Hello. Don't know if you remember, but we met once, during the silver sickness outbreak. [A beat, and Simon looks more downcast than he did then, shoulders slumped slightly, his words softer than before.] I spent a lot of time at the Station recently-- still there, actually, and I saw you a few times, going to or from the Midach's office.

I was wondering if you knew anything about any of the shopkeepers here? Which ones are more friendly towards shardbearers, what court they're with, or not with, things like that. Even if it's just rumours. [Better to have some information than none.]