\u201cAre we going the right way? I think we\u2019re lost.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMm. Patience. This is the right direction.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you sure, Krshia? I think we\u2019re lost. All this grass looks the same to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no road, Selys. We must trust we go the right way, yes? And my memory is not so poor.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it\u2019s dark<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf the shopkeeper lady says it\u2019s the right place, we\u2019re going the right way. Anyways, Klb and I have been here countless times. This is the right direction. \u2026Right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI believe so. Please take care not to fall.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Um, thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI do not believe we have been formally introduced. I am Klbkch of the Free Antinium. I understand you are a friend of Erin Solstice?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe? Yes! I\u2019m Selys. I\u2019m a receptionist at the Adventurer\u2019s Guild. I\u2019m very pleased to meet you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAllow me to introduce my colleagues. This is Relc, who I believe you two are familiar with. Watch Captain Zevara is also joining us for the night.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSelys. Krshia. Good evening.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHm. It is good to see you are well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, hello Captain Zevara.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd these are two other Antinium from my hive. Pawn, and Ksmvr.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am Ksmvr. Allow me to apologize for recent\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShut up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSilence.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026So um, Z. Why are you here? When Klb told me you<\/em> were coming, I thought he was yanking my tail.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to see the human who killed that freak. Besides, you\u2019ve talked about that damn inn so much I might as well see it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, that\u2019s\u2026great! You\u2019ll love it. Erin is great for a human. You\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou called her a useless sack of meat after\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAhahahahaha!<\/em> You must have heard me wrong. I never said anything<\/em> like that. Erin is a great human. She called me a dragon, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHumans can\u2019t tell a lizard apart from a salamander. Don\u2019t let it get to your head.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Hey Klb. Are we there yet?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere is the inn in the distance. We are moving in the right direction.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh good! Erin\u2019s still awake. Maybe she has guests already?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat mage said he would be joining us. I can\u2019t say I\u2019m pleased with that, but if he\u2019s here\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt could be the mage. Or um\u2026well, you know what I said about not<\/em> killing any Goblins around here, Zevara? Um\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlease tell me the Goblins aren\u2019t invited.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, while we\u2019re on the subject, how do you feel about skeletons\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh my god.\u201d<\/p>\n It was perhaps the sixth time Erin had said it. She was still staring at Ryoka in some state of shock. Ryoka was staring back, but her mind was racing.<\/p>\n Erin was from her world. Of course. All the little pieces of her story made sense, especially the way she used catchphrases and expressions from their world. How had she not noticed? She was too tired. But this was a crucial moment. Why had Ryoka suddenly met Erin right after the call? Was it coincidence or something else? Was two people appearing so near to each other geographically simple luck or something else?<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t believe it.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka lifted her iPhone. Erin\u2019s eyes followed it as if mesmerized, then snapped back to Ryoka\u2019s face. Her state of shock was starting to annoy the older girl.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you real? I mean, you\u2014you\u2019re from my world, right? This isn\u2019t a joke, is it?\u201d<\/p>\n And how would it be a joke? <\/em>Ryoka bit back the sarcasm and answered politely as possible.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m from Ohio. My name is Ryoka Griffin. I came here in the year 2016, around October.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh my god.\u201d<\/p>\n Seven times. Ryoka tried not to let her impatience show.<\/p>\n \u201cI know this is incredible, but please focus. How long have you been here? Do you know how you got here? Are you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh my god, you\u2019re real. You\u2019re real!