\u201cI don\u2019t like it. It\u2019s staring at me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen don\u2019t look at it. It\u2019s not going to creep up on you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t help<\/em> it. It\u2019s like a loose scale, you know?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026No.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, then a rough patch of fur or something. You know what I mean!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy fur is always combed, thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGo to Rhir. Look, I swear it\u2019s watching<\/em> me. Don\u2019t you feel the same way? It\u2019s always there and I feel like it\u2019s growing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s your imagination. Just get back to work.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re telling me you don\u2019t get nervous when you stare at it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t. That\u2019s why I\u2019m not bothered.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Your fur\u2019s standing up.\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll [Worker] glanced up and patted the hairs on his neck. The Drake [Laborer] crowed. He pointed at the red splotch in the distance as the two took a break from clearing the earth. The green grasses, fed by spring rains, were growing tall and wild.<\/p>\n In places, flowers, grass, and other plants were waist-high. There were only a few actual trees; even this far out from Liscor, opportunistic [Lumberjacks] would take down the comparatively rare wood and haul it back to the city. And the High Passes were not forested by and large, anyways. The rocky terrain of the higher hills supported only shrub-like plants or smaller.<\/p>\n And yet, the valley here leading out of the High Passes and into southern Izril seemed idyllic. For grazing, at least! But no [Shepherd] would raise their animals around here. They preferred the Floodplains, for all of the dangers of Rock Crabs and Shield Spiders. Because beyond the lush grasses lay a crimson stain. It occupied the valley, cutting off an easy route south.<\/p>\n The Bloodfields.<\/em> They waited in the distance. The two workers unconsciously turned. The Gnoll sniffed the air warily. They were too far and the wind was blowing the wrong way. But even so. The foreign terrain that began where the red grasses began was\u2026uncanny. To Erin Solstice, it looked like a vision of Mars.<\/p>\n Not Mars<\/em>, Mars, the actual planet which was mostly dust and hot stuff. Erin had seen all kinds of actual data about Mars from her world. But the Bloodfields looked like what people had imagined Mars might be if it was inhabited by alien life.<\/p>\n Red grass occupied the Bloodfields. It seemed\u2014shiny. The light caught the blades, which were razor sharp. Even the grass thirsted for blood. But the grass was hardly the worst of it. Large, bulbous plants dominated the landscape. In places, strange, spore-like protrusions and huge thorny vines, dense clusters of plants seemed to be almost like a jungle. But the sudden dense spots were like oases amid the crimson. The rest of the Bloodfields were apparently spacious.<\/p>\n Deceptively so. Tall, pale trees, some sixty feet tall, others even higher, dominated vast, circular dead zones. Watchertrees. And the bulbous sacs were filled with insects. What few creatures made the Bloodfields their home were also changed. Erin had seen a rabbit. With teeth! And the rabbit had seemed more like a predator.<\/p>\n \u201cSee! I told you! You don\u2019t like it either!\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake crowed, catching Erin\u2019s attention. The Gnoll grumbled and turned away, refusing to answer. He caught sight of Erin watching him and paused. She waved.<\/p>\n \u201cHi.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUh oh. It\u2019s her.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake saw Erin too. He stared at Erin. She waved again and lifted the object in her hands.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just watching. Wanna cookie?\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake and Gnoll stared at the cookie Erin was munching on. Well, she had a little basket. The Gnoll sniffed again and seemed to like what they saw. The Drake licked his lips.<\/p>\n \u201cFor free?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure! I mean, you\u2019re working really hard.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin gestured around vaguely at the immediate area. About three miles south of the Bloodfields, Drakes and Gnolls were building a road. A legit road. It was flat and everything. True, it wasn\u2019t asphalt<\/em>, but they were tearing up the sod, pounding the road to somewhat smooth levels, even rolling objects over the surface.<\/p>\n They were creating a wide path, able to hold two wagons abreast comfortably, out of the wilderness. And they were building it around the Bloodfields, bridging the impassible expanse in the spring and summer. To bring Liscor into contact with the other cities.<\/p>\n They were doing it fast, too. It had been only a few days and the road stretched as far as Erin could see in one direction as she leaned out of the magical doorway. A nice, straight road, heading south. Towards Pallass. She waved the basket at the Gnoll and Drake.<\/p>\n \u201cCookies?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll have one.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake came to a sudden decision. He trotted over and grabbed two. Erin had only offered one, but that was fine. The Gnoll came over too. He took a cookie and bowed slightly.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you. Er\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cErin. Erin Solstice.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course. We\u2019ve, uh, heard of you. Thank you for the\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCookie. Don\u2019t worry, this is just a vanilla one. It\u2019s made of sugar. Flour, butter, eggs\u2014mostly sugar. And vanilla.\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll brightened. He took a cautious bite and smiled even further. Erin smiled too as the Drake scarfed one.<\/p>\n \u201cHey! This is really good! Can I have another?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. But your friend can take another.\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll did. He dipped his head again. He cast a longing glance past Erin into her inn. It was a fairly good day, and some guests were inside, watching the Players of Celum. It was also cooler, and Drassi was passing by with some cooled beers on a platter. Erin would have invited the Gnoll to step inside, but a loud voice came from behind the two workers.<\/p>\n \u201cHey! Break time\u2019s over!<\/em> Get back to work, you two!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw. Damn. [Taskmaster] Eigusha is on our tails again.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake groaned as he turned. The Gnoll made a face too. He hesitated and looked at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019d better get going. Thank you. It\u2019s, uh, good to meet you, Miss Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou too!\u201d<\/p>\n The [Innkeeper] smiled as they left. She could hear the Drake and Gnoll as they trotted back to the working team, scarfing their second cookie.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was her? She\u2019s shorter than I thought she\u2019d be. And a lot less insane.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe saw her going through her inn. I told you she wasn\u2019t crazy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, but you hear things. Remember the skeleton in her inn?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. I thought it was a Hobgoblin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, that\u2019s different. She had, like, five. I thought she was mating with them, but it didn\u2019t smell like that\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin lost her smile. She stared narrow-eyed at the Gnoll\u2019s back. Then the world began to move. Alarmed, Erin jumped\u2014until she realized someone was picking up the doorframe that connected her inn to this position. She peered out the door and saw two grunting Drakes hauling the door. They jumped when they saw her.<\/p>\n \u201cHey! Where are you taking me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMoving the door, Miss. Master Builder Reikhle\u2019s orders. Don\u2019t mind us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Okay, then. Wanna cookie?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Human! Please stop feeding my workers!\u201d<\/p>\n An aggrieved voice shouted at Erin. She turned, and stepped out of the doorway. She looked around, feeling the warm air on her neck. There was a breeze, but the sun was out in force. The grasslands south of Liscor felt hot. And hotter when you saw the teams, the Drakes sweating, the Gnolls with damp fur. They were not a happy lot, but they worked hard, in shifts. And the one motivating them to work harder was striding towards her.<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Hey. Master Builder. I was just\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll strode up to Erin. He pointed at her door.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re moving your door up. To follow the road. There\u2019s no point in keeping it the same spot. And I need more workers, so I\u2019m sending Eigusha through to Liscor. No problems, yes? Good? Good! Stop bothering my workers, please. What\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n He pointed at Erin\u2019s basket. She lifted it.<\/p>\n \u201cCookie?\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll sniffed the basket, took three cookies, and chewed one. He frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cSweet! I\u2019ll share this with my quartermasters. Fine, you can give them out if they\u2019re free. But don\u2019t get in the way. Eigusha! The door!\u201d<\/p>\n He waved and another Gnoll, female, trotted towards the door. The Drakes paused, and she hopped up. The Drakes were carrying the door, so the floor of the inn appeared at torso level. Eigusha jumped and landed in the inn. She blinked around unsteadily, suddenly in an inn. It was an odd experience the first hundred times you did it. Then she turned. The door closed as she briskly adjusted it to Liscor.<\/p>\n \u201cOoh. I hope Drassi gets it back to here.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin frowned. Reikhle shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cEigusha will be back in less than twenty minutes. And this door\u2019s handy.<\/em> We don\u2019t have to set up camp, we can request supplies and personnel in moments\u2014you\u2019re not charging us for it, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNope. I\u2019m getting money from the city. Well, I don\u2019t have to pay as many taxes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, excellent. In that case, I\u2019ll keep using it how I please.\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll [Builder] nodded to himself. Erin eyed him.<\/p>\n Master Builder Reikhle was\u2026interesting. The Gnoll had no time for anything that wasted time. He\u2019d been hired through Pallass to do a job, and this was it. Anyone\u2014adventurer or worker\u2014who was shirking got the back of his paw. In a literal sense. The Gnoll wasn\u2019t afraid to knock heads, but he wasn\u2019t violent.<\/p>\n And it was true that a Drake and Gnoll work team needed it sometimes. Erin had seen two fights as she\u2019d watched that day. The workers got on each other\u2019s nerves, both working and on break. And it fell to Eigusha, the [Taskmistress], or Reikhle, or the other supervisors to deal with the arguments.<\/p>\n Snarling Gnolls and hissing Drakes weren\u2019t the adventurer\u2019s jobs to break up, especially because the Humans were often the target of ire of both races combined. Speaking of which\u2026Erin followed Reikhle as he strode back towards the door.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019re you putting the door?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust up towards the front of the road. We\u2019re not going to walk all the way up when we can move the door, surely?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Makes sense. But aren\u2019t we closer to\u2026the Bloodfields?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin gestured at the red grass in the distance. Reikhle glanced over. Like the other Gnoll, he sniffed the air, but dismissively.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re three miles out. And I have the road moving away from the Bloodfields. See?\u201d<\/p>\n He pointed impatiently, striding so fast that Erin had to jog to keep up. The road was being built along wooden stakes hammered into the ground. Reikhle himself had measured it with some device from Pallass, and now the road was straight as an arrow. [Laborers] were moving ahead of the team pounding the road flat, pouring dirt, raising it above the surrounding dirt. And another team was digging\u2026Erin frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cIs that a ditch? Why\u2019re you digging that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTo have enough dirt to elevate the road! And for drainage, obviously!\u201d<\/p>\n Reikhle snorted. Erin peered at the road.<\/p>\n \u201cOh. But it\u2019s made of dirt. Won\u2019t it wash away with rain?\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll gave her a side-eye.<\/p>\n \u201cNot my<\/em> roads. This one will eventually degrade, but [Weather-resistant Structure] is my<\/em> Skill, and this road will last thrice as long as a normal one! We could have made it out of stone of course, but your city wants the road done fast<\/em>. And dirt is a lot faster. We\u2019ll probably be rebuilding it in the years to come, but I\u2019ll have a temporary road built in less than a month. If you slugs would get to work and stop sitting on your tails!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He bellowed past Erin. A group of Drakes and Gnolls cursed at Reikhle as Erin winced. The Gnoll strode past her.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t bother my workers or get in the way!\u201d<\/p>\n He left Erin. She walked to the side; the road was indeed moving at a rapid pace. Almost as fast as she could walk! Part of it was Skills, but the rest was just organization. Reikhle had teams such that everyone was always working. Erin sidled up to her door as the two Drakes put it down.<\/p>\n \u201cCookie? Cookie.\u201d<\/p>\n She offered her basket. The two sweaty Drakes took it with gratitude. One was a female Drake. She leaned against the door as Erin stared at her arms. This Drake had muscles<\/em>. And breasts. Fun fact: Drakes were mammals. Erin hadn\u2019t really known that. The Drake eyed Erin too.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Miss Innkeeper. Don\u2019t mind Reikhle. He\u2019s always like that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh? You\u2019re from Pallass, then.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake nodded, flashing Erin a grin. Erin smiled back as the other Drake scarfed another cookie, more interested in her basket than anything else. The female Drake smiled crookedly.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right. We\u2019re part of his team. I\u2019m a [Hauler]. Decent-leveled, though. See these?\u201d<\/p>\n She hefted one arm. Erin nodded appreciatively.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat Skills do [Haulers] get?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOnes that let us work harder.\u201d<\/p>\n The other Drake grumbled. The female [Hauler] nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cBut also carry more than we should. It\u2019s like having a miniature bag of holding for dirt. See?\u201d<\/p>\n She nodded at the team dumping dirt on the ground. Indeed, they seemed to be carrying far more than they should, and the team pounding the dirt flat didn\u2019t need to stop for quite a while. Erin whistled.<\/p>\n \u201cNice. So\u2014Reikhle\u2019s a good boss?