Zel Shivertail sat in the Tailless Thief, the most famous and well-reputed inn in Liscor and felt out of place. Partly because he really didn\u2019t care for the inn, and partly because of the stares.<\/p>\n
Inns were a subjective experience no matter where you went, Zel found. They were ostensibly just places to eat and sleep, but any real inn managed by a proper [Innkeeper] quickly developed\u2026personality. It grew a community of clientele, and generally reflected the owner\u2019s attitudes.<\/p>\n
One way in which that was apparent here was in the clientele of the Tailless Thief. They were all Drakes. There was not a single Gnoll or Human to be seen, much less the rarer species that lived on Izril. No matter where Zel looked, he only saw scales.<\/p>\n
That wasn\u2019t a bad thing in general, but it was in a city where the population wasn\u2019t solely Drake. And it wasn\u2019t as if non-Drakes were barred from entering either. It was simply that they weren\u2019t welcome<\/em>. And people felt that and stayed away.<\/p>\n Zel could have used a non-Drake crowd about now. He moodily sipped at his mug, filled with the spicy Fireshot drink. Non-Drakes were pleasant to be around because most didn\u2019t know who he was. They didn\u2019t stare.<\/em> But what Drake child hadn\u2019t heard of Zel Shivertail, the Tidebreaker, hero of both Antinium Wars? And in Liscor of course, Zel\u2019s name was spoken just as often. This was where General Sserys had come from, and Drakes did not forget their heroes.<\/p>\n The [General]\u2019s hand tightened around his mug. Yes, this had been Sserys\u2019 home. Now Antinium lived here, among the citizens. What would Sserys have thought of that?<\/em> Zel wondered. At the very least, he thought Sserys would have hated the attention as much as Zel did. The [General] usually tried to keep a low profile when he visited other cities for this very reason.<\/p>\n Not that the person sitting across from him was helping Zel remain inconspicuous. Wall Lord Ilvriss, one of the sworn protectors of the famed Walled Cities\u2014in his case the city of Salazsar\u2014sat expansively in his chair, sipping from some elegant drink or other and delicately spearing morsels from his plate with the long-handled fork the Drake aristocracy loved to use.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you\u2019re sure the Human said Ryoka Griffin, Shivertail?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPositive.\u201d<\/p>\n Zel stared in dismay at the delicate, glistening fried eel on his plate. He pushed it away and sighed. Where did you get<\/em> eels in the winter? But of course the [Innkeeper] would have the finest food for the Wall Lord and a Drake [General]. It had probably been run here overnight by Courier.<\/p>\n \u201cInteresting.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss nibbled at his fork, carefully consuming a morsel of meat\u2014seasoned Corusdeer, the local specialty\u2014simmered in a rag\u00f9 for added flavor. Zel knew this because the innkeeper had told him what he was eating in detail. And at length.<\/p>\n Ilvriss finished his bite and patted at his mouth with a napkin. He frowned, thinking.<\/p>\n \u201cI have instructed my contacts to inform me the instant this Ryoka Griffin is spotted. If she does return to the city, I will know of it within minutes. But I am not content to wait. I would go north to seek her out if it were not for the situation with the Antinium, but I cannot find any information about this blasted Human. She is not a Courier\u2014or if she is, no one has compiled any records of her, and they are meticulously updated. And no one I have spoken to has heard of her!\u201d<\/p>\n Zel grunted. He took another swig of his drink and glared at Ilvriss.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s because you only asked Drakes,<\/em> you idiot. If you want to find a Human, you talk to Humans.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss flicked out his tongue in displeasure.<\/p>\n \u201cHumans lie.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you think Drakes don\u2019t?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have more faith in my own kind than I do in others, Shivertail.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re a fool, then. We didn\u2019t lose half of the continent to Humans a few thousand years ago because we get along well<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss\u2019 tail twitched, <\/em>but he didn\u2019t reply to that. Instead, he flicked his fork at a map that lay on the table between the two.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom what I have heard, the Goblin Lord has been spotted around the Blood Fields. He is retreating from the two suppression armies sent after him. They have advanced with nothing but victories over the disorganized Goblins.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs that good news?\u201d<\/p>\n Zel stared at the map. One of the few reasons why he travelled with Ilvriss was the Wall Lord\u2019s access to a network of informants Zel couldn\u2019t be bothered to maintain. Ilvriss raised one nonexistent eyebrow.<\/p>\n \u201cYou really think this Goblin Lord is a threat? There are two<\/em> armies heading towards him, Shivertail. Each one led by a [General], each one nearly ten thousand strong.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd that\u2019s supposed to reassure me? This Goblin Lord\u2026is a Goblin Lord<\/em>, Ilvriss. He beat back the army you and I were leading together with ease. Now, I might have had a lot less than ten thousand soldiers at that point, but that\u2019s still two [Generals] by my count\u2014and a lot higher level than the ones heading towards him now.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss shrugged, his tail flicking dismissal.<\/p>\n \u201cYour army was exhausted from battling mine, Shivertail. It was smaller, and I might add, less well-equipped.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo you keep saying. But I think it\u2019s dangerous. If those idiots ruling from their safe cities listened to me, we\u2019d be sending a force twice that large, and I\u2019d be leading it.\u201d<\/p>\n The Wall Lord sat up a bit, nettled by Zel\u2019s tone.<\/p>\n \u201cYou place too much faith in a Goblin\u2019s ability to fight, Shivertail! The real threat on this continent are not Goblins. They\u2019re a nuisance. The Antinium and those blasted Humans are our enemies.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd each other.\u201d<\/p>\n Zel glared at Ilvriss. He could see a [Barmaid] with a refill out of the corner of his eye. She was afraid to get close, and for good reason. Both Ilvriss and Zel were using intimidation Skills unconsciously, and their argument was emptying the inn around them.<\/p>\n \u201cGoblins are as dangerous, Ilvriss. Or have you forgotten the second Antinium War already? We were having a great time trying to kill each other. Us, the Antinium, the Humans\u2014and the damn Necromancer\u2014when the Goblin King appeared and started kicking everyone\u2019s collective tail.