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka tried not to make a face. Erin was freaking out.<\/p>\n \u201cLook, I just had a call\u2014it was a message that\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She got no further. Erin lunged across the table. Ryoka\u2019s fists raised instinctively, but the other girl just threw her arms around her.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? Um. What are you\u2014?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not alone? I\u2019m not alone!<\/em> You\u2019re here and\u2014oh my god. You\u2019re here!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am. Why are you\u2026? I mean, yes. You\u2019re not alone.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka felt the other girl squeezing her hard<\/em>. She was having trouble breathing. Erin was stronger than she looked.<\/p>\n \u201cLook, you don\u2019t have to\u2014please\u2014are you\u2014?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin\u2019s muffled noises turned into dampness on Ryoka\u2019s shirt. She was\u2026crying?<\/p>\n Ryoka froze up. She didn\u2019t know what to do. She patted Erin gently on the shoulder. Once. Twice.<\/p>\n \u201cUm. I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She had no idea what to say. Erin was weeping into her shirt, and the feeling wasn\u2019t pleasant. Ryoka knew she should say something reassuring, but she\u2019d never done this before.<\/p>\n She wasn\u2019t alone. That was what Erin wanted to hear, right? Ryoka could tell her that. She was one of many. She was\u2014Ryoka could tell her that she wasn\u2019t alone. That would cheer her up. If she met with the others\u2014<\/p>\n The others. Ryoka froze, forgetting everything else in a moment of cold realization. Others. There weren\u2019t just a few. Or even sixteen. She\u2019d completely glossed over that fact in the light of all that had happened. Sleep deprivation, the excitement of the call and meeting Erin\u2014<\/p>\n She\u2019d stopped thinking. But now her slow-moving brain had fitted the pieces together. Statistics. It all boiled down to percentages. There weren\u2019t just sixteen people in this world. There weren\u2019t even just a hundred. There were many more.<\/p>\n How many people had working iPhones at the time of the call? How many had their iPhones when they arrived? What percentage of people have iPhones to begin with?<\/p>\n And of that number, how many people died or weren\u2019t able to answer the call? How many ignored it out of fear or caution?<\/p>\n How many people were in this world?<\/p>\n Hundreds? Thousands? Tens of thousands? Ryoka felt something twist in her stomach.<\/p>\n Humans band together. They make laws. They go to war. Perhaps other species didn\u2019t do that. But humans did. And peace for humans is only an interlude till the next war.<\/p>\n In Ryoka\u2019s mind, she imagined Celum. A city caught between the renaissance and the medieval age. They didn\u2019t have technology, those people. They didn\u2019t have anything valuable by her world\u2019s standards. Just gold, jewelry.<\/p>\n And magic.<\/p>\n In Ryoka\u2019s mind, Celum burned. Fighter jets screamed down through the sky, strafing cities and dropping bombs in the streets while tanks rolled across open plains, firing at armies that had never known gunpowder. Scientists in hazmat suits walked around next to surveyors and prospectors identifying oil wells while magic and nonhumans were dissected and studied \u2013 made fact.<\/p>\n A colony world. Imperialism. Mandate of Heaven. White man\u2019s burden.<\/p>\n In the time it took Erin to hug and release Ryoka, a world burned down behind her eyes. It was an easy equation to solve. One person was an accident, a fluke. Two people was unusual. But more? More was an open gateway. And no door opened in only one direction.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin wiped her nose on her sleeve as she let Ryoka go. She was snotty in a literal sense and her eyes were puffy, but she was smiling. Ryoka felt like someone had grabbed a piece of ice and stuck it in her gut.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is just so\u2014so wonderful! I can\u2019t believe it. You\u2019re here. You\u2019re from home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt is amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka chose her words carefully as she brushed at her wet shirt. Her hand hit a damp, sticky spot and she immediately stopped.<\/p>\n \u201cUm, Erin, right? Why don\u2019t we sit and talk.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin snuffled, sniffled, and nodded. She scooted back to the table while Ryoka tried to collect her thoughts. People. Talking. This wasn\u2019t her forte, but she thought she had a handle on what was happening. First things first.<\/p>\n \u201cI know this is a lot to take in, but let\u2019s both try to calm down. I\u2019m from Earth, and so are you. And I\u2019ve just learned that other people are here too, scattered around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin\u2019s eyes widened.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not alone? You mean\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. And there\u2019s a lot to talk about, but let\u2019s just start with the basics. When did you get here? How did you arrive? What was the last date in our world that you remember? If we start with that, maybe\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka broke off suddenly. Erin looked up as someone knocked on the door.