See Andreas

You decide that the rational move is to get information from Andreas, then make plans based on that. You look at the directions on Benjamin's letter. They point to a spot in the poor section of the city, probably because nobody pays attention to such an area. It wouldn't be a great idea to bring a whole group to a secret meeting, so you leave with just Dietrich for the meeting spot.

The two of you arrive at the spot near sundown. The directions say to just wait and whistle if you want to meet Andreas. Your whistling isn't top notch, so you lean against the wall as Dietrich belts out a tune. You wait like this for 15 minutes or so. You start to feel like this isn't going to happen when a lanky man in dark clothing steps out from a dirty side street. "Andreas?" he asks in a low voice. You nod. "The signal?" You make the hand sign Benjamin noted in his letter. "I've seen it done better" he says. It must have been good enough though, because he waives for you to follow. He seems skilled in stealth, for unlike you and Dietrich he traverses the muddy (at least you hope it's mud) street silently. "Where is Andreas?" you ask as quietly as you can. "Ah, tis only me. I can't reveal my identity until I get the signal first, you got to be careful. Can't trust anyone to be my intermediary. There ain't no good help around in the underground business here, not like in the east, they really have their act together. Quality, organized guilds. Now that's somethin'!" You don't share his sadness for the state of local organized crime, but you keep it to yourself. Hmm, this could be a solution to the Anne problem. But enough of that for now, you need to focus.

"We're looking for a woman. She looks like-" "Yes, Veronica, I know. Isn't that right your highness? Or should I say Siegfried?" He chuckles. "You must have really impressed that Rose of Sharon. My contact there says she has been going around talking non-stop about bandits and a heroic knight. Good job with the pseuodonym, but you really need to work on keeping a low profile." You can't argue with him there. He stops in a small abandoned area on the edge of town. Ancient, moss-covered masonry and more recent wooden and straw shacks, thoroughly dilapidated, surround you.

"I assume you know my fee?" You nod and toss him a sack of gold. "Hmm. Trusting. Not a good quality for this kind of work, but you're lucky you're dealing with me. The woman isn't far from here. Last I heard she's stopped over at Viscount Maven's castle." Viscount Maven. The name fills you with disgust and dread. He's the Confederation's most hated blackmailer and rumor-monger. Still, he's good enough at what he does to stave off his enemies. If Veronica is with him, that means only trouble for you. You make your goodbyes and part ways with the spy, and he vanishes into the night.