These aren't the sort of people who use the same courier twice. [Not if they could avoid it, and if they couldn't, they weren't so murderous that they'd skin a good messenger over Varric not answering. If anything, they were likelier to show up and try to skin him...

Which was an eventuality Varric didn't care to ponder for too long.]

And no, that would require I know how many you burned--that means ledgers and paper and all that business that will eventually result in someone showing up and reviewing it all with me.

How about we go by the day?

I'll keep you on retainer and, assuming I don't get assaulted by mail? Double down on payment. If I do get a letter or two from a particularly beligerant party, however, that day's bonus is off.

Agreeable?