<\/p>\n \u201cOh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you expecting guests?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin blinked. The Asian girl had pushed back her chair and was suddenly tensed, like a wild animal. She shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cNot really, but maybe they\u2019re just late.\u201d<\/p>\n She raised her voice.<\/p>\n \u201cCome in!\u201d<\/p>\n The door opened. Ryoka stared and took a step back as a giant, brownish-black insect walked into the inn. She looked at Erin, but the other girl was smiling. Ryoka\u2019s mouth fell open slightly in surprise.<\/p>\n \u201cKlbkch! Hey! Come on in!\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka stared as the Antinium nodded to Erin. Then she stared harder<\/em> as a giant lizard man walked into the room, followed by what looked like a slightly less-hairy Wookie and another lizard. And then the insect talked.<\/p>\n \u201cGood evening Miss Solstice. I hope we are not intruding?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? No. I um\u2014no. Wow. I didn\u2019t expect so many guests so late.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka stared at Erin. The other girl was smiling<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope we are not intruding, but our affairs in the city took a long time to conclude.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Krshia, Selys! And Relc and Klbkch\u2014is that\u2014Pawn?<\/em> Ksmvr?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin caught sight of Zevara and her eyes widened.<\/p>\n \u201cWow. Um. Are you all here for food?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you are able to host us, it would be most welcome. I regret to say that more guests are with us, however.\u201d<\/p>\n Klbkch nodded to Relc and the others. The door opened wider to admit more bodies.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd it appears other guests have arrived with us.\u201d<\/p>\n A throng of short creatures entered the room, and this time Ryoka took a step back. She stared at the squat, green, crimson-eyed little demons and looked at Erin. The girl didn\u2019t even appear fazed.<\/p>\n Then a mage stepped into the room. Well, he was obviously a mage by the long robes he wore, but the effect was muted by the grass stains and other marks on the once-white cloth. Ryoka recognized Pisces in an instant and slowly sat down in the chair. Her head was spinning.<\/p>\n When Erin saw Pisces and Rags her jaw dropped. She counted silently as her guests awkwardly stood at the entrance. Some were looking at Erin, but most were staring at each other.<\/p>\n Zevara was eying the Goblins with unconcealed malice and the Goblins were busy edging away from everyone but Erin. The three Antinium looked around silently while Selys stared in horrified fascination at the Antinium, the Goblins, and at Ryoka. Krshia sniffed the air while Relc patted his stomach and Pisces stared around with a half-sneer on his face.<\/p>\n Erin\u2019s head was reeling. She was surprised, caught off-guard, and she had no idea where Toren was. But she was an [Innkeeper]. She might be busy, but she had guests. She rose to the occasion.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got pasta!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hell is something you create. Ryoka was a firm believer in not believing in religions, but the idea of hell had always been intriguing to her. Obviously a place of brimstone and pitchforks was ridiculous, but the idea of suffering, of damnation was interesting. How could hell be one thing? How could it be a constant, when it should be the representation of misery and suffering for each individual?<\/p>\n Damnation shouldn\u2019t be something you went to. It should be a place you create for yourself out of your own guilt and fear. People create their own hells and sit in them. Ryoka was sure she had read a quote like that somewhere.<\/p>\n Right now, Ryoka was sitting in her own personal, localized hell. She was still in The Wandering Inn, but now it was full of people. Talking, noisy people who kept introducing themselves to her. And unlike every other party she\u2019d been to, every other soiree and social gathering, here she couldn\u2019t run away.<\/p>\n Ryoka sat at a table and stared around the common room of the inn. Suddenly it was bustling. From the quiet, dark room she\u2019d found only an hour or two ago, it had been transformed into a raucous place full of light and noise.<\/p>\n At least half of the raucousness came from a large Drake sitting in the center of the room next to one of the Antinium. He was called Relc, and he\u2019d greeted Ryoka by spraying her with a mouthful of blue juice and shouting \u2018It\u2019s you! <\/em>The Runner human!\u2019<\/p>\n It was a good thing Runners carried a spare change of clothes. At least the Drake\u2019s companion had been polite enough. He was an Antinium. So were the other two black bugs sitting in the room. They\u2019d made Ryoka\u2019s skin crawl when she\u2019d first realized what they were, but now she was just confused.