Erin walked down the street, and she felt like sighing. No\u2014she felt like her entire existence was a long, slow sigh.<\/p>\n
She was tired. Tired and weary in her very bones. But more than that, she was just disappointed. And that was the worst feeling of all.<\/p>\n
Humans.<\/p>\n
She\u2019d missed them. Really, she had. She\u2019d missed her friends and being back in her home. She even missed the way people said hello as you walked into the supermarket. And she\u2019d been missing all of that so hard that she\u2019d forgotten how nasty people could be.<\/p>\n
They didn\u2019t like Drakes or Gnolls. Humans. And now that Erin knew that and heard the way Cervial and Goeln talked about Drakes and Gnolls\u2014or at least Goeln\u2014she understood why the feeling was mutual.<\/p>\n
It was pretty rude to insult an entire species in their own city. Erin wasn\u2019t too sure about much when it came to talking about race, but she was sure of that.<\/p>\n
Erin scuffed along Market Street. She wasn\u2019t sure she wanted to buy anything, but she didn\u2019t want to leave the city just yet. Not because she had anything to do here\u2014it was just that the trek back to her inn was too much for her at the moment.<\/p>\n
Politeness. It was only right to be polite. And that went double for judging an entire species just because you didn\u2019t like their smell<\/em>. Sure, Gnolls could be prickly, but they could also be really nice. The same went for Drakes.<\/p>\n \u201cThere she is! There\u2019s the [Thief]!\u201d<\/p>\n Then again, there were jerks in every species.<\/p>\n Erin turned around at the voice. It was a familiar voice that set her teeth on edge and made her check her money pouch. Not just because of the thief comment.<\/p>\n Approaching at a high-speed strut down the street was a Drake shopkeeper. Erin\u2019s eyes narrowed as he barged up to her and began shouting.<\/p>\n \u201cI know it was you! You couldn\u2019t resist attacking an honest merchant, and you decide to have a bit of revenge, eh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin blinked at the Drake. He was visibly red with rage. He jabbed at her with a finger, and she stepped back.<\/p>\n \u201cEnough!\u201d<\/p>\n Another Drake pushed his way through the crowd. This one was a Guardsman, and he was visibly harried. He interposed himself between the shopkeeper and Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cLism, I\u2019ve told you before. You can\u2019t just start accusing Humans at random!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, but this one is different!\u201d<\/p>\n Lism the shopkeeper pointed at Erin around the guard and raised his voice so more people could hear.<\/p>\n \u201cThis<\/em> is the Human who robbed me of my merchandise! She also cheated at the chess game with my nephew, I\u2019ve no doubt! She\u2019s been nothing but trouble since she entered the city, and now she\u2019s stealing from honest folk trying to make a living!\u201d<\/p>\n What was it about Erin and trouble? It seemed it followed her wherever she went. Erin gritted her teeth.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t steal<\/em> anything. I haven\u2019t even been in the city\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMiss, please.\u201d<\/p>\n The guardsman cut her off. He gently moved Lism back.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll look into your claims, sir, but I can\u2019t make any arrests. Unless you have proof\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey, I said I didn\u2019t steal anything!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHah! Another Human lie!\u201d<\/p>\n Lism jabbed a claw at Erin again, despite the guard\u2019s best attempts to move them apart. Now, Erin was getting mad. She opened her mouth and clenched her fists.<\/p>\n \u201cI was out of the city all day! I have proof!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The shopkeeper hesitated, but now he was too far in to back down.<\/p>\n \u201cIt could<\/em> have been her. You know how Humans get! They\u2019re always sneaking around, going where they\u2019re not wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll investigate your claims. Just please move back\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t trust her word! Get a truth stone! All of these Humans have caused nothing but trouble since they got here! First, they start stealing, and then what? They\u2019ll take our jobs, attack us on the streets\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlease! Move back!\u201d<\/p>\n The guard finally managed to pull the enraged shopkeeper away from Erin. He struggled and hollered, but eventually, he let himself be led away. He still shot venomous glances over his shoulder at Erin, which she returned in kind.<\/p>\n That was unpleasant. Erin was just about to leave before the jerk came back and shouted some more when the [Guard] returned.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, hi. Thanks for getting rid of him for me. Was he mad about someone stealing his stuff?\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake nodded. He looked out of sorts and tired.<\/p>\n \u201cThere have been a number of petty thefts across the city. Shopkeeper Lism was the latest one to be stolen from.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2026I\u2019m sorry about that. Good luck finding the criminal.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin tried to excuse herself, but the guardsman shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Miss, but I\u2019m afraid I\u2019ll have to investigate his claims. If you\u2019ll follow me, I\u2019ll take a statement from you. Just with a truth spell. I\u2019ll also need proof that you were out of the city this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s standard procedure\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut I\u2014he\u2014he\u2019s just mad because I beat him at a game of chess! Or\u2014I beat his nephew and\u2014look, I didn\u2019t do<\/em> anything.\u201d<\/p>\n The guardsman sighed wearily and raised his hands.<\/p>\n \u201cI understand, Miss, but I have to investigate all leads. Please, this won\u2019t take too long\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked around helplessly. This wasn\u2019t fair<\/em>. But who could help her? The other Drakes and Gnolls, well, some of them looked indifferent, others even sympathetic. But some of them were eying her. And none of them would help. What could they do?<\/p>\n A lot, if one of the people in the crowd was a certain female Gnoll who pushed her way through the throng and marched up to the guardsman. He visibly wilted as Krshia, shopkeeper, Gnoll, and currently Erin\u2019s number one hero folded her arms.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you doing, if I may ask, guardsman? I hear you are taking an innocent Human away on the word of a petty shopkeeper. But that would be wrong, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n The guardsman backed up two steps from the angry Gnoll. He wasn\u2019t a small Drake, but Krshia was big even for a Gnoll, and a few more Gnolls in the crowd were drifting her way.<\/p>\n \u201cLook, Mistress Krshia, I\u2019m just investigating\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI heard.\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia sniffed and glanced down the street. Lism, the shopkeeper, ducked back into his stall as she glared in his direction.<\/p>\n \u201cLism, the sheddings that he is, talks too much and lies when he knows nothing. Someone broke into his stall, but he saw nothing, heard nothing. But he claims it was a girl who bested him out of spite. And you would bother her without evidence?