Breezes from the harbor careened through the lanes and reached the warehouse but few dozen yards off from the wharfs. Workers bustled from one area to another, toting crates and barrels on and off wagons. Hard calls to each other, the boisterous laughter or stern reprimands, sang out over the rattle of carts, the push of arcane motorizations, and the clatter of hooves.

Ewan pushed his way through the door of the Yransea warehouse. The building cut away the cold breeze of the winter day. Its two story height was well tended in its construction and broken into floors on only one side where offices occupied the second level that faced towards the harbor. From that vantage, between two buildings, an observer could see the sails of the incoming ships and prepare for the offloading and loading of goods in trade. On this day there was no ship for the workers, but that did not mean there was no work to be done. Merchants and their representatives came by in haphazard intervals to review wares and make their bargains for the goods. Warehouse employees counted and moved items out, and the warehouse was in a dull drone of exchange. Ewan observed some orders were being filled into wagons and some arrivals of trade, but no merchants at the present.

Rhys, an aged man with ginger hair too far gone to grey for even him to remember the look of its original shade, looked to the door at Ewan?s arrival and hailed the man. His arms burly and his body barrel chested, Rhys looked just as he was, a man built of hard work. ?Good day to you, Ewan.?

A clasp of hands and a hearty shake, Ewan replied, ?And to you, Master Rhys. I see you have a good day here.?

?Aye, for the barony?s dealings and some for Captain Caisson as well. We will see it started up as yet.? Rhys promised.

?I have not a doubt of it, though the winter is going to be a harder time to do so, but I suspect my cousin has his plans.?

Rhys nodded and rubbed his grey bearded chin with a freckled and age spotted hand, calloused and thick. ?Aye, that he does.?

Though Ewan did have a mind to learn more of it, the purpose of his visit would not be put off. ?Is Master Fraiser about the warehouse today??

?Aye, so he is.? Rhys gestured toward a group of men working near an open doorway loading a wagon. ?No trouble, I trust, as I would hate to lose him. He?s a hard worker.?

Ewan watched from the distance as he replied, ?That makes for good hearing, but no, no trouble; just routine vetting. You know how that was Rhys.? He turned back to the man, narrow eyed but with a knowing sharpness to his grin.

?Oh,? the older man nodded, ?oh, that is it, then? Going to let the man know how to fend well in this wretched place? Well, of course, go and speak with the lad.?

Ewan nodded and moved across the warehouse to the group of men, announcing his presence so as not to startle those focused on their work. ?Good day, Master Fraiser. My name is Ewan Corinsson.? He held out a hand to the man to shake a friendly greeting. ?Would you be able to take a moment?s rest and come speak with me in the office??

The man?s demeanor, his motion, every glance of the eye or tell tale mannerism was studied, analyzed, and formulated an impression upon Ewan. He had to know the man, and know him through more than words. It was the light teasing, the sarcastic wit, that drew a smile up and away from its more presentational feel into something warm. ?No, no formality required, and with the greetings and introductions done, I would like it if you called me Ewan.?

It was a suitable office familiar to Ewan, though it would see changes no doubt with the new occupant. He sat and gave a nod in agreement, ?Too true, and I will not bandy around words and waste your time to my purpose.? The edge of a bracer troubled his wrist where the yellow-brown tinge of a bruise shied out from beneath, but he did not fix it just yet. ?One of my main duties is to the safety of the Yransea family and to the barony itself, but also to the safety of those here in Rhydin connected with the dealings of Yransea. Because this warehouse is shared between the barony and my cousin?s trade, everyone here is also my concern.?

Hands laced together and he leaned forward. ?You are a man of the clans, a prominent clan if my information is correct, and you understand the importance of keeping leaders safe. Sylvia visits here from time to time, and so I must know each person here as well as I possibly can. That means I will be studying you, watching you, and others watching you as well for a time until I know you. Usually I do this without telling the person, but it was made clear to me that I should tell you up front.? The last gave a shiver of discomfort that he fought and only revealed itself in a momentary grimace. ?It is an unfortunate truth that this realm is more dangerous than we care to let float in our everyday thoughts, but is something of which I must be very conscious.?

There was more to say, more to reveal, but at this point, Ewan felt it only prudent and polite to wait for the man?s reaction and either how fast he went for the door or what he had to say. Either would tell him much, and so he rested back and hands relaxed upon his belt where the only weapons to be seen were twin daggers. There was no tension in his body and only the congenial smile and careful green eyed gaze upon Hudson. Discussions of this nature rarely were comfortable and it had become second nature to keep his own emotions and thoughts set to the back of his mind and focus wholly on the person being brought into confidence.

