\u201cTell me something, Ylawes. You\u2019re a [Knight], right? In that case, don\u2019t you have an order or society or whatever? They\u2019re all over Terandria, but you\u2019ve never talked about one.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dawil twisted on his saddle to address Ylawes. The Dwarf peered at his friend, leader, and junior in years. Ylawes looked up, caught with a mouthful of sandwich.<\/p>\n
He was eating a local delicacy. That was to say, toasted, baguette-like bread packed with all manner of vegetables\u2014succulents, like roasted butternut squash lathered with actual butter, finely chopped green onions, carrots\u2014all of which were generally roasted or fried in fats. This was because at no point had anyone seen fit to add meat to the bagel, instead trusting to the natural goodness of the warming meal.<\/p>\n
It was more like eating a pocket-dinner than your typical sandwich. Dawil watched Ylawes chew and swallow. After a moment, the [Knight] wiped at his mouth; he\u2019d taken off his gauntlets to eat. Then he peered at Dawil.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYour order, lad! Where\u2019s your knighthood order?\u201d<\/p>\n
Ylawes gave Dawil a long and blank look as he fumbled with his water flask. He uncorked it, took a swig, and wiped at his clean shaven jaw.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t have one. It\u2019s not mandatory, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cReally? I thought it was.\u201d<\/p>\n
The [Knight] gave Dawil a pained look. The two were riding horses. Ylawes rode a proud charger, a properly-trained stallion suited to combat. It wasn\u2019t his personal mount; he\u2019d purchased it at the last town they\u2019d been through from one of the ubiquitous stables that crossed Izril. It was a lucky find; some other [Rider] must have been forced to sell their horse, and Ylawes had paid in gold at once to have it.<\/p>\n
Dawil was riding a pony. It was a good pony, suited to long-distance travel. Plus, ponies were good for their endurance, intelligence, and they needed less expensive feed than some horses. Also, they were short, which was good because Dawil, as a Dwarf, was short. Not that<\/em> short; he was still over five feet tall, but it did cut a comical sight, him riding next to the much higher up Ylawes.<\/p>\n The [Knight] frowned down at Dawil. Dawil frowned at Ylawes\u2019 lunch. The [Knight] paused.<\/p>\n \u201cDawil, you\u2019ve known me for, what, six years?\u201d<\/p>\n The Dwarf scratched his beard.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd not once have I ever mentioned my order. Or returned there. And you\u2019ve been to my home. You\u2019ve met my family. And insulted my parents.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat was an accident. It could<\/em> have been a compliment.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAsking if my father was taking a new wife is not\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour mother was pleased.\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cMy point is that not once have I ever mentioned an order.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo doesn\u2019t that answer the question already?\u201d<\/p>\n Dawil gave Ylawes a long look. At last, the Dwarf shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, why<\/em> don\u2019t you have an order?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Knight] sighed. But it was a clear day, the road was long and slightly overgrown, and they were done with their latest mission. Ylawes still had a bit of rust on his armor, and he frowned at it. He took another bite of his sandwich as he absently tried to find a cloth with his other hand.<\/p>\n They\u2019d been fighting Metalbite Slimes. Not good for adventurers wearing armor, but the slimes had been multiplying in an iron ore mine, and the nearby village was desperate to have them gone so their [Miners] could get back to work. And the Silver Swords championed causes like that, even at a cost.<\/p>\n Ylawes was tired from fighting with a quarterstaff\u2014he wasn\u2019t about to risk his sword against Metalbite Slimes, enchanted or not! He rubbed at his armor with the cloth, praying the enchanted metal hadn\u2019t lost too much of either enchantment or metal.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just not necessary, Dawil. I\u2019ll grant you that I could have joined an order, but I never needed to.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat, they let you become a [Knight] just cause you walked up with fancy armor and a shield?\u201d<\/p>\n The Dwarf laughed. He was hunting for his lunch. His pony looked up as he fished a carrot from his saddlebags. The Dwarf stared at the carrot and fed it to the pony. Ylawes shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a [Lord]\u2019s son. I practiced with weapons growing up, I have my own vow to defend people where I can\u2014I fulfilled the spirit of my class. I never needed an order. With that said, I\u2019ve had offers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t doubt it. Knight orders were always recruiting back in Terandria. Send your child to become a [Knight]! If they\u2019re talented. And noble. Or just rich.\u201d<\/p>\n Dawil snorted. He came up with a sandwich loaded with bacon. Ylawes eyed it. The Dwarf saw the look.<\/p>\n \u201cMy sandwich. You can eat your plants.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want it. But did you have to badger the poor village to kill a pig for you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI paid. And they were only happy to do it! We rid their mines of slimes, Ylawes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey had perfectly good sandwiches. This is delicious.\u201d<\/p>\n Dawil shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all vegetables. That\u2019s not a sandwich. That\u2019s bread on a salad. This<\/em> is a sandwich, like those ones Erin used to make. Truegold and sparksilver, I miss that inn! Those hamburgers and steaks whenever I wanted it?\u201d<\/p>\n He sighed longingly and took a huge bite of his sandwich. Ylawes shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll visit again. Maybe if our road takes us towards Celum.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. So you can bother your sister again.\u201d<\/p>\n The armored man frowned at his friend.<\/p>\n \u201cI like to think we did more than that, Dawil. We fought monsters, nearly saw a war\u2014and helped Yvlon and her team.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd ate like [Kings]!\u201d<\/p>\n The Dwarf sighed. He nudged his pony back towards the road.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, about orders\u2026you\u2019ve never thought of joining one?\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes raised his brows.<\/p>\n \u201cShould I? The downsides largely outweigh the benefits to me. There are a few in Izril, but you\u2019d know more, coming from Terandria.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTrue! I guess they do tie you down, mostly. How many\u2019re in Izril worth talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Knights of the Petal, the Order of Clairei Fields, the Durengal\u2014not many.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh. We\u2019ve got like\u2026a hundred.\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes nearly choked on his sandwich. He coughed and took a drink of water.<\/p>\n \u201cThat many?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? It\u2019s a big continent. Why does Izril have so few?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause we don\u2019t live in the era of [Kings] and castles. Izril doesn\u2019t have kingdoms either. Humans may have come to Izril thousands of years ago, but we\u2019re still new<\/em> to the continent. Well, a bit. Besides, we trust to adventurers and the local nobility to keep the peace. In that sense, they\u2019re probably better here than on Terandria.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTrue. That\u2019s why I moved to Izril. Terandria, you have to compete with the Hunter\u2019s Guild and those idiots wearing armor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c[Knights].\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf which I\u2019m one.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what I said. Anyways, you should give it a thought, Ylawes. Some of the orders have benefits.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Knight] paused.<\/p>\n \u201cSuch as?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, have you heard of the Irriven Redbloods?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Why are they called Redbloods? Wouldn\u2019t it be \u2018Bluebloods\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n The Dwarf grinned as he slurped up some bacon.<\/p>\n \u201cNope. Redbloods. It\u2019s because they\u2019re made totally of non-noble applicants. In fact, that\u2019s why they formed. A knighthood that provides arms and armor for their members and holds themselves to the highest standard of excellence. Lots of orders have perks. Ancient weapons, support in battle, even men-at-arms to fight with you. If you were with one of the big orders like the Redbloods, you could sleep some places free, earn items from your order for completing grand deeds\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExcept that I\u2019m not in Terandria, I\u2019m actually noble, and knighthood orders demand loyalty and don\u2019t usually let their members roam around freely.\u201d<\/p>\n Dawil paused.<\/p>\n \u201cTrue. But some let their members go on crusades. I\u2019m just asking! Ever fancy taking a bit of paint to that armor and joining the Rose Knights?\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes kept eating.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. What\u2019s brought this on, Dawil?\u201d<\/p>\n The Dwarf scratched his head. He\u2019d taken his helmet off, and his hair was still a bit damp from the sweat of combat.<\/p>\n \u201cNostalgia, I guess. It\u2019s been a long time since I went home. I was wondering if you\u2019d ever want to visit Terandria.\u201d<\/p>\n The young man blinked, caught off-guard by the suggestion.<\/p>\n \u201cMe?\u201d<\/p>\n The Dwarf nodded complacently.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, we\u2019re a team, aren\u2019t we? I can\u2019t just run off for a few months and leave you with that half-wit. And Terandria\u2019s safer, but there\u2019s always work for Gold-rank teams. We could visit the mountains, maybe buy some new weapons, even visit said half-wit\u2019s home while we\u2019re at it\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes winced and glanced ahead. After a moment, he paused.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d never thought of it. Certainly, it\u2019s an option\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThink on it. I like Izril, but I want to be back on Terandria in the next, oh, five years.\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes smiled faintly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have my word on that. But that\u2019s still a roundabout way of asking me, with knighthood orders as the premise.\u201d<\/p>\n The Dwarf shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I just like talking about them. They\u2019re like nose hairs, you know? Each one different and in a different place.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s disgusting!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, some are interesting! They all do different things, and while some are for one kingdom, a lot are autonomous. [Knights], they have their own culture. They duel each other, get into fights\u2014totally different from Izril! For you, it\u2019s a class, but over there it\u2019s culture.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes finished his sandwich and looked at Dawil.<\/p>\n \u201cReally? I\u2019ve met other [Knights], including some of the Order of the Petal, but as you say, it\u2019s just a class here. What happens in Terandria?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll kinds of things! Some knighthood orders start wars or go on grand quests! Surely you\u2019ve heard about the time the Order of the Thirsting Veil quested for thirty years to retrieve the Scepter of Krakens? Or\u2014how about the Order of Seasons participating in Daquin\u2019s game with the Titan of Baleros?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI heard about that last one. But as I\u2019ve observed, you only hear some stories from other continents. Not even the most impressive ones. What\u2019s this about the\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes and Dawil were chatting animatedly now and, as a consequence, riding a bit faster. Their horse and pony caught up to the rider ahead. The third member of the Silver Swords, who had been listening to their chatter with half a pointed ear, turned her delicate features at last and glared.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWould you two mind?<\/em> I\u2019m on a call right now!\u201d<\/p>\n The two other Gold-rank adventurers slowed and gave Falene abashed looks. Well, Ylawes did. Dawil just rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve been talking for the last half-hour, Falene Pointyears. Why can\u2019t we talk?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBe silent I\u2019m\u2026no, Bashea, I do apologize. My teammates are speaking. Males. And adventurers. Quite ill-mannered. Do forgive me.\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Elf [Battlemage] flicked her fingers at the [Axe Champion] and [Knight]. Ylawes sensed the silence engulf Falene and her horse. He glanced at Dawil. The Dwarf cupped his hands to his mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you could do that before, why didn\u2019t you, half-Elf? I\u2019ll tell you. It\u2019s because you\u2019re nosy!