\u201d<\/p>\n She\u2019d seen him striding about, and after a few days of having him walk through her inn to work, she was curious. Hence the basket of goodwill\u2014Erin twitched it out of the reach of the male Drake. He\u2019d had four cookies. The female Drake grinned and took another one.<\/p>\n \u201cReikhle? He\u2019s decent. Hey, these are really good! You have any water?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2014when the door\u2019s open\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin gestured at the door. The Drake nodded, wiping sweat from her brow. She nodded at Reikhle.<\/p>\n \u201cI know he\u2019s tough. But he\u2019s a [Builder], not some prancing [Architect] or [Engineer]. You need someone to make one of those complex elevators or some artful piece of marble, get someone else. Reikhle gets the job done cheap and quick. Without magic, too! Which is good. [Mage]-built roads always have something wrong with \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh. Well, I\u2019m just interested. You\u2019re all working hard, so I thought I\u2019d share some\u2026say, are the adventurer teams here?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked around. The Drake shrugged. She waved a claw.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are a few on watch over there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUseless sacks.\u201d<\/p>\n Her companion grumbled. He eyed the two teams of Silver-rank adventurers standing around chatting, a few keeping watch in every direction. His ire might have also been due to the fact that the teams were Human. Entirely so. Erin inspected both teams. But she didn\u2019t see the ones she was looking for.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019re the others?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cScouting ahead. Scouting the area. You know, to keep the immediate area clear of monsters. Watch for gaps. We\u2019re going into the hills to get around the Bloodfields. And dead gods, that\u2019s going to be a pain.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The female Drake nodded knowingly towards the incline ahead of them. The grass disappeared, and rocky terrain began. Erin imagined the builders would have to break the stone, find a way to build the road up.<\/em> She nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cOoh. Yeah, that\u2019s tough. Condolences.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve done it before. But it\u2019s no picnic. You looking for a team?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Horns of Hammerad. They\u2019re friends. They stay at the inn. I was just wondering where they were.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re probably on patrol. They\u2019ll be back, but don\u2019t hold your breath. They could be a few hours; they\u2019re all on foot save for one team. Say\u2014can I have another one of those cookies?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The Bloodfields waited. A bit closer from where the road was being built. But not too much. The furthest edge of corruption was still two miles safely away. And there it stayed, no matter where her team went. That was intentional. The [Scout], Hissle, and Ceria\u2019s team had strict instructions not to get any closer to the Bloodfields. And the half-Elf couldn\u2019t argue with that.<\/p>\n She panted as they hiked up a steep incline. Little stones cascaded down around her, dislodged by Yvlon who was climbing after the Drake, Hissle. Their [Scout] moved efficiently, sure-footed even on the rocky terrain. Yvlon was less graceful; she was wearing full plate armor, and despite the good fit and light, enchanted metal, it was still armor. She was sweating in the heat.<\/p>\n Ceria wasn\u2019t. She\u2019d taken to cooling herself down with ice magic. But she was tired.<\/em> She stumbled on a rough patch of footing heading up the slope. She tipped backwards, began to flail\u2014and a hand caught her.<\/p>\n \u201cCaptain Ceria.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Ksmvr.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSteady.\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon turned. Ceria regained her balance and kept climbing. She was wheezing when they got to the top of the crest. Hissle was surveying the area. He turned as Ceria\u2019s loud panting broke his concentration. The Drake eyed the [Cryomancer] and the other three adventurers. Pisces was sitting at the top of the hill on a rock; he\u2019d used [Flash Step] to get up and was reviewing his book. Yvlon wiped her brow, looking only slightly fatigued. Ksmvr waved at Hissle. The Drake hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, we\u2019ll take a five minute break!\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria collapsed onto a rock next to Pisces. He eyed her as she panted. He opened his mouth. Ceria pointed at him.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2014say anything\u2014I\u2019ll stab you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Necromancer] went back to looking at his book. Ceria wanted to die. She was dripping sweat. A cool object pressed against her cheek and she started.<\/p>\n \u201cWater.\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon offered Ceria the flask. The half-Elf gratefully took it and drank. The water was cool\u2014thanks to the ice cubes she\u2019d added to it not half an hour ago. She handed it back after a few sips\u2014she knew better than to gulp it down\u2014and Yvlon drank gratefully.<\/p>\n \u201cAh. It\u2019s nice having an [Ice Mage] around.\u201d<\/p>\n Ksmvr nodded, also drinking. Pisces glanced up at Ceria as said [Ice Mage] bent over.<\/p>\n \u201cIndeed. Are you all right, illustrious captain?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShut it, Pisces. I don\u2019t\u2026want to hear it from you. [Flash Step] is illegal!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI could teach it to you. If you were so inclined. But it does require work. And if used incorrectly, you could break a leg on these rocks.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces raised a brow. Ceria groaned. She\u2019d seen Pisces using his spell to carefully ascend.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want to work! Why are we working? Someone tell me that! We\u2019re rich from the dungeon! Why are we working<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you said you wanted to keep our team busy. I was only too happy to rest.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Necromancer] raised one brow. Yvlon smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cThis was<\/em> your idea, Ceria.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShut up, Yvlon.\u201d<\/p>\n Ksmvr opened his mandibles, peering around. They had a good view from the rocky bluff they\u2019d climbed. And the hills looking down onto the valley gave them a view. Green, and the basin that was Liscor to the north. And south? The Bloodfields. But also, the rise in land. Hills, rocky, unable to support even the crimson death zone. It was through this area that the Horns, led by Hissle, were traversing. Finding a route for the new road.<\/p>\n \u201cCaptain Ceria, I believe we will not be going uphill for the moment. There is a valley ahead. I believe we will be scouting it next.\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Elf didn\u2019t look elated at the news.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we go down, we have to go up<\/em> again, Ksmvr.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat is true, Captain Ceria. Is my motivating speech a failure? How about this: our time is finite, so we only have three hours left by my calculation until our assigned work period ends. We will only be marching for two more hours, upon which time we will begin our return trip. How is that? Captain Ceria? \u2026Captain Ceria?\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Elf was trying to lie down in the dirt. Yvlon rolled her eyes. But she looked a bit tired herself.<\/p>\n \u201cCeria, get up. We\u2019ve only been hiking for two hours.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTwo hours!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re out of shape. Grimalkin is right. You got soft at Erin\u2019s inn. You\u2019ve done worse.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I had to! But this was a mistake! We should quit!\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria groaned. They\u2019d been working on their job with Liscor for the last week, now. Enough time for all of them to get used to the routine. And hate it. Every day was the same. Stand around on guard duty or help build the road, or patrol. And the patrolling, the scouting, was the worst.<\/p>\n The worst part\u2026was the constant hiking. Not the tedium. Ceria could handle tedium; she and her team were able to amuse themselves teaching Ksmvr new things, arguing with Pisces taking on all comers, or just gossiping. But the hiking was tough. On her especially, but it was just hard.<\/em><\/p>\n Scouting meant, well, moving, stopping, and moving some more. Hissle would survey for potential threats or problems that would impede the road\u2014like a deep valley\u2014and order them to check it out, or keep moving across the uneven terrain. They\u2019d gone up very steep, rocky inclines, following Hissle, their dedicated [Scout].<\/p>\n The Drake was sympathetic\u2014to a point. But he came back and pointedly nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to check out the valley. Reikhle won\u2019t build through it, but there might be threats. Everyone up! Be watchful for monsters.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria hauled herself to her feet with a groan. She descended, stumbling after Pisces as the [Necromancer] zipped<\/em> down the first incline with a smooth [Flash Step].<\/p>\n \u201cHissle, why can\u2019t we use horses?\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cTwo reasons, Miss Ceria. First, horses attract monsters. So do we, but animals are tasty to monsters. But we could<\/em> use them\u2014if we had animals used to this terrain. But without, there\u2019s no way a horse can navigate some of the spots we need to move. Like that gravel a while back.\u201d<\/p>\n He nodded at the rocky landscape.<\/p>\n \u201cI wish I had a Skill that gave my mount [Sure Footing] or something. But without it, even a pony would break an ankle in this terrain. I\u2019m sorry, but aside from that other team\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Whistling Bows. Kam\u2019s team.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve all got that Skill. Or their leader does.\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Elf cursed. She\u2019d seen Kam\u2019s team riding in the distance, happily chatting to each other. Yvlon shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not a fan of hiking either, Ceria. But it\u2019s good exercise and it keeps us out of the inn. Where you\u2019d be drinking and eating by midday.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m allowed to do that! Where does it say that\u2019s illegal? I can live how I please! I just wish we had horses.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria snapped. Yvlon shook her head. Ksmvr raised one of his three hands helpfully.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are a breed of huge goat in the Terandrian kingdom of Kilav that are suited to mountainous travel. They are domesticated for riding and considered extremely dangerous siege specialists due to their ability to traverse mountains and nearly vertical ground with ease.\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone, Hissle, Pisces, Ceria, and Yvlon, turned to look at the Antinium. Pisces nodded; Ceria just frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cHow do you know that, Ksmvr?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt is part of my education. I studied Kilavian warfare, among others.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou know about mountain goats in Kilav and not how to tip [Waitresses]?\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria shook her head. They passed by Pisces. He was sitting on a rock. Even Hissle eyed Pisces askance as the [Necromancer] used his Skill to zip down the slope to another seat. He wasn\u2019t lording it over them, but\u2014Ceria glared daggers. Pisces coughed, hiding a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is actually not Ksmvr\u2019s failing, Ceria. Drakes do not prefer to tip, as a species. The fees for those working in such industries are calculated as part of their wages and thus the menu item costs. In that sense, Ksmvr was educated properly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, why am I tipping, then?\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria frowned. Then she cursed as she felt a familiar irritation on her feet, where her sandals were rubbing against one heel. She stopped.<\/p>\n \u201cBlister!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI told you sandals were a poor idea to go hiking.\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon looked disapproving. Ceria had torn her toes open twice and gotten blisters. Now she applied some healing potion, ignoring Yvlon\u2019s disapproving look at the waste. Ceria grumbled.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t care if it\u2019s a mountain goat or an Eater Goat! I\u2019d ride anything\u2014I\u2019m getting blisters on my feet! Isn\u2019t there a better option?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNone. So keep moving. We have to cover this ground, Captain Ceria. And you are contracted with the city.\u201d<\/p>\n Hissle urged Ceria onwards. The half-Elf groaned and picked up the pace. She was indeed used to this, for all she ran her mouth.<\/p>\n By now, the adventurer\u2019s teams were actively betting and lobbying for duty watching the building teams, rather than going scouting. Ceria agreed; casting [Icy Floor] to help some workers transport a block of stone, or so on was preferable to this. Only teams like Kam\u2019s who had horses weren\u2019t complaining.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t a bad job. They were being paid well for guards! And they weren\u2019t in much danger; the few monsters they\u2019d happened across had been easily dispatched. And the dangerous ones the Silver-rank adventurers had teamed up on, like the Face-Eater Moth nest a few days back. No, it just wasn\u2019t fun. And Ceria had forgotten how hard some jobs adventurers took were.<\/p>\n For instance, lunch. Again, it was worse for Ceria. Ksmvr happily chowed down on the food provided for the adventurers and workers alike. It was free as part of their job, so Ceria shouldn\u2019t have complained. But she did. Vocally.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s this? This is just\u2014rations!\u201d<\/p>\n She eyed the salted fish, bit of crumbling cheese, and hard bread they were given. It was filling, but hardly good<\/em>, even washed down with cold water. Yvlon sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cCeria, enough. You\u2019ve been complaining over every little thing. You\u2019ve gotten spoiled by Erin. This is no worse than I had in any number of jobs. But Erin serves that greasy stuff. Filling, but this is better if we\u2019re going to fight. And the city\u2019s providing it to us for free.\u201d<\/p>\n The reprimand turned Ceria\u2019s cheeks pink. Embarrassed, the half-Elf waved the bit of fish around.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I like<\/em> Erin\u2019s food. This is\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She stopped as she realized everyone was looking at her. Even Pisces was staring at her meaningfully. Ceria turned red. She chewed in silence. Okay, it was decent food. Just\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cI admit, Erin\u2019s food is somewhat more flavorful.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces acceded after a minute of silent chewing. He gulped down some water and silently traded his bread for Ksmvr\u2019s fish. The Antinium had a thing about gluten. Pisces chewed on his fish and then continued.<\/p>\n \u201cErin could provide us with lunches. One wonders why the city didn\u2019t ask her to cater for our teams.