Arrested Developments

The Story Teller, once Fishmonger and, of late, Actor Phineahas of Brundisium has not yet left the City of Ar. Of course, now that he has been paid his wage of thirteen silver twenty-five for his most recent work on the stage of the Great Theater of Pentilicus Tallux, the odds are probably weighted slightly in favor of his packing his belongings soon. Having settled up his account with me, he has also looked into subletting his apartment in the Plaza of the Central Cylinder. How a roving Story Teller, once Fishmonger and, of late, Actor of foreign descent acquires such property is an interesting tale and one I won't be retelling, but suffice it to say it is as charming a tale as how a Patriot Poet of the People comes to engage in the maintenance and upkeep of a stable of coin girls. That story, too, has been told recently enough that the retelling of it will have to wait for another day lest I become thought of as a repetitive hack of a writer with a single-minded and dogged approach to his chosen genre. I wouldn't wish to bore anyone.

There is always the possibility that the son of Brundisium will decide to remain in the world's finest and greatest city with his brightly garmented girl adding her unique beauty to the bounty that is Ar. We are the best and brightest. It is not something that can be credibly argued against.

I suppose I could have withheld part of his wages, claiming to have needed more time to settle my own account with the Theater Management. While that was partially true, I had his pay and that of his fellows set aside within a day of the final curtain. If Phineahas chooses to wander, I will not stand in his way. I certainly understand the compulsion to wander. I have to pencil in time for myself to make the short journey to Venna in the next few months. I would not mind making that trip just before the Love Feast which, of pure coincidence, would put me well outside the gates of Ar during the Festival of the Slaves, Kajuralia. Not that I do not enjoy the festivities, mind you. I simply have unavoidably urgent business in a resort city safely north of Ar.

I should mention that the Writ of Arrest has been posted around the City for the woman Noemi Black and has been filed with the Cylinder of Justice. The next move will be to seize her assets, should she have anything to seize, on the Street of Coins and foreclose upon her business in the Anbar, the Muse Inn. It is my intention to make a stop there and board the windows and doors. I will also post a copy of the Writ of Arrest. Should the woman be conveniently on the premises at the time, so much the better.

I need to speak with the Lady Eliza, owner of the girl Frigid, regarding a related matter as well. I have dispatched Six with a message that I will be calling upon her. I would not wish to take advantage of the woman's good disposition towards me. It was something that Phineahas said to me, after receiving his pay, that put me in a mind to speak with the woman. I look forward to her charming company. Quite the witty conversationalist, that woman. It is a wonder some suitor has not professed an undying love for her, contracting himself to a lifetime of companionship with her. I cannot imagine what keeps them away.