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n His shout startled several grouse nesting ahead of them. It was so loud, in fact, that it must have been audible even through Falene\u2019s weak silence spell. She turned back and glared at him. Dawil settled back happily. Ylawes gave him a look.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you have to bother Falene at every opportunity, Dawil?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. Because she\u2019ll keep her nose so high in the air she\u2019ll end up smacking her head against her horse\u2019s arse if I don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes had to snort and glanced away quickly. Dawil nodded. But then Ylawes turned back.<\/p>\n \u201cStill. She\u2019s on an important call.\u201d<\/p>\n Dawil peered at Ylawes sidelong. After a moment, he reached out and patted Ylawes\u2019 knee.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s nothing my words can do to ruin whatever Falene\u2019s asking about, lad.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t call me lad. You\u2019re thirty. By Dwarf standards, you\u2019re younger than me.\u201d<\/p>\n The Dwarf ignored that.<\/p>\n \u201cThe trouble\u2019s dealt with. Miss Springwalker informed us after they got rid of those Wistram [Mages]. Plus, she\u2019s not the one they\u2019re after. Your sister, I mean. She\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes clenched one fist.<\/p>\n \u201cIt seems like the Horns can\u2019t catch a break. I understand going after Pisces for\u2026his [Necromancy], but attacking an adventuring team in Liscor? That\u2019s criminal! And my sister? If we weren\u2019t so far away\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s Wistram for you. Don\u2019t worry<\/em> about it. Yvlon\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHer arms are still damaged. Ceria didn\u2019t say anything about them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re fine.\u201d<\/p>\n Dawil was a good liar. Ylawes made his horse trot a bit faster, restless. The Dwarf opened his mouth, then closed it.<\/p>\n For a while, the Silver Swords rode in silence. The Human and Dwarf watched Falene speaking in her bubble of silence until at last she finished. They knew she was done because she took a finger from her temple and straightened; beyond that, there was no flicker of visible magic. The sound of Falene\u2019s mare walking abruptly returned to the world as the half-Elf released her spell.<\/p>\n Falene was scowling, a rare open expression of displeasure when she finished speaking with her contact in Wistram. She looked at her companions and shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve just completed my discussion with my fellow [Mages] in Wistram, Ylawes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd? Can you reverse this bounty on Pisces? Or do something about this team stalking the Horns of Hammerad?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Knight] leaned over his saddle. Falene just pursed her lips.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. And, apparently, my influence isn\u2019t even enough to merit a conversation with someone higher-placed in the Revivalist faction, let alone an Archmage!\u201d<\/p>\n Dawil and Ylawes exchanged a glance. The Revivalist name was foreign to them, but they did know the basics about Wistram.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s the issue?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAside from the fact that Wistram was very reticent to give me any details about Ceria and Pisces until now? Oh, simply a blanket ban<\/em> on any information regarding this Wistram team! Bashea\u2014my friend\u2014assured me that they were acting in Wistram\u2019s best interests, but she wouldn\u2019t tell me why Wistram had sent five<\/em> full [Mages] all the way to Liscor! In fact, she kept hinting that I should return to the academy to learn more!\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Elf, always dignified, or at least invested in keeping up that bit of half-Elven myth, flicked her hands angrily. If it was Ceria, she would have spat or cursed. Dawil raised his brows.<\/p>\n \u201cThis Bashea doesn\u2019t trust your spell, Falene?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe should! It\u2019s our personal [Message] variant. She and I studied together! We were roommates! She\u2019d tell me anything<\/em>\u2014but something has her silent. I asked about recent events in Wistram and she kept telling me to come back. Something\u2019s happened in Wistram.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoes it involve my sister and her team?\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes was worried. Falene sighed, turning to him.<\/p>\n \u201cI doubt it, Ylawes. But it frustrates me. Perhaps I should go back. Six years is a short time for so much to change in the academy, but\u2026well, perhaps it would be a worthwhile trip. If you plan on going to Terandria, that is.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAha! I knew you were listening in!\u201d<\/p>\n Falene flicked her fingers and shot a bit of colored smoke into Dawil\u2019s face. He swore and waved it away. Ylawes watched his two friends.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe. But it\u2019s my sister I\u2019m worried about, Falene. Ceria contacted you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. By Mage\u2019s Guild, so I cannot even send her a [Message] back directly. She really must learn that spell. But then, she is only a third-year student. Something else Wistram did not tell me the first time!\u201d<\/p>\n Falene gritted her teeth. Then she sighed again.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m afraid I cannot help you, Ylawes. Or her. The faction backing Montressa du Valeross\u2019 team is the Revivalists, and they\u2019re at odds with my faction, the Centrists. I put in a few strongly-worded remarks, but I\u2019m afraid that won\u2019t change anything.\u201d<\/p>\n She seemed frustrated, and not even Dawil made a crack this time. Ylawes clenched his jaw, helpless. Falene paused. And a slight smile played over her lips. Dawil frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf it\u2019s any consolation, I might have been unable to help, but apparently there is someone in Wistram who took objection to the treatment of Ceria and Pisces. Amusingly\u2014it had little to do with them being hunted and all with the terminology of the bounty on Pisces.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes tried to recall the bounty Yvlon had recited. It had certainly cast Pisces in a bad light, but he couldn\u2019t think what had upset this [Mage] in Wistram. Falene tapped her lips, smiling.<\/p>\n \u201cHave I ever mentioned the\u2026keeper of Wistram? You know that we employ Golems for many menial tasks.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure. You kept mentioning how one of them would be better than me.\u201d<\/p>\n Dawil grunted. Falene nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, the leader of these Golems is\u2026sentient. And disturbing as she may be, she is invaluable to Wistram. A very troubling figure, but one even the Archmages must treat against. Her name is Cognita.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA Golem has a name? And it thinks?\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes had heard of that, vaguely. Falene nodded. She hesitated, then smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cThe nuance is hard to grasp as I was not there for the incident, but I gather that while Pisces Jealnet and Ceria Springwalker were exiled, Cognita granted them the authority to call themselves graduates. However, the bounty on the two claims both are not, as did Wistram\u2019s team.\u201d<\/p>\n Dawil and Ylawes gazed blankly at Falene. Neither one understood the half-Elf\u2019s amusement.<\/p>\n \u201cSo?\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Elf glanced from face to face and sighed at her companions.<\/p>\n \u201cSo. She apparently objected to the inaccuracy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo? Aren\u2019t the Revivalists led by an Archmage? One of the lizards, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cArchmage Nailihuaile. Yes. And I understand Cognita objected to her.<\/em> Personally.\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes began to catch onto Falene\u2019s smile. He peered at the half-Elf.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat, exactly, did this Golem\u2014this Cognita\u2019s objection entail?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Aaron Vanwell, known to some as Blackmage, guest of Wistram Academy\u2014first guest, that was, since other Earthers had been found and returned to the academy\u2014was working on a new construction. A battery fueled by both magic and the science of his world.<\/p>\n Magitech. He was using crystals formed of magicore exposed to almost pure mana, worth a fortune, while trying to combine it with the principles of a lead-acid battery, which he\u2019d engineered with some of the other Earthers\u2019 help. The breakthrough was one that surpassed both individual technologies.<\/p>\n With the ingenious magic of Wistram\u2019s [Mages] and the superior\u2014vastly superior\u2014energy-hoarding qualities of materials from this world, they\u2019d combined it with the technology of batteries, the understanding of electrical polarity to create something that could charge lightning spells.<\/p>\n They\u2019d created an artifact, in fact. Something so powerful even the Archmage who\u2019d helped Aaron make the orb, the Lamia Archmage Nailihuaile, had been impressed. Even given the expensive costs of making so many prototypes!<\/p>\n And that wasn\u2019t all. With more people from Earth, Aaron\u2019s world had opened up. He was no longer a single captive, but one of many. He was working on a plan. An idea to combine more Earth-technology with this world\u2019s resources. He carefully, carefully began to insert the new battery he\u2019d made\u2014miniaturized from the orb that Montressa had taken for field testing\u2014into the armored glove painted red and gold, of course\u2014<\/p>\n The door slammed open. Aaron jumped,<\/em> and the battery went flying. Archmage Nailihuaile, also known as Naili, caught the sealed battery in the air with a wave of her staff. Then she looked at Aaron.<\/p>\n \u201cHey! I\u2019m gonna borrow your bed, alright?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? Archmage Naili? Is everything ok\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Aaron blinked as the Lamia, her scales translucent in places, glowing with accumulated magic, slithered over to his bed. In one hand, she carried the Serkonian Lance, treasure of the Lizardfolk, which could create a magical field where she could effortlessly link spells, change the very nature of mana in the air, and also fire devastating lances of magic, hence the name. He\u2019d also seen her use it as a backscratcher.<\/p>\n Now Naili tossed the staff under the bed and bent over, wriggling under Aaron\u2019s bed. He stared at her tail.<\/p>\n \u201cUm, Naili\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not here! Shh! If she knocks, I\u2019m not here!\u201d<\/p>\n The Lamia waved frantically at Aaron. Bemused, Aaron tried not to laugh. The Lamia Archmage was by far the most relaxed of the four Archmages in Wistram. Feor and Viltach were older and far more\u2026stately. Naili, by contrast, was lighthearted, joking that just because she\u2019d grown older and become an Archmage, it didn\u2019t mean she had to be stuck-up and crotchety. It made her popular. By contrast, the fourth Archmage, Amerys\u2014<\/p>\n Someone knocked hard<\/em> on the door. Aaron jumped and saw the bed jump. He looked at the door and heard a voice.<\/p>\n Deep, smooth. Without hesitation or flaw, like the owner.<\/p>\n \u201cArchmage Nailihuaile. I would speak to you. Aaron Vanwell, will you open the door please?\u201d<\/p>\n Cognita.<\/em> Aaron glanced at his bed. He hesitated. The Truestone Golem, warden or perhaps caretaker of Wistram, one of the most powerful constructs ever built, was standing outside his door. He was fascinated by her. And a little frightened.<\/p>\n He knew what the final test of Zelkyr was. And he had beheld the four guardian Golems, of which Cognita was fifth and most deadly. Even so, he raised his voice.<\/p>\n \u201cUm\u2026she\u2019s not here, Cognita\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAaron Vanwell. Open this door.\u201d<\/p>\n The young man paused. He slowly got up. From under the bed, Naili shouted.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m busy, Cognita! I told you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis matter will not wait. Open the door, Aaron Vanwell. I would dislike damaging it.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Mage]\/[Engineer] hesitated. Naili shouted.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m really<\/em> busy! I\u2019m, uh, having sex!\u201d<\/p>\n Aaron stared at the bed. There was silence from outside. And then Cognita punched a hole through the door.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t like a movie, where the door would explode outwards. Cognita hit the door so fast and hard her fist went through<\/em> the wood, sending only a small pocket of wood flying across the room. Aaron jumped\u2014and Cognita\u2019s arm twisted. It gently unlocked the door and pulled it open.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t even lock the door!\u201d<\/p>\n Aaron protested. Cognita slowly moved the door open.