Small Town; 498

[Lord Rhaegar Targaryen]

A small town in the storm lands of little consequence. It does not appear on a common map.

[Lord Rhaegar Targaryen]

A man rides up just outside of town on a horse. He dismounts and checks the second part of the note in his saddlebag again.

After a while the messages all seemed the same, and he sometimes needed to reaffirm them.

[The Smith]

the message was worn, but clear,

Met at the Hung Horse Inn. Come alone. Big reward

[Lord Rhaegar Targaryen]

He frowned, not liking any request that included 'Come alone.' Especially messages with grammatical errors.

He did not look far out of place in his worn cloak; though any outsider would likely be noticed in a town as small as this. He began to walk the horse into town. It was not his, in truth, though the beast liked him well enough.

He made for the Hung Horse Inn. When he reached it, he read the note one more time, to be sure, checking the names with the swaying sign above. He breathed and crossed the threshold; his eyes easily adjusting to the change in luminosity.

[The Smith]

He recognized 'Toothless' Grun immediately. He was sitting in a dark corner with his two bodyguards staring at him as he entered.

[Lord Rhaegar Targaryen]

He briefly scans the vicinity for dangers as he moves cautiously forward. It would make little sense for any ambush to be waiting for him. He had little enemies; though less friends.

The only security he felt was cold against his forearms. When he was within earshot, he stopped before the guards, looking from one to the other, then to the man before him. "Master Grun," he said plainly.

[The Smith]

Grun grunted and continued to shove gravy soaked bread into his mouth, "Sit"

[Lord Rhaegar Targaryen]

Alaric sat.

[The Smith]

Grun ate for several moments, "Are you ready for a bigger job then you've had?"

[Lord Rhaegar Targaryen]

Aleric raised an eyebrow, "I will hear you," he replied.

[The Smith]

"OUr target is one of the royal family?" Grun chuckled, "Are you loyal to anyone?"

[Lord Rhaegar Targaryen]

"I am loyal to coin. Though I must say, I don't believe even my own skills profound enough to assassinate a member of the royal house. It's by rights a suicide mission," he noted.

It was well known among the commoners of the realm that certain matters did not involve them. Alaric did what he did to survive. He knew little of the nobles and less of their business. Such was the way of being born into lowbirth.

[The Smith]

"If you think you can not handle it, then I shall find some one more capable." Grun replied, and slowly stood.

[Lord Rhaegar Targaryen]

The assassin frowned. "You have not told me how much it will pay," he frowned. "For the right price, anything can be done, I suppose."

[Lord Rhaegar Targaryen]

Alaric waits for an answer.