The sun was rising on another peaceful day in Liscor. The birds were singing, the flowers growing. Although, it had to be said, the native population of Ashfire Bees that normally pollinated the entire Floodplains area was trapped in a cavern, and thus the reproduction rate of Liscor\u2019s ambient flora might well halve itself in the near future with the loss of a keystone species.<\/p>\n
And the only reason the birds were alive was because a certain Antinium Worker wasn\u2019t perched in his tower, happily sniping down anything with wings. In that sense, the peaceful day actually lacked the pleasant birdsong followed by the thwap<\/em> of a bowstring and a terrible squawk<\/em> for it to be completely regular.<\/p>\n But it was peaceful. If things were different, well, they were the same in some areas. A single Ashfire Bee greeted the day as she buzzed from flower to flower inside The Wandering Inn, pollinating and getting happily high off the nectar. And there was<\/em> a Worker on the roof of the inn. He had a hammer, a tin filled with nails, and a purpose.<\/p>\n He was laying down a roof on the rebuilt third floor of the inn. The frame had been created, the floor laid, but the roof had yet to be finished. So this Worker had been assigned to his duties at dawn by Belgrade; he had clambered onto the roof with a large supply of roof tiles, copper nails, and begun hammering them into place.<\/p>\n The Worker had no safety belt or gloves. Or anyone to spot him. And he was three stories up, balancing on the thin frames while he used all four hands to laboriously bring tiles over from the roofed section of the inn, balance them on a crossbeam, hammer them into place, and not tumble to his death if he so much as took a step backwards.<\/p>\n All things considered, this was one of the safer jobs he could have been asked to do in service of his Hive, and the Worker was content. He was no Individual or even Autonomous, the new class below Individual. He hammered in his last roof tile, carefully overlapping it with the last one so water would flow down unimpeded when it rained with no chance to leak into the building below. He was working hard and precisely. Water could not be allowed inside the inn. That was a bad thing. That was all the Worker thought about.<\/p>\n Aside from the fact that he needed new tiles. The Worker looked up and saw them in a large basket balanced a dozen feet to the left. He would have to get up, transport more over, and begin hammering again. It was inconvenient and slow, but the Worker was alone, and a job was a job. So he got up, balancing carefully so as to not tip over the edge of the roof and die\u2014<\/p>\n And a roof tile soared out of the basket, through the air, and landed right on top of the next spot in front of the Worker. He stared at it, then looked around. The roof tile had flown!<\/em> And it was right in the next spot where he needed to put the next roof tile. Just like that. The Worker stared at the tile. He stared at the basket.<\/p>\n Normal [Builders], or rather, non-Antinium, would have stopped to ask questions. They would have searched for a [Mage], maybe stopped working to check if they had company. At the very least, they would have made a verbal comment. But this Worker wasn\u2019t about to panic or ask questions. He was a [Roofer]. He saw a tile? He hammered nails into it.<\/p>\n The Worker positioned a nail, and another hand swung while his last two steadied himself on the roof and the tile in place. One, two, three\u2014the nail went in. The Worker hammered four more nails in and looked up in time to see another<\/em> tile flying into place right above the tile he\u2019d just affixed to the roof. He stared at it. Then he raised his hammer.<\/p>\n More nails, each hammered quickly into place. This time, the Worker looked up and saw the next tile flying towards him. He edged out of the way, and it moved into place. Without missing a beat, he grabbed more nails in his lower-left hand and got to work. Now this<\/em> was easy!<\/p>\n One tile. Two. Three\u2026they flew into place, just waiting for the nails! The Worker had a rhythm going. Then he saw the tiles flying and the nails with it!<\/em> It slapped itself into place and the nails drove themselves in. The Worker stared. The next five tiles affixed themselves to the roof as he watched. Whatever magic or\u2026whatever was doing it was far more efficient than the Worker and as precise as he could ever be. The tiles flew, landed and then, after the tenth one\u2014<\/p>\n Stopped. The Worker stared at his basket. There were still more tiles and more nails in his tin. But the tiles had stopped moving. The Worker hopefully made his way over to the basket and picked one up. He tossed it up gently into the air. It obeyed the laws of gravity, and he caught it before it landed.<\/p>\n The Worker stared at the tile. His antennae drooped slightly, and he slowly got back to work the slow, mundane way. Below him, Erin, Lyonette, and Mrsha stared up at the roof and looked at each other. Erin breathed out as she lowered her hand. Mrsha\u2019s eyes were shining, and Lyonette was biting her lip. Erin grinned at her handiwork.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s so cool.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2013<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201c[Partial Reconstruction]!\u201d<\/p>\n In the very early morning in her quiet inn, Erin shouted the word and pointed. Ceria, nursing a hangover, winced. But she watched along with the others as the broken chair, a mess of splinters and wood pieces, quickly rebuilt itself. The wood fused as the half-Elf stared, and in less than ten seconds, a completely intact chair sat across from her. The half-Elf whistled softly.<\/p>\n \u201cNow that\u2019s<\/em> a powerful Skill.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s amazing! Did you see that? Seborn, hey, Seborn\u2014did you see\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin grinned and looked around. Her inn was quiet and sparsely populated, but only by comparison with the last few days. It did, in fact, have nearly thirty people in it; the Players of Celum, setting up on stage, the Horns of Hammerad\u2014except for Pisces, who was still asleep\u2014Lyonette, Mrsha, Drassi, Ishkr, three [Barmaids], two [Servers], Apista, Relc, and\u2026the Halfseekers.<\/p>\n Two of them, at least. Seborn and Moore were sitting at a table. The Drowned Man looked up and nodded briefly. He didn\u2019t seem happy, but then, he never did. He was largely expressionless by nature, and he regarded the chair with less amazement than the others.<\/p>\n \u201cI saw. Useful Skill.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw, come on. It\u2019s amazing! Isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAmazing.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n The Drowned Man dutifully replied. He sipped from his mug of water and didn\u2019t exactly scowl. Erin pouted, then looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about you, Relc? It\u2019s cool, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCool? It\u2019s great! Hey, can I try to break another chair?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Guardsman] excitedly grabbed a chair, and Mrsha nodded vigorously. He was here early on a day off, and he\u2019d gotten to witness Erin testing out her new Skill. Erin nodded, and he grabbed a second chair.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright! Stand back, Mrsha! Fix\u2014this!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He smashed<\/em> the chair into the floorboards, and Ceria winced<\/em>. The wood splinters flew everywhere, and the half-Elf raised a hand to shield her face. Mrsha, who\u2019d obediently scooted back behind a table, ducked. But a large arm and hand gently protected her from the flying debris. Moore gave Relc a reproachful look as he savored his porridge. The Drake was too excited to notice.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, fix that, Erin!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou got it!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin pointed, and the broken chair and floorboards reassembled themselves in moments. Relc crowed as he raised his fists.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is so cool!<\/em> Not even magic can do that!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMagic can totally do that. I mean, I could do some of that if I knew [Repair]. And there\u2019s [Reconstruct]. I bet most veteran [Mages] from Wistram could do that.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria grumbled. Relc ignored her as he turned to Erin, eyes shining.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat level was that Skill, Erin? Level 30? Are you Level 30 already? It\u2019s gotta be a high-level Skill, right?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin blushed and waved a hand as everyone looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cAw, well, you know\u2026it\u2019s really good, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s fantastic. That\u2019s a proper [Innkeeper] Skill right there. Hey, can I try something bigger? Like a table?\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman nodded eagerly.<\/p>\n \u201cGo ahead! I wanna see what I can do! Heck, maybe I\u2019ll rebuild the entire roof!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHold on, let\u2019s not go overboard.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette cautioned the two, but it was too late. Relc raced over to an unoccupied table and, with considerable experience, leapt and gave it a flying elbow. The [Princess] sighed as the table cracked,<\/em> and Mrsha and Erin cheered.<\/p>\n \u201cAwesome! [Partial Reconstruction]! Do another, Relc!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, can I?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGo for it!\u201d<\/p>\n The background crash<\/em> and reassembly got boring after the third break for everyone but Erin and Relc and Mrsha. Lyonette sighed and went to fill drinks. Ceria sipped from a glass of milk and ate a plateful of spaghetti and meatballs. Yvlon, sitting across from her, wrinkled her nose.<\/p>\n \u201cCeria, don\u2019t you think there\u2019s better things to eat in the morning?\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Elf considered this as she chewed and swallowed.<\/p>\n \u201cNope. What\u2019s the point of having an inn where I can have any dish I want, fresh<\/em>, and not having something like this?\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon opened her mouth to reply, then turned her head and stared left at Ksmvr. He looked up from his plate. He was eating porridge with Acid Flies sprinkled into it. Yvlon stared at her teammates, sighed, and shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy is it that I suddenly wish Pisces were here? I must be coming down with something.\u201d<\/p>\n She pushed back her empty bowl just in time for Relc to hurtle past her and body slam a chair. He looked up.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin pointed at the chair and mended its broken back. Relc grabbed two more chairs and jumped on a table. He smashed one on the ground.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah!?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYea\u2014oh wait, hold on. I think it\u2019s stopped working.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin said that too late. The crash<\/em> this time made the Players of Celum look up from across the long room. They stared at Relc as he slowly got up from his pile of splinters where he\u2019d done a flying body slam. Erin stared at the splinters of the table and three chairs on the floor. She pointed hopefully.<\/p>\n \u201cUh, [Partial Reconstruction]?\u201d<\/p>\n Nothing happened. In truth, Erin had felt that too. She\u2019d run out of her Skill. Relc hesitated as he got up, brushing bits of wood off his scales.<\/p>\n \u201cOops.\u201d<\/p>\n Mrsha paused in trying to break a chair leg and innocently hid it behind her back. Lyonette covered her face and groaned. Moore picked a large wooden splinter out of his bowl of porridge. Seborn stared at the chairs, then went back to his drink. At his table, Ksmvr raised two hands.<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me, may I have more Acid Flies?\u201d<\/p>\n It was the beginning of another day at The Wandering Inn. The fact that no one even looked surprised was a sign of how far the madness had spread.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2013<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Ten minutes later, a shamefaced Erin, Mrsha, and Relc had swept the wreckage of the furniture into a corner of the inn. Lyonette propped her hands on her hips.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat have we learned?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin raised a hand.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I can do about<\/em> three tables, uh, ten roof tiles, and five chairs in one go. After that, my Skill stops working.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYup. Pretty awesome. And I can break a table with my stomach.\u201d<\/p>\n Relc scratched his neck, grinning. Mrsha nodded until Lyonette stared at her. The [Princess] sighed. Erin grinned sheepishly.<\/p>\n \u201cAw, come on, Lyonette. At least we know my Skill has limits! And hey! I\u2019ll fix the table and chairs when my Skill comes back to life!\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette gave her a reproving glance and gentle head-nod to Mrsha. Don\u2019t encourage her!<\/em> But she relented with a slight smile in the end.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019ll save a lot of money if we just save the broken parts and let you rebuild them later. Not to mention broken windows, mugs\u2014can it do stains too?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe? Let\u2019s check after this. But I bet not. It\u2019s reconstruction, not, uh, stain-removal.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood to know we still have a job, right?