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was enchanted to stay closed unless the lock was turned, Aaron Vanwell. It will be replaced. Please step aside.\u201d<\/p>\n She walked into the room. Aaron did exactly what Cognita said; she had a way with words. Or perhaps it was simply her presence.<\/p>\n To behold Cognita was to see art come to life. Eight feet tall, carved of pure white stone, finer than even marble, Cognita looked like the height of perfection, a statue of a woman made beautiful beyond belief. And yet, she had a quality that went beyond even statues, for she was alive<\/em>. The folds of her dress and the sculpted stone of her body moved like flesh and cloth.<\/p>\n She was perfection, made by an [Archmage] thought dead to the world. Archmage Zelkyr, who had ordered her to protect Wistram and test every [Mage] who might ascend to the higher floors where he had once gone and never come back from. Cognita had held Wistram thusly for over a century. She was beautiful.<\/p>\n And terrifying. Especially to the [Mages] who knew her test that no one had ever undertaken and lived. She walked towards Aaron\u2019s bed without hesitation.<\/p>\n \u201cArchmage Nailihuaile. We must speak. Now.\u201d<\/p>\n Reluctantly, a scaled hand poked out of the bed. Aaron saw Naili drag herself out, grumbling. She slithered upright, staff in hand, and studied Cognita warily.<\/p>\n \u201cI was busy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis will not wait. As I stated when you fled\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI had to go to the bathroom?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014when you fled, Pisces and Ceria Springwalker are graduates of Wistram. [Mages] of Wistram. To claim otherwise goes against the authority placed in me. I gave them that right.\u201d<\/p>\n Naili twisted her staff in her hands. She glanced at Aaron, and he knew he should leave. He backed towards the door, but slowly. He wanted to watch. Secrets were currency in Wistram, and this was probably big.<\/p>\n \u201cMontressa and her team made a mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHer team attacked the two [Mages] on the pretext that they were not [Mages] of Wistram. That is an error, as is the bounty placed on Pisces. It must be rectified.\u201d<\/p>\n The Lamia seemed restless, glancing towards the door and curling up her long, serpentine lower half.<\/p>\n \u201cReally? But that\u2019s so much work. You know, we\u2019d have to send a correction, make a tiny<\/em> update, and after Tiqr, that\u2019s really not\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cArchmage Nailihuaile. That was not a request.\u201d<\/p>\n Aaron froze. Cognita\u2019s voice was almost always perfectly level, without the variance in tone that came to people with lungs or mortality. But the calm threat that appeared in her tone was anything but soothing.<\/p>\n He saw Naili peer up. Aaron expected the Archmage to\u2026well, he didn\u2019t know. Protest or deflect. But he saw Naili\u2019s expression change as Cognita loomed over her. The Lamia\u2019s carefree smile vanished, and she stood a bit taller, though she was far shorter than Cognita.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was an accident, Cognita. Do you want me to pull Montressa\u2019s team as well?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTheir pretense is false.\u201d<\/p>\n The Star Lamia shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cOnly the part about them not being Wistram\u2019s [Mages]. They were expelled, after all. And Pisces committed a serious crime.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs Wistram now accustomed to changing sentences passed?\u201d<\/p>\n Cognita\u2019s voice was ominous. Naili bared her teeth.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. But Pisces Jealnet committed more<\/em> crimes since leaving Wistram. Which gives us every right to apprehend him.\u201d<\/p>\n The Truestone Golem gazed down at Naili, and Aaron swore he saw Cognita raise an eyebrow a fraction. She did not seem pleased, but her tone was neutral again.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is your reasoning. Which you are entitled to, Archmage. However, Mage Pisces and Mage Ceria are graduates of Wistram. So I have named them. I would request that detail be changed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou want me to make a correction and send it to every Mage\u2019s Guild in Izril? Over something so trivial?\u201d<\/p>\n Cognita nodded once.<\/p>\n \u201cWistram\u2019s Archmages are within their rights to act how they please in almost any situation. This is not one of them. I am a servant of the academy. And its keeper.\u201d<\/p>\n Archmage Nailihuaile paused. She gazed up at Cognita for a long moment. Aaron had seen Naili annoyed, laughing\u2014petty and childish too. But in this moment, she reminded him of Feor, whose faction Aaron had managed to evade. They had custody of some of the Earthers. It wasn\u2019t that Aaron couldn\u2019t talk with them, but it was\u2026complicated.<\/p>\n Naili\u2019s voice grew softer. She slowly tightened her grip on her staff.<\/p>\n \u201cOut of curiosity, what would happen if I refused to honor your request?\u201d<\/p>\n Aaron saw her eyes narrow. The serpentine pupils contracted, and Naili\u2019s posture sunk, as if she was coiling up to strike. Not like a Drake with fury and rage from their distant ancestors. This was cold and calculating. Dangerous.<\/em><\/p>\n Cognita stared down at Naili. She did not react, but her tone grew a touch deeper.<\/p>\n \u201cI would be forced to insist. If you wish to voice your objections, Archmage, please do so.\u201d<\/p>\n For a second, the air in the room pressurized. Aaron, sensitive to magic, felt a wave<\/em> coming off Naili that turned his knees to jelly. For a moment, the Archmage didn\u2019t look playful or afraid at all. She looked up at Cognita, and the Truestone Golem stared back. Waiting.<\/p>\n Then\u2014Naili threw up her arms, laughing.<\/p>\n \u201cKidding!\u201d<\/p>\n The magical presence vanished. Aaron stared as she slithered past Cognita, sighing.<\/p>\n \u201cSo scary! Jeeze, if I have to do it, I have to do it. Alright, fine. Feor\u2019s going to be so mad at me. Viltach too\u2026but I guess we all know who\u2019s really in charge of Wistram, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n She glanced over her shoulder at Cognita. The Truestone Golem ignored the jibe. She walked after Naili.<\/p>\n \u201cThe [Mages] of Wistram control the academy\u2019s will, Archmage Nailihuaile. I am simply the academy\u2019s protector and test. I object to one issue. The right of Wistram to imprison its own [Mages] is their prerogative. I only ask for consistency in Wistram\u2019s rulings. And acknowledgement of truth.\u201d<\/p>\n Aaron heard a light laugh from Naili as she waved her staff at his door. The wood flew back into place, resealing the door. She turned to Cognita with a big smile.<\/p>\n \u201cYou say that, Cognita, but sometimes I wonder if you don\u2019t have those fingers on the scales. All our scales. Admit it, don\u2019t you change what happens sometimes? Why are you working so hard for Pisces? Aren\u2019t you a teensy<\/em> bit biased?\u201d<\/p>\n This time, Aaron saw Cognita react. The barb must have landed or something else displeased the Golem. Because Cognita\u2019s marble eyes narrowed just a fraction.<\/p>\n \u201cI would appreciate my neutrality remaining unquestioned, Archmage Nailihuaile. That the Golems of Wistram take no sides beyond the covenant we have been given by our creator is to all factions\u2019 advantage. Insinuations to the contrary are troubling.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh yeah? But how could you prove that I\u2019m wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n Cognita peered down at Naili. After a moment, she spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I truly wished to change Wistram as I pleased, I would listen to Archmage Amerys\u2019 requests to free her. I respect the will of the academy. Archmage, please do not test my respect.\u201d<\/p>\n Naili froze. She glanced back up at Cognita. Then she silently opened the door and slithered out. Aaron let out a huge breath as he watched Naili go. Cognita turned and nodded to him.<\/p>\n \u201cAaron Vanwell. I apologize for the disruption.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUh\u2014no problem, Cognita.\u201d<\/p>\n The young man watched Cognita go. Breathless, he stared at her back. Then, slowly, he glanced down at the unfinished gauntlet on the table and the battery. He hesitated.<\/p>\n There were four Archmages in Wistram at this moment. Not three. Aaron knew it because he was in Naili\u2019s personal circle in a sense. A guest in another, but privy to knowledge. He understood the significance of this knowledge, even if what he understood was how much he didn\u2019t understand. But he knew Archmage Amerys was present.<\/p>\n He\u2019d met her just once. And she was no Cognita, no ageless Golem who guarded the secrets of magic with death as the consequence of failure. She was just a Human woman. But he had met her.<\/p>\n She scared him greatly. He wondered if a magictech gauntlet, the technology he was developing, would work in the cell where she was being kept. It was just a thought. But Blackmage, Aaron Vanwell, knew he was a prisoner.<\/p>\n Him and all the others. There were eighteen so far. And nine more found and on the way. They were prisoners. Or guests. Well-treated. But he hadn\u2019t been allowed to leave the island. In truth, he wasn\u2019t sure if Naili and her faction were friends. Or if he agreed with everything Wistram was doing; he and the other Earthers were guests. There had been talk of letting them try to be adventurers or visit other places\u2014with supervision.<\/p>\n He wondered about the King of Destruction. And whether lightning worked on Cognita. Naili said it didn\u2019t. But she was also asking him to build a lot more than a lightning orb. A projector, for one, so everyone could watch movies. She was addicted to the movies on the Earthers\u2019 devices. But she also wanted more. So did Feor, Viltach\u2014all the factions that had \u2018claimed\u2019 an Earther.<\/p>\n What was one person to do amid it all? Wait. Learn. And listen. Slowly, Aaron bent over the glove and inserted the battery. He stared at it. And for a moment, all the thoughts that weighed on him vanished. The glove was ready. Contained in one palm was harnessed lightning. Enough to fuel at least one or two spells.<\/p>\n Aaron stared at the bright metal. The power emanating from the magical battery. Then he put it on. He flexed the glove, lifted it up, and lightning crackled, arcing through the air where he\u2019d created a magical path for it to follow. He took a deep breath. Intrigue, danger. But this world was still so cool.<\/em> He gazed around, but no one was there.<\/p>\n And you had to say it once.<\/p>\n \u201cI am Iron M\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The actions in one location rippled to the next. In a way few could ever understand, small actions in one place could affect grand narratives in others. Sometimes, a grain of sand could change the course of history.<\/p>\n Other times, it couldn\u2019t. It was just a grain of sand. Actually, in most cases, grains of sand didn\u2019t affect much, unless they flew into the eye of conquerors at just the right moment to make them blink and fail to parry a blow or stumble off the edge of a cliff. You couldn\u2019t tell. That was the point. Who knew what grand schemes or petty conflicts would change everything? That was the Butterfly Effect, the terrible truth of causality and the whims of fate.<\/p>\n While running, Ryoka ate a bug. It had nothing to do with anything except that she\u2019d been asking the wind to blow in her face to cool her down and it had included a bug.<\/p>\n It was a bad bug, though. Ryoka knew the moment it hit her throat that it was alive<\/em>, big, and wanted out<\/em>. She paused, gagging, and felt it squirming, fluttering its wings as the moisture in her throat caught it. It scratched at her as she clawed at her mouth and then her waist for water.<\/p>\n By her side, Ryoka\u2019s companion looked at her, worried, as the City Runner danced about, half-screaming. The first mouthful of water nearly washed the bug further<\/em> down Ryoka\u2019s throat and only pissed it off. Ryoka spat, gagging. And swallowed it.<\/p>\n \u201cOh god.\u201d<\/p>\n She clutched her stomach. But it was too late. The bug went down, and it went down hard. <\/em>Ryoka debated putting her finger down her throat and making it come back up, but she decided to drink the bug down.<\/p>\n It felt like it fought the entire way to her stomach. Ryoka gulped and gulped as her travel buddy watched her worriedly. At last, Ryoka exhaled and spat<\/em> so the awful taste came out of her mouth. It came out with a wing. Ryoka stared at it. Her friend licked her lips and opened her mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t say a word.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka glared at her companion. She got no response, which relieved her. She began running again. After a moment, her companion followed.<\/p>\n \u201cDamn bugs.\u201d<\/p>\n That was the most eventful thing that had happened today. Ryoka\u2019s pace slowed as she reached a town, or maybe a city, in the distance. She\u2019d come far. And been running for days. She peered ahead and pointed to the gates.<\/p>\n \u201cLooks like this might be a good place for the night. What do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n Her running partner regarded the town. Ryoka waited for a response.<\/p>\n \u201cFine. I guess it\u2019s good enough.