Hieren Snippets

Two nights ago; in a remote tavern along the river, west of Namarast and south of Mead...

  Your barside conversation is interrupted as a stout yet elderly figure bursts through the doors and pants, "Is there a courier about? I have a message and"—they pause to hoist a large bag off their shoulders to the floor—"and, well, some mail I can no longer deliver myself."

   The large room echoes in silence for a moment, and the newcomer looks abashed. "Apologies for the entrance, apologies. I've just had a bit of a shock, from the—"

   "The f**king sparkle-shape? Yeah, yeah, you're not the first to skedaddle at the smallest hint of a Hunt and you won't be the last." With a dismissive scoff, the camelid next to you takes a long draught from their ale, then thunks it down rather more strongly than is strictly necessary.

   "Rude," whispers the newcomer under their breath, but they quickly refocus on the slender figure coming their way. "Kisho, thank goodness. I thought I would have more time, but my— well, you can say that I have business at Namarast, and I'm not sure when I can return."

   Kisho's face (they did say Kisho, right?) alights with interest, their figure suddenly straight and alert. "Namarast? But you're not a—"

   The larger figure hurries on, "Here, I have a down payment for extended petsitting at my home, to be delivered to Tulin..." They frantically scribble down an address, then slide it and two neat bundles of gold to the other courier, "plus payment for yourself, of course."

  Kisho distractedly takes the letters and the coins, apparently trying to find an opening to speak... but the larger figure is already out the door. They shake their head and turn back towards their table. Your eyes briefly meet, and you turn away, trying to pretend you hadn't been staring.