The old assassin made his early morning rounds through the shops. Buying rare spices brought from across the sunset sea in the far eastern kingdom of Jidu, summer wine from his home province in the south across the Summervale. When the sun got a little higher he made his way through the slums and down the single street road where there was only an old raggedy blind woman stood outside asking for gold and a modest plain looking building of grey and black bricks and single iron door. The old woman’s eyes where the color of curled milk but he could feel her eyes watching him. As he approached she bowed slightly “milord, a single gold crown for an old beggar please” she said meekly.

He reached in to a pocket and placed two in her hand “Two crowns, one for passage and for Thyor” he said softly.

The old woman smiled “The divines smile upon you milord, thank you” she wept gently as she kissed his hand. The old woman turned and shuffled her way to the door, “Thyor, Thau al Adun” she sang as she knocked. And old phrase in the ancient Asdorian tongue, Thyor meaning truth or knowledge, Thau meaning Honor and al Adun meant depending on its context meant eternity or the void. Here it meant the void, a tribute to the first of the gods Edelon the blackness of the void. The door slowly creaked open and man with a robe half white and half black emerged from the darkness his face covered with a gold winged expressionless mask. “Master Hywin has returned” the masked man said barely above a muffled whisper. He respectfully bowed lowly and gestured for Gideon to enter. The building was a maze filled with rooms leading to dangerous traps with only the Guide able to navigate alone. Gideon followed the guide down a hall way, down some stair and into a room where shop was.

A lanky hooked nose man with shaggy golden hair stood behind the counter. “Master Hywin” he greeted Gideon with a smile and a slight bow. “Are you looking for anything in particular? Got a fresh shipment Balara nightroot and black sand from Malakir” the shopkeeper pitched. Balara nightroot was plant which caused a slow agonizing gruesome death, lots of blood and coughing Gideon seen it used once and that was more than enough. Black sand was a solvent powder that burned upon contact with skin, the powder had no odor or aroma and could be placed on weapons it was created by Szade the butcher, a violent murderer from Malakir. “I was hoping to find your boss” He answered “Of course right away” the man nodded and hurried into a door on the other side of the room. “A few moments pass and the shopkeeper returns “This way master Hywin” he said as he held the door for him.

As he entered six men sat at a table playing a card game and the door shut behind him. The large fat bald man with the curling mustache who sat at the head of the table was Richard Caster, a slum lord and a member of his network of assassins and spies. Richard’s eyes seemed to dart around to the other men and then he curled that wisp of a mustache. One man dressed in a yellow tunic who sat to Richard’s left with short clipped black hair placed a card onto the table and the rest of the men went in order counter clockwise with Richard being last playing a card atop of the pile. 

"Richard" Gideon spoke softly causing the game to end abruptly with them placing their cards down and exiting the room with low bows with "milords, blessings upon you." Richard rose to his feet bowed slightly "Master Gideon, what do I owe this pleasure?" Gideon cocked a sly half smile. Gideon took a seat from across the slum lord "I am in need of information" he said flatly as dried crumpled leaves. 

     A smirk came from Richard "On whom?" he asked as he retook his seat. "Lord Graceford, his children, wife. Relatives" he said as he slid a parchment across the small wooden card table. "Lord Graceford?" Richard asked meeting the old assassin's steely gaze, "I will put someone on it, what exactly should they be looking for?" 

"Anything that ties him or anyone in his holdings to treason" he answered stroking his snow white beard. "I still have the lordling Graceford in my holdings put a few on him and escort him back to his keep. Get them to earn his trust and relay what ever information they discovver directly to me." Richard nodded "Right away Master Gideon. I will send my best, Symeon and Zella, Cyldas, and Kenwell." 

"Is Tomwise around?" inquired Gideon, "Yes milord, do you think it will come to that?" "I hope not Richard" he answered solemnly. "Yet we need to be certain."