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe killed him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOnly by uniting! If there hadn\u2019t been so many armies fighting him at the same time\u2014Ancestors, Ilvriss, don\u2019t you realize what a threat a single Goblin Lord could be? They\u2019re the equivalents of high-level [Generals] and a King\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss shifted. He looked uncomfortable, perhaps because he realized he was wrong.<\/p>\n \u201cNo matter the danger, a Goblin King is a single threat. Once he is slain, the threat dissolves.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not that easy. We got lucky last time.\u201d<\/p>\n Zel was blunt. His tail was wrapped around his chair leg, squeezing tightly in vexation. He jabbed a claw at Ilvriss.<\/p>\n \u201cGo read some history, Wall Lord. Read about what happened when the Goblin King before the last one appeared on Terandria. He brought down eight<\/em> kingdoms and ended at least two bloodlines that stretched back thousands of years!\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss was silent. He stabbed at his plate and bit into another piece of meat.<\/p>\n \u201cWe shall see what occurs. This Goblin Lord is still the lesser threat. I want to know what the Antinium are doing here, and why the Slayer and the Small Queen are meeting.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou and me both.\u201d<\/p>\n Zel clenched his fist. Ilvriss nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cFocus your attention on that<\/em>, Shivertail.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d have an easier time if you\u2019d at least visit the inn I keep telling you about.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBah. A Human inn. I\u2019d rather bathe in filth. I can\u2019t imagine why you stay there. I keep telling you, I will pay<\/em> for you to stay here, where you can at least reside in relative comfort.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss\u2019 tail curled up in disgust. Zel shook his head as the innkeeper, Peslas, hurried forwards with a refill for him.<\/p>\n \u201cI actually prefer it over there, to be honest.\u201d<\/p>\n Peslas and Ilvriss both gaped at him. Zel eyed the eel and wished he\u2019d insisted they eat at The Wandering Inn for lunch. The Drake [Innkeeper] looked as if he were about to faint. Ilvriss looked outraged.<\/p>\n \u201cYou cannot be serious. You\u2019d prefer Human cuisine over this? This is the finest Drake cooking outside of a Walled City, Shivertail!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI like pancakes.\u201d<\/p>\n Zel also liked the little Gnoll furball who would beg for scraps and sit on his lap like Selys used to. But he didn\u2019t say that out loud. Ilvriss stared at him, and then turned towards Peslas.<\/p>\n \u201c[Innkeeper]. Bring me your finest cut of Corusdeer steak, seasoned, cooked medium-raw. And a plate of Ssarish for appetizers.\u201d<\/p>\n Peslas bobbed and hurried into the kitchen, shouting for his [Cook]. Ilvriss pointed his fork at Zel like a sword.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have lost your mind, Shivertail. I\u2019ll at least get you to acknowledge proper Drake cooking.\u201d<\/p>\n Zel raised his claw.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not necessary. I\u2019m not hungry for this, really\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI <\/em>insist.\u201d<\/p>\n Zel groaned internally as Ilvriss clapped his hands and a [Barmaid] hurried over with another glass for him. Why did he travel with Ilvriss again? He put his head in his hands and wished he were somewhere else.<\/p>\n And a few miles away, running through the snow, Ryoka Griffin finally spotted her destination.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThere it is. See it, Ivolethe?\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman running through the snow exclaimed as she crested a hill and spotted the inn in the distance. She was tired, footsore, and foot cramped<\/em>, since she was wearing boots. She would have preferred to run barefoot, but the snow was far too deep and cold for that. She was very cold, tired, and she\u2019d had to sleep outside last night.<\/p>\n But she was close. Oh, so close. Ryoka Griffin grinned as she spotted The Wandering Inn in the distance. She was nearly back.<\/p>\n Something swooped down and alighted on her shoulder. Ivolethe glanced towards the inn in the distance and nodded.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI see it. And I have seen it for the last five hours as I flew. What is so special about <\/span>you<\/em><\/span> seeing it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cOh shut up. We\u2019re almost there.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka swatted at Ivolethe and caught only air. The Frost Faerie backflipped off of Ryoka\u2019s shoulder. She flew slowly by Ryoka\u2019s head, talking with the girl as Ryoka ran on.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe could have been to the city far faster had the clumsy driver not run over the brigands. \u2018Twas entertaining, but costly, was it not?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re telling me. But Reynold says Magnolia has orders to turn every [Bandit] he spots into road kill. Jeez, she doesn\u2019t play softball, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cShe does not play games of throwing at all, unless they are edged things.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Ivolethe agreed absently. She looked up and flew high, chasing after something. After a few minutes she returned, a bird\u2019s feather, freshly plucked, in her hands. Ryoka glanced at her.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to have a lot to do when I get there, Ivolethe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cSo ye have said. I shall entertain myself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The Frost Faerie shrugged. Ryoka stared at her.<\/p>\n \u201cSo you\u2019re going to be okay by yourself? And you\u2019re not<\/em> going to harass Ceria or make trouble for Erin? You\u2019re going to be cool?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI am <\/span>always <\/em><\/span>cool. I am cooler than ye shall ever be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Ryoka stared at Ivolethe and nearly face planted as her foot slipped going down a hill. The faerie laughed at her and sighed when Ryoka glared.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI <\/span>promise<\/em><\/span> not to bother the wh\u2014your friends. But you must make good on your promise too!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll leave you with a stack of gold coins so Erin feeds you until you turn into a balloon.