Silence prevailed for a few moments. The girl took her opportunity to scan the room. A lantern sat on the table between them casting a soft, warm glow on the wooden table. A single bed lay in the corner, untouched. A large travelling pack sat at the foot of the bed. The rest of the room was bare. The girl was surprised. For such an infamous thief, he did live very simply. She wondered if he even had a home, or perhaps, more likely, he was a wanderer content to drift from inn to inn.

The man broke the silence first.

"Well? You came all this way just to stare at me? If I'd wanted that I would have gone to the royal court where all the fancy ladies dwell. They say I'm irresistible."

The girl looked up with surprise. The voice was not one she had expected. It was young, smooth, not one she would have associated with The Ghost. She couldn't see his face, but his build didn't seem all that imposing. The man noticed her surprise.

"Ah yes, alas, you have noticed. Terrifying by reputation, The Ghost takes every last gold coin, every pearl necklace no matter how heavily guarded the vault. Yet here I am, young, seemingly harmless and devilishly attractive."

The girl found her voice.

"I want the information I came for," she said reaching into her thick clock and laying the sack of coins on the table. It made a soft clink as she put it there.

"Give me the information. The money's all there. 50 silver crowns as you requested."

"Of course, madam, but first, tell me your name."

"That is of no importance to you," came the slightly annoyed reply.

"It is of utmost importance. You expect me to meet a woman and not find out her name? That's against my morals," scoffed the man.

"Fine. Tell me yours first."

"Well played. You have beaten me at my own game. My name is The. Last name, Ghost."

The girl rolled her eyes, tired of the act. She stood up ready to leave.

"If you're not going to help me, may I suggest some advice?"

"Of course," he replied rather politely.

"Get a life."

And without a backwards glance she stormed out of the room and down the stairs. She gave a nod to the bar maid and stepped over the bearded, laughing man who was still on the floor and stepped outside into the cool night. Still angry, she headed for the main street that would take her to the outskirts of the city where she would be alone.

Back in the room, the young man leaned lazily back on his chair.

"Perhaps I should apologise," he sighed to himself. A few moments passed as he weighed up his decision. Standing up, he grabbed his pack and left a few of the silver crowns on the table for the rent. He too stepped out onto the alleyway just in time to see the back of a cloak slip around the corner towards the main street. He followed.