<\/p>\n One of them, an Antinium with only two arms and one leg\u2014was playing chess with one of the Goblins. Pawn and Rags. Ryoka kept feeling at her forehead with the back of her hand to make sure she wasn\u2019t fevered.<\/p>\n And there were more. Erin was buzzing around the room, filling drinks, serving plates of pasta up, but somehow she found time to talk with Ryoka as well. She\u2019d brought another Drake over to Ryoka\u2019s table in the corner of the room. Erin beamed as she introduced her friend.<\/p>\n \u201cHey Ryoka, this is Selys! Selys, meet Ryoka. She\u2019s a Runner.\u201d<\/p>\n The female Drake \u2013 Ryoka was fairly certain she was female \u2013 opened her mouth and revealed a row of very<\/em> sharp teeth.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, a City Runner? We haven\u2019t had one of those around in a while! How are you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka took Selys\u2019s hand, shook it once, and then quickly let go. It took her all of her self-control not to wipe her hand at the touch of smooth scales.<\/p>\n Erin didn\u2019t seem to notice Ryoka\u2019s discomfort. She turned to Selys, beaming.<\/p>\n \u201cHey Selys, you won\u2019t believe this. I just talked to Ryoka and guess what? It turns out that\u2014ow!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka kicked Erin. She didn\u2019t even try to conceal it. Every head turned towards their table and the room went silent for a second.<\/p>\n Across the room Ksmvr reached for a sword at his side. Ryoka\u2019s spine crawled, but the other Antinium\u2014Klbkch?\u2014instantly smacked Ksmvr\u2019s shoulder and he stopped.<\/p>\n \u201cUm.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOops.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOw, why\u2019d you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin glanced at Ryoka\u2019s face and back to Selys. She smiled again, although this time it was somewhat forced.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, um. Ryoka, this is Selys. Selys, Ryoka.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake smiled at Ryoka again, and backed up a little bit. Her tail was twisting around, Ryoka noticed.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was\u2026nice to meet you, Miss Ryoka.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLikewise.\u201d<\/p>\n The two retreated. Selys pulled Erin aside.<\/p>\n \u201cIs she\u2026sick?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin made a face as she rubbed at her shin. That kick had hurt<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know. She was really nice earlier. Sorry about that. Why\u2019s that Zevara person here, by the way?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe wanted to see you. I think it was because you killed that skin monster.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe? I didn\u2019t. That was the Goblins.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cThey just finished it off is what Klbkch says. Erin! The entire city\u2019s talking about you!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh yes. If it weren\u2019t so crazy over there, I\u2019m sure plenty of people would be coming over to look at you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin wasn\u2019t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026How are things? I heard a lot of people died.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys paused. She looked down.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of people did. Not as many as there could have been, thanks to the Watch and the Antinium but\u2014it\u2019s not the worst disaster we\u2019ve been through. And we\u2019re rebuilding. Stronger with each dead scale, you know?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou fought didn\u2019t you? You have to tell me about it!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOnly if you tell me your side. But guess what? I leveled up! And<\/em> I gained a new class!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat, really?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYep! You\u2019re looking at a Level 4 [Warrior] now!\u201d<\/p>\n Selys puffed out her chest with pride as Erin made appropriate sounds of awe.<\/p>\n \u201cIt seems like half the city leveled or gained a new class. That\u2019s war for you. No bad without some good. Anyways, Krshia and I wanted to celebrate and we knew you were alone out here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I have Toren.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe doesn\u2019t count. We wanted to come alone, but then Relc decided to come with that Klbkch and Zevara told us she was coming and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n At this point Ryoka stopped listening to the whispered conversation. She was putting together the pieces, but sleeplessness on top of sudden social interaction after a long day of running was not helping<\/em>. The only upside was that she was rapidly running out of ways to be surprised. When Ryoka met Pisces, the [Necromancer] who\u2019d fixed her leg and who was apparently teacher to one of the Goblins, she took it in stride.<\/p>\n At some point a skeleton walked into the inn with a huge basket of blue fruits and a bucket of water in each hand. He paused as Zevara and Klbkch unsheathed their swords.<\/p>\n \u201cStop, stop!