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not\u2014I\u2019m just doing my job. It\u2019s just a truth spell to make sure she\u2019s innocent. In fact, she can rely on that as proof.\u201d<\/p>\n That made sense, and Erin felt it was sorta reasonable, but Krshia\u2019s eyes narrowed.<\/p>\n \u201cThis does make sense\u2014if you had any reason to suspect Miss Solstice. But all you have is Lism\u2019s unfounded claims. She was outside the city most of the day\u2014your colleagues can surely attest to her being at the gates, yes? Why waste truth spells on her? This seems close to harassing her for being a Human\u2026<\/em>much like one might question a Gnoll who was anywhere near a crime being committed in another city. But Liscor is not like other Drake cities, no?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The guardsman was torn between duty and not wanting to deal with anything remotely approaching the trouble written on Krshia\u2019s face. He hesitated and then decided as several Gnolls casually walked out of the crowd and joined Krshia. They stood behind her and Erin, not looming<\/em> but certainly projecting an aura.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe I\u2019ll continue my investigations into the break-in separately. And confirm with the Watch at the gates before I take up Miss Solstice\u2019s valuable time.\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia smiled coldly.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, that is wise.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell then.\u201d<\/p>\n The guardsman backed off fast. Erin blinked, still confused by what had just happened. The entire moment\u2014well she was grateful for Krshia obviously\u2014but it struck her as slightly wrong that the local law enforcement would back down to a bunch of civilians.<\/p>\n Then again, when the civilians in question were Gnolls, Erin could see why. Even at their best, they did give off a much more\u2026bestial feel than the Drakes. It wasn\u2019t that Erin expected them to lose their tempers, but she also wouldn\u2019t be too surprised if they did. That kind of feeling.<\/p>\n Krshia smiled down at Erin as the other Gnolls around her muttered or barked to her. She growled something back to them, and they walked back into the flow of the crowd.<\/p>\n \u201cErin Solstice. I have been looking for you. And it is good that I found you just now, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. Thanks for that, Krshia. I didn\u2019t know what to do, and that shopkeeper guy\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia narrowed her eyes and snorted.<\/p>\n \u201cLism. He causes trouble, yes? Even though you bested him fairly and his nephew is most admiring of you. But enough\u2014I will make sure he causes no trouble. I wish to speak with you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm, okay? About what? The thief?\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia flicked her fingers.<\/p>\n \u201cPshaw. It is a cowardly thing that hides and steals from us on Market Street and elsewhere. No one knows if it is Human or another, but the thefts are small. Low-level. No, I do not worry about such a [Thief]. I wish to speak with you privately. I invite you to my home for food and drink.\u201d<\/p>\n Again, Erin hesitated. She was grateful but\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cUm, does it have to be now? I\u2019m really beat, Krshia. I could use a nap\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have a bed in my home too. You may use it and rest if you wish. Come.\u201d<\/p>\n Gnolls were pushy. Or maybe it was just Krshia. But Erin found herself being dragged down the street before she quite knew what was happening.<\/p>\n \u201cLook, I\u2019m grateful, really, but this isn\u2019t a good time. I just had to deal with some evil spiders and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cErin!\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia ignored Erin and the person calling her name. She marched through the crowd at speed.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we wait for a good time, we will never have time. Come, my home is not far.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cErin! Erin Solstice!\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia visibly sighed, and her ears twitched<\/em> as the mysterious name-caller drew closer. She halted in the street, and Erin finally managed to extract her hand from the Gnoll\u2019s huge paw. She turned and saw another Drake heading her way.<\/p>\n \u201cOlesm?\u201d<\/p>\n The smaller, younger Drake stopped in front of Erin and Krshia, panting. He was clutching a piece of parchment and a quill and inkpot of all things. For a second, Erin was struck by the sheer inconvenience of not having pens in this world, but then Olesm shoved the paper into her face.<\/p>\n \u201cTake a look at this, Erin! I just received this, and it\u2019s the most fascinating<\/em> thing ever! A new way to play chess!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin blinked, but then the paper disappeared as Krshia gently but firmly pulled Olesm away.<\/p>\n \u201cMost interesting, but Erin Solstice is busy. I will talk with her, and you will find her later, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n She wanted to pull Erin away, but to the Gnoll\u2019s dismay, Erin was already standing next to Olesm.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat was that about a new way to play chess?\u201d<\/p>\n This time, Krshia groaned, but Erin was already staring at the piece of paper Olesm was eagerly waving about. She tried one last attempt.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is time to play such games later, yes? Erin\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n But by that point, Erin and Olesm were already engrossed. Krshia\u2019s ears twitched<\/em> again, but there was nothing she could do.<\/p>\n \u201cJust look at this, Erin!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will if you stop moving. What is it?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin snatched the paper from Olesm\u2019s claw and stared at it. Well, it was a piece of paper. And on that paper was an inked\u2026illustration? Erin frowned, but then she got it. It was chess. Someone had drawn a chess board on the piece of paper.<\/p>\n She stared down at a picture\u2014or rather, a drawing of a chess board. Someone had taken the time to draw out the grid and then illustrate\u2014in quite fine detail\u2014each piece on the imaginary board. She stared down at a white king piece, a queen piece in the corner, a knight and a pawn caught in the middle of a game against two black pawn pieces, two rooks, and naturally, a king piece hiding in behind the pawns in the upper left-hand corner.<\/p>\n Olesm hovered over Erin\u2019s shoulder, chattering into her ear.<\/p>\n \u201cI just received a long-distance delivery that went out to all the known [Tacticians] and chess players on the continent! From the Titan of Baleros!<\/em> Okay, his Great Company, the Forgotten Wing. On Baleros? He can definitely afford it. It was this paper\u2014and it\u2019s a challenge, see? You have to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSolve it in five moves?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019d you know?\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm stared at Erin. She pointed.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s written right here. And white moves first.