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKnowing the inn? I\u2019ll bet Lyonette charged too much and Erin didn\u2019t want to make that much food in advance. Which is a shame. She needs to hire a cook.\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon cast a knowing glance towards the magical door sitting\u2014currently inactive\u2014in the distance. They could actually see the road from their vantage point. Ceria nodded, still embarrassed. She peered down at the workers, then pointed.<\/p>\n \u201cHey. Isn\u2019t that Erin?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n The other Horns and Hissle looked. The Drake shaded his eyes. He had a Skill and nodded after a moment.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s her. She\u2019s got a basket. Looks like\u2026what are those things?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCookies!\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria didn\u2019t have to guess. She sat up longingly.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s handing them out to\u2014the Ensoldier Shields! Damn! Walt and his team! Just because they\u2019re all wearing armor they get to sit around\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCeria!\u201d<\/p>\n The Horns were watching from their spot. They were just above the lip of the valley, and any further down they\u2019d miss seeing Erin. Hissle looked about, ready to order them to stop hanging around, but then he glanced back.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin was shouting furiously. From the distance, no one could hear her, but the [Scout]\u2019s enhanced vision saw her furiously pointing at one of the adventurers. Ceria shaded her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? What happened?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLooks like something\u2019s made your friend mad. Oh\u2014I think I saw. One of them slapped her on the behind.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake said it passively, but the half-Elf swore, and Yvlon twitched.<\/p>\n \u201cThose disgusting idiots! I\u2019m going to kick Walt\u2019s teeth in!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t on the tail. Oh\u2014wait. I guess that\u2019s bad, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLike the tail.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces informed Hissle. The Drake frowned. Ksmvr nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI understand this is another form of establishing dominance between sexes. A bad one.\u201d<\/p>\n He looked at Yvlon, and the [Wounded Warrior] nodded. Hissle stared back down.<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2014your friend\u2019s not having it.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin had thrown the basket down and was advancing on one of the laughing adventurers. The all-male team of the Ensoldier Shields were arguing with the other team\u2014Hauntgheist, whose female members were also looking very upset. Then\u2014Ceria groaned appreciatively.<\/p>\n \u201cOoh! She punched him! Did I see that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYup.\u201d<\/p>\n Hissle watched. He looked at the sprawled figure.<\/p>\n \u201cNice hit. That had to be a Skill, right? Alright, back to work!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? But I want to see\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo excuses! We have three more hours! We need to check out this valley now! Keep marching!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Palt the Centaur was cooking when the door slammed back open and Erin Solstice stormed back into the inn. He heard her voice first, shouting.<\/p>\n \u201cThose jerks!<\/em> Hey! Hey! Let go of me! I\u2019m gonna kick him in the nuts! I\u2019m gonna boil nuts and throw it on his face! I said let go\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, Miss Erin. But they are<\/em> working. Master Reikhle wants you off the work site.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe slapped my butt!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t your ears or t\u2014oh, wait. Well, it\u2019s all better if you stay away from them.\u201d<\/p>\n The second voice was male. The first, female one\u2019s was far more sympathetic, but whoever was pushing Erin back into the inn had orders. There was a commotion coming from the magical doorway. Palt longed to investigate, but he couldn\u2019t even send a spell out. He was concentrating.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd\u2026we add the saffron-mix. Note how I have the crushed saffron threads with a few uncrushed ones? We add that to the water\u2014the caramelized onions are already mixed with the rice. And now it\u2019s cooking! You see? Simple, easy\u2014this<\/em> is flavor. Just enough salt, saffron, some onion and we\u2019ll have a dish. Now, we need some sides\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The Centaur [Illusionist] was in the kitchen. He addressed a white Gnoll cub perched on the counter next to him. She stared into the bubbling pot as the Centaur checked the flame. He blew, and flames shot from his mouth, adding to the blaze.<\/p>\n \u201cJust a bit more heat. That\u2019s a good boil! Now\u2014reduce!\u201d<\/p>\n He waved his fingers and the flames abruptly reduced. The Centaur moved quickly, going to another tray. He addressed his audience as he spoke. Lyonette was sitting next to Palt, on a stool, taking rapid notes.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, the rice is excellent even on its own, but it needs more to make it good. You can make a good chicken mix, or vegetables, or a sauce\u2014but this is my favorite. We have some squash, some sweet potatoes here, and some Yellats.<\/em> I add the Yellats for the spicy taste, but if you just want the sweet and savory, you can omit. See, we\u2019ve chopped the vegetables and added the herbal oil. Remember to use spices! Now, we have a nice cover of the oil on the tray\u2014we\u2019re going to bake this in the oven.\u201d<\/p>\n He trotted over to the stone stove. Lyonette raised a hand.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat spices, Palt?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI use thyme and sage and some pepper and salt.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThyme, sage\u2026pepper\u2026salt\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Mrsha wagged her tail, watching the Centaur add fire to the stove with a flick of his fingers then insert the tray.<\/p>\n \u201cIt doesn\u2019t take long to bake. Now, I\u2019m going to use some magic to expedite the process, but that\u2019s because I\u2019ve been doing this a long time. Non-spellcasters can just wait fifteen minutes. You have to get an even cooking, so just throwing flames won\u2019t work.\u201d<\/p>\n The Centaur was warming the inside of the stove. It was complex\u2014if you didn\u2019t know how to create a magical field inside the stove\u2014but he had a magical formula he could use whenever he wanted to cook like this. Erin was still kicking up a fuss as the Centaur lectured about proper heat.<\/p>\n Soon, the veggies were baked. Swiftly, the Centaur returned to the rice pot he\u2019d been checking. The saffron rice was nearly done! The water had evaporated, but it wasn\u2019t dry.<\/p>\n \u201cPerfect. Now, stir in the vegetables at this stage. We\u2019re losing the rest of the moisture, so be sure it\u2019s at this point! Now, we take off the heat and cover this with a towel!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA towel?\u201d<\/p>\n Both Lyonette and Mrsha stared as the Centaur did just that. He winked at them, navigating the kitchen, which wasn\u2019t made for a Centaur, with surprising grace.<\/p>\n \u201cExactly! To steam, you see? It makes the baked vegetables softer. Now, we\u2019ll add the baked vegetables we didn\u2019t add for difference in consistency. Put some other dried vegetables on top\u2014see? Some nice leaves, dried to add some crunch<\/em>\u2014and there we go! It\u2019s not exactly [Chef]-cuisine, but it\u2019s fast and my favorite go-to.\u201d<\/p>\n Mrsha and Lyonette stared down at the finished dish of saffron rice mixed with vegetables. Mrsha sniffed<\/em> at the rich scent, and Lyonette blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cThat looks\u2014really good!\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll cub looked doubtful. There was no meat<\/em> in the dish! Palt waved a finger.<\/p>\n \u201cSave your skepticism, little Mrsha! This is excellent cooking! Your Gnoll tribes love this food, believe me. Of course, you\u2019d add lots of meat like some chicken\u2014I\u2019ll give you the recipe I use for Isceil and Beza\u2019s share, Lyonette\u2014but this is vegetarian.<\/em> No meat! Centaurs don\u2019t like as much meat in our diets.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt smells really good. Go on, Mrsha. Try some!\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll cub didn\u2019t need a second prompting, for all her doubt about the lack of the good stuff. As Palt put some into a bowl, she blew on a spoonful and popped it into her mouth. She chewed doubtfully, but then her eyes went round. Flavor!<\/em> Such as she\u2019d never had! Mrsha began scarfing the food.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t gobble, Mrsha!\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette looked amused and embarrassed. Palt laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s tasting the saffron. Now, remember, it\u2019s quite expensive, so just use a tiny bit. And don\u2019t waste any!\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette nodded, eying the rich, red-gold threads that Palt had given to Erin as a present. She tasted the rice and gasped.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s so\u2014good! The flavor is amazing!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou think so?\u201d<\/p>\n Palt sighed in relief as he preened a bit. Lyonette nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cErin doesn\u2019t cook like this. She uses spices\u2014when she remembers to\u2014but her foods like the pizza don\u2019t have much.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, yes. Well, it\u2019s good in its own way. But this is cuisine. You could give it to a [Gourmet] and they wouldn\u2019t throw it back in your face. Most of them. And the pizza would be a hit at Wistram. Actually\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n This must have been the thing Aaron kept trying to make! Unsuccessfully. <\/em>Palt wondered if the other Earthers had rediscovered it. But he was low on the need-to-know poll, and the Earthers were a huge<\/em> secret. He smiled as he eyed the pizza Lyonette had prepared.<\/p>\n And he\u2019d memorized the recipe! It was just a little secret, but he\u2019d send it back to the Ullsinoi faction tonight. Even recipes were being restricted in Wistram! The Academy\u2019s factions were fighting over everything from Earth and the big ones had a monopoly, hence the Earther-hunt.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you think? The rice might be hard to come by, but you can use saffron in any number of ways.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s excellent. Thank you, Mister Palt.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette smiled at the Centaur. Mrsha did too, a bit warily, but pointed at her bowl. Lyonette scolded Mrsha that she was ruining her appetite. But Palt was only too happy to offer her more.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s nothing. And I have my own stock of rice\u2014I can give you a bag! I imagine you\u2019ll have to import\u2014no, wait. Ask if Pallass imports it from Oteslia. If the Walled Cities aren\u2019t fighting or having a tiff, I\u2019m sure Oteslia grows it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs it expensive?\u201d<\/p>\n Palt waved the question away.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s like wheat, Miss Lyonette. It\u2019s just that it grows best in Baleros. We grow it in the water, you see. Lizardfolk love it. Rice is to Baleros what bread is to Terandria and Izril.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI see. It\u2019s certainly different. Thank you for showing us how to make it. And cook with spices. As I said, Erin\u2019s got her own style of food, but it\u2019s\u2026well, simple.\u201d<\/p>\n The American-based fast foods Erin liked to whip up were popular, but this reminded Lyonette of food from home. It took a bit more effort, even for what Palt called a simple dish. But the Centaur had only been too happy to do some cooking.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, shall we see what\u2019s gotten Miss Solstice so upset?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose so.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Princess] sighed. Palt trotted out of the kitchen with a plate in hand. Erin was still fuming, talking to Drassi, one of the female Gnoll [Waitresses] she\u2019d hired, and two female [Actors]. Everyone male was out of range.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd he was acting like he did nothing wrong! Hey Lyonette! And\u2014Palt? Hey! Guess what happened when I was giving out cookies?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin was surprised to see Palt, but only a bit. He\u2019d been here every day, trying to ingratiate himself into the inn. The Centaur winced when he heard about the butt-slap incident. He wondered if the adventurer who\u2019d made the unfortunate life decision had lost any teeth.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a compliment, they say. Like touching your tail. Eugh! Old Drakes doing that are the worst.\u201d<\/p>\n Drassi was complaining. Erin folded her arms.<\/p>\n \u201cAnyone does it in my inn, they get kicked out! And hit with hammers! Got it?\u201d<\/p>\n She glared around. Lyonette just sighed. The [Innkeeper] was on the warpath.<\/p>\n \u201cErin, did you find the Horns? I thought you were going to check on them.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cOh. No, they were on patrol. But then that jerk Walt and his team\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWas it their fault? I mean, I wasn\u2019t there, but maybe they got the wrong impression?\u201d<\/p>\n That came from the side. Erin looked askance as she stared at a Drake.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n He looked uncomfortable at the stares, but he went on, determined to make his point.<\/p>\n \u201cIf they thought you were flirting\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wasn\u2019t!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid you smile?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course I\u2014smiling is not flirting! I can smile at you without wanting to flirt! And butt-slaps aren\u2019t part of that! Hey! Who thinks a smile means I\u2019m automatically interested in you? Huh?\u201d<\/p>\n No one was willing to look at Erin. The lunch crowd\u2014one half of it\u2014coughed and went to their drinks. Relc, sitting at his table, nudged Klbkch.<\/p>\n \u201cIdiots. You know they\u2019re into you if their tail touches yours. Right, my guy? Right, Klb?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStop elbowing me. I am not your \u2018guy\u2019 either.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin was still fuming as she sat down. Mrsha hopped into her lap and gave her a hug. She smiled, but then she scowled at the door. Palt approached with the steaming plate, and a few Gnolls looked up.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t we all calm down? Miss Erin, I\u2019m sure the adventurer has learned his ways if I know you. Rather than dwell, try this!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOoh! What\u2019s this? Rice?<\/em> And it\u2019s yellow! Like, uh\u2014stir fry!\u201d<\/p>\n Palt\u2019s face fell only a tiny bit. But then he brightened.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re familiar with it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course! Yeah! It\u2019s like, uh, Chin\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin paused and bit her tongue on what she\u2019d been about to say.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014rice! Did you make it, Palt?