\u201d<\/p>\n It was a good thing faeries were so easy to bribe. Ryoka smiled to herself as she ran on, the faerie chattering about what she\u2019d have Erin make her to eat. She was nearly back. It had been long\u2014so very long! It felt like forever since she\u2019d been at Erin\u2019s inn. The last time she\u2019d seen Erin, the girl had been in Celum. But now Ryoka was coming back. And she could tell Erin everything that had happened. She could\u2014<\/p>\n Could\u2026<\/p>\n What would she say to Erin? Ryoka frowned. She\u2019d tell her everything, of course. But how would Erin react to the news about Magnolia, the [Assassins], the discovery that there was someone else from their world nearby? Laken the [Emperor], and Blackmage in Wistram! How would she react if Ryoka told her about that night with the three strangers at the campfire?<\/p>\n How much did Ryoka really know Erin, anyways? She knew a bit about Erin\u2019s past, she\u2019d done a lot with Erin of course\u2014she\u2019d gone to find her when Erin had disappeared, and they\u2019d had some laughs together. But now, coming back, Ryoka was suddenly struck by a bit of uncertainty. Because she felt like a stranger again. She knew Erin.<\/p>\n But she didn\u2019t feel like she knew<\/em> Erin. Not after all the crazy things that had happened recently.<\/p>\n Ryoka felt a bit of fear worm its way into her stomach as she reached the foot of the hill that led to the Wandering Inn. It was silly. She\u2019d run away from horrible nightmares in the darkness, things Ivolethe refused to talk about. She\u2019d braved a blizzard, survived an [Assassin] attack, and talked down a hostile half-Troll girl who could have squished her with one hand. So why was she afraid of meeting an old friend?<\/p>\n Maybe it was because Ryoka didn\u2019t really know how to meet old friends. That word was a foreign concept to her. What should she do? Should she\u2014<\/p>\n Caught up in her thoughts, Ryoka didn\u2019t hear the crunching in the snow until a blur appeared on her left. She turned, alarmed, and saw something coming at her from the direction of Liscor. Some strange blur that was kicking up snow. It was too low to the ground to be visible as it raced through the deep snow at Ryoka. She backed up. And then it leapt at her.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cHoly\u2014!\u201d<\/p>\n A patch of the snow seemed to launch itself off<\/em> of the ground and smashed into Ryoka\u2019s midriff. The girl shouted as the impact knocked her down the side of the hill, tumbling, rolling, struggling with the creature\u2014person\u2014child\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cMrsha?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll licked at her face, slapping Ryoka lightly with her paws as the cub tried to climb all over Ryoka. Ryoka laughed and yelped at once, trying to grab Mrsha. But the Gnoll was a blur. She grabbed at Ryoka, hugging her tightly, making small sounds that weren\u2019t words.<\/p>\n \u201cMrsha! Relax! I\u2019m glad to see you. It\u2019s okay. I\u2019m here. I\u2019m glad to see you too!\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka finally found a bit of fur and grabbed it. Mrsha latched onto Ryoka, hugging the girl so tightly her paws dug into Ryoka\u2019s skin through her coat. Ryoka hugged her back, whispering to the trembling Gnoll child.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I was gone for a long time. But I\u2019m back, see? I\u2019m back.\u201d<\/p>\n She didn\u2019t try to prise Mrsha away, and the Gnoll wouldn\u2019t have let go for anything. Ryoka sat up awkwardly in the snow. Only then did she realize she had company.<\/p>\n Four tall Gnolls stood watching her and Mrsha in the snow. They might have been male, or female. It was hard to tell. But they were tall, adult, and watching her. Ryoka\u2019s stomach lurched a tiny bit.<\/p>\n \u201cUh, hi.\u201d<\/p>\n Thought and fear raced ahead of everything else. Why were they here? Were they worried she was trying to attack Mrsha? Or was it because Mrsha had white fur? Were they after Mrsha? Where was Erin? But then one of the Gnolls spoke and put Ryoka\u2019s fears to rest.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Mrsha child smelled you and ran to find you. We came to ensure she was not in danger.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh. She came from the city? Wait, what was she doing there?\u201d<\/p>\n One of the Gnolls, the tallest, nodded. He had red-brown fur and had a sheathed axe at one hip.<\/p>\n \u201cShe was with Krshia for lessons when she scented you. She knew you were coming long before we smelled you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh. I get it.\u201d<\/p>\n Mrsha had a stronger nose than any Gnoll adult due to her youth. Ryoka felt Mrsha shift her grip as she clung to the young woman. She was licking Ryoka and nuzzling her head against her. It was intimate, but Ryoka felt awkward in the presence of the other Gnolls.<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2026she found me. Do you all need anything?\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnolls stared at her. They had a strange intensity about them. The lead Gnoll pointed at Ryoka, eyes searching her face.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have returned with what honored Krshia needs, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka stared up at the reddish-brown Gnoll as Mrsha tried to coat her face with saliva. What they\u2014oh! The book! It had been so long since she\u2019d made that promise that Ryoka had nearly forgotten. But she\u2019d carried it with her in the bag of holding all this time. She nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014yes. I\u2019ve got it with me. I can give it to her\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n So saying, the Gnoll reached down and grabbed Ryoka\u2019s legs. She froze.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Another one seized Ryoka from behind. She yelped and began to twist, but it was hard to with Mrsha clinging to her.<\/p>\n \u201cWait, what are you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll lifted her up<\/em> into the air as if Ryoka were a feather. She yelped and twisted, but suddenly found herself gripped from below. One Gnoll had her legs and buttocks, another her back. They began running with her carried over their heads, helpless, as Mrsha hopped up and down on Ryoka\u2019s stomach, making noises of excitement.<\/p>\n \u201cHold on! Hold on\u2014<\/em>put me down! I have to\u2014I\u2019ll give it to Krshia in a bit, okay? Put me down\u2014Mrsha! Stop moving!\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnolls didn\u2019t listen. They had a tremendously strong grip and try as she might, Ryoka was in no position to get free. They began to run with her held above them like a log. Ryoka yelped, but suddenly she was moving fast<\/em> down the hill, straight towards Liscor!<\/p>\n \u201cPut me down! Put me down!