Part 1

It was a cool late autumn afternoon in the Dragontail Mountains, and The Hissing Lobster was as crowded as ever. The Innkeeper was busy as usual, preparing lunches, dinners, drinks, and everything in between. Someday he was going to hire some help, he thought to himself. But would they be lucky enough? As he pondered on this conundrum, the door burst open and a red haired woman with a blue and white cloak walked in. Oh no, it's her, he thought.

"It's me!" Sirene Ignitis exclaimed, walking in as if she was an honoured guest. "It's nearly winter and you know what that means!" she said, walking up to the bar and sitting on a stool marked 'reserved'.

"It means you eat my food and drink my beer for 3 months, don't pay me, then leave?" the Innkeeper replied, smirking. "Welcome back, Sirene. How were the travels this year?"

"Oh they were wonderful you miserable old coot. Went to Ammangoan this time, haven't been there in a couple centuries you know. Splendid as ever, of course." she replied, throwing off her cloak, tossing it behind the counter. "Anything new here?"

"Hm. Yes, actually."

"Really?" Sirene leaned in. "What happened?"

"You got a letter." The Innkeeper said, handing it to her. "Looks important, see the seal?"

Sirene looked over the folded letter in her hands. It was made of thick parchment, and the wax seal was very important indeed. "An Imperial Dwarven seal." she said, whistling. "Didn't know I was that popular." She looked around, then leaned in close to the Innkeeper. "Think I should open it now?" she practically whispered.

He shrugged his shoulders. "I'd say no, but I know you would open it anyway."

"Right you are!" Sirene said, breaking the seal, and unfolding it. "Let's see here..."

Several minutes passed in silence as Sirene read the letter. The Innkeeper busied himself with his usual tasks of clean-up and preparations for the evening when Sirene called him over.

"Yes?" he asked her.

"Vaust, I need to speak with my master immediately." she whispered.

"She's in the graveyard out back right now." he whispered. "Well, she will be by the time you get there."

Sirene got up and left the Inn without another word, which slightly confused Vaust. Sirene was normally extremely talkative, so what was going on?