\u201d<\/p>\n She ran towards the gates. Silently, her companion followed. It was an amiable silence, though, and Ryoka had gotten used to it.<\/p>\n It had been a week since Riverfarm. Since Belavierr. Since\u2026everything. Ryoka Griffin still felt like she\u2019d walked out of a fairytale. And why not?<\/p>\n A week ago, she\u2019d met [Witches]. She\u2019d seen a monster. Or perhaps the most Human woman she\u2019d ever met. She\u2019d seen tragedy, met an old friend. Outrun fire.<\/p>\n And made some friends. Given that she\u2019d nearly died several times, been burned terribly, and also added to her list of regrets that would haunt her until her death, Ryoka considered it was a pretty fair trade.<\/p>\n Friends were nice. And perhaps one ran with her now. Ryoka wasn\u2019t decided. It wasn\u2019t that she was biased<\/em> about other species, but\u2026well\u2026some people could be annoying.<\/p>\n The first inn Ryoka came to was called Salubrious Sleephome.<\/em> Tickled by either the word or the terrible name, Ryoka went in. To her surprise, she found it was a nice inn, and the [Innkeeper] was on the floor with his staff, who actually had a decent crowd.<\/p>\n Travellers, mainly. The town she\u2019d come to lay to the north of Invrisil and a bit west\u2014it was a good trading route for some trips and so adventurers, [Traders], and so on were stopping here for the night. The [Innkeeper] was a tall man who greeted the runner girl and her friend warily.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Runner! I\u2019m delighted to have a City Runner as a guest. But your friend\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019ll mind her manners. I can tie her up if you want.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka kept a straight face as her companion expressed pure disdain for the idea. The [Innkeeper] hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I think it\u2019ll be fine. If she behaves herself. You two want to eat together? And a room for the night, or are you still running?\u201d<\/p>\n The young Asian woman grimaced.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m done for the day. And I\u2019ll take one room; we\u2019ll share it. What\u2019s on the menu, can I ask? And, uh\u2014can I also ask about the name of this inn? The \u2018Salubrious Sleephome\u2019? I haven\u2019t seen someone use the word \u2018salubrious\u2019\u2026ever.\u201d<\/p>\n The man beamed at her.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know the meaning? Pride and fortune, I thought I\u2019d never meet anyone who was so well-read!\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka ducked her head. She would have deflected or maybe not even engaged a few months ago, but now she smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cI like books.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs do I. I\u2019m actually something of a [Reader]. Between you and me, it\u2019s my passion.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally? There\u2019s a [Reader] class?\u201d<\/p>\n The man winked at her, and suddenly, they were friends. He escorted Ryoka and her friend to a table near a roaring fire; she was glad of it, despite the heat.<\/p>\n \u201cOnly naturally! [Writers] can\u2019t exist without [Readers]. And before you ask, yes, there are benefits to the class! Mainly centered around reading, but the knowledge of books can be surprisingly powerful! I have one Skill that allows me to translate things I\u2019ve read into semi-competent actions!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? You have to be kidding!\u201d<\/p>\n The man\u2019s eyes danced.<\/p>\n \u201cI became an [Innkeeper] after reading a book on cooking. Thirty-one, actually! I can\u2019t copy the techniques perfectly, but I can create\u2026oh, a quarter\u2019s worth of the actual thing? And with practice, that\u2019s enough to allow me to cook a great deal! And that\u2019s not all! Fencing, magic\u2014it\u2019s all more accessible thanks to my class! But I will own, it\u2019s not as useful<\/em> a class as, say, a pure [Warrior] or [Mage]. But I can live in the pages. They come to life! Have you ever wanted to stand on a battlefield?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka paused.<\/p>\n \u201cI did once. But I\u2019ve seen the real thing, and I can\u2019t say I want to now.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Innkeeper], who was named Quin, paused for a moment and grew serious.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, that is true. But a battlefield in stories is different. Incredible to behold! Or\u2014sometimes\u2014a terrible mess. Confused and as impressive as watching children flailing around with sticks. It all depends on the quality of the [Writer], you see. Good writers make the story come to life. Bad ones\u2026but look at me drone on! If you\u2019d like to take a book, I offer them to my guests so long as you treat them with respect.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka smiled at Quin. He nodded and opened his mouth to continue. But at that moment, Ryoka\u2019s companion whined loudly. Runner and [Innkeeper] looked down.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry about my friend. Shush, you!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, no. I\u2019m being a poor host. Miss\u2026Ryoka, was it? My kitchen is open to you! And I have a large menu! I may be a poorer [Cook], but I can make any dish I\u2019ve read about, and I\u2019ve taught my [Cook] all the good recipes. Will you have a menu?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will. Oh\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka blinked at the vast menu and the carefully hand-written words. She noted only some of the guests were bothering with the menu; reading might be somewhat universal to an extent, but few took to it like Quin. She eyed the page and pointed.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s the Eldishfish and glossberry sauce taste like?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cServed with some potatoes and a bit of whatever greens we have on hand this time of year. Eldishfish is rather tough, but flavorful<\/em>. Glossberries? Vibrant, tart\u2014decently sweet. A good combination.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll have that then.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd your companion, Miss Runner?\u201d<\/p>\n Quin might have been the [Innkeeper], but he had a [Cook] and a staff, although he was waiting on Ryoka himself.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s fine. Just give her water and food. Some dried meat? Don\u2019t be worried about her biting.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka glanced down at her companion. Said companion looked up at her and whoofed<\/em>. Quin nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cOne moment! I simply must come back and talk to you about books!\u201d<\/p>\n He bustled off, and Ryoka stared down at her companion. It was not Charlay. Although her friend did have four legs. And a tail. And she was as fast as Charlay, probably. But Ryoka had to admit, there were some differences. For one, Charlay was a Centaur. And her travel buddy was\u2026<\/p>\n A dog. She was panting and sitting up. Well-trained too; despite the smells in the air, she only sniffed a few times. The wary [Servers] and other guests eyed her, but they were reassured when the dog made no move towards them after a few minutes.<\/p>\n Which was good too, because the dog was huge<\/em>. Ryoka had seen big dogs before, the ones that looked like they hadn\u2019t forgotten their wolf ancestors. This dog was a match for any one of them. Her tail thwapping <\/em>the floor and her happy panting on Ryoka\u2019s leg made the runner girl smile despite herself.<\/p>\n \u201cStop drooling. I\u2019ll feed you. Do you need to go to the bathroom? Toilet? Hm, Mousey?\u201d<\/p>\n Mousey the dog looked up at her. Ryoka realized the [Server] bringing a bowl of water and cup was staring and sat upright, blushing hard. She\u2019d grown used to talking to Mousey on the road.<\/p>\n How Ryoka Griffin had come to be running with a dog was a long story. Or a short one. It wasn\u2019t that<\/em> long, but context dictated that anyone Ryoka Griffin told the story to was also told about her hatred for dogs.<\/p>\n Well, not hatred<\/em>. She didn\u2019t want them killed, but she didn\u2019t like dogs. Dogs were fast. They bit. And she had used to hate any owner who kept their dog off a leash like anyone who ever ran, let alone ran barefoot,<\/em> did. Dogs could be dangerous.<\/p>\n Ryoka didn\u2019t like dogs. She\u2019d never wanted one. Cats, now cats Ryoka liked. She\u2019d had cats. But, well\u2026<\/p>\n In the days since leaving Riverfarm, Ryoka had run back. Back towards Reizmelt. Away from Laken and the [Witches]. She had seen Belavierr for who she was. She had talked to Laken, gotten some assurances about the Goblin prisoners. She would return, if only to see what he continued to do, but in truth, she couldn\u2019t stay.<\/p>\n She had spent too long in Riverfarm, in a world that wasn\u2019t hers. She didn\u2019t belong there. She liked parts of Riverfarm. She liked Wiskeria, Durene, and the [Witches]. Her heart still ached for Nanette. The young [Witch] had said nothing to Ryoka when the girl left. She sat, staring at nothing. And the Goblins\u2014<\/p>\n But Ryoka didn\u2019t know if they knew Erin\u2019s name. She did not know them. And\u2014she had agreed with Laken. Wrong though it was, if they fled, they would die. She would let the [Emperor] try his plan. As for the rest?<\/p>\n She was simply tired. Laken\u2019s world was filled with dangers worthy of an [Emperor]. He had a [Lord]\u2014Yitton Byres\u2014as a travelling buddy! It wasn\u2019t the world for a City Runner. Ryoka had left.<\/p>\n \u201cI forgot to talk to Lord Byres. Well, what would I say? I punched your daughter once, and she nearly died in Liscor because\u2026he knows she\u2019s alright. I think.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka remarked to Mousey. The dog licked her leg. Ryoka yelped<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cStop that, you!\u201d<\/p>\n She tried not to smile. She didn\u2019t like Mousey. But the dog had been with her nearly a week. Ryoka had thought it would be such a trial, but the two year-old dog had been a perfect companion. Far better than a Centaur. But Ryoka already missed Charlay.<\/p>\n Charlay had bid Ryoka farewell days earlier. The Centauress had to go too; she\u2019d stayed with Ryoka through fire and fury, but now she was restless.<\/p>\n \u201cPlus, I\u2019m faster than you. I could take Mousey, but Ryoka\u2019s too slow. Isn\u2019t she? Yes she is!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStop talking to me like that. And if you pet my head, I\u2019ll bite you.\u201d<\/p>\n The Centauress laughed. She trotted down the crossroads, pointing ahead and circling. She regarded Ryoka with a smile, cocksure and impetuous. Not arrogant so much.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve gotta go, Ryoka. My city misses me! Who\u2019ll be the top runner without me? Besides, it was fun, but I need a break! You attract trouble. I\u2019ll go do some regular deliveries and find you again in a bit. Or we\u2019ll see each other on the road! Count on it, Pukey!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, Dusty.\u201d<\/p>\n The Centauress glared at Ryoka and flipped her off. The young woman waved a dismissive hand. Charlay trotted away. Then she galloped back and gave Ryoka a hug.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll see you soon. You were pretty brave.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou too. I\u2019ll look for you on the road.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite herself, Ryoka felt her eyes sting. Which was silly. But Charlay was\u2026it was so odd, but Ryoka remembered to hug back. The Centauress sniffed<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cYou jerk! You have to cry too! It\u2019s what friends do!\u201d<\/p>\n Friends.<\/em> The word made Ryoka smile. Strange, but true. She glanced up as the [Server] hurried out.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got some meat scraps here. Mostly gristle, but we have a few bones. Chicken bones, mainly\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRaw? I can\u2019t give her cooked bones. They\u2019ll splinter.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka had been told that along with a lot of other information for the trip. The [Server] nodded confirmation, and Ryoka gestured at the table.<\/p>\n \u201cSure, put it there. She\u2019ll eat them. Thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Server] nervously put the bowl on the table, and Ryoka put it on the floor. Mousey stood up, practically drooling over the bowl, but she looked to Ryoka first. The young woman gave her a nod.<\/p>\n \u201cEat, Mousey. Kalde.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The dog dug her face into the bowl and began devouring the food. Quin came out as the [Server] exclaimed.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s so big.<\/em> Where did you get her?\u201d<\/p>\n Quin gave Ryoka a knowing look.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s from Radivaek kennels, isn\u2019t she? There\u2019s no finer place for dogs on the continent. But she\u2019s a mighty specimen even so. Was that a special command you gave her?\u201d<\/p>\n The City Runner nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cHer name\u2019s Mousey. That\u2019s a signal that means she\u2019s allowed to eat. She won\u2019t eat without.\u201d<\/p>\n Mousey perked up her ears and licked her chops as she stared up. She looked at Ryoka, Quin, and the entranced [Server] and went back down to her bowl. Her tail thumpthumpthumped<\/em> the ground.