"We're watching you, Oathless." a mustachioed Vigilant soldier reminded Robert as he confiscated the hunter's arms and armor, "We'll tolerate no troublemaking within these walls."
Robert just smiled and dipped his head, uttering a noncommittal "Of course, sir" and informed the guardsman of where he would be staying within the city, as his belongings were checked and doublechecked, his entry papers stamped and filed in triplicate, before being sent along into the city when everything was in order. Normally a trip to a city as large and holy as Vigil would be cause for a spot of peaceful relaxation, but business always comes before pleasure.
Business that led him to a quiet little tavern by the name of The Wall's Mortar, tucked away in the southern shadow of Castle Overwatch, and the last place his quarry had been seen before the trail went cold. A clean, orderly place, Robert noted as he stepped through the front door, but evidently rather unpopular - the balding innkeep's only customers seemed to be a handful of the local peasantry and a pair of disgruntled officers by the fireplace.
"Don't get many Oathless 'round these parts, sah," the pudgy innkeep hailed him down, as Robert made his way towards the bar, "Names Chud, what'll it be today?"
"A room and a word, if you'd please, goodman." Robert replied, stacking a few fat gold coins up on the counter, "I'm looking for an old friend of mine - a wizard, human, with shortcropped hair and a sunburst tattoo across the right side of his jaw. Said he'd meet me here; I don't suppose he's already come by?"
"Aye, aye, sah," Chud nodded, sweeping up the proffered coin, "I remember him keenly, I do. Came 'round just last week. Paid on time, tipped well - said he were off to Hallein Town for some business deal or somethin' when he left just three days back. Hopin' y'manage to catch him in time - gettin' out there can be a pain; I'll show y't'yer room now, if'n it please ye."
Robert nodded, a frown creasing his face as the tavernkeep led him upstairs, thoughts racing: Hallein Town? Vampires? Damn it all - one step forward, two steps back. What're his interests out there? I'll have to leave in the morning to have any hope of catching up - the bastard.
Unfortunately, things never quite seem to go as planned. Robert was greeted by a smiling Chud in the morning, who pressed a letter into his hands, addressed to him from "The Executors of Prof. Petros Lorrimor's Estate". The color draining from him, Robert all but dashed for the door, and the exit to the city - business, after all, can always change.