When Fendros stepped into the general store, he hesitated and looked around. There were a few customers present, browsing the various wares. Amongst them was a smell he recognised as lycan. Trying not to compromise himself and the group, he continued slowly to the counter, eying the merchandise on display. Hanging on a rack near to the counter were a number of pelts that looked like they had been recently cleaned. At least the innkeeper wasn't lying.

 "Hello there, travelers! Welcome to my store, is there anything I can help you with?" The portly Dunmer shopkeeper spread his arms wide from behind the counter, it was likely that even if he was as bigoted as the innkeeper his business would probably fail without a necessary variety in customers.

Fendros smiled back to him and addressed him with his accented Dunmeri, "Greetings. These pelts over here-" Fendros pointed to the rack nearby, "-are these the only ones you have for sale?"

"Well I have a number drying out in the store room but they won't be ready for a number of days. Uhh, these are the only prepared ones I have for sale at the moment," The shopkeeper weaved his fingers together as he explained.

"Ah, recently had hunters come by, have you?" Fendros said, glad that so far his ploys had worked. He glanced to one side for an instant to check on what patrons he could keep track of. He would have to be extra careful now that there was another lycan among them. Any information disclosed here would reach another pack as well.

The shopkeeper nodded, "As a matter of fact I have. A number of hunters have passed by recently to sell pelts. There must be rich game in the area, quite good for business, if I do say so myself."

[i]Oh, you have no idea how correct you are,[/i] Fendros thought. "So... what kind of hunters have been passing by? Do they hunt large game, or keep small?"

"Hmm, a variety of pelts, but mostly large game by the looks. There isn't much small game to be had in these parts in the first place, if you don't count the rats." the shopkeeper furrowed his brow and tilted his head slightly, "if I may, why do you ask?"

"Of course. My partners and I, as you can probably tell, are from Cyrodiil." Fendros gestured with his palm to the pack, "we hear that there are a number of creatures in these parts that bear materials that are in fashion in the Imperial Provence presently. We are in the business of procuring those materials." Fendros raised his brow and angled his head forward, trying to play the part, "Tailors, to an extent."

"Ah," the shopkeeper grinned and put an index finger to the side of his nose, "so you wish to deal with the hunters directly? Broker a deal to minimise cost to yourself?"

"I can see you are a well versed businessman," Fendros replied, "but we do not wish to undercut your business first and foremost. You may have [i]some[/i] of what we require."

"Go on."

"Thick, large pelts of wolf fur. Dark, if at all possible. Black is best." At this point Fendros was concerned that he was running out of subtlety, but this was the best method he could think of, and it was better than bringing it up directly.

The shopkeeper rubbed his chin, "Hmm... I might have one in storage. Give me a moment." The shopkeeper disappeared through a door behind him.

When the shopkeeper was out of sight, Fendros exhaled. He realised that his heart was beating hard and his hands were shivering slightly. He turned around and looked to everyone else, silent. He wondered whether they had anything to add, but it was unlikely while there were other customers in the store. [i]Speaking of,[/i] Fendros scanned the various customers, trying not to make eye contact, but trying to locate any of them that were out of place. The smell of lycan still hung in the room. With a sudden idea, Fendros decided to gamble and try and provoke a reaction from the customers. "I told you we should have talked to that Orc we crossed paths with this morning," Fendros said to no one in particular in the pack, hoping that the group would catch on to his trick and play along, "you said he was a bandit, but he was loaded with the pelts we needed." Fendros let out a frustrated sigh, "he's probably miles to the south now, we'll never catch him."