<\/p>\n \u201cCan I touch her?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cScratch her belly.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka smiled as the [Server] bent. Quin made a sound\u2014clearly thinking of hygiene or his customers\u2014but the [Server] was already scratching, and Mousey tried to roll over and eat at the same time. She panted, and Ryoka tried not to smile.<\/p>\n Ryoka didn\u2019t like dogs. But she\u2019d found a small place in her heart for her companion. Especially after she\u2019d seen Lord Gralton and the Radivaek lands the Oldblood Drakes had attacked.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Lord Gralton Radivaek had been called more beast than man. Wild, savage, a barbarian compared to many [Lords]. And that he was a [Dog Lord] only added to his image of some neanderthal of a man, rabid, unpredictable. That was what Ryoka had heard of him.<\/p>\n But it was unfair. Rumor had twisted fact and exaggerated truth. For when Ryoka Griffin visited Gralton\u2019s lands after three days of travelling north from Riverfarm with Charlay, she found him in his kennels.<\/p>\n He was kneeling, his head bowed, as he tended to his dogs. She saw his bare shoulders, the rougher, stained clothing. She could smell<\/em> him as she paused in the kennels and the [Servants] announced her. Charlay was staying away; she\u2019d borne Eloise here when the [Witches] had flown to Gralton\u2019s aide. She didn\u2019t want to return.<\/p>\n She said it was too sad.<\/p>\n Lord Gralton raised his head as he held a dog, a puppy barely a few months old. It was wheezing, coughing as he fed it. Goat\u2019s milk, letting it lap up the liquid a bit at a time and cough.<\/p>\n The [Dog Lord]\u2019s eyes were red. He had been weeping. His voice was rough as he stared at Ryoka.<\/p>\n \u201cYou? What do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHis Majesty sends his regards.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka stopped, hesitating. She bowed slightly. She had not bowed to Bethal. Or Magnolia. But it wasn\u2019t Gralton who demanded it. It was the silent dogs. The half-empty kennels.<\/p>\n Lord Radivaek\u2019s grief.<\/p>\n Riverfarm had been ravaged by fire. Though the village itself had been spared, the Oldblood Drakes who had infiltrated the area had sown discord, pitted the [Witches] against [Knights] from Terandria, and let loose a firestorm that had destroyed villages, farms, and so much more. It would be years before the area began to recover, but perhaps with Laken it might recover sooner. But those Drakes had been but a few of many.<\/p>\n They had targeted the nobility\u2019s lands. And while Ryoka and Riverfarm had thwarted the Drake attacking their lands, other areas had not been so lucky. A Drake had come to Lord Gralton\u2019s lands while he had been absent. But it had not spread fire. Instead, the weapon had been plague.<\/p>\n And poison.<\/p>\n The puppy wheezed again as Lord Gralton stood. He was a big man, and Ryoka saw a bit of that wildness in his eyes. Fury too; no wonder the [Servants] had announced her and fled. But mostly grief. He stared at her.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re that City Runner that Laken said he could trust. Griffin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka Griffin, Lord Gralton. That\u2019s right. Laken sends his regards. Riverfarm is secure. They have the Drake\u2019s body. He\u2014asks if you need assistance.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. The [Witches] already left. Said there was nothing <\/em>more they could do. You\u2014you\u2019re not much for someone an [Emperor] trusts. What do you want? Just coming to deliver a message? If so, get\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Gralton growled, but the puppy in his arms coughed again. Ryoka heard it, deep, wheezing. She saw Gralton lower his head. Instantly, his growing anger changed.<\/p>\n \u201cDoes it hurt? Here. More milk?\u201d<\/p>\n He cradled the puppy, offering it more to drink. The puppy whined, a soft sound. Gralton bent his head. Ryoka looked at him as the little dog buried its head into the crook of his arm. Coughing. He rocked it until it began to breathe slower. Sleeping. Only then did Gralton look up, and his fury was extinguished. Wordlessly, he walked over to a little bed and laid the puppy there.<\/p>\n The kennels were like no animal rescue or even shelter Ryoka had ever met. No rows of cages, obviously, but Gralton had built a paradise for dogs. Some sections were neatly divided to allow breeds to be cordoned off or allow aggressive or troubled dogs space, but there was also space for dogs to run, toys like leather balls, beds, brushes of all kinds for fur, even an area for training equipped with well-worn, padded armguards and dummies made of straw to be attacked.<\/p>\n The kennel was massive, and it could have housed hundreds of dogs without even crowding them. It had a massive staff too, trained to handle the canines from raising them to caring for their medical needs and teaching them, whether as shepherds, companions, or for battle.<\/p>\n But while Ryoka was certain the kennel was usually full of life and probably barking dogs playing or running about, it was deathly silent here. Only a few attendants were present, tending to quiet dogs. And the animals were silent, huddled together.<\/p>\n Death had swept through this place. Gralton turned to Ryoka, wiping roughly at his eyes. Ryoka looked at the puppy, still laboring to breathe.<\/p>\n \u201cPoison?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat damned Drake. It got the wells. It got the water\u2014put poison in the air\u2014no one noticed. Damn idiots!<\/em> The dogs knew. But the Drake must\u2019ve flown about. Lost the scent. I got it after Laken told me it was there. But it was too late. Lots of people died. But the dogs. They had no part in this! Those bastard Drakes. I\u2019ll kill them. All of them!\u201d<\/p>\n Gralton\u2019s hands clenched and unclenched. He would have roared, but the dogs in the kennel were watching their master. A few came up, and Ryoka uneasily backed away. Gralton gave her a sharp look, noting her unease. Then he bent, smiling, and scratched a dog who came up panting.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t like dogs.\u201d<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t a question. Ryoka shuffled her bare feet.<\/p>\n \u201cI have a history with them. Some have tried to bite me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s because they\u2019re poorly trained. Or their owners are worthless. These ones won\u2019t bite unless they think you\u2019re a threat. And they deserve more. I should never have left. Damn Godart and Byres. If I\u2019d rode north without them\u2014!\u201d<\/p>\n One of the dogs flinched back from Gralton\u2019s voice. The [Lord] instantly lowered it.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry. Here. Come here, Mousey.\u201d<\/p>\n The dog leapt into his arms, panting, licking his face. Ryoka stared at Gralton. He was a different man with animals. Her, he stared at with a lot more intelligence than she\u2019d been led to expect.<\/p>\n \u201cThen again, I\u2019d never have known it was Drakes. Damn thing was invisible.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2026got the Drake?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy dogs did. Shame I didn\u2019t have a head. But we know. The Drakes will pay.\u201d<\/p>\n Gralton\u2019s eyes narrowed. Ryoka paused. He was patting the dogs, letting them circle around him. Lean in. It was strange. But Ryoka felt like she was at a wake, like the one Riverfarm had held for their dead. The dogs knew what had happened. Just like the people. They were mourning.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor what? You bring the Drakes? I heard you helped with the [Witches]. And if they hadn\u2019t been here\u2014that Centauress, she outside?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCharlay? Yes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh. In that case, stay if you want. Those damn [Witches]\u2014helped. The old one, with the medicines and tea? Lots of the little ones wouldn\u2019t have lived if not for her. They might even last longer thanks to her brews.\u201d<\/p>\n Some wouldn\u2019t. Ryoka saw that too. Some of the dogs had lived, but barely. Poison and plague had cut lifespans, damaged lungs. But if Gralton was half-beast, the man part of him could be grateful. Or the dog part. And she felt for him. How could you not? After a moment, Ryoka felt a head on her knee and jumped.<\/p>\n One of the dogs\u2014Mousey\u2014was staring up at her. The dog was panting, and she looked interested in Ryoka, but her tail wasn\u2019t wagging. After a moment, the young woman bent. She held a hand out and gingerly reached for the dog\u2019s head to pat it. Mousey stepped back, and Gralton snapped.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t do that!\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka froze. Gralton glared at her.<\/p>\n \u201cGreet her first. Mousey, seddigore.<\/em> Let the dog get to know you. She\u2019s battle-trained; don\u2019t scratch her head first off! That\u2019s asserting dominance, and warhounds don\u2019t like that. Dead gods, woman, don\u2019t you know anything about dogs?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSorry. What do I do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHold your hand out. A fist, not an open palm. Hold still. Let her sniff you. There\u2014keep low, don\u2019t stare her in the eyes. If she lets you, pet her belly. And don\u2019t raise your voice.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLike you?\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman glanced up. Gralton snorted.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re used to me. They understand me. They don\u2019t know you<\/em>. And you smell like a bunch of things they don\u2019t know about. [Witches], for one.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka Griffin glanced up, startled. Gralton just stared at her. Not a dog trapped in a man\u2019s body, oh no. But a man who\u2019d learned something of dogs. She wondered just how good his nose was. She wondered what Skills a [Dog Lord] gained.<\/p>\n \u201cSo Laken\u2019s rebuilding?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right. Yitton Byres is still there, but he\u2019ll ride towards his estates within the week. Laken is organizing his village. There are a lot of refugees.\u201d<\/p>\n Hundreds already. Possibly thousands. More people were coming to Riverfarm, which had survived the fires. Also because they\u2019d heard there was work. Safety. Despite the [Witches]. Gralton grunted.<\/p>\n \u201cFine. What about the Goblins?\u201d<\/p>\n He looked sideways at Ryoka, fishing in a belt pouch for a treat. The young woman paused.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re separated from Riverfarm. Laken is having them watched, but they have their own area. They haven\u2019t all run away.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo there\u2019s a point to how long we took getting back. Fine.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Dog Lord] sat, scratching a huge\u2014Ryoka had to think it was a wolf, although the dog looked more like a bulldog. But it was massive<\/em>. It came over, and Gralton laughed as it walked right up to him. He looked up after a while and saw Mousey was rolled over as Ryoka scratched her belly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou staying? It\u2019s late.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019ll have us, we\u2019d take a bed. We wouldn\u2019t want to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStay, then.\u201d<\/p>\n Gralton snorted. Ryoka shut up. After a while, Charlay trotted in. She looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cOh. They\u2019re better now. Hey, Gralton.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCentaur. Watch your hooves.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka found herself sitting with Charlay and Gralton as more dogs came over. They were warier of Ryoka than Charlay. There was a bright intelligence in their eyes, more so than even dogs in Ryoka\u2019s world. Gralton just snorted when he saw Ryoka\u2019s surprise.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a [Dog Lord], woman. You think that\u2019s a pretty name? [Beast Trainers] turn their animals smart. Strong. My hounds think. They remember a friend, and they aren\u2019t idiots. See?\u201d<\/p>\n He nodded at Charlay. A bunch of dogs were mobbing her for attention, licking her. The Centauress was giggling.<\/p>\n \u201cStop that! Stop that! I feel like I\u2019m going to be eaten! Hey, wait\u2014that\u2019s my tail! Back off or I\u2019ll kick!\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka found herself smiling. Gralton almost smiled back. She looked at him amid his half-empty kennels and the dogs and ducked her head.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we\u2019re imposing\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStay. I owe Laken for the [Witches]. You uncomfortable around dogs?\u201d<\/p>\n He jerked his head at her, a challenge. Ryoka hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cThese ones are alright. And I do know a team of adventurers who own dogs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally? Which ones?\u201d<\/p>\n A light appeared in Gralton\u2019s eyes. Ryoka shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Pithfire Hounds.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNever heard of \u2018em. Silver-ranks? Bronze?