It was night when the traveller arrived in Celum. Mainly because he had been moving all night. He wasn\u2019t tired, although he had beaten the sun\u2019s rays to the gates of Celum. He\u2019d gotten his sleep on the wagon, riding here, in pleasant company with a very amiable [Wagon Driver] with two fine horses. And he was a night person anyways.<\/p>\n
If anything, the hard part was waiting for Celum\u2019s gates to open. The Human cities of the north didn\u2019t all have walls; some, like Invrisil, were without proper outer walls or had outgrown them, which had advantages and disadvantages. This far south and in proximity to Drake lands, though, the cities of the north tended to copy the Drake standard of boxing in their cities behind a sturdy wall. Not that this one was enchanted or even that high; the traveller thought he could have slipped into the city and past the sleepy patrolling [Watchmen] if he\u2019d needed to.<\/p>\n
It would have been easy. But it would have also been rude, so he politely waited for the gates to open in a small queue. Politeness was important. As was a proper appearance. So the Human man checked his travelling coat, made sure his boots were scraped clean, and that there wasn\u2019t any hay on his hat. He was dusty, a bit travel-stained, but he looked very well-kept despite it all. Maybe it was the way he held himself, or perhaps it was his hat.<\/p>\n
It was a fine hat the man wore. Comfortable, not stiff, and not necessarily that expensive either; you could find a richer hat on any [Merchant] or well-to-do citizen you wanted. But this hat was beloved. It was custom-stitched, kept safe from any harm\u2014it was a hat to define a man. The traveller held it to his head as a weary [Guard] opened the gate.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne atta time. Don\u2019t bother giving me your details. I just gotta check your faces.\u201d<\/p>\n
The [Guardsman] grumbled as he let people in through the gates. He had a small list of illustrations of wanted faces, and he waved in the people one after another, not bothering to do a search of possessions or asking the incoming traveller\u2019s purpose as he might if something was afoot. The traveller waited in line, patient as you please. And in fact, when he spotted a laboring woman, clearly pregnant, at the back of the line with her husband, he immediately stepped out.<\/p>\n
\u201cExcuse me, sir and ma\u2019am? Might I give you my place?\u201d<\/p>\n
The man carefully waved at the married couple. The man, clearly weary and escorting his wife\u2014from a nearby village perhaps\u2014gave the traveller a suspicious look. So did the wife. But the traveller tipped his hat, and the smile he gave them was genuine. The couple hesitated, then stepped forwards. The people in line grumbled for a moment, but they stopped as the traveller walked out of line.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Puzzled by this common decency, the husband stopped the man. The traveller in his worn clothing just smiled and tipped his hat at the pregnant woman.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy pleasure, sir. Your lady should be off her feet as soon as possible. A bit of common decency. Think nothing of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI appreciate it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The woman smiled. And that was that. The man with the nice hat stepped to the back of the line. Never mind that it would take a few more minutes; what was time to doing the right thing? Behaving the right way was its own reward.<\/p>\n
And sometimes fate liked to reward a bit of decency too. That happened now. The man, standing at the back and watching the married couple go through the gates, spotted someone slipping into the queue ahead of him. Quite roughly too; a slim woman and a man elbowed into line. Or rather, the woman did; the dark figure beside her didn\u2019t get a second glance. She pushed back the married couple.<\/p>\n
The husband angrily opened his mouth, but one look from the woman made him shut up. She had an edge<\/em> to her expression, and her clothes were close-cut. Revealing, even. The man with the hat didn\u2019t look, but the husband did once\u2014before his wife stepped on his foot. The elbowing woman stepped forwards to the tired [Guardsman] without another word, and the traveller with the hat identified her. And her companion.<\/p>\n The [Guardsman] didn\u2019t recognize the [Nightstalker], nor did the people in line. But anyone with the knowing would see it. The thin blades concealed along the sleeves of her arms, the way she held herself, tightly poised\u2014and her beauty.<\/p>\n Her clothes made the [Guardsman] wake up and leer a bit, but her expression made him pass her through the gate quick. Because the woman was attractive, oh my yes. She could and probably still did receive propositions when she walked down the street. That was a remnant of the first class she\u2019d had: [Nightwalker]. But the class she had now was different from that origin. Oh, so very different.<\/p>\n The traveller didn\u2019t speak as the woman passed through the gate, followed by her escort. The [Guardsman] didn\u2019t even check the man. Or notice him. But the traveller did. And when he got to the gate, he saw the pair still walking down the street.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re clear. Go on.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Guard] gave the traveller\u2019s face a quick look and checked the illustration of wanted faces. The man tipped his hat politely.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, sir. And a good morning too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah? Get lost.\u201d<\/p>\n The reply was abrupt, rude, and accompanied by a glare. Nevertheless, the traveller just nodded politely. He was polite, even if the man wasn\u2019t. Which was lucky for the [Guardsman].<\/p>\n So came the traveller. And he had no name, at least, none that anyone in Celum needed to know. If anyone had to identify him here, it would be through his class.<\/p>\n [Enforcer]. And a high-level one at that. He strolled through Celum\u2019s gates, past the weary, irritable [Guardsman] without getting a second glance. Because what kind of idiot got their face on a wanted poster? Real criminals, the kind that ran in cities far larger than Celum, would walk in and out as innocent as you pleased.<\/p>\n And the [Enforcer] was a criminal. He thought of himself as a professional instead of a lawbreaker, but he\u2019d admit to the latter readily enough. What differentiated him from the common breed of scum, though, was how he behaved. He and his associates had standards<\/em>. They were known, in certain circles. Perhaps not in Celum, but then again, the Brotherhood of Serendipitous Meetings had branches in unexpected places. Even here. Or rather, they\u2019d had<\/em> people in the area.<\/p>\n The [Nightstalker] and her companion were ahead of the [Enforcer], but he\u2019d tagged them the moment he\u2019d seen them. And they hadn\u2019t seen him<\/em>, so he took the time and identified her. He already suspected who she was, but the instant he saw a scar across one cheek, he was sure. You only got that ragged cut of a scar from a fight. And an improperly used healing potion. A woman of her beauty would normally find a way to remove it with tonic or spell, but one group prized their war scars.<\/p>\n The Sisters of Chell. That also explained the man next to her: apparently extra muscle. The [Enforcer] squinted, casually appraising the man who neither the visitors to Celum nor the [Guardsman] had seen. A man dressed from head to toe in ragged, wrapped bandages, dark, stained in a few places. Ah yes. [Blackguard]. <\/em>Protector of the underworld. Lawful and lawless.<\/p>\n The [Enforcer] noticed this because he was looking, because he had a ring, and because they were in the same line of business. Most people probably didn\u2019t even see the [Blackguard], hence him not being called out to by the [Hawkers] lined up around the city gates. But even if he was invisible until he attracted attention, people sensed his presence. And they didn\u2019t block the blank-faced man\u2019s path any more than they did the [Nightstalker]\u2019s.<\/p>\n They were dangerous. But they were all in the same line of business, so the [Enforcer], after a quick calculation, stepped forwards. He caught the two unawares; the woman was speaking to the [Blackguard] without turning her head as she flipped off a [Hawker]. She whirled as the [Enforcer] strolled up beside her. The [Blackguard] had already seen him and just warily stepped between the two. But the [Enforcer] just tipped his hat genially to the two and smiled at the [Nightstalker].<\/p>\n \u201cGood day to you, Miss. I hate to be a bother, but I\u2019d be much obliged if we could speak for a moment? In the most sincere and respectful of ways, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n She eyed him. Then the [Nightstalker] turned her head and spat. The [Hawker], who\u2019d been approaching the much nicer-looking [Enforcer], recoiled in disgust as the spit hit him on the front. He backed away, cursing the woman. She ignored him and looked at the [Enforcer]. With a jerk of the head, she started walking down the street. The Brother of Serendipitous Meetings followed.<\/p>\n The [Enforcer] and [Nightstalker] did all the speaking as they walked. The [Blackguard] was a silent shadow, unheard but never forgotten by either. The two didn\u2019t beat around the bush, for all of the [Enforcer]\u2019s niceties. Nor did they ask names. They were both professionals, albeit with different styles. The Sister of Chell sneered at the Brother\u2019s hat and dapper clothing.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of the Brotherhood? You\u2019re alone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s convenient for me. I spotted you two coming in with the morning. Thought I should give my regards.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLucky for us. Why\u2019re you<\/em> here?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Nightstalker]\u2019s face said the opposite was true. The [Enforcer] smoothed his jacket.<\/p>\n \u201cFact-finding, Miss. Just the facts. I see you\u2019re about the same task?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, we\u2019re here for the lovely Celum weather and eating a bucketful of dust to this useless city so far south.\u201d<\/p>\n The woman snapped back. The Brother tipped his hat again.<\/p>\n \u201cApologies, but it helps to be certain.\u201d<\/p>\n The Sister thought about spitting again, but there was no point. She and her organization knew the Brothers, and they were insufferably like this. She opted to glare instead.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m finishing our investigation today. You want to get out of our way? I don\u2019t need you interfering with our<\/em> business.\u201d<\/p>\n She gestured to the [Blackguard] with her head. The Brother just smiled politely.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd here I was hoping we could work together.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHah.<\/em> We got in here first. And there\u2019s two of us. We don\u2019t trust you, and you probably don\u2019t trust us\u2014if you\u2019re even here to investigate and not intercept us.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The woman\u2019s glare spoke of paranoia and deep suspicion. The [Enforcer] sighed. It was good he\u2019d approached her without her noticing him tailing them. It might have been\u2026complicated otherwise.<\/p>\n \u201cI can assure you, Miss, our meeting was purely serend\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you fucking say it.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The [Enforcer] stopped. The [Nightstalker] rounded on him and glared. Her hand inched<\/em> towards one of the flat blades on her wrists.<\/p>\n \u201cLeave off Celum for a day. Then you can poke around. Otherwise, bring back more of your brothers<\/em>. We\u2019re going this alone.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Enforcer] sighed. Negotiations weren\u2019t going well. He tugged on his hat a bit, vexed, but his voice was still polite.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d hate to bother my associates. And I\u2019d hate to be so rude as to say leaving you to do your investigating might mean we lose any evidence my associates are looking for. But the fact remains that we find it ve-ry<\/em> suspicious about what went down and all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoin the club! We don\u2019t trust your word, and you sure as hell don\u2019t trust ours. But you\u2019re alone. You don\u2019t even have the numbers to settle things with the Plague Mage if he\u2019s responsible.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Enforcer] sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure if our middleman\u2019s still in the area\u2014if he\u2019s not, one of my peers\u2019ll find him to ask some questions. Not harsh, of course; just pressing. Unless the answers are that distressing. But I\u2019m here to find out what went down, and I can\u2019t delay my investigation. If I meet our middleman, I\u2019ll have a word. As for our interests\u2014can\u2019t we agree to work together or, at least, alone in amiability? That\u2019s preferable to me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEat shit. And get out of the city.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Nightstalker] glared. She nodded to the [Blackguard], and the man reached for something concealed by his clothing. The air grew tense as the three stopped in the street. The [Enforcer] considered his options. He looked from the [Nightstalker], whose crossed arms meant she was ready to draw, and then at the [Blackguard] hovering over his shoulder, already holding his weapon.<\/p>\n The [Nightstalker] smiled arrogantly. She knew they had him dead to rights. Still, the [Enforcer] refused to budge. He sighed, and then slowly, deliberately, he reached up. And he took his hat off.<\/em><\/p>\n The two hadn\u2019t expected that. The Sister of Chell\u2019s eyes widened, and the [Blackguard] moved. His hand flashed\u2014and he froze as the [Enforcer], hatless, turned and gave him a look. The Sister of Chell didn\u2019t see the expression on the [Enforcer]\u2019s face, but she saw her companion halt mid-strike. The Brother of Serendipitous Meetings slowly flicked at something on his cap, then placed it back on his head. The air, which had gone from tense to intense<\/em>, relaxed just a hair. The Sister of Chell exhaled.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you dare threaten\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust a bit of dust, Miss.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Enforcer] gave her a polite smile. But what was said and had been done spoke volumes. Rattled, the [Nightstalker] looked at the [Blackguard]. And the tiny shake of the head and his wide eyes told her she\u2019d misjudged the level and nature of the [Enforcer]. Slowly, she let go of the hidden blades she carried and thought fast. At last, grudgingly, she jerked her head.<\/p>\n \u201cFine. We go together. That way we can watch you. Don\u2019t get in our way. We work together until we find something. Deal?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA most amiable decision. Thank you for your consideration, Miss.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Enforcer] tipped his hat. The [Nightstalker] just made a disgusted sound and walked off. He followed her, and the [Blackguard] trailed the two. An accord had been reached, and as difficult as the negotiations had been, they now had an agreement. So the air eased between the two, at least for the moment.<\/p>\n When you had a deal, you trusted the other party, especially when those present represented larger organizations. If one or the other were to break the accord, there might be ramifications<\/em> that went far beyond them. So neither was inclined to do so. There was security in having more to fear from your own side than the other\u2019s. It was what made the\u2026lesser known side of cities run so smoothly.