Ewan lifted both hands, palms turned upward as he returned, ?I cannot say the reasons, but do not worry as to how I find out what I need to of matters. True, the unknowing makes things for me convenient, but the knowing does not make it impossible.? A satisfied slow breath, ?As to having no threat, I will take your words into consideration.?

A previous comment recalled in its time, ?In Yransea we are not so unlike your clan to look after the leaders, but here it is different and I am the one who sees to it those like you, those not of Yransea, know what might happen and what to do. If you need help with any disturbing matters with the warehouse, my cousin?s trade, or even yourself, bring them to me. If you think someone or something is being too curious as to the goings on of Sylvia or her family, bring it to me.? Perhaps Hudson would find the instructions ludicrous, but it was to be said all the same. ?The lady has few friends in town, and those she has will go to her. Be wary of any that ask you questions.? In order to put the matter in its proper context, Ewan chuckled, ?I doubt it will happen at all, but better that you know than not.?

Ewan adjusted the irritating bracer with a swift twist of the leather and relaxed the hands once again. ?On to matters of more benefit to you, or I hope you will see them that way.? A clatter out on the floor of the warehouse brought him to pause, the tilt of his head in the space of a breath and a nod, he turned a smile back to Hudson. ?You, as all of the workers here, have access to care of any ailments or injuries at the Hollow Den. It is not a well known place and we do not share its name about.? A considered rub of his chin, but he felt further explanation of why they did not share was unnecessary.

?It is not far from here; two streets east and a couple of buildings down on the right. It is a small building stuck between two larger ones and easily overlooked. The sign above has a cave with a ring of ivy about it. There are, of course, the clinics of Rhydin, but this was set up for the workers, and some others, before the clinics came about. The choice is yours. They will know who you are if you need them. There are some limitations to their abilities, but they range from the herbalists training to that of some more arcane methodologies.? He would learn more if Hudson?s views on the arcane by more than that question, so there was no need to linger upon the words. ?I understand you are no longer in need of housing, but should you in the future there are some boarding houses I can recommend.?

A brush of a friendlier smile crossed his lips, ?The manor is open to you as are its grounds if you need to escape the city and its unique revelations for a time. I do want you to recall that while you are not employed by the barony, you are, along with Rhys, the senior most persons in Gaerwyn?s business in Rhydin, and that ties you close to the doings of Yearling Brook until the business is better established. It is an unfortunate truth, but a good incentive for trade to improve.?

Ewan tried, using many of his skills, to keep uncertain if he meant the negativity of his comment or not. The entirety of that last statement he intended to unsettle, and wondered if it would work. Hudson looked to be a difficult man to ruffle and a man of considerations before he spoke or acted.

In sitting forward, the shift of his feet to set flat upon the floorboards, Ewan concluded his portion of the conversation. ?If you have concerns or questions about what I have told you, or any matter at hand, please ask.? It was an open and ready expression often used to invite further discussion. His posture held a pitch towards the man to present his full interest. It was a moment Ewan always looked forward to, as he was more of a man who listened than one who spoke, and such a lengthy demand of words gave him the pinprick of discomfort neatly concealed deep down.

Ewan considered the man, but the answer the question came readily enough. ?It can be said you answered your own question.? Instead of letting the man puzzle that through, Ewan obliged by making himself more clear. ?The few friends she has have a tendency to find trouble for their own noble or less than noble reasons, and she defends them placing herself in harm?s way. She is not important here, and it is my job to make sure she stays that way without keeping her from being the friend she wants to be.?

A glance spared for the window and what he could see of the buildings beyond. There was nothing to alarm or cause him worry, so he continued. ?Over the past year things have become,? an appropriate word desired, ?complicated.? It was a few breaths more, the possibilities of telling more to Hudson split out and reviewed in seconds, and caution was uppermost. It could be Hudson would find out from Sylvia some day, but it was more of a threat to share concerns with a stranger than what he could tell at this point to any person with nefarious purpose.

The pool of darkness lashed up a moment as Ewan thought on how he could not even keep his wife from digging into the situation, and he wondered if this man would do the same. Good intentions set aside, the more people that become involved the more thin the barrier became inside him to keep the two sides of his soul manageable. ?Like I said, Sylvia is insignificant here, but I want her to stay that way. There is nothing particular to look for these days,? a truth from his point of view, ?but listen to your inner voice. Let the worry of her safety rest with me, and all I require of you is information of things not right.?

In time, Ewan thought, the man might prove trustworthy, but it was too early for that, and resolve in the matter cast the Master of Arms features into an expression of unspoken question. Did Hudson understand honest distrust without malice or prejudice? It was only to be seen in time, either soon or late. A taint of unease in the air Ewan had not desired, but so it was until Hudson or a departure cleared it away.