Adsden rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he considered the unusual proposal. “I am not sure this will work the way you expect. You may be giving our men too much credit,” he mused with a glance at the swordsman and crossbowman. Both shrugged unashamedly. “While most of them are excellent sneaks, often contracted for high profile jobs, they are not the most educated bunch. Many of them cannot even read. I doubt they would have the knowledge or mental faculties to recognize what might be important.”

Rezkin shook his head. “It does not matter if they think it is important so long as they observe. When I need information, someone will have it. As far as reading ability, they will learn. The fact that many of them cannot read at the moment may actually be of benefit. They will be accustomed to memorization, which is a Skill not as easily developed. Besides, you seem like a knowledgeable man—more so than I would have expected from the second of a thieves’ guild,” Rezkin replied.

Adsden nodded with a pleased smile and pushed off the doorframe. The swordsman who had been standing beside him looked on anxiously as the second crossed the room. “That is true,” Adsden said as he stopped by the silver tray containing the crystal goblets and decanters and poured himself a drink. He lifted the glass in question toward Rezkin, which the young warrior declined.

Adsden felt an atypical desire to impress this dangerous young man. “Apparently, one of my ancestors was a scribe or clerk or something of the sort, who learned to read,” Adsden explained. “The skill has been passed down to each generation since, with varying degrees of success. My own father was not a very good reader, to be honest.

“When I was a young boy, I was fascinated by books. The unfathomable knowledge contained within a single bookseller’s shop was remarkable. Breaking into that shop every night so that I could hide in the attic and read to my heart’s content was how I began my career as a sneak. Eventually, the shop was not enough. I wanted more. So, I practiced sneaking into building after building until I had enough skill to gain access to the library. I certainly never had the gold to pay for a membership, nor did I have a sponsor. The librarians and archivists are highly protective of their books. Security is surprisingly tight. Anyway, I eventually started sneaking into the homes of the nobility to check out their private collections as well.” Adsden shrugged and said, “Maybe I grabbed a few things of value on my way out. It is not a particularly exciting tale, but I did become a highly skilled sneak.”

The young warrior nodded. “You have the talent?”