I know what Gaedren has done to you. He has wronged me as well. I know where he dwells yet cannot strike at him. Come to my home at Three Lancet Street at sunset. Others like you will be there. Gaedren must face his fate, and justice must be done.

Alexander read the message on the back of the harrowing card once more before flipping it over. His eyes gazed over the drawing of a knight covered in silver and gold armor with a sword in hand and small wings adorning his back. Although he didn't know the exact name of the harrowing figures, he knew that the warrior on the card represented a figure of justice, something he strived to be. Even though his days of a squire ended without him achieving knighthood, Alexander knew what his values were and sought to set a good example for his daughter, Silana, to follow.

Silana, who has been missing for two weeks.

Although he had little evidence to prove it, Alexander quickly suspected Gaedren Lamm of the act during his search for Silana. Although a minor crime lord in Korvosa, Gaedren had earned Alexander's ire when he discovered that he used children in his criminal enterprises, even calling them his "Little Lamms." Alexander couldn't bear Silana suffering that fate. The Korvosan Guard were busy with other investigations to look into Gaedren so he searched alone without success.

Alexander found the harrowing card message when he entered his daughter's room and saw it peeking out of the corner of her favorite book, The Exploring Butterfly. He didn't know how it managed to end up in his house but he knew that this might be the only lead that could save his daughter. Tonight, Garden would face justice, even if it came at the hands of a determined father.

After cutting his black hair short and shaving his facial hair, Alexander pulled an old trunk out of his closet and opened it. Even though it had been two years since he put his gear to use, he often kept himself busy at night keeping his armor and weapon properly maintained. His bare hand ran over the armored coat inside before he took it out and started to don it. Alexander looped a belt around his wait and attached the handle of his flail to it. He strapped a heavy steel shield to his left forearm and glanced towards the mirror in his bedroom. Although he was no knight, he certainly looked the part.

Alexander slammed his free hand against the metal armor across his chest, determined to see his way through the coming night.

The sun was already starting to set when Alexander set out from his home so he walked with haste towards his destination. Only a few people were out on the city streets but paid little attention to the man. Lancet Street was only a few blocks away from his home so he arrived there after several minutes of walking. Alexander, recalling that the message said to meet at sunset, tried his best to be patient and wait for the others. Yet, his desire to rescue his daughter overwhelmed him and he quickly rushed to the house and knocked on the door.

It came as a surprise to Alexander when the door creaked open for him. He stepped inside the house and was greeted with the sweet, mixed aroma of flowers and spice from incense burning in wall-mounted burners that looked like elves with butterfly wings. The tapestries adorning the wall did little to put him at ease. One displayed a beast with a black skull juggling human hearts, another had angels dancing atop a mountain top covered in snow, and a third portrayed a cloaked figure covered in mist, grasping a flaming sword in a skeletal hand. Alexander turned away from the tapestries with a breath and looked at the only furnishings in the room, a wooden table covered by a red cloth surrounded by six tall-backed chairs.

Alexander approached the table and noticed a piece of parchment held onto the table with a stone paperweight. His curiosity getting the best of him, he lifted up the stone to read the parchment, written in the same calligraphy as the note on the harrowing card.

Thank you for coming. I had to step out for a bit, but shall return shortly. Please, have a seat while you wait. The basket under the table contains bread and drink for you.

Given how distracting the tapestries proved to be, Alexander missed that there was a basket covered in a blue cloth under the table. He pulled it out, set it down on the table, and unwrapped the cloth. Just as the note promised, there were about a dozen bread rolls, five empty glasses, and an unopened bottle of red wine. Although he had dinner already, Alexander took a bread roll and hesitantly took a bite out of it. The food was stale but it wasn't terrible. He took another bite, figuring that he needed a full stomach for the trouble he may face. After a moment of thought, he decided not to open the wine, needing to keep his mind sober.

Alexander's ears perked up when he heard a sound by the door. He looked over his shoulder to see a man standing at the door. The stranger was a few inches shorter than Alexander and was slimmer in build compared to the bulky warrior. His skin was tanned with his black hair grown over his shoulders and concealing the side of his face. The stranger was garbed in leather armor with a rapier holstered at his belt, and curiously enough, wore a blue cloak over his shoulders. Alexander had his doubts over trusting the stranger, seeing that his mouth and nose was covered by a blue scarf that acted as a mask. The stranger stepped into the house with his blue eyes settling on the only other occupant.

