As dusk arrived, the dim sun soon sank beyond the western edge of Vesta Woodland. After dinner aboard the ship, Shade set out alone.
The wind in the city was fierce tonight, yet it still could not disperse the clouds overhead. It was easy enough to find an alley untouched by moonlight, and when Shade opened the black envelope in his hand at a qualifying intersection, the invitation inside proved to be a sheet of paper black on both sides.
He examined the paper from every angle but could not see any guidance appearing on it. Then, when the paper touched the wall beside him, it seemed to instantly merge into the masonry.
The square patch of black then grew larger and larger across the wall until it took the shape of a doorway.
Shade reached out and clearly sensed that the black patch had become a real door. He tested it a few more times before finally stepping through.
It was like passing through a curtain of icy water, followed by an instant sensation as though the ground were shaking. When he looked around again, there was a tightly shut door behind him, while before him was a tavern-like place filled with square tables and stools.
There was only a portable kerosene lamp on the counter, and behind it stood a man wearing a black mask. Besides Shade, two others were already seated at separate tables. He was not tonight's only guest.
"Where is this?"
The "tavern" before him was clearly unfamiliar, yet Shade felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity. He could not grasp that feeling at all, and so he realized that this place contained the power of "cognitive obstruction."
"Where is this?"
I don't know what you don't know. Why not use thaumaturgy to sense it?
"**Enhanced