The unknown man and Ruth sat at the same table inside the tavern. She held a napkin filled with ice over her head. Billy was working while she waited answers from her rescuer.

"I came here for Cedric."

"My brother? What did he do to you?"

"Nothing, he just picked the wong object. I want it back." Said the man drinking his beer slowly.

"What is it all about?"

"I can't talk about this, woman. Just know that if I don't have this object, it won't end up well for the most of us."

"How dare you?"

"Do you know what's going on as we are talking?" He asked smirking.

"There's a common interest for many people. A necromancer, and of course the prince of the sky, captain Thorns."

"Who are these people?" Asked Ruth.

"You don't need to know if I get back my stuff." He replied standing up and leaving some coins on the table.

He gave a quick glimpse to the room. People sat calmly and drank laughing or talking. He turned to the woman.

"Where's Cedric?"

"Can you help him?"

"I can take him out of trouble."

"He went to the high pick."

The man turned away without saying goodbye and left. Ruth moved back behind the desk and began to take orders.

The boy came close to her questioning her absence, curious wandering what happened before.

"Later, I can't now." She replied.

Billy finished cleaning the floor once all guests went in their rooms. He sat, very tired, close to Ruth who was reading a book. She was a daydreamer because she didn't have the time to travel, so she lived the adventures of the characters of her books. While reading she was holding a bracelet with a stone carved in a shape of a hook that meant a C, for Cedric. The room was empty and just few candles were left to burn, making shadows dancing on the walls.

"What are you reading?" Billy asked breaking the silence.

"A book about love." She replied without moving her eyes, glued to the paper.

"Who was the man wearing the cloak?"

"I don't know. Cedric is in trouble, he may help him. I know no more. It seems my brother had stolen something that belonged to that man."

"There is something I need to show you, then. He may be back looking for this one too." He said taking something from his pocket.

The woman finally lifted her eyes from the letters printed on her book. She turned with her mouth open by surprise.