Sometime Before -
The train roared into Vel Corte, billowing black smoke into the air. A crowd waited on the platform of the station. The sky was gray and overcast, looking ready to rain any minute. The train stopped and a gush of steam and dust came out from below it. Quickly, people started to file off the train including a dark haired young man with a gaunt face and sunken eyes.
"Mr. Waite," a voice called out. "Thomas Waite!"
Thomas looked over and saw Jesper Faust waving from a corner of the platform. Thomas waved back with a haunted smile. Faust came over and took Thomas' luggage. "Forgive me for being so familiar," Faust apologized. "I wanted to make sure you saw me. I'm..."
"Jesper Faust," Thomas said. "I remember you from Mistport. How can I forget?"
"You flatter me, Mr. Waite."
Thomas waved that away. "Call me Thomas. Let me take the big one."
"I've got it," Faust replied as he carried Thomas' luggage. "It's nothing at all, sir. How was the journey? No ill adventures I hope."
"Quite peaceful," Thomas said. "Do you have a carriage secured?"
"I do, sir. Just over near the street. There it is by the lamppost. Will you be going directly home?"
"No," Thomas said. "I was hoping to find a hotel for now. It's been so long since I've been here. Everything looks the same but not. After I secure the hotel, let's get dinner. I want to discuss your scheme concerning Dark Hollows."
"Then you are interested in going to Stormwraith?"
"I'm not staying in Mistport." Thomas was following close behind Faust as the two of them carefully navigated the crowd. "Vel Corte will never be home to me again. Not with Abigail still married to my father. She has made this place impossible for me."
"I sympathize," Faust said. "I'm at Stock and Pryce now. I got a position as a clerk. Someone I knew got me in. That's the firm that handles your family's wealth, right?"
"It is," Thomas said a little impressed.
"There have been some very fortunate developments there," Faust explained. "Do you know Mr. Rowe?"
"By name," Thomas answered. "I don't believe I have met the man."
"A most untrustworthy sort, sir. It seems he has developed a habit of embezzlement. A hundred imperials a month have been taken from your family's fortune and put in his pocket to facilitate other unsavory habits. Recently, he took five thousand from the company itself."