Empire City was on Rubina’s southern coast, a tourist area that attracted people from all over Kronos. Jarrod Stone found himself on one of the daily carriages that brought vacationers from the big cities in the North. The carriages passed through orchards and vineyards that filled the air with their perfume. Oranges, apples, cherries and even strawberries were on both sides of the road. The city itself was laid out in a circle with the best taverns in the middle.

“Drop you at the closest inn, sir?”, the driver asked.

“No, I plan to be the guest of some lovely young woman this evening. Drop me at the tavern so that I can meet her.” Jarrod sat back and waited till they reached the tavern. He carried a single large pack which he lived out of. He was just over six-foot-tall, with shoulder length, light colored hair and a clean-shaven chin. He was broad of shoulder, built for action; but only carried a long dagger for protection. He had left home as a young man and never looked back.

“We’re here sir.”, the driver announced.

Jarrod got out, paid the driver and stood there checking out the town that he had heard so much about. There were at least a dozen taverns in sight. The large type that became boisterous at night, the quiet type where a man could reconnect with a wife or lover. There were bars just for men, where you could overdrink and not shame yourself in front of any women. There were bars where you could relax to music, there were spots where you could be guaranteed to leave with a woman on your arm.

Jarrod found an Inn that obviously catered to a more upscale crowd. Going in, he found tradesmen, businessmen, members of influential houses and even some lesser nobles. Leaving his pack with the door man, he made his way to the bar. The place was well lit and smelled of cuts of beef being grilled on the open pit. The floors were sanded wood that had been stained and oiled to a slight sheen. The bar itself was heavy, hewn from a single large log of wood, that was stained and sealed with a shiny waterproof finish. The barman greeted him as he seated himself at the bar.

Jarrod ordered himself a drink, then looked around the room for an opportunity. Across the room was a group of young men, all in their mid-twenties. They were laughing and drinking freely and tossing money around like it was nothing special. Two of them were playing with their daggers, getting ready to toss them at a target in the corner. Jarrod walked over with his wide, inviting smile.

“I’m just in time!”, Jarrod said walking up to the group. They all stopped their conversation to see what this stranger was talking about. “I haven’t seen either of you throw, I just arrived in town today; but I’ll wager ten crowns on this fellow”, he clapped one of the men on the shoulder. “I don’t know why; but putting a wager down makes any activity more enjoyable!”, he said heartily.

They warmed to him immediately, as everyone did. After hours of drinks and well told lies, he parted company with them, pockets full of their coin. He had his eye on a lady who appeared to be cultured and far too pretty to be drinking alone. She had noticed him too. Walking over to her table, he gave her a smile that could easily have been taken as overconfidence in a lesser man. He touched the barmaid’s arm as he was sitting.

“Wine please, strong and sweet with a touch of earthiness.” He gave her a long appraising look. She smiled coyly, pretending that she didn’t love every second of it.

“Jarrod Stone. Nice to make your acquaintance.”

“Sierra, nice to meet you too.”, she finished the glass she had been drinking and pushed it to the middle of the table. “You made quite a bit of money over there.”

“I would try to impress you by offering to spend some of it on you; but you have your own money and that sort of thing wouldn’t interest you.”

“True, and true. I was just noting, you play with that knife like it’s a violin, are you some kind of cutthroat?”

“Tossing knives for sport is but one of my talents; but I assure you, I only carry a knife for self-defense. I don’t go looking for trouble. Speaking of trouble, what sort of hidden talents do you have?”

“Well…, I could make claims and then do my best to make you believe they’re true; but a simple demonstration is always more convincing. After we drink your wine, let’s retire to my suite.”

“You’re a breath of fresh air, my dear Sierra.”

Jarrod woke up abruptly as someone was pushing at him. He opened his eyes to see a maid with a look of terror on her face, doing her best to not only wake him; but get him out of bed. Stepping out of bed, he was completely naked; but the maid seemed far too agitated to care. She was picking clothes off the floor and pushing them into his open hands. Quickly as he could, he put on his pants, shirt and was getting ready to put on his boots when the maid started urging him to exit via the window. He looked out, and there was a large bush below the second story window, that was supposed to break his fall. That’s when he heard voices in the hall. Male voices. Hoping for the best, he leapt out head-first, and tumbled in the air so that he would hit the bush with his back.

Somewhere, in the not too far off distance, he could hear hounds barking. They were hot on a trail, and he was pretty sure that it was him that they were hunting. Hiding behind the bush, he was able to get his boots on. His pack would have to wait for another day. Not seeing anyone, he made a beeline for the nearest section of the perimeter wall. The cottage was part of a larger, very exclusive collection of residences for the rich and powerful. The grounds were meticulously taken care of, and a white plastered wall, about ten feet high, went around the entire lot. When he reached the fence, he hit it with his foot, stepped up before his boot could slip, and grabbed a hold of the top of the wall. He lifted himself up and over in shot and he was gone.

Jarrod was not a fan of close calls; but this was by far, not his first. He was dusting his hands off and had made it to the road that went around the resort before they found him. He did his best to play innocent; but a lack of concrete proof only helps in court. In the court of public opinion, he was guilty and that was enough in Empire City to get you time in jail.