<\/p>\n Not that Celum was used to the trio that strolled down the street. The [Enforcer] and [Nightstalker] looked around the city, taking in the scenes, the sights\u2014Celum probably held ten thousand people at most. It was small, quaint in the [Enforcer]\u2019s lexicon of words. The [Nightstalker] would have used a different word to describe it.<\/p>\n \u201cI must confess, I\u2019m not at a firm place to start, Miss. Do you have a preference? I might grab a drink and scope out the scene first.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Nightstalker] snorted.<\/p>\n \u201cThey sent you here without intel?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMm. More like I would\u2019ve met some of the chaps if they\u2019d been about. Unfortunately\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHah. Well, we<\/em> have information. This way. We\u2019re headed to an [Alchemist]\u2019s shop.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Nightstalker] moved down the street, clearly following a map in her head. The [Enforcer] nodded and followed. They made good time; dawn was still breaking. And they came to the little store down a side street quick enough. The [Enforcer] peered at the boarded-up front. He could see into the store through the glass door, but the twice-repaired front already told him an interesting story.<\/p>\n \u201cStitchworks? Fancy seeing one of the String-folk around here. She any good?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t know. Don\u2019t care. Take a look at that, though.\u201d<\/p>\n The Sister of Chell nodded to a small sign attached to the front of the store. The Brother read it, frowning.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Potions half-off! No longer selling \u2018matches\u2019; please inquire at Alchemist Quelm\u2019s.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n He nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cSo that\u2019s the game, is it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPart of it. Come on. That\u2019s who we\u2019re finding next.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd this store?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere both teams went in.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Enforcer] paused and gave the shop a sharp glance. He could tell someone<\/em> was inside; there was a light on. But the shop\u2019s sign said \u2018Closed\u2019. For good reasons, no doubt. But\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cReally? The, ah, target was in there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean the fucking door?<\/em> Yes. Don\u2019t ask me why. But it\u2019s there. The access point is, anyways. The real thing\u2019s still in Liscor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFascinating.<\/em> So this other [Alchemist]. Quelm\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a lead.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Nightstalker] and the [Enforcer] both nodded. This was worth looking into. It might be coincidence, but the sign and the damaged frontage spoke to their area of expertise. And they had been sent to run down all leads, so the [Nightstalker] led the way down another street. She did<\/em> have a map; the [Enforcer] saw her checking it covertly. He politely coughed.<\/p>\n \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t happen to know what this Quelm business is? Just in the interest of sharing information.\u201d<\/p>\n The woman looked sour, but in the end she nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cLow-level racketeering. We\u2019re not sure who\u2019s leading them on the street front, but it\u2019s a new gang. Brand new. Their backer\u2019s Quelm. [Alchemist]. Level 20 to Level 25. Moderately successful. With his help, they\u2019ve created a monopoly on this new item. Matches.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMatches?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSome new alchemist invention.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWants to sell it all from his store, does he? Understandable. So this Quelm\u2019s got muscle to keep the other [Alchemists] in line. And the gang\u2019s being funded through\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cProtection payments.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Nightstalker] grinned. The Brother only grimaced. It was understandable, typical even, but the Brotherhood didn\u2019t deal in that area. The Sisters of Chell, on the other hand\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cAh. What about the City Watch? Do they know?\u201d<\/p>\n The Sister shrugged, clearly impatient as she picked up the pace.<\/p>\n \u201cThey know. But their new Watch Captain doesn\u2019t want to risk blood, and he\u2019s being bribed with potions. Apparently, the last one took off to be an\u2026[Actor]? That answer all your damn questions?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Enforcer] nodded absently. It did indeed. He might not know if this Quelm was connected to the incident he was investigating, but he understood this new gang and racketeering business. A gang had worked its way into Celum\u2019s city. Not just a gang, but a Gang<\/em>, the kind of criminal element that went beyond some local [Toughs] or [Thieves]. The beginning of proper organized crime, the kind both he and the [Nightstalker] were familiar with.<\/p>\n This was always how it started. To the [Enforcer], the [Nightstalker], and probably the silent [Blackguard], it was as obvious as the sun what was going down. It was like\u2026if they were [Woodcutters], they were seeing a cut along a tree\u2019s base. They could tell you exactly how the tree would fall if things went a certain way.<\/p>\n On the other hand, they could spot complications, oddities like maybe a strong wind that could randomize how the tree fell. But they had seen this a hundred times; they knew the broad strokes.<\/p>\n New Captain of the City Watch. A potential source of gold\u2014these matches, whatever they were. Add in some displaced villagers, a few experienced underworld folk, or just a local [Bandit] group dying off and the stragglers entering a city and you had the beginnings of a gang.<\/p>\n The Sister of Chell broke the silence after two more blocks of walking.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy all the questions? You know the score. Are you looking to move back down here? If you are, you\u2019re not dealing with me. I\u2019m warning you, we want this city.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked back, a bit agitated. She eyed the [Enforcer] and was clearly relieved when he shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not looking to expand south at the moment. They\u2019re yours to conversate with when you want the pleasure.\u201d<\/p>\n A grin crossed the [Nightstalker]\u2019s face. She shrugged indolently and looked around Celum\u2019s streets with contempt.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll wait until they actually earn more than a few gold pieces. Anyways. We\u2019re here. Look.\u201d<\/p>\n She pointed. The [Enforcer] saw they\u2019d reached another [Alchemist] shop, clearly doing better than Stitchworks. Glass windows showed a variety of products, from low-level potions to a Tripvine bag. It wasn\u2019t good by any of the standards of the three visitors, but the small bundle of matches, put pride of place in the glass window, caught the [Enforcer]\u2019s eye.<\/p>\n \u201cInteresting.<\/em> I\u2019d not mind a look at these things. Mind if we take a look? After you.\u201d<\/p>\n He held the door open for the pair. The [Nightstalker] snorted, but walked in. A beaming [Shop Assistant] greeted them; the store already had a few guests this early. The young man gestured around the shop.<\/p>\n \u201cGood morning! Welcome to Quelm\u2019s Bazaar of Alchemies! Are you here for matches?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs a matter of fact, sir, I\u2019d be delighted to buy some to test them out myself. May I ask what they are and what they do?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Enforcer] tipped his hat to the [Assistant], and the young man\u2019s face lit up. He quickly trotted behind the counter and got a matchbox and match. The [Nightstalker] watched with impatience as the [Shop Assistant] made his pitch.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the newest thing. Alchemist Quelm\u2019s latest invention\u2014matches!<\/em> They came out in the city earlier, but Mister Quelm\u2014excuse me, Alchemist Quelm<\/em>\u2014was working on them ahead of everyone else, and his designs were stolen. These are the best in the city, the only ones sold in the city these days, in fact! No one\u2019ll buy the inferior designs, so we have all of them!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Nightstalker] smirked. Even sardonic, her smile could turn a man\u2019s head. The [Enforcer] was unaffected; he\u2019d met women with her type of Skills before, but the [Shop Assistant] had clearly never run into a woman like the Sister of Chell. He hesitated, and his eyes fixed on her still beautiful face and then cleavage for a moment. She glared at him, and he turned red. The [Enforcer]\u2019s cough brought the young man back to his senses.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014uh, well, these are the matches! And they\u2019re wonderful. Ever seen what they do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why we\u2019re here.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2026observe! You don\u2019t need magic or tinder or anything else! You just strike the match against this box here, or even a rough surface, and\u2014fire!\u201d<\/p>\n The [Enforcer] blinked as the match head flared into flame. The Sister of Chell recoiled, and the [Blackguard] twitched<\/em>. The [Assistant] noticed none of this as he held up the match, admiring the flame.<\/p>\n \u201cYou see? As simple as that! It\u2019s all alchemy, no\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo magic.\u201d<\/p>\n The Sister spoke flatly. The [Enforcer] reached into his jacket pocket and felt at a little orb he kept there.<\/p>\n \u201cNo magic. Mind if I try one, sir? Or need I buy this box?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, no! You can try one<\/em> for free. And a box\u2019ll only be six silvers! For twenty matches? Very cheap!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExpensive is what it is! I used to be able to pay two silver for a box of twenty-four and then four for the same amount at Stitchworks! Why\u2019s the price gone up?\u201d<\/p>\n Another shopper complained as she browsed the shelves of boxes. Some were painted different colors and varying sizes of matches were on display. The [Shop Assistant] cleared his throat self-importantly.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s about quality, Miss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExpensive is what it is! I like these things, but they\u2019re not better than a flint at these prices!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut it\u2019s convenient, Miss\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The [Enforcer] listened with half an ear to the discussion. He lit the match on the box the way he\u2019d seen the young man do it. He lifted the match and watched the flame burn. The [Enforcer] wore gloves as a habit, so he didn\u2019t bother tossing the match as it burned down. He noted how hot the flame was and handed the box to the Sister before nodding in approval.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is very nice. Very posh. Beats magic for me, and I love the feeling of it. I could see some of my associates being very interested. This will be a bit of gold\u2014if another [Alchemist] doesn\u2019t figure it out.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Nightstalker] lit one match, dropped it before it could burn her, and then another. She ignored the [Shop Assistant]\u2019s protests and eyed the second before tossing it on the floor. The young man hurriedly stomped it out. The [Nightstalker] flicked the box back at him and nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cNot going to happen in Celum. But I like it too. No magic, just a stick. Easy to start fires with secretly. Give me five.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd me ten I suppose.\u201d<\/p>\n The delighted young [Shop Assistant] brightened as the pair bought fifteen boxes all together. The other shoppers gaped at the gold being forked over so casually; the [Enforcer] and [Nightstalker] didn\u2019t blink. Nor did the money in the store\u2019s till vanish after it was handed over. Neither of them were [Thieves].<\/p>\n After that, the trio walked outside the shop and thought. The Sister lit a match, watched it burn with a smile, and nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI can see why it\u2019s created a gang.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe too. The problem is, where might we find said gang?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAround back? They\u2019re new. They\u2019ve gotta hang around their boss. Or we wait for one of the [Alchemists] to pay up. Bet you they get money every day too. Amateurs.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Nightstalker] rolled her eyes. The [Enforcer] silently agreed. And as luck would have it, they found the very group they were looking for. Not behind Quelm\u2019s shop, but a street over. The group was, as befitted their nature, idling with intent in an alleyway.<\/p>\n They were clearly ready for something; both the [Enforcer] and [Nightstalker] could sense it. A group of sixteen rough men and women glanced up sharply as the trio strolled into the alleyway. They didn\u2019t notice the [Blackguard]. The Brother tipped his hat to them cheerfully.<\/p>\n \u201cHello, sirs and madams. Might I trouble you all for a bit of time? The pair of us have a few questions as it were.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019s asking?\u201d<\/p>\n One of the biggest men, a [Thug], clearly, strolled out of the group. He had muscle, but a beer belly to go along with it. And he was drunk. The [Enforcer] smelled it on the man\u2019s breath. He resisted the urge to wrinkle his nose and politely tipped his hat.<\/p>\n \u201cG\u2019day, sir. I\u2019m just here by serendipity. And this here\u2019s an acquaintance of mine. One of Chell\u2019s girls. You know Chell?\u201d<\/p>\n The words were innocuous. But they were carefully phrased. In Invrisil or any other city to the north, they would have attracted any group\u2019s attention and respect, regardless of whether they were common street trash or\u2026in the same line of business.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, Celum was just that far removed. Not a light flickered in the heavyset [Thug]\u2019s face or the rest of the group\u2019s faces, but a shrewish [Thief] skulking around the back of the group looked up suddenly in alarm.<\/em> He opened his mouth, but the [Thug] just scowled.<\/p>\n \u201cNever heard of her. Piss off.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Enforcer] sighed. The [Nightstalker] frowned dangerously. The [Thief] who\u2019d recognized their signals, on the other hand, pushed forwards nervously.<\/p>\n \u201cBetram, listen. Those two are\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShut up, Yapper. You. Clear off. We\u2019re busy.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Thug] pointed at the [Enforcer]\u2019s chest. He eyed the [Nightstalker] and grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re<\/em> free to stay, though. In fact, why don\u2019t you leave this idiot and stay with us for a while, Miss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot interested, you ugly piece of crap. We\u2019re not here to play games. Listen to your friend or we\u2019ll get impatient.\u201d<\/p>\n The Sister of Chell glared at the [Thug]. His face went red as some of his group laughed. His hand moved faster than the [Thief] trying to pull him back and whisper to him. He reached for the [Nightstalker] with an open slap. And his hand was knocked aside by the [Enforcer]\u2019s.<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n The Brother politely blocked the [Thug]\u2019s path, moving the hand out of the way. Lucky for the man too; the [Blackguard] would have stopped it far less kindly. But the action only enraged the [Thug]. He knocked back the [Thief].