The constant throb in his temples began to ease. The dizziness that had been hovering at the edge of his awareness faded.
Alaric exhaled slowly. "Much better."
His head felt clearer than it had in days. The fog that had been clouding his thoughts lifted slightly.
He stayed there for another few minutes, just breathing, letting the relief settle in.
Then he stood, dropped coins on the table to cover the meal, and headed for the door.
Outside, the sun had fully set. The moon hung in the sky, large, bright, casting silver light across the streets.
Alaric started walking, turned down an alley between two building.
Then suddenly he stopped.
There at the end of the alley stood a hooded figure.
Four bodies lay on the ground at the figure's feet. Dark stains spreading beneath them, pooling between the cobblestones.
