"Ah, yes, my lord, my most sincere apologies. What can I fetch for you? And for a great patron like you, the drinks are on the house." Grisel asked in a tone that was a bit humble but cautious.
"I was being told that in this establishment of yours, it is not only booze that is traded, but also tweets, as well as birds that chirp!" Lorian asked suggestively.
Grisel bit his lips, as if subconsciously trying to shut his mouth lest it spill the beans that should not.
Kaelen pressed, "What happened, old man? Cat got your tongue?"
Jax flourished his claws in front of Grisel, with a wicked smile on his face.
Grisel rushed to Lorian and fell on his knees, "Please, young master, have mercy on this old man. I am your humble servant, but a man must have his principles to keep his business. If I were to give away my patrons' whispers under duress, how could you ever trust me with your own?"
"Is it a threat, old man?" Jax spoke in a cold, threatening tone.
Lorian raised his hand to stop Jax.
"Forgive me, my lord." Jax bowed and took a step back.
"I got what Grisel wants to say, and I respect your honesty." Lorian replied.
"Forgive me, my lord…." Kaelen replied, "But Grisel is openly denying your command! He has defied you!"
Lorian nodded, "You are not completely right! You see, Grisel is actually correct; if he breaks trust once, then he would break our trust as well. A snake is a snake and will bite anyone!"
Grisel hit his forehead on the floor again and again in gratitude.
Lorian walked over to Grisel and put a hand on his shoulder, "Get up, Grisel. There is no need for such a display.
I got what you wanted to say, and your logic is indeed sound.
It's true that I indeed may not want a man who spills his clients' secrets for me; I want a man whose clients trust him implicitly, because their secrets are safe with him."
Grisel looked up, his face a mixture of fear and confusion, "Mi'lord, I... I do not understand."
Similar looks of confusion were on the faces of Kaelen and Jax both. They were trying to understand what their young lord was really trying to convey.
"It's simple," Lorian replied, kneeling to be at eye level with Grisel, "Your bar is a hub of secrets, but I'm not asking you to divulge them.
I'm asking you to curate them.
Your establishment will become the central nervous system of my spy network.
My agents will come here, they will sit at your tables, and they will pretend to be traders and mercenaries.
You will watch, you will listen, and you will give them a gentle nudge here and there.
You will tell me which corner is best for a quiet conversation, which of your barmen is most discreet, and which of your patrons are the most talkative.
You will ensure that every single rumor, every loose thread, and every whisper eventually makes its way back to me."
He paused, letting the information sink in, "My intention is not to act on every tidbit.
I don't want to dismantle this underworld where you have established yourself as a key person with great effort, patience, and resources.
No.
I just simply want to have it under my palm, while my existence would remain unknown to them.
I want to know what's happening under the streets.
I want to keep my finger on the city's pulse so that no move can be made against me or my interest without my knowledge."
Lorian placed a small, red pouch full of Solar on the table.
It was a simple, unmarked pouch, but its practical weight went beyond its physical weight.
"This is not a bribe, Grisel. This is your first payment. A sign of things to come." He looked straight into Grisel's eyes, "You had signed your fate with me that day when you helped us in our last 'act.'"
You had pledged your loyalty and service to us that time, if you have not forgotten!"
"No! No, my lord! I have not…." Grisel answered with panic in his voice and eyes.
"Fret not, old man, nor do you need to doubt your decision. You belong to me now, and I take care of my people!" Lorian smiled as he took a sip from his bottle.
"In time, when the first phase of my plan is complete and my control is absolute, this establishment will anyway become the declared hub of my agency.
And with that, you will be elevated, not just as a loyal servant, but as the Lord of Whispers, my eyes and ears in the shadows.
You will be among my trusted servants, the most powerful people in the whole continent!" Lorian declared.
Jax and Kelen were so excited they would crush the bottles in their hands.
Jax put his hand on Grisel's shoulder and pressed it in excitement.
In a normal situation Grisel would writhe in pain, but it seemed he was too excited enough to not notice the pain.
Grisel slowly got to his feet. His mind was racing.
This was indeed not a simple request for betrayal, but it had offered him a promotion that was beyond his imagination.
As the young master suggested, indeed, he would not be selling out his patrons; he would be using his knowledge of them and his establishment to serve his lord.
His principles would remain intact, and his credibility would be even more valuable.
"And my patrons, mi'lord?" he finally asked.
"They will be safer than ever," Lorian said with a faint smile, "For they will be under my protection, whether they know it or not. Your principles are what make you valuable, Grisel. Do not ever lose them."
Grisel hit his forehead on the floor once more in gratitude, but this time, there was no shame in his action. It was a gesture of respect and absolute loyalty to a master who understood him.
"Now now!" Lorian smiled, "Rise up and take your first assignment!"
Grisel stood up and bowed, "Yes, Mi'Lord!"
"Pirates!" Lorian locked his eyes on Grisel's eyes, "I want every piece of news, every word, and every rumor regarding the pirates in my ear. You don't need to filter them for what you may think is credible or what you may think is a hoax! No, leave that to me! I just want to know every sentence that had the word 'pirate' in it!"
"It will be done!" Grisel nodded.
"I also have another task for you!" Lorian spoke in a commanding tone, "Start building a spy network for yourself; you will be at the helm of it. It should not be connected to me. Every thread should end at you only. Am I clear?"
"Begging your pardon, sir, but you are the Prince of Veridia. Your family has the Information Guild wrapped around its finger, and your people are said to be everywhere. So why bother with a humble barkeep and his patrons?" Grisel asked.
Lorian raised his left eyebrow in a bit of anger.
Jax spoke in his primal cold voice, "When the Lord gives a command, you do it. You don't question his mind; he will tell you what you need to know. Don't… do it… again."
Kaelen nodded, "Heed my friend's words, Grisel. Do not forget this lesson."
Grisel nodded.
Lorian chuckled, "Now bring out four of your best ales, for each of us—to celebrate the joining of our new member. It's on me!"