Walking out again into the streets, Elsa did her best to find her way to Pike Street. It was still quite early and there were not that many people around willing to give directions. The tedious task of extracting the information felt like it was sapping what was left of her willpower.
At last, she found the street she was looking for. Little more than a back-alley, a leaning house cast half the lane into shadow. A wooden pole hung over the building's front door, stripes of white and red paint flaking and faded in the border sun. Even more faded letters were scrawled over the shop-front, advertising the owners' business.
MADAME MORTE, BARBER, SERJEON
&
HERR LEIBER
PURVEYOR OF FINE MEATS AND PASTRIES
VERY RAISONABLE PRYCES
The street was deserted. Taking a step forwards, Elsa became aware of another shadow behind her, and turned around. The familiar shape of Sieghard the mercenary had appeared at the mouth of the alley, looking back at her.