Unlike the lavish evening ball, this time Jamie and Thomas opted for more modest attire. They donned brown robes accented with intricate patterns of vibrant orange. The simplicity of their garments belied the significance of their mission, a deliberate choice to blend subtly into their surroundings rather than draw unnecessary attention.

The carriage they rode in was the same one from the last time, but today, Thomas held the reins. He sat confidently atop the driver's perch, guiding the pair of horses through the streets of the Noble Quarter. The district was a tapestry of opulent mansions and manicured gardens.

"It's better this way," Jamie remarked from inside the carriage. "I doubt that, even if any of our enemies attempt to attack, they'd be able to accomplish much against you."

Thomas glanced back over his shoulder, his eyes meeting Jamie's through the open window. "I'll make sure of that," he replied.

"But if the worst should happen, make sure to unleash whatever is necessary," Jamie commanded.

Thomas nodded, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Yes, sir."

"Do you think merely knowing the sewers will be enough?" Thomas inquired after a stretch of silence, his tone contemplative.

"What do you mean?" Jamie asked.

"To secure her as our ally," Thomas clarified, his gaze fixed on the road ahead.

"Ah," Jamie mused, leaning back against the plush interior of the carriage. He paused, considering everything he knew. "Unlikely," he admitted. "But I have other cards up my sleeve. This is merely the one favor we'll offer her, to demonstrate that we're interested in establishing something substantial, not just a fleeting alliance born of convenience during a crisis."

Thomas contemplated this, his grip steady on the reins. "And we do want something substantial?"

"We do," Jamie affirmed. "Once we unify the Lower Quarter, we'll need allies. Particularly if our actions raise concerns among those in the Commercial Quarter."

Thomas gave a slight nod of understanding. The notion of unifying the Lower Quarter seemed an ambitious feat, even if they had already dismantled two of the three major gangs that had long plagued the district.

'We're closer than we think,' they both reflected silently.

Minutes later, they arrived at the entrance of Maria von Hafenstadt's estate. The mansion stood as an architectural marvel, a blend of elegance and grandeur, surrounded by wrought-iron gates adorned with intricate filigree. The driveway was abuzz with activity, a myriad of carriages arriving and departing, though the gathering was less extravagant than the grand ball.

Thomas skillfully guided the carriage to a halt near the main entrance. "Here we are," he announced.

Jamie stepped out onto the cobblestone path, adjusting the sleeves of his robe. "Thank you," he said, glancing up at his companion.

"I'll find a place to wait," Thomas replied. "Signal if you need anything."

Jamie offered a reassuring smile. "I will."

As Thomas drove the carriage away, Jamie began his approach toward the mansion. The pathway led through an immaculately kept garden, where blossoms of every shade adorned the neatly trimmed hedges.

A series of elegant tents had been erected amidst the greenery, their canopies shimmering in the sunlight. Guests milled about within and around them, seated on ornate chairs or strolling along the garden's paths. Laughter and the murmur of conversations floated on the air.

"Construction materials," one stout merchant lamented, wiping sweat from his brow. "I've invested everything I have to bring clay, sand, and granite from the mountains. But with monsters prowling the roads, it's nearly impossible to make any profit. The risks are too great, my caravans are constantly under threat."

Another man, tall and gaunt with a lined face etched by worry, nodded grimly. "Weapons aren't much better," he added. "Hafenstadt is so distant from the iron mines. The cost of transport is exorbitant, and with the recent attacks, the supply lines are unreliable at best."

Jamie listened attentively, his hands clasped behind his back. He could feel the weight of their concerns, the shared anxiety of those whose livelihoods teetered on the brink.

Each face bore the same expression: a yearning for opportunity, a desperate search for a solution. Some glanced wistfully toward the horizon, perhaps contemplating prospects in other cities, while others stared vacantly, lost in their own thoughts.

'If they don't see opportunities here, they'll leave,' Jamie mused. 'And that's exactly what Maria wishes to prevent.'

He knew that the exodus of such influential figures would further destabilize Hafenstadt. Jamie pondered how he might influence the situation, and how he could tip the scales in favor of stability.

Moving gracefully through the clusters of guests, Jamie engaged in light conversation, offering sympathetic nods and thoughtful remarks. He absorbed every snippet of information about the city's struggles, the disrupted trade routes, the growing presence of bandits, the looming threat of the Inquisition.

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As he mingled, the chatter around him began to quiet. A subtle shift rippled through the crowd. Jamie followed their gazes to the edge of the garden, where Maria made her entrance.

She moved with the poise of a seasoned diplomat. Dark hair cascaded in artful curls over her shoulders, and her eyes gleamed with intelligence and resolve. Maria was a woman who commanded attention, and she wielded it with practiced ease.

"Don't worry, Mr. Langford," she assured a textile merchant, her voice warm yet authoritative. "I'll allocate additional guards to ensure your cotton shipments reach their destinations safely."

She touched his arm lightly, a gesture that conveyed both empathy and assurance. The merchant's tense shoulders relaxed, gratitude evident in his expression.

