The small town in the Western Empire was swallowed by the night, the streets so quiet that only the footsteps of the patrolling knights could be heard.
No one would guess that the Jade Federation Bi Chao Guild was hiding the Empire's top secret liaison point in this remote town.
An alchemy lamp hung over the desk, the firelight flickering, reflecting the mountainous stacks of ledgers and encrypted files.
Selina Groveur sat behind the desk, browsing through the latest intelligence from the Imperial Capital, the spiral emblem on her chest glinting dark gold in the dim light.
There was a sudden rush of footsteps and a knock on the door outside.
"Come in."
The door was pushed open, and Layton Fromm walked in with a cloak covered in frost, his steps flustered.
Selina looked up at him, somewhat surprised, "It seems your mission encountered a problem."
Layton swallowed, "The Northern Territory... is exposed."
