Coin’s Commerce opened for business, with two and a half weeks left for Coin to make his trip out to Colony. Their first jobs were simple enough, handling acquisitions and transport for different clients in the city. They also bought lumber and clay in bulk from suppliers outside Sentinel proper With how much chaos the Brotherhood agents had caused, there was a great need for construction supplies to be sold and delivered, and already they were making good deals on what they had.

  They gained a steady influx of clients over the coming days, both from those looking for courier work, and from people in need of construction materials.

  The lesson had come to Coin from one of Elijah’s old journals. He had gotten his start in the sale of timber and tiles, two things that were in regular demand across a swathe of Arcadia and could be bought in bulk at a low price.

  The profit margin was thin, for the time being, but they had a stable footing. The drivers were good, the security workers had had no issues thus far, and the kobolds tending the paper work and number crunching were adept in their work.

  On his desk he already had correspondences with sellers of tallow and linen, other things that would always be in demand. The key to such goods, Elijah had noted in the past, was being able to undercut the competition on price.

  So far, on the business side of things, they had gotten off to a decent start.

  But between his lingering fears related to Colony, and the worrisome news Domajor had given him, he had other problems to worry about.

  The hand cannon had indeed been functional. They had made a point to test it in the cellar, where the noise would not draw any attention. After confirming that functional hand cannons had made their way into the hands of a street thug, Pearl fished around for information and found a few rumours and tales of people being either shot or robbed by shooters in dark alleys.

  But they were not hand cannons of government design. Of the small number owned by Velasco’s people, they were all under firm surveillance to start with. But, more than that, Arcadian hand cannons had an imperial shield engraved into the wooden grip. No such thing had been on the weapon Domajor brought back. Which begged the question... were the Brotherhood selling weapons to street criminals to stir up more trouble?

  A worrying prospect. Bad for business.

  Coin sat at his desk, reading through his messages, when a sudden knock came at his door. Harmish was peering at one. “This one apologises for this, noble sir, but... there is someone here for you.”

  “Someone... important?”

  “They say... they say Velasco would like to see you.”

  “Ah.” A sentence nobody wanted to hear. “Thank you, Harmish.”

  He left Essine to oversee things in his absence and hurried from his office. A black carriage was already waiting on the street outside. Two guards were perched in the drivers seat, while two others sat on the rear exterior bench. The door was already open for him, held that way by a slim young man with slick brown hair.

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  Velasco was seated inside, lazily reading a paper. “Master Coin,” he greeted without looking up. “How delightful.”

  “Archchancellor,” Coin said. He hesitated and slowly stepped into the wagon. It creaked underfoot.

  The young man entered and closed the door behind him, and the driver set the horses in motion soon after. “Where... are we going?” Coin asked.

  “Nowhere in particular. Don’t worry yourself.” He spared a glance to the young man. “Handel, don’t forget to offer our visitor a drink.”

  “Of course, sir.” He motioned to a small cabinet affixed wo the door, laden with small bottles. “A drink?”

  “Um... no, thank you.” Coin paused. “Who... is this?”

  “Hm?” Velasco glanced up, lifting a wrinkled brow. “Ah. My mistake. I suppose you never had a chance to meet Handel before? He’s one of my clerks. You could regard him as my assistant, if you wish. I have him on hand more often these days. So much work to be done.”

  Coin nodded. So he was Velasco’s Domajor. Though he had the distinct impression that Handel wasn’t as lethal. He looked as if he’d be scared into submission by a passing wasp.

  “I understand you’ve been a social butterfly of late,” Velasco said, setting his paper aside. “Paying visits to a certain Albus LeBon?”

  Coin tried not to make his discomfort obvious, but he did stiffen a tad. “I don’t see why you’d phrase it as a question if you already know the answer,” he replied.

  Velasco smiled without mirth. “I like to give people a chance to dig a hole for themselves. But, I suppose, you’re smart enough not to. Yes, I have people keeping eyes on old Albus. For his own good, of course. Last time he was left unguarded he was abducted by dangerous ruffians. But that doesn’t explain why you, of all people, were allowed into the home of a paranoid recluse who never even met with your mentor before.”

  “I’m charismatic,” Coin reasoned.

  “Oh yes, clearly. But it does make me curious. Your mentor is killed by people connected to the Brotherhood of Daggers. The murderer in question was later found mangled unmercifully.” Coin wished he could have mangled him worse, frankly. “Your home was also attacked by assassins linked to that same group. And then, a few weeks later, you randomly make contact with a man who was previously held captive by that same group. To put it bluntly, Master Coin... I think you are more connected to current events than you let on.”

  Coin shrugged, doing his best to look innocent. “Bad luck, on a few of those accounts. As for LeBon, I was hoping to invest with him. I heard he was a genius, if a little eccentric, and I figured his inventions could be put to good use if he had more funding.”

  “Indeed. LeBon is...” Velasco knit his brows briefly, sorting through an assortment of possible words to please. “... gifted. A wise man, but horribly naive. Doesn’t stop to consider the more destructive ways his creations could be used. I would advise caution in dealing with him. I would, in fact, advise caution in all you do. Whether you wish to tell me the truth or not, dangerous people have their eye on you.”

  “Yeah... I’m aware. But I appreciate the heads up,” Coin said, nodded slowly.

  Velasco tilted his head. “I am not a hateful man, despite what others may say. If others can be of use to me, I do what I can to help them. That is why I wanted to warn you.” He leaned forward, Handel conversely leaned back in his chair. “Come the end of next month, a great celebration will come to Sentinel. The Goddess Festival. I’m sure you know of it.”

  Coin nodded, lying though his teeth.

  “It has been one of the most important events in the city for years. A day or worship and dancing and songs and street pedallers selling overpriced guff... a big day for the city. Brings in a lot of money. It’s almost a certainty that the subversive elements will attack the city on that day.”

  Then... cancel it?”

  Velasco scoffed. “That would lead to riots and dissent, and feed into the... unpleasant rumours about it. That would play into the Brotherhood’s hands too. If they act, and if we capture their agents in the process, we’ll take steps to root out the threat.”

  Coin shrugged, deciding that the older man probably knew what he was doing. “Appreciate the warning,” he said. He’d have to increase security around the manor around that time.

  Much as he wanted to leave the whole business behind, let Arcadia sort out its own mess, he had a feeling the Brotherhood wouldn’t leave him be. But, he would admit, it was funny that a far greater threat was lurking out at sea, unknown to the rest of Arcadia. How would Velasco react if he knew? Or anyone else? No, best to keep people in the dark, lest it cause mass panic. Or worse, for people to investigate Colony and risk angering it.

  “The time may come where I ask for your aid. Until then, Master Coin, I will congratulate you on your new business. And ask that you stay safe in the days to come.”

  Coin nodded as the wagon came to a slow halt. “You too, Archchancellor.” He stepped out, aware that Velasco and Handel were watching him all the while, and found himself on the edge of Lowtown. The carriage pulled out, leaving Coin to ruminate on the prospect of another looming threat.