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This was interesting. Serry didn't remember disturbing any trade caravans, or even finding any. If you were going to take over a land, you needed to keep trade going so you wouldn't gain a dead land. "Are you sure it was the barbarians that attacked the caravan? There are probably many things in the waste capable of picking off a few wagons."

"Maybe your right. hm... I think I should be going now. Its been...enlightening talking with you." Serry said, and rose to leave.

The door creaks as Yue enters her room. A large tub filled with water was in the center of the room, and a grin descends upon her lips. Yue doesn't even bother to undress; she jumps right in. It splashes water all about but it doesn't matter to her at all.

"Ah, this is the life." Yue submerges herself; she needs no air and just closes her eyes. Her adapt hearing made for under water catches many parts and pieces of conservations down below and above. When she hears something about the attack on Szandzi, she enhances her hearing for that particular conservation even more by using her water magic to clarify it.

"You'd be surprised what a man in my position knows. I'm one of the king's advisors."

"Ah, but sir, You have yet to answer my question. What do you have to do with this? I don't recognize you, so that rules you out as anyone who ought to be inquiring about the king's battle strategy. You might be just a journeyman, itching to join the fight, but I don't think so. I don't sense any magical talent, and I'm pretty good at picking that up, since it's my job to train those that have it. So, are you some farmer's son, hoping to help the king? I doubt it. No farmer's brat would be so informed about such things. You must therefore be one of the enemy. No doubt, you thought I might suspect you, and you probably have something planned in case you don't come back out of this pub? Talk to me Thomas, or I might be forced to do something unpleasant." He snapped his fingers for dramatic effect, and a little flame sparked up on his fingertips. "Well, I'm waiting..."

Salamander made no complaints when Thomas left the second time. He was right, the chat had been enlightening. He sat, watching Thomas's back retreat, and calculating his new knowledge in silence. Well, it was in silence, until Hephastios piped up.

Well, boss, that was a waste of time. Not to mention you gave him a lot more than he gave you.’

‘Oh ye of little faith. Do you honestly think I’d spill my guts like that? And didn’t you, O wise phoenix, pick up on the clues?’

‘Okay, fine, I’ll play your game. What did you learn?’

‘First, he’s sufficiently important enough to get someone else to do his dirty work. That means he’s rich and/or powerful. Works out to the same thing either way. Well, that, or he’s really good at illusions, but I doubt that. I’d have felt the magic, if he’d been using any, and why tell me to go into a pub full of people where the chance of being overheard is greater. Why not just pump me on the street? Because he’s not used to magical eavesdropping, or else he‘d have asked me to put up a block. That means he’s not from around here, and on this side of Twilight, it probably means he’s with the enemy.’

‘Okay’

'Also, he laughed at the ugly comment. That means he’s a higher-up in the forces.’

‘But, we already knew that, cause he sent someone else to arrange the meeting. But, boss, doesn’t that make his lack of info on this place even more weird?’

‘Not really. The only information he’d have is what he got out of the villagers of Szandzi and those fools who crossed the desert.’

'Alright, so why'd he seek you out. He had to figure you'd know what he was up to. And after your little monologue, it's pretty clear you're on to him.'

'Heph, I think we just met Serry himself.'

'What!? Why didn't you keep him from leaving?'

'Simple, like I said before, he's got a some kind of back-up plan, in case he doesn't leave the pub alive. If I'd stopped or killed him, people would've gotten hurt. Innocent people.'

Drakarth unleashed a feral roar as he sped toward the town. A jet of flame ignited a nearby building, sending its occupants scattering for water. Drakarth touched down in front of what looked like a tavern. With one swipe of a massive, clawed hand, he destroyed the top levels. Another jet of flame leapt from his mouth, spawning more blazes.

((Yay Dragon carnage!!!))

Malakite took the seat next to the man. "Seven days in the desert, eh? That is quite a feat." With a snap of his fingers Malakite created another illusion, this one veiling their conversation from the patrons of the bar. "The name is Malakite Draconas by the way." He offered his hand to the stranger "It's always a pleasure to meet another half-dragon."