That it was my own fault,

My own foolish ambitions,

That lead to the death of the Princess.

-Note within the hidden journal.

Vallerian burst into action after the tall man in black. Of course today, the day he had chosen to wear his newest snakeskin boots, was the day he would have to chase some peasant through the mud. Perfectly in time, Charlotte alighted from his shoulder and flew beside Vallerian, matching his pace. Together they rushed down the street, trying to keep sight of the black robes. Just my luck, Vallerian thought, of course their target would run at first sight. From the small form of the old Korek woman, Vallerian had hoped the man would be smaller. Looking at the quarry though, Vallerian saw his hopes dashed. The Korek were large people, with long, strong legs. He wasn’t confident he could catch one running at full tilt.

“Charlotte, stay on him.” He commanded, pointing at the tall man as he dashed away. The mud caked roads thankfully seemed to slow the huge lumbering figure ahead more than it did him. Charlotte cawed her response and flew off up and ahead. He could always find Charlotte, that he knew. And even if he lost track of the man, she wouldn’t.

Vallerian had to push himself hard to keep up with the man. The large Korek barrelled down the street, bursting through crowds of people and small obstacles alike. Vallerian fought to control his breath, like how his teacher had taught him. A chase was not won with speed, but endurance. He had to outlast this man, and not let him get out of sight of course.

Still, the beast of a man was tearing through the streets like the Chaos was on his tail. A small pushcart rolled into the brute’s way. The man smashed through it, produce and wood flying. Vallerian gulped, was that what he really wanted to be chasing? Not particularly, but he didn’t exactly have a choice. If he apprehended this man for Celeste, it could grow her trust in him. Besides, Vallerian realized, the man was strong, not agile. Every obstacle he came against slowed him down. Vallerian could use that to his advantage.

Reaching the ruined shambles of the cart, Vallerian reached out one hand and grabbed onto the crumbling wood. Hand firmly pressed on the wood, Vallerian heaved, tossing himself over the obstacle. He flipped over the cart and owner alike. Coming down Vallerian had to quickly reposition himself mid air, or risk twisting his ankle on a rock he hadn’t seen. The damn streets here in Southshore were far too perilous. He had trained for this kind of thing in Silvermarket and had thought the loose cobblestones there were bad enough.

Maintaining speed, Vallerian regained his bearings, keeping a tight eye on his prey. The Korek had been slowed down by the mobs ahead, and Vallerian was already closing the gap. Harder, Vallerian urged himself. Looking ahead though, Vallerian wondered how he could stop the man. Even throwing his weight at him might not be enough to knock the brute over. Woman and men alike were pushed violently out of the way of the huge beast. Vallerian deftly dodging the tumbling people. Vallerian gulped, he would have to figure it out, and quickly. He was on the man’s tail, and Vallerian wasn’t about to lose him.

The black robe suddenly rounded a corner, and Vallerian followed, catching it sharply and very nearly losing his footing in the process. The slick road made for a perilous chase, but Vallerian was up for the task. Ahead, Vallerian noticed a group of men working away rebuilding a structure that appeared to have collapsed. Not an uncommon sight for Southshore, but they marched across the street, working away with old stones and lumber they had salvaged from even older collapsed buildings. The Korek was running straight through the construction. Carpenters and builders alike cursing the huge red man as he shot past them. Vallerian followed, leaping over lumber stacks, and ducking under wooden beams. He was still close, just a few steps behind his quarry.

The Korek reached down as he ran, swiping up a stone hammer from a resting workman, and tossing it back at Vallerian haphazardly. The stone tool flew towards Vallerian, and with deft skill he swiped it from the air, grabbing it by the head. Exactly what he needed. Vallerian flipped the hammer, so he held it by the rough wooden handle, and threw it right back at the Korek.

His prey was slightly faster than he had expected, leading the hammer to slam into the back of the man’s leg instead of his head like Vallerian had intended. Still, the man tumbled at the force, a slight cracking sound marking the success of Vallerian’s throw.

Stumbling as he was, the Korek took another sharp turn, hobbling into a tight alleyway that Vallerian almost thought too small for the man. Vallerian grinned, he had nowhere to go now. Following hot on the trail, Vallerian turned the corner.

Nothing. He looked down the long, straight, alleyway, and found not a soul. Looking down for tracks, Vallerian saw dozens of muddy footprints moving in all directions. Catching his breath, Vallerian leaned back against the wall. Where had the man gone? He had just had him! The blackguard couldn’t have run far, not with how his leg had looked.

He couldn’t have, Vallerian realized, perking up. The man had to be hiding, there was no other explanation. But how good could he possibly be at hiding? As big and red as he was? Vallerian shook his head, looking down the alley. Apparently very good.

The sound of wings ruffling, and light cawing caught his ear. Vallerian grinned, he knew Charlotte's call well. Looking up slightly, he found Charlotte perched atop a clothesline two dozen paces down. She was trying to make eye contact with him. Vallerian locked eyes with the falcon and nodded. She moved her head then, pointing her hooked beak towards a part of the wall Vallerian hadn’t noticed. An indented part of the wall. She cawed again, a little louder this time. Vallerian grinned, she’d get whole hare for this one, that was for sure.