Malnai awoke slowly as the sunlight finally reached his bed. He shook his head and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. The bed was warm, if only half full. Of course if he had wanted company than he could have had it, but last night was not a night for such things. For this was the one day of the year that the young entertainer did not entertain. It was the one day of the year that he wore black, that he wished to speak to no-one, that he wished to see no-one. This was the day that he did not venture up into the Mage's quarter or the area of Jarros where the upper classes would throw him coins. No, today he would spend his time in the lower parts of the city, where he was born, where he grew up and from whence he eventually escaped. Today Malnai would remind himself of those beginnings, he would remind himself of what used to be, for today was his birthday.

Raising himself out of the bed Malnai shivered as the autumn air chilled his body. He thought for a moment about returning to his bed, but he knew that it would only be a fleeting respite from both the cold and the tasks of the day. Shamling across the room he opened the shutters and let in more of the morning light. He then opened a drawer and took out the only items of black clothing he owned. They were nothing special, just black. He wore them in mourning, both for his mother and for the boy that had died when Malnai finally left his family. But now the man felt compelled to revisit his youth, to see what he used to be, before he would go on being what he was.

After a short breakfast he got himself out of his room and down the stairs. Malnai knew that he looked very wrong in black and he didn't really want to be spotted by this friends so he hurried along the street with his head down. It was only when he slowed down around the corner that he realised how cold the morning was. It was still months away from Midwinter but his breath was steaming in the air. He muttered to himself about the changeable weather but he kept on walking. However things just didn't feel right. This day was never a good one, but there was something else. A niggling voice in the back of his head told him that he should return to his room and sleep, but he knew that wasn't possible. There were too many things wrong with this world and if he didn't keep his promises then he would just be adding to those troubles.

After walking for about half an hour he reached his old home. He hadn't passed this way in a year but nothing had changed. There was still the obvious poverty, the rundown houses and the children playing in the streets. However there was someone standing in the street who shouldn't have been there. The woman was shorter than Malnai and very attractive. However she was wearing the livery of the royal family and she had a sword strapped to her belt. She notice the young preformer the moment he came around the corner. "Ah, good, you're finally here. Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting for... Hey! Stop! I just need to talk!" Her words echoed around the quarter as Malani took to his heels. In his experience the royal guard were nothing but trouble and he really didn't want to find out what this one had to say. Looking quickly behind him he saw that she hadn't lost him and he quickly realised that this warrior was fit as well as beautiful. A smile crossed his face, maybe today wasn't going to be that bad after all. He'd just been saved a very depressing day, even if he would have to make up for it and he was being chased around the city by a young woman. He began to whistle as he ran, every so often checking behind him to make sure she was keeping up. He also whispered a quick prayer to any gods that might be listening, just to thank them for granting him what might be a happy birthday...