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Adyn grumbled beneath his breath as he slogged his way through the muck that marked the opening into the courtyard of the sad looking little inn. He tugged impatiently at the reins of his following mount, peppering his grumbles with a few choice swear words as the horse tugged back and he slid in the mud. He quickly regained his balance and shoved a thick handful of long black hair from his eyes as he scanned the courtyard.

He was nearly to the battered door of the inn beneath a swinging sign indicating some sort of battered bird before the stable boy came rushing to take his reins. “Sorry sir, I’ll take him in for you, sir.”

He waved a hand at the boy, sure he wouldn’t be heard over the sudden downpour that opened up as the boy led the horse away. Adyn glanced wryly up at the dark throbbing clouds, thankful that at least the Goddess had waited for him to reach the inn before opening up the heavens. He made his way slipping and sliding to the inn door, reaching for the latch and then heaving the door open as he tried to stomp some of the mess off of his boots.

Adyn gave up and made his way into the common room, shoving the door shut behind him. The noise inside didn’t abate for a moment, and the room was packed, probably due to the storm outside. He made his way to the long bar and waved to the bartender.

Presently enough he had himself stashed away in a dark corner with a trencher of gamey stew and a thick ceramic mug of mulled wine. At least the food was hot. He dug in with abandon, ignoring the water dripping from his hair and down his collar. It wasn’t until a slight figure slid into the seat across from him that he looked up.

She was more than slight, she was nearly wasting away. Adyn recognized the signs of makir abuse. The drug sapped every fiber of a person away while providing a soporific high. He’d never tried the stuff himself, and had no intention of trying it any time soon. “Are you my contact, or are you trying to sell me something?”

She flinched, rubbing a filthy hand across her mouth and refusing to meet his gaze. “Not sellin’ nothin’, milord.”

“You’re my contact, then. What news do you have for me?”

She met his eyes for a split second, and he wondered at the fear he suddenly saw in her. “Word around is that ye’re lookin’ for a Knight.”

He nodded, pushing the trencher away and leaning back. He crossed his brawny arms across his brawnier chest and waited her out.

She swallowed and rubbed her mouth again. He was sure she was just dying for a hit. “Well, milord, y’see, there’re rumors that ye may be in the right place. That there’s a trail somewheres nearby that will take y’to the mountain where a Knight resides. Mind, they’s just rumors…”

He reached into his tunic and pulled out a small leather pouch. It clanked when he tossed it to her, and her eyes gleamed when she clutched it to her scrawny chest. “Thankee, milord. Follow the road to the right, and head to the Rilarr Farm. Them’s the ones that guard the path.” Without another glance she scrambled off through the crowd.

Adyn sighed and made his way back to the bar, where he paid for his room. As he made his way back through the crowd and towards the steep staircase in the back of the room. Partway up the stairs he felt something… maybe a premonition, maybe just the gaze of a stranger. He turned to scan the room, and his green eyes met violet ones across the room. Even with the room completely packed, her stare met his straight-on. A sinking sensation flooded his body, the noise and the room faded away, and even the details of her face didn’t register; only those incredible, vibrant eyes. He blinked and shook his head, and she was gone. He searched the room for a few moments, and then with a frown he continued on to his room.

The sensation had been disorienting, and part of him doubted what had just happened. He stopped dead before opening the door to his room. “What DID just happen, Adyn my boy?” He frowned, shook himself, and opened the door, happy to see his dripping saddle bags set inside the door. At least the contents inside were dry. He stripped down to the skin and after making good use of the thin towel hung near a table with a pitcher and ewer, and then crawled between the sheets. He was asleep almost instantly.

His dreams were haunted by a pair of violet eyes.