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Bronwyn nodded.

"I see. Well, if you're looking for excitement, the Red Goblet," she gestured to the building she was leaning against, "always has something going on inside. That's where I was headed." She said. Bronwyn closed her eyes briefly then opened them quickly when she realized how tired she was. The last thing she needed was to fall asleep in the alleyway. A hand went to touch her throat tenderly, where hand-shaped bruises were undoubtedly already blossoming.

Bronwyn nodded. "Nice to meet you, Salyf. I am Bronwyn. And yes, although I am afraid I'm going to need your shoulder to get there. That spell...tired me. I have a contact inside who can help me, if I can get there."

Bronwyn nodded and leaned heavily on Salyf's shoulder. The pair of them stumbled down the alleyway to the scarred wooden door nestled in the wall of the nearest building.

((Moved to Red Goblet))

((Continued from Red Goblet))

"Where I stand, huh?" Bronwyn smiled as she headed out the door Ishod chivalrously held for her and into the Market. "That's a little complicated, really. I'm going to assume you aren't familiar with Rinon's guilds at all...so stop me if you know all of this." She paused a moment as they were briefly separated by a gaggle of youth making their way into a shop.

"Although there is law and order in Rinon, there is a ton of organized crime. Everyone knows this. The guildmasters, or pashas, don't bother many innocents, so as long as they pay their bribe fees on time, everyone leaves them alone. Usually they only do minor smuggling and thieving jobs." Bronwyn shook her head.

"There are two main guilds here. The Thieves guild, ruled with an iron fist by Pasha Nassaer, and the Smuggler's Guild, ruled by Pasha Bolvar. A short time ago, the right hand of Pasha Bolvar--a man named Kedar--organized a coup and took over the guild. He destroyed the balance the two guilds held over the city and openly attacked Pasha Nassaer. Ever since then, it's been open warfare in the cities.

"The city guard is too scared to step in the middle of it. They're afraid their intervention would bring the two guilds together, and would cause even more open warefare against the government. And that is the last thing everyone wants. So the officials have been basically crossing their fingers, hoping that someone will win soon." Bronwyn shook her head, her voice thick with disapproval.

"I am not technically working for either side. However, I have gained an audience with Pasha Nassaer through some...gray contacts of mine...and I've been formally invited to meet with him tomorrow morning. From what I know about these two men, he is the lesser of the evils, and will hopefully stop the bloodshed that has, in recent days, spilled over into the civilian population." Bronwyn glanced at Ishod. "A rather long winded explanation, I know, but things are rather complicated around here lately. You are still willing to aid me, I hope?"

Bronwyn grinned at him ruefully.

"I stand on whichever side leads to the least amount of bloodshed. And I am involved because I have seen firsthand what happens when gang wars spill over. It is far from a pretty sight, and I don't want to see that happen here." She gave a sigh before continuing. "We will see what Pasha Nassaer says in the morning. If he agrees with me, then I will pledge my services to him until this is over. If he doesn't, then I intend to find someone who will." Bronwyn's voice was hard as she said this last. There was a pause, before she glanced at Ishod.

"And who are you? Why are you so interested in adventure?"

Bronwyn regarded him steadily a moment. "That depends on you. If you'd rather I buy your lie, that's fine. As long as it doesn't affect our mission, your reasons can remain your own."

They continued walking through the market, heading towards the Slums. "I live on this edge of the Slums." She pointed to a row of buildings all the way down the street. "There are a couple of other places to stay in Rinon, but they really aren't very respectable, and I'd advise you sleep well-armed with a locked door. It's a rough town, unless you have lots of money to dish out. The Red Goblet is the only reasonably-priced, safe place to stay."

Bronwyn nodded at his answer. "That is a noble goal. I hope you attain it." She smiled at his second comment.

"Quite the contrary, actually. I can normally take care of myself, but I'm not any condition to do so. I've been attacked enough for one evening, I think. Thank you." She gave him a fleeting smile then looked away.

"I hope not." Bronwyn said, a frown coming across her face. "I used to have a reputation around here. Maybe I'll get lucky and they will remember it." She shook her head, a smile coming to her face again. "The way I figure it, my luck has got to start improving."