Erin woke up to the sound of snuffling. She opened her eyes fast; when you hear something large and unfamiliar moving around your face, sleep tends to be a lesser concern.<\/p>\n
To Erin\u2019s relief she wasn\u2019t being attacked by mutant caterpillar pig monsters. Instead, she saw Mrsha, the small white-furred Gnoll rooting around her cupboards. She was pawing through Erin\u2019s meticulously organized shelves, sniffing at what she found.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey.\u201d<\/p>\n
Erin said it softly, but Mrsha still freaked out. The Gnoll turned and scampered out of the kitchen, fur standing straight on end.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, wait, I didn\u2019t mean\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
The young woman rolled out of her blankets, tried to stand, tripped, and smacked her toe against the cupboard.<\/p>\n
When Erin had stopped whimpering she found Mrsha in the common room, hiding under a table and staring at Erin. It was like having a wild animal in her inn, except that Mrsha\u2019s eyes were far more intelligent than any animal Erin had ever seen. She stared at Erin warily as the girl halted.<\/p>\n
\u201cHi Mrsha. You\u2019re awake, aren\u2019t you? Are you hungry? Do you want food?\u201d<\/p>\n
Erin kept her voice low and soothing. Mrsha made no move, but she backed up a bit as Erin stepped forwards. The girl stopped.<\/p>\n
What should she do? Ryoka was currently upstairs, sleeping, and Erin had no desire to wake her. Carefully, Erin walked back into the kitchen and looked around.<\/p>\n
Mrsha\u2019s nose twitched as Erin came back out a few minutes later with some fried sausage and scrambled eggs. She stared fixedly at it, but she retreated to another table, hiding between the chair legs as Erin approached.<\/p>\n
Carefully, making no sudden moves, Erin put the plate on the floor. Mrsha stared at it, and then watched as Erin retreated to the kitchen. Erin hid herself behind the door frame and waited.<\/p>\n
After a few seconds of staring at the plate and Erin\u2019s half-visible head, Mrsha made her move. She darted out from the table and stopped at the plate. She began to gobble down the food on the plate, licking her paws greedily as she scarfed the food.<\/p>\n
It was adorable to Erin the way Mrsha licked the plate clean with her tongue and washed her paws and face. Adorable, and heartbreaking. Ryoka had told her what had happened to Mrsha\u2019s tribe. She was all alone now.<\/p>\n
What was she supposed to do next? Mrsha burped and Erin decided to attempt contact once more. Her ankle still hurt from Mrsha\u2019s bite yesterday, but she had been punching Ryoka at the time.<\/p>\n
When Erin approached again, this time with a glass of water in her hands, Mrsha tensed, but didn\u2019t run.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey cutie. Here\u2019s a glass of water. Are you thirsty?\u201d<\/p>\n
Mrsha peered suspiciously up at Erin. She accepted the glass of water and drank messily. She was still clumsy enough that she slopped a lot of water onto the floor, but Erin didn\u2019t care. Mrsha flinched a bit as Erin sat next to her, until Erin offered her a hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry I kicked you last night. Ryoka and I just had a fight. But I\u2019m not mean, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
The Gnoll child blinked at Erin\u2019s hand. Then she sniffed it. Erin kept very still as Mrsha\u2019s whiskers tickled her skin. The Gnoll grabbed Erin\u2019s hand with her own paws, and Erin was relieved not to feel the sharp claws, but instead the much softer pads on the Gnoll\u2019s paws.<\/p>\n
Mrsha inspected each of Erin\u2019s fingers with great interest, flexing them, pulling them apart and together, even patting them. Then she hesitated, and licked Erin\u2019s skin.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey! That tickles!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin laughed and pulled away. Mrsha looked alarmed, but when she saw Erin laughing something changed. The Gnoll put her paws on Erin\u2019s leg and looked at Erin inquisitively.<\/p>\n \u201cGo ahead. I won\u2019t move.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin did her best, but she wasn\u2019t prepared for Mrsha\u2019s curiosity. The Gnoll prowled around her, poking at Erin\u2019s body, her sides, even patting Erin\u2019s breasts which elicited a yelp of surprise. The small Gnoll was soon all over Erin, and Erin was laughing as she finger-combed Mrsha\u2019s hair when Ryoka walked downstairs.<\/p>\n Ryoka Griffin was still numb, but better. Incomparably better than yesterday, in truth. She remembered the empty bleakness in her soul like a nightmare. Now she was still hollow, but there was something inside of her. Something warm that came from a full night of sleep in a warm bed and hot meal.<\/p>\n She walked softly down the stairs and saw Mrsha sitting in Erin\u2019s lap as the young woman ran her hands through Mrsha\u2019s soft hair. Erin was humming a song under her breath, and Mrsha was swaying to the sound.<\/p>\n Ryoka paused and watched the scene for a little while. Erin was singing the doe rei mi song.<\/p>\n \u201cMe, a name I call myself. Fa, far, a long, long way to run\u2026<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Mrsha\u2019s eyes were closed. The child wasn\u2019t smiling, but her face was\u2026peaceful. Ryoka wiped her eyes and waited until they finished stinging before she walked into the room.<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka!\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll\u2019s eyes shot open at Ryoka\u2019s name. She leapt out of Erin\u2019s lap and ran on all fours around Ryoka.<\/p>\n \u201cMrsha. Hi.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka raised her hands as Mrsha leapt around her like an excited dog. Mrsha stood up and reached for her. Ryoka hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cHere.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin lifted Mrsha up. The Gnoll squirmed, but then started licking Ryoka\u2019s face and sniffing her. Ryoka recoiled, but held in place as Erin stared at her.<\/p>\n \u201cMorning, Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid you sleep well?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. Thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka scratched at her hair. She avoided staring at Erin. The two stood awkwardly until Mrsha wriggled out of Erin\u2019s hands. That broke the spell.<\/p>\n \u201cYou want food? I\u2019ve got lots.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka sat awkwardly at a table as Erin disappeared into the kitchen. Mrsha tried to follow Erin in, but Ryoka called her back. Mrsha sat on the floor and fidgeted until Erin came back with crepes of all things. Ryoka stared at the steaming food until Erin plonked down some butter and a bowl of sugar.<\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t that Erin had made the crepes; it was that she\u2019d been in the kitchen for less than twenty minutes and she\u2019d already fried up a stack large enough for Ryoka, Mrsha, and Erin herself. And<\/em> she\u2019d managed to cook some more sliced sausage up on another plate.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I\u2019ve got [Advanced Cooking] and I figured out how to make pancakes earlier. Try some, they\u2019re really good!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin handed Ryoka a fork and then dug into her own plate. Mrsha was already patting one of the hot crepes with a paw, waiting until it was cool enough for her to eat.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, here, darling.\u201d<\/p>\n Gently, Erin wrapped Mrsha\u2019s paw around a fork and showed her how to cut and pick up the crepes. Mrsha was clumsy, but she soon began to spear oversized bites of crepe and dip them into butter and sugar before transferring them into her mouth.<\/p>\n Normally that kind of excessive gluttony would be remarked on\u2014at least in Ryoka\u2019s house. But Erin was doing the same and Ryoka herself put back quite a number of crepes before she even began to feel full.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was good. Really good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m glad. You ate more than I thought, but we\u2019ve got leftovers. I guess Lyon can eat them.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin covered the plate with a cloth as Ryoka frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cLyon? Who\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2014oh, right! I forgot, you haven\u2019t met Lyon! She\u2019s probably still sleeping upstairs.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka\u2019s eyes flicked to the stairwell. She hadn\u2019t even noticed there were other people in the inn. But now that she was finally thinking again, a hundred questions and thoughts were pushing through her mind.<\/p>\n She couldn\u2019t help it. It was her nature. But part of Ryoka felt she shouldn\u2019t be wondering and planning. Everything she did hurt people. What good were her opinions?<\/p>\n But then Ryoka looked at Erin as the girl laughed at Mrsha\u2019s attempts to steal sugar from the bowl. Flawed as she might be, she could still help Erin who sometimes didn\u2019t think enough.<\/p>\n \u201cSo this Lyonette is a new employee? Did you hire Ceria too, or is she in the city?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin paused.<\/p>\n \u201cUm. No. Ceria\u2019s gone north. She\u2019s gone back to adventuring.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka held quite still as her thoughts paused. She didn\u2019t swear, and she clamped down on her immediate response. Because Mrsha was sitting in her chair, happy and bloated. Ryoka would slice off the rest of her fingers before she disturbed the child\u2019s moment of peace.