05. The Courting of Fire

You finish your drinks before heading over to Stojanow Gate. The massive walls of Valjevo Castle tower above you. The massive iron-bound doors of Stojanow Gate are spread wide open as they have been for over one hundred years. From the top of the wall, bodies hang from thick rope; twisting slowly in the breeze while ravens peck away at the tastier morsels. Despite the time of the day, a long line of people are lined up at a desk where a bored looking guard thumbs through an enormous ledger.

Davin, the man in front looks a bit strangely at you, "Why it’s to report a crime of course! Someone stole my cat!"

Chitkree, the guard quickly looks up as the strange voice suddenly reverberates through his head. He does recognise you however, "What is it you want? I’m just recording the reports that all these *ahem* fine people are arriving with"

The guard chuckles, "Ah yes, Tibeem was it? I’m afraid he’s not very talkative at this point", he points upwards behind you and as you follow his direction, you see that he’s pointing at one of the dead bodies hanging from the gate. "As for his friend the fugitive, we heard of someone fitting his description travelling towards the Dragonspine Mountains. But that’s way out of our jurisdiction, ergo not really my problem". He reaches into a drawer in the desk and hands you a small piece of paper, "All he had on him was this". It just reads "Sheaf of
vellum (1), chalk dust (1lb sack), leather case"

Chitkree, the guard looks dumbfounded for a second before realising the mix up, "No, dummy. He literally only had this note. Don’t know why he had it, maybe a shopping list? Now can I please get on with this?", he motions towards the line of people who are getting steadily more impatient.

Davin, the man gets more animated as you show interest in his plight, "My little Scruffles is sort of grey, and black, and also a bit white and also maybe has a little bit of reddish brown fur. I for one think it’s my neighbour who took it! He’s been eying that cat the moment I brought it home. He told me to keep it away from him and his pet mice. But I know it’s a ruse and that he just wants it for himself!"

Davin, the man puts his forehead against yours and thanks you deeply.