Lord's Mansion, conference room.
The reek of blood from the battle clung to the seams of Ola's and Barrett's armor, following them all the way here.
Barrett produced a heavy money bag and upended it.
CLATTER.
Dozens of coins tumbled out, ten brilliant Golden Suns gleaming among them.
Barrett laid out all his suspicions.
Velin picked up a Golden Sun, rubbing it between his fingertips.
"Ola."
Velin spoke suddenly.
"Here, my lord!"
"Who do you think would use Golden Suns to hire a low-life bandit like Pick?"
Ola froze for a second, then answered instinctively, "Well... uh, a more powerful bandit?"
"No."
Velin shook his head and tossed the Golden Sun back onto the table with a sharp clink.
"Bandits prefer to trade with untraceable goods—jewels, Magical Beast materials, or direct bartering."
"Only one kind of person habitually pays with standard-issue Gold Coins, unconcerned about exposing their identity."
He looked at Barrett.