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n No one listened. Ryoka hollered, but Mrsha was delightedly climbing on Ryoka\u2019s front, and the girl had to grab her to make sure she didn\u2019t fall off. Liscor came into sight, and then Ryoka was headed straight for the gates.<\/p>\n The [Guardsmen] on duty stared at Ryoka as she passed by, borne aloft by the small crowd of Gnolls. She shouted at them to help, but they were too busy laughing to do anything.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Zel Shivertail stared at the proffered plate of Ssarish. It was a traditional Drake dish; sliced meat, very thinly cut and served raw or cooked depending on the area. It wasn\u2019t a bad food and Zel enjoyed it at times. He knew the Gnolls did something similar, although in their case they chopped their meat incredibly finely and mixed it with a light mustard sauce.<\/p>\n This dish of Ssarish was lightly sprinkled with olive oil, garnished with a bit of white, crumbly cheese, and delicately brushed with a mixture of lemon, salt, pepper, and some spicy greens Zel didn\u2019t recognize. It wasn\u2019t that it had been made poorly either. In fact, the problem was that it had been overdone.<\/em> Zel would have liked a plainer Ssarish, if he was even hungry for the stuff.<\/p>\n Which he wasn\u2019t.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not hungry, Ilvriss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHave some of the steak, then. This is Drake cooking\u2014and I will have you enjoy it!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDrakes don\u2019t have a monopoly on steaks<\/em>, Ilvriss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe invented them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe invented a way to chop meat.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou are neglecting to include the art of seasoning food. This is properly spicy, nuanced flavor\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust because some of our kind can breathe fire, it doesn\u2019t mean I want to do it myself!\u201d<\/p>\n Zel snarled at Ilvriss. The Lord of the Wall glared at him across the table as the innkeeper, Peslas, hovered in the wings, ready to dash into the kitchen and bring more food out for Zel to try. The [General] sat at the table, arms crossed, tail lashing the floorboards.<\/p>\n \u201cI told you, I\u2019m sure the cooking is fine. But I don\u2019t want any right now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI insist<\/em> you try a cut of the steak.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss sliced into the rich meat, still steaming with heat. Zel sighed, but the Drake lord\u2019s sense of pride meant he had to try some. Or run. Zel weighed the odds of Ilvriss chasing him down and reluctantly picked up a fork. He speared a juicy chunk of the steak and chewed it down. Peslas, Ilvriss, and a number of Drake patrons in the inn waited with bated breath.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s good.\u201d<\/p>\n Zel had to admit, the hot spices and rich meat was a good mouthful. Peslas exhaled loudly and Ilvriss treated himself to a smug smile. Zel raised one claw.<\/p>\n \u201cBut. I\u2019ve had better lunches. And I could be eating one right now if you\u2019d let me go.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNonsense!\u201d<\/p>\n A fist pounded the table as Ilvriss raised his voice in outrage. He speared a piece of the steak and waved it at Zel.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is prime dining here. You will have your lunch with me\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want steak, Ilvriss. It\u2019s not as if this is the greatest steak in the world, and I\u2019m not a fan of your company.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the finest dish you could order in Liscor\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn<\/em> it. But the inn I go to is a bit out of the city\u2019s limits. And I bet the innkeeper there could make me a steak as good as this one.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss furiously chewed the steak, as if mastication could prove Zel wrong. He gulped it down and pointed at it triumphantly.<\/p>\n \u201cAha! There you are wrong. I can detect the quality of the dish, and this is excellent fare for one of the lesser cities on the continent. The owner of this inn, Peslas here, is to be commended for it.\u201d<\/p>\n He nodded graciously at Peslas, who beamed and bowed his head towards Ilvriss. The Wall Lord pointed at the dish as he addressed Zel as if speaking to an infant.<\/p>\n \u201cThis was made by a cook with [Advanced Cooking]<\/em>! No Human [Innkeeper] could\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s got [Advanced Cooking] too, Ilvriss. And her food is new. She makes this thing called a \u2018pizza\u2019, which is quite\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will not hear of it! Peslas! Another dish! Bring me\u2014yes, bring me some saut\u00e9ed shrimp! The same dish you served me last night! As you will see Shivertail, no Human<\/em> innkeeper could provide you with quality seafood in the winter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want seafood! I want to go!\u201d<\/p>\n Zel stood up. Ilvriss tried to hold him down, but Zel was quite a bit larger than the Wall Lord. Still, Ilvriss was tenacious. The two Drakes were struggling at their table when they heard the shouting.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014down now!<\/em> I am not happy! I\u2019ll walk\u2014hell, I\u2019ll run!<\/em> Just stop carrying me like this! Do you hear me? Stop grabbing\u2014Mrsha! Don\u2019t jump on my stomach! Hey! Hey!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Both Drakes turned. Someone was shouting quite loudly. Ilvriss scowled.<\/p>\n \u201cHumans! They\u2019re noisy even when they aren\u2019t in the room!\u201d<\/p>\n He let go of Zel and strode to the open entrance of the inn, probably to yell at whomever was making the noise. Zel went too, intending to make his own break for it when he saw the Gnolls.<\/p>\n There was a crowd of them, running through the street. But that wasn\u2019t what made both Drakes\u2019 jaws drop. It was the young Human woman they were carrying over their heads. She was struggling, yelling, as the Gnolls held her over their head and ran with her. Everyone in the street was watching, some laughing, others pointing or scratching their heads in confusion. But that wasn\u2019t what made Zel\u2019s blood run cold. It was recognition. He knew that Human. He knew her name.<\/p>\n Ryoka Griffin.<\/p>\n She was being carried by a group of Gnolls as they ran down the street. Zel stared. He saw someone else perched on Ryoka\u2019s stomach, happily staring around as if this were an exciting new experience.<\/p>\n \u201cIs that\u2014Mrsha?\u201d<\/p>\n He turned to Ilvriss. The Drake\u2019s scales had gone pale. He had recognized Ryoka too. And the Lord of the Wall\u2019s reaction was immediate. His hand went to his sword, and he unsheathed the shining blade. Zel took a step back.