\u201d<\/p>\n Drassi commented as she swept by with a broom, getting the last splinters. Erin laughed. Relc nodded, satisfied. Then he glanced at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, are you going to open the door to Pallass yet? Grimalkin said he had all those weights you mentioned, and I want to try them out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn a bit. I want a peaceful morning. Which is why the door stays closed! Until around late morning?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked at Lyonette for confirmation. The [Princess] nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to replenish our food stocks. Which means you\u2019re cooking, Erin. Mrsha and I will go to the park in Liscor. And the Players of Celum want practice. More importantly, we can\u2019t handle so many people all at once. So the door to Liscor stays closed<\/em>. No crowds unless they come here on foot. And they\u2019re not allowed into Pallass either\u2014not until the sun\u2019s three quarters of the way up!\u201d<\/p>\n She pointed at Temile on stage with his [Actors] and then at the window. Erin nodded and sighed. She wanted to open the door right now, but Lyonette had a point. Two full days of the door being open to Pallass had made a small fortune for The Wandering Inn, but also a lot<\/em> of work. Relc looked disappointed, but the day-staff, including Ishkr and Drassi, looked relieved at Lyonette\u2019s pronouncement.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re the boss, Lyonette. For now.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin tried to look threatening. Mrsha just raced around her. The Gnoll was excited and signaled as much with her paws.<\/p>\n Pat chest, smile, running motion with closed paws. Then\u2014one arm crossed, two paws folded against head to show napping. Lyonette and Erin interpreted this.<\/p>\n \u201cYou like being busy, but<\/em>\u2026it\u2019s tiring?\u201d<\/p>\n Mrsha nodded happily and made a thumbs-up. Erin laughed with delight.<\/p>\n \u201cI understood that too! I agree, Mrsha. It\u2019s hectic, what with the election in Liscor and Pallass and stuff. But The Wandering Inn\u2019s never been more crowded! Which means we\u2019re making money, right, Lyonette?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Princess] had to smile at that.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are. And I think we can actually afford some big changes. As well as buying Mrsha some new toys. And maybe some clothes?\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll looked excited at the former, annoyed at the latter. Erin regarded Mrsha.<\/p>\n \u201cShe is naked, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGnolls don\u2019t really care, especially in the wild, but I<\/em> think Mrsha should learn to wear something. So I\u2019ll buy her some clothes today before we get back. If that\u2019s okay? It shouldn\u2019t be more than a few gold coins at most.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette looked at Erin. The [Innkeeper] nodded. Mrsha signed from below that she wasn\u2019t<\/em> interested in clothes, but the two adults ignored her. Erin ruffled her hair.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on, Mrsha. Clothes are nice! You used to steal bras, remember? And t-shirts. And shoes. Don\u2019t worry, you can get your clothes shopping done and then help out here, okay? We\u2019re doing really well with the inn. But you know what? It can be even better<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n Mrsha and Lyonette both looked up at that. The [Princess] raised one brow, and Erin explained with a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cOpening Pallass was just the first step. Now we\u2019re really going to improve things.\u201d<\/p>\n She rubbed her hands together.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got plans. Oh yeah. Heh. Heheheheheheh.\u201d<\/p>\n Her chuckle just made Mrsha laugh silently and point at Erin\u2019s face. Lyonette covered a smile, and Erin stopped, affronted. Then she sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t do a scary laugh. You know who\u2019s great at scary laughing? Ryoka\u2014oh. Sorry, Mrsha.\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll cub\u2019s face immediately fell. So did Erin\u2019s. Lyonette gave her a reproachful glower, and the [Innkeeper] guiltily knelt. She hugged Mrsha and lifted her upright with a small grunt.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re getting heavier. Hey, sorry, Mrsha. But I\u2019m sure Ryoka\u2019s fine. Wherever she is. We\u2019ll find her. Soon, Mrsha. When the Halfseekers get to Invrisil, I\u2019ll look into it, I promise. But for today? We\u2019re going to help our friends here. Okay? Just watch a master.\u201d<\/p>\n She smiled, and Mrsha\u2019s head rose. Her tail began to wag, and Lyonette frowned at Erin suspiciously.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d prefer to just make more money, Erin. If your next plan has anything like drama in it\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, not like that! I\u2019m just leveraging\u2026assets! When we open the doors, let me know when Grimalkin comes in, okay? Or Xif. Or Rufelt and Lasica or\u2014anyone important, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin\u2019s eyes twinkled. Lyonette sighed, but smiled. Erin Solstice had a plan. And of such things was The Wandering Inn\u2019s reputation built. So the three split up, preparing for another day full of Erin-related shenanigans. In the inn, sitting at his table, Seborn looked up, drained half his mug of water, and cursed.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s <\/strong>late.<\/strong><\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome on, Seborn. Don\u2019t be so angry.\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Giant carefully smiled at his friend. Seborn just glared ahead as Drassi came by with a pitcher of water.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s late. And this is the third day she\u2019s been distracted.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Seborn glanced up at Moore. The half-Giant shrugged helplessly.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not like she doesn\u2019t have a reason.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know. But she said\u2014<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s love<\/em>, Seborn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s infatuation. She\u2019s so busy getting wrapped up with that Dullahan that she\u2019s forgotten about us\u2014<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n Moore\u2019s brows drew together.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy are you mad? You should be happy for our friend. And it\u2019s not like we\u2019re sitting in squalor here. I like this inn. Don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve been here for months, Moore. We need to get to work. Or what are we? We\u2019re adventurers, and our Captain\u2019s missing.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut if she likes him\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Giant\u2019s voice was gentle, sympathetic, as was his nature. Seborn, on the other hand, was clearly impatient as he shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cYou and I both know she can\u2019t have that relationship forever. He\u2019s a [Blacksmith] in Pallass. She\u2019s going to be working in the north. At least until we reach Invrisil. And besides which, we\u2019re on missions for weeks away. All she\u2019s doing is having a fling, and if she really does like him\u2014I told you. If you two want to have sex so badly, let\u2019s find a port city. There are brothels that cater to any species.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n It was the most the Drowned Man had said in one go for a long time, and even then, only among his group. Moore blinked, but then looked slightly affronted.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know she actually likes him, Seborn. How long did she say it was since she last met anyone?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSix years. And that was a Selphid in a port-city bar. I know. I was <\/strong>there,<\/strong><\/em> and she wouldn\u2019t shut up for three months. So what?<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n The Drowned Man crossed his arms. Moore hesitated. Seborn had been in the Halfseekers with Jelaqua from the start. Even though the half-Giant had journeyed with them for years, he forgot how long the two had been in a team.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, isn\u2019t it good, then? We should be supporting her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd let her get her heart broken?<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaughin won\u2019t break her heart. He\u2019s the most open-minded Dullahan I\u2019ve met.\u201d<\/p>\n Seborn hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cEven if he is, so what? They can\u2019t be together.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n Moore gave him a deep frown over his bowl. Seborn grumbled under his breath.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a distraction. We should be working.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe earned a lot of money. Doesn\u2019t Jelaqua deserve happiness? This is the first non-Selphid who\u2019s ever really been serious about her. You know how rare that is. Especially for someone from Baleros! He\u2019s from her home, Seborn. This is special.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s asinine. Every time she gets back here, she talks about sex, holding hands in public, or how nice he is. They\u2019re lovebirds. He\u2019s forging her plate armor. It\u2019s disgusting.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s beautiful. I\u2026I wish I had that.\u201d<\/p>\n Moore looked dreamy, but the longing tone in his voice rang clear to his friend. Seborn grunted. It was a mark of his friendship with Moore that he bit his tongue on the first six replies. After a moment, he just looked at Moore again.<\/p>\n \u201cI keep telling you to visit a brothel. They have Selphids. Or sturdy women. Or Skills. They know what they\u2019re about. You\u2019re not going to hurt anyone.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know. You\u2019ve said. But I mean, how many people like me are\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Moore\u2019s normally open face closed up. The Drowned Man sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re used to all sorts of customers. Me. Jelaqua. Even half-Giants. No one\u2019s going to make fun of you. And it\u2019ll stop you moping. Come to think of it, it would\u2019ve stopped Jelaqua from being obsessed with this Dullahan. Just do what you need to do and stop <\/strong>focusing<\/strong><\/em> on it.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not like that. I want to find someone I can like. Or love. I don\u2019t want to pay for that, Seborn.\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Giant [Green Mage] looked reproachfully at his friend. Seborn rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t say that if you\u2019d actually done it. This is why we need new teammates. You, Jelaqua, Halassia\u2014you were all romantics.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n The mention of their old friend made Moore blink. But then he smiled. Sadly, yes, but without the tension there had used to be. They could talk about the past now. The half-Giant shrugged, a bit defensive.<\/p>\n \u201cSo what if we are? Isn\u2019t that why the Halfseekers were founded? We\u2019re chasing a dream, Seborn. Let Jelaqua have her time with Maughin. He\u2019s giving her gifts. They\u2019re walking together. Talking. Maybe they\u2019ll have to split when we go to Invrisil. Or maybe they\u2019ll meet each other. Erin does have her door. And\u2014who knows?\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Giant looked towards the closed door, his eyes gentle. Seborn shook his head. Moore was romantic. Seborn was not. But it seemed to him\u2014he looked up at Moore and thought his friend was hiding his true feelings well. Underneath his support of Jelaqua, there was more than a little envy. Jealousy, even. Seborn leaned across the table and poked Moore.<\/p>\n \u201cI know you don\u2019t like the idea. But you\u2019re, what, thirty-one? I\u2019m not having you sulk on the road if Jelaqua comes back smiling. Why do you keep waiting for someone to fall in love with you? There was that girl in Wales. That woman in Invrisil. That [Mage] from Wistram\u2014just end it already. What\u2019s the matter with buying\u2014<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n He stopped, because Moore seemed truly hurt. The half-Giant shuffled and turned away from Seborn, embarrassed.<\/p>\n \u201cIt matters to me, Seborn.\u201d<\/p>\n That was that. The Drowned Man exhaled slowly and shook his head. He thought of Jelaqua last night, clinging to Maughin like a girl with her first love\u2014which was what this was in some ways. And Moore, too afraid to smile at the women he fell in love with, to take a plunge. The Drowned Man sighed. The Halfseekers. Gold-rank adventurers and veterans in combat and rookie [Sailors] on the seas of romance. He stood up after a second.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on. Let\u2019s walk with that damn wagon for today. The donkeys are still hitched to it, but it\u2019s only a matter of time before a [Thief] or monster sniffs around them.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n Moore considered this, and he relaxed slightly.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. Maybe we can find a stable for them. And come back tonight? I do want to have dinner with Mrsha.\u201d<\/p>\n Seborn nodded without comment. The half-Giant doted on the Gnoll child. The Drowned Man walked towards the door, looking for Erin so they could warn her they were about to drain the mana from it. He sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cAt least we don\u2019t have to listen to Jelaqua or wait for her to come back. I don\u2019t need to hear Jelaqua talking about having sex or sitting on that Dullahan\u2019s lap if they come back.