Whether or not the man I met was the fabled Peter Quora remains inconclusive to this day.
Chapter Leader Fehn says that he is doubtful. Peter Quora's talisman was said to have stopped giving off indicators since his disappearance in 1319, which was unheard of in the Congress of Circlaria Registry. No talisman ever "stops," not even with the deceased. Also, Fehn and I determined that the man named Pete, who I encountered in Northmoor, seemed way older in age than Peter Quora would be if he was still alive.
Regardless, I was never stopped by the Combrian authorities on my way out of South Masonia. To say that I felt relief upon disembarking in Kindol is a massive understatement. One week in a place like Combria is enough for me.
Fehn was deeply saddened by news of Findor Quotus' death but was not surprised, considered the news that has been coming from Northmoor. Fehn in any case sent me my payments and told me that I would not be needed for awhile. "The time off is part of the beauty of being an Observer," he told me.
***
My thoughts drifted back to those within the Adjusting Persons perimeters. I saw glimpses of them on board the mesh train to Northmoor but never got a closer look than that. I never got to see their faces. I never got to meet them. It was as if the Combrian State intended to hide them from me, as if I had privilege.
And in fact, I feel as if I did.
I brought this up to Fehn, to which he replied that I was experiencing survival guilt. Unfortunately, there is nothing to be done by me at this point. I have decided in the end to keep everything, Guild included, out of sight and out of mind until I am summoned again.
Perhaps I will visit Paolina again.