Dawn arrived wrapped in a thick mist that almost completely concealed the river. As the sun slowly climbed into the sky, the stranded travelers packed up their makeshift camps while the soldiers resumed their posts at the bridge. An officer walked down the line, announcing the council's decision. "The city gates will now reopen. Everyone must identify themselves before entering. Mercenaries are required to present their guild emblems." The conversations quickly resumed. "Finally." "We lost an entire day." "I just hope the market's still open." The line crept forward. When Edric's turn came, a soldier inspected the goods in his wagon and recorded his name in a ledger. "You may pass." Lyra smiled with relief. Then it was Saphryn's turn. The guard looked up at him. "Name." "Saphryn." "Surname?" "I don't use one." The man frowned. "Occupation?" "Traveler." "Mercenary?" "No." "Knight?" "No." The guard studied him once more. The sword at his side, his long coat, and the way he carried himself did not match his answers. "Are you carrying any weapons?" "Yes." "You'll surrender them until you leave the city." Saphryn remained silent for a moment. "I'm afraid I can't do that." The guard rested a hand on his spear. "Those are the regulations." "I understand." His voice remained as calm as ever. "But that sword will not leave my hands." The nearby soldiers turned their attention toward the exchange. One of them stepped forward. "Is there a problem?" "He refuses to surrender his weapon." The newcomer examined Saphryn for a few seconds. "Everyone surrenders their weapons." "Then I won't enter the city." There was no defiance in his words. It was simply a statement of fact. The soldiers exchanged glances. They had expected an argument. None came. Saphryn merely stepped back, ready to leave the line. Just then, a voice rang out from the bridge. "Let him through." Everyone turned. A man in his fifties rode toward them on horseback, accompanied by four guards. He wore a dark green cloak embroidered with Valdoren's crest, and a silver chain rested around his neck. The soldiers immediately bowed their heads. "Lord Magistrate." The magistrate reined in his horse before Saphryn. "Are you the traveler who killed the Garm near Heller?" "I am." "I've also heard you refused to join the Mercenaries' Guild." "That's true." The magistrate smiled faintly. "You don't strike me as someone who goes looking for trouble." "I rarely do." A brief pause. "But trouble has a habit of finding me." Edric couldn't help but chuckle from behind his wagon. Even one of the soldiers smiled before quickly regaining his composure. The magistrate nodded. "You may keep your sword. But if any incident occurs within the city, you'll be the first person we're looking for." "I understand." "Welcome to Valdoren." The great gates slowly swung open. Saphryn crossed the bridge alongside the other travelers. The city was far larger than it had appeared from a distance. Stone-paved streets wound through entire districts filled with workshops and bustling shops. Blacksmiths worked with their doors thrown open, the ringing of hammers blending with the voices of merchants. Stalls overflowed with spices, fabrics, tools, books, and fruit imported from distant kingdoms. At the city's heart stood a grand square dominated by a white marble fountain. From there, four broad avenues branched off toward the different quarters of Valdoren. Lyra gazed around in awe. "I've never seen a city this large." Edric smiled. "You'd better get used to it. You can find almost anything here..." He grinned. "...provided you've got enough coin." Saphryn walked without haste, quietly observing the constant flow of people. Then something caught his attention. Near the marketplace, a crowd had gathered around a bulletin board. It didn't belong to the Mercenaries' Guild. It was the city council's notice board. Among announcements of taxes, trade permits, and royal decrees, one notice stood out. It had been written in bold black ink. A reward of five hundred gold coins will be paid for any information leading to the capture of the person responsible for the murder of Lord Edrik Aerwin. Beneath it was only a brief description. The perpetrator left no witnesses and showed no sign of theft. Saphryn studied the notice for several moments. Not because the reward interested him. But because something about it felt wrong. Far too wrong. A murder without robbery. Without witnesses. And, according to the notice itself... Without a single clue. This had not been a crime of passion. It was the work of someone who had known exactly what they were doing.