<html><head></head><body><div class="yahoo-style-wrap" style="font-family:arial;font-size:16px;"><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><div><p class="ydp66c87a2bMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p>
<p class="ydp66c87a2bMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span>It was a typical day in the town of Aldenburgh<b>
</b>with people moving about on their daily errands. Merchants were hawking
their wares and services to whoever was within hearing. Men and women passing
tried to tune out the noises and go about their own affairs.</span></p>
<p class="ydp66c87a2bMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p>
<p class="ydp66c87a2bMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span>Among them were 2 strangers. Misha and
Caroline. It was easy to see they were from Metamor Keep as one was a red fox
and the other an Otter.</span></p>
<p class="ydp66c87a2bMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p>
<p class="ydp66c87a2bMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span>The two stopped in front of a tall, three-story
building. It was a thing of brick and wood.</span></p>
<p class="ydp66c87a2bMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p>
<p class="ydp66c87a2bMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span>“This looks good. Strong. Well maintained,”
Misha commented.</span></p>
<p class="ydp66c87a2bMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p>
<p class="ydp66c87a2bMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span>“Is it clean inside?” Caroline asked.</span></p>
<p class="ydp66c87a2bMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p>
<p class="ydp66c87a2bMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span>The couple had been wandering around town
all morning. Looking at every building they passed. Taking notes. They had
already examined a dozen other buildings.</span></p>
<p class="ydp66c87a2bMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p>
<p class="ydp66c87a2bMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span>Caroline pointed to another building up the
street. “Let’s try that one.”</span></p>
<p class="ydp66c87a2bMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p>
<p class="ydp66c87a2bMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span>Walking some 20 feet behind them was two
members of the watch. Just keeping a distance and observing what the Keepers
were doing.</span></p>
<p class="ydp66c87a2bMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p>
<p class="ydp66c87a2bMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span>“What are they doing?” The one watchman
asked.</span></p>
<p class="ydp66c87a2bMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p>
<p class="ydp66c87a2bMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span>The second man shrugged. “I don’t know.
Let’s go ask them.”</span></p>
<p class="ydp66c87a2bMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p>
<p class="ydp66c87a2bMsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p>
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