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Kaleh strode over the latest hill to finally see the frozen city of Kolearth in all of its glory. ”Well then, let’s see what you have to tell me.“ muttered Kaleh towards the city. His destination close, Kaleh’s steps picked up and soon Kaleh stood in front of the Gates of Kolearth, a little distance away from the Gate’s guards. Kaleh then, making sure the guards were not looking at him or close enough to positively identify him, took out a small vial with a silverfish grey liquid held inside. This liquid was one of several potions Kaleh had invented for the purposes of maintaining his identity a secret. This potion in particular obscured the drinker’s features from others, making it harder for them to give a description to others; the guards would have an almost impossible time identifying Kaleh. For example: the first guard might describe Kaleh as someone somewhat taller and wider than the norm and with hair that was more brown than black, while the second guard might describe him as someone a little shorter and thinner than norm and with hair that was more black than brown.

With a small smile of amusement Kaleh calmly walked through the gates and into the merchant district of Kolearth. Dozens of stalls and shops greeted his sight, as he saw deals being made and struck, people haggling over price, and merchants attempt to sell their wares. Playing the part of the traveler, Kaleh wandered through browsing and sometimes even buying merchandise. In this particular purchase he bought some minor yet obscure tomes that were hard to find in Sol Solis but relatively common in Saeith. This browsing was more of a smokescreen, as head of several merchant guilds Kaleh would not need to travel to Kolearth or any Saeith city to find these tome; yet he bough them so that anyone who might be following would be convinced that he was just a simple traveler.

Leaving the last shop, Kaleh made his way to a large tavern called the “Traveler’s Abode” and quietly entered, sitting down at an empty seat. Soon enough, a serving girl made her way to him and with a voice betraying just how tired she was asked, “What would ye be having this fine evening sah?”

Kaleh gave her a warm smile before saying, ”Oh I’m not too hungry, but I’m dreadfully cold having just made my way through Kielael’s snow fields. So I’ll just have some Blossom Tea, thank you.” Then almost as an afterthought he added ”Oh, miss? Make sure the roots are of a strong variety, I’m not inclined to drink something weak.”

The girl hearing the second part froze for but a second before confirming his order and asking, “Will ye be drinking alone then sah?”

Kaleh gave a sort of shrug “I’d planned to, but bring enough tea for two please.”Giving Kaleh a respectful nod, the girl quietly made her way to the back of the room. Relaxing into his seat Kaleh grinned. To anyone who might have overheard, Kaleh had simply ordered some very particular tea. However, Kaleh had done more than that, he had had a coded conversation with the girl asking to meet one of the members in charge of his information network here in Kolearth.

He sat back and waited as the girl promptly returned with his order, serving him a cup she left the other one untouched as Kaleh sprinkled an odorless, colorless liquid from another vial. This one, checked for any poisons that may be added to the cup, changing colors depending on the type of poison used. Kaleh had learned that implementing simple precaution was invaluable when it did pay off. Confirming that tea was in fact not poisoned he sat back and relaxed as he enjoyed a cup. Just as he was serving himself a second one, a man walked up and sat down. Looking straight at Kaleh he asked, “Blossom Tea? The flower it’s made from is said to be exceptionally fragile.”

Kaleh smirked, “Even the most fragile of flowers are beautiful, and its roots keep it alive.”

The man grunted in approval as he grabbed the pot and served himself a cup, “So, did he send ya? What are ya here for?”

Kaleh’s merely sipped his tea calmly as he responded, ”You sent me a report about Princess Kisrafel’s ‘envoys’ into Caehoul. I’ve come for a more in-depth report.”

The man paled, realizing that the head of the organization was sitting right in front of him. Attempting to stay calm the man started talking in a hushed whisper, ”The Princess sent several of her best men into Caehoul. When I sent our first message we didn’t know much more, but now we have a lead. Kisrafel’s best agents had a traitor recently, some Vaderdablanc called Trestan, he was in Caehoul when he went rouge, sir. Trestan apparently found something and whatever it was made him quit. As to the information, we believe it might be the location of Rafale’s tomb.”

Most men would have cursed, spat, or somehow been shocked by such a proclamation, but Kaleh simply leaned forward and asked, “Rafale’s tomb? How curious; what makes you say that?”

The man gulped nervously and continued, ”Well, it is conjecture sir; the Princess is well known for going out of her way to fulfill the Queen’s wishes sir. Sort of like the Sifter Prince of Merseyr, except she’s more cautious about her own power. She uses it intelligently, not as a cudgel like the Prince. However, one of the servants in her castle came into town recently, and one of ours happened to overhear her talking about how Kisrafel commanded for her spymaster to send her best men, she didn’t care about the cost, either monetary or number of agents dead.”

Kaleh leaned back pensive, ”So the out of character behavior is what makes you think whatever it is she’s looking for is of more significant value, perhaps even Rafale’s location.” The other man nodded in confirmation and opened his mouth to speak when Kaleh interrupted him, ”What about this Trestan, where is he now?”

The man shook his head as he muttered, ”Dead sir, he was killed by Shadowsmasters who had been tipped as to his presence. We had done the tipping hoping to get him captured sir; instead they were too zealous in their pursuit.”

Kaleh grimaced, ”How unfortunate, they didn’t have the frame of mind to capture him alive so as to be able to interrogate him? See what he knew? Once he’s dead, he can’t talk and whatever information he had died with him”

Now the other man grinned, ”Maybe not sir, see Trestan is dead but apparently they caught a gunslinger that was helping out. The gunslinger was Creed Kolson, the one that keeps killing Shadowmasters. Before you ask, you’re in luck sir, they finally dragged his a** back to Kisrafel’s Castle not too long ago, maybe a few hours at most now.”

Kaleh, got up quietly stating “There isn’t any time to waste, is there?” His business here concluded, Kaleh quickly left the tavern and headed straight for the Fortress Castle of Kielael.

As he made his way to the castle, Kaleh was making small adjustments to his clothes so as to better represent the Black Thorn merchant guild, a prominent merchant company that acted solely in the Unholy Nation. He had, thankfully planned for the eventuality of visiting Castle Kielael and calling upon the Princess. To that end he had prepared an offering of unique worth to present to her so as to gain an audience. With a little luck, a few well-chosen words and the perceived knowledge that the Black Thorn Merchant Company was completely loyal to Saeith, Kaleh would have little difficulty finding out what he wanted to know.

Arriving to the gates of the castle itself, Kaleh stopped and turned to one of the guards, ”Please inform Princess Kisrafel that Kaleh of the Black Thorn Merchant Company has arrived seeking an audience. If it helps expedite matters, I do bring a package for her highness.”

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