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, isn\u2019t it amazing? I would never have thought of that\u2014but someone\u2019s come up with a way to play chess across long distances without a spell! But this isn\u2019t a game at all\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I know. It\u2019s a chess puzzle.\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm visibly deflated.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know what it is? But of course\u2014how silly of me.\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia walked over to stare at the chess boards. She squinted down at the paper and frowned at the pieces.<\/p>\n \u201cI fail to understand this\u2014puzzle. Why has someone sent it to you, Olesm?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s more like a challenge to anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin explained absently as she stared at the chess pieces.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a challenge or a problem for players. You have to find a way to win the game in a certain number of moves. It helps people learn to play chess, and this way, you can write it down.\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm nodded eagerly. He pointed to the paper.<\/p>\n \u201cIn this case, the solution is to checkmate the black king, but I haven\u2019t been able to figure it out yet. I imagine most of the players across the continent are trying to figure it out. It might take some time, but I hope to be one of the first to figure\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin was still staring at the paper. She blinked, frowned, and then snapped her fingers. Both Krshia and Olesm jumped.<\/p>\n \u201cHm~! Got it!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin smiled and flicked the chess puzzle with one hand.<\/p>\n \u201cDone and done!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm froze and stared at Erin. She grinned at him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2014you finished it? Just like that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYep. It wasn\u2019t too bad a problem. But I\u2019ve seen several like it, so\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia glanced sympathetically at Olesm. The poor Drake stared at Erin and then down at the chess puzzle.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014I would deeply love to know how you solved it so quickly. But I should\u2014yes, I should solve it on my own. Shouldn\u2019t I?\u201d<\/p>\n He looked longingly at the piece of parchment Erin was holding. She grinned and folded it up.<\/p>\n \u201cYou should. It will help you in the long run. Don\u2019t feel bad\u2014I just happened to know how that particular problem goes. But it was quite fun.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFun.\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm repeated the word. He looked down at the paper.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been wrestling with this problem for an hour. But\u2014of course with someone of your level I shouldn\u2019t expect this to faze you. Of course.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you have any more?\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm shook his head. He accepted the piece of parchment back from Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cThis was the first\u2014I mean, I suppose we might expect more of the same in the future, wouldn\u2019t we? This puzzle was sent to countless cities. From the Titan. To find good opponents, I bet, and promote his game. I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if more appear soon.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, you mean sort of like a magazine, right? Or a newspaper?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA what?\u201d<\/p>\n Both Krshia and Olesm looked at Erin blankly. She tried to explain. Olesm nodded his head uncertainly.<\/p>\n \u201cYes\u2014yes, that sounds about right.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just surprised. I thought sending stuff was supposed to be costly.\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not that<\/em> expensive, especially if you send it with the slower deliveries.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSlower deliveries\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake nodded. He gestured to the parchment in his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cThis was sent via magic. The Mage\u2019s Guild can print images as well as text\u2014but it\u2019s extremely<\/em> expensive. If it was a letter\u2026again, the Titan can definitely<\/em> afford magic, but a letter\u2019s a fraction of the cost. And slower. Heck, you don\u2019t even need the Runner\u2019s Guild. You see, Runners deliver things quickly, but merchants and caravans and even ship captains will pass on long-distance deliveries for a very small fee.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin frowned. She sort of got it. It was like snail mail by boat versus sending stuff by plane. And [Message] spells? That sounded like emails! But part of the process still confused her.<\/p>\n \u201cHow does that work if you trade the letter more than once? Do you pay the first guy a lot and have him give the money to the next person? That sounds risky.\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm scratched at his scales as he tried to explain.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s more like\u2014well, I suppose you could call the letters a form of currency. Travellers will buy them for a few coins and complete the delivery in hopes of earning more when they sell them later or deliver them to their owner. Really, the Runner\u2019s Guild is far more reliable but expensive.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh. So it\u2019s sort of a gamble.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExactly, but it\u2019s fairly certain that the letter will get to your destination in the end. Of course, sending something private is a bad idea, but you can send a message to another continent for only a copper coin or two. It might take a month or two, but it will<\/em> get there.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin nodded. It all made sense. And it reminded her of\u2014well, it reminded her of the post office in a way. Just without stamps. It was useful, it really was.<\/p>\n It was just that she was dreaming of email, the internet, and being able to call her family in two seconds at that moment. So she wasn\u2019t that impressed, even though she was really trying to be.<\/p>\n \u201cI wonder\u2014do you think I could send the answer to the person who sent you the puzzle?\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t see why not. I mean, I won\u2019t get in touch with the Titan<\/em>, just his company. And it costs a bit, but it\u2019s only a few silver for a [Message] spell\u2026I bet he\u2019ll check for answers soon, but not within an hour of sending the puzzle!\u201d<\/p>\n It seemed pricier than he wanted, but Erin was getting excited. And so was Olesm at the thought of contacting and impressing this Titan. Was he actually that big?<\/p>\n \u201cI can write down the answer. Do you have any paper\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWrite it down here. I won\u2019t look.\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm handed Erin another piece of parchment and averted his eyes as she scribbled on it. She handed it back to him folded up.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, so you send it to this person. And then this person will send me something harder?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPerhaps. Or perhaps they might wait until others have sent in their reply. It could take a few weeks or up to a month for a new puzzle.