The only performances that they would be able to watch were the afternoon shows. This suited them fine, as the shops would still be open and busy. They went as a group, the two rangers standing clear over the heads of the crowd, the sunlight shining from their bald pates.

After a short while, Daiga informed the group that they were being followed by one of the guides, a short boy with one arm named Menray. They had expected this and had planned accordingly. They moved quickly and Menray would have to struggle to keep them within sight.

Before they got to the theatre, Rialto lost himself in the crowd. He was dressed in a similar style to the common workmen of Nothering and drew no attention. By now they hoped that their follower was using the rangers as his guide and not able to see the smaller men.

They entered the theatre, buying seating for five. They had agreed with Rialto beforehand that they would be sat near the back. With the two rangers sat blocking the view of the fifth seat, it was impossible for anyone to tell that the group was missing someone.

Being able to relax, Nedric took time to examine his surroundings. The theatre had proper seating, unlike most inns, and these were covered in a thick, purple, material. They were comfortable enough that he felt he could sleep, which is what he felt like doing ten minutes into the play.

They hadn’t known what sort of show they were likely to see. What they saw was a re-enactment of one of the religious scenes. The way it was portrayed told a different story than if they had viewed the same scene elsewhere. The servant, who elsewhere was the hero, was now a slave and a villain. The part where he leaves his master was now shown as a despicable act.

It didn’t take too much thought to see that this was meant to show Setherland and its relationship with Nothering. What bothered Nedric was the way the audience accepted everything in an unquestioning manner. It suggested that nobody would oppose the war.

Part way through the show Rialto joined them. He informed them that he had made the purchases they required and distributed packages amongst the group. They had all been carrying bags on the way there and hoped that no one would notice that the bags were fuller than they had been when they left the inn.

Eventually the show finished and they left. They made sure that the comments they made on leaving were similar to those around them and regrouped outside the theatre.

“What do you fancy doing now?” Rialto asked.

“I’d quite like to visit a good restaurant whilst we are in Fusdown.” Bethan replied.

“Good idea,” agreed Nedric. “Can anyone see one?”

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As they were looking around Daiga spotted Menray and displaying surprise called out.

“Isn’t that one of the guides from Packam’s?” he enquired of the others, pointing him out.

“It looks like Menray.” Nedric answered. “Hey Menray over here.” He waved.

Knowing that he had been spotted, the boy had little choice but to join the group and was prevailed upon to suggest a decent eating establishment nearby. Being caught on the spot he took them to the first one he could recall.

The meal was expensive but extremely good. Of course most meals were expensive in a country with food problems but they hadn’t bought any food in the city before. They made sure they appreciated everything to the fullest; as they knew they wouldn’t be able to afford such quality cuisine often. By the time they had finished they were running late.

They had to prevail upon Menray to take them back to the inn by the quickest route possible. The guide understood their need to hurry and complied. He led them in a different direction from their normal route.

It was whilst passing through another of the city squares that Nedric noticed something unusual. Whilst one side of the square was busy with the normal amount of people passing, the other side was deserted.

“What’s in that building?” Nedric asked their guide, pointing to the particularly large and ugly construction on the other side of the square.

Menray looked at him strangely and answered, “That is the Guild for Corrective Religious Interpretation. Why are you interested?”

“I just wondered why anyone would build something that unattractive.”

“It is rather horrid, people don’t like it much. I can show you some really impressive buildings if you like.”

Nedric was under the impression that Menray wanted to get them away from the square as quickly as possible. As they were in a hurry anyway, he wasn’t going to argue and hurried after him. He did notice a look that passed between Rialto and the rangers but wasn’t going to ask about it at that time.

When they got back to the inn, they immediately had to prepare for their show. As usual it went well. Culdit had informed them that they were getting more customers than normal and this might well be because of their show. Nedric was slightly worried that people would start to recognise them on the streets. Of course most of the customers were wealthier citizens and traders from outside the city. Neither would normally come into close contact with them.

After the show, they had to clear away their equipment and costumes. It took a while and they were in need of a drink by the finish. After obtaining drinks they eventually made it back to the entertainers wing. A couple of singers were sitting, chatting in the common room and so they took the opportunity to flirt with them.

Eventually the girls had to go and perform and they were left alone. The two rangers started idly throwing knives at a target fixed to the wall. The target was fixed over one of the two known listening areas and it was hoped by all that anyone behind it would develop a headache for their troubles.

Rialto retrieved his mandolin and started to play it beneath the other possible listening area. It was hoped that the noise would prevent anyone from hearing anything much. Not that they made any plans in the room but this way if anyone slipped up and said something it was less likely to be overheard.

Nedric whispered to Daiga, “I saw that look you gave Rialto in that square, what do you know about the Guild of Corrective Religious Interpretation?”

“Oh, just that that is the Shadow Guild’s full name,” he whispered back.

Nedric felt a slight thrill pass through his body. At last they would be able to do something. They had made plans on the long journey to Fusdown and the first part of this plan was to scout the building. The rangers were meant to do this but they stood out from the crowd.

Daiga told Nedric that this wouldn’t be a problem. Anyone who could hide in the forest could also hide in the city; it was just a matter of the appropriate camouflage. When he informed Nedric what they intended to do, Nedric laughed. They were going to take the role of transport slaves.

Nedric had noticed the men carrying dignitaries around the city in their sedan chairs. They tended to be larger than average and were matched for height to prevent jarring. What made Nedric laugh was the thought of someone ordering the rangers to take them somewhere in the chair. He could imagine the look of the dignitary when he was dumped unceremoniously in the river!