<\/p>\n \u201cBetram, don\u2019t! <\/em>They\u2019re\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShut up, Yapper! You want to die, you bastard?\u201d<\/p>\n He shoved<\/em> the [Enforcer]. The man was braced, so the blow didn\u2019t knock him back like the [Thug] had intended, but it did make him stumble. And that made his cap slip slightly, revealing some brown hair. The man caught the hat before it slid off his head. And when he looked up, the [Thug] hesitated as he raised a fist.<\/p>\n The Sister of Chell and [Blackguard] saw the [Enforcer] slowly adjusting his hat. The [Nightstalker] looked at her companion and made a rapid call. She tsked<\/em>, shook her head at her bodyguard, and stepped past the [Enforcer].<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll handle this. Move back.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Enforcer] thought about this and did so. He adjusted his clothes as the [Nightstalker] eyed the taller [Thug] up and down. By now, the crew in the alley had realized the man and woman weren\u2019t normal. They were checking their weapons, and the [Thug] was hesitating, clearly fighting with his ego over pushing things further with the [Enforcer] while his subconscious was trying to hold him back. It was too late either way. The [Nightstalker] eyed him and then, with a flash, drew one of the blades in her hand.<\/p>\n A stiletto. The edge was needle-sharp, and the hand holding it moved so fast that only the [Enforcer] and the [Blackguard] saw its path. Everyone saw where it ended<\/em>, though. The [Thug] stared down in horror at the blade piercing his\u2014even the [Enforcer] winced. Then the pain came, and the man\u2019s eyes bulged, and he opened his mouth. But the [Blackguard], who\u2019d slipped behind him, grabbed him.<\/p>\n The others in the alley jumped back in horror as he seemed to materialize and slapped a gloved hand over the [Thug]\u2019s mouth. The [Nightstalker] just grinned. She lifted up the bloody stiletto as the [Thug]\u2019s eyes bulged. Then she pointed at the [Blackguard].<\/p>\n \u201cHold him tight.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Thug] tried to move, but the black bodyguard held him tight. The [Nightstalker] stabbed him twice more in the groin. The man screamed<\/em>, but the hand covering his mouth let no sound out. Blood and urine ran to the floor as a stain spread in his clothing. He dropped as his mind mercifully rendered him unconscious. The [Blackguard] let go, wrinkling his nose, and walked behind the [Nightstalker].<\/p>\n The rest of the low-level criminals in the alley stared in horror at the big man. They were [Thugs] and [Thieves] and even [Bandits] and [Raiders] from the countryside, used to violence. But not as casual as that. Or as brutal. The man lying on the ground would probably live, but his genitals were mutilated. The [Nightstalker] wasn\u2019t done, though. She kicked the man between the legs, and he doubled into a ball, even unconscious. The [Enforcer] just sighed. It wasn\u2019t how he would have done it. But it had certainly gotten everyone\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n The [Nightstalker] raised the bloody stiletto and looked around. The alleyway was silent. Now everyone was staring at her, aware without words of what she was, if not who.<\/em> She looked at the trembling [Thief], Yapper.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not here to play games. I\u2019m from the north. You heard about a job that went bad right before the damn battle at Liscor? One where my people all died? Well, I\u2019m the one sent to find out what happened and why. The Sisters of Chell want answers.<\/em> And we\u2019ll have them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Sisters of Chell?\u201d<\/p>\n One of the men standing behind his friend started, finally recognizing the name. He paled as the [Nightstalker] aimed her dagger at him.<\/p>\n \u201cShut up. Anyone else says something I don\u2019t want to hear, and they\u2019ll lose whatever swings between their legs. Or find something else sticking out there instead.\u201d<\/p>\n She pointed at one of the female [Bandits] in the back of the crowd. The woman turned as white as the men. The [Nightstalker] eyed the group in disgust and turned to the [Thief] who\u2019d recognized her and the [Enforcer] from the start.<\/p>\n \u201cStart talking. I want to know three things. One. Who\u2019s in charge of your gang?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUh\u2014I\u2014milady\u2014it\u2019s Alchemist Quelm, Miss. He\u2019s in charge.\u201d<\/p>\n Yapper froze as the [Nightstalker] advanced. He shook as the stiletto poked<\/em> his throat. The woman hissed at him.<\/p>\n \u201cNot your backer, you idiot! Who runs the street? Who\u2019s your boss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was\u2014it was\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Yapper looked over the woman\u2019s shoulder at the comatose man. The [Nightstalker] looked over her shoulder and laughed incredulously.<\/p>\n \u201cHim?<\/em> So you\u2019re actually taking orders from an [Alchemist]? You\u2019re a shit gang. Fine. Question two. What do you know about the heist with the door in Stitchworks?\u201d<\/p>\n Yapper\u2019s eyes widened.<\/p>\n \u201cThat thing? Nothing. I swear! We heard some big players were coming south. And I knew a guy who said some of the Brothers from Remendia were coming, but I didn\u2019t hear anything about it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally. Any of you know what went down? Anyone?\u201d<\/p>\n The Sister swept her blade across the alley. The men and women shook their heads rapidly.<\/p>\n \u201cFine. How big\u2019s your gang?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAbout\u2026forty?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally? So you\u2019re just starting. What\u2019s your angle? Protection money and helping that shit [Alchemist] steal all the business? That\u2019s all you layabouts do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot much longer. Mister Quelm has plans. We\u2019re going to pay a visit to the other [Alchemists] later.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd do what, exactly?\u201d<\/p>\n The Sister of Chell listened impatiently as Yapper stammered. She shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cFine. But what about the door?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe didn\u2019t say nothing about that, Miss. Just said to leave it be. There\u2019s a crazy [Innkeeper] on the other side. She\u2019s got Gold-ranks staying at her inn. Mister Quelm says it\u2019s too much work to deal with at the moment<\/em>. He just wants that Octavia gone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Enforcer] frowned. That was surprisingly restrained, even for a low-level gang. But if it was being run by an [Alchemist], the man probably still thought he could control his crime. Just muscle out his competition. Sooner or later, someone would take over who was a serious leader. Maybe even Betram, if he hadn\u2019t just lost his leadership role and manhood. But it seemed like this really was just a coincidental thing to their real investigation.<\/p>\n The Sister of Chell clearly agreed. She wiped her dagger on Yapper\u2019s front as the [Thief] stood, paralyzed, and sheathed it in disgust.<\/p>\n \u201cFine. We\u2019re done here. If I find out you lied, I\u2019m coming back and cutting all of your balls off. We don\u2019t need anything from you lot. Stay out of our way. \u201d<\/p>\n She turned and walked out of the alleyway. The [Blackguard] followed, and the pale-faced group stared as the [Enforcer] tipped his hat. He looked apologetically, but without any hint of sympathy, at the silent Betram lying on the ground.<\/p>\n \u201cI apologize for the rudeness that was done with. Sorry about the disturbance and shame on your friends, gentlemen, ladies. Good morning to you all.\u201d<\/p>\n And then he followed the Sister of Chell out of the alley. The gang stared at his back and watched as the three disappeared into the street.<\/p>\n \u201cSo we\u2019re back to square one, it seems.\u201d<\/p>\n The Brother strolled up to the [Nightstalker]. She glared at him and nodded, annoyed by the entire ordeal.<\/p>\n \u201cUseless cowards, that lot. They\u2019re only a starting gang. Not even big enough to scare the Watch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt all starts somewhere. Give them a few months or a year and there could be a hundred. Forty\u2019s big.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cProbably some [Bandits] got wiped, and the stragglers came here. Who cares? They don\u2019t know anything. What\u2019s next?\u201d<\/p>\n She\u2019d clearly been expecting the Quelm angle to yield fruit. But the [Enforcer] was used to coincidences that turned out to be nothing like this, so he just shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s the door. Odds were always that something on the other side got our teams. And it being inconveniently a Drake city, my associates didn\u2019t get any valuable information. I was thinking of travelling to Liscor and seeing what the scene was there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd waste a day of travel?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou could always go through the door.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Enforcer] raised his brows. The Sister of Chell spat.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t plan on walking through the same door that got an entire hand of my sisters dead.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot exactly high on my list of activities to do either, I\u2019m afraid. Well, why don\u2019t we take a small break and figure out if anyone else knows something about this door? Who comes through to Celum?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine. You\u2019re taking lead? That\u2019s not our<\/em> specialty.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Nightstalker] jerked a head at the [Blackguard]. The [Enforcer] smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cJust so and so. Then, while we happily gather information on this place for our mutual associates, might I offer to buy you a breakfast, Miss? It\u2019d be my pleasure after seeing you resolve our spot of bother while I was so rudely still. Same goes for your friend.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Nightstalker] rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy not? I want to see what happens later today. Could be this Quelm knows more than he\u2019s letting on.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy thoughts exactly. Then, let\u2019s head back down to Stitchworks. I saw an outdoor restaurant down the street. If we\u2019ve good eyes, we can spot anything that needs spotting.\u201d<\/p>\n The Sister agreed with a tight, annoyed nod. Back they went. It was admittedly tedious to have to go back and forth like this, but the [Enforcer] knew it was necessary. You didn\u2019t rush about; the Sisters of Chell knew that too, because the only overt action their agent had taken was with the [Thugs] in the alleyway. They would never go to the City Watch, and standards were standards. You took this slowly, carefully.<\/p>\n Patience. Prudence. And something else that started with \u2018P\u2019. The [Enforcer] found the restaurant he\u2019d spotted, really just a fancy bakery with some outdoor tables. He sat down, and the server or maybe apprentice baker found them in a moment.<\/p>\n \u201cHello! Are you looking for some breakfast?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, we are, Miss. Good morning to you, and might I ask what your fine establishment serves?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI dunno about fine<\/em>, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman blushed as the [Enforcer] gave her a charming smile and a tip of the hat. She had a lucky feeling he\u2019d be one to tip her just for bringing food out to him. And she\u2019d be right.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, if you want, we\u2019ve got a menu. Printed. Or I can tell you our best.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can read it from here. And I think some of your spinach tarts would be a treat, Miss. May I have that and some refreshments?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Enforcer] read the menu inside the front of the bakery from his seat, making the young [Baker] blink. But she nodded readily and went to get the meal. All three of Celum\u2019s visitors did appreciate the hot food when it came out, despite their varying temperaments and goals. As the Sister of Chell dug into her food, the Brother of Serendipitous Meetings struck up the young [Baker] in conversation.<\/p>\n \u201cI hear that there\u2019s a miraculous door to Liscor, Miss. Magic, or so I hear. There wouldn\u2019t be any truth to that rumor, would there?\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman brightened with the chance to gossip and nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cOh? You\u2019re new to the city and you heard about the door, have you? It\u2019s true! The door goes all the way <\/em>to Liscor! And you can go through for not even a bronze coin! I went there myself\u2014it goes to an inn of all places! It\u2019s nice, and the Players of Celum used to put on shows there every night\u2014but most of the good ones like Wesle left.\u201d<\/p>\n She sighed deeply and went on.<\/p>\n \u201cBut<\/em> the door\u2019s always there. Usually, you just have to wait while that [Alchemist] bothers you inside the shop. Lately, though, it\u2019s hard to go through; my brother waited all day to go, but apparently people were going from Pallass<\/em> to Liscor. Isn\u2019t that amazing? Pallass is all the way south\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She waved a hand vaguely, clearly not understanding the distance involved. The three at the table did understand the distance, though, and the [Nightstalker] sat up in her chair. The [Enforcer], whose back was already straight, felt a skip in his chest. That was a powerful door. And one his organization would love to get their hands on. But that wasn\u2019t why he was here.<\/p>\n The [Enforcer] was indeed on a mission. He\u2019d come all this way south, at considerable distance and inconvenience, for one reason. His investigation in Celum was, as he\u2019d told the Sister of Chell, a fact-finding mission. Just like hers. A few months back, a few of their Brothers in the region had been contracted for a very expensive, very sudden<\/em> mission.<\/p>\n That wasn\u2019t unusual in this line of work, but the buyers had paid for top quality. And so the best in the area had been sent. And the best in the area had died<\/em>. That too happened in this line of work, but it was never something to be brushed off lightly. When people in the [Enforcer]\u2019s group died, their deaths were investigated. And if need be, avenged.<\/p>\n The duo sitting across from him were clearly here for the same reason, to find out what had happened. If they weren\u2019t actually responsible for the deaths themselves. The [Enforcer] ruled nothing out, and neither did the Brotherhood, which was why he was here.<\/p>\n The Brothers of Serendipitous Meetings wanted to know what happened to their group just as badly as the Sisters of Chell, but they had a second motive that the other underworld groups had no notion of. A highly, highly<\/em> lucrative offer from the Tallman of Baleros himself. And intriguing\u2014the [Enforcer] wasn\u2019t high enough to know all the details, but he kept his ear to doors in a figurative sense.<\/p>\n Intriguing indeed, and the money was considerable. You didn\u2019t turn that down lightly. But you didn\u2019t rush into deals like that either. Hence why his job was doubly important. So the [Enforcer] was content to wait to see what became of the poor [Alchemist] sitting in the store who owned the door. If it turned out she was only a bystander in this whole affair, he\u2019d regretfully continue on his way to Liscor to find the truth. He had no intention of using that door until he was very sure of it, even if everyone in Celum had used it.