Depart for the City of Moans

You've safely traversed the black lake, but, now that you're here, you feel a moment of hesitancy when confronted with the assembled throng of hell-denizens. You look back to the black barge of Bulgarmet, but the ship has already vanished, almost as if it had never existed. How easily might you cease to exist? The image of your twin's last moments assails your thoughts... her body drawn into the innards of your would-be **** master, her face - your face - contorted with terror, causes you to shudder.

There's no looking back now. The only route for you is forward. You've no money, nothing to barter but your body, or soul, each of which will trade better the longer you can preserve either. Lingering in this dismal port will do you no good, unless you want to consign yourself to the life of a whore. To be fair, that isn't the most degrading existence you could hope for in this land, but you'll be no closer to...

What, exactly, will you be no closer to? What ****, or memory, or promise has been pulling you in this direction? Bulgarmet's departing words said you might find what you're looking for, but will you even recognize it when you see it?

None of that matters. You've a purpose, a direction. With a goal in mind, you feel a bit more like your old self. It feels like so many lifetimes ago since you were fighting for anything more substantial than survival.

Your feet carry you away from the bustling port and crowded streets of the settlement, and you're soon following a well-worn path ascending toward the mountains. It's strange that none of the daemons accosted you - undoubtedly many of them have their own affairs to attend, but its equally likely that one or more of the monsters would have made an attempt on you. Perhaps there's an unspoken agreement about claiming a soul in the open streets? Maybe you were lucky enough to avoid the attention of anyone that might have been interested in you.

Deep down, you suspect that's wishful thinking, and you keep an eye out for an ambush of some sort along the road.