The train started shrieking again as it pulled into the terminus.

"You have a place to stay?" Yuta's companion asked.

"The Inn of the Golden Phoenix," Yuta replied.

"Fancy!" The man in the bowler hat looked impressed.

"Is it? My conference sponsor arranged it. But I don't know where it is!"

The train ground to a halt. The two men picked up their luggage and exited the car. The platform was covered with people milling about, heading in different ...