As the sky lightened in the east, the approaching dawn found our heros gathered together once more a short distance from the city gates. The gates were closed, and would remain so til dawn, but already a few enterprising merchants were gathered, awaiting the opening of the gates to steal a march on their competitors. Horses whickered quietly, and the guards kept a wary eye on those who waited nearby.<br/><br/>Madame Shu had taken her companions aside, and quietly filled them in on what had transpired in the night, earning her some scathing comments from Feng, which she seemed to take with good grace. His commentary was interrupted by a coughing fit, which he tried to muffled behind a fist, waving away the looks of concern of the two women.