The martial arts competition ended smoothly.
After arranging a time and place to meet with Dalko the following night, Roland reported to Reggie, then quietly left the scholarly tour group with Galvis and Teresa, heading toward the Alchemy Guild.
"Oh, damn it!"
As the strong smell of medicinal herbs mixed with the stench of corroding metal washed over them, the Minstrel immediately pinched his nose.
"Roland, you should have told me beforehand..."
He gazed at the dusty, stone-built structure before them, his eyes filled with undisguised disgust.
"...that we were coming to the den of these lunatics!"
While dealing with the Guard's questioning at the Guild's entrance, Roland asked with a hint of confusion,
"Lunatics?"
"Exactly!"
Upon entering the hall, Galvis looked at the dazzling array of shops all around. As if afraid of being contaminated by something, he quickly pulled a silk handkerchief from his coat to cover his mouth and nose.
