Conn waited in the safety of the crowd, observing the Watch sergeant for some time before approaching. The man was leaning against the railing of the Central Bridge, scanning the throng. Conn knew he would be seen as he advanced, but doubted the sergeant would try anything in public, in broad daylight, alone.

That didn’t prevent Conn from scouting a path for a quick retreat.

“Afternoon, Sergeant,” said the mercenary.

The Watchman looked him up and down, spat over the railing. “It was.”

“Thought you might care to share some news. There’s a new threat to our fair city.”

“And I’m thinking of tossing it over the railing right now.”

“Easy now, Sergeant,” said Conn. “What good would that do?”

“Wonders for my temper.”

“There are bigger problems than a simple man like myself.”

“Aye, but she’s harder to lay a hand on.”

“That’s a mistake you’d be making. She’s probably the only person in Laimrig who cares more for the city than you do.”

“I seem to recall some friction the last time I worked with you two.”

“Hardly any, considering you started with blackmail and ended with blows,” Conn said with a grin. “And still you came out with the city saved, much credit to you and an uncut throat. Could have done much worse.”

“There is the small matter of the ringleader escaping. And His Lordship’s concubine never returned to his embrace.”

Conn shrugged. “You had enough criminals to hang. One more wouldn’t have made a difference. And it would have raised awkward questions. What does it say about a man when a girl would rather see the world burn than return to his bed? That can’t inspire confidence in a leader.”

“So, assuming I was to let old wounds heal,” said the sergeant, “what is this new threat?”

Conn took a deep breath. It sounded outrageous, because it was, but the danger was real. “It has been said, by people who ought to know, that an ancient consciousness has returned. Taken on a human shape and is now preparing to seize power.”

The Watchman looked at Conn.

“I’d not risk my neck bring this to you if I hadn’t seen enough tp convince me. According to some highly place religious figures and sages, this creature has possessed the corpse of a young noblewoman, and can steal a man’s knowledge by drinking his lifeblood.”

Sergeant Niath speared the Aeransman with a frigid stare. “Either you’re just a superstitious islander who still believe in faery stories, or you’re fucking with me. For your sake–“

“Just see if anybody with a deep knowledge of the power politics in the city has turned up dead or missing in the past few days. More likely than not, somebody whose knowledge was of the politics of the less savory sort,” Conn smiled broadly. “I don’t like to run in those circles, honest tradesman like me.”

“I’ll look into it.” said the sergeant. “I hope that you might share any information you might find in your more rarified circles.”

“Always happy to do my civic duty, Sergeant,” said Conn, turning away. “Always.”

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