A Plan is Born

Jp between Bandorchu and Lucian
Tarmen had to give credit to her, he hadn’t even thought that deep into the consequences. He was always used to burning the bridge as he went, but this time he actually needed to keep it intact for his other plans.
“Right… right.”
His brow knotted as he chewed on his cheek for a moment. Then he grunted a personal confirmation before sharing an idea
“Then maybe we don’t outright steal it. He has me makin’ plans to go back under, so what if I need more maps to help. Maybe maps drawn by the natives? Fashion a little story about seein’ similar artifacts?”

“Yeah, that sounds pretty good. Luckily, Tar doesn’t seem to need the physical map, just enough time to copy it.”

Alexis was truly glad to have Tarmen onboard. She really wouldn’t even have known where to start.

“Just a copy? Well, then why don’t I try being both jester and thief? Won’t even have to touch the thing based on what you’re tellin’ me and you wouldn’t have to risk going in yourself.”
He leaned back, already working out a way to sell this to the Duke. It brought a fire to him, being able to do something that was below the law.

“Well, if someone can pull it off, that would be you.”

Alexis chuckled fondly.

“Anything I can do to help from the outside? Anything you need?”

He snorted at her jest.
“I said I am a master of brawls, not thieves. Don’t need you thinkin’ I’m some sort of Hood, just your normal Kru’ll guttersnipe.”
Back to business, he was a honestly disheartened at coming up empty for her role.
“I’m honestly not sure. The Duke and I have been workin’ together for the last few days, so he shouldn’t suspect anythin’. Most I would need is that you stay out of sight, lie low and see if this works.”

She nodded. Just wasn’t her kind of business.

“Can’t thank you enough for doing this, Tarmen. Hope I can make it up to you sometime.”

Ever the gentle soul, Alexis’s words felt good to hear. He rested a hand over hers.
“No need, it’s what crew does. I meet with the Duke tomorrow, go over what progress I have made. I can bring it up to him then. I’d offer a place for the night, but my current lodgin’ is in the Keep.”
He gave her a caring look to emphasize his commitment before preparing to leave.
“No doubt he already has one of his messengers lookin’ for me. Plus I need to prepare. I’ll be here in the evening if all goes well.”

“Good luck.”
She hoped he didn’t need it, but with how things tended to go for them it certainly didn’t hurt.

She watched Tarmen leave, then looked over to Tar.

“Don’t know about you, but I’ll be leaving as well.”

With that she stood and went to the counter to cover the tab as she offered, and started to make her way back to her horse.