely done.”

  “You didn’t think I’d let Do’Grum’s treasure go to waste, did you?” said Basco.

  Jarek smiled. “Of course not.” He paused. “So, Albirac deVille?”

  Basco waved a dismissive hand. “A cover story for the locals.”

  “Except for the barkeep at the Drunken Hammer, it seems.”

  “Except for someone you assume is just a barkeep.” Basco winked at him. “Now, what’s all this about, Jarek?”

  Before Jarek could reply, a well-dressed man of average size and build with coiffed black hair and a snobbish disposition appeared from the shadows and bowed to Basco.

  Basco addressed him. “Ah, Orvis, we have some surprise guests tonight.” To Jarek, he said, “I take it you’re hungry.”

  “We could do with some food, yes.” The old thief’s eyes flicked to Orvis then back to Basco. “Could we talk somewhere more…private?”

  Basco nodded. “Certainly. Orvis, please prepare meals for the guests and a light snack with some beer for me. We’ll be in the study.”

  Orvis bowed again and exited the main hall. Basco beckoned his guests to follow him through one of the doors off to the side. He led them down a wide hallway to another large room. While it certainly looked like a study, its disorganization stood in sharp contrast with the rest of the house. The walls were lined with untidy shelves filled with books of various sizes, colors, and conditions. In the middle of the room sat a large round table with several chairs around it. Rolls of parchment had been stacked high in the middle, and a quill and inkwell sat near one of the chairs. A cast iron chandelier hung above the table, its candles providing most of the illumination. The polished stone floor needed a good cleaning.

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  Mounted to the far wall between two bookcases was a large golden buckler with a five-pointed crown at its center. Each point ended with a small ruby set into the metal. Two scimitars crossed behind the shield, each with a crimson handle. Both shone brightly. As impressive as these were, the thing mounted above the shield is what made Satchel miss a breath. The head of the most grotesque and horrifying creature he had ever laid eyes on hung there, a gruesome look frozen on its face.

  “I like your decor,” said Jarek, indicating the head.

  Basco laughed. “I make sure to thank that bugger every morning when I come in here.”

  “Who-what is it?” said Addie with a tone of disgust.

  “That,” said Basco, “is old Do’Grum, chief ogre of the tribes in the southern highlands of Tirian. Or former chief I should say. Most ogres are mindless, stupid creatures without much ambition beyond their next meal or finding something to mate with.”

  Addie made a face.

  Basco continued, “They can speak to some degree, but rarely in complete sentences. Do’Grum was different.” Basco paused as he looked at the head, losing himself in memory. “Ah, but that’s an old story that you probably don’t want to hear.”

  Satchel said, “I’d like to hear it.”

  “Really?”

  The boy nodded.

  Basco inclined his head toward Jarek. “I’d be happy to, but I think your master’s business should come first.”

  The old thief frowned and said, “Before we start, I have another favor to ask.”

  “If I were to wager a guess, you need to stay here for a while,” said Basco.

  Jarek gave a half-smile. “If it’s not too much trouble.”

  “Tell me what’s going on first.”

  Jarek hesitated and then said, “I don’t want to involve you any more than I have to.”

  “Then don’t. Tell me only what I need to know.”

  Just then, a knock came at the door. Basco rose and opened it.

  “The meals, sir,” said Orvis’ voice from beyond the door.

  “Ah, good. I’ll take it. Thank you.”

  Basco pulled in a cart topped with four plates. Three of them consisted of a full meal of ham, cheese, and a small bread loaf. The fourth contained rows of crackers and sliced cheese. The group ate while Jarek relayed the events from their encounter with Kazi up to the moment they entered Leona and found Basco’s home.

  When the old thief had finished, Basco said, “May I see the scroll?”

  From his cloak, Jarek produced the scroll. The former mercenary examined it, taking a long look at the black wax seal.

  “I feel I should know this seal,” Basco finally said, “but I don’t recognize it.” He tugged at the seal a few times. “Intriguing.”

  “Will you help?” asked Jarek.

  Basco glanced up at Jarek then back to the seal. “I suppose I do owe you a favor or two. Plus, I need a new research project. I’ve had so few interesting subjects lately.”

  Satchel noticed a slight exhale of breath from Jarek. “I hope not to take any more of your time and resources as necessary. I aim to press on to Brunland soon.”

  Basco nodded. “This may take some time. I’ll see what I can dig up. In the meantime, consider yourselves guests in my home.”

  “Thank you, Basco,” said Jarek.

  Noticing the present conversation ending, Satchel asked, “Can we hear the story about the ogre?”

  Basco chuckled. “I suppose. Besides, how can I refuse a young man willing to listen to the tired tales of an old fat fool?”