\u201cIs it war?\u201d<\/p>\n
Three words. An Antinium standing on a dead Wyvern. In the City of Invention. If you were writing a newspaper headline, you wouldn\u2019t even need to think. But this was no report, a story to be written after the fact with all the little details.<\/p>\n
It was happening live<\/em>. Now. Bird stood, staring interestedly down at the rows of arrows aimed at him, the Drake [Mages] aiming wands and staves\u2014even one of the ballistae on the walls had been swung around to cover him.<\/p>\n Not to mention Grimalkin, Chaldion, General Duln, and Saliss of Lights. The Antinium was surrounded, with no possibility of escape or victory.<\/p>\n And yet\u2014he was Antinium. And the Hives waited. And the Walled Cities waited. Because if you bluffed well enough, the lie became the truth.<\/p>\n The Third Antinium War. <\/em>Erin Solstice was frozen in place. She didn\u2019t know what to do. Tackle Bird? Shout he was lying? Start throwing sad fire at people until everyone started crying?<\/p>\n Every idea ended with something going terribly wrong. This was not a minor incident. This was\u2014it could be the third war to sweep Izril, the one that would plunge Liscor, the continent, everything Erin knew, into a conflict that wouldn\u2019t end with a single desperate battle against Wyverns or other monsters. Or even countless thousands of Goblin deaths.<\/p>\n \u201cIs it war? Tell me, please. I am getting tired of waiting.\u201d<\/p>\n Bird\u2019s cheerful voice would be hilarious if it weren\u2019t so terrifying. Erin looked around. Everyone was frozen, but Noass and Sir Relz were still broadcasting the image of Bird. All eyes were on the actors of the scene.<\/p>\n Grimalkin, Chaldion, and Duln for Pallass. Bird for the Antinium. And\u2026Erin. But aside from Bird, everyone was still, weighing the consequences. For the first time in her life, Erin was paralyzed. It was like playing chess blind and without knowing where any of the pieces were. And checkmate? Oh, that was just war.<\/em><\/p>\n All eyes slowly turned from Erin to Grimalkin, and then to General Duln. And then, almost naturally, to Chaldion. Because the Drake [Strategist] was the only one moving. His eyes were narrowed and he was glancing at Erin, at Bird, around the city. Assessing. Analyzing. But unlike Erin, he seemed to see a path.<\/p>\n Perhaps not to victory, but a route nevertheless. The world held its breath. At this moment, when the stakes were so high, where could you go from here? What would happen next? Because standing still forever wasn\u2019t an option.<\/p>\n Bird was getting bored. And his cheerful innocence might provoke a stray arrow. Or more.<\/p>\n So Chaldion moved. The [Grand Strategist] turned, smoothly, and Erin felt her heart jerk<\/em> in her chest. Every head snapped towards Chaldion. The Drake\u2019s clawed hand rose, moving, pointing\u2014<\/p>\n At Noass and Sir Relz.<\/em> Chaldion spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cRestrain those two. Confiscate the scrying mirror and break the scrying spell. [Mages], cast anti-divination wards. Now.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin blinked. Noass and Sir Relz, the two [Commentators] who\u2019d broadcast the battle blinked. The [Soldiers] and Watch, on a razor\u2019s edge of anticipation, paused for only a second at the unexpected order, and then rushed at the two Drakes.<\/p>\n \u201cWait! You can\u2019t do this! The world deserves to kn\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Noass was tackled<\/em> by three Drakes and a Gnoll. Sir Relz fought, and the aforementioned world saw a sea of faces grabbing for the mirror he held. The other Drake tried to shout.<\/p>\n \u201cThis isn\u2019t right! We deserve freedom! Freedom of the, uh\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n They weren\u2019t quite there. Part of them knew the tune, but not the words. The two Drakes disappeared\u2014the viewers got an earful of shouting, scrabbling, swearing\u2014and then the sight of a Gnoll staring directly into the mirror.<\/p>\n The projection vanished. And everyone was left to wonder \u2018what happened next?\u2019. Many waited, tense, demanding a [Message] spell from Pallass, seeking someone who knew. They experienced uncertainty, and for the first time cursed a world in which information wasn\u2019t instantaneous and readily available. After all, this was a world in which Couriers and Runners still delivered information by foot.<\/p>\n In the end, what the world got wasn\u2019t a confirmation of war or anything else. It was simply a broadcasted message, written thusly from Pallass itself, to go along with the myriad of reports by people who had seen or allegedly seen the entire thing:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Antinium repatriated to Liscor without incident under Pallassian authority. Restoration and damage assessments of Pallass underway. The Walled City stands.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t quite as bold as brass. And it wasn\u2019t as clear as anyone wanted. One thing was certain: the war was off. The echoes of that moment kept bouncing around the world hours, even a day afterwards.<\/p>\n And coincidentally, almost as a byproduct of it all\u2014<\/p>\n Erin Solstice came home.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cMove, move, move!<\/em> Get through that door <\/em>now! Make sure it\u2019s charged, [Mages]!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStop yelling! Stop yelling! And stop poking me!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The Wandering Inn\u2019s doorway was full of bodies. Then, shouting. And then a young woman came hurtling through the door. Erin Solstice found herself stumbling out of Pallass and into an unfamiliar hallway. She turned and saw Olesm nearly fly through after her. Relc came after, prodded by a sea of spears. And then Bird.