Even outside the walls of the Gunny College, the street was filled with labor. Couriers running to send missives whilst men hauled sacks of flour and barrels of what one could only guess onto carts or into various establishments. The only two people out there that seemed to have little to do at the current moment were the thief and the con-woman, or the engineer and the artistocrat. In the distance, shots could be heard. Startling to newcomers, but Neil knew they were dry shots to test various concoctions for Black Powder Week. Unfortunately, he was on probation from last year's debacle, so once he finished this latest project he had little to do. 

"Under his protection, of course." He said, as much to himself as the pretty woman. She was either very sheltered, or a very big liar. Both were honestly possible, the former more likely. But for some reason there was an itch he just had to scratch. At the mention of Nuln, he continued. "It certainly does, Frauline...The Palace, the Old Quarter, the River that brings in barges filled with travelers, merchants, materials... [i]gold[/i]."  

He watched her eyes intently as the word lingered, the barest hint of a smile on his lips. After a moment, he continued so breathlessly nonchalant it would tip off a con artist or breeze entirely past the very ignorant. "To you it might not seem like much but, five hundred pounds of gold every chest is a huge temptation to someone like me. If I were a less moral man that might be something I would try and capitalize on, especially since I found a shipment log on the schedule in the back." 

As if he plucked it out of thin air, Neil held up a parchment that at first glance indeed looked like it had shipping dates on it. What it had been doing in the mining logs was another question, or maybe he had been planning it for awhile? Or maybe it was all just a lie. But then again, why would he lie about something like that? Truth be told, it was perfect timing on the shipment's part. It was arriving just when Black Powder week was beginning, which meant even the guards were going to focused on the boom of the cannon and the light show that night, drowning out any sound a thief might make and keeping them occupied until the next morning. 

"But pay no heed to a knave like me. I'm certain Otto Von Banstuf and his Sawdust mine are fanciful enough for a proper lady such as yourself."