<\/p>\n The [Enforcer] sat back, took a bite of his spinach tart, chewed, and swallowed. Then he smiled at the young [Baker].<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m amazed. This is a delicious tart. And that door\u2019s not anything to sneeze at lightly either.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, you\u2019re too kind. Miss Ginla made those, but I helped with the crusts!\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman blushed with pride. The [Enforcer] complimented her, ignoring the impatient look he was getting from the Sister of Chell. It was always good to be polite. Then he sat back, adjusting his hat and preparing for a long wait.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like to buy a few more from your counter if it\u2019s all fresh. Throughout the day, like. If you\u2019ll stay open? Ah, by the way, what\u2019s this about Pallass<\/em>, Miss?\u201d<\/p>\n The young [Baker] beamed and hastened to explain. The [Nightstalker] sat lower at her table, scarfing her food and resigning herself to a long day. She glared, and the [Blackguard], sensing that this might be the start of a long day, decided it was time to eat. He ignored the tarts on the table, although he\u2019d inspected them for poisons or other tricks like glass shards already. He unscrewed a flask from his side and raised it. The [Nightstalker] punched him in the side and lifted one of the cups of water the young woman had placed on the table.<\/p>\n The [Blackguard] silently poured her a drink from his flask, and she sipped it. She turned her head and her enhanced eyes to watch the shop, where she could see an [Alchemist] moving about, slowly, furtively, her eyes on the shop front. Stitchworks was still closed, but the [Nightstalker] could see a door propped up against the far wall. Her eyes narrowed, and she settled back, watching. Waiting.<\/p>\n And on the other side of the door? An inn sprang to life as dawn faded and the sun rose. A hundred miles away, Liscor, a city of Drakes, got about its day, and The Wandering Inn filled with guests from Liscor and farther south still. They all used the magic door in the inn. But the first person to use it had already used it before the dawn. He had left the inn, using the door to travel up into the mountains. Now he walked through the caves, playing a song. His name was Numbtongue.<\/p>\n And he was a Goblin.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Numbtongue started his day as he always had for the last few weeks. Alone. At least, when he felt like it. He walked in the caves of the High Passes, although barely at the foot of those towering peaks. Nevertheless, there were plenty of caves and passageways to explore, even in the foothills. So the Goblin walked through one dark cave now. And as he walked, he played his guitar.<\/p>\n Music flowed through the dark passageways, through the rocky ceilings, across moss and stone. A song plucked from the strings of the battered but functional guitar that the Hobgoblin carried. His claws strummed the guitar, playing with absent grace. And the song was simple. It halted and flowed as Numbtongue made it up on the spot. But it had components.<\/p>\n Melody and harmony. The fundamentals of music as Numbtongue understood them, although he had not known the words until recently. But they had meaning. Because a song needed both. Melody was the base. Harmony was different. Erin had explained the difference to Numbtongue, but she hadn\u2019t taken music class in years, so the distinction was somewhat hard for the Hob to articulate.<\/p>\n But he thought he understood. You could have both in a song. And while harmony was easier, a melody could be achieved just by singing. That was all you had to do.<\/p>\n The reason why he was thinking of the distinction this morning was because he was trying to use two Skills at once. Numbtongue was a [Bard], and he had multiple Skills that involved music. Not many, since he had been a [Warrior] before becoming a [Bard], but the Skills he did have were powerful. At least, to him.<\/p>\n The first was [Peaceful Melody]. That was easy. The base of the song was that. As Numbtongue walked the cave floor, his wrapped feet avoiding the sharp stones, he sensed the shapes moving around him in the darkness. He didn\u2019t have to look down to spot them, and they moved aside to allow his passage. Small, scuttling shapes, the denizens of this cave.<\/p>\n Rockmites. Dozens, possibly over a hundred of them. Not dangerous if Numbtongue didn\u2019t agitate them, but possibly a deadly threat if he made a mistake. And they were territorial, protective against intruders even if they were largely peaceful. Numbtongue had found that out in a number of painful encounters that had made the swarm increasingly hostile towards him. But now they moved aside and gave the Hobgoblin no trouble.<\/p>\n Because of the music. It soothed them, calming the insects and granting Numbtongue passage. That was the base of his song. But Numbtongue was trying something more today. Something harder.<\/p>\n The harmony of the song he played was halting. Difficult to come up with. Numbtongue muttered to himself and decided to trying singing,<\/p>\n \u201cGoblin wakes and Goblin eats. And Goblin mines and Goblin sleeps. This is a Goblin\u2019s day. Isn\u2019t that\u2026neat?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n It was a poor song. When Numbtongue hesitated, the Rockmites stirred restlessly. The Goblin gave up on singing and instead strummed, creating a soothing harmony from his guitar. And when he gave up on forcing the music, when it came naturally, the melody appeared.<\/p>\n The Goblin\u2019s crimson eyes saw the pitch-black cavern light up. The light that filled the cave was a gentle glow, summoned by the strumming of Numbtongue\u2019s guitar. It wasn\u2019t normal light either, or even a [Light] spell. It was a faint, gentle glow to match the song.<\/p>\n The light wasn\u2019t one color either. The ambiance changed from note to note, blooms of brilliance softly lighting the cave. All in sequence too, all connected. As if the notes Numbtongue was playing were coming to life in shades of color. A beautiful sight, not harsh, soft and subtle against the stone walls. And the Rockmites, far from hating this unfamiliar brightness, instead seemed to dance, scuttling up and down the walls, waves of motion enjoying the light, the music.<\/p>\n Light and peace. Two Skills at once. Numbtongue smiled. He kept the guitar singing, trusting it to light his way and pacify the Rockmites. And it did. The Hobgoblin walked through the last section of the cave, and on his back was a pack filled with a jar of glowing magicore. A few rare gems. And his latest prize, secured from another cave system connecting to this one. Numbtongue had been mining since before dawn, and while his latest acquisition hadn\u2019t actually come from hitting any veins but from theft, the Goblin felt good.<\/p>\n Rockmites scuttled after Numbtongue, but stopped when he reached the entrance of the cave. They had probably been lured by the music he was playing, but also possibly because they were attracted to the magical minerals in his pack. Especially the nugget of gold that Numbtongue had just stolen from one of their nests.<\/p>\n The Hobgoblin had known that Rockmites enjoyed all sorts of minerals and gravitated to magic as many monsters did, but he\u2019d had no idea that they liked gold. But one look at the gold-plated Rockmites who\u2019d been feasting on this nugget and what looked like a depleted vein of the stuff told the Hobgoblin that the mineral gave them some kind of benefit.<\/p>\n Or maybe it just tasted good. Either way, he\u2019d raided the nest for the last bit of gold. Unfortunately, that had enraged the generally peaceful bugs, and he\u2019d had to play the guitar to get out in one piece.<\/p>\n Even at the entrance of the cave, the bugs didn\u2019t want to leave him alone. They scuttled into the light and then back into the shade, waving their little feet as they seemed to waver about going after the Hob. Experimentally, Numbtongue stopped playing as he stood warily by a wooden door. It was propped up next to the cave\u2019s entrance, and it had a glowing mana stone embedded in the frame. The Rockmite swarm flickered<\/em> as the music stopped, and they scuttled forwards in a mass. Then retreated as the rising sun struck them.<\/p>\n \u201cHah!\u201d<\/p>\n The Hob laughed as he saw a group of the golden-shelled Rockmites retreating with the regular, brown ones into the cave. He waved as the bugs fled from the sunlight, deciding they couldn\u2019t follow the Hobgoblin after all. He strummed a victorious tune.<\/p>\n \u201cGoblin got gold! Goblin goes home! Goblin<\/em>\u2026this is a bad song.\u201d<\/p>\n He sighed and put his guitar down. He wasn\u2019t sure he liked singing. Erin kept encouraging him to sing, especially songs from her world, but he preferred just playing his guitar and letting her<\/em> sing. He liked her voice. His he could take or leave. Usually leave. It was the guitar that made him smile.<\/p>\n The Hob thought about that. Then he picked up the guitar and played a short chord. Only, this time it wasn\u2019t with the intention of peace and light. Sparks crackled down the strings of his guitar, shooting across his claws. The guitar took on a bass, echoing crackle<\/em>. The Rockmites, already retreating, fled the static sound. And Numbtongue felt a potentiality gather in the air.<\/p>\n \u201c[Lightning Melody].\u201d<\/p>\n He whispered, and his guitar howled like one of the electric guitars that Erin had told him about. Only, his was electric.<\/em> The jolts of lightning that ran from his guitar were only a herald of what he could summon. Numbtongue looked up at the clear skies and the morning.<\/p>\n \u201cLightning.\u201d<\/p>\n He could call it down by playing music. Just by playing. If he played long and hard enough, he could direct a bolt of lightning down to earth where he pleased. It was a power on par with any spell. A miraculous, useful ability that would have made him beyond valuable in his tribe.<\/p>\n But it didn\u2019t always work when Numbtongue wanted. For instance, though he was playing now, he didn\u2019t feel the lightning forming in the air. He knew the air was more crackly, but only a bit. It felt\u2026dull.<\/p>\n \u201cNeeds more clouds.\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobgoblin sighed. That was the trick. If the air was already crackling with lightning or it was a storm, he could pull down lightning in a minute or less of playing. Otherwise, he had to play for minutes, maybe even half an hour, to call down even one measly bolt. It was inconvenient, but Numbtongue supposed it made sense. Erin had tried to explain why that was, but her explanations, her little \u2018school lessons\u2019, seldom made sense.<\/p>\n \u201cLightning is actually electricity. And electricity is a\u2026charge of particles. Which are tiny things no one can see. And when the particles get really excited, they make electricity. It\u2019s because tiny particles are like magnets, and electricity goes from positive to negative. Or something like that. That\u2019s how lightning works, Numbtongue! It goes from a really charged place like clouds to the ground. I think.\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobgoblin paused, shook his head, and tried to figure out what that meant again. Erin meant well, but she clearly didn\u2019t understand the lessons she was trying to impart. Some things were very<\/em> interesting, like her lessons about how diseases worked. Numbtongue had readily believed there were extremely tiny bugs that could make you sick. But he lost interest quickly when Erin didn\u2019t know what she was talking about.<\/p>\n She tried. That was the thing. She made Numbtongue sit down every week with Mrsha and learn something new. Sometimes it was interesting, like facts from her world. History. Numbtongue particularly liked the stories of Humans killing each other over a few thousand years without anyone else to kill. Other times, they were just weird, like chess theory. Both Numbtongue and Mrsha slept through those, much to Erin\u2019s indignation.<\/p>\n But she was\u2026kind. And nice. It was just that today\u2014Numbtongue sighed. He put down his guitar, and the charge in the air dissipated as he turned to the door. Glumly, Numbtongue opened it. He stared at the black rock face behind it and sighed again.<\/p>\n He waited for the portal to the inn to open. And waited. And waited some more. After ten minutes of waiting, Numbtongue sat down. After twenty, he stopped strumming tunes on his guitar and looked in his pack. He admired the gold nugget, a smooth lump worn away by the Rockmites\u2019 snacking over years. It was heavy; it would make a good throwing stone if need be. Or a distraction. Numbtongue wondered if Erin would like it. If she ever remembered to open the door.<\/em><\/p>\n After thirty minutes, Numbtongue was about to walk down the mountain to the inn, never mind that it would take two hours. He was just getting up when the rock behind the door was replaced by a room filled with noise and people. Numbtongue jumped<\/em> as two dozen conversations blasted out across the quiet rock face. He turned and saw Erin standing in the common room of her inn looking incredibly upset.<\/p>\n \u201cNumbtongue! I\u2019m so sorry! <\/em>I forgot you were mining, and everyone in Pallass is using the door non-stop! Come in, quick!\u201d<\/p>\n She waved at Numbtongue. The Hob got to his feet, picked up his pack and guitar, and strode through the doorway. Erin slammed the door shut and ushered him to one side. The Hob looked around at the crowd of people behind her. Half of them recoiled or frowned or reacted in some way; the rest just stared at Numbtongue. None of them ran, though. They were Drakes and Gnolls, some of which Numbtongue recognized. He looked over his shoulder at Erin as she fiddled with the dial on the door.<\/p>\n \u201cJust a sec\u2026the wood\u2019s a bit sticky. I need to check Celum\u2026anyone here?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin threw the door open, and Octavia\u2019s shop appeared for a moment. Erin stared around the empty shop, and Numbtongue smelled a bunch of strange, unpleasant odors. He saw a rack of colorful, glowing potions that made him long to snatch an armful and then a Stitch-girl sitting behind her counter. Octavia looked up sharply as Erin opened the door.<\/p>\n \u201cErin?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Octavia! Just checking for guests. Anyone?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Alchemist] hesitated. Numbtongue eyed her face. She looked sleep-deprived. And less chatty than usual. She looked at Erin and the crowd in the inn and bit her lip.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Erin. I\u2026no. It\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlright! Thanks! Let anyone know we\u2019re checking in thirty minute intervals! Appreciate it!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Whatever the [Alchemist] was about to say was cut off. Erin slammed the door, cheerfully adjusted the dial, and threw it open. Another city appeared as Numbtongue stared. Pallass and a crowd of people standing in a street suddenly appeared in the doorway. The Drakes, Gnolls, Dullahans, and Garuda standing there were all crowding forwards. But they recoiled as they saw Numbtongue.<\/p>\n \u201cHobgoblin!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw, shut up! It\u2019s just Numbtongue! Door\u2019s back! You lot chatter on! Remember, no one goes through or it goes dead!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin shook a good-natured fist at the crowd. There was grumbling from Pallass\u2019 side as Numbtongue stepped behind the door, out of view. Erin had moved it from the wall to a more central spot, so the people on both sides could chat and see what was going on with the inn.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t believe this. One door and it\u2019s limited to, what, friends of the inn? That\u2019s nepotism!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, that\u2019s favoritism. Nepotism\u2019s for family.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight. My mistake. Even so\u2014hey! Move! Is that play still on?