The noise in the dimly lite chamber rises to a fevered pitch, each of the dozen men present seeming to believe that if their argument is heard best the decision will favor the name they are proposing.<br/><br/>This is not allowed to continue long before the man seated, until now, quietly at the head of the table brings his fist down on the smooth surface with a bang that silences the rest in mid scream.<br/><br/>The man stands and leans forward, his palms resting on the table, "This is getting us nowhere.  Surely between us we can come up with a shorter list, a few of the best, we cannot, will not, function without a full compliment at this counsel."<br/><br/>Pulling himself up to all of his six feet, the Lord of the Thieves sweeps an arm around the room his finger outstretched and pointing to the chairs at the table, "Now, sit down and we will discuss this as it should be, each will present a name, no more, we well know the reputations of any that will be mentioned."<br/><br/>The men sit, the room quiet now except the shuffle of feet and the scrape of the chairs.  Amron, the Lord remains standing as he waits for order.<br/><br/>He is not the largest in the room, nor would he be considered the physically strongest.  What brings him to the seat he holds is skill in his profession, his knowledge of the city, his loyalty to the previous Lord and, last but not least, his presence, standing there he appears to be larger, stronger, his eyes seem to see more then others would, looking through the assembly as he waits.<br/><br/>Pointing at the man to his right he listens to the name, then the next name, the next...the night continues like this and there is much discussion before the list is down to but a few.<br/><br/>As the light of morning begins to fill the outer room Amron says, "I will meet each of them then, I will travel out for a few nights and speak to them, not as the Lord, but as another member of the guild so they do not know, they will speak differently.  There are three names chosen, I will call us back here in five days then, to discuss my findings."  With that the decision is made and the men slip from the room into the shadows of the early morning.<br/><br/><br/>**************************************************<br/><br/>It is the fourth night after the meeting that finds Amron seated in a darkened corner table at the Tilted Crescent Inn, seeking a impromptu meeting with the last of the names on the list.  It is not difficult to figure out which she is, apparently known and well liked and, from her bearing and dress, successful as well.<br/><br/>Catching her glance at him before she settles in with the other man, Amron gives her a quiet smile and then raises a finger to call one of the barmaids.  There is a brief exchange of words and coin and a minute later a glass is delivered to Lhurriel, the brew not the cheap ale the Inn sells most of, rather the top line that is only sold after the best of  deals with the local fences.  The girl moves her lips to Lhurriel's ear and points at the unknown man in the corner, whispering, "Says he'd 'ave a word with you if you could spare some time."