As the group made their way down the stairs a small gust of morning air crept in through open windows and cracked doors. The sky, still a haze from the night before, smelled of [color=598527][b]seaweed[/b][/color] and [color=8493ca][b]rain[/b][/color]. The sounds of birds chirping replaced the usual chirping of the townsfolk and the crackling of carriage wheels against cobblestone. There was an ironic sort of peace about it all. The somber ambiance of a morning after tragedy was isolating in ways that almost felt morbidly comforting. 

[color=f9ad81][b]Talis Cleverfoot[/b][/color] sat at the bar with both hands cupped around a mug as she chugged away at her beverage. The thickness of the [color=007236][b]concoction[/b][/color] slithered down her throat with a lump. She looked bitterly at the cup for a few moments before letting loose a small grunt of annoyance. Her eyes met Mira's for an even fewer moments. Hearing her new associates the woman quickly stood from her seat to greet them. Her thin red hair was pulled back into a loose bun, and her ears were adorned with multiple rings near the tips. 

She herself had been weary when [color=0072bc][b]Mikael[/b][/color] insisted on bringing on some help. He was vague, and more elusive than what was usual- even for him. Still, she’d trust his word over most in Astoria. She looked to Mira again, this time giving her a quick smile. The barkeep returned the gesture before taking the city-elf’s cup. 

[i]"I'd ask you if you were Talis, but then what would the odds be of two different people having the same exact name and description? . . . Two beautiful city-born elvish sisters I suppose, or a doppelganger. Though I doubt either is the case here."[/i]

“[color=f9ad81][b]Aye, you’ll find no doppelgangers here,[/b][/color]” Talis answered the dwarf. Her voice was melancholic as if mournful lament laced every word. It carried with it a rhythmic accent that, by most accounts, would be a challenge to distinguish. The intonation hinted at [color=1a7b30][b]Dalic[/b][/color] origins, but her pronunciations and inflective tendencies were clearly reminiscent of an Astorian commoner. “[color=f9ad81][b]I’m glad you could join us, dwarf; given your proclivity for sleeping through assassinations and the like. Unfortunate for the Viceroy...nasty bit of work it was, too.[/b][/color]” Talis gave a small chuckle before running a finger across her throat. A dire playfulness etched about her face. She quickly realized her barb wasn’t met with any coherent response from the dwarf. “[color=f9ad81][b]Right, well I trust your new associates will inform you of the details.[/b][/color]” Talis paused for a moment eyeing the stairwell behind the dwarf. “[color=f9ad81]Speaking of…,[/color]”she mused. 

As the rest of the group begrudgingly strode down the steps Talis felt uneasy. This group of supposedly reliable employs looked drained, as if Faust had sucked the life from them, and  some looked pale and disheveled. “[color=f9ad81][b]Good morrow, I trust you all enjoyed the festival, assassinations aside?[/b][/color]” She gave a smile to the group, but her jovial punches just didn’t seem to be hitting. Shrugging off the groups unpleasant demeanor she pulled from a satchel a map. She motioned for the rest of the group to work their way towards the bar. 

[i]“You lot look like hell. Heard at least two of you screaming all night, pleasant that,”[/i]

Falk, was right, they looked to be taken by Faust or his ilk. [i]They were screaming in their sleep? What exactly was going on? Was this because of Cadby's death? That didn't make much sense...[/i] Pulling herself from her thoughts she concealed the grimace she felt creeping onto her face before continuing. 

“[color=f9ad81][i]Here’s a map of our lovely city. You’ll no doubt need it.[/i][/color]” Her finger traced the thick papyrus as it trailed towards a visual representation of the docks. “Much of the guild will be down here keeping the peace,” she noted before sighing aloud.

“[color=f9ad81][b]You’ve got a few options, here. Our top priority is finding [color=662d91]Lord Caldwin von Gudeiur[/color], the son of [color=c4df9b]Earl Claudius von Gudeiur[/color]. He’d been inspecting the Viceroy’s financial ledgers as Earls are want to do. Mikael, and his son, are seeing to that personally.[/b][/color]” Giving a dramatic huff Talis pulled from her person a key. “[color=f9ad81][b]Second on the chopping block...sorry, poor choice of words, that,[/b][/color]” the city elf quickly corrected. “[color=f9ad81][b]Next, is the Viceroy’s office. It might offer up some insight as to what’s happened. Mikael has found it difficult to keep the guard captain’s nose out of things like this in the past. I’d be quick. If the [i]sodded[/i] guards get involved we’ll likely never catch the killer in time.[/b][/color]” 

Talis’ hand extended to the middle of the map. “[color=f9ad81][b]This is the [color=aba000]Mercantile District[/color]. It’s filled with more merchants than you can shake your arse at. Don’t let that distract you. [color=00a99d]Evangeline Swiftrend[/color], a big brooding hulk of a woman, has been praying at the Temple of Cristo. She is Caldwin’s royal protector so expect big shiny armor.. also, pointy ears like mine.[/b][/color]” 

“[color=f9ad81][b]Then, you’ve got the [color=a36209]guard’s barracks[/color] to the east of the marketplace. Cadby’s children have already been informed of their father’s untimely passing. Take it easy on them, ey[/b][/color]?” Talis’ eyes peered out at the group before they quickly fell back to the map. 

“[color=f9ad81][b]Lastly, to the northwest of the city is the [color=92278f]Academy of Magicks[/color]. If you speak to the embalmer he might be able to provide you with some details about the body before it’s given final rites.[/b][/color]” With that Talis stepped back from the bar she’d been leaning on before looking towards the group. “[color=f9ad81][b]I’ve no doubt Mikael chose the lot of you because you’re a capable sort. Not entirely sure why you’ve been given all the fun bits, but if he trusts you with this then me bow is with you[/b][/color]…” She paused for a moment feigning deep thought. “[color=f9ad81][b]Well, me crossbow really[/b][/color].”