While Tobias had this gut feeling that he wasn’t going to stay here for long, it was not because he was expecting an invitation from the emperor. And while someone else might have followed up with the letter, because it had the royal seal, Tobias couldn’t stay without pondering. He knew that he was noticed, brothels were places where people learned most about the riches of the people. It wouldn’t be much of a surprise to Tobias, if some sort of thieves’ guild housed themselves beneath the very stones of the building. Tobias was vary because of this and didn’t fall to trust the letter in an instant. 

He was pushed outside by the lady, because he had to be on his way already, to not miss these adventurers. Once outside, he took a good look around himself. He checked for every alleyway which he could use to run away if he is suddenly jumped by a few thugs. Killing a person on a road wasn’t as bad as killing one in the city. Cities have many eyes and someone would still learn, that it was you who killed this person. So running was the only option at this moment. But the weather wasn’t making it any better, for running on a slippery ground like that could’ve meant whether or not he would manage his escape. 

No-one came out jumping on him, so he rushed between a few houses, into the darker alleyways, to hide from the rain and study the contents of the letter more thoroughly. 

[b]“If this is a legitimate calling, then I still have a day, because they aren’t going just yet, but this still doesn’t sound attractive at all. Offering us huge amounts of gold for our services? I didn’t know that the emperor did that. It’s as if it’s been written to sway me into going to this place, where I could get mugged. But the seal looks really well done. I can’t put my finger on why would someone go to such lengths just to invite me out to the open like this. This just doesn’t make sense! If they’re really traveling to Paron, they will have to meet me there.”[/b] Tobias rolled up the letter and got out back to the streets. 

He knew the road from the capital to Paron pretty well, but he didn’t trust himself to manage to go there without a horse. He went to the stables, where he bought himself a horse for journey to the city north of the capital. With his new friend, a black mare, he rode out through one of the few gatehouses on the northeast of the Sharu. As he was walking through it, he looked at the intricate architecture of the gatehouse. This gatehouse was one of the three gatehouses that were unique. On both sides it had two huge dragon skulls, hanging and overlooking every person on the road to the gatehouse. The gatehouse itself was much narrower and taller than all others. [b]“I should read up about this. I wonder who built this.” [/b]

The storm started around half an hour after Tobias had left the Sharu. He encouraged the mare to ride a little faster and put up a cloak on his head. It’s was going to be a few horrible and pretty difficult days for him and his steed, but he had to make sure, he was going to be able to get to Paron first, before the ‘adventurers’ did and keep an eye on the road while there. [b]“If the letter turns out to be false, then I’ll figure things out in Paron. On the other hand, if the letter turns out to be true, then I will gladly join these adventurers. If an emperor is gathering up a group of adventurers, I think something grave is up. And the only thing that comes to mind at this point is…”[/b] he sighed. [b]“Slysari.”[/b] 

With those words, he once again encouraged his mare to ride even faster.