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin ran forwards between Toren and the others. Klbkch was already sheathing his sword, but Zevara took several minutes of explaining before she rammed her blade back in its sheath.<\/p>\n Ryoka remained perfectly still as Erin introduced Toren to her. She looked into his deathly gaze and the twin blue flames burning in his eyes and did not shake the proffered bony hand. He disappeared into the kitchen and reappeared with a plate and drink which he served to Ryoka.<\/p>\n Undead service workers. Ryoka instantly saw how useful it could be. It was a great idea in theory, but seeing it in practice was\u2014unnerving. She kept glancing at his bones, wondering how they were even staying upright without muscles and skin. Were there magical, invisible threads animating him somehow?<\/p>\n She ate more food, drank more blue juice. Ryoka\u2019s head was spinning as she asked herself a thousand questions at once. When the Gnoll named Krshia introduced herself Ryoka tried to be polite as possible.<\/p>\n She\u2019d seen other species, of course, but they\u2019d always been monsters. Perhaps she\u2019d seen one or two of these\u2026Gnolls in the cities, but never in person. And here were three\u2014four<\/em> new races if you counted the Goblins, sitting in the inn, talking, acting like people.<\/p>\n At some point the smallest Goblin hopped up on the seat opposite Ryoka and slapped a chess board in front of her. Ryoka thought she looked familiar, but then the Goblin moved a chess piece and stared at her. Erin wandered by, offering chess tips and then the game and everything else blended into the nightmare.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ryoka looked like she was having a great time. Erin could tell. She was staring around the inn, chatting to Pawn and playing chess with Rags while other Goblins sat around her and Toren kept filling her cup. She seemed distracted, but then, the inn was more animated than Erin had ever seen it.<\/p>\n \u201cCaptain Zevara, another plate of pasta? Or a drink?\u201d<\/p>\n The tall, surly-looking Drake glanced up and waved her hand at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cI am fine. You are\u2026Erin Solstice, aren\u2019t you? We\u2019ve met.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWE have?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin blinked at Zevara and then remembered.<\/p>\n \u201cOh. We have. After Klbkch\u2014um, how are you?\u201d<\/p>\n Zevara ignored the question as she glanced around the inn.<\/p>\n \u201cI came here because I wanted to see this place for myself. I thought Relc was exaggerating as usual. For once he might have been telling the truth. Although he never mentioned you serving Goblins. Or the skeleton.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin glanced at Relc. The Drake avoided her gaze as Klbkch stared from the Drake to her.<\/p>\n \u201cHe hasn\u2019t been around as recently. Um. I hope you like it here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t come here for pleasure.\u201d<\/p>\n Zevara met Erin\u2019s gaze.<\/p>\n \u201cThese Goblins you\u2019re sheltering, and the undead. They are an issue I intend to address, along with the death of the\u2026thing that attacked my city.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cZevara. Perhaps now is not the time?\u201d<\/p>\n Klbkch stared at Zevara until she nodded reluctantly. He looked at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cThese are matters of business. But in truth I and the others are here to celebrate the survival of the city. On that note, would you allow me to address the room?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? Oh, sure, go ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin stood back. Klbkch nodded and stood up. She wondered how he would attract everyone\u2019s attention with all the hubbub, but Klbkch simply raised his mug and waited. It took several minutes, but a tall, silent Antinium standing with one mug raised had a calming effect. Klbkch waited until everyone was silent and then spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cTo all present, allow me to say a few words. These last few days have been marked by one of the most deadly assaults on Liscor in the last decade. Errors were made on the part of the Antinium and the Watch and for that I must apologize. Needless deaths were caused, but the city and its people remain safe now. The creature which attacked Liscor is dead and as some may have noticed, I have returned to life. It is not in the nature of the Antinium to celebrate, but I adhere to other species\u2019 customs and invite you all to celebrate these events.\u201d<\/p>\n No one spoke. Erin wasn\u2019t sure if she should clap. Klbkch nodded and went on as Ksmvr produced a bottle from somewhere and handed it to him.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe it is customary to make a toast on occasions such as this. For this occasion, my Hive has manufactured its own drink. Allow me to present you with rxlvn<\/em>, an alcohol we intend to sell.\u201d<\/p>\n He presented a clear, glass bottle filled with some kind of black, foaming liquid to the room.<\/p>\n \u201cAllow me to offer you a drink that we might toast our survival, wellbeing, and the future.\u201d<\/p>\n No one moved. Relc stared at the bottle.