"Good evening," the stranger bowed his head in greeting. "Were you by chance invited here?"

"I was," Alexander slowly nodded, seeing no reason to lie. "Were you?"

The stranger answered by pulling out a harrowing card from his sleeve, the design of which showed a man juggling fruit in his hands. "Does this answer your question?"

"I suppose it does," Alexander looked the stranger up and down. "You don't look like a juggler."

A muffled laugh escapes from the stranger. "You're right about that. What did your card show?"

"I don't exactly know what each harrowing card means. It was a knight?"

"Mind if I take a look?"

After a moment of hesitation, Alexander pulled his card out and held it out. "Here. Do you know what the harrowing cards mean?"

The stranger took the card and it didn't escape Alexander's notice that he looked on both sides of the card. "I'm no fortune teller, but when I found my card, I did my research into what each one represented. You were given the Paladin, a holy warrior. While I may not be a juggler, you certainly look the part of your card."

"I'm no paladin," Alexander shook his head and held his hand out with his palm up. "My name is Alexander Fletcher. I'm a warrior but I have no special powers granted by the divine."

The stranger returned the card to Alexander's hand. "Call me Indigo."

"I take it that's not your real name though," Alexander noted and put his harrowing card away. "Who are you really?"

"An ally," Indigo answered. "It would be in my best interest to keep my identity concealed for tonight. At the very least, I can assure you that I know how to handle my own in a fight and am genuinely interested in seeing Gaedren brought to justice. Trust that I will work with you and whoever else comes for our common cause."

Alexander struggled to trust Indigo. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was a rogue criminal of some sort. Given that he was going to great lengths to hide his identity, it could be possible that he was also hiding his reason for being here. Against his instincts, Alexander decided to stick through with the plan for tonight. He didn't trust Indigo, but for some reason, he did trust whoever brought them here. Whoever was responsible for the harrowing card messages knew more than they should but they were using that knowledge for good purposes.

The two ended their conversation. Alexander finished his piece of bread while watching Indigo, who walked around the room examining the tapestries. The two were distracted enough that they didn't notice the third arrival, who announced their arrival with an interrupting cough. The two men turned to see a tall and slim elf man. His blond hair was tied back into a ponytail that fell down across his back to leave his pointed ears exposed. As was the case with elves, his green iris made up most of his eyes. While Alexander and Indigo were dressed to fight, the elf was fashionably dressed with a brown jacket covering his white tunic; a pair of brown boots and black trousers finished his look. There was no visible weapon on him although it was possible that it was hidden in the large backpack he carried.

"Has the meeting not started?" the elf asked in a curious yet friendly tone.

"Not yet," Indigo answered.

"You also received a message to come here?" Alexander questioned the elf.

"Yes and I look forward to putting an end to Gaedren's criminal enterprise," the elf said in a determined manner. "Excuse me, but that basket is for us, right?"

Alexander nodded. "It is. We're supposed to wait-"

"I'm starving!" the elf interrupted and walked forward to take a seat. "I get so caught up in my work that I forget to eat. The wine's for us too, right? I could really go for a drink too."

"And just what is your work?" Alexander asked.

"I work as an apothecary," the elf set his backpack down by a chair and opened it. "Oh, but where are my manners? I am Falenas Wayeren of Wayeren's Alchemical Goods. Please, come by the next time you're feeling unwell."

"I'll be sure to check it out. Call me Indigo, and our third is named Alexander."

"How did you get involved in all of this?" Alexander continued his questioning although his tone showed that he didn't doubt Falenas. "What did a crime lord like Gaedren do to you?"

"It's a long story," Falenas started as he took out a dagger from his backpack. "Do you know what shiver is?"

"Like when someone gets really cold?" Alexander guessed with his eyebrow raised.

Indigo snickered behind his mask. "Actually, it's a drug."

Alexander looked away out of embarrassment. Falenas continued while using his dagger to pull the cork out of the wine bottle. "A despicable drug too. It's harvested from dream spider venom and is capable of granting vivid dreams all while the body shivers and shakes, hence the name."

