Half-step Purgatory

Durin stroked the black cat on the armrest of his chair, sitting on the black leather sofa. Through the glasses perched on his nose, his gaze passed over the long table in front of him and settled on the man kneeling on the carpet:
"I understand, you've made money in Naples, your business has been very successful, and you've led a happy life. You've had those secret police, friends in both the law and the underground, and even the Royal Family speaking on your behalf."
"You don't need a friend like me, I know that. You're afraid of owing me a favor, and you don't want to get involved in troubles."
"But now you come to me and say, 'I beg you, Mr. Durin of the Corleon family, please help me seek justice, so that my life and my family will not suffer and sink into despair.'
Yet, in your eyes, I was nothing more than a second-rate artist involved in movies and music. Even at the brink of death, you still show me such disrespect, not even willing to call me by my title... Keeper of Secrets."

Durin's Diary

Kelsey howled softly, extremely well-behaved.


In the birdcage hanging from her body, Hemo cooed unhappily, but since it was customary for ladies to travel with their pet birds on the train, and in order to prevent Hemo from performing a live plucking show in someone else's carriage in the middle of the night, Durin had to put Hemo in a cage.


The ticket inspector glanced at the pet certification, which bore the stamp of the Druid Guild, guaranteed to be authentic.


He nodded and said, "Young Master, please make sure to tie your pet's leash securely on the train, and also do not unbind the jesses of your owl."


"No problem," Durin nodded, while indicating that the ropes in his hand were the finest.


Having confirmed with the inspector, Durin boarded the train, and followed the train attendant's directions to his own compartment.


Chapter 3: Today I Shall Journey Afar_2