A week had passed since Adventurer Black returned from the southern ruins, and the women at Sarthal's Guild still hadn't run out of things to say about him and his people.
"The Scarlet Lilies went out again."
"Already? They were here this morning!"
"Collected their payment, asked about something stronger, and left. I heard Lilith complaining that the journey took longer than the fight."
The short-haired adventurer leaned across the table, lowering her mug. She had claimed this particular seat because it faced both the counter and the entrance, giving her an excellent view of everything worth discussing.
Her own contract lay beneath the mug, forgotten. Rent wasn't due for three more weeks.
"Those are his bodyguards," she reminded her companions. "Imagine what he needs protecting from."
"His wives?"
Laughter broke out around the table.
"I mean, can you imagine what Kitsara gets up to behind closed doors? Considering how shameless she already is in public?"