"And Gaedren deals shiver to those who want it?" Indigo asked.

"Indeed he does," Falenas' tone grew quiet for once since his arrival. With the wine bottle open, he poured himself a glass. "My brother overdosed on shiver and I have reason to believe that he obtained it from Gaedren."

"You have my condolences," Alexander bowed his head. "Gaedren will pay for separating another family."

"Thank you," Falenas sat his dagger and the wine bottle on the table. "My evidence wasn't enough to prompt the Korvosan Guard to take action. I was ready to do so myself when I found a harrowing card in my lab."

"And what card were you given?" Indigo asked, stepping forward to the table.

Falenas answered by taking the harrowing card out of his backpack and setting it down on the table. Alexander walked next to Indigo to look down at the card, wondering why the masked stranger was so curious about the cards. Falenas' card depicted a man in stange robes carrying different items of note, such as golden rope and a scroll case. Falenas made no attempt for further explanation, taking a sip from his glass of wine as he reached for a piece of bread. Finally, after several moments of silent thought, Indigo snapped his fingers.

"The Foreign Trader!"

"That's what it is?" Alexander blinked in confusion.

"An apothecary does sell wares so it makes sense," Indigo explained. "And he's an elf too. I imagine that he hails from a foreign land outside the city."

"Actually, I was raised in Korvosa," Falenas corrected, then took a bite from his bread.

"I see," Indigo took a step back, thinking of a way to recover. "But you're still an elf. You have traditions that are different from what Alexander and I follow. Traditions that are foreign."

Falenas swallowed his food quickly. "I was adopted by a human couple and have no recollection of my birth parents. I know very little about elven traditions."

"So, to recap, we have a foreign trader who isn't really a foreigner, a juggler who doesn't juggle, and a paladin who isn't a paladin," Alexander grinned. "I don't think the harrowing cards are exact representations of us."

Indigo shrugged. "I only studied the different cards over the afternoon. I am by no means an expert."

The door opened again, and with Falenas focused on his meal, only Alexander and Indigo turned to greet the new arrival. A woman wearing an armored coat stood in front of the two, although her armor was more silver and regal than Alexander's armor. Her hair was white and her skin pale although her face showed youthful features that put her around Alexander's age (it was impossible to determine Indigo's age with his mask hiding himself). An elaborate necklace of a sword with the sun as its hilt fell down from her neck and she had a sword holstered across her back. Alexander knew that she wasn't human but couldn't figure out what she was from memory.

Indigo gasped. "I wasn't expecting an aasimar to join us tonight."

"And why's that?" the woman asked.

"It's just that there aren't a lot around the city," Indigo explained. "I meant no offense or disrespect. I was just genuinely surprised, that's all."

"Be that as it may, you need not treat me any differently," the woman said with a kind of smile. "I believe that Iomedae has brought all of us here for a reason and I will see that her will is done."

"It seems kind of odd for a goddess to communicate through cards," Alexander commented.

"While she may not have directly given us our messages, I believe that she would approve of us facing Gaedren, a vile man unlike any other," the woman explained, her voice growing intense after mentioning Gaedren. "I do not believe it is a coincidence that we were chosen at random."

"It's possible that whoever brought us here knows of our motives," Indigo thought out loud. "Falenas lost his brother to Gaedren's shiver trade. It's possible that we all have reason to hate Gaedren."

The aasimar looks away with a sigh. "I know Gaedren but I'd rather not share more, please. Just know that I will fight alongside all of you to see his evil come to an end."

"Of course," Indigo nodded solemnly. "Introductions are still in order. I go by Indigo."

"My name is Alexander and the elf at the table is Falenas."

"It is good to meet you all. I am Viera Barlumi," she said then glanced at the table. "Would you mind sharing your food?"

"Help yourself," Falenas answered, downing the rest of his drink. "The wine's nothing special but it goes well enough with the bread. Would you care for a glass?"

"Certainly!" Viera walked forward to join Falenas.

With Viera and Falenas at the table, Alexander whispered to Indigo. "If you won't tell me your name, will you at least tell me what you have against Gaedren?"