\u201d<\/p>\n The people on Liscor\u2019s side shuffled to one side. A few sitting closer leaned next to the door and whispered to some people standing right next to the door on Pallass\u2019 side. A Drake nodded to a Garuda sitting on the other side.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry. Our [Innkeeper] had to let that Hobgoblin in. And check for guests from Celum. Where were we?\u201d<\/p>\n The Pallassian Garuda smiled, keeping her voice low as the crowd, some of whom were now sitting on tall chairs, craned over her head, watching a play in the background. She whispered back to the Drake.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we were talking about family. Do you have any relatives around here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I have an Aunt who lives in Lassil. Have you ever been there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLassil? No way! I was there just last\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cQuiet in front! I\u2019m watching the play!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The Garuda turned her head and glared.<\/p>\n \u201cSome of us are talking! You shut up!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy can\u2019t we go through? Just get a [Mage] already!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShut up! I\u2019m watching the play! And I\u2019m on the list for tomorrow!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? I have to wait three weeks\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The crowds on both sides began arguing with each other while the aggrieved play-watcher demanded silence again and again. Numbtongue, watching from the side, was amazed neither group started jumping through the door to hit each other. Erin, watching with him, shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cNuts, huh, Numbtongue? Everyone loves<\/em> the other city suddenly. Sorry about forgetting to check on you; I\u2019m really busy today!\u201d<\/p>\n She waved around the crowded inn. Numbtongue nodded silently. He had been here yesterday and witnessed Erin introducing Liscor to Pallass and vice versa. Today, it seemed no less busy\u2014and it was just past dawn! Erin glanced up at him and frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen did you go through the door anyways? Lyonette said she saw you off right when she woke up, but I<\/em> got up an hour before dawn! How long have you been mining?\u201d<\/p>\n The Hob shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cA while? I found something. Want to see?\u201d<\/p>\n He shifted his pack, ready to show Erin. He had been looking forwards to her reaction, and the delighted smile on her face made him smile unconsciously. Erin looked at the pack.<\/p>\n \u201cReally? More magicore? I know you have a few mana stones from\u2026Pyrite\u2019s stuff. But what else did you get? No, wait\u2026sorry. I\u2019ve got to take this.\u201d<\/p>\n She grimaced. Someone was shouting her name from the door. Numbtongue lowered his pack and watched as she fought through the crowd.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, who is it? I told you, no one\u2019s allowed through no matter how much they\u2019re paying unless\u2014oh! Hey, I remember you! Grimalkin!<\/em> I need a door charge!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin turned and bellowed across the room. Amid the roar of protests from the door crowd on both sides, a muscly Drake turned his head and grimaced. Grimalkin was sitting in the inn with Relc, doing some workouts with some barbells and other weights Erin had helped him come up with. He sighed but came over to the door as Relc took the barbells from him.<\/p>\n \u201cI told you, I\u2019m not your walking battery, Miss Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, but\u2014please? I helped with the weights. Maughin made a bunch, right, Maughin?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin waved at a Dullahan who was sitting with a Selphid in a corner of her inn. The Dullahan jumped and looked up. He raised his head and looked around blankly.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? Am I needed?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNah, it\u2019s just Erin being Erin. Sit back down.\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua laughed next to him. The Halfseekers were in the inn, having been derailed from their journey towards Invrisil for two days now. Moore got up and cautiously made his way towards the door with Grimalkin. The [Sinew Magus] was arguing with Erin as he leaned on it.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not that easy. We don\u2019t regain all of our mana in a single night\u2019s rest, Miss Solstice. And yes, I generate mine efficiently thanks to my muscles, and I have a larger mana supply than most, but this is taxing<\/em>. I appreciate Mage Moore\u2019s help, and the other [Mages] have pulled their weight, but you need a better system in place for this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know. But\u2026one more person? Please? I helped you with the barbells! And I think I remember this weird bar with curves in it you could make!\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake sighed. But he put his hand on the door.<\/p>\n \u201cOne charge then. Moore? I appreciate the help. No more than that, though, Erin. We have to send ourselves back<\/em>, remember? Who\u2019s coming through?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHim! Hey! No one else comes through! Kel, keep them back!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin shouted into the doorway. Numbtongue watched her waving her hands as he silently came back downstairs. He\u2019d taken his pack off, and now he had the nugget stuffed into one of his belt pouches.<\/p>\n He had only a few pieces of equipment, although he carried an adventurer\u2019s compartmentalized belt. Two healing potions, a stamina potion, a Tripvine bag, a few carrying compartments\u2026Numbtongue irritably shifted the belt to adjust for the weight of the gold nugget. He missed who came through, but Erin bounded over with a smile on her face and found the Hobgoblin.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry! Busy as usual. Say, Numbtongue, have you had breakfast?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Got any food?\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobgoblin saw lots of people eating a late breakfast. He smacked his lips as Erin nodded rapidly.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got some food\u2014sorry, you missed breakfast! But I\u2019ve got bits and pieces you can nobble on. Just one sec!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNobble?\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobgoblin stared at Erin. She entered the kitchen, bypassing the lines of her staff moving in and out, and came back with\u2026two slices of pizza, one of her experimental crispy chicken wings, a bowl of eggs covered in ketchup, an entire carrot, and a fluffy bread roll filled with raisins. Numbtongue stared at the food, which Erin had all heaped in a bowl.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, it\u2019s a mess in there. Lyonette\u2019s cooking, and Ishkr\u2019s helping, but we really need a dedicated [Cook] at this rate! I\u2019ll pop in there after I greet\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s nobble?\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue selected a slice of pizza and began eating. He liked all the food Erin had given him and began chomping it all down. He was hungry enough to eat it all too. Erin shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cNobble? Nibble and nosh. You know? Eating?\u201d<\/p>\n She mimed what Numbtongue was doing. The Hob frowned, chewing with his cheeks full.<\/p>\n \u201cIs it a word?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, it is now!\u201c<\/p>\n Erin beamed at Numbtongue, purely unaware that the word \u2018nobble\u2019 was, in fact, taken and was the sort of thing the [Enforcer] in Celum might use in parlance with his job. Numbtongue just stared at her. Then he dug in his belt pouch.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is what I found. See?\u201d<\/p>\n He offered the nugget to her. Erin\u2019s eyes went wide.<\/p>\n \u201cOoh! Is that gold?<\/em> Can I see?\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue nodded, smiling. This at last was what he wanted. As he ate, he handed it to Erin. She marveled at the weight, examining the curiously smooth nugget.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s so polished!<\/em> Did you do that? No, wait, did you find it lying about somewhere? Is\u2026is that really how gold\u2019s mined? It\u2019s heavier than I thought it\u2019d be. And it\u2019s not as shiny!\u201d<\/p>\n She accusatorially held it up to the light. The sparkle and her repeated use of the word \u2018gold\u2019 attracted some heads. A passing Drake blinked at the sparkle and wandered over. He missed Numbtongue at first; his eyes were on the nugget Erin held.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019d you get that? Are you handing out gold? Is that what the theme of today is? Ancestors, it is <\/em>gold. Where\u2019d you\u2014dead gods!\u201d<\/p>\n He spotted Numbtongue at last and recoiled in shock. The Hobgoblin paused in the middle of chowing down on the carrot. He hadn\u2019t been doing anything, but the Drake still backed away before catching himself. He warily stared at Erin, who\u2019d lowered the nugget with a frown.<\/p>\n \u201cI, er, oh. That\u2019s the Goblin. Uh\u2014and that\u2019s gold. Can I see it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Numbtongue dug it up. Or\u2026found it. Numbtongue, where\u2019d you get it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI found it\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey, is that gold?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Another Drake spotted the nugget. A crowd immediately turned from the door to Pallass and stared at Erin. And at Numbtongue. She looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere? Oh, and no one touch! This is Numbtongue\u2019s!\u201d<\/p>\n She handed the nugget back to him. All eyes were on the sparkling bit of metal. Numbtongue opened his mouth to tell Erin and then noticed the stares. He looked around at all the faces. Half were staring at him, the other half at the nugget and at him. All had the same expressions. Wariness, caution, avarice\u2026he dropped the half-eaten carrot in the bowl.<\/p>\n \u201cErin. Want the gold?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUh\u2026sure? I mean, maybe later. It\u2019s, uh, a bit\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin waved her hands as she looked up at him. Numbtongue nodded. The crowd sighed as he put the gold away in his belt where it sagged heavily. The Hobgoblin kept eating, but the Drakes and Gnolls didn\u2019t exactly disperse. They just stared at him. So he crammed the rest of the food into his mouth and tapped Erin on the shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh? Back to mine?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere exactly? Er, I mean, this Goblin has a mine? Somewhere in the mountains?\u201d<\/p>\n One of the Drakes leaned forwards interestedly. Erin glared at him, and he drew back, but his eyes flicked to the magic door. Numbtongue just sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Out.\u201d<\/p>\n He pointed to Erin\u2019s actual door to the inn. She nodded and followed him as he walked to the doorway. There were people coming in, making the short trek from Liscor to the inn. Like the others, they focused on him. Numbtongue stared around the busy inn. Liscor\u2019s citizens and a few of Pallass\u2019 filled it. Celum\u2019s [Actors] were on stage\u2014it was full to the brim. And it wasn\u2019t even midmorning. He shook his head and turned to Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going. Be back later.\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman looked up at him. Her expression, which had been excited earlier and annoyed as she shooed back the crowd, became concerned. She grabbed Numbtongue as he went for the door.<\/p>\n \u201cHey.\u201d<\/p>\n He turned back. Erin hesitated and pointed up at the stairs where a few Workers were trooping up with wood and nails.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2026wanna have dinner tonight? The third floor\u2019ll be fixed by then. I figure we can turn one of the rooms into a dining room for a day. Lyonette\u2019s already talking about having private rooms. We can go up there and eat. You, me, Lyonette, and Mrsha?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure. Sounds good.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue nodded. Erin smiled and patted his arm. But she wavered as Numbtongue put a hand on the door.<\/p>\n \u201cNumbtongue? Exactly where are you going?\u201d<\/p>\n He paused, his back to her.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean, around the inn? Or the Floodplains? Or\u2026you know we had a talk.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue didn\u2019t look at Erin. He could sense her sidling to his left, watching his face.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re just going out. You\u2019re not going to go there, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026No?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know you want to. But look, I\u2019m trying to get Zevara to agree. But until then, it is<\/em> dangerous. I can\u2019t let you get hurt. You know that, right, Numbtongue?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know. I\u2019m just going out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay then.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin was clearly unconvinced by Numbtongue\u2019s lie. But she forced a smile onto her face.<\/p>\n \u201cDinner tonight. With the family. Alright! See you then!\u201d<\/p>\n She patted Numbtongue\u2019s arm, and he stepped out the door. He walked through the door past a pair of Gnolls, making them freeze, and out of the inn. A few stragglers coming up the hill pointed at him in shock. Numbtongue looked around and felt thoroughly miserable. Slowly, he descended the hill and walked towards Liscor.<\/p>\n Her inn was full. It held Gnolls and Drakes, Dullahans, Garuda, even a Selphid and half-Giant. But the one Goblin was going. He couldn\u2019t stand it in there, and he didn\u2019t like to think of another day with the inn full of\u2026people.<\/p>\n He was glad for Erin, he really was. But he felt out of place in her inn when everyone was filling it and she was at the center of it all. Especially when half of them recoiled from the sight of him. It wasn\u2019t just tiring, it annoyed him. He knew it was natural; his heart skipped a beat whenever he saw an adventurer he didn\u2019t recognize. But he didn\u2019t like it. Nor did he like being stared at all the time.<\/p>\n So he left. He walked down the hill from The Wandering Inn and towards the city in the distance. No one stopped him. As he neared Liscor, no one blew horns or raised the alarm. And that was\u2026wonderful. A miracle. He could walk in the inn, even go near the city, without being hunted. Like a monster. It had been his dream since being a child.<\/p>\n When he was young, he used to dream of entering a city and walking around, seeing what Humans did when they weren\u2019t hunting his kind. Greydath used to tell him stories of marvelous cities, of sights few Goblins had ever witnessed. So Numbtongue had dreamed of it.<\/em><\/p>\n Ironically, it had been Garen Redfang who had taken that chance; he could pass as Human while Numbtongue had been far too fat when he\u2019d become a Hob. So Garen had been first and had learned so much more than Numbtongue ever could. Funny, when you thought of it, that they were both of the same generation, children during Velan\u2019s war.<\/em><\/p>\n But Numbtongue had always felt older than Garen, if only by a few years and experience. Perhaps it was how they\u2014<\/em>Numbtongue blinked and missed a step. He slid down a hill, catching himself before pitching into the muddy sludge at the bottom. The valleys were still <\/em>filled with water. Numbtongue cursed, dug his feet into the side of the hill, and climbed before he could take a bath in the mud. He stomped over the next hillock, pounding his forehead with the heel of his clawed hand.