The tavern was packed to the rafters. Pipe smoke hung beneath the beams, mingling with the smell of beer and sweat.

  “What did you dig up for me, Lune?” Vaunn asked.

  Short, beardless, with closely cropped brown hair, Lune sat down across from him, casting nervous glances around the table.

  “Not much,” he admitted. “But I’ve heard that a lot of soldiers are gathering in the north, in the mountains. Something big is being prepared.”

  Vaunn pulled out a leather pouch and set it on the table.

  “That’s all you’ve got?”

  Lune stared at the money for a moment, then nodded.

  “That’s all I could hear. These days, they’re tight-lipped… and nervous.”

  Vaunn slid it toward him. Lune snatched it up at once and made it disappear beneath his tunic.

  “Be careful in the north, Vaunn. The mountains don’t like the curious.”

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  He stood, cast one last glance around the tavern, then slipped between the tables and vanished into the crowd.

  Vaunn signaled the innkeeper and ordered two beers. As he waited, a man broke away from the crowd and made his way toward his table. A worn cloak wrapped around him, hiding his build; only his face was visible. Long black hair framed features marked by several scars, and his green eyes settled on Vaunn. The man stopped in front of him.

  “I need an escort to the north. I heard your conversation with the other man. You look strong… and I’m traveling alone.”

  “I’m traveling alone,” Vaunn replied.

  “You’ll be well paid.”

  He pulled out a pouch and set it on the table. He opened it; gold coins rolled between his fingers before scattering across the wood.

  “Gold won’t change my mind,” Vaunn replied.

  “I understand,” the young man said.

  He slipped the pouch back into his coat. Vaunn then caught the scent of blood seeping from his pocket.

  “Be careful,” Vaunn said. “Traveling alone to the north is dangerous right now. A lot of bandits are roaming the area.”

  The man left the tavern. Vaunn left a silver coin on the table before stepping outside in turn.

  Night had fallen, and the street was narrow, lit only by a few lanterns. He caught sight of the man’s silhouette moving away and followed him. The man turned into an alley. Vaunn quickened his pace and followed him in. The alley was empty.