first arc, continued

After opening scenes.

Mehta looks through the market for a few days. Tries to pump contacts for information, doesn't get too far. [Need to expand this part.] She notices a boy (13?) who hangs around the phoenix tear seller. Wears an olive cap and a bandage around his arm.

This boy was supposed to kill Takeo. He saw that Takeo fell and thought he was dead. (Or just took that as an excuse). He used to live in the older town so he knew his way around there.

Boy is sick. [Or younger brother is sick? Not sure which...] The dreamers told him that they could cure him, but since Takeo didn't die they are making him worse.

Mehta notices that he always runs away when she approaches. (Or maybe when Takeo approaches?) Eventually she follows him back and figures this all out?

She brings him a bottle of phoenix tears, and trades it for this information. He is skeptical. She applies it to his arm. During this, she asks him about his name, where he is from, etc. 'You look like a friend I used to have,' she says. 'His name was '_____'. He repeats the name. During this the black veins retract slowly. He begins to trust her.

After telling her what happened, he asks her about the board. She explains that there are four pieces and only three places of refuge.

She tells Takeo some of what happened and gives him back the board. He confronts her about the cure not really working. You got your board back, she says. What do you care.

And Takeo, she says. Be careful. This one looks nastier than usual.