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess a lot has happened. You\u2019d better tell me all of it, Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2014sure. But uh\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Erin\u2019s eyes slid sideways to Mrsha. The kid was staring at a crumb on the table.<\/p>\n \u201cUh, what are you going to do about her, Ryoka?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou said she\u2019s by herself? Does she have any\u2026anyone\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka closed her eyes. Something dark squeezed her heart.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know. I\u2026doubt it. And I have no idea who to ask.\u201d<\/p>\n Memory flared in her head.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about that Gnoll you know? Krshia, right? Could we ask her for help?\u201d<\/p>\n Mrsha\u2019s ears perked up at the word \u2018Gnoll\u2019. She looked over at the two Humans. They exchanged a glance.<\/p>\n \u201cUm, well, the food was good, right Ryoka?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow about I find something for Mrsha to do? Hey Mrsha, you must be bored. Do you want to play with uh, some things, sweetie?\u201d<\/p>\n Mrsha cocked her head at Erin. Ryoka stared too, raising her eyebrows silently. Erin hesitated, and then ran into the kitchen. Both Gnoll and Human heard banging and doors opening, and then reemerged with an armful of ladles, rolling pins, and other cooking equipment.<\/p>\n As a ploy to distract Mrsha, Ryoka thought it could never work. But she\u2019d forgotten that Mrsha wasn\u2019t a child in a first world country, and she\u2019d probably been banned from hanging around the cooking pots in the Stone Spears tribe\u2019s camp. She immediately scooted over to the cooking equipment and began inspecting it with interest.<\/p>\n Erin sighed as she and Ryoka relocated a few tables down to talk. They kept their voices low, in case the young Gnoll was listening.<\/p>\n \u201cGood thinking, Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI guess she\u2019ll play with those for a while. But I don\u2019t know what to do, Ryoka. She needs someone to look after her, and proper toys and stuff. Not\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd she\u2019s so sad,<\/em> Ryoka.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can tell?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka stared at Mrsha as the Gnoll inspected the various cooking utensils Erin had brought out. She was half like a normal toddler in that she tasted everything, but she was clearly older and smaller. It must be a Gnoll quality to want to smell and taste everything.<\/p>\n Erin nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s just like a kid. I mean, a Human kid. She\u2019s really curious, but every now and then when I was playing with her she\u2019d\u2026how bad was it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBad.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka saw the Gnolls falling around her, and the Goblins screaming and cutting both Drakes and Gnolls apart. She shuddered. Erin stared at Ryoka, and then looked at Mrsha.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat should we do with her?\u201d<\/p>\n We. It was just like Erin, to immediately put herself into the problem and look for a solution. Ryoka half-smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess we need to talk to Krshia. She\u2019d probably be willing to help, right?\u201d<\/p>\n She vaguely remembered Erin having a good relationship with the Gnoll, but now Erin hesitated. She looked at the table and twiddled her thumbs.<\/p>\n \u201cUm. There\u2019s this thing with Krshia. \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat thing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin began explaining in a rather confused way a story about Gnolls and burning shops when Ryoka heard someone moving upstairs. Ryoka turned, and saw Lyon.<\/p>\n The young woman stood staring down at the room. Mrsha had gone silent as she appeared at the head of the stairs, but Lyonette\u2019s eyes were fixed on Ryoka and Erin. She stared at the two girls, and then spoke in a haughty voice.<\/p>\n \u201cI am awake. Where is breakfast?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka watched Erin\u2019s face change in a second. Her bright smile disappeared and she sighed. Ryoka stared at the other girl.<\/p>\n \u201cWho the hell is that, Erin?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2014that\u2019s Lyon.\u201d<\/p>\n The other girl had heard her. She descended the stairs with chin raised.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is Lyonette de Marquin, peon.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n She was wearing somewhat ragged travelling clothes, and her hands were dirty from work. But she still conducted herself like some of the haughty girls Erin had sometimes seen, those born into money.<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka, meet Lyonette du\u2026something. She\u2019s uh, an employee I\u2019ve hired.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am pleased to meet you, Ryoka. I trust you will conduct yourself with the appropriate manners in my presence?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka eyed Lyon as Erin scowled. She shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cPerhaps.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette\u2019s brows flashed together, but before she could speak, Erin interrupted.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got some crepes in the kitchen, Lyonette. You can have them or some porridge. Or cereal. Help yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n The haughty girl sniffed, but she went without another word. Ryoka stared at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cAn employee?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSort of. I mean, yes, but she\u2019s not a good one.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin rubbed at her eyes as Lyonette poked her head back into the common room.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere are the forks?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe drawer next to the cutting board.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVery well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo, is she some kind of noble?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, she says\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere are the cups?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin\u2019s left eye twitched.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve told you, it\u2019s in the cupboard above<\/em> the forks.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka watched Lyonette disappear. Mrsha had stopped playing with a ladle and was staring at the kitchen with interest.<\/p>\n \u201cShe reminds me of a female Pisces.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEven he<\/em> wasn\u2019t this bad.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo why haven\u2019t you fired her?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin shrugged helplessly.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I can\u2019t. She\u2019s got nowhere to go, Ryoka. And if I send her north a monster will eat her. And she can\u2019t go into the city because all the Gnolls want to kill her.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka raised both her eyebrows. Erin shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a long, long<\/em> story. And it\u2019s actually why I\u2019m not talking to Krshia, actually.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen tell me. Start with\u2014no, tell me what happened from the start. Let\u2019s do this right.\u201d<\/p>\n It took a while for Erin to relate the entire story, but for once, Ryoka managed to listen to all of it without many interruptions. Lyonette returned with her breakfast and ate in a corner. Mrsha abandoned her playing to stare at Lyon. Both girls tensed when Mrsha sniffed around Lyonette\u2019s legs and the other girl froze up, but surprisingly, Lyonette let Mrsha paw at her without any screaming or noticeable revulsion.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026And so now I can\u2019t buy anything from any Gnoll shopkeepers, and I haven\u2019t talked with Krshia since. I\u2019ve been meaning to, but after all these adventurers came by and Magnolia wanted to chat\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Erin spread her hands out helplessly. Ryoka nodded absently as she looked at Lyonette. She hadn\u2019t exactly had a good impression of the girl from the start, but she was now right above Persua on Ryoka\u2019s dislike list.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd that\u2019s what she\u2019s like all the time? Just\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka waved a hand at Lyon as the girl stared at Mrsha and the Gnoll stared back. Erin nodded miserably.<\/p>\n \u201cErin\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know.<\/em> But I didn\u2019t know she was like that!\u201d<\/p>\n Both girls watched as Mrsha scooted closer. Lyon hesitated, but then she gently patted Mrsha on the head. She began to scratch Mrsha behind the ears and the Gnoll child leaned into Lyon\u2019s side. For once, Lyonette wasn\u2019t scowling.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s odd. Normally she runs away from anyone with fur or scales. Or dirty hands.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka nodded. Then she spoke the thought that had coalesced in her mind ever since Erin had described meeting Lyonette.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s a princess.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin paused. Then she turned and stared at Ryoka.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka nodded at Lyonette.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s a runaway princess. She has to be.