The day had been especially auspicious for Graham; not only had the mistress of the house returned safely, but she’d also brought along guests that she seemed to be getting along with. Graham couldn’t remember the last time Ms. Torohar had looked so happy.

But perhaps best of all, he’d gotten a fantastic deal on eggs just now.

Graham walked down the sidewalk, the light of streetlamps cutting away the darkness of night; he whistled a quiet tune as the last of the night markets closed around him, small groups of workers stowing their remaining stock back into their stores.

He’d been lucky to hit them as late as he did, half expecting to find many of the stalls out of stock for the night. The last stall on the sidewalk, however, had just replenished, thought they didn’t expect any customers this late. After a bit of haggling, his coin purse was lighter, and Graham had everything he needed to cook a proper breakfast for the mistress’s company tomorrow morning. All he had to do was wait for the delivery, which should arrive before any of them would awake.

Graham smiled as he waved to a pair of stall owners.

Today truly had been a great one, food business aside. He was elated that Ms. Torohar had finally arrived home, and with so many new friends to boot. He couldn’t remember the last time she had company over, let alone company who would be sharing the house. Perhaps that subtle gloom that hung over her, late at night, would finally dispel itself. Perhaps she’d find more time to enjoy herself, rather than attend to the endless stack of papers on her desk.

It would be a welcome change of pace.

As he passed by another stall, waving at the owners, a movement caught his eye.

A tall man stepped out from an alleyway, shadows melting from him as he stepped into the light. The owners that Graham waved at immediately turned, and retreated into their store, shutting the door quietly behind them.

Every ounce of cheer burned away within him, as Graham recognized the wide-brimmed, purple hat, black eyepatch, and dark skin of a Drow.

The Drow immediately fell in line with Graham, as they continued down the sidewalk.

“Hello Graham.” He said in a deep voice. “Haven’t spoken to you in quite some time. How’s everything?”

“Fine.” Graham said, refusing to look at the Drow; he glanced across the street, hoping to catch the eye of a City Watch, but could find none.

In fact, the street seemed empty.

The Drow let out a tsk.

“Angry already? And I’ve barely said twenty-one words yet.”

“You just did.”

“Ah, if you say so.”

Anger rose in his chest; Graham stopped and whirled on the Drow, who stepped back, his visible eye wide, lips pulled into an amused smile, one not unlike a cat toying with an already dead mouse.

“What the hell do you want?!” Graham spat. “My evening was going just fine before you showed up!”

“Oh my, someone’s angry.”

“What the fuck –”

“Now Graham,” the Drow said; he lowered his head and eyed him under the brim of his purple hat. “don’t get pissy with me now. Wouldn’t want a repeat of last time, would we?”

An itch, deep within his skin, flared in his lower back. He shoved the feeling aside and sucked in a deep breath.

“Fine. Sorry. What do you want?”

“Oh, I just happened to be in the area. Stopped by your house a while ago,” Dread settled in Graham’s chest. “but no one was home. Werond did come back tonight…did she not?”

Graham stared at the Drow.

“I asked a question –”

“Yes, she did.”

“See, wasn’t that easy to answer? I’ll have to come back another time then. But that doesn’t explain why you ordered so much food just now. She have company?”

“How long were you –”

“Graham.” The Drow said, voice firm.

“Yes.”

“Oh joy.” The Drow said. “Well, I can’t wait to meet them.”

“We’d all prefer if you didn’t.”

“Ah, Werond would say something similar.”

The Drow tipped his hat and grinned, revealing a set of gleaming white teeth.

“Well then, I must be off. Business calls. Perhaps I’ll stop by soon, chat up Werond a little. Thank you, Graham. Helpful as always.”

The Drow turned on his heel and began sauntering back up the road, whistling the same tune that Graham had been whistling just moments before.

Graham watched the Drow until he rounded the corner in the road and disappeared.

In a now deserted street, he looked up at the moon, and swore at every god he knew.