“Have you heard the rumors, kind sir?”

“Rumors, well--what kind of rumors?”

“That the thief of bones is amongst us tonight, hidden in the crevices like a wolf stalking its prey.”

What was once a bustling tavern has suddenly quieted down as the masked man flips a coin in his hand. Behind the mask he wears a smile: sinister, wicked, sharp, as if he knows the secrets that everyone wished to find out. 

“Well go on, mate. You must know who it is, tell the rest of us here.”

The masked stranger simply lets out a laugh before putting a finger to his lips, telling the other patrons in the tavern to hush and listen. 

“While I cannot disclose whom, just know it is someone who...” He tossed the coin into the air and then caught it quickly, before it dropped to the ground. He then looked towards the man who asked and walked up closer, getting face to face, only mere inches away. The other man’s eyes flickered with fear as a bead of sweat starts to drip down his forehead. 

The masked man backed up and lets out a laugh.

“It is someone who impacts...” He whipped around and glanced from one intrigued face to the next before shaking his head. “It is someone who impacts all of us, oh so very dearly!”

“What does that bloody mean?” A drunken chap perked up. 

The masked man slowly turns turned the drunkard and tilted his head. He then let out a low chuckle before putting the coin that was in his hand on the bar counter. 

The stranger’s steps echo throughout the quieted tavern as he walked towards the entrance. Only to spare a glance backwards as he paused in the doorway. 

“It means to keep an eye on those you treasure the most.”