James removed a brass key from a hiding place in the wood. From behind it protruded a piece of metal. Carefully he pushed on it, and heard a slight click from within. Unexpectedly he found a crack in the wood, which moved under his thumb. He judged the lock an easy enough one to pick, but just for reassurance, he ran his thumb along the doorjamb. James quickly inspected the door for obvious alarms and found none. Both agreed to cooperate, both expressing their doubts as to the wisdom of this enterprise. Owyn stood on the other side of the street, watching in the other direction. Gorath was instructed to stand a few doors down, watching for anyone coming up from the docks. The house was apparently deserted, its occupant away on some errand. ‘‘That nothing in life is ever free,’’ said James, sitting down and leaning his chair back against the wall, settling in for a long afternoon’s wait. James returned to the table, and Owyn said, ‘‘What did you find out?’’ Wait until I do, then we shall see about your needs.’’ When you are ready, tell me where I must go and what I must know.’’ James said, ‘‘We’ll be in the corner, my friends and I. ‘‘So, if I get that bag, you put the Crawler’s agents in Silden out of business and make yourself a fortune in the process.’’ With a smile, Joftez said, ‘‘Well, there is that.’’ Narrowing his eyes, James added, ‘‘And he who finds it will find anxious buyers willing to say nothing about where the drug came from, realizing enormous profits.’’ James filled in, ‘‘Leaving a void into which you can step to reestablish business locally in a fashion more to your liking.’’ ‘‘Enough to ensure that Jacob will have to run for his life when the Crawler finds out, and any who might be held responsible as well, say Linsey and Franklin, will flee along with him.’’ By weight it was worth a thousand times more than Joy when sold on the streets of the city. When sold, it would be mixed in with a harmless powder, often powdered sugar or even flour, anything that would dissolve. It was the essence of the drug, compounded in such a way as to make it easy to transport. If the dose was too large, the user would be rendered unconscious. A slightly larger dose would transport the user to a state of happiness that could last days. A small amount consumed in wine or water would in-duce a pleasant euphoria for up to a night. Joy was a common drug in the poor quarters of most cities in Kesh, and showed up from time to time in Krondor and other port cities in the Kingdom. ![]() ‘‘Perhaps, but I must continue to live here in Silden, success or failure. ![]() ‘‘I would think you able to undertake such a task yourself,’’ He has in his possession a bag’’-he held his hands apart, indicating a bag the size of a large coin purse or belt pouch-‘‘and the contents of that bag are worth enough to underwrite his operation here in Silden for the next year.’’ ‘‘This man I mentioned, Jacob Ishander, is chief among those recently come from Kesh. ‘‘But not until you conduct some business for me.’’ ‘‘Yes, I can, and more.’’ Joftaz lost his smile.
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