<\/p>\n \u201cIlvriss. Hold on\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss\u2019 normal look of bored contempt had vanished. He stared after the group of Gnolls as they rounded a corner. Then he turned and shouted at the room full of Drakes. At his adjutants, the group he\u2019d brought with him.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter that Human!\u201d<\/p>\n The Wall Lord charged out of the room. Zel cursed as a number of Drakes who\u2019d been silently waiting against the walls charged after their lord. He ran after Ilvriss, shouting for the Wall Lord to stop.<\/p>\n A few minutes after they\u2019d gone, Peslas hurried out of the kitchen with a plate of saut\u00e9ed shrimp. It was good stuff, but as even Ilvriss would have conceded, the [Chef] had let the shrimp go just a tad bit undercooked.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Krshia was waiting in her apartment when Ryoka was shepherded into the room. A crowd of Gnolls came after her, spreading out around the apartment which grew significantly more occupied. Some stared or sniffed and wrinkled their noses at the smell of rot in the air\u2014but it was better than it had been. Brunkr stared at Ryoka as he kept a bandage slathered with honey over his arm. He glanced at Mrsha, but the Gnoll was too busy sitting on Ryoka\u2019s shoulders and nuzzling her head to pay attention to anything else.<\/p>\n Ryoka halted as she saw Krshia look up. The [Shopkeeper] looked like Ryoka had last seen her, if a bit more tired. She smiled when she saw Ryoka, though. With expectation\u2014and fear.<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka Griffin. You have returned, yes? At last. And you have brought what was promised, I hope?\u201d<\/p>\n She stared into Ryoka\u2019s eyes. The young woman nodded slowly. She was aware of the Gnolls in the room who weren\u2019t Krshia or Brunkr, and how they stared at her. Her, and Krshia.<\/p>\n Ryoka\u2019s mind flashed back to the past, to what she\u2019d learned before she\u2019d left Liscor, weeks ago. It was Krshia\u2019s clan who lived in Liscor. They had come to earn money, to prove something. And to gain something valuable to offer to the tribes when they met.<\/p>\n They had stockpiled spellbooks, tens of thousands of gold coins\u2019 worth. And it had all been lost when Lyonette used a powerful artifact to destroy Krshia\u2019s shop by accident. Ryoka had promised to give them something of equal value in return for Lyonette\u2019s life.<\/p>\n And Krshia was afraid she hadn\u2019t got it. Or she hadn\u2019t got something her people would consider good enough.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have it with you now?\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia was watching Ryoka very carefully. The girl nodded. She reached for her side, for the small bag of holding she kept tied securely there.<\/p>\n \u201cI went to a\u2026friend. A powerful [Mage], rather. I convinced them to give me something, a spellbook that would make up for what you lost.\u201d<\/p>\n Behind his aunt, Brunkr stirred.<\/p>\n \u201cOne<\/em> spellbook?\u201d<\/p>\n Around the room the Gnolls muttered. Their voices were too quiet for Ryoka to hear, but Mrsha\u2019s ears perked up and Krshia shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cOne may do. If it is the right one.\u201d<\/p>\n She sounded like she was trying to convince the others. Ryoka nodded, trying to appear confident.<\/p>\n \u201cThis isn\u2019t just any <\/em>spellbook. Look.\u201d<\/p>\n She put the bag of holding on the table in front of Krshia, and then bent to reach into it with both hands. She had to use both hands, not because the spellbook was heavy, but because it was too big.<\/em><\/p>\n Enchanted to be as light as a feather. Big as\u2026big as Mrsha. The Gnolls gasped<\/em> as one as Ryoka lifted the spellbook Teriarch had given her out of her bag of holding. Krshia\u2019s eyes widened into round circles. Ryoka grinned like a madwoman.<\/p>\n It had been too long. But now here it was. Some days she\u2019d almost forgotten about it, but now Ryoka remembered vividly. A spellbook. Not just any spellbook, but one given to her by Teriarch.<\/p>\n Taken from a Dragon\u2019s hoard. A book of teaching from another age, filled with magical knowledge.<\/p>\n A gift from a Dragon.<\/p>\n \u201cBy the tribes. What is this?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia bent over the huge spellbook as the other Gnolls gasped and crowded around the table. Ryoka opened her mouth to reply and got a paw in her face as Mrsha climbed over their heads to see. She gently took Mrsha off her head and cradled the Gnoll in her arms. Ryoka thought of how to explain and said one word.<\/p>\n \u201cWorth.\u201d<\/p>\n All the Gnolls looked at Ryoka sharply. She smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cThis will settle the debt.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlone? It is a magnificent work, but by itself\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia hesitantly placed her hands on the tome, opening it, staring at the gilded letters\u2014and illustrations!\u2014in the book. The Gnolls around her were murmuring quietly, perhaps debating that very thing. But Ryoka shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is equivalent, Krshia Silverfang. Equivalent to fifty or a hundred lost spellbooks. For you see, this isn\u2019t<\/em> a spellbook.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt isn\u2019t?\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia looked up sharply. Ryoka smiled. She stood taller and pointed down at the tome, speaking with a voice that carried around the room. You had to sell what you had, even if it was worth more than diamonds.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t bring you a simple spellbook with a handful of spells! No, this is a proper instructional tome<\/em>, something that actually explains how spells work.<\/em> You\u2019d be lucky to find this in Wistram, <\/em>let alone a normal [Mage]\u2019s library! It\u2019s a first-edition tome of Rihal, and it contains every spell they knew from Tier 1 to\u2026I think Tier 4. It might be the<\/em> most valuable thing you will ever see in your life.\u201d<\/p>\n Every Gnollish eye stared at Ryoka. There was a pregnant pause, and then the room exploded into excited babble. Gnolls crowded around the book, fighting to see, but afraid to touch. They sniffed at it like Mrsha. But Krshia only had eyes for Ryoka, as did some of the older Gnolls. One spoke to her.<\/p>\n \u201cIf what you say is true\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt is. Every word. I swear it.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka met his eye\u2014or her eye\u2014squarely. She knew some Gnolls like Krshia could detect a lie. The Gnoll hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cYou would be willing to swear upon a truth spell?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAny time.