Maria continued through the assembled guests, offering tailored solutions to each concern. She was a master at this dance. Politicking with grace, quelling fears, and securing alliances. Her charm was a tool, and she wielded it expertly.

Yet, despite her attentiveness to others, Maria seemed to be deliberately avoiding Jamie. She navigated the gathering in a way that kept them apart, engaging with those on the far side of the garden. However, Jamie didn't miss the occasional glances she cast his way. Measured, appraising, as if she were assessing his place in her larger scheme.

'What kind of game is she playing?' Jamie wondered, his curiosity piqued.

Jamie meandered along a cobblestone path winding through the lush greenery, eventually reaching a secluded corner of the garden. A stone bench beckoned beneath the shade of a blossoming cherry tree, its petals drifting gently to the ground like delicate pink snow.

He sat down, the cool stone a welcome respite from the warmth of the day. From this vantage point, he could observe the party at a comfortable distance.

His reverie was interrupted by the soft rustle of footsteps approaching. Turning slightly, Jamie saw a young maid making her way toward him. She wore a simple yet crisp uniform, her hair neatly pinned beneath a modest cap.

"Excuse me, sir," she said softly, offering a respectful curtsey. "Lady Maria sends her regards and hopes you're enjoying the gathering."

Jamie offered a polite smile. "Thank you," he replied. "It's a lovely event."

The maid hesitated for a moment before continuing. "She wishes to invite you for a private conversation in the east pavilion if it pleases you."

"Please, show me the way," Jamie said, rising from his seat and accepting the invitation with a polite nod.

The maid offered a slight curtsy, her eyes respectfully lowered. "This way, sir," she said softly. She led him through the corridors of the mansion.

As they reached the second floor, the maid guided him down a quiet hallway lined with tall windows draped in heavy velvet curtains.

She stopped before an imposing set of oak doors. With a graceful motion, she opened one of them, the hinges gliding smoothly without a sound. "She should be arriving any minute," the maid informed him. "Please make yourself comfortable." She offered another slight bow before retreating, the door closing gently behind her.

Jamie stepped into the room, his gaze sweeping over his surroundings. The chamber was elegantly refined yet lacking the ostentation often found in such estates. A long, polished table of dark wood dominated the center, surrounded by high-backed chairs.

At the far end of the room, a vast arched window stretched from floor to ceiling. The glass offered a panoramic view of the sprawling gardens below, where the festivities continued.

The soft click of the door opening drew Jamie's attention. He turned to see Maria entering the room. She wore a gown of pale green silk that flowed around her. Delicate embroidery traced patterns along the bodice and sleeves, reminiscent of ivy vines and blooming flowers.

Maria paused near the doorway, engaging in a brief, hushed exchange with a couple of servants who had accompanied her. Her dark hair was elegantly styled, cascading over one shoulder in loose curls. After dismissing the attendants with a gentle nod, she crossed the room with measured steps, her gaze fixed on Jamie.

She took the seat opposite him at the long table. A wide smile spread across her face, radiating a charm that could easily disarm the unwary.

"How are you, bard?" she inquired, her voice smooth and melodic, tinged with genuine curiosity.

Jamie returned her gaze, a hint of weariness in his eyes that contrasted with the slight smile on his lips. "Are we really going to continue this game?" he asked, his tone cordial yet edged with a subtle challenge.

Maria arched an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "What game are we playing?" she replied, tilting her head slightly as if the question puzzled her.

He leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on the table. "Maria Moretti. CEO of Moretti Chemicals," he stated evenly, his gaze unwavering. "This game."

For a fleeting moment, Maria's composure faltered. Her eyes widened almost imperceptibly, and a faint pallor brushed her cheeks before she regained her poise. "How?" she asked softly.

"Did you return?" Jamie asked.

"I did." Maria confirmed.

"When we returned," Jamie began, his voice steady, "I searched through the list of the disappeared." He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle.

Maria sighed quietly, a resigned smile touching her lips. "Clever," she admitted. "I didn't have the time to do the same."

"A pity," he remarked gently. "I prefer to dispense with these cat-and-mouse games. Laying all cards on the table tends to make things faster."

She regarded him thoughtfully, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly as she reassessed the man before her. "What do you want with this?" she asked, her tone measured.

"An ally," Jamie replied succinctly. "A partnership between you and me." He folded his hands together, his demeanor composed yet earnest. "We both have much to gain."

"An ally?" Maria echoed, her gaze scrutinizing. "And what, precisely, do I gain from this?"

He met her eyes steadily. "Perhaps the better question is how you can help me," he suggested. "I've had time to prepare. I know you're facing problems with the monsters disrupting trade routes, challenges posed by the Inquisitors, a shortage of supplies and capital, and complications involving the routes through the sewers." His eyes held a spark of insight. "I can offer solutions to these issues."

A flicker of surprise crossed Maria's face, quickly replaced by a guarded expression. Internally, she acknowledged his negotiation skills. 'Damn, I should have done my research on who he is.'

She inhaled slowly before exhaling a soft sigh, her shoulders relaxing slightly as she decided to lower her guard. "Very well," she said, her voice carrying a note of genuine curiosity. "And how can I assist you?"

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