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI showed Miss Lyonette a bit of how to use the saffron. Would you like a taste?\u201d<\/p>\n Modestly, the Centaur offered Erin the plate. She took the spoon and gingerly tasted it.<\/p>\n \u201cWhoa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs it good?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhoa.<\/em> It\u2019s good!\u201d<\/p>\n Her comments and the word saffron<\/em> made more guests look up. One of them coughed.<\/p>\n \u201cIs there more?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSaffron rice with vegetables! Any takers? It\u2019ll be\u2014two silver a plate?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a lot! Your prices are sky-high!\u201d<\/p>\n One of the regulars complained. Lyonette scowled.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s new! I\u2019ll drop the price later! But this is made with saffron<\/em>. You know, the stuff that comes from Chandrar and is worth gold<\/em> for just a tiny bit?\u201d<\/p>\n More interest. Palt watched as Lyonette hurried into the kitchen. Erin was still exclaiming over the food as Mrsha tried to sneak bites off her spoon.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s so\u2014flavorful! Hey, I wonder if Lasica knows how to make this? You told me you cooked, but not like this, Palt!\u201d<\/p>\n The Centaur sat at the table, moving a chair out of the way. He was pleased by her reaction.<\/p>\n \u201cI do dabble. I\u2019m fond of using spices and no one else in my team can cook. Well, Isceil prefers to roast meat and Beza can make\u2026Minotaur cuisine. But I do most of the work.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Innkeeper] eyed Palt.<\/p>\n \u201cOh yeah? You know spices well? Because you\u2019re a stoner?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The Centaur sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cI really wish you\u2019d stop calling me that, Miss Solstice. There\u2019s nothing wrong with what I do. I\u2019ve explained it. It\u2019s a personal choice. The fact that you\u2019ve never tried anything is what\u2019s odd.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, it\u2019s normal!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin scowled. Palt sighed. He really could have used a good cigar, but Erin had banned it in her inn, talking about second-hand smoke. But she really didn\u2019t like the idea of drugs. Palt didn\u2019t either. Drugs? He wasn\u2019t passing out powders or the kind of stuff that made your hair fall out! It was just dreamleaf! Dead gods, [Healers] used it as medicine!<\/p>\n But he was here to charm Erin, not to fight. So the Centaur patiently nodded to her meal.<\/p>\n \u201cI can assure you, there\u2019s nothing harmful, Miss Solstice. And my offer stands to try some of what I have to offer. But if you don\u2019t want to try it\u2014are you happy with the dish?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah! It tastes great! And rice\u2014I haven\u2019t had rice in ages!\u201d<\/p>\n The Centaur crooked his fingers, conjuring a [False Sound] spell around them. Well, it was more than just a spell\u2014it was a fake conversation, far more advanced than your average [Hush] spell. He\u2019d had to copy Erin\u2019s voice and mannerisms, but anyone listening in would hear a conversation about trite nonsense instead. Far less obvious than Montressa\u2019s methods. Palt was<\/em> an [Illusionist].<\/p>\n And he was here against Montressa\u2019s wishes. The Centaur glanced around, but Montressa wasn\u2019t anywhere to be seen. Obviously; she was still banned from Erin\u2019s inn. But he recognized a friend sitting in one corner.<\/p>\n Ulinde was speaking with Moore and Seborn. The two Halfseekers were sharing a drink and speaking to the Selphid. She was wearing a different body\u2014a nice, female Drake\u2019s. Palt was sure she\u2019d gotten it from the Halfseekers; he remembered how hard the Selphid had been looking for a replacement body up till now. He flicked a finger under the table and Ulinde glanced up in the middle of laughing at something Seborn had said. She only flicked a finger before turning back to the two Halfseekers. Palt saw a flicker, invisible, but readable if you saw magic.<\/p>\n Later.<\/em><\/p>\n He nodded and turned his attention to Erin. Palt was taking a risk, speaking to her. Not in a physical sense; he was pretty sure she wouldn\u2019t try to kill him. No, he was jeopardizing his relationship with his team. With Montressa, especially.<\/p>\n She had not<\/em> been happy to learn that Ulinde and Palt had visited the inn without telling her. There had been an argument, nearly a fight. But the Centaur deemed it worth the risk to keep doing so. Erin was valuable. Montressa, she was fixated on Pisces and the Horns of Hammerad. But Palt had his eyes on the prize.<\/p>\n Erin Solstice was letting Mrsha lick a grain of rice off her face when she looked up and saw Palt chewing on something. She paused. The Centaur was chewing on a toffee, and yes, there was bits of dreamleaf in it. But Erin didn\u2019t know that. He coughed.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, Miss Solstice. Not to bother you, but I was wondering if you\u2019d thought about my proposal\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin put down the spoon, and Mrsha picked it up. She frowned at Palt.<\/p>\n \u201cThe one where I go with you to Wistram? Or give up my door? Nah. Nope. No way.\u201d<\/p>\n Palt looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cYou won\u2019t consider it, just a bit? There are people from your world in the academy, Miss Solstice. You\u2019d be safe!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd a prisoner, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot\u2014exactly. The Academy wants your protection, and there are powerful forces at work\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLike Wistram? So you want us to be the most powerful? Or just to keep your secrets.\u201d<\/p>\n The Centaur bit his tongue. Erin went on, staring at him.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve seen what your team did to my friends. I don\u2019t trust Wistram. And besides, this is my inn. I\u2019m not leaving, right Mrsha?\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll looked up as she finished Erin\u2019s plate. She frowned and waved a spoon at Palt, nodding. The Centaur forced a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cNevertheless, Miss Erin, we have been sent to rescue anyone from Earth. This world is dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, and so\u2019s Wistram. I\u2019m not going.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFair. But if you\u2019d consider\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Palt broke off. He hurriedly twisted his fingers as Lyonette approached the table. His spell unwound, and the [Princess] approached Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cErin, can I borrow you a second? Sorry, Palt.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot at all.\u201d<\/p>\n The Centaur sat back. He kept Mrsha company as Erin got up and spoke with Lyonette. He was listening, of course. Mrsha licked the plate as Lyonette drew Erin aside.<\/p>\n \u201cSo\u2014we\u2019re ready to start work on the inn, Erin. Can we start with the back wall today?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? But we\u2019re having lunch! Can\u2019t you finish work on the rest of the inn, first? Like the basement and stuff? Or\u2014or make the other buildings you wanted first?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin was arguing with Lyonette. Palt relaxed; it was a familiar quarrel he\u2019d heard before. Lyonette looked frustrated.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Antinium have expanded the hill. It\u2019s three times as large! Belgrade wants to lay foundations, but he needs to get at the inn. Which means tearing down parts of it for a tiny bit. Erin, it would really be easier if we remodeled the inn first and then worked on the periphery. Belgrade estimates that he can have the Antinium do most of the work I want in three days. Or less! Erin, we went over this before! It\u2019s one wall! It won\u2019t be down for more than a few hours\u2014Belgrade can make a temporary cover as well!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin squirmed. She hesitated, looking at the walls of her inn.<\/p>\n \u201cI know you want to change the inn, Lyonette, but\u2014maybe wait for a little while? The inn\u2019s solid. And I sort of want it in one piece for the thing with Montressa, you know?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Princess] sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not going to explode, Erin. The Antinium built this inn, but they can make it better.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know that! I wasn\u2019t thinking of\u2014look, just a little break so I can make sure the Horns are safe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut you put me in charge of the inn. Erin, I know what I\u2019m doing. Why can\u2019t I change the wall? It\u2019s my call, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman squirmed. Lyonette was frowning. From his seat, carefully looking the other way, Palt thought Erin was being more than a bit stubborn.<\/p>\n \u201cI know that! And you\u2019re in charge! Totally! But\u2014<\/em>I want the inn to be secure, y\u2019know? In case\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She glanced back at Palt. The Centaur pretended to be scratching at his side. Because of Montressa and his team.<\/em> Curse her! It was making his job so much harder! Lyonette scowled, but nodded reluctantly.<\/p>\n \u201cFine. How long?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow long?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not going to ask Belgrade to stall forever! He says the Antinium can put grass on the hill, do some more prep work. And work on the basement, I suppose. But how long until they can work with the inn itself?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA few\u2014one week?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOne week?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked pleadingly at Lyonette. The [Princess] wasn\u2019t happy, but she glanced back at Palt as Mrsha waved her paw. She was offering a bit of saffron to Apista who floated over. Palt leaned back as the Ashfire Bee buzzed past him. Lyonette blew out her cheeks and threw up her arms.<\/p>\n \u201cFine.<\/em> But after that\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI promise. Let me just speak to Palt. I think I can convince him\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The Centaur sat up as Erin came back. Of course, he knew what she wanted as well. So he began with honesty. He wasn\u2019t here to trick Erin. Tricks were always found out. He wanted to convince<\/em> her, and he\u2019d adopted another tack.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Solstice, about our discussion\u2014if you\u2019re truly set on not leaving your inn, I\u2019ll reluctantly accept that. However, I have to warn you, Miss Solstice, that my team might not be as\u2014as understanding as I am.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs that a threat?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin frowned at Palt. So did Mrsha, and she held out Apista, stinger poised. The Centaur edged back from the Gnoll, waving around her attack-bee.<\/p>\n \u201cNot at all! Not at all! Rather, it\u2019s a warning. I can\u2019t control Montressa or my teammates. I\u2019m low on the hierarchy. I have a say, but Montressa outranks me in a number of senses. She has orders to bring you to Wistram.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd get Pisces. You said you\u2019d try and sway her.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked hard at Palt. The Centaur nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I am! I will! But listen. Ulinde isn\u2019t as determined as Montressa. Neither am I. But Isceil, Beza? And Montressa herself? They shouldn\u2019t be underestimated. I am not trying to threaten you in any way! But I want you to understand that we are<\/em> full [Mages].\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhich means what?\u201d<\/p>\n Palt chose his words carefully.<\/p>\n \u201cIt would be better if I could stop Montressa rather than have her try to\u2014force\u2014anything. Because my teammates are dangerous. Isceil underestimated Pisces. And Beza was likewise overconfident. But frankly, aside from being ambushed, we won our encounters somewhat handily. If we\u2019d put barrier spells up, none of us would have been hurt. Even your duel at the inn might have gone further south until Grimalkin arrived. Well, that Drake with the anti-magic spear was dangerous too by all accounts.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Innkeeper]\u2019s eyes narrowed.<\/p>\n \u201cThis all sounds like a threat, Palt. If I don\u2019t do what you want, it might<\/em> come to a fight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCall it my attempt to educate you before it comes to that. I\u2019m being honest, Miss Solstice. I\u2019ll swear on a truth spell that Montressa might start something even with my best efforts. I\u2019m<\/em> not the scary one, Miss Solstice. I\u2019m an expert at utility spells. I don\u2019t throw [Fireballs]. But I can hold my own with any Silver-rank [Mage] in the world in a spell fight. And my friends are far, far better at battle than I am.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin nodded slowly. She eyed Palt, and he imagined she was trying to tell if he was being truthful. He hoped she had some Skill or method because he was. He\u2019d tried to talk to Montressa, and it was like slamming his head into a wall. Repeatedly.<\/p>\n \u201cIf it comes to a fight\u2014which I am trying to prevent!\u2014I need to warn you that a second fight won\u2019t be safe. Even here, Miss Solstice. How strong is your inn with [Reinforced Structure]? Can it withstand siege spells? Because Isceil can do more damage than a [Siege Fireball]. Beza has six enchantments she can use at once. And Montressa\u2014you saw her take a hit from Liscor\u2019s wall spells. That orb artifact can cast [Chain Lightning] on command.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s still just magic. Bop any of them on the head when they don\u2019t have a magic barrier up and they\u2019re done, right? And it\u2019s not going to come to that. Right?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked at Palt. He hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cFor you, Miss Solstice? I\u2019d normally say Liscor is enough of a deterrent. But Montressa and that [Necromancer], Pisces\u2014I told you what passed between them, didn\u2019t I?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPisces and Ceria did too.\u201d<\/p>\n Palt nodded cautiously.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I will say it again. Montressa\u2019s hatred runs deeper than a grudge. She fears the undead. To this day. And Pisces is more than a murderer in her eyes. I\u2019ve tried talking to her. But\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWould she break Liscor\u2019s laws? Zevara will throw her in jail forever if she does.\u201d<\/p>\n Palt twiddled his thumbs, hesitating. Erin narrowed her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cWould<\/em> she?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWistram Academy has an\u2026equation it teaches the [Mages] that it allows to represent it. In short, it\u2019s something like\u2014if the risk to the academy is worth the cost and the reward, a [Mage] should pursue the opportunity. The risk of offending a single Drake city is acceptable to recover someone from your world, Miss Solstice. As is your magic door and potentially being able to replicate it. The Horns? That\u2019s Montressa\u2019s call, but if she came back with you and the magic door, Wistram would most likely consider it more than worth the cost.\u201d<\/p>\n Palt pointed at Erin. She blinked down at her chest.