Indigo closed his eyes in thought before finally answering in a whisper. "I won't go into too much detail. Someone innocent was framed for a murder that Gaedren is responsible for. If I bring him down, I am likely to find evidence that I need. And what of you? It's only fair that we both know each other's motives."

Alexander hesitated, unsure of whether to trust Indigo, before speaking in a single breath. "He has my daughter."

Indigo's eyes went wide at the revelation. "We'll rescue her. I promise."

"Thank you," Alexander sighed.

Although it took time, Alexander was overcoming his distrust of Indigo. He was already accepting of Falenas and Viera even after the latter hid her motives for joining the group. Even though Indigo was vague about his own reasons, he was making an honest attempt to get to know the group. Maybe Alexander would come to regret his decision, but for now, he would believe that Indigo would not cross the group in any way.

Alexander thought about how many people were in their group when the door opened again for a new arrival. He turned to face a Shoanti man who towered over everyone but Falenas in height. His skin was darkly tanned with long brown hair flowing past his shoulders. Most of his body was covered by a black-and-red traveler's cloak but Alexander caught a quick glimpse of a handaxe on his belt and leather armor underneath the cloak. A bow and quiver of arrows was holstered across his back. His hazel eyes showed a silent yet intense determination.

"Another companion to join us," Indigo said as the new arrival walked forward. "Call me Indigo and with me-"

Indigo gasped when the arrival pushed past him, grunting out a single word. "Takota."

"I see that you're not much of a talker," Indigo chuckled awkwardly.

Takota looked down at the table and threw a single card from his palm onto it. "Where is Gaedren?"

"We don't know," Viera admitted. "We just arrived."

"I was the first to enter," Alexander explained with a nod. "Whoever brought us here may know but they're not here."

Takota walked away from the table to stand by the door with arms crossed. Falenas held up a piece of bread. "Are you hungry, friend?"

"No."

"Suit yourself," Falenas took a bite from the bread and looked at the card. "I like the design of his card. What is it?"

Alexander approached the table to look at Takota's card of a man in a green cloak and hood kneeling by the window. "Looks like a rogue of some sort to me."

"There isn't a card by that name exactly," Indigo explained while examining the card. "I believe that his card is the Locksmith."

"I like Alexander's idea better," Falenas commented with a shrug.

"Do you deal with locks at all?" Indigo asked Takota.

"No."

"Tough luck yet again," Alexander smirked at Indigo. "Maybe you'll get lucky with Viera."

"Get lucky?" Viera raised her eyebrow.

"I've been trying to discover the reason for why we were given certain cards," Indigo answered. "Do you have yours on you?"

Viera shook her head. "I left it where I found it. I do remember that it was a castle on legs."

"A castle on legs?" Alexander repeated in surprise.

"The Keep," Indigo whispered. "I particularly liked the design of that card."

"But Viera certainly isn't a castle," Alexander said and patted his hand against Indigo's back. "You'll figure it out eventually."

Indigo leaned away from Alexander's hand as a muffled laugh escaped from his mask. He left the warrior's side to sit with Falenas and Viera and join them in conversation. Alexander glanced at them briefly, then toward Takota, who remained by the door, silent yet watching the rest of the group. It was possible that there were others that were intended to join them, but as of now, he liked the way that the group was coming together. Everyone seemed capable in their own ways. He grew more confident at the prospect of rescuing Silana from Gaedren. All they needed to know was where they needed to go.

The door opened again, and this time, everyone turned to look at the door at the woman who entered the house. Unlike the others that have come before, she wasn't any sort of fighter. She was middle-aged although there was a certain attractiveness to her, and had her black hair covered by a small red covering. The woman wore plain brown clothes and carried in her hands a deck of cards that she shuffled in her hands. She smiled toward the group and Alexander realized that although she wasn't a fighter, she was the reason that they were here to begin with.

"Thank you for coming, all of you. My name is Zellara Esmeranda. I hope you didn't mind my way of getting in touch with you all. Please, have a seat. We have much to talk about."

Alexander took a seat at one of the open chairs with Takota walking to another. "It's no problem at all. Your message came at a time of need."