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSilver. I ran a delivery for them once. They\u2026lost a dog fighting monsters. Their entire team got hurt. It was just\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The [Dog Lord] raised his head.<\/p>\n \u201cDid the dogs do the fighting while the adventurers stayed back? Or did they run and let the dogs stay back?\u201d<\/p>\n He stared<\/em> at Ryoka. Her mouth went dry.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. All of them were fighting. And another dog survived. They like dogs. They\u2019ve been grieving their friend. It was an emergency. Wailer Frogs.\u201d<\/p>\n It occurred to Ryoka that whenever she talked, she tended to have a big mouth. Charlay had said as much. Gralton relaxed slightly, listening to the explanation of the battle. He studied Ryoka again.<\/p>\n \u201cYou run emergency deliveries to adventurers. Makes sense why Laken called for you. Here\u2014feed Mousey this. And tell her\u2014kalde. <\/em>That means she can eat.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka did. Much to her surprise, she found herself sitting for an hour, playing with dogs and then throwing a ball. They didn\u2019t live in the kennels; in fact, they often ran outside, hunting or playing. Gralton allowed them to do just that, and after a while, Ryoka realized she was staying the night with Charlay.<\/p>\n Lord Gralton ate there, in the kennels, sharing his meal with any of the dogs who wandered over. He\u2019d barely left it since returning home, apparently. He relished the company of the animals. Not exactly as equals\u2014Ryoka saw him calmly stop an overeager husky who kept trying to jump up on her. He led them as naturally as breathing. And he was kind to them.<\/p>\n Humans not so much. Gralton gave orders like a [Lord], and he ruled\u2014Ryoka heard him snapping about redigging wells that night\u2014but he clearly loved animals more than people. Still, he had a soft spot if you looked.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re still the worst person with dogs I\u2019ve ever seen. You have to be dominant. My hounds will walk all over you.\u201d<\/p>\n He informed Ryoka as he reprimanded another over-aggressive dog. She flushed, but Gralton was looking at her speculatively. And when she left the next day, he gave her a gift.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cSo the dog\u2019s yours?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just delivering her. Her name\u2019s Mousey, by the way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMousey?<\/em> She\u2019s so adorable!\u201d<\/p>\n The dinner with Quin was mostly filled with talk of books\u2014most of which Ryoka had never heard of\u2014and Mousey. The dog attracted attention. And she was trained. Gralton had assured Ryoka she wouldn\u2019t spook or disobey commands, but Ryoka was impressed. If anything, Ryoka had been the one who needed coaching when he let Mousey go with her.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going north still. Towards Reizmelt.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally? You wouldn\u2019t happen to be willing to carry a delivery north, would you? I have a letter I\u2019ve been meaning to send up towards First Landing\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Quin looked sideways at Ryoka. It was a common question, so the City Runner just smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cI can drop it off at the Runner\u2019s Guild in Reizmelt if you have it by morning. If anyone else has a delivery north, I can run it that way.\u201d<\/p>\n She slept that night in the Salubrious Sleephome. Mousey curled up on the floor, and after a moment, Ryoka opened one eye.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can climb up if you want. Up, Mousey?\u201d<\/p>\n The dog glanced up and then leapt onto Ryoka\u2019s bed. The City Runner peered around, embarrassed. It was odd having an animal with you.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t get used to it. You\u2019re a delivery. I\u2019m not keeping a pet.\u201d<\/p>\n Then she closed her eyes. She still didn\u2019t like\u2014<\/p>\n Mousey sneezed on Ryoka\u2019s face. The City Runner opened her eyes, and the dog licked her face once.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t push it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Reizmelt looked like Ryoka had remembered it. But it was strangely inviting after all this time. The City Runner slowed her pace as she ran through the gates. It had been a long run. She inhaled as Mousey, panting happily, wagged her tail. What neither runner nor dog were prepared for were the shouts from atop the gates.<\/p>\n \u201cOi! Wind Runner!\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka glanced up, startled. Some of the [Guards] on duty were waving down at her. She blinked and then raised a hand. They usually never stopped her.<\/p>\n \u201cSomething wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothing wrong! But where\u2019ve you been blowing off to? Haven\u2019t had a breeze like this in a while! And where\u2019d you get the dog?\u201d<\/p>\n The woman on the gates shouted down at Ryoka. The young Runner blinked, then grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom Lord Gralton! Say, are the Pithfire Hounds in Reizmelt?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI saw them just today! Mind blowing us a breeze? It\u2019s getting hotter around here! Summer\u2019s beginning!\u201d<\/p>\n A gust of fresh air hit the battlements of the wall, and the [Guard] laughed. Ryoka waved as she ran into the city, bemused, but feeling\u2014good. But that wasn\u2019t the first time people called out to her. Let alone the last!<\/p>\n \u201cWind Runner! Wind Runner!\u201d<\/p>\n Children who spotted Ryoka went shooting after her, begging for a breeze to go surfing down the streets. A few people Ryoka recognized waved at her and asked about the dog. Ryoka found herself slowing, explaining. So many people seemed to remember<\/em> her. Mousey panted, letting people pat her or offer her treats.<\/p>\n It took a while for Ryoka to get to the Huntress\u2019 Haven. When she did, she found Mad Madain sitting in his inn. It was empty, as usual. The man was removing meat from the bones of a deer he\u2019d killed on a table. He looked up as Ryoka came in and blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, if it isn\u2019t Miss Windy and\u2014a dog?\u201d<\/p>\n He stared at Mousey. The dog stared back and opened her mouth. Her eyes locked on Madain\u2019s bones and the blood and meat. Ryoka blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cHi, Madain. I\u2019m back. Don\u2019t worry about the dog. She\u2019s not staying long. Is Fierre here? Alber still around?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, they\u2019re somewhere. What\u2019s with the dog?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s a delivery.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh.\u201d<\/p>\n Madain stared at Mousey. He looked at the dead deer.<\/p>\n \u201cIs it hungry? Want a bone?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka smiled as he picked up a large thigh bone and tossed it at Mousey. It hit the floorboards, and the dog stared at it, then at Ryoka.<\/p>\n \u201cKalde<\/em>, Mousey. Go on.\u201d<\/p>\n The dog leapt on the bone. Madain blinked. He stared at Ryoka.<\/p>\n \u201cI heard you went on a big delivery. Bunch of crap down south. You alive? Missing any more fingers?\u201d<\/p>\n Good old Madain.<\/em> Ryoka waggled her right hand at him and then lifted one of her remaining digits. The [Innkeeper]-adventurer stared at her and then laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cYour room\u2019s upstairs. Piss off!\u201d<\/p>\n One of his good days, then. Ryoka nodded and headed upstairs. Mousey followed her with the bone. Ryoka shucked off some of her gear and stared about her room. It was untouched. Madain hadn\u2019t even bothered to change her sheets. She sighed. But then she smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m back.\u201d<\/p>\n Mousey wagged her tail for emphasis. Ryoka paused and glanced down at her. Then she smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cTime to complete my delivery, huh, Mousey? Don\u2019t worry, you\u2019ll like them. Come on!\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka Griffin?\u201d<\/p>\n Levil, Captain of the Pithfire Hounds and [Pyromancer], gazed up and gasped when the door to the Adventurer\u2019s Guild in Reizmelt swung open. A few other teams glanced up. They stared at Ryoka. And then at the dog. Then Lamont, the [Warrior] for the Pithfire Hounds, freshly healed, shot to his feet.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Griffin! Hey, the Wind Runner of Reizmelt\u2019s back!\u201d<\/p>\n The rest of Pithfire Hounds shot to their feet. They came over, Lamont first. The [Warrior] reached out and clasped Ryoka\u2019s hand. She blinked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cLamont, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right. I still haven\u2019t thanked you for saving my life. Miss Griffin, I owe you everything.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re back on your feet? But your ribs\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The last time she had seen him, Lamont\u2019s ribcage had been smashed, courtesy of the Wailer Frogs. The [Warrior] thumped his chest.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m freshly healed\u2014my chest is good as new! If there\u2019s anything I can do\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He was shoved aside by another adventurer, Bram. The [Beast Tamer] was accompanied by the remaining dog of the Pithfire Hounds.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Griffin, it\u2019s good to see you back! We\u2019d thought you\u2019d switched towns you\u2019ve been gone so long! We heard all about your run to Walta. And who is this<\/em> gorgeous creature?\u201d<\/p>\n He squatted down, looking at Mousey. She sniffed him, but warily. Ryoka bent down.<\/p>\n \u201cMousey, seddigore. Seddigore.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n That meant \u2018friend\u2019. Ally. It was what Gralton had used to introduce Mousey to Ryoka.<\/p>\n The dog wagged her tail as the Pithfire Hounds approached, reassured by the word. Makki, the wolfhound belonging to the adventuring team, went still at the sight of the bigger dog. Levil whistled.<\/p>\n \u201cDead gods, but it\u2019s good to see you, Ryoka! And that dog\u2019s a beauty!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll say. And a proper giant too! Makki\u2019s small compared to her!\u201d<\/p>\n Ullica, Keida, and Tally, the three other members of the group, all came over. Ryoka shook hands as the rest of the adventurers squatted down. They were all dog-people. Makki held back as Bram gently introduced the two. Makki sniffed Mousey warily; the larger dog looked to Ryoka and got another seddigore<\/em> before she sniffed back.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s her breed, do you know? Oh, and where\u2019ve you been, Ryoka?\u201d<\/p>\n Levil couldn\u2019t take his eyes off Mousey. Ryoka smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s an Aldasian-breed mixed with a Izrilian bulldog. Apparently.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAldasians? Dead gods, those are Mothbear <\/em>killers! Where\u2019d you buy her, Ryoka? Is she your bodyguard on runs now? Mind you, she\u2019d be good at it. Mousey, you said her name was?\u201d<\/p>\n Keida exclaimed. She was feeling heavy muscle under Mousey\u2019s fur. The dog happily flopped<\/em> over as the other adventurers gave her a good scratching. She still looked up, panting, at Ryoka as the City Runner inhaled. She looked at Levil and his team.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s from Lord Gralton Radivaek. His personal kennels. She\u2019s not mine, actually. I\u2019m just delivering her. Actually, Levil\u2026everyone. She\u2019s for you.\u201d<\/p>\n The Pithfire Hounds froze. They stared up at Ryoka. Levil blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cFor us?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka nodded. She glanced from face to face, feeling a coil of anxiety in her stomach.<\/p>\n \u201cI know your team was missing a dog after the frogs. And I thought\u2026well, I mentioned it since I was running through Radivaek lands. And I was thinking\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Too late, Ryoka realized that she hadn\u2019t asked<\/em> Levil and the others if they wanted another dog. She should have, but it had slipped her mind when Gralton made her the offer! She began to panic.<\/p>\n \u201cLook, I knew that Dassa was really special to you. And I don\u2019t want to replace her! I just wanted to\u2014Lord Gralton heard about your team and\u2014I\u2019m sorry, I should have asked. It was\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Levil smiled. He stood up and hugged Ryoka. She blinked and relaxed. The [Pyromancer] was beaming.<\/p>\n \u201cDead gods, Ryoka! Don\u2019t apologize! It\u2019s a wonderful gift. We\u2019ll treasure her. From Lord Gralton\u2019s own kennels? We talked about adding a hound to our team like that!\u201d<\/p>\n His team was nodding. Tally looked stunned. The [Ranger] stared at Mousey.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom Lord Gralton?<\/em> But he trains the best dogs in the world! The continent, at least! Hey, everyone! Did you hear that?\u201d<\/p>\n Some more adventurers were coming over. They exclaimed as they heard from Tally about Mousey. Ryoka was blushing, but relieved. Bram was beaming.<\/p>\n \u201cAn Aldasian warhound? She\u2019s worth a fortune! And she\u2019s smart!<\/em> Lord Gralton sent her to us?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone looked at Ryoka. She flushed.