A Note for Helstone.

[Carnath-Emory]

It will find him early that Thursday morning -- or his rooms at the least, for the lad had been directed to the premises of one Coriolanus Helstone, Esq., instructed to ride with all haste, and entrusted with coin enough to ensure that he managed both. In any case, it's a simple missive, penned upon parchment of moderate expense, and perhaps Helstone will excuse the poor quality of the penmanship when he reads its contents.

Ser Coriolanus Helstone,

We have spoken before in the Broken Dagger tavern, you may not recall our conversation. I would wish to meet with you there again, at your nearest available opportunity, to discuss a matter of some urgency.

Ariane Carnath-Emory.

Perhaps what few rumours exist, this early in the morning, might hasten him on his way. After all, there had been some several witnesses when she was removed from the tavern's property under Straka escort...

[channe]

The Myrkentown rumor mill is a flawless operation, greased and attended by town women, tavern sots, shop-vendors; all of them, intent on walking the parched streets earlier and earlier each morning, trying to escape the strangulation of the enemy sun.

Tales are currency here, and their street-corner and shop-counter exchange begins immediately.

It is why Coriolanus Helstone walks slowly to work, and converses with the women at their errands, with a kindly word and a smile to them all.

Cory knows it is no coincidence when his servant Anne hands him a folded letter as he stands at his desk, applying his signature to the last of a few documents regarding a particularly boring matter; he'll open the paper and scan the words inside.

"Don't send the boy today, Anne, and do hold my breakfast," Cory says, his eyes on the stack of papers below him. "I'll bring this to Goody Fisher's myself, and then take a meal at the tavern before my afternoon meetings."

He'll forgo his coat as he closes the door to his offices, bag in hand -- it's far too hot for that -- and enumerate his plans: Goody Fisher's first, and then breakfast at the Dagger (Proxenus' perfect omelettes will suit, he thinks). If the swordswoman is there, he'll meet with her; if not, he'll eat and return once more in the evening.