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I know she says she\u2019s noble, but a princess?\u201d<\/p>\n The incredulous look Ryoka received did nothing to faze her. She shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cShe is a princess. How can you not see that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow are you<\/em> seeing that?\u201d<\/p>\n The other girl began to tick points off on her fingers.<\/p>\n \u201cRunning away from a royal family, calling other people peons, countless powerful magical artifacts, haughty attitude.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cHow many stories do you know of where the princess runs away? Look at the way she acts\u2014not to mention the fact that she seems to think Magnolia would just take her in. We\u2019re in a world that has dragons and magic, Erin. Lyonette is a princess from Terandria. They have several royal families there.\u201d<\/p>\n It was a lesson in facial expressions to watch Erin\u2019s face. Incredulity turned to thoughtful contemplation, and then uneasy suspicion which became shock and realization, which finally merged into reluctant acceptance and deep regret.<\/p>\n \u201cOh my god.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka patted Erin on the shoulder as the girl slumped to the table.<\/p>\n \u201cShe might not be a princess. But she\u2019s probably among the high nobility, at least.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow could I not have seen <\/em>it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe important thing is what happens next.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked up.<\/p>\n \u201cLike what? Send her home? How would I even\u2026? You said she\u2019s probably from Terandria? That\u2019s another continent. I can\u2019t send her back there!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not suggesting you do. But you have to do something about her. She\u2019s a danger to you if she stays here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause someone will come looking for her?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka nodded. Her mind was already racing with possibilities.<\/p>\n \u201cTo bring her back\u2014or kill her. Or use her as a hostage. Either way, you\u2019ll be a loose end to tie up. Maybe she\u2019s not that important if Magnolia isn\u2019t interested in her, but she\u2019s clearly some rich person\u2019s daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNoooooooooooo\u2026<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin moaned as she covered her face in her hands.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy is my life so hard? What do I do?<\/em> I don\u2019t need this!\u201d<\/p>\n She lowered her hands and stared at Ryoka.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do I do? What can we do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThink.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka tapped the table.<\/p>\n \u201cCalm down. Just think. Lyonette is a problem, but from what you\u2019ve told me, she\u2019s not the only thing on your plate. You\u2019ve got lots of problems.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked down.<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I\u2019ll help you with them.\u201d<\/p>\n There was a pause, and then Erin looked up. Ryoka didn\u2019t exactly meet her eyes. She cleared her throat awkwardly. Her face was hot, but she knew what she had to say. It was just hard.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026said a lot of things I shouldn\u2019t have last night, Erin. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? No, Ryoka, I know it was really tough. I\u2019m sorry for hitting you.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka rubbed at her chest. Her ribs still hurt.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cNo, it was my fault. It\u2019s just\u2014a lot of things have happened. That army of Goblins is a real threat. But from what Magnolia told you, that might be the least of the things that\u2019s about to hit the continent. And we\u2019re about to be caught in all of it.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin caught her breath. When Ryoka said it like that, everything seemed so much more overwhelming. She had no idea what to do, and said so.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat should we do, then? I mean all these problems\u2014what are you going to do, Ryoka? Do you have a plan?\u201d<\/p>\n She had nothing like a plan. Ryoka stared at her hand. She had nothing. She didn\u2019t know what to do. But now Erin was counting on her too. She had to keep going. She couldn\u2019t falter. Not now.<\/p>\n \u201cNext? I guess the next thing I have to do is collect my reward from Teriarch. Once I do that, I need to deal with Lady Magnolia. Then\u2026I don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka stared down at her maimed hand.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got to finish this delivery. When I do, I\u2019ll come back and help you.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at Mrsha. But then felt something. Erin touched Ryoka\u2019s good fingers gently.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t go. Stay here for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n The taller girl shook her head. Her legs felt like lead and her mind was still heavy. But she had to see this through. She had not told Erin who Teriarch really was. A Dragon. Maybe he would have the answers to all of this. Maybe\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cI have to go. I have a job, Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, but you don\u2019t have to go today<\/em>. Or even tomorrow. Ryoka, you looked half dead<\/em> when you came in! And then there\u2019s Mrsha and all this stuff that\u2019s happening here\u2026stay here.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka hesitated. She looked at Mrsha again. The Gnoll was leaning against the table where Lyon sat, eyes closed. Could she just leave Mrsha here and run on?<\/p>\n No. Of course not. Ryoka closed her eyes and nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was stupid of me. I\u2019ll stay. At least for a day.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood! Then we can do something together!\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka opened one eye and stared at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cLike what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSomething. Anything!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked at Ryoka. She smiled in excitement.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve never actually done anything together. I mean, we went into the city that one time and I sang on the inn\u2019s roof, but besides that\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka nodded slowly. She looked at Mrsha, and then at the inn. This inn. This place where she felt safe. Somewhere to go home to. Slowly, she began to realize what she had to do.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. Let\u2019s do something.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Innkeeper] smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cGreat! What should we do? We could get a bath. You and Mrsha, uh, sort of smell. Or we can visit the city. Or\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s go see Krshia.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin froze.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat, now? But\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs long as Lyonette\u2019s here, she\u2019s a problem. Those Gnolls won\u2019t give up after just one attempt. At least, that Brunkr might not. I want to be sure you\u2019re safe. And I\u2026need to tell them what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin nodded slowly. Ryoka stood up, and stared out the window. The sky was clear, but snow had fallen heavily. Her body was tired, but she kept moving. She had to keep moving.<\/p>\n She had a duty now. A mission.<\/p>\n Ryoka stood, and shouldered the debt she carried. It weighed her down and gave her a purpose. She looked at Mrsha and knew what she had to do.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Erin walked down Market Street in Liscor and felt like nothing had changed. And yet, the feeling in her bones was like that of a traveller coming home after many years.<\/p>\n How long had it been since she\u2019d walked down these stalls looking for that familiar brown fur and calling voice? Too long. Just a week or two had passed and yet\u2014<\/p>\n She missed her friend.<\/p>\n It took Erin a while to spot Krshia\u2019s shop. That was also because she was walking with Ryoka and Mrsha; while Ryoka could easily keep pace, Mrsha was not so quick. The Gnoll child kept pausing to stare around the market or dart off after some interesting sight or smell, and Ryoka and Erin kept having to go after her. Eventually, Ryoka ended up dragging a reluctant Mrsha along by the paw.<\/p>\n But at last, they were through the market and nearing the intersection when Erin saw two familiar figures. Krshia stood behind her shop\u2019s counter, arguing with her nephew Brunkr.<\/p>\n It was all the same. And yet, it wasn\u2019t. Not nearly.<\/p>\n Erin remembered Krshia had always been in the center of Market Street, with one of the biggest shops and many customers. But now\u2014<\/p>\n Now she had a small stand, with a few items on display. It was so far from the bountiful shop she\u2019d kept stocked that it hurt Erin\u2019s heart. And neither was the Gnoll smiling and laughing with her customers. Her ears were flat against her skull and she was snapping at Brunkr.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014go back if you are so impatient! Tell them, yes, tell them of my failure! But here I am still the leader, am I not? If you go against my wishes, you defy the Chieftain!