(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

anyone speaks o' this if we get the town slid back... ye're dead! Now let's go!
Move!" He turned to me again. "And as fer you: ye've a better brain on yer
shoulders than it looks. Good man."
I tried the door. Locked. If there was anyone inside they were either civilians
that needed to stay hidden, or else they were skilled enough fighters that
needed to get out here to help clear the streets.
"Think you could open it quickly, Annah?"
"Tchah! Just yeh watch me."
The metal lockpicks slid home. In record time she gave a couple of scrapes, a
twist, and a firm tug, and the lock clicked open. I didn't even have time to
blink.
Dim lanterns hung about the warehouse, shedding a diseased orange light
about the room. I'd expected yelps of fear, maybe even a few sods stuffing
their pockets and packs with whatever goods they could carry. Damn, I even
expected the ring of conspirators huddled together muttering their plans.
What I didn't expect was the slightly stooped old man. A full grey beard
clung to his face and a lion's mane of grey hair flared out. What would've
been warm lightning instead cast a hellish glow about his face, giving the old
man a sinister appearance. He wore a couple of shoulder guards as armor,
and in the other hands he held a helmet. Long gray curls of smoke trailed
from his pipe, and he fingered the tobacco pouch at his waist. I'd seen him
before: that misleading bulk, a band of belly fat hiding years of well-trained
strength and military skill. There was the hefty wheeze, the friendly twinkle
in his eye that now seemed disturbingly sinister.
"Ebb?" I croaked, my voice all the coarser with shock.
A halo of smoke wreathed his smile, "Well met by chaos, traveler. What
brings you to these parts?"
"What are you doing here? I thought you'd retired from the Harmonium."
He bowed as low as his paunch would allow. "As you can see... I'd joined a
different crew. You come to a warehouse full of plotters and schemers, lad.
With the old order falling apart here, we think it's best to make sure its
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