Dense grey clouds occupied the sky, shielding the young moon rising in the horizon, overlaying a blanket of darkness above the fortified capital, bringing with it the heavy rain, dreary and perpetual as it always was at this time of year.

Behind the ancient walls and snaking roads, at one of the city's busiest taverns, sat Ennius, absentmindedly gulping his frothy beer, deaf to the clamor of drunken men and loud music, contemplating the cause of the requested meeting.   

'Bartender!' called the drenched brown-coated man joining his table, 'A tankard of beer here, please!'

'About time, Gamus...I thought you'd never show up! Couldn't this meeting wait till morning?' Ennius huffed, draining what remained in his tankard, bashing it on the table.

'Gathering the necessary information to confirm the news I carry isn't an easy task—' said Gamus pausing at the arrival of his drink, handed to him by an attractive young woman. The flickers of the oil lamp glittered in his almond-shaped eyes as he followed her walking away, disappearing behind the bartender's counter. His silver ringed fingers wrapped the pewter tankard, gaze back at Ennius, continuing, 'It appears I was right not to delay delivering the information as you seem clueless!'

'What information are you speaking of?'

Gamus stretched his back against the wooden chair, a cunning smile arching his lips.

'Your informants need to be replaced, dear old friend.' he teased, drinking.

'Stop it with the riddles and tell me what you've requested me for.'

'I think I've found the one you seek.'

Ennius's eyes widened, his body drawn in, hands tightly gripping the edge of the table.

'An incident happened at the slave market this morning... it resulted in the death of eight men.'

'How is that related to her?' squinted Ennius, legs shaking under the table.

'Ratirus, the silk merchant was there when it happened,' he leaned closer, 'a sorceress's curse, he said it was!'

Ennius slowly leaned back, his shoulders dropping, eyes anxiously gleaming, 'What happened?'

'As soon as her unveiling started, they were bewitched. He and the others I have asked said the same thing. That they had never seen such beauty, somehow, she ignited a lethal desire that led to their deaths.'

'Where is she now?'

'She managed to escape.'

Ennius bashed his fist on the table, biting hard on his jaw.

'I need to speak to the merchant. At who's auction was she?'

'It's Panus of Ella,' Replied Gamus, etching his right eyebrow, clicking his tongue, 'he wouldn't be of any good though; he was found dead.'

'I need to confirm that the woman you speak of is indeed the one we seek!'

Gamus shrugged, 'How do you intend on doing that?'

'I'll ask further!' Ennius replied, rising on his feet.

'Sit, sit... the night is young... It's not like she is going to disappear! No one disappears at Nazz.' said Gamus, raising his tankard for a refill.

'This isn't a joking matter, Gamus. I have to be certain. I need to ask a witness or anyone who handled her. Where did she come from and if she—'

'If she had blue eyes?'

Ennius gulped, nodding.

'If there were anything that the witnesses agreed on, it would be the bit about the bewitching blue eyes.'

Ennius dropped on his seat, breathing quickened, eyes aimlessly searching the space.

'I know what you must be thinking, but I recommend that you don't, at least until you have her in your grip.'

'But, Lord Avitus must know of this.'

'He does when the time is right.'

'What do you mean?'

'I mean that you need to bring her to him, instead of the information... imagine your reward!'

A long pause dominated the space between the two men, vibrating music flooding them as their bodies loosened from the beer.

'I'll help you capture her, but we need to find her first.' said Gamus, his finger tracing the stein's handle.

'How much?' said Ennius, eyes determined.

A smile lifted the side of Gamus's lips as he leaned closer, murmuring,

'It's not gonna be cheap, I'm afraid.'

'How much?'

'Twenty sacks of gold.'

'Isn't that a little over?'

'Is it? For someone like Lord Avitus, that price is nothing.'

Ennius stood up, walking to Gamus's side, resting his right hand over the arm of his chair before asking,

'Your way, is it guaranteed?'

He leaned forward, staring into Ennius's doubtful eyes,

'Have I ever failed you?'

Ennius shook his head in denial. 

'I'll take your response as an agreement. Let's drink to that, shall we, old friend?' said Gamus, raising Ennius's tankard. 

Ennius studied his friend's face for some time before taking the freshly poured drink, replying,

'To the deal.'

'To the deal.'