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou are not the sole leader here, Aunt!\u201d<\/p>\n Brunkr wasn\u2019t wearing his sword and shield, but he was still taller than Krshia. His fists were clenched, and both Drakes and Gnolls were walking wide of him. Erin stopped as she saw the two, uncertain.<\/p>\n Someone bumped into her. Ryoka cursed under her breath as Mrsha tried to tug her into a queue of people lined up to buy some grilled meat that smelled wonderful in the cold air.<\/p>\n \u201cMrsha, no! You can\u2019t\u2014Erin! Can you hold her?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka looked over and saw Krshia and Brunkr. She paused, but didn\u2019t let go of Mrsha who was practically drooling.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s Brunkr?\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia was growling at Brunkr, and he was making the same noise. It looked as if they were about to attack each other at any second. In short, not the atmosphere Erin wanted to have a reunion in.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. Should we\u2014?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka hesitated for a second. Then she thrust Mrsha\u2019s paw into Erin\u2019s hand. Erin lifted the Gnoll into her arms and watched Ryoka. The young woman walked straight into the argument between the two Gnolls.<\/p>\n \u201cKrshia Silverfang? My name is Ryoka Griffin. We need to speak.\u201d<\/p>\n Both Gnolls shut up and stared at Ryoka. Erin held her breath and Mrsha stared as Ryoka faced both Gnolls down without a hint of fear. Tall as Ryoka was, both Gnolls were taller and bigger than she was.<\/p>\n Brunkr glared at Ryoka.<\/p>\n \u201cAnother Human? Go away. We are busy. This is a matter between me and my Aunt.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a friend of Erin Solstice\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka jerked a thumb over her shoulder at Erin. Krshia\u2019s eyes widened when she saw Erin and Mrsha, but Brunkr just growled.<\/p>\n \u201cI do not care. Go away.\u201d<\/p>\n He tried to loom over Ryoka, but she didn\u2019t even bat an eyelid.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd who are you supposed to be?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am Brunkr, warrior of the Silverfang tribe. And I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. Piss off. I need to talk to someone important.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin\u2019s mouth fell open. Mrsha\u2019s ears flattened and suddenly she<\/em> was the one clinging to Erin. Brunkr\u2019s eyes narrowed and he opened his mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cYou dare? You dare<\/em> to insult me? You?\u201d<\/p>\n Cold sweat ran down Erin\u2019s back. She\u2019d thought Ryoka had gotten better\u2014or at least she wasn\u2019t crazily angry anymore. But she wasn\u2019t showing many signs of sanity at the moment. What should Erin do?<\/p>\n But Ryoka seemed to have a plan of her own. She calmly stared at Brunkr as the Gnoll drew back his lips and bared his teeth.<\/p>\n \u201cI dare. I dare because there are more important things than you, little Gnoll. Krshia Silverfang. The Stone Spears tribe is gone<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n The street went silent. Ryoka\u2019s raised voice caused a hush and a pause as every single Gnoll on the street within hearing\u2014and that was quite a radius\u2014stopped and stared at her. Brunkr had drawn in his breath to roar, but now he froze, eyes wide.<\/p>\n Krshia stared at Ryoka. Her eyes flicked to Erin, and only now seemed to notice Mrsha. She took a step back, and for a second her eyes were filled with fear.<\/p>\n Then the moment passed. She looked at Ryoka, and shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cYou speak the truth?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTo the best of my knowledge. I witnessed their end.\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia nodded. She looked at Brunkr.<\/p>\n \u201cClose the store. I must hear this.\u201d<\/p>\n He didn\u2019t argue. The street was full of silence as Krshia gestured. Ryoka walked after her, silent. Erin hesitated, but hurried after the two, Mrsha in her arms. She sensed Gnolls following her. And now that all eyes were on her and Ryoka, they saw Mrsha too. She heard muttering, and felt a twinge of unease in her heart.<\/p>\n They were all Gnolls, and Krshia was her friend, even after Lyonette. She didn\u2019t seem angry at Erin, even if Brunkr was a jerk. But then why were all the Gnolls staring at Mrsha? And why was she holding on to Erin so tightly? And why\u2014<\/p>\n Why did they all look so afraid?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I think I have it figured out. I\u2019m Ryoka Griffin. I\u2019m a Runner, and an arrogant young woman who thought she was better than she actually is. Because I was a fool, people died.<\/p>\n Maybe I couldn\u2019t have saved them anyways. But I could have been stronger, and maybe that would have made a difference. Regardless though, they died. The people who helped me died. It may not be my fault, but I still have a debt.<\/p>\n A debt to the dead.<\/p>\n One person still lives. A kid, a child. I will keep her safe. But I will also pay off my debt. And the first part of that is confession.<\/p>\n I sit in Krshia Silverfang\u2019s apartment, a cup of weirdly bitter tea in my hands. There\u2019s a bowl of chopped meat on the table, but I\u2019m not sure if it\u2019s raw so I don\u2019t take any. Erin and Mrsha have already eaten several cubes.<\/p>\n Krshia sits across from me, with Brunkr by her side. She\u2019s clearly in charge; she was the only person to ask questions as I told her what happened. Whatever their beef, Brunkr is clearly subordinate to her in this matter.<\/p>\n And there are Gnolls outside. I look towards one of the windows and see a bit of fur disappear. Gnolls are standing outside the apartment, maybe even on the roofs. I doubt it\u2019s an ambush. I think they\u2019re listening in on our conversation.<\/p>\n Small wonder. The news I have is bad, as bad as it gets. I can tell that just from the look on Krshia and Brunkr\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cA Goblin Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n That\u2019s what Krshia says after I finish. She stares down into her cup of tea, untouched, as her nephew clenches his fist. She looks up at me gravely, and I nod.<\/p>\n \u201cA Goblin Lord. And he\u2019s got an army.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAn army strong enough to defeat Zel Shivertail. It is an ill thing. Worse, he has slain the Stone Spears tribe to the last.\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia\u2019s eyes flick to Mrsha. Mrsha\u2019s sitting next to Erin, but she seems uneasy around Krshia. No more than Krshia and Brunkr seem uneasy around her<\/em>, though. They keep looking at her.<\/p>\n Because of the fur?<\/p>\n \u201cThese are dark tidings you bring us, Ryoka Griffin. But I am grateful you speak to us of what has passed instead of letting others spread the news.\u201d<\/p>\n I nod, my attention back on Krshia. In truth, I have no idea what this Gnoll is like. I knew Urksh, fairly well for someone who\u2019d only spent four days in his company. But Krshia is a stranger, for all Erin says she\u2019s \u2018nice\u2019. I have to watch her, and at the same time, I have to help. A good start is being honest.<\/p>\n \u201cI owe them. The Stone Spears tribe saved my life. Their Chieftain was kind to me.\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia nods. She closes her eyes for a second, and I see a bit of pain cross her features.<\/p>\n \u201cI knew Urksh. He was not the strongest Chieftain, not as a warrior, but he was wise. That he is gone is a true loss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat the tribe is gone is a disaster.\u201d<\/p>\n Brunkr growls as he clenches his fist. No tea for him. He looks at me, eyes full of passion and fury.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat of the mining expedition? They may yet live. Gnolls will not die to Goblins so easily.\u201d<\/p>\n I shift in my seat and shake my head.<\/p>\n \u201cI had the same thought. But that army had over a hundred Hobgoblins in it. Even if the mining expedition wasn\u2019t found\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia nods. Her expression is bleak.<\/p>\n \u201cThey would throw themselves upon the Goblins rather than live without their tribe. They are gone, Brunkr.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll except one.\u201d<\/p>\n I nod at Mrsha. She blinks around as both Gnolls stare at her. Erin pats Mrsha on the shoulder soothingly, but Mrsha just edges towards her, away from Brunkr.<\/p>\n \u201cHrr. Yes. Young Mrsha.\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia gets up from her chair. She bends down and Mrsha scoots back, but the other Gnoll\u2019s face is nothing but kind. She growls something low and soothing and Mrsha\u2019s death-grip on Erin\u2019s arm slowly releases.<\/p>\n Mrsha doesn\u2019t speak\u2014she can\u2019t\u2014but she does reach out with one paw. Krshia lets Mrsha put a paw on her cheek, and then nuzzles the smaller Gnoll gently. White fur brushes against dark brown and I look away.<\/p>\n \u201cHuman.\u201d<\/p>\n Brunkr looks at me, his eyes serious. I stare back. I don\u2019t like Brunkr. He\u2019s probably a solid, serious guy, but he doesn\u2019t strike me as smart<\/em>. And it\u2019s smart I need right now. Smart, and willing to talk and compromise.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat of the other tribes? Did you run and warn them? Or are they at the mercy of this Goblin army?\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia steps back from Mrsha and looks disapprovingly at her nephew.<\/p>\n \u201cIf it is Shivertail, he will have had the Gnolls in his army howl, yes? The tribes will be warned. This Goblin army will not catch them so easily.