Although it suffered from rampant chaos and total anarchy, Provoka was a beautiful city. The third largest on the Aldean, it was right on the ocean. While the port itself saw little to no legitimate traffic these days, the markets district was still rather lively. Although Captain Bikke's crew and their allies raided the shops frequently, the almighty gil remained the true supreme ruler. Local traders and caravanners from the nearby desert managed to eke out an existence in this lawless city.

Because it was not subject to the tariffs and customs restrictions of the other nation-states, Provoka was a wellspring of rare and valuable items- provided you knew where to look. Yes, knowing where to look. That was the key. Unfortunately, Gilles Arkham didn't have a clue where to start.

He hated the briny scent of sea air, and he didn't like this city. This is foolishness! He thought. You came here on a whim spawned of a rumor. You really think you'll find another crystal?

"Watch it!" A young girl barked as she slammed into him from behind. "Outta the way, geezer!"

Insolent cretin! Gilles turned to glower at her, but she was already gone. He quickly checked his robes to make sure his coin purse was still there. It was.

He really stood out from the crowd. Although he wasn't tall at all, the majority of the townsfolk seemed dressed for summer, or seafaring, or thievery. His clothes, his face- or lack thereof, and his hat were a dead giveaway that he was a black mage. Obviously uncommon in these parts, he was a ripe target for pickpockets. Mages where known to carry lots of money, scrolls, spell components and alchemical ingredients on them at all times. Gilles was actually surprised he hadn't been accosted more than he already had. He had thought about casting Shock Spikes on himself, but in such a crowded street there were plenty of people who bumped into him for perfectly innocent reasons, and that would just be irresponsible. Tempting, but irresponsible.

Might as well get a room at an inn... He thought. He walked until he came to the nearest hostel that didn't look like too much of a seedy dive, and went inside.

The front lobby doubled as a pub, which was what he was looking for. Bards played some particularly awful music in the corner and a scantily clad dancing girl did her thing on a tabletop while men gambled and drank all about. Gilles walked up to the bar and sat at a stool, placed two gil on the counter and nudged the barkeep.

"Whatever you recommend, so long as it's not too hard." The barkeep balked at the request but poured the mage a drink.

Gilles looked around the room some more. There was the usual assortment of sailors and off-hours laborers about, but there was one figure in particular that caught his attention. A tall figure in extravagant red cloaks and a plumed hat sat at a far table; nursing a bottle of mulsum.

He picked up his tankard and walked over to where the man sat. The style of his clothes were very much in vogue, especially amongst Cornelian aristocracy, but the color of his garb suggested a particular trade rather than a social rank.

The black mage closed to a polite distance and stood there until the man acknowledged his presence. He didn't.

"Excuse me sir-" The man then jerked in a most undignified manner. At first Gilles had thought he was ignoring him, but now it appeared that he had been genuinely unaware of his presence.

"Ahem! Yes! Yes, what is it?" The man asked, acknowledging his existence for the first time. "Can I help you with something?"

"I hope so... May I sit?"

"Of course."

Gilles pulled out a chair and sat down. "I couldn't help but notice your attire, are you a warlock?"

"Indeed I am." The man replied. "I'm assuming you're a black magic specialist." He extended his hand. "My name is Duane Sorel."

"Gilles Arkham." The two mages shook hands.

"So, what brings you to the lovely city of Provoka?" Duane asked.

"I'm looking for something... magical. I heard a rumor that it could be found here, have you heard anything?"

"I hear lots of things." Duane replied. "But I too have a particular interest in magical artifacts- for obvious reasons. What specifically are you looking for?"

"A crystal. A small, palm-sized, nondescript, uncut gemstone. One of only four in the entire world."

Duane frowned. "One of the legendary elemental crystals from Lukhan's Prophecy?"

"I don't put much stock in prophecies."

Duane smiled. "Nor do I, but why are you searching for something so whimsical as a gem that can control the forces of nature?"

"Don't you see the power you could obtain with such an item?"

Duane shrugged. "No, all I see is a lot of wasted time searching for something like that. They're supposed to be defunct anyway, assuming they even exist..."

"Oh, they exist-" Gilles trailed off.

Duane looked at him cockeyed. "What makes you so sure?"

The black mage's blazing yellow eyes narrowed to slits and he glanced about the room anxiously. "I've seen one."

"Crystals are a rather mundane geological phenomenon, if I'm not mistaken."

Gilles sighed, then reached down his collar. He produced a long silver chain with an enormous green crystal. "Okay, I have one."

"By the gods!" Duane exclaimed in a hushed tone.

Gilles continued. "I've heard tell that another of the four is here on this continent, and recently turned up in the possession of a local thief. Knowing thieves, he would have likely recognized the monetary value above the historical significance and pawned it off. You, being a red mage, would likely be able to point me in the direction of Provoka's covert magical items market."

Duane just sat there, not saying anything until Gilles put the crystal back under his cloak. "Where did you get that?" He finally asked.

"It belonged to my late master. He willed it to me before he died, but never told me of its existence."

"Where are you from?" Duane asked.

"Gaia."

"Gaia? my, you do get around, don't you? I suppose that's the Wind Crystal then?"

Gilles nodded. "Will you help me or not?"

"Of course! I'm chasing that same rumor myself!"

Gilles winced in annoyance, but held his tongue by finishing off the last of his drink. "Well then, shall we?"

"Absolutely." Duane stood and put his gloves on. "Let's go shopping."