Searching for Lahzan in Sha-Laial shouldn’t be too hard. If he was here, he’d be with other Tieflings, and an influx of them would be easy to track down. He was a man of taste, too, so he’d likely head to one of the fancier inns. That meant he’d be looking along the river on the eastern or western sides near the central bridge. Thankfully, there were only a handful of inns that met that description. He struck out on the first two on the eastern side of the river. Luck was with him at the third stop. He hadn’t even had to talk awkwardly with the clerks behind the checkout desk. Lahzan was sitting in the lobby while a group of sturdy-looking Tieflings moved their stuff into the inn.

“Lahzan, I knew I’d find you here,” Alvec said quickly, rushing to sit opposite him.

“Alvec Snaptail, how have you been since the party?” Lahzan asked, his eyes lighting up.

Naya took a seat tentatively beside Alvec and looked over her shoulder. She could see Echo standing up and looking into the inn. He was such a good boy. Getting a proper look at Lahzan, she could see why Alvec had thought to seek this man out. He certainly looked as if he was cut from money. He wore a sharp, well-tailored charcoal-black suit, and his shoes were so shiny that she could practically see herself in them. His hair was well groomed, and the salt and peppering of it made him look particularly distinguished.

Alvec didn’t look entirely like he belonged sitting across from him, yet he also looked supremely confident and comfortable. Alvec's outfit was clean, but the bandelier full of alchemical tonics and explosives painted a different image from the businessman across the table.

“Oh, we’ve been good. I'm finally getting settled into the tower,” said Alvec. “That's what Cellocht's gift was, a property that used to be owned by the Six Strengths, a martial guild that existed here before the wars.”

“That's good to hear. Is it just a barracks, then?” he asked.

“No, it's got a tower, a few training yards, a stable, and most importantly, a few outbuildings. We’ve decided to set up a shop out of those. ACE Equipage here for your alchemy, clockwork, and equipment needs, such as enchanting and gunsmithing.”

“Isn’t that a bit risky in a place like Sha-Laial? Competing with the academy will be difficult,” Lahzan mused.

“Perhaps, if we were going into this unprepared,” Alvec said with a flourish. “Knowing that we’ve got stiff competition from the academy, we’ve been careful in constructing our business model. We’ve stocked up on low-end items and have a commission system for higher-tier items. We’re trying to make stock people will actually buy and advertise our ability to create things for them. Since we expect lower business, it means we’ll thrive on being agile.”

Lahzan nodded along. “It makes sense, so long as your goals are modest, it sounds achievable. I don’t think you’re planning on expanded locations; it's just to be a mom-and-pop alchemist shop that occasionally takes on high-paying jobs like enchanting. So what brings you here anyway?” he asked. “I didn’t announce I was coming, nor have I been here long. Since you have a place in the city, you aren’t staying here either, so you clearly came to see me.”

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“Come on, Lahzan, you wouldn’t miss the Festival of Blades. Too good of an opportunity to advertise for the Bellforge,” Alvec said.

“Right you are,” Lahzan replied. “But why here?”

“Alvec said you were fairly upper class, and that meant you’d be near the eastern side of the river if you could help it,” Naya chimed in. “This wasn’t our first guess, but it took less time than I expected.”

“Ah, and you are?” he asked.

“Naya, I’ve been traveling with Alvec. I was at Cellocht's party as well.”

Lahzan snapped his fingers as she jogged his memory. “You were being honored for saving a merchant from an assassin vine strike! I remember now. Cellocht gifted you a ring.” He paused for a moment, giving her a quick evaluation.“So again, I ask my friends, what brings you here?”

“We’re looking for patronage to enter the Festival of Blades as contestants. We’ve got a good, strong, and diverse team. The entry fee is forty thousand. Even a partial backing would be exceptional.”

“Sorry, Alvec, but I must pass on that offer. You might be the hero of Rust Hill, but I can’t back you in good faith, not when I’m putting up my own team.”

Alvec let out a soft sigh. “I thought that might be the case, seeing how many other Tieflings traveled with you. Damn shame.”

“Any chance you can get some clients before the deadline?” Lahzan asked. “A single good magic item sale could provide you entry.”

“It's a possibility, but I fear it might be a bit of a challenge. It's hard enough to find buyers for magic items, let alone expensive ones like that.”

“I wish you the best of luck on this; you understand, right?” Lahzan askd.

“I know, it's just a business move,” Alvec said, nodding in agreement.

“If I see anyone needing enchanting work, I promise to send them your way.”

“Thank you,” Alvec said, looking at the other tieflings. Their skin was all a bright, noticeable shade of red, and their horns were all rather pronounced, shooting straight up from their skulls centered towards the front. Tieflings came in all colors and all styles of horns and tails. Some had enlarged teeth, and others had thick skin or sharp claws. Some, like Alvec, could almost pass for humans if it weren’t for the horns and tail. “I figure, if they’re good at forging bells, they’ll be equally good at fighting.”

“A good bet,” Naya said. “But don’t count us out yet.” The sum of gold felt insurmountable, but their search for funding had only just begun. The team wasn’t going to take a defeat lying down. They’d find something for sure.

“Would you both like to stay for some coffee?” Lahzan asked, gesturing towards a tiny kitchenette in the corner of the lobby. “I’m sure we can share some more gossip.”

“There is one more thing I need to ask about,” Alvec said.

“Oh?”

“Shortly after the party, I was tasked with finding a man by the name of Tyir; it sounds a bit like a Tiefling name to me. Have you ever met anyone by that name?” Alvec asked.

“Can’t say that I have,” Lahzan said. “Who asked you to look for them? And why didn't they give you more details? I’m sensing a story there.”

“A little bit of one,” said Alvec. “A dying man asked me to find him and deliver a message, but he passed before we could ask him any clarifying questions. Just trying to do right by the man's memory.”

“That's a shame; good on you for trying to do the right thing. I appreciate that.” Lahzan said.

Another strike out, but to be honest, Lahzan might have known them because he was a well-connected man. Outside of that, there wasn’t any reason to suspect he knew this Tyir.