<\/p>\n Pyrite. It was Pyrite<\/em> who had spoken to Greydath and dreamed of being in Human cities, not Numbtongue. He, Numbtongue, had<\/em> grown up in a Human city in his youth. In the sewers, before the Humans had eradicated all Goblins living there.<\/p>\n They had both dreamed of walking a city\u2019s streets in peace, though. Both dreamed of a day when they could see the cities that they could never approach in person. Human cities, full of wonders and lights. An enticing, deadly dream. And now it was true. Only, in reality, it was a Drake city that Numbtongue could walk near without dying. While they didn\u2019t shoot him with arrows, their stares sometimes felt as painful.<\/p>\n For this privilege, Numbtongue knew, the price had been tens of thousands of Goblin lives. Over a hundred thousand. It had been his brothers and his Chieftain. A Goblin Lord and his people. All dead to win one Goblin the right to be stared at in peace. Numbtongue bowed his head as he walked, and he remembered a time when five Goblins had stayed at Erin\u2019s inn. He liked to think he was happy, now. But he wanted to believe he had been even happier back then.<\/p>\n The memories. Sometimes they hurt. Pyrite\u2019s or his. The Goldstone Chieftain\u2019s memories didn\u2019t hit Numbtongue as frequently as before, but they were always there, waiting to be tapped into. And sometimes Numbtongue felt so similar to Pyrite\u2026the [Bard] shook his head. Pyrite\u2019s memories weren\u2019t the worst. He remembered his four friends. He thought of Headscratcher. Of Shorthilt, and he touched the steel sword at his side.<\/p>\n First had gone thirteen. Then six had remained. Then five. And then\u2026was it three? Or one? Numbtongue didn\u2019t know. But here he was alone. He remembered the fallen. Here, at Liscor, on the battlefield. Then against the Eater Goats. And then at Esthelm\u2014his brow wrinkled in confusion for a moment.<\/p>\n Hold on. He remembered Headscratcher and Shorthilt vividly. And Bugear, who\u2019d fallen fighting the Eater Goats, when they\u2019d met Erin. And before that had fallen\u2026<\/p>\n Grunter. Orangepoo\u2026what were the other names? Rocksoup? Yes. Rocksoup, Leftstep, Bitefly, Patchhelm, Justrust.<\/p>\n Numbtongue breathed out, reassured. But for a moment, a terrible moment, he\u2019d forgotten the nicknames of his comrades. If he\u2019d forgotten\u2014what would happen? How could<\/em> he forget? Numbtongue bit his lip, remembering the names, hitting himself with them.<\/p>\n \u201cPatchhelm. Justrust. Bugear. Grunter. Rocksoup\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Each one hurt. Memory hurt. Because it hurt, because he couldn\u2019t forget, because he was alone<\/em>, Numbtongue walked. He walked across the muddy floodplains past valleys of sludge, past green grass and flowers blooming. Away from the inn. Towards the walls looming ever higher.<\/p>\n Towards Liscor. Towards the gates. And then his walk turned into a jog. Then a run.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The gates of Liscor stood open. The City Watch on duty were active, guarding all four cardinal entrances to the city. There was less traffic, at least from foreign travellers, at this time of year, but the [Guards] checked everyone exiting and entering with more zeal and attention than Celum\u2019s sleepy City Watch.<\/p>\n With more efficiency too; outside of caravans led in by [Merchants] or travellers whose belongings amounted to more than a single pack or who had a bag of holding, the [Guardsmen] let through everyone with barely more than a cursory question or two in the case of foreigners.<\/p>\n Faces were checked against descriptions of criminals by the [Guards] manning the gates without the need for a scrum, and those with Skills singled out individuals to be questioned. It allowed for smooth travel, and while it kept the [Guards] on the northern gates hopping, the other three gates were quieter. Usually.<\/p>\n The southern and eastern gates usually saw traffic from a few villages or from the south, but with the Bloodfields active, only the locals would come through, which made it a cushy job. The western gate was even more infamous; the road going north led to the northern gate, which meant that very few people at all ever used the western gate.<\/p>\n Normally, it was a nice place to be, but recent events had made it the least-popular spot for [Guards] to be posted, even more so than north gate duty. Which was why Tkrn, Gnoll [Guardsman] and one of the four [Guards] posted on the ground, resented being put here for the fourth day in a row. He had to check all of the people going to The Wandering Inn and back to make sure they were locals, and worse, he couldn\u2019t relax on the job with regular inspections and tests of the security at the gates.<\/p>\n Speaking of which\u2026the Gnoll looked up as two of his fellow Gnolls on duty waved through more people heading to the inn. He sniffed the air, frowned, and then swore as he saw a green shape charging towards the gates.<\/p>\n \u201cAw! It\u2019s him again!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He bellowed at his fellow [Guardsmen]. They looked up, and the Drake [Guardsman] with them spotted the distant figure at the same time Tkrn did. He must have taken a different route because he was closing on the gates fast<\/em> this time. The Drake bellowed up at the battlements.<\/p>\n \u201cHey! Close the gates! Close the\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The huge, metal doors of Liscor, pure metal to contain water during the spring season, slammed downwards as Tkrn blocked the path of two alarmed Drake ladies. On the walls, he heard shouts\u2014not exactly of alarm\u2014and then a voice as one of the Drakes shouted down at the figure who\u2019d stopped a couple dozen feet away from Liscor\u2019s gates.<\/p>\n \u201cHey! You! We told you, you can\u2019t come in!\u201d<\/p>\n Tkrn listened to the Drake shouting angrily, a peeved note in his voice. The Gnoll growled and shook his head as he turned to the female Gnoll [Guardswoman] explaining to the frightened old Drakes what was going on.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the third day in a row<\/em> he\u2019s done this. Doesn\u2019t he get tired?\u201d<\/p>\n She growled at him, vexed.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe it\u2019s fun for him. Here. Escort these two to the Southern Gate, will you? And warn them the Goblin\u2019s here again. He might try going to the other gates like last time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw. Bersa\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI did it last time. Your turn.\u201d<\/p>\n Tkrn sighed, but he gestured to the two elderly Drakes. One of them quavered as she stared wide-eyed at the gates and craned her neck at the shouting from above.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it? An attack? Are we fighting Shield Spiders this time? Moths?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, ma\u2019am. It\u2019s just a Goblin. The<\/em> Goblin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh. That<\/em> Goblin?\u201d<\/p>\n Tkrn sighed as he led the two away. Outside, Numbtongue stared up at the walls of Liscor. The gates were closed; they\u2019d shut them faster this time. He hadn\u2019t been able to even get close. A Drake poked his head over the battlements and shouted down at him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t come in. Understand?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue folded his arms. He knew the answer, and the Drake sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cWe told you yesterday. And the day before that! No Goblins are allowed in Liscor. The Council voted on it! You\u2019re a public threat.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t hurt anyone. You can stab me if I try.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not how it works. We can\u2019t let in a security risk. And we have orders.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not a threat.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue repeated himself slowly. He could see the Drake, a male with a helmet, looking exasperatedly to one side. Some other members of the City Watch were on the ramparts above the gates. The Drake nodded tiredly at Numbtongue.<\/p>\n \u201cSure, I believe you. But we\u2019re [Guardsmen].\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c[Guardswoman<\/em>] over here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a [Watchman].\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake sighed<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cRight. All that. And we have orders. You can\u2019t come in. It\u2019s not our decision\u2014it\u2019s the law. Got it? Will you please go away? You know we\u2019re not opening the gates. Please don\u2019t make us close the others.\u201d<\/p>\n He looked helplessly at Numbtongue. The Goblin reached into his belt pouch and pulled out a folded bit of parchment. He unfurled it and waved it at the Drake.<\/p>\n \u201cRead this.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t see it from here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome down and read it. It says I can come in.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know what it says. You showed it to me yesterday. The answer\u2019s still no.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue ground his teeth. He stared up at the tiny head dozens of feet above him. He pointed furiously at the parchment, as if the Drake could read one of the names signed on it.<\/p>\n \u201cYour Watch Captain. She signed this. It gives me\u2026permission<\/em>. To enter this place. Understand? It says I am an adventurer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know. <\/em>But I can\u2019t read it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo open the gates. Your Watch Captain\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry, but Watch Captain Zevara gave the orders. You can\u2019t enter.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake tiredly cut Numbtongue off. The [Bard] ground his teeth. He looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll get Erin Solstice. She\u2019ll make you open the gates.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Guardsman] hesitated. He glanced towards the inn and shook his head, a touch wary.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026She can\u2019t make us open the gates. And she agrees with the Watch Captain. The magic door\u2019s off-limits too. And if you do enter, we\u2019re allowed to arrest you. So don\u2019t try.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue knew that. The [Guardsman] clearly knew that was the case as well, which was why Numbtongue hadn\u2019t tried the door. He\u2019d had\u2026conversations with Erin about this. He folded his arms.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to go in.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, Mister, uh\u2026Hobgoblin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNumbtongue.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight. Sorry. But you\u2019ll be in danger if you enter the city.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t care.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake sighed. He glanced at someone on the battlements and then looked down and shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, believe it or not, I do. It\u2019s my job if you get in, and that Human [Innkeeper] will probably gut me. If Captain Zevara doesn\u2019t turn my face to ash first. You\u2019re not getting in. And you can try the other gates, but they\u2019ll just close too. And if you keep standing out here\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll shoot me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. But we are authorized to call Erin Solstice.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue glared. The [Guard] gave him a tired look. The Hobgoblin paused. He looked back at the inn and clenched his fists.<\/p>\n \u201cGoblins died for this city.\u201d<\/p>\n The pause that this statement provoked was longest yet. The [Guard] on the walls hesitated. But at last, he shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cRight. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue stared up at the Drake. He stared at the closed gates. He heard the whispering from above and looked up bitterly.<\/p>\n \u201cFor what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me?\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake on the walls frowned. Numbtongue gestured up at the city.<\/p>\n \u201cWe all died. But that doesn\u2019t bother you<\/em>. It\u2019s a good thing. Less Goblins. Too bad one survived.\u201d<\/p>\n He turned and stomped back the way he\u2019d come. Numbtongue heard no reply from above, but after about fifty paces, he heard the gates slowly begin to rise. The Hobgoblin was tempted for a moment to run back and run for the entrance, but he knew they\u2019d close the gates before he even got there. Staying in front of the gates wouldn\u2019t work either. They\u2019d get Erin. And she wouldn\u2019t help. At least in this.<\/p>\n The Goblin walked back towards the inn, head bowed, feet padding through the dirt and growing grass. He was banned. From Liscor. After his first passage into the city, he\u2019d tried going back again, but the City Watch had forced him back through the door after bare minutes. And, to Numbtongue\u2019s shock and hurt, Erin had agreed with Watch Captain Zevara\u2019s reasoning.<\/p>\n Numbtongue was in danger in the city. More than one member of Liscor had vowed to kill the Goblin if he entered again, people who\u2019d lost relatives or loved ones during the Second Antinium War or to Goblins in general. More than that, though, it was the fact that Numbtongue\u2019s arrival brought the city to a standstill, caused arguments, even fights.<\/p>\n Zevara had refused to let him back in, and Erin had backed her, if only because the City Watch had orders to halt Numbtongue entering their city, via door or by the gates, in any way short of killing him. If he went through the magic door again, Zevara had warned Erin, it would be removed from the city.<\/p>\n Numbtongue would have taken that risk if he didn\u2019t know that it would inconvenience Erin. And he would have entered the city, danger or not. Even if he was attacked. It was his right<\/em>. It was what Headscratcher, Shorthilt, Grunter, Justrust, Rocksoup, Butterfly, Orangepoo, Patchhelm, Lefstep, and Bugear had died for. They had died for Liscor. He had to enter it.<\/p>\n It was like a compulsion. No\u2014a sickness. Numbtongue felt it. Ever since Erin had told him he was\u2026family, his life had been overturned. When he was in the inn with her, having breakfast, he was deliriously happy. When he realized his four friends\u2014no, twelve friends would never share that moment, he was crushed more than any blow could ever do to him. And when he stared at Liscor in the distance and knew he couldn\u2019t enter it, even though he had a piece of paper signed that said he was a person\u2014that he needed the paper at all\u2014<\/p>\n Up and down. Happy and sad. It was the cycle to Numbtongue\u2019s day. He mined, practiced with his sword, upheld Redfang tradition and tried to combine Pyrite\u2019s memories with his, and grew stronger. He enjoyed being around Erin, Lyonette, Mrsha. Even Apista. He learned from her, ate, and lived every Goblin\u2019s\u2026it was beyond a dream. But he couldn\u2019t be part of the rest, of anything else. So he went off by himself and remembered. When it got to be too much, he came here. To a city he wasn\u2019t allowed to enter.<\/p>\n That was how it went. What could Numbtongue do besides all of that? He couldn\u2019t wander far from Liscor. Adventurers, travellers, anyone who wasn\u2019t immediately part of Liscor or in sight of the inn might kill him. The mountains were equally dangerous; Numbtongue was wary of going higher than the caves he\u2019d entered, and Pyrite\u2019s memories told him to take it slow.