• 3.
    Dark, smoky hallways filled with moans, laughter, and whispers. Rain drummed off the tiled roof of the Night Angel, a tavern and inn in the lower district of the City of Autumn. It was nearly midnight when a pounding knock was heard at the back door. “Open up! This is the Baron’s Guard!”

    Ryoko Nefer growled sleepily, trying to untangle the knot in her long hair as she went for the door. “I’m coming, I’m coming.” She pulled her thin sleeping robe closer around her shoulders and yanked the door open, shivering at the blast of cold, wet air. “What do you want? You know we don’t serve customers through the back door.” She yawned, covering her mouth with her hand, blinking into the unlit dark of the alleyway.

    “Got a delivery.” The guard grunted; shoving a cloaked Cygnyt into Ryoko’s startled arms.

    Ryoko caught Cygnyt just in time; the other woman did not seem able to stand on her own. “…help me…” Ryoko was sure she heard those words. She tried to ignore the sudden metallic scent of blood that filled the air despite the heaviness of the rain, and the sticky wetness on her hands.

    “Don’t worry, we’ll get you inside.” She started to move back when the guard grabbed her robe, exposing her dark-skinned legs.

    “I haven’t been paid yet.” The guard sneered; his breath smelled terrible.

    Ryoko tore her robe from his grip and sneered right back. “I told you,” she said, covering her legs again. “We don’t take customers by the back door. Now bugger off.”

    And she slammed the door in his face.