Katelina clutched Jorick's arm and gaped as Sorino lifted his head to acknowledge them, then looked back to the map. He held a jeweler's glass to one eye and shook his head. "It isn't as old as you claim, Thadimus, and certainly not worth the price."
The mustachioed man frowned, then quickly smiled. "Perhaps you are mistaken, my friend? But come, the others have arrived." He turned to the newcomers and gave them a bright fanged smile. "Welcome to Thadimus' Treasure Trove. May you find what your heart desires. Come, come." He motioned them farther into the room at the same time as he waved the other occupants out. "Perhaps one of you would be interested in a rare map, commissioned by the king of Babylon? Five mapmakers lost their heads when they made a mistake with the river, see, just there? Hector, how about you? I could let it go at half price for a friend."