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw. That\u2019s a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut it\u2019s so fascinating to play games across such a long distance, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin tried to find the enthusiasm Olesm was giving off, but the truth was this revolutionary idea was small potatoes in her world. She sighed, but then she had a thought.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got a better idea. Here, give me the paper back.\u201d<\/p>\n She took the pen and dipped it in the ink pot Olesm held out.<\/p>\n \u201cThey sent me a puzzle, so I can send one back. Let\u2019s see how they like this<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin drew out a chess board with every piece in the starting position. She wasn\u2019t an artist, but she did the best she could. Then she wrote in the upper left hand corner:<\/p>\n \u2018Black side will mirror white side\u2019s every move. Force checkmate in 4 moves.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a bit elementary, but it should be a good challenge for a beginner. You can<\/em> send this via letter, if not a [Message] spell thingy?\u201d<\/p>\n She showed it to Olesm and Krshia. Olesm frowned at the paper while Krshia shook her head in confusion, but then he smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m definitely not<\/em> paying for [Messaging] an image. But I could probably send a letter via one of the bulk deliveries! What a fun puzzle! Wait\u2026ah. I actually know<\/em> this one.\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm perked right back up and puffed his chest out proudly. Erin\u2019s smile turned upside-down.<\/p>\n \u201cWait, what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSeveral new players like to challenge me this way. So I grew quite adept at beating them. It is quite a simple solution as I\u2019m sure you know. If you move the queen like so\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin scowled and snatched the parchment back.<\/p>\n \u201cGive me that.\u201d<\/p>\n She flipped it over and began writing furiously on the backside. Olesm blinked, and Krshia grinned in amusement. When Erin showed Olesm the new problem, he blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a\u2014a lot of pieces.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCheckmate in four moves. Black moves first.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin grinned evilly at Olesm.<\/p>\n \u201cFour moves?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He goggled at the paper. Erin had heard of goggling, but she\u2019d never seen someone actually do it.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. That\u2019s impossible. But\u2014no, it shouldn\u2019t be\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He frowned, his tail lashing the ground.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t even begin to\u2014how did you come up with this so quickly?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was one of the puzzles that gave me a headache back when I was playing a lot. It took me nearly a week to figure it out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t\u2014may I copy this? Please?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGo ahead. And if you\u2019ll send this back to the person who sent the other puzzle\u2014I\u2019ll pay for delivery.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, of course. Certainly. Um, you can give me a few silver coins and it will get there, but more money means a faster delivery. Sorry, but it is<\/em> overseas. Maybe I could get someone to pay for an image-[Message]? But that\u2019s gold.<\/em> How about two silver and I\u2019ll copy this to Baleros for a slow Runner letter\u2014and to Pallass? Maybe someone will send it back to the Titan. They\u2019re all rich in the Walled City. Tons of famous [Strategists]. Heck, the Cyclops of Pallass lives there. Uh, the Grand Strategist of the Drakes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI get it. Well, not anything of what you just said, but it\u2019s pricey. Okay\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Erin thought about that and dug in her money pouch. She was feeling generous, so she handed Olesm two silver coins. From what Selys had told her, she\u2019d be rolling in bits of shiny metal soon enough.<\/p>\n The Drake blinked down at the coins, but accepted them and promised to send the letter as soon as he copied down Erin\u2019s puzzle. He hurried off, leaving Krshia and Erin behind.<\/p>\n She smiled, wondered a bit maliciously how long it would take the mysterious chess puzzler to solve her problem, and then completely forgot about it a minute later.<\/p>\n Krshia was still trying to get Erin to have a meal with her, but Erin was tired, still sore, and for that matter, hungry. And despite her best wishes towards Gnolls, their food was more than a little raw by Human standards.<\/p>\n \u201cLook, I\u2019d really love to visit. And I will\u2014how about tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut today is quicker, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, but\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin wavered. Krshia enticed her with promises of baked food and meat. And it would be nice, even if she had the feeling the Gnoll wanted to talk to her about something important. Maybe she could relax?<\/p>\n But just as she was about to leave with Krshia, someone else called out Erin\u2019s name. This time, Krshia\u2019s ears laid flat on her head, and she turned with a glare. But the Gnoll stopped.<\/p>\n Gazi Pathseeker stood behind Erin in a vortex of attention. She smiled up at Krshia, and the Gnoll stared at her. Erin blinked and sighed as the half-Gazer greeted her.<\/p>\n \u201cErin. Is now a good time?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI guess. Did you meet all the important people you were supposed to?\u201d<\/p>\n Gazi shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cI have met with various individuals. But I am sure others will introduce themselves when they realize I am in the city. However, I wonder if I might take you up on your offer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOffer? What offer?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin blinked at Gazi. The adventurer smiled and waved her hand.<\/p>\n \u201cYou mentioned you had an inn. If you wouldn\u2019t mind, I would very much like to see it and have a meal, if I may.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Of course.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin glanced at Krshia.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, Krshia. It\u2019s just that I promised Gazi\u2014she helped me out earlier today. You don\u2019t mind\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia stood stock still and waved a hand silently at Erin. Gazi smiled in the Gnoll\u2019s direction.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Shopkeeper Krshia. I apologize for my rudeness.\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll murmured something, but Erin was already leading Gazi away. Krshia stared at the adventurer\u2019s back and then shook her head. She turned, grabbed the nearest Gnoll, and began speaking quickly with him. She kept casting glances at Gazi\u2019s back the entire time the adventurer was walking away. She hadn\u2019t dared meet the half-Gazer\u2019s eyes, and even now, Krshia\u2019s hair was puffed out.<\/p>\n She watched Gazi, but Krshia had no idea\u2014or perhaps she did\u2014that she was being watched right back.