<\/p>\n The inn was\u2026nice. But it was still too small these days. Numbtongue was restless there. Lyonette, Mrsha, Erin, they all had things to do. They couldn\u2019t be with Numbtongue, who had every day free, all the time. So that often left him\u2026<\/p>\n Alone. But that was only part of the time. Then he was with Erin with so much love he felt like his heart was bursting. And then to loneliness again. Staring at a city that wouldn\u2019t even let him through the gates. If he could only be in there or\u2014or if Shorthilt were here. Rabbiteater, Badarrow. Numbtongue.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re alive. They weren\u2019t there. They are alive. Somewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue clutched at his head as he stopped. He looked back at the city. At Liscor. It was his dream. It was Pyrite\u2019s dream. The city taunted him. He had walked its streets once. But once was never enough. Numbtongue stared at Liscor and then at the inn. For the first time, it felt like the inn was a cage. One made of kindness and good intentions. But a cage nonetheless.<\/p>\n Happy and sad. Together and alone. Numbtongue was sick of it. He wanted to enter Liscor even if it meant being hurt, even if it meant dying. He wanted people to see<\/em> him and not stare when they visited the inn. He wanted to meet the people who tried to avoid him, who pretended he didn\u2019t exist. He wanted to be there<\/em>. Or he wanted to leave and give up on that dream. The worst thing was being caught in the middle of it. Of Erin giving him everything he wanted and Liscor holding it out of reach. Again and again.<\/p>\n It felt like a\u2026pattern. A cycle. Numbtongue wished it would stop. Because otherwise, soon, either the cycle would break or he would. Slowly, he walked back to the inn. This was his life now.<\/p>\n He\u2026hated it.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n A lonely Goblin walked across the Floodplains back towards the inn he called home. And he realized he was miserable. In Celum, a trio of Humans who were accustomed to a different world than most knew finished off a quiche and waited for something to happen. An [Alchemist] sat in her shop and counted her coins. Pure misery awaited all and each in their own way. The quiche was off.<\/p>\n Yet it was all backdrop. These were the lives of the inconsequential. The small. They did not move the world, even in small ways. They were in the wrong place, the wrong time. But in The Wandering Inn, part of the world shook and moved and changed<\/em>. In the inn and on the streets of Pallass, crowds were gathered as the morning progressed.<\/p>\n They were back. In fact, the inn was even more crowded than yesterday. Erin had opened<\/em> Pallass and Liscor to each other. Now, the two cities couldn\u2019t get enough of each other. Already, the ripples Erin had splashed were turning into waves.<\/p>\n Rufelt and Lasica were standing in the inn with a trio of Gnoll [Senators] from the Assembly of Crafts. Even Errif Jealwind, a member of the Protectorate group. But he was a Gnoll, and he looked very uncomfortable in the group consisting of the Gnolls from Liscor, the Pallassian Gnolls, and Lasica. He might have been a [Senator], but in the Gnoll hierarchy\u2026<\/p>\n Across the inn, Jelaqua was practically glued to a certain Dullahan. And the implications of that<\/em> had every Dullahan who\u2019d seen them today spinning their heads on their shoulders. Moore and Seborn, stranded in the inn with their Captain suddenly on vacation, were a mix of happy and irritated. Mostly irritated after watching the two hold hands or talk to each other while ignoring everyone else.<\/p>\n The Players of Celum were performing their second play of the day. Temile, the [Stage Manager], was giving the new cast and crew the workout of their lives, and the new [Actor] Drakes and Gnolls and Humans were performing until their throats needed healing potions. But no one complained; this was their moment, and they all felt it. Eight of Pallass\u2019 citizens were already on the roster to come through this week and learn from the cast up close, rather than having to watch through the crowded door. And what might that lead to?<\/p>\n Some things were predictable, like Grimalkin and Relc happily devising workouts with Erin\u2019s new weights. Wing Commander Embria had joined them this morning, and Erin was tickled to see that she and Grimalkin were getting along like a house on fire. Possibly because Embria seemed to hold Grimalkin in some esteem, or because she was as enamored by the weights as they pertained to her soldiers as he was. The [Innkeeper] was about to circulate past them as she helped load some freshly baked pizzas onto plates with Drassi.<\/p>\n \u201cSay what you will about pizza and how bad it is for you, but it\u2019s fast<\/em> food!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin nodded to the crowd percolating the inn. Drassi only smiled. She was having a great time listening to the debates around the elections.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s easy to serve! I\u2019ll get the plates out, Erin. You have someone looking for you!\u201d<\/p>\n She pointed. Erin sighed. Someone was always <\/em>looking for her.<\/p>\n \u201cDo I care? Who is it this time\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She broke off. The person waving at her and making his careful way across the floor was someone on her list of people to care about. Erin beamed as a tall, older Gnoll approached.<\/p>\n \u201cXif! Hey! Thanks for coming!\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll [Alchemist] paused in front of Erin and bowed slightly to her. He smiled around at her and then vaguely waved; Krshia and her group had spotted him and were coming over.<\/p>\n \u201cA pleasure, Miss Erin. This is a sight!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIsn\u2019t it? Sorry I didn\u2019t get to talk to you right away!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, no. I\u2019m grateful enough that you let me through that door. I didn\u2019t realize it was a matter of privilege\u2014ah, Lasica. Rufelt. I came to see what all the fuss was about.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Bartender] and [Chef] couple came over, smiling widely. Erin stepped back as the two introduced Krshia and the Liscorian Gnolls to Xif. She was tickled to see the Gnolls begin to sniff at Xif and recoil slightly. He nodded apologetically.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m the proprietor of Cunning Crafts. I apologize about the smell. I can\u2019t seem to shake it; it\u2019s a byproduct of being an [Alchemist] and having fur. I\u2019ve thought about shaving, but that\u2019s<\/em> no pretty sight. City Gnoll, Xif. [Alchemist]. A pleasure to meet you all.\u201d<\/p>\n He extended a paw to shake like a Drake would, instead of sniffing. Looking very surprised, Krshia put a smile on her face and shook Xif\u2019s paw.<\/p>\n \u201cAh. A pleasure. I was told I might make your acquaintance, Honored Xif.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust Xif, please. I must confess, I\u2019m not one for politics. But\u2026I heard there was a great deal of interesting things to see here, and I had met Miss Solstice. So I\u2019m delighted to come. Truly.\u201d<\/p>\n Xif\u2019s eyes flickered to the three [Senators], who were looking around the inn with interest and wariness. Then he smiled at Erin, who entered the almost all-Gnoll conversation as naturally as could be.<\/p>\n \u201cXif\u2019s really cool, Krshia. He\u2019s the best [Alchemist] in Pallass, right?\u201d<\/p>\n She turned to Lasica, and the Drake nodded. Xif, on the other hand, frowned. He scratched his head, embarrassed.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d never say that. Second-best? I\u2019ll claim that, thank you. But best? No, no. I can\u2019t say that at all. Granted, I might be the most diverse [Alchemist] for recipes, but in terms of specialization, there\u2019s someone far, far better than I in the city.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdventurers don\u2019t count, Xif. And you sell<\/em> your potions unlike how Saliss auctions them. If anyone deserves a voice to represent Pallass\u2019 [Alchemists]\u2014and Gnolls\u2014it\u2019s you. Come and chat with us. We\u2019re discussing the elections.\u201d<\/p>\n Lasica nodded firmly, and Rufelt grinned, motioning Xif over to the part of the bar where they\u2019d been talking.<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose so.\u201d<\/p>\n Xif sighed, clearly reluctant. He looked at Erin, and she came to his rescue.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe in a bit, Lasica. But what if I showed Xif around for a moment or two? There\u2019s a lot of cool things! Like the play!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you have to. But bring him back soon, alright?\u201d<\/p>\n Lasica frowned, clearly impatient. The party moved away, and Xif nodded gratefully at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cI appreciate that. I\u2019m not one for inter-Gnoll politics. I really did just want to see what all this was about.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s totally cool. You can just listen, and I\u2019ll pull you out if you want to. But first let me show you all the cool things! We have pizza, ice cream\u2014I think we\u2019re making a batch\u2014the play, and you have to meet Mrsha!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh. The white Gnoll. Rufelt did tell me about that. I would like to meet her. I feel as though we may have done the Doombring\u2014the white-furred a great disservice. Again, I\u2019m not one of the Plains Gnolls, but I would like to meet her very much.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin frowned as she peered around for Mrsha.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what Elirr said. She\u2019s not cursed, you know. It\u2019s just\u2026white fur. She\u2019s been nothing but good to the inn. Nothing bad\u2014well\u2014it wasn\u2019t her fault.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo you say, Miss Erin. So you say. But tradition runs deep. I\u2019d like to meet her, if only to assuage my own\u2014what is that?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Xif grabbed Erin suddenly. An anomaly had appeared out of the crowd of milling species. A single figure surrounded by a circle of space and silence. Erin spotted Numbtongue at the same time the Goblin spotted her. He seemed upset. Xif, on the other hand, was terrified.<\/p>\n He recoiled from Numbtongue, his paws instinctively going to a potion hanging from his wide belt. Erin grabbed his arm just in case, but the Gnoll caught himself.<\/p>\n \u201cThe\u2014I heard there was one. But a Goblin?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He stared at Numbtongue. The Hob\u2019s crimson eyes narrowed. And his upset stare grew even more pronounced. He turned abruptly. Erin, distressed, looked at Numbtongue. He hadn\u2019t seemed so unhappy when he\u2019d left twenty minutes ago. Now\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cNumbtongue! What\u2019s wrong? Did you go for a walk?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothing\u2019s wrong. I\u2019m going back outside. To practice with my sword.\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobgoblin turned. Erin reached for him, but he was already striding back towards the door. She shouted at him.<\/p>\n \u201cAw, Numbtongue, hey! What if\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Too many people. Or the Hobgoblin just didn\u2019t want to listen. He pushed out the door, and Erin let her hand fall.<\/p>\n \u201cDamn. What\u2019s wrong with\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She had an inkling, but before she could go after Numbtongue, there was Xif to reassure. The Gnoll was pale under his stained fur, and Erin found him a seat. The [Alchemist] gratefully accepted a cup of water that she found for him.<\/p>\n \u201cI apologize. I heard from Lasica\u2014but I didn\u2019t realize he just\u2026I apologize.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can say it to him when he comes back, okay? And don\u2019t freak out when you turn around or I\u2019ll be actually mad this time.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin stared at Xif and then someone behind him. The [Alchemist] froze and slowly turned his head. He didn\u2019t quite squeak when he saw Pawn and the pair of Workers behind him, but he did twitch a bit.<\/p>\n \u201cErin. I am sorry to interrupt, but I just arrived. I see construction is already underway.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHi, Pawn. Good morning! Yeah, Belgrade\u2019s already at work. They\u2019re nearly done with the third floor\u2014Lyonette wants them to do more work on the foundations or something. She wants to expand the inn!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin smiled weakly. Only now did she feel like she was too busy. She had to go after Numbtongue! But Pawn was looking around for Lyonette, and Erin had to flag down the [Princess]. And explain to Xif who Pawn was. Because that was important. First impressions were important. So was Numbtongue.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is Pawn, Xif. He\u2019s a Worker, but he\u2019s really nice. Really.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA\u2026a pleasure.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Alchemist] shook Pawn\u2019s hand, which was good for most first impressions. Lyonette paused, tying back her sweat-soaked hair, and blinked as Pawn appeared. She had to meet Xif too. Then Erin had to remember the Worker standing next to Pawn.<\/p>\n \u201cArcher\u2026B23?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cB19.\u201d<\/p>\n Pawn quietly corrected Erin. She slapped her forehead.<\/p>\n \u201cDuh. Of course. I, uh, well, I\u2019m just scatterbrained. Hello, Archer B19!\u201d<\/p>\n The Worker bowed to Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cThis one\u2014I\u2014I mean, I\u2014am very gratified to meet you. Miss Erin. I have wished to convey my thanks. You gave me a bowl of soup. And you taught me how to play chess once. Before I became Individual. I have never forgotten it.\u201d<\/p>\n You couldn\u2019t ignore something like that. Erin paused and reached out to hug Archer B19. Xif looked on, amazed. And Pawn? He edged around to Lyonette and timidly but insistently stood by her side. She smiled at him.<\/p>\n \u201cGood morning, Pawn. Are you supervising the construction?\u201d<\/p>\n He hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is Belgrade\u2019s job. I am here to assist. And let the Workers and Soldiers relax. But perhaps it would be wise to supervise the construction? We are only restoring the third floor, but there is a good vantage of our groundwork for your future plans. Perhaps we should take a look? Together?\u201d<\/p>\n He looked at Erin. So did Lyonette. Erin looked up and didn\u2019t think twice. She nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cGo for it. We can hold down the fort, Lyonette. Take a break.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re sure?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYup. Go for it! I\u2019ll\u2014handle anything that comes up.\u201d<\/p>\n It was dangerous to say, but the way Pawn brightened was worth it. Lyonette smiled and reached out. She held his hand, and they walked upstairs to \u2018supervise\u2019 the \u2018construction\u2019. Which probably meant exactly that, but with hand holding. Archer B19 trundled after them after saying goodbye to Erin. The [Innkeeper] sighed, then turned to Xif, who was dumbstruck.<\/p>\n \u201cCrazy kids, huh? Wanna nobble on something?\u201d<\/p>\n Xif stared at Erin blankly.<\/p>\n \u201cNobble?\u201d<\/p>\n She laughed and looked around for some food. She had to be a good host to the Gnoll and keep him from the politics until he wanted to talk to them\u2014and then only for a bit. And she had to make sure the staff had food and could do their jobs while Lyonette was on break. And where was<\/em> Mrsha?<\/p>\n So much to do. And yet, Numbtongue\u2019s expression remained in Erin\u2019s mind. She had to talk to him. But\u2014could he wait? Just for an hour? Or two? Or four? Then she could listen to whatever was on his mind. She would. But she was so busy right now. Erin chewed her lip and then forgot about Numbtongue when she saw Mrsha trying to peek inside Maughin\u2019s neck cavity. By the time she remembered the Hobgoblin and went to look for him, it was already too late.