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Moore chuckled a bit.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll admit, she is graphic. Uh\u2014Seborn?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cIs what she does\u2014is that entirely\u2014normal?\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Giant blushed fiercely. Seborn looked up at him and wished he were miles away. On a boat. Fighting giant squid at sea was easier than this.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Don\u2019t listen to what she talks about. And don\u2019t try it. Ever. Jelaqua\u2019s a Selphid. Bodies are disposable. And this is probably tame for her. You don\u2019t want to know what two Selphids do for fun.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n Moore nodded, his face and ears bright red. He and Seborn headed for the door, and the Drowned Man sighed. It was long-suffering, and for some reason, when Yvlon, sitting at her table, heard it, she felt a strange sense of kinship. Seborn adjusted the door, put his hand on it, and then heard Moore\u2019s voice as the half-Giant leaned down and whispered.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026So what do they do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2013<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Four hundred miles south of the inn, Jelaqua Ivirith was humming as she tried to make breakfast. The large room and kitchen she was working in were strangely oversized for her, and indeed, the building was one of the more expensive buildings on the ninth floor. But then, the owner needed the space, and he was the best or second-best [Blacksmith] in Pallass, so it had been customized for him.<\/p>\n The apartment was decorated in the Dullahan style with the typical mix of refined station, showing your rank without being ostentatious about it. And since Maughin was of very high rank in the Dullahan community and a [Blacksmith] himself\u2014they were prized in Dullahan culture\u2014he could flaunt like no one\u2019s business.<\/p>\n He had two tapestries from Baleros on the walls, one showing the Iron Vanguard in a pitched sea battle, the other of some magnificent view from Baleros. It made Jelaqua ache for home. There was a marble plinth with a carved statuette of Xol of Ingrilt, appropriate given Maughin\u2019s own size\u2014far larger than the average Dullahan but shorter than a typical War Walker; a custom-forged battleaxe; a shelf full of books, made twice as large for him to read; a gloriously artistic platform showcasing the Dullahan\u2019s pottery collection\u2014the apartment was rich<\/em>.<\/p>\n Jelaqua, looking into the pantries, saw that each one was enchanted with a preservation spell. She whisked together some eggs, poured them into a pan over a stove which had a magical fire spell that Erin would have loved to have, and added some bacon. Her taste buds, still fresh in this particular corpse, watered at the thought of the omelette. But that was only half of what Jelaqua was working on. She was also making a sandwich.<\/p>\n Just a sandwich. The Selphid was well aware of her cooking Skills, but some of the omelette was going to go between some very fine fresh bread, some cheese\u2014uh, what else did you put into sandwiches? She panicked a bit as she tried to remember. Adventurers usually went for sustenance over taste, and Jelaqua often had a body incapable of tasting anything. For a second, she thought about going to Erin\u2019s inn for help, but she caught herself.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, no. I\u2019ve got this. You put\u2026meat into sandwiches. Meat. Does he have bananas? Bananas are tasty. And hey\u2014if he doesn\u2019t like it\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She hesitated. Jelaqua looked around Maughin\u2019s apartment and stared at her hands. She was wearing a Drake\u2019s body. And she was\u2026well, she wasn\u2019t<\/em> not<\/em> about to go and deliver a lunch to Maughin, who was working at the forge. And maybe stick around with him. And when he finished early, they\u2019d, oh, go to Erin\u2019s inn maybe. Or he\u2019d show her more of Pallass.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a thing, right? This is happening?\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua pinched herself. She felt nothing, which meant she wasn\u2019t dreaming. The Selphid looked around, then craned her neck to see the ruffled bed sheets. She remembered last night and blushed orange.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is really happening?\u201d<\/p>\n The Selphid touched her warm cheeks. She was so giddy she didn\u2019t realize the eggs were burning. Then she yelped and began scraping the pan.<\/p>\n A few minutes later, Jelaqua nervously ate her eggs, staring at the vases. She was muttering to herself.<\/p>\n \u201cVases. He\u2019s got good taste in them. I like pottery. I can like pottery. And we have lots in common. Tons! He\u2019s from Baleros, I\u2019m from Baleros\u2014and we\u2019re both into weapons\u2026he really likes my personality. Aha.\u201d<\/p>\n She laughed and blushed again. Happily, her tail wagging in her Drake body, the Selphid went back to preparing a lunch for Maughin. In the distance, she could hear the distant ringing of hammers through an open window. The forges weren\u2019t far from Maughin\u2019s home for convenience, and as the Selphid sighed and leaned on the window, she imagined it was Maughin\u2019s hammer she was hearing.<\/p>\n She was not wrong. In his forge, Maughin was bending steel with his hammer, working faster and harder than his apprentices or fellow [Smiths] had seen him work in a long time. To say he was motivated didn\u2019t capture the smile on the Dullahan\u2019s lips or the way his head hummed as his body worked independent of it. Two of his Dullahan apprentices traded looks as they worked under his supervision.<\/p>\n Of course, it was a scandal in the Dullahan community. A Selphid and a Dullahan? It was only because this was Pallass and not Baleros that this could happen. Normally, a higher-ranking Dullahan would be called in to address the situation with Maughin, and this would all be settled. Or if not, there would be trouble.<\/p>\n But in Pallass, who would call Maughin out? The Dullahan community was small enough as it was, and there were Dullahans who\u2019d had relationships with Gnolls and Drakes, and that had been an issue in years past. So no one brought it up. Besides, Jelaqua was<\/em> a Gold-rank adventurer. That counted for something.<\/p>\n It was still disgusting. Bealt, the [Farrier], two Drake [Smiths], and Pelt all glowered when Jelaqua appeared, practically skipping over to Maughin with a lunch<\/em> ready and made for him. And the other smiths, glowering in their forges, watched as Maughin stopped work to flirt with the Selphid. Disgusting! Completely inappropriate for this hour.<\/p>\n Even married [Smiths] seldom got a fresh lunch hand-delivered. Let alone had a dreamy-eyed girl\u2014or boy in the case of female [Smiths]\u2014watching and keeping his head company at work.<\/p>\n That was only the first few hours of the day. The repulsive flirting would go on, but that wasn\u2019t really the point of the day. It was just worth mentioning that not until nine hours later would Jelaqua even recall her teammates. And when she guiltily returned to the inn, she would thank the stars that she had decided to come to the city of Liscor and stayed at The Wandering Inn. Because it had delivered her happiness. Short-lived or long, she was holding onto it.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2013<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n And then there was Numbtongue. He got up late for once. Late enough that Lyonette had come back with Mrsha from her morning trip. The Hobgoblin walked downstairs, and, to his surprise, found the inn had yet to be filled with more than a smattering of guests. He found out why when he poked his head into the kitchen and found Erin hard at work.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re preparing for a rush! Tons of stuff to sell! And I\u2019m going to totally work some magic! In a metaphorical sense. Hey, are the Horns still here?\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue checked. He saw Ceria and Pisces, both of whom looked hung over. Yvlon and Ksmvr were gone. That meant they were between jobs at Liscor\u2019s or Celum\u2019s guilds, and the two [Warriors] were working out while the [Mages] studied magic or, as Numbtongue saw it, lazed about. He nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cYup.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGreat.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin grinned what Numbtongue now thought of as her calculating grin. She was tossing a pizza, but she stopped long enough to pull some food out for him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you want for breakfast, Numbtongue? A steak? Uh\u2014what\u2019s this? Ooh! Is that pickled fish? Um, spaghetti and meatballs?\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue\u2019s mouth watered. Part of him wanted to say \u2018everything\u2019, but he thought about it and pointed.<\/p>\n \u201cFish.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou like fish, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Bard] nodded. He let Erin serve him some wet slices of fish into a bowl. She wrinkled her nose at the breakfast, but Numbtongue happily began eating with his fingers until Erin slapped at them.<\/p>\n \u201cGet a fork! And eat at a table! Drassi can get you a drink. She\u2019s on bar duty.\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobgoblin nodded and wandered out into the common room. He got a drink himself at the bar, sat down, and began to eat. After a second, he stared at his bowl.<\/p>\n \u201cYesterday, I leveled up.\u201d<\/p>\n He stared at his claws and remembered the events of last night. They hit him again. [Goblin Soulbard]<\/em>. He reached for a forearm and made to pinch himself, then closed his hand. Lyonette, lugging in groceries with Mrsha, opened the door just in time to see Numbtongue make a fist and wallop himself as hard as he could in the face.<\/p>\n \u201cNumbtongue! What are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n Mrsha abandoned her bag to dash over. She stared at Numbtongue as he picked himself off the floor. Numbtongue rubbed at his bruised cheek and shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cJust making sure. Hi, Lyonette. Morning, Mrsha.\u201d<\/p>\n Mrsha waved at him. The Hobgoblin nodded and sat back down. Lyonette stared at him, opened her mouth, and then pointed.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, let\u2019s bring the food to the kitchen! Come on, Mrsha!\u201d<\/p>\n As they went, Numbtongue stared at his claws again. They clenched into fists as he closed his eyes.<\/p>\n [Soulbard]. That was a purpose in itself. But more<\/em> than that. More, oh so much more. It was\u2014it wasn\u2019t justice. It wasn\u2019t enough for all the dead. But for one Goblin? He thought about his new Skill.<\/p>\n [A Minute, Reborn]. It was a Skill with serious limitations. But the utility! The use!<\/em> Numbtongue knew he should be running tests to see how many times he could use it per day. Or figure out how best to use it. In the mines, perhaps? Could Pyrite locate more gemstones with his Skills? Could he use Skills?<\/p>\n But in this moment, there was only one thought Numbtongue had. He stared down at the bowl of half-eaten fish as Mrsha reappeared out of the kitchen and padded over to him. It was cold fish and without any other preparation. But it was good. It was tasty. Right now, all that was in Numbtongue\u2019s heart was this. He closed his eyes.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2013<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Mrsha, who had been padding over to check on Numbtongue and maybe filch some of his breakfast, saw the Hobgoblin change. No one else noticed, but Mrsha had known Numbtongue for a while. And she had keen eyes, a sensitive nose. She saw his posture change, his head snap up and look around. From body language to the look in his eyes\u2014even his voice was suddenly, strangely, different.<\/em> The Gnoll froze in alarm as the Hobgoblin glanced up, looked at his bowl, and grunted.<\/p>\n \u201cHrm.\u201d<\/p>\n Then he began to eat. With one clawed hand, he picked out a piece of fish and ate it, bones and all. Mrsha heard him casually grinding the bones down, chomping through them without any problem. He grunted in satisfaction as, with his other hand, he fished around in a pouch by his side. Curiously, not so much afraid as wary, Mrsha crept closer. She had seen Numbtongue do this yesterday. And he had explained it. Even told Erin what, who this was. He\u2019d called the strange Goblin\u2014<\/p>\n Pyrite. As Mrsha slunk up to the table, one of the Hobgoblin\u2019s eyes swung down towards her. She froze. She\u2019d been using her [Natural Concealment] Skill, which normally fooled even Numbtongue until she was closer! But this Hob saw her at once. He blinked at her, then smiled. With one hand, he kept eating. And with the other, he pulled something out of his pouch and placed it on the table.<\/p>\n \u201cHm. Good fish. Not enough time to go mining. Go later.\u201d<\/p>\n That was all he said. Mrsha, emboldened, leapt onto a chair and stared at the Hob. He nodded at her.<\/p>\n \u201cMrsha.\u201d<\/p>\n She bobbed her head cautiously and pointed at him. Pyrite smiled back amiably. As he ate another piece of fish, he gestured at something on the table. Mrsha stared at the lump he\u2019d placed there. She stared and then recognized the slightly transparent rock.<\/p>\n \u201cQuartz. Smokey.