[h3]Tour de Rouge, Main Gates[/h3]
	It was quite the dreary afternoon near the great iron gates of Tour de Rouge. It had rained the previous day, and grey clouds still remained up high alongside the dark puddles below on the dreary streets and the smell of wet dirt and greenery that drifted in from the outside world. It was as if the gods themselves were debating another deluge over the old stone city. There was still a bustle about the streets, however, with busy citizens walking to and fro as they went about their daily routines. Old hunters and choral guardsmen alike occasionally stopped to chat and laugh about whatever strange stories they had to tell about life in the city. Two figures, respectively hidden under a parasol and a hood, stood near the city walls, watching Veronica and Serena; the only two who looked like they seemed to fit in with their ominous surroundings.

	“How long have we been waiting, Teacher?” Veronica asked. “Half an hour?” She ran her free hand through her hair, having elected to keep her helmet packed away for the time being. She tapped her foot, having expected things to go somewhat more quickly than this. The fact that one of the greatest militaries on the continent wouldn’t spare anything more than some supplies and assistance in recruiting aid was something she found somewhat irksome, to say the least. Serena gave an understanding laugh in response to her student’s question.

	“It has only been ten minutes,” Serena said. “The Choir can spread information quite quickly. I would imagine that half the town has already heard that they could find money and adventure here. Most of the hunters would just like to wait and stay for winter for a good hunt, I’d imagine.” Veronica nodded in agreement, taking care to retain her posture as she shifted Maugris around on her shoulder.