Kilthanis knocked on the large wooden door in the market district of Dhe-akatheyo. The red doors opened and a maid greeted him. “Good afternoon, milord. How may I help you?”

“I need to speak to Master Gilead. Please tell him it’s Lord D’Endray. His lawyer.” Kilthanis looked a bit haggard after the harrowing crossing between Maruth and Reth’Methil. He worried that he would be denied entrance, since he was sure he looked the worse for wear. But the maid took him at his word.

“Please, come in Lord D’Endray. I’ll inform the master that you’re here to see him. He’s just back from the Guildhall. Would you like something to eat or drink while you wait?” Kilthanis must have turned green, because the maid changed her mind. “No, I see that you don’t. Please, have a seat here in the parlor while you wait.” She indicated the room immediately to the left of the entrance hall.

Kilthanis took a seat in a comfortable chair inside the parlor, choosing one that faced deeper into the house. It was a well appointed dwelling, designed in a style that had been popular a century before. It consisted of four hallways around a central courtyard, with rooms opening up off the hallways. Rooms for entertaining were located in the front of the house, while bed chambers were located along the back hall. One could access them by crossing the courtyard. The side halls were given to office space and kitchens and other utilitarian rooms.

He closed his eyes and reflected on the last few hours. He was deeply ashamed of his decision to flee the city, leaving Kelsey in the Emperor’s clutches. My Gods, he thought. Has it come to that? That I should think of my old friend in that way? He was startled out of his reverie by the arrival of his host.

“Welcome, Kilthanis. What brings you to my humble abode?” Gilead was a rotund man, with a tunic stretched over his large belly. His voice boomed out with a good humor to it, as evidenced by the reference to his home as humble.

He dressed plainly and spoke that way as well. One would never know to look at him that he was the head of one of the largest merchant houses in the Empire. He had interests in nearly every major city, which is how he and Kilthanis first came into contact. Some of his interests thought the law was flexible and the Empire’s customs officials disagreed.

Kilthanis began to rise, but Gilead waved him back down, bustling over to a large wooden buffet and poured himself a glass a wine. The eastern portion of the island was well known for its vineyards, and Gilead was a connoisseur. “Please remain seated Kilthanis. You look like something the sea coughed up. I’d offer you wine, but I suspect the offer would not be taken kindly.”

Kilthanis actually managed a tired smile. “You’d be right about that, old friend. It has been a long day.”

“So it appears, so it appears. Now tell me. What brings my counselor out for a visit through what is clearly a rough crossing of the strait? Trouble with the Empire?”

Kilthanis’s face sobered. “More than you know, Gilead. But for once, not for you. I’m the one in trouble.”

“You?” His eyes widened and his eyebrows rose halfway up his broad forehead. “How is that possible? You’re a friend of the Emperor. And isn’t your wife a cousin of some sort?”

“All that’s true, but none of it will be of any use in this instance. Kelsey is, at this very minute, in Imperial custody.” He raised a hand to forestall any questions, as he saw Gilead’s mouth open in shock. “It’s a long story, and some day, I hope to be able to tell it to you. But for right now, I’m afraid I don’t have the time. The truth is, I’ve come here to ask for your help. And I’m sorry to do this, because if it’s ever discovered you aided me, there will doubtless be repercussions.”

He was shaking his head before Kilthanis has finished speaking. “Think nothing of it. How can I help?”