The night had painted the sky black and spread a thick fog over the sea by the time the last ship of the day rolled into port. Its massive sails twitched intermittently in the soft wind, leading it up to the harbor at a slow, controlled pace. The harbormaster was already on his way down the dock to collect his fees when he noticed the colors of the kingdom kicking weakly on a flag above the deck. Taking a second glance at the suddenly familiar ship, he recognized it as the<em>Unmerciful,</em>a grand vessel he had witnessed coming to port many times over his career. It was but a moment after docking that he saw the timeless swagger of its captain walking down the ramp to greet him.<br/><br/>"Admiral De Carabas," half-sobbed the older man. Every time Letholdus came to port, something terrible happened in the city, either during or after his stay. No one could ever prove he was involved, nor could they try without facing a public hanging. Letholdus' high ranking in the navy practically gave him criminal immunity. The old harbormaster would have asked any other man who brought such trouble with him to leave at once, but he wasn't willing to risk his life for anyone else's. Letholdus was not known for taking kindly to opposition, after all. Forcing a grin, the master bowed and continued his greeting. "It's been a lifetime, sir."<br/><br/>"Only four years, my good patriot," retorted the admiral, patting the man on the shoulder as a signal for him to straighten back up. He smiled as any good kingdom representative would, but there was a certain hollowness behind it that sent shivers even down the spines of his own crewmen, who were now tying down the ship.<br/><br/>"Four years is a lifetime when you work in a port as busy as this one, sir."<br/><br/>"Indeed..." Letholdus mused, allowing his train of thought to bring him to his next, more important question. "Tell me, is Tiffany still in business?"<br/><br/>The harbormaster genuinely grinned this time at the mention of one of his favorite subjects. "Oh, of course, sir, and doing better than ever. The seas could dry up and the land could turn to fire, and that woman wouldn't lose a drop of business.  Oh, and she's got plenty of fresh, new, talented young ladies since you were last here, sir. Most of them love to help the strong, younger men relax, if you know what I mean."<br/><br/>Letholdus turned his eyes toward the town in anticipation. "I do love new conquests..."<br/><br/>"Don't forget the mistress herself, sir. She's still as vibrant<em>comforting</em>as ever, if you know what I mean!" The harbormaster clapped the admiral on the shoulder (or as close as he could reach to it, anyway), knowing the mariner would be in a good mood as long as they were discussing his favorite whore house.<br/><br/>"Have a fine night, harbormaster," Letholdus sent back as he walked toward town, eager to end the conversation and get to the funner part of his evening. "I do hope it brings you as good of fortune as it will me."<br/><br/>Tiffany's was not too far from the dock, so the tall captain had no issue with simply walking there instead of renting a steed. His crew soon finished with the ship and all went their ways to find cheaper brothels to spend their hard-earned gold in, but Letholdus knew none of them would find the caliber of woman he could find at his brothel of choice. He reached the flat, stone building with its many floors and windows, so familiar, yet containing things so new, and stepped over the threshold, anticipating his little piece of Heaven would be there as it always had.