Maddox sat down at the table the waiter assigned him. The restaurant had hardly any customers, given the time of day. "What would you like to drink?" the suit-wearing waiter asked the red-haired mage. "I'll just have some water," Maddox told him, picking up the menu as the waiter marched back to the kitchen. _This place will do nicely,_ Maddox thought to himself as he pretended to read over the different food items. _By the time I've had a small meal the rest of the guild should be dispersed adequately._

_There is no way anyone would recognize me as part of Phoenix Wing now._ His expression didn't change at all, giving no hints to his thoughts. _It's too sketchy. While I'm hanging back I'll also do some scouting. I can feel that Phoenix Wing and the Magic Council won't be the only two parties involved._ By now the waiter returned with a pitcher of iced water and a glass, filling it up at the table and leaving the pitcher. "Have you decided on your meal yet, sir?"

His red eyes glanced up to the waiter as he folded the menu. "Yes. I'll have the grilled salmon. I know that's a dinner meal but I feel like salmon right now." A friendly smile formed on the mage's face as the waiter wrote the order down. "We'll have that for you in no time sir." The waiter took the menu and left to attend other customers, leaving Maddox alone at the table. _Hopefully I'll be able to identify the true threat before it shows itself,_ Maddox thought as he took a sip of his water. _I knew the Magic Council would provide no difficulties, but I'm sure if anything does arise it won't be from them._