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Erin stared in horrified fascination as one of Gazi\u2019s eyeballs slowly rotated to face forwards in her head as the two walked down the street. Apparently, Gazers had 360\u00b0 vision, which was awesome and incredibly disturbing.<\/p>\n She talked to Gazi while the female adventurer\u2019s eyes roamed. She kept her big eye focused on Erin as she walked\u2014out of politeness, Erin guessed, but her other four eyes were all moving in other directions. In fact, it was quite disturbing how Gazi\u2019s big eye didn\u2019t move away from Erin the entire time. Since she had other eyes, she could focus entirely on Erin even while avoiding other pedestrians.<\/p>\n Not that there were any to get in her or Erin\u2019s way. The other people on the street either knew Gazi or didn\u2019t want to walk in front of the adventurer. She was still dressed like a warrior, and even if her armor looked rusty, she seemed like serious business.<\/p>\n All in all\u2014no, Erin wasn\u2019t going to think it. But she couldn\u2019t help it. It really felt like she was talking to a female version of Mad Eye Moody, as wrong as that sounded. A lot less grumpy and with more than one crazy eyeball, but the thought was in her head, and she couldn\u2019t shake it.<\/p>\n And like the Harry Potter characters, Gazi seemed to be a sinkhole for attention. So much so that Erin felt uncomfortable as the two walked down the street towards the gates. She was used to scrutiny, but this time, the Drakes and Gnolls weren\u2019t even bothering to hide their stares. And sure, most were staring at Gazi, but a lot of them were also staring at the weird Human talking to her.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re really that famous, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n Gazi shrugged, and the armor on her shoulders rolled back.<\/p>\n \u201cSome might say so. I apologize if the attention bothers you. Do you dislike such things?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDunno. I\u2019ve never been famous\u2014or popular.\u201d<\/p>\n Gazi nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe I am more infamous than famous.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve never been that either.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI believe the difference between the two is quite minute in some senses. In others however\u2014well, suffice it to say I appreciate staring as opposed to other reactions. Some cities would not let me past the gates\u2014or even in range of the walls. Nor will I blame them for that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight, right. I get you. I think.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin and Gazi stopped at a crowded intersection. Today seemed like a weekend\u2014not that Erin had a good grasp of the week days in this world. She spotted several families out and about, which meant that they\u2019d entered a residential district. She seldom went there, so the sight of children was\u2014<\/p>\n They were so small. And cute! <\/em>Well, the Gnoll kids reminded Erin of vicious puppies, but the small Drakes were terrifyingly cute. They ran about like normal kids, dragging their shorter tails about as they scuffled, played\u2026did all the things normal kids did, really.<\/p>\n As they caught sight of Erin and Gazi, some of the adults stared. But a gang of Drakes and a few Gnolls pointed at Erin instead. One of the children ran up to the two and then away. It was a boy Drake\u2014at least, she thought it was.<\/p>\n That was charming, especially the way the group of kids was clearly fascinated with her. Erin was smiling\u2014until she saw the parents.<\/p>\n Two Drakes, both with lighter blue scales, watched their offspring run about with his friends with affectionate interest. He ran up to her, and his parents called out, not wanting him to bother Erin. She was caught by the moment and the thought struck her before she could banish it.<\/p>\n Mother, father, and child.<\/p>\n Her smile flickered and vanished. But then Erin put it back on her face. She bent down towards the young Drake, not looking towards either of the parents.<\/p>\n \u201cHi there!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin smiled at the Drake child. He immediately took a step back, but the other children pushed him forward.<\/p>\n \u201cCan I ask you something?\u201d<\/p>\n The boy Drake\u2019s parents waved at him, telling him not to bother the Human. But Erin smiled. She forced the smile, but it was a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cGo on, I don\u2019t mind. Ask me any question you want.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake grinned up at her. He had very<\/em> sharp teeth. But it was still an innocent smile. A mischievous smile, too.<\/p>\n \u201cCan you really shoot blood out of your\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Pisces was sitting at a table in The Wandering Inn, sipping from a mug at his leisure as he put his feet up on one table. At his side, he\u2019d dragged over another table and organized a smorgasbord of cheese, meats, bread, and some sweet pastries Erin had bought for herself last time she\u2019d been in the city.<\/p>\n He jumped as the door to the inn smashed open, and Erin stormed in. She was wearing a terrific frown on her face, which contrasted sharply with the amusement on the face of the half-Gazer who followed her in.<\/p>\n She didn\u2019t even have to say anything. One look and Pisces’ feet came off the table, and he began industriously polishing the wood with his considerably dirtier robe.<\/p>\n \u201cGreetings, Mistress Solstice. Ah, are you well?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin stood in the center of the room and glared at everything and nothing.<\/p>\n \u201cI hate kids. I hate Drakes, and I hate people who don\u2019t understand anything about female anatomy.\u201d<\/p>\n That last comment was accompanied by a glare for Pisces. He opened his mouth to protest and then wisely shut up.<\/p>\n \u201cIn case anyone\u2019s wondering, I cannot<\/em> shoot blood out of my crotch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI did not wonder. But it was quite amusing to see your reaction when the child asked you the question.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin glared over her shoulder at the adventurer. Pisces eyed her. There was something familiar\u2014well, unfamiliar, really. He had never seen a Gazer of Baleros. Obviously, he knew the species, but there was only one famous member of them he knew by name.<\/p>\n \u2026It wasn\u2019t her. Obviously. Erin hadn\u2019t mentioned a name when she wandered into the inn with her guest, but it wasn\u2019t her.<\/em> That would be unbelievable. Pisces was keeping his ear out for a name as Erin ranted. Just because it couldn\u2019t be her.<\/p>\n \u201cWho asks<\/em> that? Honestly!\u201d<\/p>\n The adventurer shrugged. She was looking around the inn\u2014with more than one eye? Pisces’ brows snapped together as he stared at her.<\/p>\n \u201cIs it strange that other species do not know much about Human reproduction?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes! No! I just\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin threw up her hands.