January 14, Night in Constantinople
Frederik crossed through the deserted quarters of the town, past the ever vigilant clergy in the large churches into the less fortunate parts of the city behind the docks. Once he got near that part he took of some of his clothes and exchanged for something more discreet. Then he stopped and thought through his approach, he could come as himself, but then he would have to be careful not to do anything to place that identity in danger. As Frederik Hviid he was know in these circles as a small time player not anything overly criminal, but someone to trust. Other of his aliases had more sinister reputations, but there the danger was that he would be in town as both Frederik Hviid the merchant and aid of the Free Company and as the second identity at the same time.
After a few moments he continued, this was important enough to go as the Frederik Hviid they knew, a successful merchant with connections in their world, trustworthy and with a few not so legal actions in his past. He reached the right street and entered a surprising sturdy looking tavern.
Once inside he went to the bar and ordered a wine, when the owner of the bar brought him his drink, Frederik leaned closer and whispered something to him. The man looked closely at him, but said nothing, he proceeded to serve his customers until he reached the end of the bar, then he disappeared behind a curtain, a few moments later he reappeared and gestured for Frederik to enter the back room.
The back room was well appointed with cushioned chair, lots of candles and only a few select tables on the carpet-covered floor. There was only a few men present in the room, one a heavy set man just inside the curtain rose as Frederik entered, “your knife and sword please”, Frederik handed both over and the man sat down on his stool again. A slim serious looking man at the back of the room rose to his feet to greet Frederik, “Signor Hviid, it has been to long, please have seat and pour out that pigswill they serve in the front room and let me pour you something else.” The man took Frederik’s drink and gave him a fresh one from a decanter on the table, “Thank you Romario, it has indeed been to long since I last ventured to this marvelous city and your lovely establishment.” Romario smiled, “You flatter as usual, Frederik, let me finish my business with these gentlemen, then I’ll be right with you,” he gestured at a couple of men looking like Greek merchants, and Frederik nodded and leaned back in his chair and enjoyed his wine.
A few moments later all three men rose, bid their goodbyes and the two merchant types left through a backdoor. “Well now, Frederik, what brings you to my humble abode?”
“Nothing special, I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by and reacquaint myself.”
The Greek laughed, “You’re an old liar, my friend, I know for a fact you came on the Cyprian’s ships along with a bundle of mercenaries.”
Frederik silently blessed his luck, not trying to go to one of Romario’s competitors as one of his aliases. Romario already knew he was in town and the company he kept. Well most of the company at least, hopefully his connection with the Free Company was still a bit vague.
“You’re right as always. I did travel with the old sailor, not the worst connection to have in this day and age.” The master thief nodded in agreement, “Now then, Frederik, what can I do for besides telling old stories?”
Frederik shrugged, this was going to be both easier and more difficult than planned.
“I’ll be relatively honest with you Romario. I’ve been employed as a sort of procurement officer for the Free Company, using my trading contacts to establish a supply line for them. That’s very well, but we’re in the middle of a conflict here and I need to protect both my investment and my hide.”
“I can understand that, and now you want me to fill you in?”
“Exactly, part of it is in the area of keeping an eye on that bunch of grunts, I’ll specify the details later, but part of it also to catch anything that is out of the ordinary before it happens to them so I can make the best profit.” Frederik grinned at his companion, but his mind was going very fast now to spin that thin line he had to walk. “I in particular want to know of any possible conflicts between the hired army and the citizens, I definitely don’t want to be caught in the middle.”
The Greek drank of his wine, “I can do that and if it is only relaying information I’ll do it for almost nothing, like one percent of your profits from this contract.”
“That’s fair enough, I’ll just up my prices a bit.”
The Greek looked closely at Frederik, “Most of this you could get elsewhere without paying if I know you?”
Frederik nodded, “True, but I need for you to investigate one thing for me and keep an eye out for anything directed specifically at the Free Company, and that I’ll pay for as it comes.”
Romario shrugged, “If it doesn’t conflict with anything in my line of business I’ll see what I can do, what should I look for?
“The Company has been the target of at least one sabotage attempt stemming from the Venetians, that’s what I want you to look out for, the investigation is private”, Frederik lied, “I’m suspecting the Venetians of knowing something about the trade with the Turks that nobody else knows. I want to know what they know and how, so I can take advantage of it myself.”
Romario leaned forward, “I’ve already heard some rumors on that, these two”, he gestured at the door, “they had similar concerns. I’ll look into it. Now let’s drink wine and talk of old days in Genoa.”
Frederik grinned and they started talking about everything and nothing and not one moment did Fredrik let his guard down.
