The cafe was packed.
In the corner, a few square tables were grouped together into a large room, with about seven men sitting at it, wearing blue and white sweatsuits (silver falcons).
In another corner, someone wearing a cloak sat alone, enjoying yet another glass of beer. There were several other round tables (and a few square ones) occupied by various people.
In the middle of the bar was a very large round table with maps and equipment laid out on it.
Shimy recognized the only figure sitting at the table as Ikael.
She sat down and looked at the first map. It was a world map with a route drawn from Orchidia to a location in the Lovinah Mountains.
“What’s over there?” Shimy asked.
“HUH WAIT...” Ikael was startled. “But none of you were bitten, were you? Or did you encounter another group? Do the Legendaries know you’re here?” "UMH, first answer: that's right. Second answer: no. Third answer: also no."
"But where do they think you are?"
"I don't know."
"Did you just run away? Disappear? Do they think you've been kidnapped? You need an alibi if you want to mingle with them again."
"I didn't want that."
"But what do you want then?"
"Mingle with them HERE."
"What was your question again?"
"Where is that on the map?"
"That's the city where the other species lives. They have a military base there, a government, and a large residential area. We're looking for another spy to replace our other spy there. He only has three more months of spying, and then he's free. And we definitely need a replacement in case he doesn't make it. Many of the other spies there have been disconnected, sometimes in the middle of a conversation. We don't know if they're dead or if something else happened." "I'll do it."
"I hoped so. Just rent a room."
"Okay."