[Karsa Orlong]

The night embraced the city like a lover’s arms. Only Paiara, one of the three moons, ignited some windows with pale silvery fire.
Live seemed to have ceased its grip of the avenues and streets of Calmero, the imperial city. Dark and cold lay the cobbled streets, like the great serpents out of legend.
Kurai crouched on the roof of a house that stood close to the city-walls. Not fifty heartbeats ago he had been on the other side of that huge stone-sore. He despised the clumsy structures of human architecture...on the other hand it was comfortably simple to climb them. A smile, a flash of white teeth.

Maybe I can rest in this city for a short while. The uncountable masses who cower under its roof should be cover for some time

He tried to relax his tired muscles. For how many weeks had he been on the run from his brethren? He had stopped counting.

I better keep moving

As soon as he started, all his muscles came alive with pain again. He winced.

I better find a resting-place soon.

After bringing some distance between himself and the walls, where the city-guards patroled, he climbed down into the darkened streets. Kurai was surprised that nobody walked those streets at this time...all the other cities of men he had seen, had teemed with life, also during the dark hours.
“Lady of whispers, please don’t let it be the plague...” he muttered under his breath.
Wrapping his coat around himself, he strode into a wider street. A cold autumn wind howled and some stray-cats seemed to have an argument.

Half an hour later he had reached the inner circles of the city...and at last he met the first humans. It looked as if he had found the place of the wealthier beings of Calmero.

Good...here i can make myself comfortable and have some fun...

A dangerous grin spread over his features.

...but first of all, i need rest...and some food...

As if on command, his stomach made itself heard. Kurai checked his purse. Satisfied he nodded. He kept walking until his eyes found a golden tavern-sign that looked inviting to his eyes (and his stomach).
As he got nearer he saw that two well muscled men stood on one side of the tavern-door.

Oh no,...it’s always the same...i want some food, not difficulties...by the lady of whispers...

He sighed. It couldn’t be helped. He hadn’t the patience to search for another tavern... .
“Gentlemen...”, he slightly bowed to them “is it allowed to enter this establishment? I am a wanderer and very hungry. I would like to spend my gold here...”
They both eyed him. His twin-swords held their eyes... .
One of them spoke “You know, stranger, with this, you’ll never enter. You can give them into our care...and every other weapon you might have hidden somewhere...if you do that you may enter...” . The second guard nodded.
“Or...”, Kurai tried “I give you 2 goldpieces each and you both forget that i am wearing those”, he touched the hilts of his swords.
The guards looked at each other...greed clearly mirroring itself in their respective eyes. “Why not, Garth...where’s the problem...those nobles also carry weapons...no big deal.” The other man nodded but added “Sure...but he does not look like a noble...not from this city anyway...we could get into trouble...”
“How about 3 goldpieces each?” Kurai let the money in his purse jingle.
Both, Garth and his companion, licked their lips. Garth said “Come on, Ars, it can’t be that big a problem....i want those goldpieces...and you know you want them as well...”. The one called Ars nodded. “Ok, go in, stranger...but if you make us regret that decision you will regret yours as well...and that is a promise.”
Kurai flashed them a brilliant smile. He bowed again. “Sure, gentlemen...oh and it looks like you have dropped something...” He kneeled and at the same time picked 6 goldpieces out of his purse. He got up again, extended his left hand, palm up. On it lay the goldpieces.
Garth grabed them as fast as his muscled arms allowed it without knocking the money out of the strangers hands. Ars opened the door. The stranger entered.