(Samuel's POV)
After finishing eating at Janie's Inn, I made my way towards the client's home. I had checked on Liz, making sure that she was okay. She was rather comfortable at the Inn's stable, so I decided to leave her there to rest, giving the stableboy an extra gold coin so he could look out for her.
I walked down the street, wearing a scarf that Janie let me borrow. The snow had eased up this morning, but it was still rather cold. I was able to kick some snow, which had built up to 3 inches off the ground.
Thankfully, my socks were rather thick for the weather, so my feet didn't feel that cold. I could feel the cold breeze hit me in the back as I walked and looked around, seeing how the cityfolk were getting ready for their day.
I saw the guards patrolling on the other side of the street, holding torches in their hands to warm themselves up.
"Hm...." I said as I kept walking, "Interesting."
As I made the corner, I could see that I was headed in the direction of the Market Square; many people were already making their way that way. Despite the winter starting, the people weren't going to be dissuaded from making their morning market runs.
I could see the Market Square, several of the vendors already set up and calling out for customers.
"Get your freshly brewed rum over here!" One called, "Rum over here!"
"Got some nice potatoes over here!" Another said, "Frost-resistant potatoes here!"
"Get your winter bread here!" a third one called out, "Winter bread! Will not spoil at all and the snow only makes it richer!!"
I walked past the entrance of the Market Square, shaking my head as I walked. The sounds of the other vendors filled the air as the customers began to pour in through the entrances.
A smile appeared on my face, "Lively as ever, huh?" I said, "Typical. Rum, who's going to buy rum this early in the morning?"
Alcoholics, that's who.
I rubbed my neck, feeling the fabric of the scarf that was around it, "Hm..." I said, hearing a set of distinct footsteps behind me, "Hmm...?"
I glanced back as I walked, noticing how a man made a turn on the corner behind me. For some reason, I sorta recognized this man; he seemed like the one back at the Inn. He had that certain jawline and the crooked nose that I scanned for a few seconds last night when I ate.
"I see..." I said under my breath
Coincidence? Maybe. The Inn was just up the street, so he could be headed in the direction of where my client was waiting.
Even so, my client had made an appointment for this afternoon, so I had enough time. Despite it being morning, I wanted to swing by and case the place, just in case something could go awry. But the thing is, I don't need to meet with the client yet.
I kept walking, "Hm...." I said, glancing back and seeing that the man hadn't kept following me, "Okay then."
It was more than a coincidence, my gut told me.
I was probably being followed.
But this is an issue that I will deal with later.
****************
"My apologies, Sir." The maid wearing a fur coat around her outfit said, "Master Yvan is currently busy, so he cannot see you. Please, come back at the agreed hour; 4th Hour Past Noon."
I stood in front of a gate, similar to the one that my home has back at Ellerift. Beyond the gate was a large manor, which was a bit bigger than our home.
In front of me was a beautiful black-haired maid that whore glasses, with sharp facial features. I could tell that she also had a curvy body, the way her coat wrapped around her waist and hips.
I frowned, "I can't even take a swing around the property?"
"He's rather strict." She said, "Please, come back at the agreed hour."
I sighed, "Very well." I said, "Four past Noon, right?"
She nodded, her black eyes piercing right through me, "I apologize again."
I waved her off, "Nah, it's okay." I said, "But I can ask you if there are any current urgencies? I mean, there are no problems at the moment?"
"None at all." she said, her hands in front of her, "Master Yvan would brief you on any concerns he had withheld from me, however. If you could be patient enough to wait till then, that would be sublime."
I raised an eyebrow, "Alright then...." I said, looking around, "Anyways, I got a few questions. Surely, I can ask more questions?"
"That is fine." She said, "As long as you don't take up too much of my time."
I frowned again, "Wow, that's colder than the climate at the moment."
"Master Yvan is a very strict man, you see." She said
"I bet." I said as I crossed my arms
"Ask your questions, Sir." She said, "I am afraid that aside from Master Yvan's strictness, I have duties to attend to."
I nodded, "Yea, yea." I said, "I get it. Well, here goes; you lot have seen or heard of anything strange lately in the city? Any rumors? Nothing that requires my.....expertise?"
"If you mean Monster Hunting, no sir." She said, "Aside from Master Yvan's current request."
"Hm....mhm...." I said with a nod, "I see. No.....blasphemous activity? No.....tinkering with Demonic Gates.....or.....grotesque grafting....? No?"
"No, Sir." She said, "Even if there were, I do not know if I am allowed to disclose such information."
"Quite whipped by Yvan, huh?" I asked
"I am merely his loyal maid." She said, "I dare not betray his trust. He trusts me enough to meet with a strange man in front of the gate, alone."
"I'm not a strange man." I said, "And you're older than me, I bet."
"I am 23 years of age." She said
"Ah, the same age as my beloved sister." I said with a smile, "Older, I told you."
"Is that all?" She asked
"Yea, I guess so." I nodded
"Hm, Very well." She said turning around, "Good day."
I sighed, "Sure...."
Before she opened the gate, she glanced at me, "I did hear some Midnight Legion members are present in the city, including a General."
"Oh yea, I know that." I said, "I'm meeting with one."
"You know one?" She asked, raising an eyebrow
"Oh, of course." I said with a proud smirk, "She trained me for a bit."
"My beautiful Master."