Elyas watched as the large man shuffled back to the bar. His eyes settled down on the cherry brandy in front of him as a sense of unease crept over his body. He hadn't noticed anything wrong earlier - heck had he even looked up to check? He felt as if an anchor was wrapped around his brain, his latest case had really taken a toll on him and he no longer even knew day from night.

He rubbed his weary eyes and sighed under his breath, thinking back to what Braedek had told him. Shayla. The name didn't ring a bell, but he wasn't surprised at that. Elyas wasn't one to make connections and in the twenty or so years of living in the village of Basick, he hadn't made any friends. Sure, he had work acquaintances but he had never allowed himself to advance any of those relationships into something more. He didn't have time for that. His life was devoted to his job - to crack down the cases law enforcement had given up on. He was a firm believer that every problem had a solution. No case was too hard for him.

He flipped through the old book in front of him, taking a sip from his drink. The harder he tried to focus on the words, the more his mind shot in opposite directions. He felt like he was a stranger standing in the middle of a wild shooting range. Arrows darted over his head. He grimaced, raising a hand to his forehead.

If the town was in trouble, if this young woman that Braedek had told him about, was somehow in trouble, then he needed to help. And anyway, it wasn't as if he was getting anywhere with the case tonight. The dark-haired man rushed to his feet, grabbing all his belongings and stuffing them back into his bag. He picked up the stone mug and took a big gulp. Then, he took off. He placed a couple of copper coins on the bar, sliding it towards Braedek, merely giving him a nod as he disappeared out of the door.