<\/p>\n \u201cKlb, that looks like dirt water. Can we even drink that?\u201d<\/p>\n The Antinium nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is quite safe, I can assure you. It has been extensively tested on Antinium and while the drink is strong, it is consumable by all present.\u201d<\/p>\n He looked at Erin and she looked at Toren.<\/p>\n \u201cDo we have um, any shot glasses? Anything small?\u201d<\/p>\n They did, in fact. They were more like finger bowls and Erin wasn\u2019t sure what was supposed to go in them. But they made good impromptu shot glasses, and soon each was filled with the fizzing, dark liquid.<\/p>\n Everyone but the Antinium stared into their bowl apprehensively as Klbkch lifted his.<\/p>\n \u201cTo life, triumph over the undead, and this inn.\u201d<\/p>\n He drank, tossing the black liquid down calmly. So did Pawn and Ksmvr. No one else did. Krshia was sniffing at the drink suspiciously and Relc tasted the drink with the tip of his tongue.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is quite palatable.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin gulped. She saw Ryoka standing away from the group, frowning down into her drink. Well, it wasn\u2019t as if she had to drink the entire thing. She sipped at the drink. Her eyes widened.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s good<\/em>. Hey, this tastes good everyone!\u201d<\/p>\n They all looked at her. Erin downed the drink and smiled. That seemed to reassure the others. Rags and the Goblins drank their portions down and looked around for more. Krshia tossed hers down and growled happily and Relc and Zevara did the same. Selys and Ryoka drank only a small bit, and Pisces only sipped a few drops.<\/p>\n \u201cHey it ain\u2019t bad. Good job Klb.\u201d<\/p>\n Relc laughed at his friend as he tossed the shot glass on the table. The others made similar noises of agreement. Krshia inclined her head at the Antinium.<\/p>\n \u201cPerhaps I could find a market for your drink. It is agreeably strong. Gnolls, they would like this I think, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n Klbkch nodded. He was smiling, or doing that raised-mandibles thing.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is rather potent in its current form. I regret that this is only a trial run, and the formula is not perfected yet. Perhaps we should have mitigated the effects of the drink with more paralytic agent.\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone stared at him. Erin opened her mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cUm. The what?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka felt the top of her mouth go numb. She tried to put down the half-full shot glass but it slipped out of her fingers. She bent to catch it but toppled over.<\/p>\n Klbkch stared at the human girl as she flopped around on the ground, trying ineffectually to push herself up. He glanced around at the other non-Antinium as they began to sway, smile, or regurgitate.<\/p>\n \u201cAh.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The three Antinium strode back through the plains, towards Liscor. Or rather, the secret entrance just outside of it. There was no need to bother the guards on the gate at this hour.<\/p>\n And the striding aspect was similarly exaggerated, because two the Antinium were slower than the other. Pawn had to be half-carried by Ksmvr, unable to walk as he was.<\/p>\n Klbkch amended his pace to let the other two catch up. He spoke without turning his head and the other two answered without looking. They had no need of visual interaction. Communication between their own kind did not require social niceties as with other races.<\/p>\n \u201cI regard this night as a positive outcome on the whole, even in light of the failure of the rxlvn<\/em>. I will make our apologies tomorrow to the others.\u201d<\/p>\n Ksmvr and Pawn didn\u2019t nod. They didn\u2019t have to. But Ksmvr did raise his voice. His tone was uncertain as he addressed Klbkch.<\/p>\n \u201cWith all due respect, would the drink not be considered a success, Prognugator? It was strong enough to affect even Relc.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDrinking is meant to be a social activity. The effects were too strong. Also, refrain from addressing me as Prognugator. I assumed that role out of necessity during the attack on Liscor. However, you will resume that position forthwith.\u201d<\/p>\n Pawn looked at Ksmvr as the Antinium stared at Klbkch\u2019s back.<\/p>\n \u201cAm I then your superior? Your position\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am second only to the Queen. A new position will be created.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI see. And the Individual known as Pawn?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor now he will remain under my authority, not yours.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI understand.\u201d<\/p>\n The three walked on. Klbkch voice was cold and impartial as he spoke again.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the future, have the brewers reduce both alcohol content and soporific and paralytic agents in the drink. As I understand it, the act of drinking is meant to be pleasurable. Unconsciousness is the end result, not the goal.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUnderstood.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt will be done.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVery well. I will report to the Queen. I will attempt to communicate with Erin Solstice at another time. Ksmvr, return Pawn to the Hive and await instructions in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n Klbkch strode away before the other two Antinium could respond.<\/p>\n After a while, Pawn spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cKlbkch\u2019s motives are unclear to me. But I suppose this means I will no longer be a worker.\u201d<\/p>\n Ksmvr\u2019s voice was no longer hesitant. He replied impartially to Pawn.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is what we were ordered. You will, of course, obey.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course. I am loyal to the Hive. I have chosen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYet you have expressed your dissatisfaction with me to Klbkch. I am your Prognugator.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat is true. And you cut off my arms and leg.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI did what was necessary for the Hive.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. You did.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou also instigated Workers to leave the Hive against my orders.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose I did.\u201d<\/p>\n The two moved on in silence. After a while Ksmvr spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cYour affection for me is not necessary. However, for the good of the Hive we must work together.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI serve the Hive. I am loyal to the Queen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut I still hate you.\u201d<\/p>\n More silence.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is suggested by other species that a period of bonding may occur by shared experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIndeed?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI suggest this as an attempt to amend the distrust between us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI see.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you have any suggestions in this regard?\u201d<\/p>\n Pawn was silent. His only leg dragged along the ground. He turned his head slightly to Ksmvr.<\/p>\n \u201cTell me. Do you know how to play chess?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The next day, Selys woke up in a room on the second floor of The Wandering Inn, next to a wet, hairy carpet. That carpet turned out to be Krshia, and the two turned out to be sharing the same bed.<\/p>\n Selys stared at Krshia in shock until the Gnoll opened her eyes. Krshia glared at the sun, and then blinked a few times at Selys.<\/p>\n \u201cGood morning, Selys.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys squeaked. She stared in horror at Krshia and then looked down. Their clothes were missing. She thought she saw her dress hanging out the open window. That was important, but her eyes kept getting drawn back to the Gnoll sleeping next to her. Right next to her.<\/p>\n \u201cUm. Uh. Hi Krshia. You wouldn\u2019t happen to know\u2014did we um\u2014did we\u2014?\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia shrugged, and then sniffed hard. She shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cHr. Nothing happened.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys almost thought she heard the Gnoll mutter \u2018pity\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Good. I\u2019m um\u2014I\u2019m just\u2014I have to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Selys rolled out of bed, fled the inn, and locked herself in her apartment for the rest of the day.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Two hours after Selys fled, Relc found himself lying in the plains, completely naked. He stood up, looked for his clothing, and gave up. The naked Drake strolled through the southern gates of Liscor around the same time the Watch Captain was found passed out in one of the street gutters.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Six hours before Relc caused a disturbance, Pisces woke up with light shining on his face. He waved his hands feebly and then sat up. What he\u2019d thought was the sun turned out to be something else. He stared at the flickering magic and turned pale.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Around an hour after everyone had vacated the inn, Erin slumped at a table, blearily watching Toren as he moved around the room, picking up plates and mugs and bringing them to the kitchen.<\/p>\n \u201cSee that? That\u2019s useful. Like a\u2026dishwasher with legs. And a sword.\u201d<\/p>\n She wasn\u2019t drunk. The Antinium\u2019s alcohol had tasted bitterly dark with just a hint of something fruity, but it hadn\u2019t done anything for Erin. It was the [Alcohol Immunity]. She wasn\u2019t drunk.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I had ten of him\u2026I\u2019d probably hate it. You know he stands in a corner? Very creepy. Veeeeery creepy.\u201d<\/p>\n She was just tired. Ryoka on the other hand was drunk. But she was still able to stand upright, which was quite impressive. Then again, everyone else had been upright as they staggered out of the inn. Only the Goblins had taken the shot and fallen right down. They were still lying on the floor, insensible. Rags was sprawled face-down on one of the tables, clutching a chess piece in one hand.