<\/p>\n \u201cMe? But then\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at Palt. Then she sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. Just tell me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re giving me threats about how bad Montressa is\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot threats\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThreats!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin slammed her fist on the table. Mrsha did the same, glaring fiercely. Palt recoiled as Apista buzzed his face. Erin patted Mrsha on the back.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014a warning, then! But you think<\/em> you can stop it or you wouldn\u2019t tell me. What do you want? What\u2019s your angle?\u201d<\/p>\n Palt took a breath. Erin was cannier than he\u2019d like. In some areas. He nodded, growing serious.<\/p>\n \u201cVery well. My proposal is this: I can call Montressa off. Both you and the Horns, if I do it right. Certainly, I can ensure that retrieving you isn\u2019t necessary. But to do that, I\u2019d need to leverage my faction, draw on support within the Academy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour faction?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin frowned. Palt nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re all from different parts of the academy. Mine is small, but we have some influence. Montressa\u2019s from a major faction. One of the biggest. The Revivalists. However, my group, the Ullsinoi faction, is quite flexible. If the Elusive Lot\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, our leaders. I don\u2019t know who they are, but they\u2019re the best [Illusionists] and spellcasters in their field in Wistram. If they fight for it, we could probably force the Revivalists to call off the bounty on your friend. Even ensure that your name is\u2026lost. Or that you\u2019re left alone.\u201d<\/p>\n Palt was fairly sure they could do it. But it would be an ugly struggle. Erin thought about it.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do I have to do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGive us information. Be an\u2014ally. To the Ullsinoi faction.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat kind of information?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnything you can think of. From your world.\u201d<\/p>\n Mrsha looked up. Erin narrowed her eyes. She stood up.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Solstice! It\u2019s the only thing I can think of! I swear, on a truth spell, there\u2019s no other way to get Montressa to back down. I can\u2019t convince her with words!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin rounded on Palt as he got to his hooves.<\/p>\n \u201cThe only way? Maybe for you. All I had to do is be your faction\u2019s ally? You say that, but I bet [Illusionists] are all tricky. And jerks. Probably fun <\/em>jerks, but jerks who walk around invisibly and pull pranks and stuff. Am I right? Why should I trust your faction? What\u2019s Ullsinoi mean, anyways?\u201d<\/p>\n Palt bit his tongue.<\/p>\n \u201cMy faction is somewhat notorious, but it\u2019s not evil, Miss Solstice. All you have to do is answer questions.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnswer questions. Like how to make guns?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The Centaur was silent. That was a big one. But the Ullsinoi faction wanted more. Like how to create electricity, harness lightning. Fly into space.<\/em><\/p>\n The Centaur sighed tiredly.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s be frank here, Miss Erin. I came here to find something to help my faction. I\u2019m loyal to them, and I think we\u2019re not bad. Wistram is taking people from Earth. For their protection, but also for gain, yes! And you\u2019re a piece on the board, to make a chess reference. I\u2019m offering you all I can, but I can\u2019t help you for nothing. My faction will fight for you if I tell them to. But they have to have something. It\u2019s all I\u2019ve got. Will you at least consider it?\u201d<\/p>\n He waited. Erin Solstice wavered. She looked up, thinking hard. At last, she smiled at Palt. The Centaur\u2019s heart leapt. Erin opened her mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Shoo!\u201d<\/p>\n Then she turned and walked away.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Palt the Centaur turned and stomped off towards the door. He was angry. Erin Solstice watched him go, feeling satisfied. And nervous. She felt like he\u2019d been telling her the truth. But tell his faction, tell Wistram about guns and stuff from Earth? Ryoka had warned her about just that! No, she was tired of bringing new things into this world. Erin sighed. They\u2019d just have to find another way to convince Montressa. She turned\u2014<\/p>\n And Lyonette caught her arm.<\/p>\n \u201cErin, come with me for a moment.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh? What\u2019s the matter, Lyonette\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The [Princess] turned and dragged Erin into the kitchen. She was surprisingly strong! She nodded at Mrsha.<\/p>\n \u201cGuard the entrance, Mrsha.\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll cub nodded. Lyonette pulled Erin into the back of the kitchen and lowered her voice. Even Gnolls would have trouble hearing them above the background noise. The [Princess] glared at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cTell him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin stared at Lyonette. The [Worldly Princess] snapped.<\/p>\n \u201cTell<\/em> Palt yes, Erin! I caught the last of what he said. He offered you a deal, didn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. He wanted to know about\u2014about stuff from home. I had to join with his faction or else Montressa might do something. I told him no\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t be an idiot! Tell him \u2018yes\u2019! Mrsha, don\u2019t let Palt leave!\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll threw Apista. The Ashfire Bee buzzed after the Centaur and there was a shout. Erin looked at Lyonette.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you talking about? Lyonette, we talked about this!\u201d<\/p>\n The Princess had been privy to Palt\u2019s careful negotiations with Erin over the last few days. The Centaur had been circumspect, trying to buy Erin\u2019s goodwill. The [Princess] had been the one who had told Erin to wait for Palt\u2019s pitch.<\/p>\n And Erin had! She\u2019d discussed it with Mrsha, Numbtongue, and Bird, the rest of her family, as well. And the Hobgoblin had vouchsafed that it was unwise to trust any Wistram [Mages] given their reputation. Not in so many words, but Erin had agreed. Bird hadn\u2019t had much of an opinion, but Lyonette had insisted Erin hear Palt out.<\/p>\n \u201cI listened, Lyonette. But he wants secrets about our world! Like about guns and missiles and stuff! No way. Remember what Ryoka told me?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Princess] ground her teeth.<\/p>\n \u201cDid he say he wants that exactly<\/em>, Erin? Or does he just want your help? Tell me what he said. He was using a spell, so all I heard was you two talking about bananas.\u201d<\/p>\n Frowning, Erin repeated the gist of her conversation with Palt. Outside the kitchen, the Centaur was ducking Apista who was guarding the magical door. Lyonette exhaled when she heard Palt\u2019s offer.<\/p>\n \u201cErin! Tell him yes! Ask him to help!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? But I can\u2019t do that! I\u2019ll have to tell him\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t know what you\u2019re telling him yet! Guns are just one thing! And if it comes to it\u2014tell him!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The [Innkeeper] was aghast. Lyonette leaned in and whispered fiercely to her.<\/p>\n \u201cSomeone else will! How many people from your world did Palt say Wistram has?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAt\u2014at least a dozen? I dunno. But Lyonette! Guns are\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s information, Erin! If you don\u2019t tell him, one of the others will! Listen to me.<\/em> Palt gave you an offer! It was fair, and you shot him down without even considering it! That\u2019s not how you negotiate! Go back out there, tell him you want to discuss the matter, and get his help to call Montressa off Pisces and you!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut I\u2019d have to help his faction! And they could be jerks!\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette\u2019s red hair tossed as she shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t get it, Erin. You\u2019re already<\/em> in trouble. You have a team of [Mages] who can destroy your inn<\/em> if you\u2019re not careful! And you have one of them who\u2019s willing to deal with them. You need an ally in Wistram and Palt is the best one! Or do you trust any of the others?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2014but why do I have to deal with Wistram? Why shouldn\u2019t I tell them to go away?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin snapped back. She didn\u2019t like Lyonette\u2019s tone. The [Princess] looked at her as if she was an idiot. She pulled at her hair.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause that\u2019s not how it works,<\/em> Erin! Do you think you can just ignore or\u2014or fight something as big as Wistram? Do you think, really think you can be the lone, independent force that never negotiates, and gets her own way? Don\u2019t answer! That\u2019s exactly what you think!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, you do! You\u2019re stubborn! You\u2019re more stubborn than anyone, even Pisces! Even Zevara, and Embria! You think you can offend Wistram and take no sides but your own and you\u2019ll win! But guess what, Erin? Wistram will just do to you what they did to Pisces! Listen to me.<\/em> You need allies! I know what I\u2019m talking about! I was a [Princess] of Calanfer, and my kingdom does not stand alone! We make allies! Even bad ones! That\u2019s how Calanfer has survived for thousands of years! You need to do the same.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin blinked in the face of Lyonette\u2019s tirade. Where was this coming<\/em> from? She felt uneasy.<\/p>\n \u201cBut the inn\u2019s always been fine on its own.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo it hasn\u2019t. It\u2019s always had the Watch or the Gnolls or someone on its side, Erin. This is the first major power dealing with you besides Pallass, and you had Wall Lord Ilvriss and Zel Shivertail to protect you. Palt is offering you the same. Don\u2019t turn him down.\u201d<\/p>\n The young [Princess] folded her arms. Erin wanted to object.<\/p>\n \u201cBut if I tell him\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNegotiate, Erin!<\/em> Don\u2019t tell him how to make guns. You don\u2019t even know how! But think. They have people from your world. One of them\u2014maybe all of them are going to help the other factions. You need this one, so give them something! Dead gods, you\u2019ve been making food and bringing in plays\u2014yes, give them plays! But don\u2019t you dare just insult Palt and walk away.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Princess] practically shoved Erin back out of the kitchen. The [Innkeeper] tried to protest, but part of her realized Lyonette was right. The other part didn\u2019t agree, but\u2014Erin saw Palt trotting through the inn, followed by Apista.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Erin! Call your bee off, please!\u201d<\/p>\n The [Illusionist] shouted as guests dove out of the way. Lyonette clapped her hands.<\/p>\n \u201cApista, back!\u201d<\/p>\n The bee obediently flew towards her and landed on her arm. The [Princess] gave Palt a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry about that, Palt. Apista must have found you interesting. Erin?\u201d<\/p>\n She nudged Erin. The [Innkeeper] bit her lip. She looked at Lyonette. But\u2014Erin hesitated. Was she being stubborn? No! Okay, maybe. She didn\u2019t like the idea of selling anything to Palt\u2019s faction.<\/p>\n But what <\/em>are you going to do? If Montressa goes nuts? Palt just said they can blow up your inn, even from the outside. And if they fight, your friends have to fight too. If any get hurt when you could stop it, it\u2019s on you, right?<\/em><\/p>\n A little voice in Erin\u2019s head, one of the rare ones, whispered. The [Innkeeper] frowned. She folded her arms and glowered at Palt.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s my way or the highway. I shouldn\u2019t be bullied!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s idiotic. That\u2019s not how the world works, Erin. You want to do that, be my guest. But if you put Mrsha in danger, I\u2019ll have Apista sting you!\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette snapped. Erin flushed. Reluctantly, she walked over.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Palt. A word?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCertainly, Miss Solstice.\u201d<\/p>\n The Centaur snapped his fingers. A hush enveloped the two. Erin glanced at Lyonette. But there was no help for it. Erin sighed, and turned to Palt. The Centaur was expectant. Even hopeful.<\/p>\n For a moment Erin hesitated. Did she trust Palt? No. Not entirely. But then again, he\u2019d been nothing but a good guest. He\u2019d helped cook, answered her questions\u2014and he seemed reasonable. He was part of Montressa\u2019s team, and he\u2019d helped beat up Pisces. And he was sneaky, like when he\u2019d come to her inn invisibly. And he did drugs.<\/p>\n But\u2014Erin had never done weed. And she\u2019d always thought she wouldn\u2019t. Even if people said it wasn\u2019t addictive and stuff! But it was a drug. And drugs were bad, right?<\/p>\n But you said the same thing about alcohol and it was pretty nice.<\/em> And you serve that. And your faerie flower drink.<\/em><\/p>\n Erin bit her lip. She didn\u2019t like the thoughtful voice in her head. Because it usually meant she was wrong. She hesitated. Sighed. It was only negotiations. Lyonette was right about that, at least.<\/p>\n \u201cPalt. I changed my mind. Can you\u2014talk to your faction? I can\u2019t give you guns. I don\u2019t even know how to make them. But I\u2014I could work with the Ullsinoi faction if you can promise you can call Montressa off.\u201d<\/p>\n Palt\u2019s eyes went wide. He smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re sure?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin nodded. The Centaur\u2019s eyes flickered and she wondered if he\u2019d lied. But then he exhaled and nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll talk with my superiors at once. And I will pull all the levers I have, Miss Solstice. You have my word. And I\u2019ll ensure that whatever my faction wants isn\u2019t too arduous. The best deal is one that puts both sides ahead, Erin. Give me a day\u2014no, two at most. You won\u2019t regret this! I\u2019ll lay out what my faction wants and you can accept or refuse it. But thank you for trusting me.\u201d<\/p>\n He seemed so earnest. Erin blinked as he reached out and took her hands. She felt less bad about her decision and glanced at Lyonette as she nodded to Palt. The [Princess] was smiling in relief.<\/p>\n The Centaur trotted towards the door, and Erin saw Ulinde excuse herself. She frowned until Lyonette joined her. Mrsha walked over on two legs and grabbed both young women\u2019s hands. Erin looked down at her, then at Lyonette.<\/p>\n \u201cNegotiation<\/em>, huh? Numbtongue thought it was a bad idea.\u201c<\/p>\n \u201cWith respect to him, and you, neither of you are used to politics. And Numbtongue is a Goblin. He\u2019s right to be skeptical. But this was good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou really got mad at me.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Princess] tossed her head, seeming only a bit embarrassed.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, you are<\/em> infuriatingly stubborn, Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am not!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin frowned. Mrsha and Lyonette both stared at her. So did Apista on top of Lyonette\u2019s head. Erin hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not. Am I?