Missoni (prime)/Desperately Seeking Talon

Tucking a final fold into her origami moonflower, Missoni hurried once again through the Gate of Shadows. She made her way through the North Haven streets, stopping to offer a few words to Gertie before crossing Market Bridge. The afternoon sun shone brightly on the bay, and atop the bridge Missoni paused for a moment to watch the ships heading into port. Doubt of her plan crept in, taking advantage of the break in momentum, and a sudden breeze from the bay fluttered the petals of the paper blossom still in her hand. She could open her fingers and let the breeze take it, but her discussion with Kothos and her own curiosity had emboldened her.

She stepped onto Marshtown’s floating platforms, where her boots thudded dully against the perpetually damp boards, and walked quickly westward. Missoni passed three piers, dodging bustling sailors wearing ebon armbands, and came to the place where the walkway widened in front of the chandler’s shop. The smuggler had said the Talon may be in Marshtown, so it seemed as good a place as any. She sat down on the bench and watched the crowd, but none of the eyes looked like the sea green pair she had seen in the shadows.

Missoni let the paper moonflower flutter from her fingertips to land on the boardwalk, then used the leather toe of her boot to slide it under the shelter of the bench, where it lay with a few scraps and a discarded pair of boots. She could only hope the right eyes would find the missive.