<\/p>\n \u201cForget it. This is my inn. I\u2019ll get you some food. You can take a seat. Watch out for Pisces, the jerk over there. He steals stuff. Like my food<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n She glared at the half-eaten pastries on Pisces’ table, and the mage flinched. Then she stomped into the kitchen, leaving him alone with\u2026with\u2026<\/p>\n As the adventurer took a table near him, Pisces’ eyes widened as he noticed her armor and sword. Her armor didn\u2019t look magical to him\u2014which had made him certain it wasn\u2019t<\/em> her and she was some other Gazer. But that sword\u2026<\/p>\n A claymore. <\/em>And she was sitting there and staring at him\u2026and now Pisces began to sweat. There was no way. There was no way one of the King\u2019s Seven was in this inn.<\/em><\/p>\n Staring at him.<\/p>\n If Pisces had been eating food, he would have choked on it. If he\u2019d been drinking, he probably would have sprayed it out his mouth and nose. Since he wasn\u2019t doing either, he just stared, wide-eyed, at Gazi.<\/p>\n She smiled at him. And as the last voices of denial tried to obfuscate the truth from his panicking mind, the Named-rank adventurer looked him in the eyes and said the most robe-wetting thing Pisces could imagine.<\/p>\n \u201cGreetings, [Necromancer].\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Erin rattled around in her kitchen, searching for something to serve up. She put a pot of pasta on the stove, poured out some blue juice\u2014which Pisces had also helped himself to\u2014and sliced up some bread with cheese and sausage. She realized she had no idea what Gazi or her kind ate, but she took it out anyways.<\/p>\n Pisces was sitting in his seat, looking meeker than Erin had ever seen him as he chatted with Gazi. Well, it was more like her asking questions and him replying quickly and nervously. Every few seconds, he would duck his head as if bowing.\u00a0<\/p>\n Another person who recognized the famed adventurer.<\/p>\n \u201cHere you go.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin put the appetizers in front of Gazi.<\/p>\n \u201cLet me know if there\u2019s anything you want or can\u2019t eat. Also, this is blue juice. It\u2019s\u2026it\u2019s blue. But it tastes sweet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis looks delightful. Thank you for allowing me to impose.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo problem. I rarely get visitors\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin stopped as the door opened.<\/p>\n \u201cI rarely get visitors.\u201d<\/p>\n She was expecting the Goblins to enter or perhaps Olesm or even Pawn and some Workers. But instead the last person she expected walked in.<\/p>\n Relc.<\/p>\n He grinned at her and sauntered into the inn, spear over one shoulder. And he wasn\u2019t alone. Four more Drakes\u2014all guardsmen by the look of them\u2014entered the inn, looking around warily.<\/p>\n Erin wasn\u2019t sure what to say. She stared at Relc. The Drake met her eyes and then looked away.<\/p>\n \u201cHi, Relc.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Erin. How\u2019re you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood. Um. You brought friends?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor a meal. Mind putting something on for us? I\u2019m hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf\u2014of course.\u201d<\/p>\n Flustered, Erin retreated into the kitchen to double up on her dinner preparations. She reemerged to find Relc and his friends sitting close to Gazi. Since she\u2019d chosen to sit next to Pisces, there was an odd triangle in the center of her inn.<\/p>\n There was also dead silence. Awkwardly, Erin put out drinks and appetizers for the guardsmen and Relc. The other Drakes accepted her drinks and stared at the blue juice warily, but they were polite. Relc, on the other hand, was boisterous and noisy, thanking her and gulping down the juice quickly. He looked everywhere\u2014except at her and Gazi, that was.<\/p>\n That was Erin\u2019s first clue, but she was so busy running around the inn that she didn\u2019t pick up on it. But as she began draining boiled noodles and mixing it with saut\u00e9ed onions, she heard Relc get up and walk over to Gazi.<\/p>\n \u201cSo. You\u2019re the famous adventurer entering our small city. Nice to meet you.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin peeked her head out of the kitchen just in time to see Relc leaning over the table. He stuck out one massive hand.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m Relc. A Senior Guardsman here in Liscor.\u201d<\/p>\n Was it just her or was Relc\u2026bigger<\/em> than before? But Gazi just smiled up at him and shook his hand with her gauntleted one. She saw the muscles in his arm tense, but Gazi didn\u2019t even blink as she shook his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cI am Gazi Pathseeker, a travelling adventurer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Half the [Guards] looked at Relc, but the Drake pretended not to have any idea who Gazi was. Then he picked at his teeth with a claw.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, right. I think I\u2019ve heard the name before. An adventurer? That\u2019s nice. I thought about being one, but it sounded like too much hassle.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe life of an adventurer is not for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, there\u2019s all the dirt and mud and monsters trying to kill you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt becomes occasionally unpleasant.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight, right.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin didn\u2019t need any special skills to sense the underlying tension in the air. She saw the four guardsmen Relc had brought surreptitiously eying Gazi. Meanwhile, Pisces had scooted around the edge of the table to get away from the two.<\/p>\n Relc paused. Then he cleared his throat and eyed Gazi.<\/p>\n \u201cSo\u2026mind telling me what you\u2019re doing in my<\/em> city? And, uh, how long you\u2019re going to be staying around here? Not going to start a war, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n Relc put a heavy emphasis on my.<\/em> And he was leaning over Gazi in a not-so-subtle way. She didn\u2019t seem to be bothered by his looming, though.<\/p>\n \u201cI am merely exploring this continent. Rest assured, I mean to cause no disruptions while I am here. Reim is far from here, and my liege sleeps. I am\u2026peaceful.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n She said that last part with an edge that made the entire inn go silent. Everyone looked ready to change the subject, especially because Relc\u2019s last comment had gotten on Gazi\u2019s nerves. Her large eye had narrowed ever-so-slightly. However, the big Drake nodded agreeably, or in a way that suggested agreeability while the tone of his voice was anything but.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s good. I\u2019d hate for any of that. It seems like every other day I have to deal with uppity adventurers causing trouble. It\u2019s because I\u2019m the highest-level member of the Watch, you know. All the guys always call on me for help.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt sounds like you have quite a tough job. I am impressed.\u201d<\/p>\n Gazi\u2019s voice was getting less and less friendly, and the notes of sarcasm\u2026well, let\u2019s just say that Erin was sensing a lot of it in the air. Relc flexed one arm and checked his bicep.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, well, I\u2019m just that good. [Spearmaster], you know? One of Izril\u2019s few.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIndeed? A fascinating class. I myself have killed only a few.\u201d<\/p>\n The room became quieter. Relc\u2019s gaze snapped up, and he opened his mouth\u2014but didn\u2019t have a ready retort. Gazi seemed content with that. Relc scratched at his scales. His tail twitched a few times on the floor.