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a big dog lover. Keep her safe, alright?\u201d<\/p>\n Levil nodded solemnly with the rest of his team.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll do that. Don\u2019t worry, Ryoka. Dassa was the only dog we ever lost. And it was only because we were on the verge of getting wiped that she was in a position like that.\u201d<\/p>\n Bram nodded as well.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a dangerous life, like being a hunting dog, Miss Ryoka, but its like being an adventurer. Dogs aren\u2019t large enough to fight monsters, most breeds. I hear Carn Wolves can be trained, but those are wolves<\/em>, with fur like steel. But dogs fight smart. They go for the flanks, and they can even dodge spells. Yes, it\u2019s risky for them. But if they get hurt, it\u2019s because we were all in danger of dying. I promise you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know. And I know she\u2019ll love it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou got Lord Gralton to give us a dog just like that? And you brought her all the way here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2014yes?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka blinked as Keida hugged<\/em> her fiercely. Levil grabbed Ryoka around the shoulders. Embarrassed, the City Runner tried to flee.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was just\u2014well, just something I thought I\u2019d do\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Tally objected.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to buy you a drink! And we\u2019re in your favor again, Miss Wind Runner! Tell us where you\u2019ve been? You can stop, can\u2019t you? You haven\u2019t been in Reizmelt for ages!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d love to. But I need to make one more stop. Tonight. Why don\u2019t we all go to the Huntress\u2019 Haven? I have to check in at the Runner\u2019s Guild and let them know I\u2019m back for emergency deliveries\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka couldn\u2019t handle all the genuine affection being thrown her way. She retreated towards the door. Levil\u2019s team protested, but Levil held them back.<\/p>\n \u201cTonight, then!\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka nodded. She was about to leave when she noticed something. Mousey was trotting after her, head held high, looking expectant. Ryoka paused.<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Right. Mousey?\u201d<\/p>\n She squatted down and looked at the dog. Mousey wagged her tail, ready for action. Ryoka hesitated. Gralton had shown her how to do this too.<\/p>\n \u201cMousey, seddigore.<\/em> Krakka. Seddigore. <\/em>Understand?\u201d<\/p>\n She gestured, and Levil came over. The adventurer knelt, and Ryoka showed Mousey his fist. The dog sniffed it.<\/p>\n \u201cKrakka. Seddigore.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n But Mousey kept staring at Ryoka. The City Runner hesitated. She looked at Levil.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s yours. Keep her safe. She\u2019s a really\u2026good dog.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Pyromancer] nodded. He watched as Ryoka got up and backed away towards the door. Mousey looked up.<\/p>\n She followed Ryoka. The City Runner froze. She pointed back at the Pithfire Hounds. They were all watching Ryoka with mixed expressions. Ryoka bent down again and scratched under Mousey\u2019s chin.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Mousey. Sit. Turt. Turt. <\/em>This is your team, now. Seddigore,<\/em> see?\u201d<\/p>\n She got up slowly. The dog whined. She followed Ryoka a half-step and then looked at the Pithfire hounds. Ryoka felt a pain in her chest. She turned her back.<\/p>\n \u201cI have to go. They\u2019ll take good care of you.\u201d<\/p>\n She began to walk towards the door and heard a bark. Mousey was never supposed to bark; it was part of her training. She looked back, and the dog stared at her. Ryoka pointed.<\/p>\n \u201cTurt.<\/em> Goodbye.\u201d<\/p>\n She kept walking. Mousey stared at her back, then up at Levil. The [Pyromancer] smiled, and the dog stared at him, reassured. But then she turned back to Ryoka.<\/p>\n \u201cI have to go. I can\u2019t keep a dog. I don\u2019t even like them.\u201d<\/p>\n The City Runner muttered, avoiding everyone\u2019s gazes. She made her way towards the door. She\u2019d never thought this would be the hard part. But Gralton had warned her not to get attached. And she wasn\u2019t. Slowly, Ryoka walked out of the Adventurer\u2019s Guild and leaned against the door.<\/p>\n \u201cI hate dogs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n That night, Ryoka Griffin saw Mousey again. The dog looked up at her, and then came over to be petted. But there was separation, of sorts. The Pithfire Hounds were already familiar with her, and Makki and Mousey, the two dogs, were both roaming around the inn.<\/p>\n Mad Madain wasn\u2019t used to the crowd. But he tolerated the people and entertained himself by throwing bones for the dogs to catch. Ryoka Griffin smiled a bit as she saw Mousey\u2019s head go up, watching the bones fly. Levil had to remember to give her the kalde<\/em> command to eat.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s better-trained than Makki. I hear those dog-commands are so they don\u2019t take wrong orders in the field. We\u2019re going to have to practice with her, but she\u2019s going to be a welcome member of the team. We owe you greatly, Ryoka. And we\u2019ll stop by with Mousey as much as we can.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka nodded. She turned away from Mousey for a moment. Alber was eating at one table. She\u2019d seen him plying his [Fistfighter] trade this evening. He looked up and nodded to her.<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Alber. Anything new happen?\u201d<\/p>\n The young man paused. He shook his head, picked up his fork, then glanced up a second.<\/p>\n \u201cNice to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n He went back to eating. Ryoka smiled. Some things didn\u2019t change, and after all the greetings she\u2019d gotten, this was almost a relief.<\/p>\n But some things had<\/em> changed. Ryoka looked around. She still hadn\u2019t seen one person in Reizmelt, the person she\u2019d been most eager to meet.<\/p>\n \u201cIs Fierre in the city? Or has she gone home, does anyone know?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s here. Saw her this morning and she paid for the week. Probably working in her secret<\/em> job.\u201d<\/p>\n Madain grunted. Ryoka looked at him. Fierre\u2019s status as an opener and broker of secrets was known in the inn\u2014the Pithfire Hounds looked confused.<\/p>\n \u201cIs she still working there, do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cProbably. Girl has more customers. Should charge her more rent.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe I\u2019ll go visit her. Levil, it was great catching up, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The [Pyromancer] was nodding.<\/p>\n \u201cAnytime, Ryoka. You\u2019ve got Runner business?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd Fierre\u2019s a\u2014friend.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka smiled at him. She nodded towards the door, only a bit unsteady after the three drinks she\u2019d had.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll just duck out. I\u2019ll come back if she\u2019s done for the day. See you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHold on, she\u2019s not in her old spot.\u201d<\/p>\n Madain interrupted. The [Innkeeper] looked at Ryoka as she paused. He grinned and looked at Alber. The [Fistfighter] glanced up, not as amused by the secret knowledge they shared.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt got blown up. Her last spot. Fierre\u2019s in a new place. Don\u2019t know where it is myself. You\u2019ll have to ask around.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?<\/em> Her spot got\u2014by what? Who?\u201d<\/p>\n The former adventurer shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cHeard it was a bunch of sewing needles. Girl must have pissed off someone. Maybe that [Witch] she was talking about.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka stared at Madain, open-mouthed with horror. Then she turned and sprinted out of the inn. Levil looked at Madain.<\/p>\n \u201cBut she\u2019s okay. Fierre, I mean?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, sure. Right as rain. Probably had some good healing potions. Way I heard it, she has some high-level defensive Skill. But she\u2019s totally fine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou could have told Ryoka that.\u201d<\/p>\n Mad Madain grinned at Levil.<\/p>\n \u201cSo?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Fierre was working in her new office when there was a pounding at the door. The Vampire girl froze and stared around her room.<\/p>\n It was larger than the previous cubby that had been large enough only for her desk and a cabinet. This new place was located in a less\u2026upstanding part of town, but it was made up for by the thick stone walls, all warded, and the new door.<\/p>\n Twice as thick as the last one and enchanted with more than just protection spells. Even the hail of needles that had gone through the first one would have trouble with this one. Fierre had been organizing her expanded file cabinets. Now she sank back in her chair.<\/p>\n The pounding wasn\u2019t any of her code knocks. Fierre doubted whoever was on the other side could get in, but just in case, she reached for one of her emergency tools. It wasn\u2019t for her; she\u2019d rather get arrested or deal with whoever was on the other side herself. But she had a bag of holding she\u2019d shove her files into and then toss under a concealment charm to keep hidden.<\/p>\n It was a last resort. But for now, Fierre kept silent. She waited, as whomever was pounding on the other side shouted something.<\/p>\n \u201cFierre? Fierre?<\/em> It\u2019s me! Ryoka!\u201d<\/p>\n The voice jerked the Vampire girl upright. Ryoka? <\/em>She stared at the door and rose. But then she hesitated.<\/p>\n It could be a trick. Warily, Fierre stalked over to the door and murmured a word. A porthole appeared in the metal, allowing her to see through<\/em> the metal. She saw a familiar face, anxiously hammering on the door. Fierre hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s the password?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka paused. Fierre saw her hesitate.<\/p>\n \u201cUh\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The Vampire girl grinned. She threw open the door.<\/p>\n \u201cCome in! Ryoka!\u201d<\/p>\n The City Runner entered Fierre\u2019s new office and stared about. The Vampire girl hadn\u2019t decorated, so her new office was like the last one\u2014a room to conduct secret business in. Even so, there were some trappings of Fierre\u2019s success.<\/p>\n For one thing, a tiny scrying mirror, secured in a soundproof box when Fierre wasn\u2019t using it. And another\u2014a list of bounties on the wall, for information, items, people. Unofficial and<\/em> official. But what was most impressive was Fierre\u2019s information network.<\/p>\n She had three huge cabinets and several maps now, showing everything from the influence of the underworld to trade routes. She had a copy of the Adventurer\u2019s Guild bestiary, a list of every [Mage]\u2019s Guild across Izril\u2014and a bunch of unofficial contacts\u2014and a list of favors owed, to her or to others.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s amazing what gold can get you. I spent over half of it, but this is the result! It\u2019s put me on a new level. Now I have a network<\/em> and I can actually leverage some influence! I\u2019m a name<\/em>, Ryoka. And I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Fierre caught herself. She was babbling as Ryoka sat in front of her desk, staring at all the papers Fierre had pulled out. The Vampire girl stopped and looked at Ryoka. And her exuberance faded.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor what? I should be apologizing to you, Fierre. I should never have asked about Belavierr. You nearly died!\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka looked up. She was still stunned by everything that was new. She hadn\u2019t known about Belavierr\u2019s curse on Fierre. The Vampire girl shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. It was my fault for being careless. Ryoka\u2014the Order of Seasons came because of me.\u201d<\/p>\n The City Runner nodded. She\u2019d worked that out as the two caught up. She inhaled and bowed her head.<\/p>\n \u201cI know. I wish you hadn\u2019t said anything.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was angry. After I got hit by that curse, I lost my temper and\u2014I\u2019m so sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n Fierre bit her lip. Her pointed teeth dug into her pale flesh. In her room she was more uncovered than anywhere else, so Ryoka could see her pale, bloodless skin. But she had blood; Ryoka had heard at the Runner\u2019s Guild how bad the devastation had been at her office. People were of the opinion that Fierre had barely survived the needles thanks to her door and healing potions and some lucky Skills, but Ryoka knew better.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry. Belavierr was\u2014I\u2019ve seen those needle storms she conjures. Did it\u2014did it hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n The Vampire girl\u2019s pause told Ryoka enough.<\/p>\n \u201cNot much. You know I\u2019m tough. If the needles had been silver, I would have died. But regular metal and wood?