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This was what happened. Outside the inn, another force was moving across the Floodplains. The Antinium. Not the construction team working on Erin\u2019s inn, but a second force. A larger one.<\/p>\n Painted Soldiers. They stormed across the Floodplains, invading Shield Spider nests, wiping them out with brutal efficiency. And their actions went completely unnoticed by the crowd in Erin\u2019s inn. By all of Liscor, actually.<\/p>\n It was ironic. Not three days ago, the Painted Soldiers had been the talk of the town. People had been gathered on the walls to watch them. And yesterday and today they\u2019d been doing their jobs, just like normal. It wasn\u2019t as if spider-killing season ended just after a single day, after all. But apparently, no one but the Painted Soldiers cared anymore. The City Watch was leaving the duty to them, and 4th Company was busy raising support for Lism in the city or strategically lifting with Grimalkin.<\/p>\n No one cared about the Painted Soldiers anymore when all eyes had been on them yesterday. But that was okay. They cared about themselves. And they had a job to do.<\/p>\n Kill the spiders. They ran, a wall of black carapace mixed with paint, and a wall fell into the nests, pounding the eggs and spiders flat, moving over the hills and avoiding the valleys filled with muck. The Painted Soldiers were in tip-top form, but they pushed beyond even their regular limits.<\/p>\n Because of him.<\/em> Yellow Splatters, the giant, their [Sergeant]. He had returned. He was leading them. He had a voice. Like their duty, the excitement and reaction his presence provoked among the Painted Soldiers didn\u2019t fade after a single day either. So they ran, arms and legs pumping, racing to do their job. They were\u2026happy.<\/p>\n One particular wall of Painted Soldiers was running up a hill about a mile away from The Wandering Inn. They had disposed of an especially large nest of Shield Spiders. They were not led by Yellow Splatters; he was actually six miles away. But he was on the same field. They had heard him give the order. That was enough. Now the five Painted Soldiers ran forwards, hunting for another nest.<\/p>\n The Soldier in the lead rushed up the hill and began to cross the top. The mud splashed around his feet as he ran, splattering across the blue-white paint delicately patterning his body. Falling Snow, he was named. As he ran, he spotted a deep valley ahead of him. The thick mud, a remnant of the rains, still covered the bottom quite deeply. That was fine, and it meant no Shield Spiders were making their nests in all that. Falling Snow turned to find another hill. And the Soldier behind him, Zebras, bumped into him.<\/p>\n It was a simple mistake. They were too excited. All five were going too fast. The Soldier tripped. He lost his footing. He struggled to regain it, but the hill was steep, the mud was slippery. As Zebras grabbed for him with three of his striped arms, Falling Snow overbalanced. And he fell into the mud.<\/p>\n It covered him at once. Thick, clinging, heavy<\/em> mud. More solid than liquid, but deep enough, watery enough to ensnare the Painted Soldier like a\u2026bug. In the mud. Falling Snow struggled, arms and legs grasping at something, anything, as Zebras and the three other Painted Soldiers skidded to a stop on the hill. But he couldn\u2019t move. The mud dragged him down.<\/p>\n Suddenly, the excitement was gone from the air. Zebras stared down at the mud pit. At the flailing Soldier. He made to step forwards and slipped<\/em>. The other three Soldiers dragged him back. The valley\u2019s slopes were steep. The footing was treacherous. One wrong move and Zebras would tumble into the pit.<\/p>\n And that deep\u2014Falling Snow was struggling. He\u2019d managed to right himself, but he was sinking deeper. He was too far away from the pit\u2019s edges to pull himself up. The mud was closing over his head. His mandibles snapped. They covered with mud. He couldn\u2019t breathe.<\/em><\/p>\n The four Painted Soldiers stood helplessly on the edge. They thought. They looked at the ground. Zebras reached for the others, and they tried to make a chain. Two of the Soldiers went down, and the two tried to hold them. The mud footing slipped,<\/em> and all four nearly cascaded down. They were too heavy. It would never work. Zebras began digging at the ground, but there was no time. They couldn\u2019t excavate Falling Snow in the time. It would take to changing the geography of the entire valley.<\/p>\n By now, the distress of the five Painted Antinium was being broadcast across every level of communication they possessed. Other Painted Soldiers noticed the still group of four on the hill. They turned, and like a ripple, all the attention of the Painted Soldiers fixed on the spot. On the scene.<\/p>\n Six miles away, Yellow Splatters looked up from killing a Shield Spider. He saw the four, saw the other Painted Soldiers converging on the spot at a dead run. He ran too. But too late.<\/p>\n Too slow.<\/em><\/p>\n In the valley of mud, Falling Snow was drowning. Mud was closing around his head, and his four arms and legs were caught. The Soldier flailed, but he understood nothing of swimming. And he was too heavy. The mud was too deep and too thick. He\u2026couldn\u2019t\u2026<\/p>\n His flailing was growing slower. Zebras and the Soldiers on the hill were digging. But it was no use. Slowly, one by one, the Painted Soldiers stopped. They looked down at their comrade. And Falling Snow felt his consciousness dwindling. His struggling grew weak. Sporadic. He stopped moving at last.<\/p>\n \u201cNo!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The voice that shouted was five miles distant. Yellow Splatters was running, racing. But he was too slow. Too far. The Painted Soldiers on the hill looked down. And the Soldier in the mud looked up as the mud covered his eyes. He gazed at the blue sky. At his fellow Soldiers, watching him. He knew he would die. Falling Snow looked up and waited for heaven.<\/p>\n And a green angel dove from above. Numbtongue hit the mud, and it dragged him down. But the Hobgoblin reached<\/em>. And he found the still Soldier in the darkness.<\/p>\n The Soldier was heavy. Too heavy. Numbtongue heaved<\/em>, but Falling Snow was part of the mud trap. And Numbtongue felt himself sinking. Above him, the Painted Soldiers milled. The Hobgoblin gritted his teeth. He reached for his belt and pulled something loose. Numbtongue fumbled with the drawstrings and then pulled<\/em>.<\/p>\n An explosion of vines engulfed him as the Tripvine Bag in his hands exploded<\/em>. The impact, confined, blasted the vines into Numbtongue, making him inhale the mud. The vines twined around him and Falling Snow, shooting upwards. Growing, expanding. Reaching the Painted Soldiers around the pit. The Antinium stared at the vines. Then they grabbed them and heaved<\/em>.<\/p>\n Two dozen Soldiers grabbed the muddy tangle of vines. Three dozen. They backed up and pulled<\/em>. The vines had completely entangled the pit and the Hobgoblin and Soldier in it. The mud clung to the tangle, weighing it down. It had to be hundreds, no, thousands of pounds of weight. The Soldiers grabbed the vines and heaved<\/em>. And the muddy tangle began to tear itself free of the pit.<\/p>\n Vines exploded<\/em> with the weight, and Soldiers stumbled back before surging forwards to grab at more vines. One had four vines in each arm, and more Soldiers rushed forwards by the second, grabbing at vines, pulling, pulling\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n The mud surged upwards, caught in the vines. It began to cascade over the edges of the hill. Then the huge tangle of vines. Mud slopped down as the Soldiers yanked the tangle up onto the hill. Then they tore at the sides, ripping mud and magical vines free. The Tripvines fell to the ground, and an arm emerged. Green. The Soldiers excavated it.<\/p>\n Numbtongue\u2019s head came out of the tangle. The Hobgoblin vomited mud. Then he dragged at another figure. An Antinium, mud dripping from his body. The Soldiers grabbed at the mud, sloughing it off. Frantically, they uncovered Falling Snow\u2019s mandibles, found his mouth blocked with mud. Numbtongue pushed his way forwards with a flask of water.<\/p>\n The mud washed away as Numbtongue scraped at the opening. The Soldier\u2019s mandibles and inner mouth cleared of debris. He lay on the ground, his body still. The Painted Soldiers stood around him, and Numbtongue sat back, waiting. Listening. The Soldier\u2019s chest was still. Then the silent audience heard it.<\/p>\n A faint whistling sound. Breath, intaken. Falling Snow inhaled. And then he sat up. He looked around, and his muddy body jerked. The Painted Soldiers surrounded him, wiping at his mud-covered eyes, antennae. Numbtongue lay down on the ground and breathed.<\/p>\n He was alive. Alive<\/em>. If anyone had looked, if anyone had cared, they would have seen every Painted Soldier on the Floodplains converging on the spot. Gathering around Falling Snow, who was still just breathing, surrounded by the other Soldiers.<\/p>\n As the furthest-flung Soldiers arrived, they began digging at the valley, removing the deadly mud trap, giving the mud a place to flow out. Others joined the huddle, a quiet mass. But not one without emotion. Numbtongue saw it. He felt it, lying on his back with mud in his ears and hair. And he was relieved. He had made it in time.<\/p>\n That was all he thought for a while. Then a shadow blocked the light. Numbtongue looked up and saw a strange Antinium in the air above him. He was taller than the other Soldiers. Bigger. His body had a\u2026familiar pattern, though. And when he looked down at Numbtongue, he spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Uh?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobgoblin was so surprised he only stared for a second. The Soldier\u2019s mandibles moved again. And it was words, distinctly words,<\/em> that came out of his mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you. Falling Snow will live. You saved him.\u201d<\/p>\n Slowly, the Hobgoblin sat up. He gazed up at the strange Painted Soldier who was speaking to him. He was so familiar<\/em>. But the voice? Numbtongue couldn\u2019t place it. So he inspected the markings on the Soldier\u2019s body. That was easy. Numbtongue had his own war paint. He understood the way the Painted Soldiers marked themselves. Each one was different. But this Soldier had a pattern Numbtongue had seen before. But that couldn\u2019t be. He was\u2014<\/p>\n The Hobgoblin blinked at Yellow Splatters. The [Sergeant] tilted his head as he regarded the Goblin. And both of them just continued staring.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re alive.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re<\/em> alive.\u201d<\/p>\n Yellow Splatters spoke as slowly as Numbtongue. The Hobgoblin saw that this was Yellow Splatters. The body was different, but the way he held himself, the markings\u2014they were familiar. And yet\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cI did not know any Goblins survived the battle.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou were dead.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI came back.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue\u2019s eyes widened. The [Sergeant] raised one of his four arms, touched his body.<\/p>\n \u201cI was brought back. It was my Queen\u2019s will. That and the will of the other Soldiers. The Rite of Anastases gave me life. It is an Antinium secret.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n The crimson eyes widened. The Antinium head nodded once.<\/p>\n \u201cYes. My resurrection was revealed to the city of Liscor days ago. But I did not see you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not allowed in the city.\u201d<\/p>\n A pause. Two antennae waved for a second. Goblin eyes blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is why.\u201d<\/p>\n The two looked at each other one last time. Numbtongue stared down at the mud and broken vines he sat in. Then up at Yellow Splatters. He remembered a broken body. A column of Soldiers charging. A spell that tore their ranks apart. And Yellow Splatters\u2019 foreign gaze inspected Numbtongue. What he remembered, the Hobgoblin didn\u2019t know. At last, he bent and extended two of his hands on his right side.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s good to see you, Numbtongue.\u201d<\/p>\n Slowly, ever so slowly, the Hobgoblin reached up. And when the cool insect\u2019s hands touched his, he flinched. But the touch was real<\/em>. Strong. Numbtongue felt himself being pulled up. Numbtongue rose and turned to Yellow Splatters. He searched for words.<\/p>\n \u201cYou too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The Goblin and the Antinium Soldier stood on the hill, gazing down across the Floodplains. The valley of mud was being torn down, and the thick, wet sludge was slowly spilling across the ground. The Painted Soldiers were getting back to work. But Yellow Splatters didn\u2019t join them. He stood with Numbtongue.<\/p>\n The Hobgoblin saw the [Sergeant] watching Falling Snow. The Soldier was sitting on the ground, still muddy. Recovering. Numbtongue couldn\u2019t be certain how well the Soldier was. So he asked.<\/p>\n \u201cHe will live. His mind does not seem affected. He was waiting for death, not out of air entirely. He will live. Thanks to you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMm. Good.\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobgoblin nodded once. And that was all he said. At last, the [Bard] grunted.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can speak?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Sergeant] nodded shortly.<\/p>\n \u201cI can. I was reborn, my body remade by the Free Queen. I have a voice that I might lead my fellow Soldiers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Huh.\u201d<\/p>\n Yellow Splatters waited for a question like the ones Erin had showered him with, or Pawn or Belgrade. But all Numbtongue did after that was grunt.<\/p>\n \u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n The Painted Soldier looked over. Numbtongue shrugged a Goblin\u2019s shrug.<\/p>\n \u201cGood. Right? Feels good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. It\u2026feels good.\u201d<\/p>\n Yellow Splatters breathed in and out. He spoke the word again.<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cGood. Better.\u201d<\/p>\n That was all he said. The wind blew across the Floodplains, drying the mud on the Hobgoblin\u2019s body, ruffling his hair. Yellow Splatters watched the Goblin pick some mud out of his ears. He spoke abruptly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were there. With the five\u2014with the Goblins.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Bard] paused. His expression clouded for a moment. Then he looked up at Yellow Splatters, and it cleared. Not becoming happier. But easing, opening. He nodded to Yellow Splatters.<\/p>\n \u201cWe<\/em> were there.\u201d<\/p>\n The Painted Soldier paused. Then it was his turn to nod. He opened his mandibles, and a hundred things to say flashed across his mind.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He broke off. He glanced at Numbtongue.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Another pause.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen Pawn\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Silence. Yellow Splatters, for the first time in his life, found himself at a loss for the words he had been given. Because they were all inadequate. But the [Bard], quietly and with simple words, said what Yellow Splatters struggled to find.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing the last one is hard.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Sergeant] paused. He opened his mandibles, and his four hands clenched and unclenched. His antennae waved, searching. Then he looked at Numbtongue. And his explanations, his lies, his need to