\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll blinked. She looked back at the tome, and her ears shook.<\/p>\n \u201cIncredible. It is a dream. And it is true.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia spoke sharply.<\/p>\n \u201cThe knowledge of this will not leave this room, no? No one will speak of it! And it will be guarded, yes, guarded this time by [Warriors].\u201d<\/p>\n All the Gnolls looked at her. Some bowed their heads, others nodded. Ryoka sensed it. Whatever power struggle Krshia had been fighting through, it was over in a flash. This was worth, pure and simple. More worth than the Gnolls of Liscor had possessed before, and they all knew it.<\/p>\n Krshia turned to Ryoka. There was jubilation in her eyes, but also wariness.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a gift worthy of a [King], Ryoka Griffin. We owe you a debt for it. But you say it came to you from another? Do we owe a greater debt that must one day be paid?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka hesitated. Here it was. The Gnolls were watching her again. So she thought back to her conversation and decided on the truth. You couldn\u2019t lie so easily in this world. But half-truths were easy.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a debt, but the one who is owed will never call on it. You owe a debt of gratitude to an incredibly powerful magic user, the equivalent of an [Archmage]. His name is\u2026uh\u2026well, it\u2019s Teriarch.\u201d<\/p>\n She hoped using his name wouldn\u2019t be a problem. But no one knew it, right? And if it was spread, well\u2026Teriarch was vain. She heard other Gnolls murmuring the name.<\/p>\n \u201cI convinced him to be a patron of your tribe. And I gave him something of equal value to the book.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou gave him something? How?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI cannot say. But it was worth it to him. It was a fair trade, I swear it.\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman met Krshia\u2019s eyes, praying Krshia did not ask more. Because Ryoka couldn\u2019t explain iPhones and Teriarch\u2019s magic and the simple generosity of a Dragon in front of the others. The Gnoll stared for a while at Ryoka and nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThen I will believe you. But this gift\u2026it is too much.\u201d<\/p>\n What now? Ryoka almost groaned to hear it, but the other Gnolls were nodding. Krshia looked at Ryoka as she ran a paw over the tome regretfully.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is too much for a gift, even one to repay a debt. You must ask something of us in return, or it will not be fair. And this debt is too great for us to carry now.\u201d<\/p>\n She wanted Ryoka to ask, but she didn\u2019t have anything to pay with. Ryoka\u2019s mind raced. She stared at Krshia, imagining all kinds of things, good and evil and petty and grand to ask of her. But then she thought of who she\u2019d come to Liscor to meet. She looked at Mrsha, and realized some questions were trick questions, even if the only person doing the tricking was yourself.<\/p>\n She smiled at Krshia. The Gnoll watched her warily. Ryoka took a breath and spoke her price.<\/p>\n \u201cFriendship, Krshia Silverfang. That is what I desire.\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll blinked at her. All the Gnolls did. Ryoka turned to them, looking them in the eye. She finished last on Mrsha, who was touching the tome excitedly as Brunkr tried to push her paw away.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a gift of friends, and the cost is paid in intangible things. I offer it in the name of friendship, with you and your tribe, if you will accept it.\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia stared at her. Ryoka thought she saw the Gnoll smile slightly, and then she took Ryoka\u2019s hand. She squeezed it tightly, and then let go.<\/p>\n \u201cSo it is said! We are friends, Ryoka Griffin. And we will remember this gift for as long as our tribe endures. No\u2014Gnolls will remember this. I promise you. Your name and that of Teriarch will be spoken as long as we endure. We do not forget.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka felt a chill as Krshia said that. It was more than an honor. It was terrifying, what the Gnoll said. But it was also heartfelt, and it made Ryoka feel as though she had touched immortality. To never be forgotten.<\/p>\n And then it was business again. Krshia bent over the tome, and beckoned Ryoka over. The other Gnolls respectfully gave her room. One of them lifted Mrsha off the table, and Krshia was bombarding Ryoka with questions about the book.<\/p>\n \u201cYou say it teaches, yes? So that a novice may learn? I have never heard of such a thing, but perhaps it is a lost way of making such books. Where and when was this nation\u2014Rihal? It must be important, but I have never heard of it. You said the book comes from here, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka scratched her head. The conversation with Teriarch was an age ago. Had he ever\u2026? No.<\/p>\n \u201cI have no idea, but I\u2019ll swear the book is genuinely from that place.\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia nodded. She paused on a page and traced the writing.<\/p>\n \u201cAh. See. On this side, there is magical writing. On this\u2014not. It is a written language.\u201d<\/p>\n Surprised, Ryoka bent over the book.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can tell?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. One is rooted in magic and looks different from other angles. The other\u2026no. It does not change. And it is not magical. It is something [Shopkeepers] learn, to tell the difference to identify fraud.\u201d<\/p>\n Fascinated, Ryoka stared at the writing. There was a tiny illustration, of some kind of flower blooming. Was this a spell to grow plants? She stared at the magical writing, but she was in too much of a hurry to start decoding it.<\/p>\n \u201cIt must be. This is an instructional guide, so it might be describing the spell\u2019s effects, or how to use it best.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWorth.\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia echoed the word, and then growled softly.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I cannot read it! And no one living knows the language, or so I am thinking. But a spell\u2014yes, I need an artifact.\u201d<\/p>\n She turned and snapped.<\/p>\n \u201cA pair of lenses, enchanted with a translation spell. Someone find one and bring it to me!\u201d<\/p>\n At once several Gnolls rushed out the door. Ryoka glanced at Krshia.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think it will work?