"I'm curious as to how you managed the delivery," Falenas commented. "I keep my store locked up tight during closing hours yet you still pulled it off."

"I'd be happy to explain how once our business is concluded," Zellara smirked and took a seat at the opposite end of the table. "I had my reason for staying hidden. A vicious man would see me killed if he knew I was seeking help."

"You speak of Gaedren Lamm," Indigo said.

Zellara nodded. "You're right. Gaedren is a man whose cruelty and capability to destroy lives is only matched by his ability to avoid reprisal. It was a year ago when he had his thieves steal my harrowing deck from me. Not only is it my way of making a living as a fortune teller but it is also a family heirloom passed down from generations. Given how important it is, my son, Eran, stole it back and returned it to me, but he was killed by Gaedren's thugs soon after."

"I'm terribly sorry for your loss," Alexander bowed his head solemnly. "A parent shouldn't have to lose their child."

"You know my pain well," Zellara said with her eyes showing appreciation.

"Did the Korvosan Guard not do anything?" Viera asked.

"Our legal system isn't perfect," Indigo muttered. "Someone who's been around as long as Gaedren would know how to use it to his advantage."

"The Korvosan Guard turned me away but I didn't give up. I bribed other criminals and consulted my harrow deck, and finally, I know where Gaedren now dwells."

"Where?" Takota asked impatiently.

"A fishery at Westpier Seventeen to the north but I must ask that you wait before storming off," Zellara said, her warning directed only at Takota. "Gaedren trains abducted children to become his pickpockets."

"Silana…" Alexander whispered.

"We have to save the children he took," Viera said with determination.

Falenas tapped his finger on his chin. "I take it that since you're telling us, we're not supposed to go to the Korvosan Guard."

Zellara nodded again. "Even if we could, the Korvosan Guard moves slowly, and Gaedren would know of their coming. I'm not a fighter, but each of you are capable in your own way. He's evaded imprisonment for decades, and I know that he's wronged each and every one of you, so I am asking you to end his life."

"I'll kill him myself," Takota declared.

"You'll need help," Zellara smiled. "What do the rest of you say?"

The other four remained silent. Alexander had hoped for a way to bring Gaedren to the Korvosan Guard to stand trial for his crimes. In the back of his mind, he knew that killing the criminal was likely why they were here, an idea that stood against his law-abiding ideals. He thought about how Silana may think of him when she turns older over how he broke the law. In the end, that would be a bridge he would have to cross when it came time to. Gaedren kidnapped his daughter and he would pay the price for it.

"I'm in," Alexander slowly said.

"My hatred for Gaedren doesn't extend to wanting to murder him, but I do agree that he needs to die," Indigo said. "I'll do my part."

"Iomedae, if this isn't the path you desire, please show me another way," Viera prayed quietly, then nodded. "I'll join you."

"It seems like everyone has made up their mind," Falenas said with a shrug. "I might as well join in."

"Now let's go," Takota stood up from his chair.

Zellara held up a hand. "One last thing. I would like to perform a harrowing before you leave. It may help you in the days to come."

Alexander wasn't sure of how true a harrowing was, but when he saw how Zellara was clearing up the table to perform one, he knew that she wouldn't take no for an answer. Falenas grabbed his dagger and the two cards on the table. Viera and Indigo remained seated, and surprisingly, Takota returned to his seat, although he crossed his arms impatiently. Finally, Zellara set the deck down on the table and held out nine cards in her hand.

"First, we must perform the Choosing," Zellara explained. "These cards will determine your individual role in events to come. Please, draw a card."

Falenas took a card and looked at it, keeping it away from other's vision. "Are we allowed to show others?"

"It's not like we're playing a game of golem," Indigo chuckled.

Zellara nodded. "Please, show us your card. I'll need to see it to know what it means."

Falenas flipped his card over the table, showing a dark forest with three lights of blue, red, and green. "I have no idea what that means."

"It's alright," Zellara smirked. "You have chosen the Demon's Lantern. You will face many difficult situations. It is likely that you will be confronted by those you deem your allies."

"Wonderful," Falenas said, smiling despite the sarcasm in his voice.

Alexander drew next and set his card down on the table. "It's… a rabbit in clothes?"