<\/p>\n \u201cFunny person. Anyways. So. What I\u2019m saying is, I\u2019d hate for your visit to get unpleasant, understand? This isn\u2019t a good place for you to cause any trouble like the kind you get up to on your continent. You get\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He was leaning forwards, and Gazi\u2019s main pupil was narrowing to a fine point of annoyance as the [Guards] looked like they were bracing for the worst\u2014which they had come here to avoid.<\/em> Pisces was opening a window and peering outside. The air was turning bad\u2014<\/p>\n And then Erin tapped Relc on the back of the head with a plate full of food. Hard.<\/p>\n \u201cOw!\u201d<\/p>\n He turned and glared at her. She glared back.<\/p>\n \u201cOi. Stop harassing my guest.\u201d<\/p>\n Gazi blinked. Pisces turned back, incredulous, and the Senior Guardsman looked at Erin. He glared\u2014then ducked a second tap of the plate.<\/p>\n \u201cI wasn\u2019t\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStop harassing. My guest. And sit back down. The food\u2019s ready.\u201d<\/p>\n Relc glared, but then he looked at Gazi\u2014and the tense air was lost. He opened his mouth, closed it\u2014stared at Erin, and growled. The Drake stomped back to his table as everyone sighed<\/em> in relief. Gazi smiled at Erin, amused.<\/p>\n \u201cAh. Pasta? It looks quite delicious. Thank you, Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, looks good! Have a bite and let me know if that\u2019s an illusion.\u201d<\/p>\n Relc began digging into his food the instant Erin left it at his table. After some hesitation, the other guardsmen did as well. Their wary expressions changed, and they soon began slurping down the noodles with good humor.<\/p>\n Pisces glanced around. Everyone else was eating\u2014and Erin had even brought out some food for herself. But he was notably bereft of a plate and food.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, I believe you missed someone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid I?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin eyed him balefully. She quite pointedly stared at the remains of her pastries on his table.<\/p>\n \u201cToo bad. I guess I only have food for paying customers.\u201d<\/p>\n He smirked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a matter of fact, I believe today is the day I will pay off my tab. I have come into quite a bit of money as of late.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin raised a skeptical eyebrow. Pisces pulled out a bulging pouch and showed her the contents.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you would observe.\u201d<\/p>\n She stared.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a lot<\/em> of gold. Hey! Did you steal that?\u201d<\/p>\n Relc\u2019s head rose, but Pisces looked insulted.<\/p>\n \u201cNot at all. I merely performed a complex bit of magic and received remuneration. But I believe this is more than enough to pay off my tab many times over. Allow me to repay my debts in full and tip you for your time.\u201d<\/p>\n He reached a hand into the pouch, but before he could take any gold out, the bag disappeared from underneath his hand. Relc pulled it away and deposited the bag on his table.<\/p>\n \u201cYoink.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey!\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces shot to his feet. He grabbed for the money, but Relc raised the bag out of arm\u2019s reach.<\/p>\n \u201cGive that back! It is my property!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNope! Confiscated by the City Watch!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRelc!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin shouted at the Drake as Pisces grew redder and redder. The mage pointed a trembling finger at Relc.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is an abuse of authority! You have no right to steal my property\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Relc grinned and waggled a claw at Pisces.<\/p>\n \u201cI have every right. Or did you forget\u2014you\u2019re still wanted for all those thefts you did earlier. Scaring people\u2014robbing graves\u2014all of that should be nicely covered by this donation to the city, shouldn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces turned white and then red again with outrage. He spluttered, but didn\u2019t really have anything to respond with except unrighteous indignation. Relc laughed at the mage\u2014until Erin punched him in the shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cOw. Have you gotten stronger?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a Skill. Stop bothering my customers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine. But I\u2019m keeping this. Necromancer Pisces will be allowed back in the city, and we won\u2019t stab him with all his fines paid off\u2014but I\u2019ll be watching him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is unjust\u2014not right\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces clenched his fists, but Erin managed to get him back to his seat. He sat there in a huff, so she got him his own plate and food to calm him down.<\/p>\n \u201cHonestly. I have a new guest here. Can\u2019t you two behave for one night?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am quite enjoying the spectacle. Do not mind me.\u201d<\/p>\n Relc glanced sideways at Gazi. But then he ignored her and grinned at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, Erin. I just wanted to say hi\u2014after so long.\u201d<\/p>\n She eyed him doubtfully.<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally. I saw you just this morning and thought\u2014well, it would be nice to see a friendly Human again. I had to deal with so many rude adventuring types and annoying mages each day.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces muttered something darkly. Erin shot him a look, and he shut up.<\/p>\n \u201cI saw that. You were pretty impressive out there. I didn\u2019t know you were that good.\u201d<\/p>\n Relc grinned and put his hands behind his head as he leaned back in his chair.<\/p>\n \u201cI try, I try. I\u2019m not the greatest guardsman in the city for no reason.\u201d<\/p>\n The four guardsmen stopped their meal and looked up at Relc. One of them snorted.<\/p>\n \u201cGreatest guardsman? Sure, one who can\u2019t even catch a Human Runner.\u201d<\/p>\n The other three chuckled. Relc thumped back down on his chair and glared at them.<\/p>\n \u201cI was wearing armor<\/em>, and I had my spear, alright? She got lucky!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin blinked at Relc as the other guardsmen made more jokes at his expense.<\/p>\n \u201cYou got outrun by a Runner?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe was really fast! I\u2019ve never seen anything like it! Any other Runner I\u2019d leave in the dust. But her\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure you didn\u2019t lose while you were admiring her? Relc, the Gecko, lost to a mere Human. The mighty have fallen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cToo busy panting and not enough breathing while you were running?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShut up! Don\u2019t call me that stupid name!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Relc glared at the two guards and threw a bit of food at them. That earned him another buffet from Erin. He glared at her, but then switched tone.