The meeting place was a commonly rented building. These rooms usually had transient tenants who used them to consolidate their wares or count coin. Three wagon bays faced the street, and the front office took tallies, storage fees, cart hire, and toll claims. Behind it were the private rooms used for disputed weights, damaged goods, late deliveries, and bargains that needed a table more than a tavern bench.Zannis paid under a wool account and gave a merchant name. He had enough connections in Anticourt that the rented room would not be connected to his house at all.The rear counting room had one table, four chairs, and a gemlamp. A servant had cleaned it badly. Dust remained in the corners, and a smear of grease marked one wall where a wheel hub had leaned too long.The first knock came a quarter bell later."Enter," Gerren said.Cassian von der Sigel entered first.He wore travelling clothes of good cloth, plain enough to pass as private business and fitted well enough that no one would mistake him for a road factor. He carried a document case under one arm. No clerk followed him.Behind him came the two guildmasters dressed for road business. Klammen wore a plain brown cloak that sat badly across his shoulders. Rhigar had left his guild colors behind and wore a merchant's dark travelling coat with gloves tucked into his belt. They had removed the marks that would name them from a distance. Up close, the effort showed."Master Cassian. Guildmasters, I presume?" Gerren inclined his head by the smallest acceptable measure, but not so much that it could be deemed subservient. It was merely an acknowledgement.The three men did not respond immediately. It was as if they were waiting for more signals. There was a brief silence before Cassian broke it."Master Examiner?""Yes, well met, Master Cassian," Gerren said. He dipped his head again, trying to reassure them that he was indeed the one (...)