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insisted you present yourself to him at the earliest opportunity. He is most eager to read your work.”
    Patheos opened his mouth in protest, but it clicked shut without him having uttered a word. With a great sigh, he drew Eurik away from the messenger. “This is most awkward. It seems my patron continues to insist on discretion and I must honor that. Your tour of Linese will have to wait until tomorrow, but there is another matter.”
    The scholar lapsed into silence again. Eurik thought he knew what was causing the problem. “You should know that I am aware of your people's customs regarding guests. I know that without you there to introduce me, I cannot go to your family's home and expect a welcome. It's alright, I will figure something out.”
    “Nonsense,” a relieved-looking Patheos countered. “I'll give you some money to get a room. I know a good inn and those few coppers won't buy you much of anything,” he added when Eurik opened his mouth to protest. “And while a letter from me won't get you a place under my roof, it will suffice to get you the help you need in finding out more about your parents. Wait here, I'll be right back!” The last part was said loud enough that the man in green couldn't miss it.
    Patheos went back to the ship, leaving Eurik alone with the messenger in an awkward silence. He'd realized the man didn't trust him and also why. He was a stranger. The messenger didn't know him and didn't seem to find it necessary to change that. It was a novel situation for Eurik. He'd rarely encountered strangers on the island, and when he did they'd always introduced themselves to him. But the messenger seemed content to sneak a glance at him every now and then while waiting for Patheos to come back.
    It took a while. Eurik got lost in watching the activity around him; the sailors scurrying over decks and rigging, men moving bales, sacks, and crates about. They sometimes had to go around small groups of people who were talking, or arguing. Across the harbor, a ship was being towed away from its dock by a pair of rowboats.
    All of this activity was done by pure muscle, not one of these people could use the Ways. Eurik had known about this for years, but seeing it was strange. Humans did have magic, a force that was potentially more versatile than chiri , but only a minority could use it.
    Finally, is-Ilad returned carrying a bag at his side and a sealed piece of paper in his hand. Eurik knew Patheos' belongings were going to be brought straight to his home by one of the crew, so the bag must hold his manuscript. “Here, this should get Rolan to help you. He works at Dogall & Sons, ask for Rolan Ilad. Oh, and take this too,” he said to Eurik as he retrieved three silver pieces and put them on top of the letter. “Now, you just need a guide.” With those words he started to walk down the docks.
    Eurik hastened to follow him. “Thank you,” he chose to say rather than a protest that he didn't need the money. It was clear Patheos wasn't taking no for an answer.
    “You were good company these past two years, and I did offer you my hospitality. This will have to do for the moment. Ah, there they are,” the scholar said and he headed for three children sitting on the edge of the wharf, their legs dangling over the water. They appeared to be fishing using a length of string wrapped around a piece of wood.
    At Patheos' approach they all looked up and one of them stood up, handing his fishing line to one of his friends.
    “My friend here doesn't know the city so he needs a guide,” Patheos began. “More specifically, someone who knows the fifteenth and seventeenth districts.”
    “I know my way around the entire lower city,” the boy boasted. “The fifteenth... you mean the Posaidar quarter, sir? I go there all the time. But we're fishing right now. I think they're about to bite, too.”
    “I'll pay you a copper now, and my friend will give you one once your task is done.”
    “A copper?” the