'Find me at first light,' they had said. Shougo made his way to the town square as the sun's pale fingers crept over the walls, throwing cold shadows and intermittent warmth across each dwelling. Perhaps he was too early, he mused to himself as he leaned against the stone well, hands in pockets. The hours he kept were not like most others. Even here, with day and night stretched beyond their normal frames, Shougo was reasonably certain he continued to sleep no more than a few sparse hours at a time.

No matter. If he was early then he would wait for his contact. He had brought a book - the book - with him to read. Shougo thumbed through the pages and settled on a chapter. Thus he remained and would remain until the town roused itself from slumber.