As we entered the Blue Lilly Inn, it was immediately obvious that this was not an establishment frequented by common adventures like ourselves. The common room was populated by about a dozen well dressed patrons all talking quietly amongst themselves. They were all sitting at tables and chairs (not benches!) made from rich, dark woods. The room was spotlessly clean. I felt like I didn't want to touch anything and looking over at Kaldes, I noticed that he seemed equally uncomfortable as he tried to wipe his hands off on his tunic.

The proprietress approached us wiping her clean hands on an equally clean towel. She looked at us and smiled warmly asking if she could help us ... called us "fine gentlemen" ... that's a laugh.

I presented her with the letter and said that I was to meet Madame Wintershivan here. The women immediately said, "Of course, she is waiting for you." and lead us through a door at the back of the common room into a hallway past several closed doors until finally she came to the last one at the end of the hall. She knocked once and opened the door to a private meeting room. A woman was seated in one of three comfortable looking chairs arrayed in a circle in the center of the room. A small fire burned in the hearth adding a pleasant atmosphere to the room. The woman stood as we entered. The proprietress quietly closed the door behind us.

 She was not at all what I expected. She was in her middle years and still quite beautiful. Her long hair fell in dark waves over one shoulder to hang nearly to her narrow waist. She wore a full gown in the local style and clutched a closed fan in her right hand.

She greeted us each by name (which surprised Kaldes) and motioned to the remaining chairs. I immediately removed my sward and placed it beside the door and took a seat. Kaldes, who was also armed, looked questioningly at the chair then back at where my own scimitar was propped and sighing deeply, took off his sword, placed it next to mine  and sat down in the remaining chair.

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