The carriage pulled up in front of a rather nondescript looking house. Natalia checked the address against the folded paper and then waited while a guard opened the door. She stepped down from the carriage, taking care that her dress did not catch in the doorway. Nodding her head to the guard, she made her way to the entrance, two armed men following. Pausing at the door, she glanced back. The carriage remained where it was, with two more armed guards present at its back. She turned her attention, once again, to the house before her and knocked.

The echo of footsteps on wood drew closer, and then the door opened, revealing the countenance of Stanislav Voronksy.

"Natalia," he said, "it's so good to see you." He looked at the carriage outside, taking note of the guards that were present. "Won't you come inside?"

She entered the house, pausing only a moment as she wiped her feet. "I thought I might drop by to offer my congratulations on your upcoming birthday celebration."

"Why thank you," he said, then looked at the two guards that had followed here. "And are these two gentlemen coming in with you?"

"I'm afraid they are," she replied. "I hope it's not too much of an imposition?"

"Not at all," he responded, "the more, the merrier. Come this way, we shall sit down and have a chat." Stanislav led them all to a sparsely decorated living room. "I'm afraid I must apologize for the furniture," he said, making his way to a side table, "but I seldom have guests. I'm away from home most of the time, you see, hunting down mages and whatnot."

"I understand," she replied. "Tell me, are you having a party?"

"A party?"

"Yes, for your birthday?"

"I am," he said, "in fact, I have something rather special in mind for the happy day."

"Remind me," she urged, "when was the happy day?"

"Why, today," he replied.

"Today?" Natalia burst out in alarm.

"Yes, didn't I tell you?"

She struggled to recover from the surprise, "No, you most decidedly did not. I feel awful, I didn't get you a gift."

"Your presence is gift enough for me," he said graciously. "Let me get drinks. Can I offer you gentlemen anything?"

This last remark was directed at the two guards. The taller man, a dark-haired individual, scowled at the suggestion. "We're on duty," he simply said.

"Come now," urged Natalia, "you must. We wouldn't want to appear discourteous to our host."

The tall guard looked like he was about to object but then changed his mind. "Very well," he said, "just a little."

"Excellent," said Stanislav, pouring a decanter into two cups. He carried them to the guards, holding them out for acceptance.

"You first," said the tall guard, his companion looking on in annoyance at the delay.

"By all means," said Stanislav, downing half a cup. "Will that suffice?"

"It will," said the guard, taking the other cup.