A conversation with Afu

CHINA, a photo by BoazImages on Flickr.

Beatriss and Tetsukichi decided to re-dedicate themselves to duty, and to eradicating the slave-trade from Khanbaliq. In planning a investigative mission into the Monastery of the Two-Fold Path, they discussed the need to diversify and expand their group. They went to see Ali, priest of the Sun Temple for help. He knew all about the problems in Khanbaliq and asked B&T to accept the sad truth that their friend Gwinch was most likely behind it. Did they know why Gwinch suddenly left Khanbaliq, reportedly on a expedition to the Southwest provinces? Was he perhaps joining his fellow slavelords secret mountain citadel? Or gathering more slaves from the war-torn villages? Afu agreed that if Beatriss and Tetsukichi were unwilling to take the more obvious approach of tracking down Gwinch, they should investigate the Monastery—and “perhaps uncover some interesting information.” Afu said that he used to know a beggar who knew of a secret entrance into the monastery. “I haven’t seen him for a long time. But I did see his boots—on Gwinch’s feet.” The Wu-Jen who had some information had also disappeared recently—last seen at Gwinch’s house. Alas, Afu could offer the help only of lowly assistant, Eye-Sore-Si-Ling-I-thought-you-were-dead-Ju-May.