\u201d<\/p>\n She tried to shrug casually. It didn\u2019t fool Ryoka. Fierre stared at her friend.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about you? You met her. I know the Order of Seasons\u2026failed. And the Drakes!<\/em> Did you see any of it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll of it. Yeah, I met Belavierr. She was\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka hesitated. She searched for words to describe the ringed gaze, the [Witch] who had forgotten how to be Human. In the end she shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026A monster. I thought she wasn\u2019t. But she was a monster. The Order of Seasons was right to go after her. I think. I don\u2019t know. If she was anything, it was true to herself. And she did love someone. Her daughter. It\u2019s just that she cares for nothing else. She was\u2014a monster. Not like you or me. In the end, I wanted to like her. But I couldn\u2019t accept what she did.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka bowed her head. She looked at Fierre. The Vampire hesitated. You or me. <\/em>She sat down at her desk.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m still sorry. I wish I\u2019d caught more, quicker. The Drakes. I never expected that. I should have! It came from Manus, the attacks. Retaliation for Liscor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI figured. You know what\u2019ll happen next?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRetaliation from the Humans. In time. At the very least, they\u2019ll be sending a bigger army next year to the Bloodfields. They might be too busy with Magnolia Reinhart\u2019s trade war and infighting, but they\u2019re not going to forget this. Then again, the Drakes did a lot<\/em> of damage economically. It\u2019ll take time to recover.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I don\u2019t think Gralton will forget. Or anyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n Fierre nodded. She wanted to ask Ryoka why the girl smelled like dog<\/em>. And if she really was partners with Dustrider Charlay, like the report coming from Walta claimed. And so much more.<\/p>\n Ryoka wanted to ask too. But she had come a long way. So she sat a moment, sighing. Here, in this office, she could relax. She looked up, and saw two red eyes. Serafierre val Lischelle-Drakle waited. And Ryoka eventually sat up and smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cSome run, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. You know, your ratings have shot up since that run to Walta. Going to Riverfarm didn\u2019t hurt you either, although it\u2019s mostly reputation-based.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have good ratings?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh yes. You\u2019re getting some attention because you know the fabled [Emperor]. And doing a run for Lord Gralton didn\u2019t hurt either, let alone Lady Bethal. You made your way back here quickly too. Have you\u2026gotten better at using the wind?\u201d<\/p>\n Fierre glanced up at Ryoka. The Wind Runner rested her arms on her knees.<\/p>\n \u201cA bit. How do you know?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have a report claiming you stopped<\/em> a tornado. Made out of fire.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka smiled briefly. Her left foot twitched<\/em> unconsciously.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t stop it. I turned it. I knew I could. Or at least, I thought I could.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut if you could do that\u2014did you level up? I mean, I know you don\u2019t. But did you\u2026gain more power?\u201d<\/p>\n The broker watched Ryoka carefully. The City Runner paused.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe. I don\u2019t level up. But I think I can ask the wind to do more. That\u2019s all. It was a tornado made out of fire, Fierre. I thought it was like hell. There were flames everywhere. And I knew I had to do something. I thought I\u2019d burn up. But I had to try.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Fierre shuddered. Fire was one of the ways Vampires died. She watched as Ryoka went on. The Asian girl\u2019s face was faraway.<\/p>\n \u201cThe wind was different than I\u2019ve ever seen it. Than I could have ever imagined. That\u2019s why I can control it better. Because of what I saw. [Mages] study and try to understand. I guess the secret with me is going out into the world. Witnessing. Experiencing.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked up abruptly and forced a smile. And then\u2014abruptly\u2014stopped forcing it. She leaned back and let out a genuine expletive.<\/p>\n \u201cFuck.<\/em> I\u2019ve seen some insane stuff, Fierre!\u201d<\/p>\n The Vampire girl laughed. Because that was Ryoka. Unguarded, the young woman grinned at the Vampire girl. Fierre raised an eyebrow.<\/p>\n \u201cTell me about it, already! I want to know how bad it was. I visited home and even my father said Belavierr was way too dangerous to mess with. We know about her, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVampires? Why doesn\u2019t that surprise me? Dead gods, Fierre. She was insane<\/em>. I can\u2019t even describe\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka sat forwards, trying to explain what it was like meeting Belavierr the first time. The way she stood so unnaturally and spoke. Fierre listened, jotting down some notes, but mainly hearing Ryoka speak. Talking in her own turn.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing much\u2019s happened around Reizmelt since you\u2019ve been gone. But you remember those Ogre raids a while back? A band of them coming out of the hills, to the east? Southeast, that is, a good eighty miles. Well, it\u2019s gotten worse. There are multiple bands of them. The bounty\u2019s been upped, but it\u2019s a dangerous area at the moment. I really don\u2019t recommend running there, but there\u2019s gold to be made.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDamn. I\u2019ve never seen Ogres. Is it bad?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, they\u2019re crossing over into Lady Pryde\u2019s domain. Magnolia Reinhart has interests in the region, but the Ogres were hitting unclaimed territory up until now. Some groups got wiped out by adventurers, but there\u2019s two bands you do not want to mess with. Speaking of which\u2014the trade war is biting the lands opposed to Magnolia Reinhart hard<\/em>. You could earn big money if you can break the Skill she\u2019s got going on.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t mess with her, thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka spread her arms. Fierre eyed the City Runner for a moment, but she held onto that tidbit and went on, consulting her notes.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, if you don\u2019t like that, I have news from Liscor. A team of Wistram [Mages] got spanked hard. I\u2019ll tell you all about it when I have more solid information\u2014you\u2019re always asking about Liscor, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have friends down there. Anyone hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo one died. It\u2019s just funny to hear about. Oh, and there\u2019s a bounty, but it\u2019s small sheep, honestly. Wistram had to correct it, which is weird\u2014they sent out a mass-correction. I\u2019ll grab a copy. Let\u2019s see. Some adventurer is killing Goblins too, in the same area as the Ogres. No, wait, a [Knight]. Not just a few; he\u2019s taken out multiple tribes. They call him the Goblin Slayer.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cThe what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGoblin Slayer. Anyways, it\u2019s just a rumor.\u201d<\/p>\n For a second, the young woman appeared unhappy. But then she shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cAnything else?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBig? No. I mean, I could go on all day, but that\u2019s all the really interesting stuff. Oh, and one more thing.\u201d<\/p>\n Fierre grinned slightly as she pulled out a piece of paper from the bottom of her file. She presented it to Ryoka with a flourish; she\u2019d been holding onto it.<\/p>\n \u201cI found what you were looking for. I put some money into it.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka froze. She stared down at the paper.<\/p>\n \u201cYou found them?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t easy. But they are<\/em> working as adventurers. And you\u2019re right\u2014they\u2019ve got Magnolia Reinhart backing them. Or some of her staff, I think. I had to tiptoe carefully to get their location but this is it. Semi-permanent; they\u2019ve been seen there the last month.\u201d<\/p>\n Fierre tapped the address she\u2019d written down and all the other notes. She watched Ryoka\u2019s face change. The young woman inhaled.<\/p>\n \u201cYou never said why you wanted them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014need to meet them. I\u2019d explain, Fierre, but it\u2019s really personal. They\u2019re there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d be careful, Ryoka. They\u2019re Magnolia Reinhart\u2019s staff. You said you didn\u2019t mess with her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. But this is different. I\u2019ll be careful. But\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka was staring down at the names. Fierre didn\u2019t understand what her fascination was with a group of Bronze-rank Humans. But then\u2026she waited, watching Ryoka\u2019s face. Hearing her blood flow accelerate. Fierre licked her lips and then caught herself.<\/p>\n At last, Ryoka Griffin put down the paper. She studied it again, but then slid it over to Fierre.<\/p>\n \u201cLater. I\u2019ll deal with it later. You know, the Pithfire Hounds are at Madain\u2019s inn. And I said I\u2019d try to be back. Fierre, it\u2019s good to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou too, Ryoka.\u201d<\/p>\n The Vampire girl grinned. Ryoka smiled and then hesitated. She gleaned sidelong at Fierre.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you want to go back and have a drink? Talk some more? Can Vampires even get drunk?\u201d<\/p>\n The Vampire girl grinned wickedly.<\/p>\n \u201cWant to find out?\u201d<\/p>\n Then her face fell. She hesitated, and Fierre peered towards the door.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, but I don\u2019t like drinking in crowds. I mean, I would, but with the teeth\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka paused. She listened to how Fierre\u2014who was older than her, in fact\u2014sighed. Longingly. Fierre had a wistful look in her eyes. And Ryoka thought of her friends.<\/p>\n Erin. Mrsha. Ceria. Yvlon? Fals. Garia. She had left them all behind. But now, here, she had more friends.<\/p>\n Wiskeria. Alevica? But surely, Charlay. And Levil and his team. Lupp. But her first friend, the person she\u2019d found herself missing because they understood each other sat right here.<\/p>\n Fierre. Ryoka had missed her friend. And she hadn\u2019t known until recently what it was like to miss someone like that. You couldn\u2019t miss what you\u2019d never had. Now, though, she sat back down and put her bare feet up on Fierre\u2019s desk. The Vampire girl stared at them.<\/p>\n \u201cYour feet are incredibly dirty, Ryoka.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSorry.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka didn\u2019t take them down. She grinned at Fierre and gestured around the sealed and warded room.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t like drinking in public? Let\u2019s drink in your new office, then. That\u2019s got to be the most private place in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n Fierre blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I work here!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo? You own this place now, right? Why not? Unless Vampires can\u2019t get drunk?\u201d<\/p>\n The broker blinked. But then she grinned wickedly with all her teeth. It was a smile like a Drake\u2019s, but this one was reassuring.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, we can. It\u2019s just a bit harder. And I know a good spot. Want to grab a bottle?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure. And let\u2019s say hi to the Pithfire Hounds. You can meet Mousey. The dog.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka stood up. Fierre walked over to the door and held it open. She looked at Ryoka, and the City Runner looked around as a cool wind blew in from Reizmelt. Ryoka sighed as she looked at Fierre.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s good to be back.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Previous Chapter<\/a> Next Chapter<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cTell me something, Ylawes. You\u2019re a [Knight], right? In that case, don\u2019t you have an order or society or whatever? They\u2019re all over Terandria, but you\u2019ve never talked about one.\u201d Dawil twisted on his saddle to address Ylawes. The Dwarf peered at his friend, leader, and junior in years. Ylawes looked up, caught with a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52856846,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"patreon-level":0,"patreon_level":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11693086,349],"tags":[],"twi_volume":[11693135],"twi_collection":[],"class_list":["post-7178","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-volume-6","category-writing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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