III

"Go on," Terdin said.

"I want to hear more," one of the taverns said.

The man across from him was staring him straight in the eye, watching his every reaction. The rich man's gaze seemed disoriented, as if trying to recall a part of a story he had forgotten.

"If he could remember, damn it!" said someone from the background.

"I can, of course I can. I just need to put the hard parts together," the rich man answered.

"What parts?"

"The parts with General Halth and his charity Aritib," the rich man waved.

"That I want to hear!" the old man said, sitting near their desk.