Chapter 7

If the Gods really existed, Mehdawi would have been a saint, wielding a magical rod of healing. Instead, he toiled in obscurity. Only the sick and dying knew his name.

- "That's wonderful, Ken." he said. "But ... do you have a moment?"

An hour later, after casting three healing spells, I left the Gale. Braida and his friend were relieved to hear that we were going uphill.

First stop: a tailor, where I bought three new sets of clothes. Then a weaponsmith, to purchase another rapier.

Second stop: my old room. I paid what I owed, collected a few belongings, and left. A few streets away, I acquired a new room, depositing a month's rent in advance. I stashed some clothing and the new rapier there. After that, a gun shop, for a little more powder and ball.

We dropped in at my second room, where I also paid a month's rent in advance.

The next stop was a dress shop, owned by Jim's last girlfriend. I suspected he was planning