<\/p>\n The Antinium wasn\u2019t being poked, but the [Soldiers] were cajoling him to move<\/em> as they bellowed threats, orders, and pointed. The Antinium walked through the door and Erin saw he was carrying a wing.<\/p>\n Or\u2014part of one. The Antinium was trying to gnaw at the meaty portion of the wing he\u2019d somehow managed to sever from a Wyvern. He also appeared to be largely unconcerned as he walked into the inn.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you. May I have more of the big birds later? Please and th\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The door slammed<\/em> shut. Erin Solstice stared at the door, and then around. Relc, Olesm, Bird\u2014the adventurers from Pallass hadn\u2019t been included, but all four of Liscor\u2019s residents had been herded into the door at incredible speed. Per Chaldion\u2019s order.<\/p>\n \u201cWow.\u201d<\/p>\n That was all Erin said. Her knees were still weak. She looked around. This was\u2014a hallway? It felt funky to her. Off, somehow. Why were there little narrow windows in the walls? And what was up with\u2014she felt<\/em> the holes in the ceiling. And someone had made a hollow space under the floorboards, there!<\/p>\n What was up with this place? But also\u2014Erin felt a sudden, incredible connection. Because it was new to her, but she had felt it being built.<\/p>\n It was her inn. And she was back home. Relc stared at Erin, and then Bird. Olesm got up from where he\u2019d been thrown.<\/p>\n \u201cAncestors. We\u2019re alive<\/em>. It was nearly\u2014I think I saw the Third Antinium Wars\u2013and my entire life\u2013flash before my eyes. I\u2014I\u2019ve played a bit too much chess. I should have been studying.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no such thing.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin muttered. She looked at Relc. The Drake was blinking.<\/p>\n \u201cUm. Hey. You.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Relc. You came through the door?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, you know. I love a good fight. That giant Wyvern was tough, though. Even my [Relc Punch] didn\u2019t work on it. But hey, maybe I\u2019ll level\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin heard a sound. And when one of the hidden side doors slid open, she was surprised and not. But the little white figure that tackled<\/em> Erin in the stomach was a surprise.<\/p>\n \u201cOof!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin fell over, winded. And not in a laughing, great-to-see-you, happy<\/em> way. Mrsha had gotten heavier and stronger than Erin remembered! And she\u2019d done a perfect flying head butt to Erin\u2019s stomach.<\/p>\n \u201cM\u2014M\u2014I can\u2019t breathe.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMrsha! No, come back here! It might be\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette appeared in the doorway. Erin saw the other side door opening. Then the one down the hallway. People flooded into the entryway. Familiar faces. Krshia, Zevara, Pawn, Montressa\u2014so many, all shouting at once! And Mrsha was hugging Erin and licking her face anxiously. Erin was still trying to breathe.<\/p>\n \u201cSergeant Relc! Report! What the hell happened?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cErin! We were watching, but then the image vanished! Is it\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Zevara and Selys. Relc was shouting, trying to lift Mrsha as she clung to Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cBird! You were not supposed to go through! Why did you leave? <\/em>Erin? Where is Erin?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cErin? There she is. Back off her! Everyone\u2014Mrsha, stop hugging her. She cannot breathe, yes\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Pawn and Krshia. Erin struggled to lift Mrsha. She was<\/em> bigger! And hugging Erin, which was great. Strangling her, which was not. She felt Olesm tugging at her until someone bowled him over.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was you. I knew it! Every time! <\/em>Even in Pallass! Well, this is enough. There will be laws<\/em>\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me. Excuse me<\/em>. I have to talk with Erin. Erin, it is great to see you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Lism and Palt. Jostling each other to shout at Erin. And they were just six of the voices amid the shouting. Erin looked around, wide-eyed. And then she heard a shout.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone, be silent!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette put her foot down and the inn paused<\/em>. It wasn\u2019t just her words. But Erin felt the familiar tingling in the air. She looked at Lyonette. The [Princess]\u2019s aura hit everyone in the inn, silencing all but a few voices.<\/p>\n Such as Relc.<\/p>\n \u201cSo there I was, right? I punched that bastard in the side, but he\u2019s tough<\/em>. Anyways, I was pretty sure I drove him off all by myself. I got three Wyverns\u2014with a bit of help\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSergeant Relc, shut up!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Watch Captain Zevara barked. And Erin felt the same authority radiating from her. The young woman\u2019s jaw dropped, but it was unmistakable. Lyonette and Zevara traded glances, but they were in synchronization, not opposition.