\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobgoblin nodded judiciously. His nod quality seemed higher than Mrsha\u2019s, and she tried to copy how he was doing it. It was a lump of quartz, the kind that you could find all over the Floodplains or near the High Passes. Not too valuable; Mrsha liked the look of the stone with the lattice caught in it that gave it the dark brown appearance, but she knew it wasn\u2019t worth much. To a low-level jeweler, maybe. But not to [Mages], who valued pure quartz for its magic-holding properties as a weak enchantment material.<\/p>\n The Stone Spears tribe wouldn\u2019t mine this unless they had nothing better. That was Mrsha\u2019s expert opinion as a Gnoll of her tribe. But Pyrite, about twenty seconds into his minute, had other plans. The Hobgoblin put another piece of fish into his mouth, grunting with satisfaction. Chewing, he reached for the quartz. He didn\u2019t use a tool or do anything special; his claws just dug into the rock and began slicing pieces off it as if it were soft butter!<\/p>\n Mrsha\u2019s eyes widened in amazement. Pieces of rock flew and dust drifted down as the Hobgoblin\u2019s claws blurred against the quartz, breaking it down, molding it, then smoothing the stone, carving it until it was one smooth sphere. In less than thirty seconds, he\u2019d created a sphere. A perfect little marble, showcasing the quartz, transparent brown and grey, a beautiful bauble. Pyrite winked as Mrsha\u2019s eyes went round. He swallowed his mouthful and spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cGood food. Tell Numbtongue thanks. Here.\u201d<\/p>\n He dipped the marble in the cup and withdrew the gleaming orb of stone. Then, casually, he rolled it towards Mrsha. The Gnoll clasped her paws around the beautiful marble and lifted it up, admiring it. She heard a sigh and looked up. When she did, Numbtongue was sitting in his chair, blinking at Mrsha, a piece of fish in his claw.<\/p>\n The Gnoll and Hobgoblin looked at each other in silence. Mrsha stared at Numbtongue as he blinked and then burped fishily. Hesitantly, she offered the marble to him. The Hobgoblin paused and took it. He stared at the smooth surface and at the crumbs of quartz on the table. He whistled.<\/p>\n \u201c[Rock Polishing]. And [Miner\u2019s Claws].\u201d<\/p>\n He offered it back to Mrsha. The Gnoll took the bauble carefully. Numbtongue smiled, and it was bitter and sad and happy at the same time.<\/p>\n \u201cHe liked the fish.\u201d<\/p>\n Mrsha nodded. The two sat together like that until Lyonette came out of her kitchen, dusting her hands. She eyed the rock dust on the table with a frown as she came over.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you making a mess, Numbtongue? Or is it Mrsha? You know, someone has to clean\u2014what is that?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n She blinked as Mrsha rolled the quartz marble on the floor. The [Princess] stared at the shiny little plaything, and Numbtongue and Mrsha exchanged a glance. Both turned to Lyonette and shrugged. Numbtongue pointed at the quartz dust on the table.<\/p>\n \u201cNot me. Pyrite did it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobgoblin\u2019s smile was wide. Because Pyrite was dead. But at least\u2014yes, at least, Numbtongue could still treat him to a meal. And he\u2019d liked meeting Mrsha too.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2013<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n A budding relationship. A Goblin with a class. And an [Innkeeper] with a new Skill. Erin rubbed her hands together gleefully, ignorant of some of the events in her inn, but aware of more than she let on. Relc was happily chatting to her as her staff readied the inn for the influx from Pallass. It was already filling with people from Liscor. Not Krshia, Elirr, Raekea, or any of the Gnolls on the campaign trail, but Selys was here and practically aglow with triumph.<\/p>\n \u201cYour inn\u2019s really making an impact, Erin. Those Pallassian [Senators] are giving Krshia their backing\u2014and not Lism! He still has Pallass\u2019 support, but there are actually important Gnolls coming to talk on Krshia\u2019s behalf, and they\u2019re brilliant<\/em> at speaking! Of course, they have the class. And Krshia can just point to you when Lism tries to rant about Humans and foreigners being bad for Liscor. You did it!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey, I just got people together. They did the rest. Thank Rufelt and Lasica\u2014they\u2019ll be here to lend some support tonight. And this is good for Pallass\u2019 election too!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin replied modestly, but she felt a surge of pride seeing Selys\u2019 face. Not to mention the people of Liscor who\u2019d come here to talk with people from Pallass or just see what her inn was doing next. She looked around for Lyonette. And today she was going to make it even better for her other friends!<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Lyonette! Let\u2019s open the door to Pallass already!\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette looked up. She had been playing a game of rolling a little marble on the ground with Mrsha. The shiny stone caught Erin\u2019s eye, and she frowned\u2014where had Mrsha gotten that?\u2014but Lyonette nodded, and Erin focused on the door. Time to go to work. She swung it open, and a roar of noise enveloped her.<\/p>\n \u201cHey! Can I get a pizza with cheese<\/em> in the crusts? And extra salami on top? No one\u2019s copied that yet!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s the play? Stop pushing! Is there a new one on? Hey, will those [Actors] come to Pallass?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMake way, people! [Senator] coming through!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m on the list to go to Liscor! Hey! Let me through! I\u2019m on today\u2019s list!<\/em> I have proof and everything!\u201d<\/p>\n A chorus of voices, angry, happy, expectant, rushed over Selys and Erin. The Drake recoiled. Erin beamed. She saw [Guardsman] Kel holding a crowd back with two other members of Pallass\u2019 Watch as those on the short list for entry trooped through the doorway.<\/p>\n There was even a [Mage] to recharge the door. Two, in fact. Grimalkin strode through the door, bypassing a [Senator] and Xif. Erin waved at him as he entered.<\/p>\n \u201cGrimalkin! Hey! Great to see you! Good morning! Can I get you anything to eat? To drink?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Sinew Magus] nodded formally at Erin and gazed around the inn. His eyes focused on Relc like a laser beam. The Drake [Guardsman] was already getting up.<\/p>\n \u201cYo, Grimalkin! Are the weights done?\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin grinned with genuine pleasure as he reached out. He and Relc clasped forearms, and Selys and Erin, standing back, saw their muscles tense<\/em> as they exchanged the kind of greeting only two exceptionally muscular people could. Relc laughed, and Grimalkin nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI got the last weights done yesterday. Barbells, weight bars\u2014even the new one Miss Erin mentioned to me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOoh! The squiggle bar?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin\u2019s eyes widened. Grimalkin nodded and reached for a bag of holding. He produced a shorter bar than the customary bench press bar that Erin was familiar with. But she recognized the EZ-bar from the customary, unique bend in the frame that meant you were holding it at an angle as you lifted. Relc chortled as he examined it.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s weird. I like it! Hey, how many weights do you have?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlenty. Any number of pounds\u2014and I ordered fifty-pound weights made of lead. The [Smiths] should be finishing them any time now\u2014actually, I see them now. Apprentice Ferkr! Don\u2019t lollygag over there!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin turned and roared<\/em> into the doorway to Pallass. He strode back into the crowd and emerged half-carrying a smaller Gnoll. Erin blinked. It was a female Gnoll! She was a bit shorter than Grimalkin, but she seemed a lot smaller because she was nowhere near as muscly. With that said, she probably had twice as much muscle definition as Erin. It was just that even Relc looked less huge next to Grimalkin.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry about that. Ferkr, the weights?\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin deposited the Gnoll on the ground. Ferkr jumped. Nervously, the Gnoll held up a bag of holding. Grimalkin took it, pulled out some huge rounded weights with one hand, and tossed them at Relc. The [Guardsman], not to be outdone, caught them and slotted them onto the bar until it was two hundred pounds heavier. Then he began lifting it up and down.<\/p>\n \u201cOh yeah! This feels different! Hey, Erin, these things are great! Tons of fun!\u201d<\/p>\n He tried lifting the bar one-handed, but that was too much even for Relc. Swearing, Relc caught the bar, and Erin and Selys decided to step back. Ferkr just stared around at the inn, then jumped as Grimalkin addressed her.<\/p>\n \u201cFerkr, are the other apprentices training?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUh, yes, Magus Grimalkin! They\u2019re doing six laps as you ordered.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin grunted in disgust.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd doing it slow, no doubt. Well, I\u2019ll put them on the weights soon enough. Sergeant Relc! Don\u2019t twist your arms like that! You could injure yourself. That\u2019s two hundred and some pounds you\u2019re swinging around; proper posture is key!\u201d<\/p>\n He turned to Relc, who was trying to swing the entire weights bar like a bat. Relc paused, and Erin, eying the weights and Relc, decided to step in.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t you two do your weights stuff over there, Grimalkin? And hey! Who\u2019s this? One of your apprentices?\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at Ferkr. The female Gnoll jumped and bowed.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right, Miss Human. I\u2019m\u2014uh\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin grabbed the EZ-bar from Relc and held it out to Ferkr.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is Ferkr, Miss Erin. One of my apprentices. The only Gnoll apprentice I\u2019ve ever had, in fact. She\u2019s attempting to become a [Mage]. Which I commend! But she\u2019s far too nervous. Ferkr, take this. Careful\u2014it\u2019s two hundred pounds.\u201d<\/p>\n He waited until the female Gnoll had a grip on it before letting go. Erin winced, expecting Ferkr to stumble or drop the bar under the weight, but to her amazement, the Gnoll only grunted and the bar dipped a fraction before she held it at a resting position. Grimalkin nodded, and Erin stared.<\/p>\n \u201cWait, that\u2019s way <\/em>too heavy for her!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA hundred pounds too heavy, perhaps. Although with magic she could manage a hundred and fifty. How does it feel, Ferkr?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHeavy, sir!\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll\u2019s voice was strained, but she was keeping the bar up. Grimalkin nodded. He pulled fifty pounds off each end.<\/p>\n \u201cGive it a try now. Try\u2014three lifts.\u201d<\/p>\n Slowly, exhaling hard, the younger Gnoll did just that. Erin\u2019s and Selys\u2019 jaws dropped as they saw her furry forearms strain and then lift. Once, twice\u2014she was struggling on the third one. Grimalkin barked.<\/p>\n \u201cPush, <\/em>Ferkr! I want those arms to come up! Yes, yes\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The third curl came with a growl<\/em> from Ferkr as her arms shook. Grimalkin plucked the bar off her and slapped her on the back. She staggered and nearly fell over.<\/p>\n \u201cExcellent! That\u2019s what I want to see! And you can feel the muscles working, can\u2019t you, Ferkr? That\u2019s what Miss Solstice calls a maximum repetition. A few of those push your limit while working at lower weights is safer and builds the muscle you want. I imagine these bars can support enough weight to test anyone but Sergeant Relc and I.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. That bar\u2019s harder than the straight one.\u201d<\/p>\n Relc grinned as he pointed at the EZ-bar. Erin just gaped at Grimalkin. Then she looked at Ferkr.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re strong! <\/em>Wow, are all your apprentices like that? Hi, I\u2019m Erin, by the way.\u201d<\/p>\n She held out a hand, and Ferkr timidly shook it. Grimalkin just snorted.<\/p>\n \u201cGnolls are stronger than Humans. No\u2014there\u2019s less gender imbalance for their species when it comes to musculature. Historically, female Gnolls led hunting packs. And Ferkr is my apprentice\u2014of course, she\u2019s stronger than normal! As I said, my first Gnoll [Mage] apprentice. I have high expectations of her, but she has to grow some testicles! Perhaps meeting you will help in that regard, Miss Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n He looked sternly at Ferkr, and the Gnoll blushed under her fur. Erin smiled sympathetically at the Gnoll girl, but Selys, who\u2019d been listening in to the conversation while waiting for the last of the Gnolls to come in, blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cWait a second. I thought Gnolls couldn\u2019t be [Mages]. Isn\u2019t that what they say at Wistram?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. Hold on, that\u2019s what I heard too.\u201d<\/p>\n Relc eyed Ferkr, confused. Ferkr looked up, and her mouth opened, but Grimalkin spoke first.<\/p>\n \u201cHah! I don\u2019t know how that narrative spread, but it\u2019s completely false. Unfortunately, it\u2019s so widespread that Gnolls don\u2019t become [Mages]! Can you imagine? There are countless precedents in history of Gnoll [Mages]\u2014true, their race tends towards [Shamanism], but that\u2019s just proof they can handle magic! Somehow some idiot started the rumor at Wistram, and now Gnolls don\u2019t believe they can become [Mages]\u2014so many don\u2019t! It\u2019s one of those popular narratives that impedes an entire race\u2019s magical potential. Disgraceful!