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe spell does not need meaning, only time. It\u2026how do you say? It decodes the language. Identifies it over time to attain mastery. Now, Rihal. Perhaps there are books with the name\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia was turning to some other Gnolls when Ryoka heard a brief howl from outside. It was short, upset, and cut off abruptly. Instantly, every Gnoll in the room, including Mrsha, went still. Someone ran back up the stairs and thrust open the door.<\/p>\n \u201cHonored Krshia, there is trouble below!\u201d<\/p>\n One of the Gnolls who\u2019d left spoke to Krshia as the Gnoll turned towards the door. Krshia glanced towards Ryoka, and the girl wondered if someone had followed her. Or the Gnolls?<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere is a group of Drakes below. They are armed. And they want Ryoka Griffin.\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone stared at Ryoka. Krshia looked at the young woman.<\/p>\n \u201cHave you enemies among the Drakes, Ryoka?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know! I don\u2019t think so\u2014I have a long list, but I\u2019m fairly certain Drakes aren\u2019t on there!\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka went to a window, but Brunkr pulled her back. She blinked at him. He growled softly.<\/p>\n \u201cBe wary. They might shoot into the windows and Aunt has neither glass nor spelled wards.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka nodded and backed away. Krshia looked around. The Gnolls in the room were tense, and Mrsha was staring around wide-eyed.<\/p>\n \u201cThey would not be openly bearing arms if they were entirely peaceful. This must be handled without bloodshed. We go out together. Ryoka in the middle. Move.\u201d<\/p>\n The group exited the room, Gnolls streaming out, to the audible dismay of the Drakes below. Then Ryoka came out, Krshia and Brunkr at her side. The wounded Gnoll had taken off his bandage of honey and was holding a sword in his good hand.<\/p>\n Ryoka stopped when she saw the group of fourteen or so Drakes. They were all armed, all dressed in fancy clothing\u2014hardly as if they were ready for a fight. She didn\u2019t recognize any of them, but they looked well-armed. Then her eyes fell on the two standing at the front of the group. One was large, a bear of a Drake as big as Relc. He was arguing with another Drake who was shorter, slimmer, and dressed in regalia fit for a [King]. He turned to Ryoka and his eyes fixed on her.<\/p>\n \u201cYou.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The face didn\u2019t give anything away. But the instant he spoke, Ryoka\u2019s mind went back in time. She remembered the tone, and now the haughty posture. She remembered a battlefield, a tent\u2014her stomach lurched as she recognized Ilvriss now.<\/p>\n \u201cUh oh.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss strode towards her as the Gnolls formed a wall in the way. Zel Shivertail walked next to him. But Ryoka\u2019s eyes were on Ilvriss. She knew why he was here. Because she remembered.<\/p>\n She remembered how his lieutenant had died.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Memory.<\/em><\/p>\n The undead are approaching, terrible giants clawing out of the ground. A monster\u2014some kind of armored Gnoll in front, a massive battleaxe in one hand. A creature of rot walks beside him. She calls herself Bea.<\/p>\n They are coming. My eyes want to bleed at the sight of them. They are horrors far more terrible than a zombie or lesser undead. The servants of Az\u2019kerash approach.<\/p>\n But she does not run. The Drake commander holds her ground, and the elite warriors who have come with her ready themselves. They\u2019ll die here. I know it. She knows it too.<\/p>\n I look to Periss.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll die. Run.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n She looks at me, just once, and shakes her head.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cDrakes do not run. Go!\u201d<\/p>\n My feet take me away as the soldiers charge. Sixteen against a horde. Kerash raises his battleaxe with one hand and Bea spreads her arms wide. I turn and pump my legs, running past zombies and horrors that reach for me.<\/em><\/p>\n The screaming begins in only seconds. I hear the sounds of death, of flesh being torn and bones breaking. But I hear the living shouting in defiance as they charge the dead, fighting to the last. But falling.<\/em><\/p>\n One by one.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Ryoka felt her knees go weak. The smell, the feeling of terror and panic, all of it struck her at once. One second she was there, the next she was in the past. She stared at Ilvriss as he advanced, bare sword in hand. He barely seemed to notice the Gnolls, although the other Drakes with him were eying the Gnolls nervously. Ilvriss stopped a few feet away from the group surrounding Ryoka. He stared coldly at the Gnolls.<\/p>\n \u201cMove aside, civilians.\u201d<\/p>\n No one budged. A mocking voice came from the group of Gnolls.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are simply standing here, Drake. Is that a crime?\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss gritted his teeth as he stared at Ryoka. Her mind was racing. Run? No. It was safer here. What did he want to do with her? What could she say?<\/p>\n \u201cI wish to speak with that Human. Move.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOn whose authority? You could be anyone. Fancy clothes do not make rank among Gnolls, although they do among Drakes, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n There was laughter among the Gnolls. The laughter died in an instant when he turned his head to look at them. Ryoka felt a sudden surge of fear. For a second Ilvriss was taller, and his eyes burned\u2014she had to fight off whatever Skill he\u2019d used. By her side, Mrsha was whimpering.<\/p>\n Ilvriss\u2019 voice was cold as he spoke. It rang out across the street.<\/p>\n \u201cI am Wall Lord Ilvriss, and I will speak to that Human on a matter of war. If you will not move, I will consider you all my enemies.\u201d<\/p>\n There was a visible shift<\/em> in the ranks of Gnolls when they heard his title. But Krshia spoke up, sounding unafraid.<\/p>\n \u201cWall Lord or not, she is a free visitor to Liscor. It would not be good for Drakes to detain an innocent person against their will, no?\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake stared at her. Krshia grinned. Only the people close to her could see how her paws were shaking a bit by her side.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are citizens of Liscor. If you would harm us, you would make an enemy of the city, yes? And Ryoka is my friend.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI do not have time for games.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss shifted. He might have been raising his sword, or turning to order his people, Ryoka didn\u2019t know. She took a step forwards and raised her voice.<\/p>\n \u201cWall Lord Ilvriss. I\u2019m right here. If you\u2019ve got something to ask me, why not do it now?