The Tanner and the The Leather Apothecary

Asharra was pleased with the timing. She only had to wait two nights for the new moon to ripen.

One-eye’s directions had been clear. She should go to the tanners at the east wall. Asharra eyed the sign; “The Leather Apothecary”. That was an amusing name for a tannery.

This was still the poorest part of the city but there were problems with the location beinig by the wall - the city took the safey of the wall very seriously. Asharra had already passed two patrols of the Royal Watch and she was fairly sure the man near the corner was one of the infamous Black Cap spies that engaged in the city’s covert defences.

She allowed herself a smile. It was also possible that the man was lingering at the corner because of the way her silky purple gown clung to her backside. Asharra had dressed well on this day. The purple fabric was exceedingly rare and spoke of great wealth. The gown’s skirts were slit high to expose her slender legs as she walked. The top of the gown dipped low on her front and lower at her back. It was a perfect fit for her.

Still smiling, Asharra pushed open the door to The Leather Apothecary and stepped inside the musty smelling building.

“Ah Ma’am,” came the response almost immediately, “Many thanks for visiting The Leather Apothecary. We will be shutting when the city bell’s ring next. That’s in about 10 minutes time. In the mean time please look around.”

The man speaking was unremarkable. Not her type. He was short – at around 5’6”, plump, going bald and scruffy with shoulder length hair and an unshaven face. The tanner was, as expected, dressed in leather trousers, a simple shirt and a leather apron. He was probably calling her "Ma'am" simply because she looked like a noble lady.

Asharra could sense no power from the tanner or from anywhere else in the room. She allowed just the suggestion of a sexy gait to her stride as she walked over to the man, “I’m here…” she said with a slight purr, “for the meeting.”

The tanner stripped off the pair of stained gloves he had been wearing “What meeting, Ma’a?”

Valaar toyed with the idea of using a spell. She knew of several ways to make the man more compliant. There were risks; she was by the wall and guards were certainly nearby. The man at the corner might also have been a Black Cap. There was also the risk that the use of magic here would upset the Cult of Exaltation in some way.

Asharra tried another tactic. Leaning forward, she pretended to study the tanner's discarded gloves. They were thick gloves he probably wore while treating the animal hides. He should have a good view of her delicious breasts should he choose to look. “You know; the meeting for those of us who like daring clothes and costumes.” She waited just long enough before stepping back and giving the tanner a twhirl. Breasts and bum; that was a combination Asharra knew would interest all of the men, and some of the women, she had met in this city.

“No,” said the shopkeeper as he rolled up a leather case containing a series of small metal tools. “I don’t think I know that one. Perhaps Ma’am might have more luck at the silk traders or tailors?” His expression wasn’t blank. Asharra could see the man had a wry smile on his face.

There was only one thing left to try, "I was sent here by a certain one eyed..." Asharra found herself cut off by the tanner.

"I don't know anyone with one eye," he stated matter of factly.

Asharra maintained her smile. This must be some style of test. She stepped back closer to the tanner, “I can see I’m supposed to work for my invitation...” as she spoke she gently used her fingers to brush some hair from the man’s worn shirt. Fixing the man with her mismatched eyes Asharra allowed her fingers to stray downwards, resting briefly on the tanner's chest before dipping lower and towards his crotch.

“No Ma’am,” the man spoke again, surprising Asharra with his stubbornness. “I still have no idea of the meeting you might mean.”

Asharra was perplexed. Was he politely refusing her obvious offering of sexual contact or was he warning her that she wasn’t trying hard enough?

She paused to think.