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He barked the word right over Ferkr\u2019s ear, and she winced. So did Erin\u2014Grimalkin delivered everything at a shout or roar. She looked over her shoulder at Temile on stage, and the [Stage Manager] waved his arms at her in a \u2018go away, please\u2019 kind of signal.<\/p>\n \u201cUh, yeah. About that\u2014why don\u2019t we take this outside? Grimalkin, I love that you\u2019re here, and I want to talk with you. But there\u2019s other people coming through. Ooh\u2014Selys! Your guests are all here!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI see that. Talk to you later, Erin!\u201d<\/p>\n Selys slipped away and trotted towards the Gnolls ready to help Krshia. Grimalkin looked around and then at Ferkr and Relc. Some of the guests at the nearby tables glared at the muscle [Mage] as they held their hands over their ears. Grimalkin returned the glares with an impervious glance, but he did nod.<\/p>\n \u201cHm. This is crowded. Let\u2019s take this outside. Sergeant Relc, Ferkr, I want to do some tests so I can see what the right posture is for all of this. I have a bench in my bag of holding, and Miss Solstice can show us some grips.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAwesome. And hey\u2014good luck, Miss Ferkr! I hope you can get that [Mage] class!\u201d<\/p>\n Relc rubbed his claws together as he started for the doors. Grimalkin raised his eyebrows.<\/p>\n \u201cHope? What do you mean? She\u2019s already a [Mage]. Level 6.\u201d<\/p>\n Relc stopped in his tracks. He stared at Grimalkin, then at Ferkr. The Gnoll was smiling.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? No. Really?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s r\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right. A Level 6 [Mage]. I told you it was just a myth. She\u2019s got a long way to go to pass my classes, but she works harder than half my Drake and Dullahan slackers. I have every hope that she\u2019ll head to this Meeting of the Tribes the Gnolls are having and put an end to this nonsense. I could use more Gnoll apprentices. They have a foundation of muscle and exercise in the plains that many Drakes lack.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin nodded. He strode past Relc, holding the weights bar. The [Guardsman] gaped at Ferkr. She just smiled and followed her master out the door. So went the Muscle Mage of Pallass. And Erin, waving in Xif and Rufelt and Lasica, who\u2019d come early, narrowed her eyes and tried to chuckle evilly. She failed.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2013<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The inn was crowded. People were coming in, including the best [Alchemist] in the city, Xif. Rufelt and Lasica, a power couple, even Watch Captain Venim was hanging around the door on Pallass\u2019 side, keeping order. It was as busy as yesterday! But Erin was content to let the chaos be chaos. She had a purpose, so she headed right back to Grimalkin, who was outdoors. Only one thing stopped her.<\/p>\n Octavia. Erin found the [Alchemist] sitting at a table in the corner, nursing a drink and staring around at the filled inn with wide eyes. Erin stopped at her table guiltily. She\u2019d forgotten Octavia was here. The [Alchemist] hadn\u2019t come down for breakfast; it had only been a day since Erin had marshaled Grimalkin, Relc, and the others to help her after Numbtongue and Yellow Splatters had beaten down the [Thugs] extorting her. She\u2019d put Octavia up in one of her rooms, but in all the fuss, she\u2019d forgotten the Stitch-girl existed.<\/p>\n Until now. Erin made her way to Octavia and smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Octavia\u2014how\u2019s it going? Sorry I didn\u2019t check in on you this morning. You, uh, got breakfast?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Alchemist] jumped. She looked up at Erin and smiled as she pushed a dreadlock back. Her dark skin was still pale, and she was\u2026subdued. Normal Octavia was a chatterbox and a sales magnet. This Octavia was just quiet.<\/p>\n \u201cNo problem, Erin. I appreciate you putting me up. Really. Your inn\u2019s\u2026full. It\u2019s open to Pallass? That\u2019s amazing!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYup! We\u2019re selling a lot! And there are tons of people! Hey! We could get some of them to check out your shop later! But don\u2019t go around making deals right now!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin laughed. Octavia didn\u2019t. She shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t. I learned my lesson already. Don\u2019t worry about me, Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Innkeeper]\u2019s face fell. That really wasn\u2019t normal Octavia at all. She hesitated and then scanned the room for someone. She spotted Xif watching a play. Good, he was here and interested in the [Actors]. She\u2019d have had to get him otherwise.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, don\u2019t worry about it. Look, I feel awful about what happened. We\u2019ll get your shop up and running and see about guarding it or something\u2014just give me a little bit! You sit back and have something to eat and drink! On the house! There\u2019s a play on\u2014I\u2019ll be back soon, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia just nodded quietly. Erin frowned, worried, and pushed Octavia up her to-help list. But right now, she had only one target in mind. And she found him outside pumping iron and steel.<\/p>\n \u201cGrimalkin!\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake was watching Relc lift the weights bar, having him adjust his hands and comment on how hard it was. To the side, Ferkr was doing curl-ups with the barbells Grimalkin had ordered. Erin saw Ferkr was doing it from various postures. She stopped, impressed. Grimalkin looked exactly like a gym instructor, albeit even huger than they were. And while Relc had poor posture\u2014he just seemed to enjoy the fun of weight lifting\u2014Grimalkin and Ferkr both had perfect form.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, Miss Solstice. You\u2019re here. Good. Can you tell me what the proper technique is for these weights? I think we have the standard down, but any unique positions or lifts would be appreciated. I was interested to see those squats and lunges you showed me. Anything you could add would be appreciated; I\u2019m making a routine. I want to be able to use these weights to train every muscle group possible. Arms, legs, and the core you mentioned.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin turned immediately to Erin, as serious as could be. Erin blinked, but she nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cSure! I don\u2019t know everything\u2026or much, because I didn\u2019t really work out, but I remember some things. Uh, a lunge\u2014can I use the bar without weights? Thanks. A lunge looks like this, I think. And I saw a dude put a weight on his chest and do sit-ups with it once\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The muscle [Mage] snapped his claws.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course! Keep going, keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n He watched as Erin clumsily showed him all the lifts she knew, then took the bar, added some weights, and executed flawless versions of her clumsy demonstrations before letting Relc and Ferkr try.<\/p>\n The [Sinew Magus] seemed to know what muscles each workout affected almost instinctively. Erin supposed that was appropriate given his class, but she was very impressed nonetheless. After nearly half an hour of running through exercises, Erin wiped off sweat from her brow and grinned at Grimalkin.<\/p>\n \u201cHey! That was a workout! And I was just showing you how to do stuff! This\u2019ll be great for your classes, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy classes and Pallass\u2019 army if I have my way.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin gave Erin an authoritative nod, which bothered her a tiny bit. She coughed.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, yeah. But you don\u2019t have to do that with the entire<\/em> army, right? I mean, you\u2019re just going to propose it\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Ferkr looked up, blinking in surprise as she did a deadlift with Relc watching. Grimalkin\u2019s brows shot up as well.<\/p>\n \u201cPropose it? Miss Erin, I don\u2019t think you understand. I just have to come up with a proper regimen and put in the proper paperwork. Then the [Soldiers] will be working out with these weights.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cWait\u2014but isn\u2019t that for, like, [Generals] to decide? Or [Strategists]?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPerhaps in other cities. But I\u2019ve established myself as the expert in the field of fitness and training. If a Pallassian [General] wants to argue with me, I\u2019ll happily slap sense into their skull. I know my business, and I do have a formal rank.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin folded his arms. Erin gaped at him, but Relc chortled.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s the surprise, Erin? Grimalkin\u2019s Pallass\u2019 best [Mage]! Right? I bet he\u2019s fought in the army\u2014they\u2019ve definitely tried to conscript him. If he\u2019s not on bad terms with the army, they\u2019ll give him a rank. Otherwise, he has to take orders from every two-copper [Lieutenant]. That\u2019s how Drakes do these things.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExactly.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Sinew Magus] nodded. Erin gulped. Introducing weights to an entire Walled City\u2019s army? Okay, that wasn\u2019t part of the plan<\/em>, but\u2026she grinned weakly at Grimalkin.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, that\u2019s just great. I, uh, I\u2019m glad I could help out!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course. And I\u2019m delighted for the aid you\u2019ve given me, Miss Erin. Truly. I\u2019ll repay you for all this information\u2014no, for revolutionizing fitness in Pallass!\u2014as soon as I can ascertain how much this is all worth. I will repay my dues. But I\u2019ve taken three days out of my schedule, and I think it\u2019s time to get down to the business of trialing these weights on my students. Ferkr, pack up. We\u2019re heading back to Pallass. Sergeant Relc, thank you for your help.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw, you\u2019re packing up already? And it\u2019s Relc, not Sergeant. I quit the army. Can I keep a barbell at least?\u201d<\/p>\n Relc whined as Ferkr obediently began packing the weights into her bag of holding. Grimalkin smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m afraid not. But I\u2019ll invite you to the first weights\u2026room? Weights arena? Ah, what did you call it, Miss Erin? Gymnasium.<\/em> I\u2019ll certainly invite you over. And to give a demonstration of real<\/em> strength to my apprentices!\u201d<\/p>\n He shook Relc\u2019s hand briskly and tossed one of the heavier weights into his own bag of holding. Erin stared at him in horror.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re going back? Already?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right. We\u2019ve gotten the exercises down\u2014unless you\u2019ve recalled some more? I must leave a message at the [Mage]\u2019s Guild. Miss Solstice, if you have any more details on the weights or new techniques, send me a [Message] and I will pay for sending and receiving!\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin turned eagerly back to Erin. She hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2026but hold on! The day\u2019s just getting started! Why don\u2019t you come in? Have a drink? I have fresh pizza, milkshakes\u2014the play\u2019s on! Your apprentice should really see it!\u201d<\/p>\n Ferkr perked up her ears at all the new and exciting words, but Grimalkin just grimaced.<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose I could look around. What did you say you made? A milk\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin smiled in relief and rushed back into the inn. She grabbed a milkshake that Ishkr was bringing around on trays and rushed it over to Grimalkin.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd<\/em> they\u2019re doing Pygmalion<\/em> on stage! Look! They\u2019re singing and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShh!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n A furious crowd shushed her. Erin lowered her voice and meekly stepped to the back of the room. Grimalkin sniffed the milkshake and tasted it with a forked tongue.<\/p>\n \u201cSugar and milk. Cold. I can see this being used to build fat if I was emaciated. But otherwise? Don\u2019t drink it, Ferkr.\u201d<\/p>\n He shook his head, and Ferkr drooped as she sniffed hers. Relc looked delighted.<\/p>\n \u201cOoh, if you don\u2019t want it, I\u2019ll take it!\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin silently passed his drink to Relc, and the [Sergeant] took a gulp and savored his. Erin hesitated as well. Grimalkin was staring at the play, listening to the Drake actress\u2014being lectured by a furious Dr. Higgins played by a Gnoll\u2014try to imitate a British accent. That alone was hilarious on a number of levels, but Grimalkin just nodded once.<\/p>\n \u201cI see. I see.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNumbtongue\u2019s also going to perform later. And, uh, there\u2019s Liscor as well! The Antinium are building the inn\u2014I can get you pizza, drinks\u2014look, Rufelt\u2019s helping with the bar! Come on, take a seat!