"That is the Rabbit Prince," Zellara explained. "You're not a violent man but you will likely be subjected to the whims of one and forced to fight. You must stand your ground when the time comes."

"All that from a rabbit," Alexander muttered.

"I'll go next," Indigo took out a card and set it down, revealing an elf spinning around. "That's the Dancer, isn't it?"

"I wasn't expecting you to know about the harrowing," Zellara said with a nod. "As the Dancer, you will be surrounded by chaos. Yet, throughout it all, you must stay in harmony and never miss a move."

"Of course," Indigo said, then glanced towards Alexander. "I may not be a juggler but I know my way around a dance floor."

Alexander chuckled. "You might want to keep wearing that mask in case your wrong."

Viera pulled a card out and set it down with two at the table recognizing what it was. "Why is this man throwing fruit in the air?"

"He's juggling," Indigo explained. "That's the card I was given for my message."

"The Juggler is the master of performing multiple roles at once," Zellara explained. "You may be overwhelmed by what is to come and given many responsibilities but you must take it one step at a time."

"Thank you," Viera clasped her hands together. "I shall take your advice into account."

Takota took his card and silently placed it on the table, leaving Zellara to explain what it meant. "The Avalanche represents the crush of overwhelming force. Sturdy as you may be, you must be careful or else you may be swept aside by the rage of the mountain."

Takota gave a nod yet remained silent. Zellara quickly claimed the cards and shuffled them back into the deck. Although Alexander wasn't too certain if the harrowing would reveal his future, he couldn't deny that he was interested in how it was done. He figured that it would be something that he may look into more after his business with Gaedren is concluded. With the deck shuffled, Zellara drew nine cards and placed them face down on the table in a three-by-three spread.

"What's next with the reading?" Alexander asked, curious.

"Each column represents the past, present and future," Zellara explained. "Depending on what card is placed where, a card's message could be aligned and of extreme importance, misaligned to represent a momentous occasion, or both."

"Both?" Falenas questioned.

"The harrowing can be open to interpretation," Zellara said and flipped over the three cards on the left. "The Marriage, the Betrayal, and the Courtesan represent the past."

"And what importance does the past have for us?" Indigo asked.

"The message of the Betrayal is blurred," Zellara said, focused on the cards. "I can safely say that the Courtesan revolves around political intrigue and how it has shaped the path you are on now. Meanwhile, the Marriage covers an union of people or ideas."

"Politics didn't really have anything to do with how I've got involved with Gaedren," Falenas said and shook his head.

"Maybe it relates to the Korvosan Guard?" Viera offered but didn't sound convinced herself.

"Or perhaps there is more to the harrowing than Gaedren," Indigo suggested. "I can't see who Gaedren has possibly united with in the past as well, so it could be that there is something else to our future. What does the Betrayal mean?"

"Traditionally, the Betrayal refers to how selfishness leads to ruin, which could be Gaedren's criminal ways," Zellara continued. "However, its message could be misaligned, which represents a noble sacrifice. Perhaps it was someone in your past who sacrificed themselves to get you to where you are today."

No one who fit that description stuck out to Alexander, and based on the silence of the others, they thought the same. Either the harrowing was just for show, or as Indigo suggested, there was more to their fate than dealing with Gaedren. Zellara continued on with her harrowing, flipping over the three cards in the middle row.

"For the present, we have the Hidden Truth, the Crows, and the Publican," Zellara continued with her fortune telling. "It's more straightforward than the past at least. The Publican is a sign of camaraderie, which definitely means the gathering we have here. It wouldn't surprise me if after Gaedren was dealt with that you would all remain together. Meanwhile, even though it is only a partial match, the Crows represents Gaedren's role in your lives. One message is how he took your loved ones away while another takes note that you can stop his criminal ways. Either way, that's good for you."

Zellara paused when motioning over the Hidden Truth, prompting Indigo to speak up. "I take it that the Hidden Truth isn't as straightforward as the rest of the present."

"You would be right," Zellara nodded. "It's a partial match so it has multiple messages. One interpretation could be seeing past the obvious while another refers to a dangerous secret."

"Maybe it still revolves around Gaedren," Viera said. "Maybe there's more to him than meets the eye."

