Night had descended upon Mhaldor in the usual way. Raucous cheering
echoed down the streets, the citizens in high spirits from bringing
about the downfall of the Icon of the Crystalline Circle earlier that
month. The red fog seemed to smoulder even more crimson in response.
Drink flowed freely, and more than a few men had been visiting the
Bathory Chalet, the notorious brothel of the city.

But not all was business as usual that night. An upset cry preceded the
pretty young Azuella as she ran from her 'playroom' to Madame Lucretia.
Pouting, the fair-haired maiden lodged a tearful complaint against her
too-rough customer, who happened that night to be Mhaldor's resident
scientist Jirken. The Madame firmly admonished Jirken, stating that her
goods were not to be permanently damaged.

As Jirken fumed, his citymates offered to help find him a replacement.
As they inquired into the scientist's tastes, he dreamily recalled a
young woman he'd known in passing during his time imprisoned within the
city of Shallam, one as fair as Azuella but innocent and virtuous in
truth. Ever keen for a strike against the Jewel of the East, Jirken's
friends promised to capture the maiden for whom the scientist yearned.

A band of Mhaldorians set off towards Shallam and its neighbouring town
Jaru, seeking the whereabouts of the girl. While many spread out through
Jaru, questioning the locals and raising suspicion, a Naga serpent
slipped into the famous restaurant Sahart's in Shallam unseen and
located their target, the young waitress Irilan.

A devious plan was hatched, and a relatively unknown but brave and
capable young Mhaldorian was selected to sneak into Shallam. He
sauntered unnoticed past the city's defences towards Sahart's. Once
there, he efficiently carried out his mission of distracting Irilan then
rendering her unconscious with a potion from Jirken. The maiden's limp
form in his arms, he escaped from Shallam via a magic portal and
returned to the Bathory Chalet where Jirken awaited.

Penned by my hand on the 3rd of Valnuary, in the year 419 AF.