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin was looking at the door to Pallass. She needed to turn it to Celum for a tiny bit, and she was dreading the fight, but getting Grimalkin relaxed came first. But the [Sinew Magus] just kept looking around, and then\u2014he shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cMhm. Fascinating. Plays. Food. Unhealthy food. Hobgoblin. I can see dismantling organized crime in Celum. That was entertaining. As for the rest\u2014do you have any more weights to show me?\u201d<\/p>\n He turned brusquely to Erin. The [Innkeeper] wavered, caught off-guard. She looked around her inn.<\/p>\n \u201cN-no?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExcellent. Then I\u2019m done here. Goodbye.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin strode towards the door, beckoning Ferkr, who was entranced by the display. Erin ran after him, panicked. This wasn\u2019t part of the plan!<\/p>\n \u201cWait! Wait, wait\u2014you can\u2019t leave! Stay and relax a bit!\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin paused, sighed, and turned back to Erin. He wasn\u2019t unfriendly\u2014just as straightforward as ever. He didn\u2019t mince words as he gestured at the door to Pallass.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was quite fun to visit your inn these last few days, Miss Erin. I won\u2019t deny that. But I have work to do. You\u2019ve given me the chance to redefine how [Soldiers] and [Warriors] across the Walled Cities\u2014perhaps even the world\u2014will train. I\u2019d prefer to get to that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cArgh\u2014okay, but\u2014stay for just half an hour! No, ten minutes! Your apprentice deserves a break, doesn\u2019t she?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin pleaded with Grimalkin. The Drake hesitated and looked at Erin, then at Ferkr, who looked pleadingly at him, and sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose ten minutes wouldn\u2019t be undue. Ferkr, by all means, enjoy yourself. And we can take one of those\u2026pizzas back with us. A single slice wouldn\u2019t hurt. But that grease!\u201d<\/p>\n He shuddered. Erin breathed out in relief.<\/p>\n \u201cGreat. I\u2019ll just\u2014uh, I just<\/em> remembered I had to do something. In the door. Don\u2019t go anywhere!\u201d<\/p>\n She rushed past Grimalkin. He frowned after her as Erin ran to the door to Pallas and, to the watching crowd\u2019s outrage, slammed it and turned it to Celum. She opened the door and shouted.<\/p>\n \u201cLyonette! Check in ten minutes! I need to go to the Runner\u2019s Guild! Oh, please be there, please be there\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She rushed out, and a moment later, the door opened and a roar of fury from Pallass echoed in the inn. The [Actors] on stage dutifully recreated the scene, and all was placid. Grimalkin watched the play with Relc commentating next to him. It wasn\u2019t that he wasn\u2019t interested in the performance\u2014it was just that he had better things to do. Ferkr meanwhile was grabbing and eating as much food as possible, savoring Erin\u2019s free food.<\/p>\n Ten minutes later, Lyonette checked the door to Celum, prompting another brief intermission, and a panting Erin was back. Grimalkin glanced up as Erin and a second Human entered the inn. No\u2014two additional Humans. A young man and a young woman. The young man was clearly a Runner, and the young woman\u2026Grimalkin\u2019s head turned back.<\/p>\n \u201cNice muscle definition. Hm. That\u2019s\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He was half-interested in that, half in the play, and mostly on leaving. Grimalkin was looking for his apprentice, who seemed to have wandered off in hopes of prolonging her stay, when an exclamation from the trio drew his eyes back. The young woman who\u2019d come in with Erin had caught sight of Numbtongue, who was wandering past, eating pizza.<\/p>\n \u201cHobgoblin! <\/em>[Quick Kick]!\u201d<\/p>\n She reflexively recoiled and then lashed out with a kick. Grimalkin saw Numbtongue whirl, try to dodge\u2014but the kick was too fast. It caught him on the chest and knocked him backwards. There was power in that blow! Numbtongue flew backwards, hit a table where a pair of Gnolls were sitting, rolled over it, and landed in a crouch. The inn erupted into shouts as the Goblin made two fists, but Erin, waving her hands desperately, put herself between the Human and Hobgoblin.<\/p>\n \u201cNo! Garia! It\u2019s Numbtongue! Didn\u2019t you know I had Goblins at\u2014have you never seen\u2014does no one read my signs?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Chaos. But quickly dispersed. Erin, panting, quickly explained, and Grimalkin saw the young woman called Garia, blushing, introduce herself to the annoyed Hobgoblin along with the other Runner. The [Sinew Magus] watched as Erin slowly placated Numbtongue and then made a beeline over to him with the Runners.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Grimalkin! Sorry about the fuss\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wasn\u2019t part of it. It was a splendid kick, though. Excellent form. But I really should be going, Miss Solstice.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake replied calmly. He saw the young woman behind Erin blush. Out of politeness and curiosity, Grimalkin turned to her and the Runner. He held out a claw.<\/p>\n \u201cHow do you do? Grimalkin, [Sinew Magus]. You have an impressive display of muscles, young lady. Compressed, though. Clearly the work of a Skill. Also the bearing of\u2026someone who\u2019s lost weight. Your balance is slightly off, but that\u2019s a [Martial Artist]\u2019s kick if ever I saw one. Nice to see some have become Runners at last. It\u2019s a compatible profession.\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman blinked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014thank you! I\u2019m Garia. Garia Strongheart. Are you a [Martial Artist] by any chance?\u201d<\/p>\n She grasped Grimalkin\u2019s claw and shook it. He grunted. [Enhanced Strength]? She was<\/em> strong! What a treasure! At her age, she had the potential to be a real [Mage]. He was about to say so when Erin slid into the conversation.<\/p>\n \u201cGrimalkin\u2019s not a [Martial Artist], Garia. But he\u2019s a [Sinew Magus]! He does magic\u2014with his muscles! Or something like that. Hey! Do you know martial arts, Grimalkin? Oh\u2014this is Fals, by the way. He\u2019s a Runner too. They\u2019re both from Celum.\u201d<\/p>\n She indicated the young man. He grinned weakly up at Grimalkin, staring at a bicep.<\/p>\n \u201cA pleasure, Mister Grimalkin? I run with Garia. You\u2019re from Pallass? The<\/em> Pallass?\u201d<\/p>\n He looked dumbstruck as he stared around the inn. Grimalkin nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve dabbled in martial arts. Not my forte. But I\u2019ve travelled the world. Visited [Knights] training in Terandria, bald-headed Humans with fists like iron, Drathians, Chandrar\u2019s population in Pomle\u2014you should see Selphid [Martial Artists]; absolutely deadly. I didn\u2019t know there were any in Izril.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wasn\u2019t taught by one. At least\u2014I don\u2019t think Ryoka was very high level. But I\u2019m dying<\/em> to learn more techniques, and Ryoka\u2019s in the far north! I\u2019ve been leveling up like crazy\u2014I want to see how strong I can be!\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman flexed a thin arm, and Grimalkin narrowed his eyes. She\u2019d definitely changed her body structure recently. He could almost extrapolate how she\u2019d looked before now. But it was Garia\u2019s words that lit a fire in his heart. He spoke carefully, trying not to shout.<\/p>\n \u201cYoung woman. You would be wasting your talents if you were just a [Martial Artist]. No\u2014I will admit, they\u2019re a fearsome class. But I would be remiss if I didn\u2019t tell you to become a [Mage]. <\/em>Like me! You clearly have a powerful foundation. [Enhanced Strength], am I right? And I assume\u2014[Weight Control]?\u201d<\/p>\n Fals and Erin blinked, but Garia\u2019s eyes widened. She hesitated and almost reflexively covered her stomach.<\/p>\n \u201cHow did you know?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s obvious to me. But please\u2014hear me out. I\u2019d be delighted to talk about [Martial Artist] techniques with you, but you must<\/em> join one of my classes and see my curriculum. I\u2019ve studied strength, and there\u2019s more to a powerful swing than just the muscle in your arm. If you\u2019ll allow me, I\u2019d like you to listen. [Martial Artist] or [Mage], you owe it to yourself to rebuild your body.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin held his breath. Normally, here was where most people started edging away, but he had a good feeling about Garia. And the way the young woman\u2019s eyes lit up was everything he wanted to see. Garia looked at Fals and Erin before nodding.<\/p>\n \u201cI do. Tell me everything, please! About martial arts and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The [Sinew Magus] exhaled. It was moments like these he lived for. He smiled and tried to come up with the most concise summary of his life\u2019s work possible. And Erin Solstice had given him the terminology as well.<\/p>\n \u201cAh! Well, let me tell you, it\u2019s all about the\u2026core.<\/em> Yes, the core. And I\u2019ve made it my life\u2019s work to develop a regimen that creates a strong body in as short a time as possible. Now, you may stop excreting during the first few weeks of training, and I have had it compared to torture, but the results are so immediate that the elite regiments of Pallass\u2019 soldiers come to me for a basic fitness regimen\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2013<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Grimalkin and Garia stood in a corner of Erin\u2019s inn discussing everything muscle-related with such avidness that Erin couldn\u2019t keep up. But that didn\u2019t matter. Her job was done.<\/p>\n The two were so engrossed that they didn\u2019t notice as Erin and Fals drew back. Erin was smiling, but Fals, for some reason, was not. He shook his head as he looked back at Grimalkin and Garia, and a worried frown creased his brow.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s changed, Erin. I don\u2019t know if I know Garia anymore. Remember the old Garia? She was timid. Very kind, but\u2014now she\u2019s ten times as bold. And our best Runner! Frankly, I\u2019m worried she\u2019ll surpass me soon, if she hasn\u2019t already. It\u2019s amazing how much this place has changed too.\u201d<\/p>\n Fals smiled tiredly at Erin. She grinned at him.<\/p>\n \u201cI know! I couldn\u2019t believe it was Garia at first! Hey\u2014thanks for coming to the inn. I appreciate it.\u201d<\/p>\n Fals chortled. He gestured around the room, his brows raised.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd miss all this? This is incredible! I was meaning to pay a visit, but I\u2019ve been busy. Not that it\u2019s exciting around here since the Goblin Lord business. Dead gods, Erin! The Players of Celum, people from Pallass?<\/em> Can you tell me what\u2019s happened?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin beamed and led Fals off into a wonderland of fast food, acting, and talking about all that had changed. But she kept an eye on Grimalkin and Garia. They took nearly half an hour to speak, and Garia looked like she was taking notes. Erin had Fals happily conversing with a Drake when she spotted the two breaking up. Quickly, Erin slid back towards Grimalkin.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be waiting for your visit. Martial arts, magic\u2014contact me!\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake called out to Garia. She was nodding eagerly as she went over to Fals, clearly delighted. Erin rubbed her hands together, but stopped when Grimalkin turned to her. The Drake was shaking his head.<\/p>\n \u201cAmazing. That might be one of my finest pupils yet. A [Farmer] background and<\/em> a [Martial Artist] class? Although she has compunctions about gaining too much muscle\u2014well, I suppose that\u2019s a Runner\u2019s concern. Ah, Miss Solstice. What a fantastic meeting!\u201d<\/p>\n The [Sinew Magus] was clearly delighted. Erin beamed as well.<\/p>\n \u201cWasn\u2019t it? Aren\u2019t you glad you stayed? Say, while you\u2019re here, why don\u2019t you wait a bit longer? You could show Garia some moves, maybe! I know she\u2019d love that. And you know, I have two friends who are [Mages]. Can you do that display of magic again, maybe? What about in Celum? Maybe you could show Pisces and Ceria a trick or two?\u201d<\/p>\n For a second, she thought the Drake hadn\u2019t heard her. Grimalkin was still staring at Garia, his brows raised. He smiled, clearly impressed\u2014and then did a double-take and stared back at Erin. His eyes narrowed as he registered their conversation.<\/p>\n \u201cShow them\u2014wait a second.\u201d<\/p>\n He looked at Garia. He stared at the door, now open to Pallass, and then at Erin. The [Innkeeper] hesitated as Grimalkin\u2019s brows snapped together. She didn\u2019t like the way his expression changed. Slowly, the [Sinew Magus] pointed at Garia.<\/p>\n \u201cYou did that on purpose. Do it again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin grinned, and a butterfly appeared in her confident stomach. Grimalkin folded his arms.<\/p>\n \u201cNot forty minutes ago, I was prepared to leave. Then you convinced me to stay and ran to get that Runner. Coincidentally, she ran into a Hobgoblin and kicked him. I suppose that was chance, but you led her straight to me. You know she wanted to learn about martial arts. Or was it magic? You set that up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2026what makes you say that?\u201d<\/p>\n The inn was already hot, but Erin began to sweat. Grimalkin eyed her.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat was it you just asked? You wanted me to show magic to\u2014ah! That adventuring team. The one that wanted me to teach them [Lion\u2019s Strength]. And I was about to acquiesce!