Night fell cool and damp upon the venerable city of Ari-Desh.

Last of the great cities of the

southern reaches she sprawled languidly along a bend in the mighty river Curros. A gentle rain had
fallen for the previous two days before finally giving way as the sun set on the second. Cobbled streets
were drowned in pools, and mud seemed to have found its way into everything at below waist level.
Vetrix made haste through the winding paths pressed between hovels, homes, and halls. His errand was
not one that required haste, but he was keen on getting dry and full.
Vetrix wound through the city slum for a time before coming upon a simple wooden shack, no
different from the dozens of others crowded around it. The air here took an unpleasant twang that gave
him pause, a combination of waste and the various oils and solvents used by nearby workshops. He
drew the hood of his cloak back and rapped sharply at the door. A pallid face peered out from before
the warm glow of firelight seeping through the partially opened door. Well? barked the short, dour
featured man.
An exasperated sigh escaped Vetrix, Let me in damn it Artur, I'm soaked to the bone. Artur
considered for a second then stepped aside. There wasn't much to in, the shack was but a single room
built around a simple hearth, furnished only with a table and a few chairs. Vetrix sprawled himself
wearily across one of the chairs as Artur served hot tea from a kettle by the hearth. He drank deep from
his cup, closing his eyes in content as the warm concoction soothed chilled bones. Artur drummed his
fingers impatiently so Vetrix choose to savor his tea as slowly as possible.
Between the tea and the heat of the hearth fire Vetrix finally felt some warmth return to his
outlook. Artur pressed him again, Well?. Vetrix shoot Artur a hard look, Well what? It's about what I
expected. They've holed up in one of the warehouses by the docks. A handful of guards, not locals mind
you though I can't speculate as where they're from, lots of movement in and out. Looked as if they were
planning on moving again soon. A sneer made Arturs already unpleasant features even more
distasteful That's it? Why in the name of all the gods should I pay you for that? I could have guessed
that?