As Darryl spoke, Rachelle burst into tears as she launched into her tale of woe.

"There's something you don't know, sir. My… my life is so tragic… I don't live here, but in Emerald Cloud Lake, more than a hundred li northwest of here. I came from a town of fishermen who made a living from the lake until a month ago when tragedy struck.

"A contagious plague wiped out my entire family and village. I was lucky enough to get out alive and find a way to make a living out here on my own, but I never