\u201d<\/p>\n She shakes her head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. They are warned, but a meeting must be called. The tribes must either flee or band together to destroy this threat before a Goblin King arises.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will lead the warriors south, to defend our tribe\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Brunkr rises, but Krshia glares him back down.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd do what? A few spears will make no difference against such a horde. Besides, you are weeks away and our tribe is secure. You are needed here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTo do what? Guard ashes?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Brunkr\u2019s hackles raise as he stares at his aunt. She glares back, and the mood in the room goes sour again. Mrsha edges away, and Erin looks worried. She hasn\u2019t said much\u2014I guess she\u2019s worried about saying the wrong thing.<\/p>\n But I? I don\u2019t care if the mood\u2019s wrong. I just want to resolve this. So I clear my throat and get the two Gnolls to break off the staring match.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the second thing I need to talk to you about. Krshia Silverfang\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She waves a paw.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are a friend of Erin\u2019s. I am Krshia.\u201d<\/p>\n I nod.<\/p>\n \u201cKrshia, Mrsha here is without a home. I don\u2019t know anything about Gnoll customs, but you\u2019re the only Gnoll that Erin knows. Is there any way she could stay here?\u201d<\/p>\n I\u2019m not prepared for the look of horror Mrsha gives me. She tries to struggle out of Erin\u2019s arms towards me, but the girl holds her. She\u2019s giving me a look too. What?<\/p>\n Krshia hesitates. She casts an eye at Mrsha, and I see her expression as she looks at her white fur.<\/p>\n \u201cBrunkr. Will you go and give Mrsha some food? I have some snacks from home she may like.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s the cheapest of tricks, but Mrsha\u2019s ears perk up at the word \u2018food\u2019. Brunkr glares, but he stands up and walks into the kitchen. Erin\u2019s the only one who protests.<\/p>\n \u201cMrsha\u2019s had a big breakfast, and a lot of these cubes. Maybe she should\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n I glare at Erin and jerk my head towards the kitchen. Her face goes slack and I nearly slap my head as I see her put the pieces together.<\/p>\n \u201cOh. I\u2019ll uh, let\u2019s go eat something, Mrsha!\u201d<\/p>\n She leads Mrsha into the kitchen. But the kid still looks over her shoulder at me twice on the way there, and I see her peeking back to make sure I\u2019m not leaving.<\/p>\n Damn it. I didn\u2019t mean I\u2019d just run off. But I just meant that\u2014<\/p>\n Krshia moves towards me and lowers her voice. I focus back on her, leaving recriminations aside for a second.<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka Griffin. The situation is more complicated than it seems, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt is.\u201d<\/p>\n I keep my voice low as the Gnoll sits next to me so we can talk. I can sense her body heat, and her fur makes me feel like I\u2019m next to a bear. But her eyes\u2014her eyes are just like any person\u2019s eyes. I focus on that.<\/p>\n \u201cThis news you bring is terrible. My heart hurts for Mrsha. And yet, the situation here is complicated.\u201d<\/p>\n I nod.<\/p>\n \u201cI know. Your people want to kill Lyonette, and Erin\u2019s protecting her.\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia nods.<\/p>\n \u201cAmong other things. It was a terrible thing Lyonette did.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe destroyed your store, yes. And she did a lot of damage to other Gnoll\u2019s shops. But there\u2019s something else, isn\u2019t there?\u201d<\/p>\n All of that was bad from the way Erin described it, but it still doesn\u2019t quite square with a Gnoll hit squad going out after Lyonette. Krshia hesitates, and I stare at her.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not Erin, Krshia. Let\u2019s speak honestly.\u201d<\/p>\n Her lips quirk into a bitter smile.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is something that I have wished for. But circumstances have conspired against me speaking so before now, yes? What you say is true. The thieving girl destroyed more than simply my shop. She destroyed something\u2026precious to my clan. Something we have labored to accumulate for many years.\u201d<\/p>\n Fuck. That\u2019s not<\/em> what I wanted to hear. But it puts the pieces together. I nod.<\/p>\n \u201cSo Erin, by saving Lyonette, is also preventing you from righting the wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe has taken on the debt, yes.\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia nods. I scowl.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s bullshit. It wasn\u2019t her fault. She did nothing that warranted an attack.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia\u2019s eyes are steady as she meets mine.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, she did not. That was wrong. But the debt of the thief cannot be erased except by blood, and Erin Solstice bears the cost so long as she protects her.\u201d<\/p>\n Gnoll customs. In my stay with the Stone Spears tribe, Urksh explained some of their customs to me. They take debts like this seriously, and their idea of guilt is transferable. I scowl into my cup of tea and drink some. Not bad, and it gives me a second to think.<\/p>\n \u201cDo all the Gnolls in Liscor think like this?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSome. The young do. We who are older understand Erin Solstice. But even so, it is hard to accept. The thief must be punished. The debt must be paid.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut she has nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothing but her life.\u201d<\/p>\n The old customs. Blood settles all debts. The most ancient of customs. Sometimes I think the Gnolls are just like us\u2014well, what the hell am I saying? That does<\/em> sound like us.<\/p>\n Damnit. Fine. Let\u2019s see just how bad this is.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd what is the worth that Lyonette cost you? How many gold coins would it be equivalent to, for instance?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFifty thousand gold coins.\u201d<\/p>\n I blink, and stare at Krshia. She stares back. I open my mouth, and close it. If I\u2019d said something like \u2018you can\u2019t be serious\u2019 or \u2018this must be a mistake\u2019, I\u2019d probably have to stab myself to erase the embarrassment.<\/p>\n Krshia is serious. And so I\u2019ll answer her. I stare at Krshia.<\/p>\n \u201cSo long as Erin has that debt, you won\u2019t help her, will you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt would be\u2026harder, yes. We have given Erin Solstice aid before, as we have you.\u201d<\/p>\n I remember the Gnolls that helped fight Gazi and nod.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know she\u2019s from another world. And you wanted her to give you something useful. Something you can bring back to your tribe.\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia inhales softly. I hear Brunkr growling to Mrsha in the other room and her knocking about.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are quick, yes? You think differently than Erin does.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot necessarily better.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. But you are correct. We did hope. We offered much in exchange in hopes of receiving more. But\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cThe thief cost us too much. It was poor luck, but my tribe will pay for it. I do not believe Erin will be able to offer anything worthy of such a debt.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo you\u2019re trying to talk Brunkr out of trying to kill Lyonette.\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia\u2019s eyes flicker. She inclines her head.<\/p>\n \u201cVery quick. It would undo years of work in Liscor and do more harm than good. But the debt still remains.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine. I think I understand the problem.\u201d<\/p>\n I sigh, and put down the tea cup. Then I face Krshia, and raise my voice so the Gnolls listening at the doors and windows can hear.<\/p>\n \u201cI will take on Erin\u2019s debt. And I will pay it.\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll blinks at me. Once. Twice. I grin, the wide grin of an idiot who\u2019s betting everything with nothing in their hand.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are confident, yes? Do you have something of that worth?\u201d<\/p>\n Eight hundred gold pieces, which I don\u2019t actually have at the moment. 1.6% of Erin\u2019s debt. I don\u2019t say that out loud, though.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll find a way. I am from another world, just like Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia blinks at me. But she doesn\u2019t seem surprised.<\/p>\n \u201cMm. But that does not mean you have anything more than Erin Solstice, yes? And should this not be a great secret?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThings have changed.\u201d<\/p>\n A certain group of idiots in Magnolia\u2019s care proves that.<\/p>\n \u201cI will pay the debt. I will find something that will erase Erin\u2019s debt. I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia studies me.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are confident, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n I hold her gaze. After a second, she nods.