Vlas

Almost as good as the real thing.

I can vouch for it's purity.

I made it myself.

Not for the faint of heart.

A small, but mighty dose.

It doesn't look like much.

But it'll do.

Pick your poison.

A delicacy among brigands.

I don't partake, but I hear it's... agreeable.

A waste of wine, but to each their own.

For your trouble.

If he's been harmed.

I... I don't know what I'd do.

Keep an eye out, please.

Who goes there?

Can you aid me?

Who goes there?

Oh... you look familiar.

Can you aid me?

I've been waylaid.

Oh... you look familiar.

Hm... you're not a brigand.

Bandits of course.

Oh, it's you.

I'm afraid I'll be departing soon.

The bandits came back.

And, well... Mutton... he's...

...

You can stop searching for him.

Oh, it's you.

I'm afraid I'll be departing soon.

What are you doing here?

I told you I accepted their terms.

Mutton is safe.

That's all that matters.

Don’t worry, friend.

They let me out to make Gloom.

And to check on Mutton.

That is enough for me.

Truly. Don’t worry.

I’m fine like this.

It could be much worse.

He's... gone. Mutton.

I've looked everywhere.

It's my fault.

Welcome, friend.

I had hoped we'd meet again.

I have a gift for you.

Welcome back, friend.

Care for a little commerce?

Hello again, friend.

After… everything…

I didn’t know where to go.

So I came here.

You know the truth… don’t you?

I see it in your eyes.

In the end…

It turns out I’m no different…

From those brigands.

Just us now?

The silence… is welcome.

I had hoped we'd meet again.

So I could repay you.

I don’t think I can go back to rousing commerce.

It’s an endless, empty pursuit.

Nothing compared to true companionship.

At least, Mutton seems to like it here.

Your “disciples” keep giving him treats.

I’m fine. Leave me.

It’s my… companion. A feline.

Will you look for him?

(deep breath) If he's been harmed.

I... I don't know what I'd do.

Keep an eye out, please.

It's my fault.

I tried to avoid bloodshed.

And look how that turned out.

Keep an eye out, please.

They weren’t steady of mind or hand.

I should have used it.

But I’m no butcher. No murderer.

I tried not to harm them...

But they didn't make it easy.

Is that... ? Tell me it's not...

... Mutton?

They snatched what they could.

Before they fled.

Is it empty? No… fur?

The ruffians were... unnaturally strong.

They've left me no choice.

I will resume my work, distilling Gloom.

What else can I do?

I refused their proposals, their bribes.

Until... (deep breath)

They brought me his tail.

They've left me no choice.

I will resume my work, distilling Gloom.

What else can I do?

Go ahead. Take it.

I have no use for their bribes.

Their terms are acceptable.

My services for Mutton's safety.

I must confess. These bandits...

I know them.

We worked together for a time.

They wanted me to return to my post.

... to secure Mutton's safety.

You’ve convinced me.

Perhaps this is not my lot in life.

A warning I suppose.

What are you doing here?

I told you I accepted their terms.

Mutton is safe.

That's all that matters.

Put that away.

There will be no daring escape for me.

I’m not like you.

I’m… a coward.

I cannot accept that.

Even if I managed to escape…

They’d find me again.

Unless…

Perhaps there is a way.

What if we slipped out in the night?

When my captors are tar-drunk.

Yes… that could work.

And no one gets hurt.

You’ve convinced me.

Perhaps this is not my lot in life.

I owe you. Immensely.

But you should go now.

Mutton and I will depart in the night.

They won't even notice.

All this... for what? A brief escape.

Few make it back...

From wherever the Gloom takes them.

Do you know how much Tar it takes to make an ounce of Gloom?

All this... for what? A brief escape.

A little taste of the civilized world.

Enjoy it. Someone should.

Another tar-drunk?

Is... that?

Bring it here.

He went for the weapon rack.

But I got there first.

In the dark... things got messy.

He charged like a madman.

Impaled himself on my blade.

He was slow to wake, but angry.

Started howling like a Grisha.

I was lucky the spears were nearby.

It was... easier than I thought it would be.

He didn't die right away.

But I made his suffering end quickly.

The brute wouldn't die.

He kept thrashing.

Knocked over Mutton's cage.

He... was the first.

Tar must have worn off.

I had no choice.

Mutton!

(meows excitedly)

I owe you immensely.

I... I can't thank you enough.

Maybe it will bring you peace.

But if you need something stronger.

I can help you. For a price of course.

All yours, friend.

A fine exchange.

A pleasure doing business with you.

Sorry, friend, but business is business.

Perhaps next time.

I'm afraid I can't allow that.