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cYes! Yes!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Palt did a little dance with his hooves outside the inn. He hadn\u2019t taken the magical door to Liscor. He wanted to walk. He pumped one fist in the air. He\u2019d done it! What had changed Erin\u2019s mind? Her [Barmaid]? Palt could kiss Lyonette! Or Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cPalt!\u201d<\/p>\n The Centaur turned as Ulinde hurried out the doorway. The Selphid saw him and strode over. She was limber in her new body, and it was pleasantly fresh. The half-rotted old man had been hard to deal with. The Centaur nodded to her.<\/p>\n \u201cHad a good chat with the Halfseekers?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh yeah! Two of them! Miss Jelaqua is still in Pallass, but Seborn and Moore have let me talk to them a lot! I think they\u2019ve forgiven me! A bit, at least.\u201d<\/p>\n The Selphid looked as excited as Palt. And why not? Her heroes were in the inn. The Halfseekers. Palt didn\u2019t get the Selphid\u2019s excitement, but he was grateful for it. They began walking down the hill.<\/p>\n It was indeed expanded, the grass meeting a huge amount of freshly dumped dirt. The Antinium had expanded the base of the hill three times over, creating a gentle slope the two walked down. Palt saw more milling at the base of the hill and shifted uneasily, but then Ulinde nudged him.<\/p>\n \u201cSo? What did you want to talk about.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh. That.\u201d<\/p>\n Palt collected himself. Time to get to work. If he wanted to land a deal with Erin\u2014and he did, because his position and the Ullsinoi faction stood to benefit\u2014he needed to work fast. Contacting his faction would be important since the Elusive Lot needed to debate, but Ulinde was more important. Palt turned his torso to her.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I wanted to ask you something, Ulinde. Are you\u2014enjoying the company of the Halfseekers? The Wandering Inn is rather excellent, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt really is! And I love it there. Moore and Seborn are great. And that Miss Erin is nice\u2014I mean, she still glares daggers, but she had amazing food, which I can taste<\/em> with my new body! And the actors\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a wonderful spot.\u201d<\/p>\n Palt agreed. It would have been amazing if the inn were in Wistram. The plays alone\u2014his pulse quickened. Yes, that was valuable and the Ullsinoi faction would see the value in that! He made a mental note to bring that up as something Miss Solstice could definitively offer. He turned to Ulinde.<\/p>\n \u201cIt would be a shame if we had to take Miss Erin, wouldn\u2019t it? Or go after Pisces? Montressa, Beza, and Isceil\u2014they\u2019re on stakeout, watching the adventurers, aren\u2019t they?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. And Montressa wants us to join her. I\u2014I\u2019m not doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n Palt saw Ulinde look up. The Selphid glared at him.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not kidnapping Erin. Pisces is one thing\u2014and I don\u2019t want to go after him! But I\u2019m not doing anything with Miss Solstice! If I do, the Halfseekers will never<\/em> forgive me! And they have! Seborn and Moore have, and I\u2019m not losing their trust again! I\u2019m warning you, I\u2019m not helping with Erin! And I\u2019ll tell Montressa that!\u201d<\/p>\n The Selphid pulled out her wand. Palt nodded carefully\u2014Ulinde was a dangerous duelist, as good as Isceil\u2014but then he smiled in relief.<\/p>\n \u201cI had the exact same thought, actually. Which is what I wanted to bring up, Ulinde.\u201d<\/p>\n Her eyes widened in relief.<\/p>\n \u201cYou did?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI did. I think we see the same thing. Erin Solstice may be an Earther, but she\u2019s better here<\/em>. And it\u2019s not worth the risk or cost of going after her. Or Pisces, frankly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right! Her inn\u2019s valuable! Seborn and Moore told me what Miss Erin did! She\u2019s got great guests, she\u2019s saved Liscor, and her inn\u2019s full of valuable people. The most attractive, amazing\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAbsolutely. Er\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Palt murmured, then caught himself. He looked at Ulinde.<\/p>\n \u201cAre we talking about Miss Solstice?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo! I mean Moore and Seborn! They\u2019re so\u2014cool!<\/em> And Moore is handsome, don\u2019t you think so? I like his body. And Seborn? He\u2019s funny, when you realize he\u2019s not always moody!\u201d<\/p>\n Ulinde shivered with delight. Palt eyed her.<\/p>\n \u201cYou enjoy his company? He seems grumpy to me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s part of his charm! He\u2019s Seborn<\/em>, the [Rogue]! I heard all these stories\u2014my friends will be so jealous when they hear I\u2019m talking with him! I wish I wasn\u2019t with Montressa\u2019s team. If only I could apologize to Miss Jelaqua\u2014I\u2019m so afraid she\u2019ll be mad again\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The Selphid sighed. Slowly, eying her, Palt took out a cigar and put it in his mouth. It seemed Ulinde and he were on more similar pages than he\u2019d thought. Thoughtfully, he lit up and blew a ring of smoke. Then he handed one to her. The Selphid happily accepted.<\/p>\n \u201cSo. I have a\u2026proposal, Ulinde. I know your faction of Selphids is tied to the Revivalists. But could you persuade them to ally with mine? Montressa\u2019s clearly in the wrong and she\u2019ll land Wistram in trouble if we go down the path she wants.\u201d<\/p>\n Ulinde was no fool, starry-eyed or not. She glanced up at Palt and frowned, puffing on the cigar.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026could make some [Messages]. But what does my faction get?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAside from helping the Halfseekers? Well, let\u2019s discuss it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe hardest thing will be convincing Montressa. Even if her faction calls her back, she\u2019s mad about Pisces. Like\u2014Beza<\/em> mad.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf she\u2019s ordered away, what can she do? Let\u2019s talk to her tomorrow. But do I have your ear?\u201d<\/p>\n The Selphid hesitated. She looked up at Palt and the Centaur waited. Then the [Spellslinger] nodded slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cSure. Let\u2019s chat. And it\u2019s an earhole, thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Montressa was dreaming. She knew she was dreaming, but only in the vaguest way. In the dream, she was in the moment. And it was always the same.<\/em><\/p>\n She was a girl, young, new to Wistram, in her second-year. Her robes flapped around her ankles and she stumbled as she ran. The halls of Wistram, illuminated by torches and magical lights at all times of day were shadowed. Dark. Magic and fire were both failing.<\/p>\n The air was full of screams. The sounds of magical explosions. Frantic voices. Montressa ran, stumbling, hearing shouts behind her. She was running. Calvaron had told her to run!<\/em> Run, and find help!<\/p>\n The banquet hall had been chaos. [Mages] and students fought in the vast space. Golems too. But the enemy had come at them by surprise.<\/p>\n It had just been a normal dinner. Montressa had been sitting with Calvaron, waiting for Beatrice. Then they had come.<\/p>\n Undead.<\/em> But not Ghouls or zombies. Or even Draug. No\u2014wraiths and specters, dark shadows floating through the air. Fast\u2014deadly. One had run through a Council-mage in the first moments. The others had set upon the diners. A horde of the undead!<\/p>\n They had been stalemated. Amerys herself had thrown lightning, blasting the undead. But there were so many<\/em>. The younger [Mages] had fled as the older ones fought, trying to keep the undead back. Calvaron had been galloping, covering Montressa\u2019s escape. Three of the half-real undead had been on his tail.<\/p>\n And more were coming. Montressa ran, shouting. She could hear distant voices, shouting echoes of what she was screaming.<\/p>\n \u201cUndead attack! Get the Archmages!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHigh-level Undead! Clear the halls! Put up barriers! Get the Golems!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Montressa skidded down one of the halls leading to the banquet room. She knew this spot\u2014a three-way intersection, a common meeting point in the Academy.<\/p>\n Right now, it was a warzone. Two Golems were battling the undead. They struck at the floating ghost-things. The silhouettes of the undead weren\u2019t just Human\u2014they were in every species. One, half bone, gripping a two-handed greatsword, swung down, passing through the Golem\u2019s fist. It slashed, cutting the Golem\u2019s arm off. Undeterred, the construct swung its other hand, but the undead ignored its blow.<\/p>\n From the side, a fifth-year student blasted the wraith with a jet of light. The undead shrieked<\/em> and dove at the student. Montressa saw the blade flash down. A severed torso fell. She screamed and ran, darting back down another corridor as the wraiths turned.<\/p>\n \u201cSomeone! Help!\u201d<\/p>\n Montressa sobbed as she ran. She glanced over her shoulder, but the specters were distracted, fighting the Golems perhaps. The [Mage] girl slowed, clutching at her side. She looked around. She was heading towards some of the student\u2019s rooms. She ran forwards. She had to warn them! They had to find an Archmage or someone!<\/p>\n The hallways were dim. Montressa realized she was running in near-darkness. She conjured a [Light] spell, but the glowing orb barely lit anything up. It was as if something was eating the light itself.<\/p>\n Panting, Montressa stopped by the first of the student\u2019s doors. She knew some of them; they were fellow second-years, like hers. She saw some doors were ajar. That wasn\u2019t normal. Montressa halted. She called out, uncertainly.<\/p>\n \u201cHello?\u201d<\/p>\n There was no reply. Had everyone already run? Montressa looked around. She might have moved on, but one door stood out to her. She knew who lived here. Chaise, a girl Montressa was friends with. She stepped towards it. There was a\u2026noise\u2026coming from beyond it, a faint panting sound.<\/p>\n \u201cChaise? Are you there? We have to run! There\u2019s an undead attack!\u201d<\/p>\n Montressa stepped towards the door. She felt a chill running down her body. She looked around, but the long hallway was empty. One hand found the doorknob.<\/p>\n \u201cChaise\u2014?\u201d<\/p>\n Don\u2019t turn it.<\/em> That was what all of Montressa said. That was what her true self, watching the dream, said. But Montressa, the student, the girl, had to know. She always had to know. So she opened the door. And she saw Chaise.<\/p>\n The girl was lying on the floor. Montressa saw her torso and legs first. Then\u2014she froze.<\/p>\n One of the undead had come this way. A ghostly, dark figure made of blackness. And it had found Chaise. The shadow was kneeling over her, stooped low. Chaise wasn\u2019t moving.<\/p>\n \u201cCh\u2014Chaise?\u201d<\/p>\n Montressa was shaking. But her friend might be alive. She drew her wand. The tip sparked weakly, the light sucked up by the darkness that seemed to be drawing in everything. She saw the specter pause.<\/p>\n Montressa du Valeross raised her wand. She tried to shout.<\/p>\n \u201cGet away from her!\u201d<\/p>\n The specter turned. And Montressa saw its face. It was a Human face, the only solid thing in the ghostly, shadowed figure. But the Human face wasn\u2019t right. It was deathly pale. And contorted in a huge grin. Eyes wide. Bloody teeth grinning at Montressa.<\/p>\n The girl halted. She stared at Chaise\u2014her friend\u2019s face\u2014on the specter\u2019s body. Then she saw the blood dripping from the teeth. She looked down.<\/p>\n It had eaten her face.<\/em> The specter\u2014Chaise\u2014grinned at her, eyes wide. Montressa screamed. She screamed and screamed, backing away. The specter rose, floating. Chaise laughed. It was her voice.<\/p>\n The undead laughed and came at her. Montressa screamed as she threw up [Barrier of Air], the spell Pisces had taught her. The specter passed through the wall of whirling air and reached for her. And Montressa\u2019s scream was real, in the dream, and in life.<\/p>\n Laughing and laughing, and Chaise screamed at her as the undead reached for Montressa\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The [Aegiscaster] woke up. She clutched at sweaty bed sheets, a second scream on her lips. Her throat was raw. She looked around, stared about the lit room, at the hovering [Light] spell by her bed. Even at night, her room was illuminated. For a second the young woman, years older, just sat there. Then she covered her face and started crying.<\/p>\n No one had heard her screams. Her rooms were warded. Montressa knew to cast the spell each night in case she dreamed of the past. She was too afraid to sleep again. So she just sat there, too afraid to cast a [Sleep] spell.<\/p>\n The dream was always the same. Chaise\u2019 face. The last time she had seen Calvaron alive. Death, flying through Wistram\u2019s halls. Death, regret, horror. That was all Montressa remembered.<\/p>\n She didn\u2019t dream of the next part where Cognita had reached out and torn<\/em> the undead apart, her body bright crystal that glowed golden. She didn\u2019t recall the [Mages] fighting off the undead and the comparatively few casualties the Academy had taken. If it had been a city without so many high-level [Mages] and the Golems, the undead might have slaughtered hundreds of thousands. As it was, they had killed few.<\/p>\n But Chaise and Calvaron were part of that number. And in a way, Montressa was part of that casualty too. Even now, the [Aegiscaster] could close her eyes and remember.<\/p>\n A girl, rocking in a corner for months afterwards, [Light] spells illuminating every corner of her room. Ostracized in class for her friendship, no matter how much she denied playing any part in\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n She opened her eyes. And her fear subsided. Never gone away. Never that. But now she had the object of her fear in front of her.<\/p>\n Pisces.<\/em> The one who had unleashed death. Who had walked away after being exiled<\/em>, with nothing more done! Because Cognita had demanded it. Because no one had brought him to justice.<\/p>\n Slowly, the sun rose. Montressa slowly untensed as the light illuminated her room. The rays dried her tears. She rose and dressed herself. When she greeted her fellow [Mages] the next day, she showed nothing of her night. Of the girl who had seen nightmares come to life.<\/p>\n But she never forgot. She could never forget. She greeted Isceil and Beza, ignoring Calvaron\u2014no\u2014Palt\u2019s look as she told them what they\u2019d all be doing today.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re following them. All<\/em> of us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Work was work. The days were much like the previous. Sometimes you could forget, think they were all the same. But time didn\u2019t stop<\/em>. And sometimes, you dreamed of what had been. What you\u2019d taken for granted.<\/p>\n Infected again.<\/em> Yvlon took the news silently as the [Healer] checked her arms the next day. The Gnoll [Healer] made a faint growling sound as she unwrapped the poultice she\u2019d put around Yvlon\u2019s arms. The [Wounded Warrior] looked at the weeping, red skin. She felt nothing as the Gnoll sniffed and made a face.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not better.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure my poultice worked, yes? But your skin\u2014the first infection, it is getting better. But this spot\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll pointed. Yvlon nodded. The metal and skin didn\u2019t mix. It irritated the skin, a foreign body. The [Healers] in other cities had suggested that in time her skin might accept the metal. Or not. Either way, at the moment it was a danger.