[Earendil Halfelven]

Jythralo sat in his office at home, thinking. Last night, someone had overheard him talking to Adgar. That someone was Devon Thrann, the ambassador's son. Now he had a small problem-what to do with the ambassador's son.

He had gone throughout the day thinking over this problem. He could have him killed. A corsair could pick a fight with him on the streets, it could get nasty, a little bloody...that would really make the Gondorians crazy. They would pass laws on the corsairs that would cause a rebellion, no doubt about that.

But no. It would be nice to have the boy killed. Maybe kidnapped would be better, however. If the boy was assassinated, then that would raise a red flag to the officials that there was something going on, some kind of plot. So, maybe he could have the boy kidnapped. That would be nice, now that he thought about it. He could hold the boy for a ransom. A nice big chest of Gondorian gold; that would be nice too. He smiled to himself.

There was a knock at his door.
"Enter," he said.
Two men, Jurex and Adgar, entered.

"Ahh, gentlemen. Welcome."

Jurex nodded and Adgar grinned. "Nice to see you again, Captain."

"Please, take a seat. I have a job proposition for you two. This is a rather large one...that pays well," Jythralo said to the two as they each took a seat in front of his desk.

Jurex spoke. "Let me guess: Devon Thrann."
Adgar began to laugh as Jythralo replied,"Yes."

Jurex continued. "Then why did you ask both of us here? You only need me and my knife."

"Hey! And what about meself?" Adgar protested.

"Now, don't get frustrated, Adgar. The reason I want both of you here is that we're not having the boy killed." Jurex frowned at that. "No matter how much I'd like that, I think that kidnapping him will be better and more profitable to hold him for ransom. After all, wouldn't you like a chest of gold instead of having to clean your knife, Jurex?"

Jurex nodded and Adgar smiled again, showing the many holes in his mouth where his teeth had been.

"Now, I want you two, and grab another man to go with you, and follow Devon Thrann. Kidnap him when its the right time and take him to one of the smaller frigates in the harbor. Under no circumstance are you to take him to any ship that has a connection with me. I cannot be connected to this in any way. Hold him there until his father gives in and gives us some gold. Oh, and I want Acacia to do the negotiations. She's good at that kind of thing." Then he added as an after thought,"See if she wants to go to. I think she'd enjoy that. You two understand?"

The men nodded. Jythralo could almost see the anticipation within Adgar. Jurex sat there quietly, but eagerly.

"Go." Jythralo said. "Oh, and make sure you don't kill the boy, unlike last time I had you two kidnap someone. No harm is to come to him. Oh, and make sure you guys go out the back this time too. And with the gold, distribute it out among the boys, would you Adgar?"

"Aye, Cap'n!" He could hear the two men proceed down the hall. Their footsteps faded.

Now that business was complete for the day, Jythralo was ready to retire for the night. There was nothing like initiating a kidnapping before bedtime.