All roads lead to the beginning

"I see bad things sometimes, sure. There’s a heavy gang presence here in Darktown, and people are often mugged."

A subtle frown spread across his weathered features. "A growing problem, it seems. Many deaths over trinkets, no?"

He lifted an eyebrow. “Too old to really do anything about it, unfortunately. Unless you want me to cut the skin off and then heal it, so it won’t have the burn tissue anymore.”

He waiting a moment before answering, eyes fixated on his scarred wound. "Hm. Perhaps not, then..." He adjusted his sleeve back down over his arm, looking around the clinic. "...You see many terrible things here, yes?"

He eyed the man cautiously. “Help? Hm. What aids do you offer, exactly?”

"Well, this is a clinic. I offer medical aid."

"Hm I agree, yes. Many asking questions, like sticks in a fire. Always wanting to stir things up. Perhaps you would like a blanket for a door? Not sturdy, but less welcoming."

He lifted his head off the ground and stared at the man. “That’s… generous. Thank you. I think.”

He gave a slight nod. "If I've learned to hold anything in high regard, it is privacy. A right not usually practiced. I'm in need of going into the city soon for supplies. While I am there, I'll be sure to bring you something back, yes?"

He eyed the man cautiously. "Help? Hm. What aids do you offer, exactly?"

"A rare find, although worth it to discover. You have the look of one who keeps his eyes alert. Your name?"

"Maurevar Carver." He smiled at the stranger, inclining his head in deference. "And could I have the honour of knowing yours?"

A slight nod was given at the man's query, though he nearly hesitated to speak his own. "I'm called Soren."

He looked around the cave walls for a moment, puzzled. “And you prefer this over the estate? Everyone has their choice, but why would you want such a place?”

"If I try and find the estate, I’ll have to talk to people. And be around people. There are too many people in Kirkwall."

"Hm I agree, yes. Many asking questions, like sticks in a fire. Always wanting to stir things up. Perhaps you would like a blanket for a door? Not sturdy, but less welcoming."

"There may be someone who can make such a thing, if not for all your money. But for a start, you might find the fence a more appealing choice, yes?"

"Well, I have no money. So I guess all those options can be ruled out." He flopped on his side on the stone floor, looking very small and tired. "I need a box, maybe. Or an empty house. My family had an estate in Kirkwall once. Wonder where it went."

He looked around the cave walls for a moment, puzzled. "And you prefer this over the estate? Everyone has their choice, but why would you want such a place?"

"I see. I can relate with you on this, since I enjoy walking along emptier roads as well. Perhaps you could get a door. Something big. A wall, yes?"

"Well… a big door would be. Nice. I suppose. Do you know someone who makes doors for caves? I doubt there’s anyone. Who makes big doors, I mean. For caves."

"There may be someone who can make such a thing, if not for all your money. But for a start, you might find the fence a more appealing choice, yes?"

"Curiosity, is it? Hm. Have you learned that a drop of curiosity can lead to an ocean of danger, yes?"

"Not that one in particular, but I have heard many of its like. I’m an old enough man to know my limits and to recognize a man with secrets as well."

"A rare find, although worth it to discover. You have the look of one who keeps his eyes alert. Your name?"

"You …hmm….don’t really have many visitors, do you? I don’t work for anyone and no, I don’t look to disturb you here, if that eases your nerves. I’m but a traveler and nothing more."

"No, I have the opposite problem, actually. Far too many visitors. But it’s fine. Travel through. I’m not going to hound you.”

"I see. I can relate with you on this, since I enjoy walking along emptier roads as well. Perhaps you could get a door. Something big. A wall, yes?"