The sprinkle of rain died and the sky turned to shades of grey as Vallerian walked. By the time he made it to the Red Curtains even a few sunbeams cut through the clouds above. A nice change from the near fortnight of straight of rain. Regardless, here he was once more in Southshore's whoring district.

Vallerian shook his head. How did he keep ending up here? He felt a knife at his neck every time he thought of his wife finding out how much time he had spent here of late. He was surprised how much he had thought about Lyleria in the almost two weeks since he had seen her. Maybe he was actually growing to miss his bride, or perhaps it was just the parade of pretty women that made him miss her in other ways. Vallerian shrugged and continued his search.

The Red Curtains appeared only slightly different in the sun than they had in the overcast rain of the past week. Low shacks with rain-cleaned walls carried long overhangs with beet-died red cloth fringes. Red was a generous thing to call the dirty draperies, far from the rich crimsons of court gowns. The cloth was used to mark the pleasure houses out from the few normal homes that speckled the street when the window curtains were pulled back during the day. Because if you lived in the Red Curtains, you just had to make sure everyone knew you were not a whore.

Vallerian passed a few women who sat in the windows, thin gowns promising entertainment to any men who happened to be walking here in the broad daylight. As early as it was, the place was quite dead and Vallerian felt the eyes of more than a few street toughs weighing him. Let them, he thought, he never really had cared what others thought of him.

After only a cursory glance, a glint of silver caught his eye. A short Fereni woman, in a long brown dress with a Fereni man's coat over top, leaned against one of the buildings, silver pin glistening in the early day sun. She had short cropped hair and a look to her that dared anyone to try asking her for some fun. There was something about her murderous air that actually attracted him. His wife really was getting to him. Vallerian ruffled his hair, wrinkled his clothing a bit, uncoupled a few of his doublet clasps, and stumbled over.

“Well, hello there.” Vallerian slurred, striding up to her with a drunkard's gait.

“Piss off, drunk.” she snapped at him, hand reaching to a sheathed dagger at her side.

“Well that's not nice one bit. I’ve heard you're the girl to talk to for a man looking for that Tabitha wench. I got some words for her I do.” Vallerian stumbled a bit, it was best to sell the lie as hard as possible early.

“You heard wrong, I don't even know a Tabitha. Now take your little bird and get outta here before I have to ask again.” she half unsheathed her dagger. Only a dagger, interesting. If Tabitha was about, why wouldn't her people be carrying better weapons? From the little debacle at the Mudport, Vallerian knew they certainly had them.

“Alright alright, no need to be nasty.” Vallerian said, stumbling away. “You did nothing Charlotte. It's just her moon likely as not.” Vallerian moved off, petting Charlotte while the woman tossed vitriol at his back.

Moments later, Vallerian was crouched, hiding behind a barrel, watching her. The woman stood where she had been for a bit longer, keeping an eye on where Vallerian had rounded the corner. Once she had accepted that he was gone, she moved and Vallerian followed. That was the trick with people. If you asked for someone they didn't want you to find, they often took you to them soon enough. People were stupid like that.

The building the woman slipped into wasn't far. A slender three-story wood structure, the third floor a later addition from the different coloured wood used. Out front a sign hung of a naked woman rising out of a lake. The craftsmanship in it was surprising, perhaps Celeste was on to something with the talent of the peasants. Vallerian shrugged, sent Charlotte to fly around the area, and followed the woman in.

It was a decently sized entry room. A handful of cushioned chairs scattered about with small side tables to carry drink. The place even had a small carving of the god Loose hung above the hearth, a popular addition for drinking establishments. A tall Fershya woman swept across the room to him dressed in a long dark gown. She wore a gentle smile and seemed a tad old to be working in a place like this.

“Sorry m'lord, but we don't have any girls around right now. You might want to...” She was cut off by the Fereni he had followed staring at him wide eyed.

“YOU!” she shouted. “I thought I told you to piss off!” She pulled her dagger free and levelled it at him. Vallerian raised his hands in the air and stepped back as she lunged towards him.

“I don't mean any trouble, just wanted to speak with Tabitha.” Vallerian backed up as she pressed on him. Her dagger pointed straight at his neck.

“Let him go.” A high-pitched woman's voice called from behind them. Looking past his attacker, Vallerian saw Tabitha striding down the staircase on the other side of the room. “Besides, as good as you are Rielya, I don’t think you can take on the Healer's Shadow.” Tabitha clicked her tongue and descended the stairs. Slowly, Tabitha found a large, cushioned chair and enthroned herself in it. The looked more comfortable in it than Vallerian had ever seen the king look in his throne.

“The Healer's Shadow? Hardly rolls of the tongue does...”

“Silence, dog.” The Fershya woman commanded him, thrusting the dagger towards him again.

“Rielya, I appreciate your fervour but could you go do a patrol? I do actually have some interest in this man.” Tabitha ordered the Fereni woman, and she gave a deep bow. Vallerian watched Tabitha though, she wanted something with him? And what precisely did she mean by the Healer's Shadow?

“Count Vallerian, Sit.” Tabitha ordered him. Vallerian did as she bade. He wasn’t about to mess this up out of some misplaced pride. Pride is for the dead his teacher had told him once and he agreed.

“I…”

“You are here on behalf of Celeste. Correct?” She asked, a smug look on her face.

“Not quite.” He responded. Her smugness changed to interest. “I’m here on behalf of myself, and other interested parties. We wish to strengthen your support of Her Radiance.” Vallerian smirked casually at her. Tabitha returned an unimpressed look. Her demeanour changed though when she finally understood who the ‘we’ he referred to was.

“I don’t make a habit of working with Theremya.” Tabitha finally responded, a tension in her voice.

“And you won't have to. You just have to deal with me.”