River emerged into a cavern. Much of the clubs and hotspots in Prague were carved into the stone block foundations of the city’s history. Bily Konicek’s was no different, a nightclub and restaurant forged inside the arching stone walls of what could have easily been a dungeon centuries before. Black steeled wine chillers and a mahogany bar were stark contrasts to the aged rock rising high above him.

A pretty blond Czech with pink highlights in her hair and the hinting sparkle of a nose ring asked his name in English and then led him to his meeting. Like many of the women in Czech Republic, the girl’s pale features were somewhat hard, her nose slightly prominent, but River found her nonetheless alluring and coyly sexual. It was why he had made the country his home for the past six months.

Hugh Cross stood as River approached, and for a moment River was taken aback by how much his friend had aged in five short years. Certainly more so than would be expected.