“So you want me to steal a compass? Raven asked.

She and her client, potential client, were at a tavern called the Dog Pound located in what could easily be the most crime infested, shadiest district in all of Nile. The Dog Pound was infamous for housing thugs and criminals, but the local district authorities were too corrupt to both to handle the crimes. If any “good cop” tried to reduce crime, well, there would be one less cop patrolling the streets.

“Yes, I want you to steal a compass. It’s a family heirloom, it means a lot to the family. If the family realizes I lost it, I’ll have my throat slit and thrown into the dumps like the rest of you low-lives, no offense.” Reith Mead explained.

Raven bobbled her head a bit as she took in this information. She knew that Reith was not lying about his family cutting his head off. The Mead family was a very wealthy family; they made most of their fortunes illegal smuggling things into the country. Other things include armed robberies, theft, fraud, and dealing drugs, one classic mob family. However, they weren’t exactly a lovey-dovey family. It was more of a business than anything else. You screw up, you’re dead to them, Mead or not.

“So why are you coming to me? You know your dad is not exactly really fond of me.” Raven reminded Reith.

“The whole Mead family hates you, I’d personally want to see you get killed as well, but this is urgent Raven; I need that compass back.”

“Alright, so who do you think took it?”

“It’s got to be that punk, Chad Anderson.” Reith answered, clearly disgusted from saying the name ‘Chad Anderson’. “That punk works for one of my brothers, he never liked me, as I’m way more successful in the family business. He’ll do anything to throw me out of the picture and make my brother take my place.”

“So what is this? A good old family feud?” Raven asked.

Reith scoffed. “Hardly. There is no way my brother would try and get rid of me. I’m more successful than him, if the Meads were to find out he’s the one behind this operation, he’d have is throat slit.”

Raven eyed Reith while she took a sip of her pint of beer. Messing with the Mead family is asking for trouble. But the allure of all their various treasures always caught the attention of Raven. They had so much gold coins and precious gems that it was so tantalizing. But this time it felt different, a Mead was asking for her help. Usually, if a Mead saw her, they’d immediately try to hunt her down. Why? Raven had stolen so many things from them.

So if I get back this compass.” Raven started, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. “What could you possibly give me? I’m a woman that demands high prices.”

“I could make the Mead family forgive your crimes,” Reith replied.

“No deal. You have no idea how often that’s suggested as a ‘price’. The authorities here are already corrupt to give a shit about what I do.”

“How about your crimes in the other districts? Like Rosegarden, where the rich reside. From what I’ve heard, you’ve almost been caught there a couple of times.” Reith shot back.

Raven grinned. It was true, on a couple of her ventures into Rosegarden, to steal from the ultra-rich, the authorities had almost caught her, but Raven was hard to contain. She took one last swig of her beer and clawed some coins from her pockets, throwing it on the table to pay her tab.

“Sorry Reith, but what you’re offering is not worth it,” Raven said while walking away waving.

Reith grabbed her arm. “Fine, fine. Clearly, you live up to your high standards.”

Raven faced him shrugging. “With my set of skills, I need to be paid appropriately for them.”

“I’ll give you a considerable amount of gold coins.”

Raven raised an eyebrow. “That’s it?”

“And along with that, I’ll buy you new equipment, better equipment, along with one of my prized jewels; a velvet, uncut diamond. If sold you won’t have to steal anything for the rest of your life.”

She whistled. “That’s quite a lot.”

Reith gave off a low chuckle. “My life is worth more than that jewel. I’ll inevitably find more precious, higher quality gems; I do run the mines after all.”

“I hope you realize I except part of the payment upfront right?”

“Of course.” He replied as he started to write a check.

“No checks Reith. I don’t have a bank account, to begin with. I want the gem upfront, then the coins when the job is done.”

Reith sighed but eventually nodded in compliance. He wouldn’t argue with Raven when his life was literally on the line. He probably foresaw how this conversation would’ve ended, because he reached into one of the many pockets in his giant fur coat and pulled out the jewel, setting it on the table. Raven picked it up and examined it. She had been ripped off before, so she had to take safety precautions. She turned the jewel, examining every angle, letting it be illuminated by light. It was the real deal. She shoved it in her bag and shook Reith Mead’s hand.

“Consider it a deal Reith. A pleasure doing business with you.”

“Wait don’t you want to know where to start looking for?” Reith called out after her.

Raven was already out of the tavern, Reith’s question falling on deaf ears. Besides, Raven had a good idea of where to look for this compass. It was time to have a little game.