<\/p>\n \u201cSoon. If you would erase the debt, then you must do it soon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine.\u201d<\/p>\n I am so fucked. But it\u2019s just one part of the debt I owe. I look at the kitchen as I hear Brunkr growling and Erin laugh.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about Mrsha?\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia nods.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will take her. My tribe is far to the south, but we will raise her here until we journey back.\u201d<\/p>\n I hesitate. That\u2019s what I had planned, but I remember the look in Krshia and Brunkr\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd she will be safe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n Barely a flicker. But it\u2019s there. I stare at Krshia.<\/p>\n \u201cHer fur is white. I thought it had to do with the Frost Faeries who saved us, but does that mean something in Gnoll culture?\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia\u2019s gaze wavers. She picks up a cube of meat and pops it into her mouth and swallows it without looking at me.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is\u2026significance.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean it\u2019s bad luck. Or an ill omen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Yes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat does it mean, exactly?\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia pauses.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t lie to me, Krshia Silverfang.\u201d<\/p>\n She glares at me. I glare right back. Krshia sighs and scratches at her neck.<\/p>\n \u201cToo quick. You are prickly, like a thorny bush, yes? But you are right. White fur is a sign among my kind. No Gnoll has white fur, except those touched by disaster.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDisaster?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThose who have lost their tribe. Those who have survived calamity. And, it is said, those who bring it.\u201d<\/p>\n My throat closes up. I\u2019m suddenly very, very glad that Mrsha is in the other room.<\/p>\n \u201cNone of what happened was Mrsha\u2019s fault.\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia traces a pattern on her leg.<\/p>\n \u201cI am sure you tell the truth. But my people believe in such signs. Can you be certain that none of it was due to her?\u201d<\/p>\n The Frost Faeries. I clench my fist and feel my nails digging into my skin, puncturing it.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. But she is still innocent.\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia studies me and nods.<\/p>\n \u201cI will take her. She will be safe with me.\u201d<\/p>\n I shake my head. Now everything\u2019s changed again.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. She\u2019ll stay with Erin. I saw the way Brunkr looked at her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe is young.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut if he acts like that, so will the other Gnolls. Would Mrsha even be safe in Liscor?\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia nods, but only after a second. I feel grim. Literally grim.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you can\u2019t be absolutely sure she\u2019ll be safe, she\u2019ll stay with Erin. And anyone who tries to hurt her will have to go through me and every damn guard I can find.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe will not be harmed, Ryoka Griffin. But perhaps it would<\/em> be best for her to stay in the inn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine.\u201d<\/p>\n I shake my head. This has been complete crap, but at least I\u2019ve got something else to focus on. What the hell can I give the Gnolls? I know there\u2019s something.<\/p>\n Gunpowder aside, there has<\/em> to be something. Advancements in archery? I saw the Gnolls using shortbows and longbows, but what about composite weapons or compound bows? Can I even make that?<\/p>\n Some kind of medical advancement? Education? But it has to be something truly valuable. Damn it, how will I keep Mrsha safe? I haven\u2019t seen Erin\u2019s skeleton\u2014she\u2019ll have to keep him around the inn at all times. How soon is \u2018soon\u2019?<\/p>\n Krshia interrupts the whirlwind of thoughts in my head.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy do you offer to take up Erin Solstice\u2019s debt, Ryoka? Is it merely friendship or something else?\u201d<\/p>\n I look at her. The answer is burning in my chest. It\u2019s the only thing I can do. What I must do.<\/p>\n \u201cI have my own debt to the Stone Spears tribe. That\u2019s why I\u2019ll help Erin and give your tribe something of worth. I owe Mrsha more, though. Remember that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd what do you owe Mrsha?\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia\u2019s brown eyes are fixed on me. I meet her gaze, my eyes serious.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Something else happened before Erin and Ryoka left Krshia\u2019s house. Ryoka was just finishing her discussion with Krshia when she heard a yelp, and then a shout<\/em> from the kitchen. She\u2019d leapt out of the couch and was running into the kitchen before she knew what she was doing.<\/p>\n Brunkr was shaking his arm and shouting<\/em> in agony. Ryoka saw Mrsha biting his hand, teeth gnawing at his flesh as he tried to throw her off. Erin was holding him down.<\/p>\n \u201cMrsha!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGet her off!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMrsha, let go!\u201d<\/p>\n I run to Mrsha and help drag her away from Brunkr. Her mouth is bloody and she struggles like a wildcat in my grip, snarling silently at Brunkr.<\/p>\n \u201cThat hurts!\u201d<\/p>\n He roars at her and bares his teeth. I push Mrsha behind me, but Erin and Krshia block the way.<\/p>\n \u201cDesist, nephew.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe drew blood!\u201d<\/p>\n Brunkr snarls at Krshia, but Erin stands in front of him. She raises a fist.<\/p>\n \u201cGet near her and I\u2019ll punch you.\u201d<\/p>\n That makes Brunkr hesitate. He eyes her, and I hustle Mrsha into the other room. I\u2019m about to shout at her when I see her face.<\/p>\n Mrsha\u2019s teeth are covered in blood and she\u2019s still snarling. But she\u2019s also crying. Tears roll down her face as she strains in my arms, trying to get free.<\/p>\n In the end, Brunkr goes back into the living room as Erin and I sit with Mrsha. I don\u2019t know what Krshia said, but a few words from her in the Gnoll\u2019s growling language made Mrsha stop trying to attack Brunkr.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin accepts a wet washcloth as she mops at Mrsha\u2019s face. The Gnoll wriggles away from her at first, but then lets her clean up the blood. She spits<\/em> onto the cloth and I offer her some tea to wash the blood away.<\/p>\n \u201cAll I know is that Mrsha was fine, then Brunkr growled something at her and then\u2014she attacked him!\u201d<\/p>\n Brunkr looks defensive as Erin pauses to glare at him. Krshia gives him a death look and his ears flatten.<\/p>\n \u201cBrunkr. What is it you have done?\u201d<\/p>\n He glares at the floor as he mutters a reply.<\/p>\n \u201cI just told her\u2026her tribe is gone. Gone, and never coming back. Gone because she brought disaster with her. Because she is cursed.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Silence. I stare at Erin, and then Mrsha. She\u2019s crying again.<\/p>\n Erin stands up. She doesn\u2019t say a word. She just punches<\/em> Brunkr hard enough to send him crashing into a wall. Krshia nods in approval.<\/p>\n \u201cMy deepest apologies, Erin Solstice.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think we should go.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looks sadly down at Mrsha. She\u2019s crying, and clinging to me. I feel her claws piercing my skin, but I just hold her. Krshia looks sadly at us, her eyes lingering on Mrsha\u2019s white fur.<\/p>\n White as snow. A pure color. White, the color of purity, innocence.<\/p>\n And also death.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It\u2019s a slow procession home. I carry Mrsha, even though she\u2019s heavy. She\u2019s still crying. I have to stop twice for her to throw up. All the food she ate comes up and she just clings to me harder.<\/p>\n Another failure of mine. I\u2019m not worthy of even staying around her. But if Krshia can\u2019t protect her, somehow I have to.<\/p>\n Somehow.<\/p>\n Erin and I don\u2019t talk much on the way back, just slog through the deep snow. It looks like it will snow more tonight.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAha! I see the mortal fool has met the one who serves food! \u2018Tis good!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBut they move so slowly! Like ants! Like bugs!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cShould we drop more snow on them? An avalanche? Hail?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Frost Faeries fly down out of the air. I stare up at them. Now\u2019s not the time, but they laugh and grin as if nothing\u2019s wrong.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHo, travelers! Give us your coin or we shall bury you!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBrigands, we! Victims, thee!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Erin winces, but she doesn\u2019t respond to the faerie\u2019s provocations. I have no such inhibitions.<\/p>\n \u201cGet lost, you lot. Now\u2019s not the time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin hisses at me, but I just stare at the faeries. They pause.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOoh, the mortal has teeth! Are we disturbing you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n I point to Mrsha. She\u2019s buried her face in my clothes and hasn\u2019t moved. I feel her tears soaking through my layers of clothes.