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, hold on, that was all coincidence! I mean, it was sort<\/em> of me knowing what Garia was like, but\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin began to panic. She didn\u2019t know why\u2014it was all aboveboard! It was just people meeting people! But having the trick exposed felt risky.<\/em> Grimalkin\u2019s narrowed eyes confirmed that.<\/p>\n \u201cI noticed the same thing with Maughin and my visit to Liscor. Coincidences turn into beneficial meetings for you. Pallass intercedes in Liscor\u2019s election. I just happen to draw a crowd with a demonstration that helps your inn. This was calculated, wasn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2026okay, maybe. But hey! I\u2014look, Grimalkin, I\u2019m not saying you have<\/em> to help Ceria and Pisces. But it\u2019d be nice if you did? Maybe?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin\u2019s heart sank in her chest. Grimalkin was just staring at her. And there was a keen analysis running there that not many people gave Erin. She gave him her most wide-eyed look. It didn\u2019t work. He shook his head slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cIncredible. And I didn\u2019t notice it\u2014or I paid it little mind until now. That\u2019s not a Skill\u2026or is it? You remind me of a [Senator], only highly effective at low-level dealings. Or one of the people who like to play shadow games, only on a smaller scale. Archmage Feor. Terandrian monarchs. I haven\u2019t met Magnolia Reinhart, but she\u2019s an apt comparison on Izril.\u201d<\/p>\n That <\/em>stung. Erin sucked in her breath.<\/p>\n \u201cUm, thank you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not a compliment. I suppose it\u2019s obvious in hindsight. Rufelt and Lasica do the same thing. But they\u2019re experts at making money and being liked by all. And their manipulation is up-front. Honest. I see. Well, I congratulate you on the trick. Do it again.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin stared at Erin. She hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cUh\u2014what?\u201d<\/p>\n He shook his head slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cUnless I\u2019m wrong, the entire purpose of me arriving here was to teach Miss Strongheart martial arts. Or was she bait? Let\u2019s say that she was. Were you hoping to persuade me to teach your two [Mage] friends magic?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cM-maybe?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked to one side, flushing a bit. Her plan had been a bit more nebulous than that. But\u2026Grimalkin frowned, then nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cVery well. I\u2019ll do it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Relieved, smiling, Erin looked up. Only to see Grimalkin extend a claw and flex it slightly.<\/p>\n \u201cSo do it again. Show me something I want.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWait, what?\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman frowned. Grimalkin eclipsed her frown with his own.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not in the habit of lending my abilities or expertise out for free, Miss Solstice. I realize that\u2019s what friends do, but I consider you an acquaintance. So. You showed me a potential student. And you\u2019ve delivered me a bunch of fascinating, unique training methods. Weights. What else do you have to offer me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey! I gave you that all out of good will! I was being helpful!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin spluttered, red in the face. Grimalkin nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m quite aware. And it helped you a bit. I\u2019m not accusing you of lying to me, Miss Solstice. If anything, I owe you a great deal. But let\u2019s just say I\u2019m open to the possibility that you\u2019re holding something back that I might like. So. Do it again.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He pointed at Garia. Erin wavered. She held up a finger. Opened her mouth to protest\u2014and Grimalkin stared at her. The two locked gazes, unblinking.<\/p>\n Erin buckled first. She hesitated, then scuffed at the floorboards, scowling. She\u2019d meant to use this as a prod anyways. But subtly.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. Okay, there was this one thing\u2026I saw this guy using like this rubber\u2014er, elastic<\/em> band. Like\u2026two cords like this, see? And he stretches it across his chest or pulls while rotating like this\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She began describing a resistance band to Grimalkin. The [Sinew Magus]\u2019 eyes widened.<\/p>\n \u201cFascinating. Using elasticity as\u2026you know, I saw String-people doing something like that when I looked into how they built themselves. Of course! And that\u2019s far more portable than\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He caught himself and narrowed his eyes again.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you just recalled that. Just now.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin grinned sheepishly at Grimalkin and shrugged. He eyed her, then smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cA pleasure doing business with you, Miss Solstice. A training session it is! One. For those two [Mages]? I\u2019ll gladly teach Miss Strongheart some techniques free of charge. She cannot be allowed to go to waste.\u201d<\/p>\n He gestured at the Horns and Garia with one claw. Erin spluttered.<\/p>\n \u201cOne? <\/em>But Ceria said she\u2019d have to learn from you for at least a week to learn a Tier 4 or Tier 5 spell\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho said anything about spells? I\u2019ll check on their fitness, their aptitude, recommend how they should progress\u2014it\u2019s actually quite effective. I am<\/em> an expert [Mage], after all. If those two have any holes, I will fix them. [Necromancer] or [Cryomancer]. Of course, teaching them spells will require more time, and if they have any significant flaws, I\u2019ll need to remedy them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut you said one training session\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, until you come up with another splendid idea for me to work on. I\u2019ll take them in advance. Resistance bands indeed. Any more training techniques? Other weights?\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin peered down at Erin. She could only splutter in reply. After a second, he nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWell then, one session it is. More to come, on condition, of course. And if you have any more requests, feel free to seek me out with appropriate payment. I take ideas, artifacts, chance encounters, or whatever else you can manufacture.\u201d<\/p>\n He waited. Erin stared at him and then, flustered, looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cL-Lyonette? Get me the Faerie Flowers and a mug of ale!\u201d<\/p>\n The [Princess] came over as Erin rushed over to the windowsill. Xif, watching the end of Pygmalion<\/em>, looked up with interest as the two fussed over a mug and came back to Grimalkin. He watched, arms folded, never taking his eyes off Erin. She offered him the mug, grinning weakly.<\/p>\n \u201cUh, want a Faerie Flower drink?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s it do?\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake eyed the mug. Erin bit her lip and looked at Lyonette. The [Princess] had caught wind of what had gone down and seemed amused. Erin weakly shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you have a horrible trauma, it might help? It\u2019s, uh, one-of-a-kind, I think. Sorta.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin considered the mug.<\/p>\n \u201cNo thanks. My traumas aren\u2019t that significant. Anything else?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothing I can think of.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin locked gazes with Grimalkin. After a second, the Drake nodded. He smiled at her.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, then, one session it is. I\u2019ll do my best, of course. I\u2019d love to jog your memory.\u201d<\/p>\n He nodded at Lyonette and strode through the crowd, avoiding touching everyone with ease. Erin bit her lip, and Lyonette laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cSomeone actually figured out you were manipulating them behind the scenes, Erin?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Innkeeper] shrugged ruefully. She wasn\u2019t so much upset at being found out as embarrassed<\/em>. Grimalkin had treated her like some kind of calculating manipulator! Which she wasn\u2019t. Okay, sort of, but\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s smart. Damn. And he wants me to give him more ideas and stuff\u2014or introduce him to people, or he won\u2019t train Ceria and Pisces! I really wasn\u2019t going to manipulate<\/em> him into helping them\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wasn\u2019t! I was just, you know, going to make them all get along? He was interested in Yvlon\u2019s arms, and I thought\u2014gah! Never mind! Now he wants me to pay him!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin waved her arms, still red in the face. Lyonette stopped smirking long enough to look interested.<\/p>\n \u201cDo<\/em> you have anything to bribe him with?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin covered her face with one hand, thinking.<\/p>\n \u201cI dunno, treadmills, I guess? Gravity weight training? I saw that in an anime. Uh\u2026I really didn\u2019t have much else. No, parkour-ish stuff. Yoga? Oh! Yoga! Maybe. If I remember any of my yoga class. Now I have to think! Why was he<\/em> the one who saw through me?\u201d<\/p>\n She stared at Grimalkin\u2019s back, then, to her surprise, saw the Drake\u2019s form waver and vanish<\/em>. Ishkr, carrying a tray past him, nearly dropped it in alarm. A voice spoke right next to Erin and Lyonette.<\/p>\n \u201cI work out my brain as well as everything else, Miss Erin. What\u2019s this about treadmills? I\u2019m familiar with gravity training, by the way. Parkour and yoga. Are they martial arts forms? No? Fascinating.\u201d<\/p>\n The two young women spun around. Grimalkin was standing behind them, arms folded. He nodded as Erin pointed at the place where his illusion had been and at him, jaw working furiously. He raised both brows.<\/p>\n \u201cHave you never met anyone properly high-level before, Miss Solstice? You shouldn\u2019t underestimate Pallass. Or didn\u2019t you notice that we have as many talents as you?\u201d<\/p>\n He nodded past her. Erin spun again and saw Xif was peering at the bed of Faerie Flowers. He was sniffing the air and eying the small yellow blossoms in their bed. She could hear him muttering out loud in a break as the [Actors] on stage changed plays.<\/p>\n \u201cHmm, hm. Fascinating. Blue fruits? Shield Spider materials. And this flower\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDamnit!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin cursed. Or was this an opportunity? She looked back, and Grimalkin nodded to her. His smile wasn\u2019t smug, but it was superior.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re among equals, Miss Solstice. Well, at the very least. I\u2019ll be on with that lesson now. Please be as specific as you can when you tell me about these treadmills and so on. Tread. Mills. Huh. Actually, I think I understood that one without need for help. Well, I\u2019ll wait for your actual explanation. As I said, I\u2019m happy to spend time training these adventurers. A pleasure to be manipulated by you.\u201d<\/p>\n He nodded at Erin and walked past her. Erin opened her mouth, then, for once, closed it. She turned bright red and said not a word for a whole minute. Lyonette stared at Grimalkin in awe. He winked at her as he strolled over to the Horns of Hammerad.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2013<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Xif the [Alchemist] still smelled of nose-searingly strong chemicals and ingredients when Erin found him looking over her box of Faerie Flowers. The bright, small, yellow flowers were much like short dandelions, although the flower petals were much more exotic. And Erin had quite a number of boxes of them! With Mrsha\u2019s help and daily watering, the few flowers she\u2019d had now filled eight planter boxes.<\/p>\n Honestly, Erin hadn\u2019t made use of them for a long time\u2014the Faerie Flower drink was powerful, but she\u2019d been worried after seeing its effect on Halrac and Ilvriss. And her [Wondrous Fare] Skill wasn\u2019t something Erin had really needed or wanted to focus on. Magical dishes were cool, but with all the turns and twists in her life, they weren\u2019t something she could devote time to.<\/p>\n Yet, someone was focusing very hard on her flowers, and it wasn\u2019t Apista for once. The Ashfire Bee was lazily clinging to the ceiling, but Xif was peering very hard at each flower, sniffing heavily and even going so far as to try and taste the nectar\u2014that was when Erin caught him.<\/p>\n \u201cXif! Hi! Don\u2019t lick the nectar or eat the flowers. They do, uh, weird things to your head. Hey! Can I introduce you to a friend? Octavia? She\u2019s a bit down\u2014did you hear about the Celum stuff yesterday?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin smiled desperately as the [Alchemist] paused with one paw extended towards his tongue. Xif blinked at her, and his usually befuddled look focused as he blinked two brown eyes at her.<\/p>\n \u201cOctavia? Hm. Oh yes, the young [Alchemist]. I was there for that. But, ah\u2014perhaps in a moment. I\u2019m truly more interested in these flowers, Miss Solstice. I caught you making\u2014was that a drink?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, that? The Faerie Flower drink! Good for making you think about what ails you! I\u2019m working on the tagline. Uh, yeah, I\u2019m thinking about selling it, but it\u2019s sort of strong! The flowers are strong too, really. Actually, they have a few uses! But <\/em>I wouldn\u2019t want you to get hurt or something.