"If so, we must be cautious," Alexander said with a nod.

Although Alexander was skeptical of the present's message and if Zellara's ability was true, he was coming along to believe it. At the very least, the fortune teller knew how Silana was taken by Gaedren and likely knew the secrets of his other newfound companions. While the fortune she told was vague, he believed that there was some sort of power at work, even if he couldn't understand it. Finally, Zellara flipped over the remaining cards on the right column, revealing the future to the group. One card in particular stood out to Alexander as he recognized his own card in the bottom corner of the spread.

"The Midwife, the Snakebite, and the Paladin represent the future," Zellara explained. "Both the Midwife and the Snakebite are partial matches and have multiple interpretations of what is to come. The Midwife represents arrival, whether it is the arrival of new heroes such as yourself, or the arrival of villains even more dangerous than Gaedren. The Snakebite stands for power that poisons, but at the same time, it could stand for a sign of great health."

"Not that I take stock in this, but perhaps I can help with the great health," Falenas commented. "I am a healer of sorts."

"And of the Paladin?" Alexander asked.

Zellara nodded although her lips curled down in a frown. "The Paladin is on the opposite of where it should be. While it normally suggests standing against evil, when it is misaligned like it is now, it is only a warning of the opposite. If you stand against an adversary now, it will lead to pain and suffering. Instead, you must bide your time and wait for the moment to hold your ground."

"Does this mean that if I go against Gaedren now, something bad will happen?" Alexander questioned, his tone showing doubt over his presence now.

"Gaedren must be punished," Zellara told him. "I believe that he isn't the one it would be foolhardy to be against."

"I agree," Indigo nodded. "If we look at previous interpretations, we can see signs of something more powerful than us emerging. That is what we cannot stand against."

"Are we supposed to let evil run rampant then?" Viera questioned, shaking her head. "If we can stop Gaedren, we can stop whatever is to come."

"Maybe so but not without consequences," Indigo countered.

"We're wasting time," Takota grunted. "Is there anything else you need to tell us before we hunt Gaedren?"

Zellara shook her head. "The harrowing is complete. You know what must be done."

Takota stood up and walked to the exit. Falenas sighed. "He's not much for words, is he?"

"The harrowings I've read before has shown that each of you have personal reasons to see Gaedren dead," Zellara watched Takota as he left. "Watch over him tonight and the days to come. His desire for revenge drives him now but I cannot see what he will do afterwards."

"I'll make sure that we all get through the night," Viera declared. "Let's get going."

"Thank you for everything, Zellara," Alexander said and stood up. "We will avenge your son."

Zellara smiled kindly and slowly started to shuffle her harrowing deck. Falenas stood up from his chair, and after stretching, grabbed his backpack to make for the door. Indigo gave a quick nod to Alexander before following the others out of Zellara's house. While the warrior had his own worries about how the group would fare, he knew that he wouldn't leave them be. Tonight was the night that Gaedren would face justice in the afterlife and that Silana would be saved. With determination fueling him, Alexander followed after the rest of his newfound group to the fishery Gaedren hid in.

Author Notes: Hello. I'm Archer and this is my first Pathfinder fanfic.

A little bit about me. I've been writing for several years at this point but have been on and off posting, previously due to school but now with work. I'm a recent fan of Pathfinder after playing with a few friends and have read through the adventures, which I honestly enjoy a little more compared to the adventures published for Dungeons and Dragons. It was only a matter of time before I started writing Pathfinder fanfic.

As some of you may know, November is National Novel Writing Month and I have chosen this story as my project for this year. With this chapter, I'm almost to six thousand words, which is a little behind my schedule but I hope to catch up. Expect a lot of updates over the month and maybe afterwards, we'll have to see.

For those of you who are wondering, yes I am aware that Rise of the Runelords comes before Curse of the Crimson Throne. The reason I chose Crimson Throne first is because I've already started writing a story for Rise of the Runelords, and while the first chapter isn't done, it can't qualify for NaNoWriMo.

I'll admit that this is a bit of a longer chapter as it is mainly to help with introductions. Next chapter will have some excitement as we start to see some combat. If you enjoy the story, feel free to follow it or me or leave a review.

Until next time.