\u201d<\/p>\n He looked at her. It was just one look, but Ryoka felt it shoot right through her like an arrow. There was fury and other emotions in the Drake\u2019s gaze. She felt pinned. Ilvriss stared at her and opened his mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cI have only one thing to ask you, Human. What happened to Periss? What happened to my lieutenant? How did she die?\u201d<\/p>\n The street went still. Everyone was staring at Ryoka, even the Gnolls, even Mrsha. Ryoka felt her mouth dry up. A thousand answers floated through her mind, but only one found her tongue.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss blinked. He stared at her, filled with fury.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka\u2019s mouth was on autopilot. She recited automatically from the Runner\u2019s handbook, remembering a passage she\u2019d read long ago when she\u2019d first started running.<\/p>\n \u201cRunner\u2019s confidentiality. I cannot reveal who I deliver to, or what was delivered to any other party without permission from my client.\u201d<\/p>\n She waited for the Wall Lord\u2019s response as her mind scrambled to keep up with what she\u2019d said. Ryoka saw Ilvriss\u2019 eyes flash, and he made a garbled, hissing<\/em> sound of incoherent rage. He seemed to be unable to process her response on a physical level.<\/p>\n \u201cYou dare\u2014a technicality! Answer me! How did she die! <\/em>Tell me or I will\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He tried to stride forwards but the Drake standing next to him, Zel, grabbed him. The Gnolls backed up as the two Drakes struggled and swore and the other Drakes rushed forwards. Ryoka\u2019s mind was whirling. Her thought process went something like this:<\/p>\n If I tell him, he dies. If I tell him, I\u2019ll die. If Az\u2019kerash finds out\u2014could he? What could he do to me from here?<\/em><\/p>\n I can\u2019t risk it. Not until I think about consequences. But that\u2019s the last thing Ilvriss wants to hear. So how do I get out\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n Relief came when she heard shouting. Actually, crippling fear came first, but it was relief when she saw Watch Captain Zevara striding forwards with a group of [Guardsmen]. She put herself between Ilvriss and the group of Gnolls, although she didn\u2019t look happy to do it.<\/p>\n \u201cWall Lord Ilvriss, please withdraw! You cannot bear arms in the city or threaten civilians!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMove aside, Watch Captain!\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss threw off Zel\u2019s hands and snarled at Zevara. She hadn\u2019t drawn her sword, and she backed up a step as Ilvriss advanced on her. He pointed at Ryoka.<\/p>\n \u201cThat Human is hiding information! Information about my lieutenant and my soldiers and how they died! I will have it from her!\u201d<\/p>\n Zevara turned and looked at Ryoka. The Human girl was sure the Watch Captain had no idea who she was, but Zevara turned to Ilvriss and put a hand on her sword.<\/p>\n \u201cWhatever the issue, I cannot let you abduct a Human by force. Not in the city. The laws are clear\u2014there would be an incident with the Human cities if we were found\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI do not care.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss raised his sword and the [Guardsmen] drew their weapons. Zevara braced herself and opened her mouth wide<\/em> for some reason. Ilvriss snarled as he looked at Ryoka and she braced. Then everyone heard a shout.<\/p>\n \u201cPan attack!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss\u2019 head turned. Ryoka\u2019s head turned. She saw a black blurring object, flying towards the Wall Lord\u2019s head. Ilvriss twisted. His hand shot out and he grabbed the spinning object before it could strike him.<\/p>\n It was a frying pan. In the silence, everyone stared at it. A black, cast-iron frying pan. Ilvriss stared at the frying pan in his hand, a confused look on his face.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat the\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The second frying pan clocked him on the head. Ilvriss staggered but didn\u2019t go down. He turned, snarling, and then saw the adventurers.<\/p>\n They assembled in the street, some holding weapons, others just standing there for visual effect. Three groups of adventurers, although Ryoka couldn\u2019t know that. She only recognized Halrac, Ceria, Pisces, Ksmvr and Yvlon. The rest of the adventurers were a mystery to her. But once she saw who was leading them, it all made sense.<\/p>\n Three teams of adventurers stood behind a girl who held a third frying pan in her hand. Griffon Hunt, the Halfseekers, and the Horns of Hammerad. The Drakes might not have recognized any of the groups on sight, but they could identify seasoned warriors at a glance.<\/p>\n \u201cSomeone call for trouble?\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua Ivirith grinned as she held her two-handed flail. Revi grimaced as she stood yawning next to Typhenous.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not bodyguards! Why are we here?\u201d<\/p>\n Typhenous chuckled as he posed with the staff in his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cWe weren\u2019t doing anything, and this is entertaining, isn\u2019t it Revi?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka didn\u2019t hear Ilvriss cursing, or Zevara shouting for the adventurers to back off. She walked out of the group of Gnolls as hands seized the Wall Lord before he could leap at her. She looked at the young woman who was walking towards her, a huge grin on her face.<\/p>\n They met in the center of the street. Ryoka saw the young woman\u2019s smile, and heard her voice.<\/p>\n \u201cHi Ryoka. What\u2019s up?\u201d<\/p>\n A thousand things to say. A thousand ways to reply. Ryoka cleared her throat awkwardly. She tried to smile, and found it was actually very easy. She looked into Erin Solstice\u2019s eyes and weakly returned the girl\u2019s grin.<\/p>\n \u201cHi Erin. I\u2019m back.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Previous Chapter<\/a> Next Chapter<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Zel Shivertail sat in the Tailless Thief, the most famous and well-reputed inn in Liscor and felt out of place. Partly because he really didn\u2019t care for the inn, and partly because of the stares. Inns were a subjective experience no matter where you went, Zel found. They were ostensibly just places to eat and […]<\/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":[11693084,349],"tags":[7224,250708,4330244,4472517,11693079],"twi_volume":[11693133],"twi_collection":[],"class_list":["post-3940","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-volume-4","category-writing","tag-fantasy","tag-inn","tag-web-novel","tag-web-serial","tag-writing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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