The night is pleasant, the sky studded with countless stars, tiny pinpoints sharing their glow with the world. The moon hangs low in the sky, casting silver light over the beautiful city of Tar Valon. The White Tower glitters against the darkness, one of the greatest sybols of hope the world will ever know.

But it is not to the White Tower you are walking. Tar Valon's main street is busy, crowded by people strolling purposefully, as though they know exactly where it is they are going. Two people push past, turning in front of you. Your gaze follows them down the path they walk down.

A two-storey building stands at the end of the path, framed by drooping willows on both sides. Swirls of silver-grey billow from the chimney, and through a window you see the dancing flames of a blazing fire. It is an impressive building, despite its relatively small size, and the silver moonlight bathing its roof give it an impression of quaint charm. This seeming quaintness, however, is belied by the sounds of loud music, laughter, shouted conversations, cheering and yelling... The sounds of people enjoying themselves.

An intricately-painted wooden sign declares this the Hazy Mist Tavern. You smile and, your eyes remaining fixed on the tavern, turn and step onto the cobblestone pathway.