“My life is in ruins, you ignorant stonejaw! What am I to do with this piece of paper then?” pleaded the Nepheli. His scales and clothes were tarnished and unwashed.

Across from him sat a lumbering Volkran, who gave a disinterested shrug and continued to sip his Elberth Pale.

“This is the last thing I haven’t gambled away, so if you do know more about it, you better tell me, else the Lightless can have ya!”

“As I said Bylar, that’s all I know, never heard of no treasure out on Kirin Island,” he took another sip, but started again when it looked like the Nepheli was about to speak,

“Yes, it was the same mark drawn on the foot of the Azure Mountain. Yes, the same one that I saw glow on that wretched blank piece of paper. No, I don’t know anything more, so leave it, or leave me to finish my beer in peace.”

“By the Six, ain't you a hard stonejaw to crack…” Bylar grimaced, his face souring further when he took a sip to find he was out of beer. He patted his coin pouch and slumped– empty of course.

“How’s a washed-up gillcast like you going to make it to Kirin anyway? Even a one-way ticket by boat costs more than a few hundred Gold Dragons.”

Bylar leaned in and whispered, “The plainskipper that lost this strange paper to me in dice knows a man...”

“A man? Who?” asked the Volkran’dir.

Bylar paused and glanced around, sweat beading on his brow.

“Lord Farov they call him, and his gang the Walhem Whalers. Some friends from my old Tyras crew worked for him once, he’s got a boat and a smuggler like him surely wants a share of the treasure.

He’s my best bet…” he trailed off, not sounding completely sure of that.

“Farov? There’s no way that man will help ya,” the man barked, laughing, “but suit yourself, friend. Just keep your head down, and don’t do anything too stupid.”

Having finished his beer, the Volkran stood, towering over his old acquaintance. He gave him a long look and sighed, it stung of pity.

“You know, on second thought, maybe it’s what you need. Go do something stupid, live as you did when we were younger, anything would be better than limping around here like the miserable bastard I see before me,” he said with a wry smile, hand outstretched to help his friend to his feet.

“Don’t worry, I have a plan, you old sore spot,” the Nepheli said, standing on his own before shaking the outstretched hand.

The pair left together through the splintered tavern doors and then went their separate ways; the ashen giant to his home among the alleys of Varrin Bay, and Bylar off to do something stupid.

------------------------ Learn more about Kirin Island on our Wiki:

https://www.worldanvil.com/w/aesor-themadkingloktra/a/kirin-island-location