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014By the way, Miss Erin. You\u2026wouldn\u2019t happen to know any female Runners, would you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin blinked at him. Relc nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cSure, I mean, maybe, right? She was about your age.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did she look like?\u201d<\/p>\n This question came from Pisces. The mage was staring with some interest at Relc. The Drake frowned and shrugged awkwardly.<\/p>\n \u201cShe had\u2026black hair. And she was\u2014tall? Taller than Erin. And, uh, she was fast. Ring any bells?\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces and Erin exchanged a look. Erin planted her hands on her hips.<\/p>\n \u201cHow am I supposed to know someone by all that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey, I\u2019m doing the best I can! All you Humans\u2014you\u2019re sort of similar. Anyways, I just thought you\u2019d know her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I\u2019m Human? And all Humans know other Humans?\u201d<\/p>\n Relc scratched at the side of his head.<\/p>\n \u201cUm. Yeah?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUnbelievable.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin began banging together empty dishes as she glared at Relc, and the Drake spread his claws out innocently.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, I just wondered\u2014that isn\u2019t the only reason I\u2019m here! I was going to tell you about the thief in the city.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI already know<\/em> about the thief in the city! And before you cause more trouble, it wasn\u2019t Pisces. If he were the thief, you\u2019d have caught him already.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, we know that. The [Guards] would have spotted him entering the city, his stupid invisible trick or not. No, it\u2019s probably just some Human. But I wanted to tell you to hire some protection around here. You got lucky with those Shield Spiders, but you\u2019re not going to be lucky forever. Hire an adventurer already.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd pay them with what? Adventurers are expensive!\u201d<\/p>\n One of the guards nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are. Unless you know one personally, the rates they charge are far too high.\u201d<\/p>\n Relc glared at the guardsman.<\/p>\n \u201cWay to help, thick-tail.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t have money for that. Unless\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin reappeared in the common room. She smiled at Gazi, who was observing the argument with urbane amusement.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Gazi, want a job? I can\u2019t pay much, but I\u2019ll feed you if you stay. I haven\u2019t fixed up the rooms upstairs, but I could work on that.\u201d<\/p>\n Relc, Pisces, and all four guardsmen started choking on their food. Gazi smiled and shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cAs tempting as your offer is, I must refuse. But I believe you would be wise to invest in some form of defense as you are no warrior.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOnce I have the money from the Shield Spiders I\u2019ll see. But I\u2019m not made of coins. I don\u2019t have much gold.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces had been following the conversation while eating a huge helping of pasta. Now, a calculating look appeared on his face as he glanced at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cI might be able to help in that regard. Miss Erin, seeing as how my funds have been confiscated\u2026would you accept\u2014alternate forms of payment?\u201d<\/p>\n She glared at him.<\/p>\n \u201cAt this point, as long as you pay me something<\/em> I\u2019ll be happy.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin paused and hastily amended that sentence.<\/p>\n \u201cBut nothing icky. Or gross. Or\u2014anything I won\u2019t like.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces was still glaring daggers at Relc, but his eyes had lit up at Erin\u2019s request, and he developed a knowing smile as he tapped two fingers together thoughtfully.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe I have something in mind that may benefit us both.\u201d<\/p>\n For some reason, that struck her as ominous\u2014and she hoped Pisces wouldn\u2019t cause much trouble. It was practically a given he\u2019d cause some. Erin shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we\u2019re done with talking about stuff I can\u2019t afford\u2014anyone hungry for something else? I have Acid Flies if you guardsmen want to try them. I know Relc eats them.\u201d<\/p>\n The guardsmen exchanged a glance while Relc patted his stomach and tried to decide whether he was still hungry. Pisces hurriedly waved away the bowl Erin was offering.<\/p>\n Gazi raised her single eyebrow.<\/p>\n \u201cAcid Flies?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n As Erin served food into the night, another girl pondered money and food. Unlike Erin, however, she was not immediately in possession of either.<\/p>\n She skulked in an alleyway, not trying to keep out of sight, but refusing to go out into the street. She wouldn\u2019t be bothered even if she did. Some guardsmen were looking out for thieves, but they would never suspect her. Her attire, and more importantly, her bearing would immediately allay any suspicions to her guilt.<\/p>\n It was a shame and a disgrace, then, that she was forced to stoop to such demeaning lengths to survive. Theft was not befitting of her station, but the greedy merchants and shopkeepers were practically inviting her to take their goods. Besides, she had no coin to pay\u2014not that she would in any case.<\/p>\n What was hers was hers. What was theirs was hers too, for that matter.<\/p>\n She\u2019d made a mistake in travelling south. The city she wanted to travel to was Celum\u2014not this\u2014wherever here was. But the foolish caravanner had erred in giving her directions\u2014she certainly hadn\u2019t made a mistake! Now she was stranded and forced to even further depths to survive.<\/p>\n The girl\u2019s stomach grumbled. She\u2019d snatched some fruit earlier today, but the shopkeepers were on more of a lookout after a few days of her pilfering. She\u2019d have to wait until late that night before she would be able to eat.<\/p>\n Soon. The girl licked her fingers and eyed the streets packed with hideous dog creatures and evil lizards. She just had to obtain enough coin, and then she would be away from this city filled with monsters. She just had to find Magnolia Reinhart, and then she would be welcomed with dignity befitting her rank and station.<\/p>\n Soon.<\/p>\n The girl\u2019s stomach growled.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Previous Chapter<\/a> Next Chapter<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Erin walked down the street, and she felt like sighing. No\u2014she felt like her entire existence was a long, slow sigh. She was tired. Tired and weary in her very bones. But more than that, she was just disappointed. And that was the worst feeling of all. Humans. She\u2019d missed them. Really, she had. She\u2019d […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52856846,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","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":[11693081,349],"tags":[],"twi_volume":[11693130],"twi_collection":[],"class_list":["post-13638","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-volume-1","category-writing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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