Strickland flashed his easy smile, the corner of his neat mustache turning up.

"I am afraid to say, my previous activities in the city caused a great deal of embarrassment, I'd rather that an official protest not be sent to someone higher up in the order." Stickland coughed into his hand, making a show of his own embarrassment at whatever event he was alluding to.

"But it is just as true that secrecy will prevent our foe from fleeing. He is a crafty one and rarely takes risks," the witch hunter sighed.

"Give me the megalomaniac who cannot be stopped any day," he declared ironically. Hilde's mouth twitched into a smile, amused by the witchunter inspite of her own best efforts. Isolde relaxed at Strickland's 'he' but remained reserved.

"Tell us more about this wizard Herr Strickland," Hilde asked draining her own tankard. Strickland snapped his fingers and another round was bought. He waited till the barmaid drew away before continuing.

"Johan please, and I hope you wont be offended if I address you as Hilde?" he asked. Hilde nodded her assent. Johan smiled clearly warming to his would be confederates. He drew a roll of parchment from his jacket and unrolled a stained charcoal portrait of a skeletal looking man in his late forties. The pictures cheeks were almost cadeverous and a long aqualine nose protruded promiently.

"This is Claus Wiermier, a former Amythest wizard, now a fugitive from imperial justice. I met him in Altdorf and uncovered evidence that someone was corrupting our watchers on the Amythest tower. When I began investigating he fled and I have hunted him across the empire since."