The workshop door slams wide on its hinges. Cold air and street noise rush in with Croaker, broad-shouldered and hard-eyed, one hand still on the splintered plank.
Croaker
Enough. What is this meddling, Slaan? You drag Company business through Opal and call it caution?
Kina goes still by the workbench. One-Eye straightens from the clutter, his mouth flattening. The waxed archive tag sits in plain sight between them like proof.
Slaan
I am not here to compromise the Company.
Croaker
Then explain why my street has Watchers, hidden seals, and a trail that keeps getting shorter by the day.
Croaker steps deeper into the room, gaze cutting from Slaan to the papers on the bench. His jaw sets, not with surprise, but with the look of a man deciding how much trouble he can afford.
Kina
He is here because something in Opal is moving. If you want blame, Croaker, start with the one hiding it.
The room tightens around the accusation. Croaker does not answer at once, but his hand drifts near his belt as if ready to end the talk by force.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure Croaker's support
“" look one of the tele'kure dumped some coins on me, and I dumped them on the beggar. I noticed the reverse snack and grab, so I plopped a small gem on them. When you get near them this turns red" and I hold up a small crystal. I give Croaker the tone of a daughter trying to get out of trouble”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled -2)
Slaan lifts the small crystal between two fingers, letting the workshop light catch it. The red sheen inside answers the room more honestly than her voice, and she keeps her tone careful, almost pleading, as if she is speaking to a hard man she still hopes to reach.
Slaan
One of the tele'kure dumped these coins on me. I passed them to the beggar, then I noticed the reverse trick and set a mark on them. When the right person comes close, this turns red.
Croaker
You tracked them, then you let them think they were safe. Hm. That's better than dragging Company work through the street blind.
Kina
And the beggar still has the bait, which means whoever is hunting can be watched without tipping our hand. That part was clean.
Croaker takes the crystal, turns it once, then twice. His shoulders stay rigid, but the first edge of his anger gives way to something flatter, more practical. One-Eye's gaze flicks to the waxed archive tag on the bench, then away again.
Croaker
You are saying you carried a warning in your hand and used a beggar to keep it moving. Sloppy. Smart. Dangerous.
He sets the crystal down beside the archive tag instead of handing it back. The gesture is small, but it is a choice. The room quiets around it, waiting for what kind of choice he makes next.
Croaker
If this points to who is moving against us, the Black Company listens. Bring me the rest, and I will decide who gets protected and who gets buried in paper.
Quest Complete
Secure Croaker's support
+ New Item Acquired
Small crystal