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re bothering her<\/em>. Go away.\u201d<\/p>\n The frost faeries hesitate. They stare at Mrsha and seem to confer. Then, without a word they fly away.<\/p>\n Erin gapes at me.<\/p>\n \u201cHow did you do<\/em> that? They never listen to me!\u201d<\/p>\n I shrug, adjusting my hold on Mrsha.<\/p>\n \u201cHit them where it hurts. They like children.\u201d<\/p>\n As if to spite me, I feel something gently smack me in the back of the head. Erin wipes away the snow as I grit my teeth.<\/p>\n \u201cLittle freaks.\u201d<\/p>\n Another snowball taps me on the back lightly. Erin shakes her head.<\/p>\n \u201cI think they like you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve reached an\u2026understanding with them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s so\u2026uh, well, it\u2019s good, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho knows?\u201d<\/p>\n We walk on. In a few minutes we can see the door of Erin\u2019s inn at the top of the hill, and something else.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a crowd at your inn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh! I guess everyone thought I\u2019d be in!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin darts forwards, and I hear her calling to people ahead of me. I barely recognize any of the people who\u2019re standing in front of the inn. A female Drake\u2026Selys? And the Antinium\u2019s either Pawn or Klbkch\u2014no, Klbkch is the only one with two arms, so it must be him. And there\u2019s an older guy in his thirties who I know I\u2019ve never seen. He\u2019s wearing leather armor and he looks like a fighter. And\u2026<\/p>\n Goblins. My footsteps stop and my heart freezes in my chest. The small Goblin\u2014Rags is standing next to a Hobgoblin in the snow, apart from the rest. I quickly look down at Mrsha, but she\u2019s still oblivious to the world, clutching my chest.<\/p>\n Erin returns, beaming at me.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone\u2019s here! Looks like I\u2019ve got a full inn\u2014what\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n Only now does she see the expression on my face. I point with one hand to the Goblins.<\/p>\n \u201cThem.<\/em> Get them the hell out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin turns. Then she looks back at me, troubled.<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka. They\u2019re guests. I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not asking you!\u201d<\/p>\n I point at Mrsha and Erin\u2019s face changes. Reluctantly, she goes up the hill. I see her talking to the two Goblins and pointing back at me and Mrsha. I don\u2019t know what she says, and I don\u2019t care. I walk up the hill, away from the Goblins. By the time I reach the top, they\u2019re gone.<\/p>\n Erin had that disappointed look on her face, but I don\u2019t care. I push into the inn, ignoring the others who greet me. Only when I\u2019ve put Mrsha down do I look around.<\/p>\n \u201cHello! You\u2019re\u2026Ryoka, right?\u201d<\/p>\n I hear a friendly voice and look around. Selys, the female Drake, is smiling at me. She looks down at Mrsha. She\u2019s curled into a ball in one of the chairs.<\/p>\n \u201cAw! Who is this?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMrsha. She\u2019s had a bad day.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys nods and walks quietly away from Mrsha so she can speak to me.<\/p>\n \u201cI know we barely got to talk, but I heard a bit of what happened from Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, really?\u201d<\/p>\n Inwardly, I curse as I hear the words come out. I\u2019m still really hostile from seeing the Goblins, but Selys just gives me a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry. I get it. Erin is a little oblivious, but if you ever want to talk, I\u2019m willing to listen.\u201d<\/p>\n I stare at her. Well.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess [Receptionists] have to deal with a lot of crap, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n She chuckles.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s part of the job. And after hearing about that Goblin Lord\u2014Ancestors, I\u2019d hate to imagine that. Is that Gnoll child\u2014?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s the only one who\u2019s left, yeah.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys\u2019s eyes are full of pity.<\/p>\n \u201cPoor girl. Let me know if I can help, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n Is it really that easy? Can you really just offer to help like that? I hesitate, and then nod awkwardly.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust let me know. And I think what she\u2014what\u2019s her name? Mrsha?\u2014what she really needs right now is some sleep and quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n But when Selys and I try to bring Mrsha upstairs, she starts slashing at both of us the instant we get near. She bites at me even when I try to sit next to her. And it turns out that claws hurt even if you have scales. We have to leave her alone. Selys and I retreat as Erin bustles around us, chattering to Klbkch and the Human.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Ryoka! Have you met Halrac? No? This is Halrac. Um, he\u2019s a Gold-rank adventurer.\u201d<\/p>\n I nod at the grizzled man. He nods back. Unfriendly guy*. His eyes flick to Mrsha as he sits at a table.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n *Wait, what the hell did Erin say about him being Gold-rank?<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cRyoka Griffin. You have my condolences.\u201d<\/p>\n I turn. Klbkch, one of the damn Antinium\u2014no. He\u2019s one of Erin\u2019s friends and he died once to save her. I nod to him.<\/p>\n \u201cKlbkch?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. Allow me to reassure you that I will conduct patrols of the area south of Liscor when possible to ensure the safety of Mrsha and this inn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n That\u2019s\u2026suspicious. Why would Klbkch take so much interest in Erin? It must have to do with the individual Antinium thing and Pawn. Damn it, Erin.<\/p>\n But any help is welcome, so I nod. Klbkch looks at Mrsha. She\u2019s crying again. Her small body shakes, and I feel my heart ache.<\/p>\n \u201cI regret what has occurred. Rest assured, if the Goblin Lord\u2019s army passes near one of the Hives, it will be destroyed.\u201d<\/p>\n There\u2019s nothing to say to that. I just nod. But Mrsha\u2019s crying puts a damper even on Erin\u2019s good cheer. She does her best, cooking up food and insisting we all sit together at a table, but she can\u2019t get Mrsha to move and so Lyonette brings us our drinks\u2014hot water for me and Klbkch and ale for Selys\u2014in silence.<\/p>\n I glance over at Halrac. He\u2019s sitting alone, but he keeps staring at Mrsha. Is he bothered by her? Well, of course he would be. He stops Erin as she passes a table and points to Mrsha. And then, for some reason, I see him point to a bunch of flowers on a table near one of the windows.<\/p>\n \u201cFlowers? Why the hell are there flowers in here?\u201d<\/p>\n Selys looks over as she bites into some spaghetti with meatballs.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, those? I think they came from the faeries. That\u2019s what Erin says, anyways.\u201d<\/p>\n Klbkch and I stare at her.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Frost Faeries gave them to her? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI dunno. For some meal she cooked them. Erin was pretty mad about it at the time.\u201d<\/p>\n Oh my god. She didn\u2019t. They didn\u2019t. I stare in horror at the flowers as Erin goes over to them. Golden flowers. Is it too much of a leap of logic to assume\u2026?<\/p>\n \u201cDid she think they were golden coins?\u201d<\/p>\n Klbkch stares at me as if I\u2019m crazy, but Selys nods. She slurps down a noodle.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right! That\u2019s what Erin said! How did you know?\u201d<\/p>\n I put my face in my hands and groan.<\/em> Did Erin just not remember those old stories about faeries? I hope she didn\u2019t waste that much food on those bastards*.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n *Is bastard the right word, here? Bitches might be more gender specific, but it doesn\u2019t really encapsulate how much I sometimes hate those damn faeries.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPardon me. Am I to understand these flowers were enchanted to look like coins?\u201d<\/p>\n I nod at Klbkch. It feels really odd to be sitting and chatting to an Antinium, much less Klbkch the Slayer. I want to talk with him, but not with Selys around.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s something the faeries do. They trick people into accepting gold that turns to flowers or disappears the next day. Erin got taken for a ride.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI see. This is unfortunate.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, but Erin says the flowers are actually useful.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n All three of us look over to the flowers. Erin is picking some and\u2026squeezing<\/em> them? Yes, she\u2019s adding them to a mug and Halrac\u2019s watching her with an intense expression. What the hell is going on?<\/p>\n But then Erin walks over to Mrsha with a mug full of ale and a few drops of that flower nectar mixed in. I frown as she gently touches Mrsha.<\/p>\n \u201cMrsha? You okay, honey?\u201d<\/p>\n Mrsha swipes at Erin, but the other girl is out of arm\u2019s reach. Erin touches Mrsha again.