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you. Can I use a healing potion?\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll [Healer] hemmed and growled, but nodded. She held up a cautionary finger.<\/p>\n \u201cIf\u2014if you are in danger, the potion should heal your skin and the worst injury first, yes? The body will use the potion best. But it will also give strength to the infection. Perhaps it will heal itself. But it may grow worse. My advice is you should not adventure\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWill I get better if I wait?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Healer] couldn\u2019t answer that. So Yvlon stood. She fished in her belt pouch.<\/p>\n \u201cI appreciate all you\u2019ve done.\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll woman refused the tip. She frowned as she packed her tools away.<\/p>\n \u201cCome back in two days, no? Or sooner if it looks worse. Clean it, try not to bother it\u2014I will send a [Message] asking for a better poultice from my tribe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon smiled. She put the armor over her bandaged and re-salved arms. She felt nothing. The Gnoll [Healer] watched her go. Yvlon stepped into Liscor\u2019s streets, out of the small clinic. She sighed. And then she went to find her team.<\/p>\n Some things never changed. Ceria groaned<\/em> when Master Reikhle put them on scout duty again. Yvlon wasn\u2019t surprised. The Gnoll didn\u2019t like Pisces or<\/em> Ksmvr around. What was surprising was that Walt\u2019s team was on scout duty too.<\/p>\n \u201cBut we\u2019re wearing armor!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShut up, Walt! Your team was full of the idiots who decided to bother Erin!\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria snapped. Walt and his team scowled.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was one slap! It\u2019s not like it doesn\u2019t happen in the north!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cErin\u2019s not a [Barmaid]! And that\u2019s not the point!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSilence! <\/em>Get to your [Scouts] and get to work! This isn\u2019t a nursery!\u201d<\/p>\n Master Builder Reikhle bellowed, and the adventurers all shut up. With ill-grace, the Ensoldier Shields trooped off, and the Horns did likewise. Yvlon marched alongside Ceria, listening to the half-Elf grumble. She agreed broadly with everything that made Ceria so mad. But she had to admit, seeing the man who\u2019d slapped Erin complaining about having his nose broken and his eye blackened made her wonder how far Erin had gone in return.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s such a thing as too much retaliation, Ceria.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor Walt and his idiots?\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Elf looked at Yvlon. The [Wounded Warrior] met her gaze.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat if Erin had broken his arm?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you say that\u2019s fair, you might be over-exaggerating. Then again, I\u2019d probably do that. At least deck whoever it was. But if she broke both his legs?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, that\u2019s going overboard. A bit. But Walt just doesn\u2019t get it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s true.\u201d<\/p>\n There wasn\u2019t much more to say after that. And Ceria was already huffing after the first thirty minutes. She really needed to build up her endurance. She was getting better, though; she didn\u2019t already need a stamina potion. But she was still complaining.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we should take fewer shifts. I mean, I\u2019m practicing being boiled and<\/em> trying to learn new spells. We could all use more practice time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat is not what you said last time, Captain Ceria. I believe your quote was\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t quote me, Ksmvr! I\u2019m unreliable!\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Elf waved her hands. The Antinium nodded, assimilating this information. Ceria sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just\u2014work. I thought we\u2019d level a tiny bit, but we\u2019re not exactly fighting, are we? We can find better work. When the Halfseekers finally get to Invrisil\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n It was a common refrain. But Yvlon doubted Seborn and Moore were in any hurry. She\u2019d seen them recounting stories to Ulinde this morning. The young Selphid was hanging on every word. The two Gold-rank adventurers weren\u2019t in a hurry to get back to the road. Nor was Jelaqua.<\/p>\n But it would happen. Someday. And sooner than you thought, even if it was later than you wanted. Yvlon rubbed one arm, adjusting her vambraces unconsciously. When they got to Invrisil, the Halfseekers would help the Horns cash in the bounty they\u2019d taken from Liscor\u2019s dungeon.<\/p>\n It made sense to do it in Invrisil versus Pallass\u2014the Gold-rank adventurers knew someone who\u2019d give them the best deal and you wanted that with all the various objects the adventurers needed to turn into pure gold. Griffon Hunt had taken their share to their broker already no doubt, but the Horns needed to build up a network.<\/p>\n And when they got the money? It would be a lot, even split four ways and three ways per team. It was a lot of gold. Yvlon had been thinking more and more about how to spend hers. She could upgrade her armor, buy artifacts\u2014put the money to work, even. The Merchant\u2019s Guild would help with that, as would Yvlon\u2019s family. In fact, her parents could use some, if only for all they\u2019d done for Yvlon. And the families of her old team, the Silver Swords\u2026<\/p>\n But perhaps she could use it for something else as well. Yvlon bit her lip as she scrambled up a hill, taking Ksmvr\u2019s hand as the Antinium bounded up, using his Ring of Jumping.<\/p>\n I could use my share to set myself up. Even divided, it\u2019s enough money to make me as rich as any [Merchant]. It\u2019s a better head start than Ysara had\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n Abruptly, Yvlon looked at her teammates. Ceria was panting as Ksmvr stopped next to Pisces. The armored woman looked around and broke the silence.<\/p>\n \u201cHave I ever told you about my sister?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot once.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou have a sister?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou have spoken of her at length in our drinking chats, yes.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces and Ceria turned to Ksmvr. The [Skirmisher] returned the look blankly.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is not a common occurrence with you two?\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon smiled slightly. But she lost it as she grew thoughtful. Hissle waved them on and the Horns followed, listening to Yvlon.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s the eldest in the family. The Byres family is only five people. My parents, Ylawes, me, and my older sister. Her name is Ysara.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course it is. Why are all your family members named with \u2018Y\u2019, Yvlon?\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria rolled her eyes. The [Wounded Warrior] looked reproving.<\/p>\n \u201cMy mother isn\u2019t. But she did marry into the family. Honestly, it\u2019s just tradition. We used to have a complicated reason involving honoring our Terandrian roots, but no one in the family cares about that. Not even Ylawes and my father, and they uphold a lot of the traditions like well seeding, attending the birth of the first animal each spring, eating silver\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou have the weirdest traditions. Go on about your sister.\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon nodded. Pisces strode next to them rather than [Flash Step] ahead.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing much to say, really. She was the eldest. Not like Ylawes. She\u2019s very\u2014relaxed compared to the rest of the family. But growing up, all three of us were taught the sword. And Ysara was gifted, and I mean gifted<\/em> with a sword. You\u2019ve seen Ylawes fight, right? Well, he was never good at it, and he\u2019s better than me.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria raised her brows, but Pisces nodded thoughtfully. He touched the rapier at his side.<\/p>\n \u201cI could believe that. His footwork and swordsmanship are average. He is adept more at using his Skills and fighting in actual combat than he is at the pure art of it.\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon frowned at Pisces. The implication being that Pisces was better? The [Necromancer] shrugged, and Yvlon took it at face value. Pisces didn\u2019t lie when it came to his abilities in fencing.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, well, Ysara is<\/em> good. She might be better than you, Pisces. She\u2019s beaten [Fencers] before. When they\u2019ve used Skills. But she\u2019s not a [Knight]. She doesn\u2019t even have a [Warrior] class. She used to, but\u2014well, she upholds the other tradition of the Byres family. If we\u2019re not [Knights], we become [Merchants].\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c[Merchants]? No, wait, you told me about that once.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria looked at Yvlon. Ksmvr cocked his head.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is not new information to me, but I am rapt with attention.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Ksmvr. Yes, she\u2019s a [Merchant]. A good one. And I say [Merchant], but it\u2019s actually [Armored Merchant]. She works in the north, which is why I haven\u2019t mentioned her in a while.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd why did you bring her up?\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon shrugged self-consciously, avoiding Pisces\u2019 gaze.<\/p>\n \u201cJust thinking. I wanted to be a [Knight]. But that was mainly because I wanted to be like the female heroines in my books. I wonder how I\u2019d do as a [Merchant].\u201d<\/p>\n A thoughtful silence fell as the Horns marched on. After a moment, Ceria shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t see it. You? Selling, what? Silver goods?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy sister does sell arms. Well, armor, mainly. But I wouldn\u2019t have<\/em> to do that. It\u2019s just a thought. You can\u2019t imagine me being charming?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYvlon, you\u2019d be charming right up until a client insulted you. Then you\u2019d push his face in. You have a temper as bad as\u2014as Seborn\u2019s!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHm. You\u2019re probably right.\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon ducked her head, brushing a blonde strand of hair out of her face. She glanced up and sighed as she felt sweat sliding down her back. If she had to put on her helmet in this heat\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, I don\u2019t think I can stand another day of marching in this heat. It\u2019s summer. I\u2019m calling it.\u201d<\/p>\n The Horns nodded. Ceria grimaced.<\/p>\n \u201cWant some snow?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow about cold air?\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Elf nodded and pointed her wand. Yvlon sighed as the cold breeze chilled her. Almost too much. The [Wounded Warrior] shivered, and Ceria lowered her wand.<\/p>\n \u201cI can cool us down, but I can\u2019t do anything about travelling. Dead gods, should<\/em> we stop working as much?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe did sign up, Ceria. We can\u2019t just back out after one week. Two would be a show of good face.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDarn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you wish, Captain Ceria, I shall carry you.\u201d<\/p>\n Ksmvr offered. Ceria looked like she might take him up on the offer. But Yvlon had a thought. She glanced around. But\u2014to Rhir with it. She understood why Ysara had become a [Merchant] instead of the [Knight] like her father, Yitton, and Ylawes had wanted her to be. She understood what Ysara had meant when they\u2019d talked. The Yvlon of now wished she\u2019d been able to talk to her sister, because she understood Ysara now. You had to do your own thing. And Yvlon was getting good at thinking like\u2014<\/p>\n Casually, the armored woman walked a bit ahead, next to Pisces.<\/p>\n \u201cAll this marching about. It\u2019s not exactly snow, but nearly as bad. It reminds me of that time we were in the snow and we\u2019d just fought those Crelers, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh? I remember us at Albez, having to drag our loot back. The Crelers were different. We fought a juvenile one, right? Which was huge<\/em>. And Pisces used the bears, but I don\u2019t remember the trek back. To<\/em> the cave was hard. But on the way back, didn\u2019t we\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria\u2019s rambling voice cut off. She looked up at Yvlon sharply. So did Ksmvr. He tilted his head. Yvlon raised her brows.<\/p>\n They stared at Pisces. The [Necromancer] was muttering as he read from his notes.<\/p>\n \u201cThe spell is complete, but how do you enhance<\/em> the effect like he claimed? It makes no sense! Is it just pure mana or is there a way of adding more death magic to the [Deathbo\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He looked up and blinked at the others.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe were talking about the Mossbear cave, Pisces. Remember? And how we got back to Esthelm?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Necromancer] seemed confused for a moment. Then his eyebrows shot up. He hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026That would be frowned upon, surely.\u201d<\/p>\n The Horns glanced at each other. Yvlon raised one eyebrow.<\/p>\n \u201cSays the [Necromancer] with a two-thousand coin bounty on his head.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces wore a very curious expression. Tentatively, he paused. Hissle looked back, confused. The [Necromancer] regarded his team.<\/p>\n \u201cEven if I had a\u2014solution, what would the other teams say? I assumed we were trying to ingratiate ourselves with them.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria nodded, and her voice was reasonable.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, but my feet hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt is utilization of your abilities, Comrade Pisces.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you\u2019re our<\/em> teammate. So stop holding out on us.\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon nudged Pisces. He blinked at her. It was something old Yvlon would have never said. But\u2014if you looked at old Yvlon, and the one now, they were so different. She smiled a bit. After a moment, Pisces smiled too.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m afraid I only have two<\/em>. But that gives me an idea.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The team working on the road was laboring and cursing another day. And it was another day. Thunder Solace and the Boltspitters had both drawn the lucky straw today and were at rest. Alais and Stan were even sitting, letting their team maintain their watch. But they stood warily when they heard the commotion.<\/p>\n \u201cSomething wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n For an adventurer in his middle years, Stan could move fast. And he had a crossbow in his hands, ready to fire. Crossbow Stan and Alais saw Caddin and a bunch of adventurers and workers pointing at something in the distance.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? What\u2019s the delay?