<\/p>\n Erin wasn\u2019t sure why she was awake. She really wanted to sleep, but Ryoka was still awake. The other girl was clearly trying to keep herself upright and Erin felt it was only courteous to do the same.<\/p>\n Ryoka blinked several times and frowned. She was swaying in her seat. The other girl was muttering, her voice slurred.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to talk. This is\u2014crucial. Something about people? If we\u2019re all here, what does that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know? I didn\u2019t know there were people.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka frowned at her, and then nodded with difficulty.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you got here. That was important? When you\u2026got here. Something about that.\u201d<\/p>\n She put a hand to her head and frowned hard. Erin shrugged. She was drifting off on a sea of clouds. That\u2019s what the table felt like. She closed her eyes, and then jerked upright. Ryoka nearly fell out of her seat.<\/p>\n Erin decided she had to be the voice of reason.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s too late for this. We should sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka thought about this. After a moment she nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cTomorrow. But we must talk.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. But after we sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n The two agreed. They nodded so much they nearly fell asleep.<\/p>\n \u201cUpstairs is a bed. You can have one.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin wandered over to her kitchen. Ryoka frowned at her and then looked at the door.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t lock the doors?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShould I?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin didn\u2019t see the point. She wavered. It was such a long way to the doors. But then Toren walked over and bolted it. She smiled. She was saved! She could go to sleep.<\/p>\n \u201cThere. Locked.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka looked at the doors, squinting. Then she nodded, apparently satisfied. Without another word she stumbled towards the stairs. Erin heard her bumping into things on the way up.<\/p>\n Time for bed. Erin was exhausted. She stumbled towards her bedding, too tired to even think about undressing or brushing her teeth. She rolled into her blankets and stared at the roof.<\/p>\n So tired. So exhausted. So much money made from her guests! But all that was a backdrop to the most important thing. It had lit her up, given her wings as she\u2019d served her guests. It was important, the only thing that mattered.<\/p>\n Erin whispered it up to the ceiling.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not alone.\u201d<\/p>\n She smiled, and drifted off to sleep with that wonderful feeling still in her chest.<\/p>\n Happiness.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Erin had about half an hour of sleep before the door to her inn exploded <\/em>inwards. As she ran out of the kitchen she saw Pisces standing in the doorway, hands wreathed in crackling lightning. His face was pale.<\/p>\n Ryoka stood poised on the stairway, ready to leap down on the mage. But she stopped. Something was glowing in the dark inn, and not just the magic coiling around the mage\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n A spark of light flickered and hovered around Pisces\u2019 head. A dancing firefly made of colors and shapes. They spelled out words and meaning Ryoka couldn\u2019t read, but she recognized them. She recognized the spell. She sat down on the stairway, legs suddenly out of energy.<\/p>\n Erin blinked at the burnt wood of her doorway. Oh. She\u2019d locked it. She looked at Pisces and opened her mouth to yell, but hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cPisces, what\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n The mage\u2019s face was pale as he stared at Erin. He said only two words.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re alive.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Previous Chapter<\/a> Next Chapter<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cAre we going the right way? I think we\u2019re lost.\u201d \u201cMm. Patience. This is the right direction.\u201d \u201cAre you sure, Krshia? I think we\u2019re lost. All this grass looks the same to me.\u201d \u201cThere is no road, Selys. We must trust we go the right way, yes? And my memory is not so poor.\u201d \u201cBut […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52856846,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"patreon-level":0,"patreon_level":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11693082,349],"tags":[7224,250708,4330244,4472517,11693079],"twi_volume":[11693131],"twi_collection":[],"class_list":["post-1336","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-volume-2","category-writing","tag-fantasy","tag-inn","tag-web-novel","tag-web-serial","tag-writing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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