A scrawling hand wrote:Snookums,
We should meet at the Elf, as soon as possible. Important matters have arosen.
V.
The hand, and the signature, belonged to Itinori Vaularin, Adriano's direct superior in Black Heart's gang and one who was said to report to Black Heart himself. Much of the time Adriano was left to his own devices, so the mere fact that the adhiel savant had chosen to communicate with him in such a manner indicated that something serious was afoot.