\u201d<\/p>\n Growling, Master Builder Reikhle came storming over. For an answer, one of the Drakes just pointed. The Gnoll growled. Then his eyes went wide as he shaded them.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is that?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n In the distance, something was racing over the hills. Not the various adventurer teams scouting around, and not Kam\u2019s mounted team. No\u2014this was something else. Alais bit off an oath.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are they doing now?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n She pointed, and Stan stared as well. At first, he didn\u2019t know what he was looking at. Then his eyes widened.<\/p>\n It was\u2026a chariot. Or a sled. No, it had wheels, so it was technically a chariot. But it was more like a sled. The wide-bottomed chariot was made of some pale yellow wood and had a decent lip to prevent anyone tumbling out. But it was mainly a box on wheels.<\/p>\n Wheels made of ice. That was the first ridiculous thing. Alais spotted the icy wheels from a distance. That had to be Ceria\u2019s doing. No\u2014one was pale ivory. Bone! It was made of bone!<\/p>\n Then you realized\u2014the entire chariot <\/em>was made of bone. And ice! But that wasn\u2019t the main thing that had the workers and adventurers in uproar.<\/p>\n Two undead horses pulled the chariot. They were clearly undead; they were made of bone. Alais\u2019 jaw dropped. The undead horses pulled the chariot up a steep hill. They were heading back this way! Of course, it was time for the Horns\u2019 break.<\/p>\n \u201cAre they using that thing to travel? What the hell are they thinking?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt beats walking!\u201d<\/p>\n Some of the adventurers nodded. They were all footsore from yesterday. Even so\u2014Alais saw the chariot climbing. The undead horses struggled their way up a hill. It was not a smooth ascent. The chariot, as a vehicle of travel, was not designed to go up rocky terrain. Nor were the wheels; the ice was chipping apart! But it was being repaired as fast as it broke.<\/p>\n And the horses were relentless, despite their burden. It was more like the horses dragging a block of wood up an uneven slope. Normal horses probably would have thrown off such a burden, but undead horses didn\u2019t complain or even falter. They ascended the crest. Alais saw the steep incline. The riders didn\u2019t because one horse went over the lip, then the other. Alais saw a half-Elf shouting, waving her arm. Then the chariot went down\u2014<\/p>\n The idea of a rollercoaster hadn\u2019t been invented yet. And if anyone saw the Horns and Hissle going down the hill, screaming<\/em> as they smashed into rocks and bounced off parts of the hillside, no one would think of a rollercoaster either. But soon the Horns were riding across a flat. Now, Alais could hear them arguing as they drove towards the staring workers.<\/p>\n \u201cI said brake!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow? The horses can\u2019t do it! Whoa! We\u2019re tilting!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe wheel\u2019s broken on the left!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCast [Ice Wheel] on the left side, Ceria!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not a spell! Give me a second\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c[Bone Wheel].\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces pointed, and bone appeared, bridging a crack in one of the wheels. Ceria protested.<\/p>\n \u201cHey! Ice is better!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBone is lighter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2014ice is heavier. And thicker!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t you combine the spells? Make a bone-ice wheel?\u201d<\/p>\n They stared at Yvlon. She raised her hands. The chariot clattered towards the adventurers. Ceria was trying to keep her balance as the chariot threw its passengers around. It was hardly a smooth ride.<\/p>\n \u201cOw. Ow. This is not<\/em> comf\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n As the chariot came down, it tilted sideways, throwing Ceria against one wall. She bit her tongue. Yvlon, who was wisely keeping her mouth shut, shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not comfortable, but we\u2019re not walking.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTrue!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat in the name of fur<\/em> is this?\u201d<\/p>\n Reikhle strode up to the Horns, staring. He glared at the undead horses as the workers murmured. Ceria appeared over the side and waved at him.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s our means of transport, Master Reikhle. It can get us around. Don\u2019t worry, we won\u2019t make Hissle run; he can ride with us!\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll stared. His eyes shifted to the Drake, and Hissle waved one claw weakly.<\/p>\n \u201cMaster Builder Reikhle, it is faster than our march.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re using the undead, Ceria?\u201d<\/p>\n Alais stared at the half-Elf. Ceria stared back at the [Aeromancer].<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right, Alais. Don\u2019t be jealous.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJealous?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOur horses don\u2019t break their legs. Or if they do, Pisces can fix them.\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon looked around. Alais hesitated. There was a point there. She stared at Pisces and cleared her throat. Stan spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cWere the horses\u2014how\u2019d you get the bones?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Necromancer] raised his eyebrows.<\/p>\n \u201cI bought them, of course. I have any number of bones. The issue is actually storing them in my bag of holding. But to your point\u2014finding horse bones is not difficult given any population of horses in a city. Rather, buying them is difficult. [Hostlers] are surprisingly difficult to persuade when it comes to a beloved creature.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll bet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnyways, this is our mode of travel. We\u2019ll walk if we have to, but this is easier. If bumpier. Hey, Ksmvr! Go grab us some pillows while we have lunch at Erin\u2019s inn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI shall attempt to persuade Bird to impart some of his Fortress of Fluff.\u201d<\/p>\n The Antinium hopped down from the chariot with the others. Reikhle eyed the undead. But after a moment, he just nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cDo your work! You\u2019re covering a mounted team\u2019s share, then. If you can\u2019t keep up\u2014everyone, back to work! You\u2019re not being paid to stare!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUndead. I can\u2019t believe it.\u201d<\/p>\n Caddin shook his head as the others returned to their posts. He stared at Pisces as the Horns took a lunch from the magical door and began to eat, chattering about how to reinforce their chariot. But some of the other adventurers were less hostile.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d ride that instead of walk.\u201d<\/p>\n Stan glanced at Alais, murmuring to his team. Some of them seemed horrified, especially at the bone chariot, but more than a few were inspecting blisters. And on their wagon, the Horns were grinning. It was\u2014different. True. But it was them. And Pisces was smiling slightly.<\/p>\n \u201cNot a bad idea, Yvlon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you. I\u2019m ashamed you didn\u2019t think of it. Looks like we know who the better [Necromancer] is.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Wounded Warrior] replied, straight-faced. Pisces choked on his mouthful and Ceria laughed so hard she had hiccups. Ksmvr opened his mandibles in a smile. The Horns turned to the fifth member of the chariot. Hissle eyed the specially-made lunch they\u2019d received from Erin. He lifted a hamburger and eyed the brownies on the floor of the chariot.<\/p>\n Hissle gazed at the Horns of Hammerad, and his voice was resigned.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re going to insist we travel by chariot from now on, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYup.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria raised her eyebrows at him. The Drake nodded, sighing. Then the [Scout] glanced around surreptitiously and lowered his voice.<\/p>\n \u201cGood. I was getting tired of marching everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Laughter. Walt\u2019s team was far from the road, and they couldn\u2019t ride back for lunch. But they\u2019d seen the chariot, and they were muttering about it.<\/p>\n \u201cUndead horses? Dead gods, is there anything [Necromancers] won\u2019t animate?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBetter horses than people. That shifty-eyed bugger must have come up with it. What\u2019s his name? Pisces? Disgusting. At least they\u2019re not zombies. Little better, though. How does his team trust<\/em> that [Necromancer]?\u201d<\/p>\n The Ensoldier Shields nodded. The all-male, all-[Warrior] team was not in a good mood. They were still annoyed by their encounter with Erin, which had earned them a ban from her inn! And derision and scorn from their fellow adventurers.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, well, Ceria\u2019s always been insane. And Byres is cracked in the head ever since losing her team.\u201d<\/p>\n Sourly, Walt, the [Shield Captain] leading the team, poured water onto his face. They\u2019d been marching hard and since they were all wearing heavy armor and weapons, they were tired<\/em>. But Walt wasn\u2019t about to pay for stamina potions for everyone!<\/p>\n \u201cThose bastards are eating snacks<\/em> while they\u2019re driving around, Walt.\u201d<\/p>\n One of Walt\u2019s teammates, Tommie, groused. Walt swore in reply.<\/p>\n \u201cTroll balls, I saw it, Tommie! What do you want me to do? Let those idiots ride around. We have a job! Hey! Hey, Gnoll lady! Are we taking a rest yet?\u201d<\/p>\n Ahead of them, the [Pathfinder] assigned to their team looked back with an annoyed expression on her face. She reluctantly held up a paw.<\/p>\n \u201cFive minutes!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBitch.\u201d<\/p>\n None of the Humans were in a good mood. Even so, Walt cuffed the [Maceman] who\u2019d said that, and the man swore at him. But pissing off the Gnoll in charge of their group wasn\u2019t smart. Walt was in a filthy temper.<\/p>\n \u201cShut it! We\u2019re going to get this done and get back! Five minutes!\u201d<\/p>\n The Ensoldier Shields took their break, groaning and cursing. Walt reluctantly got on his feet and ordered the rest of his team forwards after the Gnoll after what felt like one minute. They weren\u2019t always this bad-tempered. Erin Solstice breaking Belt\u2019s nose and blacking his eye over a single incident was what had them angry. If she\u2019d slapped back, that was one thing, but this was too much!<\/p>\n But the debate over the incident between the adventurers and Walt\u2019s team was background noise to Walt. He\u2019d say something to Ceria when they got back. Or Stan. Stan, now he was good at being friendly. Walt was tired as he marched on, but they were on the lowlands now, bordering the Bloodfields. That was something. As their grousing turned to silent marching, Tommie pointed to the left.<\/p>\n \u201cLookit that. The Bloodfields. There\u2019s a brown splotch. See it?\u201d<\/p>\n Walt turned. The omnipresent Bloodfields that had stolen the easy route through the valley was usually out of mind, if not out of sight. But it was true. There was an irregularity in the already-irregular Bloodfields. Walt had noticed how the terrain changed from dense to desolate, but it was always red<\/em> with some other colors. But this\u2014he paused.<\/p>\n \u201cHey! Gnoll lady! Uh\u2014Teriska?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHmm?\u201d<\/p>\n She trotted back, frowning at him. Walt pointed out the spot.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Pathfinder] looked. It was indeed a large brown patch of land amid the red. The ground seemed dead there. She shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cLooks like dead earth to me, yes? Perhaps even the Bloodfields could not survive.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOr someone did the sensible thing and salted the earth.\u201d<\/p>\n Tommie grunted. The Gnoll nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI noticed it, and we will make a report, yes? But we must scout around it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure. Lead on.\u201d<\/p>\n Walt grunted. They were as close as they were allowed to the Bloodfields\u2014two miles away from the closest edge. Far out of range of anything. Even so, Walt did not like their proximity to the Bloodfields. He stared at the brown spot, then something else caught his attention.<\/p>\n A patch of huge, spore-like mushrooms. But big<\/em> suckers. If he could see them from this far away, they had to be huge, twice as tall as he was. Walt stared at them, considered pointing them out to this team, but then decided against and kept marching. You didn\u2019t want to stare too hard at the Bloodfields.<\/p>\n They kept walking. And in time, they got back to debating about the undead chariot. Not that they wanted one! It was too bad you couldn\u2019t use horses everywhere. But undead horses? Well\u2026<\/p>\n None of the adventurers nor the [Pathfinder] Gnoll noticed the change in the air at first. Then, the Gnoll looked up. She called a halt and pointed.<\/p>\n Something was blowing towards them. The Ensoldier Shields were downwind of the Bloodfields, and they saw a faint\u2014mist?\u2014on the wind. No, not a mist.<\/p>\n A faint red\u2026haze<\/em> in the air. It blew over the adventurers before they could do anything. Reflexively, Walt covered his mouth and didn\u2019t inhale, and the others did the same.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone okay? What was that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPollen.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Pathfinder] announced. The Gnoll sneezed<\/em> as she lowered her paw. Some of the red was in her fur. Walt saw a bit on his armor and flicked it off uneasily.<\/p>\n \u201cDamn pollen? Is it acidic? Poisonous?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoesn\u2019t feel like it. Damn, damn\u2014anyone feeling sick? Why didn\u2019t that bird-lady warn us about\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPollen\u2019s not part of the Bloodfields. They do not flower. Nevertheless, we should report this. I am calling us back.\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll [Pathfinder] looked visibly uneasy. She pointed back towards the distant road. The Ensoldier Shields brightened. Now that was more like it! In high spirits, they turned and began marching back towards the road.<\/p>\n But something curious happened. After a few seconds of marching, Walt frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cHey! Stop, stop! We\u2019re going the wrong way!\u201d<\/p>\n The adventurers paused. They looked ahead and realized Walt was right. The Gnoll was taking them across the Bloodfields. Embarrassed, the Gnoll shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cMy apologies. To the left!\u201d<\/p>\n They resumed, going left around the Bloodfields rather than through the outskirts. But after a few more minutes of walking, Tommie frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cFunny\u2014it feels like we\u2019re\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n They were veering into the Bloodfields again. Walt looked at Teriska. The [Pathfinder] was shaking her head.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re going the wrong way. I\u2014walk left!<\/em> Follow me!\u201d<\/p>\n She took them directly opposite the Bloodfields. The Ensoldier Shields hurried after her, now alert. They were no fools. But after a few minutes Walt swore.<\/p>\n \u201cStop!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n They were walking straight