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin shuddered as she recalled trying the nectar and having her Alice in Wonderland freak-out. Xif raised his brows.<\/p>\n \u201cReally? Multiple uses? Well, I\u2019d love to experience each one. Unless it makes your fur fall out? Hah! But that\u2019d be an improvement in my case, wouldn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n He grinned, and Erin smiled despite herself. Still, she couldn\u2019t help but feel slightly possessive over the flowers. They had been a reward, of sorts, for her Frost Faerie banquet. That had been real magic. Her magic.<\/p>\n Of course, Lyonette had urged Erin to sell the flowers to Xif if he wanted them. The [Princess] had gold coins for eyes these days. Erin sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cThey don\u2019t make your fur fall out. They do<\/em> do weird things to you, like, uh, make you see things or go to sleep\u2014then again\u2014the Faerie Flower drink might be my thing. I have a Skill.\u201d<\/p>\n She frowned at the flowers. That was a good point. Had she ever let anyone else try making the Faerie Flower drink? Erin had [Wondrous Fare]. What would happen if Lyonette copied her? Would it be like Octavia? Now she had questions. So did Xif. His eyes lit up as Erin described the flowers.<\/p>\n \u201cReally? Multiple effects without combining with a magical base or other ingredients? You just added that into the alcohol\u2014these flowers are<\/em> fairly powerfully magical then! I thought so! Amazing! What species are they? Where did you get them from? I\u2019ve never <\/em>seen the like! Has Miss Octavia tried using them?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I\u2014they\u2019re from far away. Gifts! They were a gift. And I haven\u2019t let Octavia try to use them.\u201d<\/p>\n Guiltily, Erin realized that was something the [Alchemist] could have used. But\u2014these were special flowers. Not even of this world. Xif frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cI see. They\u2019re special. Hmm. But with what you\u2019ve said\u2014Miss Solstice, I must buy them from you. New, highly magical ingredients? I\u2019d shave off all my fur and walk around naked like Saliss before I turned up an opportunity like this! Come to it, he\u2019d put on clothes for a month for these! How much for one planter box?\u201d<\/p>\n He eagerly pointed to one of the boxes of flowers. Erin hesitated and saw Lyonette\u2019s head whip around. The [Princess] hurried over.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you want a box, we have plenty! We could sell maybe\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin brought Lyonette up short. The [Princess] opened her mouth, but Erin overrode her and Xif. She smiled at the Gnoll [Alchemist], but firmly shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Xif, but these aren\u2019t for sale. They were a very important gift, and\u2014well, I\u2019m not selling them.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette stared at Erin, horrified. Xif was appalled too.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Solstice, these could be a wonderful boon to [Alchemists] everywhere. A powerful antidote, a life-saving reagent in a potion\u2014they could be the next Eir Gel!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExactly! And we don\u2019t use many now that the Ashfire Bees are gone. Let alone your drinks\u2026Erin, can I speak with you for one second?\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette tugged on Erin\u2019s arm, frowning hard. But Erin was unmoved. She thought of Grimalkin and his announcement that Pallass\u2019 army would be using weights. That was one thing. But this? She hesitated. Life-changing medicine? But some selfish part of her, childish, made her shake her head again.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. I\u2019m sorry, but no. Lyonette, that\u2019s final.\u201d<\/p>\n She put her foot down. It was hers. Her magic, however small. Xif looked crestfallen. Lyonette looked like she was going to have a heart attack. Erin relented a touch.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat if I sold you the petals and nectar and stuff? I\u2019d be okay with that.\u201d<\/p>\n Xif frowned and scratched the hair on his chin, but the Gnoll shook his head. He bent down and eyed a flower sprouting from a bulb.<\/p>\n \u201cAs tempting as it would be\u2014I think I would rather have the flower, Miss Solstice. An entire flower, rather. You see, it\u2019s not just about the ingredients. Call it the [Alchemist] in me, but these are too\u2026how long have you grown these flowers?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cA few months. Since winter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI see. And these have germinated like this?\u201d<\/p>\n Xif indicated the short flowers. Erin nodded proudly.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right! We replanted them as they kept growing. I only had a handful, but they multiplied, and Mrsha looked after them with Lyonette\u2026why?\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll mumbled to himself. He peered at each flower, then nodded slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re all the same.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI mean, they don\u2019t have any characteristics of full-grown plants. No reproductive elements.\u201d<\/p>\n He looked up at Lyonette\u2019s and Erin\u2019s blank faces.<\/p>\n \u201cHaven\u2019t you seen dandelions turn into the white fuzzy seedpods? Or witnessed grass growing seeds? These are similar to grass and dandelions. Short, unmatured. That they can still reproduce is no surprise; many plants can do that. But they\u2019re not fully developed. And if it\u2019s been months, there may be another trigger.\u201d<\/p>\n So saying, he straightened and tapped the planter box in front of him. Xif turned seriously to Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t believe they\u2019re fully grown, Miss Solstice. In fact, I\u2019d stake my best potions on that. I\u2019d like to ship these to a friend in Oteslia. Their [Gardeners] are the best in the world. If anyone could ascertain the exact nature of this plant, it would be them. Your price?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin\u2019s jaw dropped. Not fully grown?<\/em> She looked at the flowers, but\u2014come to think of it, Xif was right. Erin did know what he was talking about. The Faerie Flowers could just be flowers, but they were just stalks with blooms on the end. They had no root system. No ovules<\/em>.<\/p>\n Xif was right. And yet, Erin still hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe. But I want to keep my flowers, thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n She didn\u2019t know why it mattered so much to her. In fact, she was beginning to regret her stubbornness, except for the idea in her head. She<\/em> could try growing the flowers herself. And when she found out if they evolved or something, sell them to Xif. Octavia could corner the market! She\u2019d give some to Octavia to make up for ignoring her.<\/p>\n Xif frowned, as if reading Erin\u2019s thoughts. He sighed, looking at the flowers, and then looked sternly at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cI understand your desire to keep what\u2019s yours, Miss Solstice. Drakes are very much like that. But you realize these flowers are invaluable as a new discovery to me? And if they are as valuable as I think, I\u2019m afraid I\u2019ll have to make you an offer you can\u2019t refuse.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin felt a chill down her spine. She took a step back from Xif as Lyonette stiffened. Erin\u2019s hand instantly went for her belt.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re threatening me?\u201d<\/p>\n She couldn\u2019t believe it! And neither could Xif! He looked horrified as she placed a hand on the kitchen knife Pelt had made.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? Threatening<\/em> you? I\u2019m no [Thug] of an [Alchemist]! I just said I\u2019d use a Skill.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, a Skill!\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette looked relieved. Erin just looked blank. Xif tutted.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cDear me, the expressions you Humans come up with. I put my tail in my mouth all the time, though. Better just to do it now. Miss Solstice, I invoke [The Avid Collector]. Name your price for a single flower.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin blinked. He was pointing at a flower. She wasn\u2019t going to\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cTwenty\u2014two hundred and twenty gold pieces for a flower.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The words popped out of her mouth before Erin realized she was speaking. Lyonette\u2019s eyes popped<\/em>. Xif just smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cDone!\u201d<\/p>\n He reached out and offered Erin a paw. She shook it, realized what she was doing, and pulled her hand back.<\/p>\n \u201cDamn!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cToo late!\u201d<\/p>\n Xif smiled happily and ruefully at Erin. As surely as she knew her inn, Erin realized that one of the flowers in the box belonged to him. And two hundred and twenty gold pieces belonged to her.<\/em> Lyonette looked like she was going to swallow her tongue as Xif pulled out his bag of holding and began setting gold coins on a table. He had them in stacks of ten. Erin just stared at Xif for a moment.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t\u2014that wasn\u2019t\u2014that\u2019s not fair!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n But it was at the same time. She had felt<\/em> the deal go through as she shook his paw. Erin looked around, Xif was smiling apologetically at her. But she wanted\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cVenim!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The Watch Captain winced as he stood on Pallass\u2019 side of the door. Erin stomped through<\/em> the door and confronted him, ignoring the upset crowd who wanted to watch the play. The Drake wearily looked at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Miss Solstice?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cXif just used a Skill on me! He made me sell one of my flowers to him!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n The Watch Captain\u2019s eyes sharpened as Erin relayed the transaction to him. But when she came to him using his Skill, his eyes brightened.<\/p>\n \u201cHe bought a flower for how much?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n A large number of heads turned, and Erin hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2014that\u2019s not important! But he made me sell the flowers, and I can\u2019t take it back! You have to force him to stop it!\u201d<\/p>\n She felt embarrassed saying it, really. It was way more gold than the flowers were worth! And yet, she was outraged because she\u2019d been forced to make the deal. But Venim only chewed his lip for one second before shaking his head.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s legal. You can\u2019t name a price you won\u2019t sell for. He just forced a sale. Pallassian law accepts that, Miss Solstice.\u201d<\/p>\n Venim looked delighted to be able to say that. Erin stared at his face. Behind her, Kel the [Guardsman] grinned triumphantly. Venim\u2019s lips were twitching too. Erin glared around.<\/p>\n \u201cHow is that<\/em> fair? What if he wanted me to sell a precious heirloom or something?\u201d<\/p>\n Venim shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fact is he did not, Miss Solstice. He forced you into a deal you were willing to take. It\u2019s not always pleasant, but Skill-based sales are acknowledged as a legal tool across the world. If it was<\/em> unethical, you could appeal it\u2014like how I hear [Slave Traders] can force someone to sell themselves into slavery. But I doubt it\u2019ll win given your supply of plants.\u201d<\/p>\n He looked pointedly back into Erin\u2019s inn. She looked back glumly and saw Xif was going from flower to flower, followed by Lyonette, who had helpfully dug out a spoon and cup to transport the precious bloom in. The Gnoll hummed happily as he picked his small flower out of the box and carefully replanted it in a mug.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t like it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t have to, Miss Solstice. But I\u2019m afraid you must abide by it. Unless you have a better Skill.\u201d<\/p>\n Venim smiled politely and triumphantly at Erin. She stared at him.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe I do.\u201d<\/p>\n Without another word, she hurried back into her inn and found a Drake in the crowd. Selys had heard the commotion, of course, and when Erin explained what had happened, the newly-made [Heiress] gladly accompanied her over to Xif. Erin smiled sweetly at the [Alchemist], who coughed politely.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry about that, Miss Solstice. But it is one flower. And I meant what I said; it could save lives. At the very least, it could make a profit. And I\u2019m nothing if not eager for that. In either case, you stand to gain greatly.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin smiled sweetly at Xif.<\/p>\n \u201cI know. And I know you\u2019re being nice, but I don\u2019t like being made to do anything. So\u2026hey, Xif! This is my friend Selys.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake shook Xif\u2019s hand. She peered at Xif and the flower he had chosen that Lyonette was carefully excavating. It did have roots, small ones, but it was a plant.<\/p>\n \u201c[The Avid Collector], huh? That\u2019s a Skill that probably lets you complete your inventory as an [Alchemist]. Neat trick. I can do that too.