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, I don\u2019t want to bother you sweetie, but I\u2019ve got a drink. It\u2019ll help you relax, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe hell is she doing?\u201d<\/p>\n Is Erin trying to get Mrsha drunk? I stand up, frowning, but Klbkch tugs on my arm.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease wait, Ryoka Griffin. I believe Erin Solstice may be attempting to do something beneficial.\u201d<\/p>\n I hesitate. But then, this is<\/em> Erin. I look back at the flowers, and then at the way Halrac\u2019s staring at the mug. Flowers. Illusions.<\/p>\n Hallucinogens? Not the craziest thing I\u2019ve heard of.<\/p>\n Even as I watch, Erin coaxes Mrsha out of her ball. The Gnoll sniffs at the mug, but curious as ever, she tastes some. I watch her gulp a few mouthfuls of the drink down with butterflies in my stomach. Mrsha\u2019s eyes go wide, and then she sighs. She closes her eyes, and then goes limp.<\/p>\n \u201cMrsha?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin turns towards me as I approach. She lets me take Mrsha. I feel at her anxiously.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s just asleep, Ryoka. Or\u2026in a trance. Halrac says the drink helps. I\u2019ve tried it before, and it does make you feel better.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt will.\u201d<\/p>\n I turn. Halrac, the Gold-rank adventurer is standing behind us. He nods to me.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Griffin? Erin Solstice has a unique drink. It\u2019s liquid memory.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMemory? You mean it\u2019s some kind of drug?\u201d<\/p>\n I glare at Erin. She raises her hands defensively.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just the flowers and some alcohol! It\u2019s part of one of the skills I learned, Ryoka! It\u2019s called [Wondrous Fare] and Halrac says it makes you feel better! He\u2019s had lots!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looks over at him and the adventurer nods. He stares at the drink on the table.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2026brings back happy memories. For a time. I imagine the Gnoll child will sleep after drinking it, in any case.\u201d<\/p>\n I stare at Erin. Faerie flowers can be made into a magical drink? Why did I not think of that? No\u2014is Erin a genius or just insane?<\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure it\u2019s safe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t you try some?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin offers me the drink. I accept the mug and stare into it. Halrac looks at the piss-colored liquid as if it\u2019s liquid gold, but I\u2019m not so sure.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not bad?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe alcohol is swill, but I\u2019ll vouch for its effects. I\u2019ll have one myself, and pay what you want for it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally? Ooh, what should I charge?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs that drink for everyone? I\u2019d like to try some too if we\u2019re having samples.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys stands up and stares at the mug, as does Klbkch. Erin picks some more flowers as I stare at the liquid.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not like I haven\u2019t tried\u2026certain medicinal herbs\u2026before. But that was just once, and I\u2019ve never smoked or taken any hard drugs. I love to run, not mess up my body. But if Erin was confident enough to give it to Mrsha\u2014<\/p>\n At the very least I should see what effect it has. I hesitate, but Erin\u2019s already mixing up another three mugs. Cautiously, I down the drink.<\/p>\n Yep. That\u2019s some crap. Did Erin buy the cheapest alcohol available? I frown as I swallow. I don\u2019t sense any other taste, but it was just a few drops. How long does the effect l\u2014<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The world dissolves around me. Into rushing air. Into mist and smoke that drifts up from the fire.<\/em><\/p>\n I stare at Urksh as Mrsha sits next to me, staring up at me. The Gnolls in the camp bustle around, laughing, talking, as I stare at him. He looks up from a bit of hot fish and grins at me.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYou look shocked, Ryoka Griffin. Is this not what you wished to see?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cNo. No, I\u2014\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n I falter. Mrsha looked up inquiringly, her brown fur shining in the firelight. Urksh laughs.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIt is well. Rest here a while before continuing on your journey.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI will. I just\u2014\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n A piece of hot fish\u2014mackerel, maybe, is resting in my hand. Hot enough to nearly burn my skin, but not quite. So warm and tender that I can bite into it and banish the cold of the night air. The fire in front of me warms my skin, and Mrsha sighs as she snuggles into my side.<\/em><\/p>\n I look at Urksh. He smiles as he sits in the cold winter air. The Gnolls laugh as they prepare to sleep for the night.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI just wanted to say I\u2019m sorry. I\u2019m so sorry.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n He nods.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI know. But it is not you who must apologize, yes? We paid the price as we wished.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYeah. It\u2019s just\u2014\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n He shakes his head.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cEat, Ryoka Griffin. And then, perhaps, tell us another story. The one about the [King] with the sword was particularly good, I thought.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Mrsha nods. She sits up eagerly, and I raise the fish to my lips. The scent makes my mouth water, and I see Gnolls drifting over. They sit together, warm, happy, full. The cold air blows, but it is banished by the warmth here. I open my mouth, and my teeth sink into the hot food\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cRyoka? You\u2019re doing the same staring thing. Are you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n The vision fades. I stare at Erin. She smiles nervously at me.<\/p>\n \u201cNo good? Everyone\u2019s gone silent. I tried the drink, but I only had a bit and I just felt happy when I remembered playing chess against Pawn. Is it too strong or good like that?\u201d<\/p>\n I stare at the drink. It\u2019s still half full. I put it to my lips and drink the rest down. The world spins, and the last thing I feel is myself falling backwards. And then, for a few moments, I\u2019m sitting around a camp fire again. Laughing. Happy. And I ask for their forgiveness and know peace.<\/p>\n Until I wake.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Outside the inn, the Frost Faeries watched as Ryoka Griffin collapsed backwards and Erin scrambled to catch her. They hovered outside in the cold, staring through one of the windows. It wasn\u2019t that they couldn\u2019t enter; it was just that they didn\u2019t mind the cold and they didn\u2019t want their conversation to be heard.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe drink is made from the flowers. The innkeeper made it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not supposed to happen. Mortals don\u2019t use the flowers we give them! They\u2019re supposed to throw them away!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The faeries watched as Erin laid Ryoka down and then looked at the other patrons of her inn. They all had the same far-off expression in their eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cShould we remove the flowers?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBut \u2018twas a gift! We cannot take it back!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhat if we gave actual gold? Would that suffice?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Inside the inn, Erin brushed against Klbkch. The Antinium had gone completely still after drinking his mug, just like Selys and Halrac. Now the slight nudge sent him toppling backwards, and like a domino the Drake and Human toppled over as well. The faeries watched as Erin began to panic.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201c\u2018Tis funny.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The faeries paused. They looked at each other.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI wonder what the drink tastes like?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSwill, I heard.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cGood swill?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n There was only one way to find out. The faeries swooped into the inn.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cInnkeep! A mug of your finest swill!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n And both Ryoka and Mrsha slept soundly, dreaming of a happier time. That was, until they woke. But though the dream faded, part of it remained, filling them up. Mending cracks in their hearts. Like a flower, growing in the snow.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Previous Chapter<\/a> Next Chapter<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Erin woke up to the sound of snuffling. She opened her eyes fast; when you hear something large and unfamiliar moving around your face, sleep tends to be a lesser concern. To Erin\u2019s relief she wasn\u2019t being attacked by mutant caterpillar pig monsters. Instead, she saw Mrsha, the small white-furred Gnoll rooting around her cupboards. […]<\/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-2221","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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