<\/p>\n Faced with two presences demanding <\/em>silence, the entire inn went still. Erin could move, but only because it was her inn. Experimentally, she pushed. She felt like she could beat both pressures on her and the room, if she really tried. But this was her place. And no one else could, surely.<\/p>\n Not even Relc. He looked around, blinked, and fell silent. Erin looked around. Everyone stared at her now. Erin Solstice opened her mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cUm\u2014so\u2026I can exp\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n A figure pushed through the crowd. Erin spotted a single Antinium moving, ignoring the dual authorities of Zevara and Lyonette. Erin saw Klbkch, pushing past two very odd Antinium\u2026Soldiers? He shoved aside a Minotauress, walked past the other Antinium.<\/p>\n Senior Guardsman Klbkch walked straight up to Bird. The Antinium was shaking<\/em>. He looked at Erin. Then at Bird.<\/p>\n \u201cBird.\u201d<\/p>\n His voice\u2014freed Bird. Or maybe Lyonette and Zevara did. The [Bird Hunter] stopped chewing on his bit of Wyvern.<\/p>\n \u201cHello, Klbkch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou went into Pallass.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin blinked at Klbkch. She looked at Bird. Everyone did. The Antinium who had nearly started the Third Antinium War nodded absently.<\/p>\n \u201cYes. That was fun. Yay. But I left all the big birds in Pallass. May I go back and get them later? They will be very nice and squishy soon. And I found Miss Erin. I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin barely saw Klbkch\u2019s arm move. The Antinium\u2019s right hand blurred and then he struck Bird with a downwards blow across the head. Erin saw Bird\u2019s head jerk<\/em> downwards and she heard a crack<\/em>. The Worker\u2019s carapace along the top of his head had broken from the impact.<\/p>\n \u201cBird!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The shout came from more than one voice. Erin saw Bird stumble and drop his Wyvern wing. He reached for it.<\/p>\n \u201cOw. Revalantor Klbkch, why did you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBe. Silent.\u201d<\/p>\n Klbkch struck Bird again. Erin saw Bird cover his head with all four arms and crouch. Klbkch\u2019s voice was thunderous.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are a fool.<\/em> And you have disobeyed orders. You will not<\/em> do so again.\u201d<\/p>\n He raised his hand. Shock left Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cKlbkch!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin swung at Klbkch. He stopped striking at Bird and leaned back, effortlessly dodging Erin\u2019s fist. She swung again and he knocked away her arm without even looking at her. He raised a fist as Bird shrank down\u2014<\/p>\n And Relc smacked Klbkch. Erin saw a blur, saw Klbkch stumble and whirl. The two Senior Guardsmen stared at each other.<\/p>\n \u201cWhoops. Sorry. I meant to hit you harder.\u201d<\/p>\n Relc made a fist. Klbkch stared at him.<\/p>\n \u201cStay out of this, Relc. I am disciplining this\u2014this krxsching, <\/em>worthless thing for nearly starting a war.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He turned and raised a first. This time Erin grabbed for Klbkch\u2019s wrist. She missed. He was fast<\/em> in his new body. Faster than she\u2019d ever remembered. Klbkch stared at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cGet out of the way, Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Stop hitting Bird!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe nearly started a war.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI just wanted to shoot the big birds.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGuardsman Klbkch, stand down!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Zevara barked, but Klbkch ignored her. He was staring at Bird. Shaking with wrath. Erin saw Ishkr and Beza both standing behind Klbkch reaching for the Antinium and clearly deciding not to.<\/p>\n \u201cRevalantor Klbkch!\u201d<\/p>\n Pawn and the other Antinium surged forwards. They tried to block Bird, but they too stayed back from Klbkch. Yellow Splatters walked in front of him. The other Antinium were tense. But Klbkch had one hand on his swords.<\/p>\n \u201cMove. This is an order.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRevalantor\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin saw the two strange Antinium watching Klbkch, Pawn, Belgrade, Yellow Splatters, and the other disobedient Antinium. Klbkch looked straight past them. At Bird. Erin hadn\u2019t seen that look in his eyes. And she remembered.<\/p>\n They called him Klbkch the Slayer. It was that Antinium who was here now. Not Senior Guardsman Klbkch, or Revalantor Klbkch.<\/p>\n Erin put out her arms, shielding Bird from Klbkch\u2019s wrath. She saw Relc raise a fist\u2014and hesitate as Klbkch looked at him. The Antinium\u2019s hands were hovering over his hilts and Klbkch looked angrier than Erin had ever seen him.<\/p>\n \u201cI know that! But hitting Bird is not<\/em> the answer! Stop it or so help me, Klbkch, I will make you regret it!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin clenched her fists. Klbkch hesitated. He stared at Erin for a long minute, and then whirled. He stalked past Relc, and the crowd parted before him instantly. He stopped at the door to Erin\u2019s inn. Not the magical one. Klbkch looked over his shoulder. Straight at Erin and Bird.<\/p>\n \u201cAntinium.<\/em> Return to the Hive. Without Bird. If he enters Pallass again, I will kill him.\u201d<\/p>\n Wordlessly, Erin Solstice stared at Klbkch. Her oldest customer turned. The door opened and slammed shut. She looked at Bird as he rocked back and forth, covering his head. A trail of green blood ran from the spots where Klbkch had hit him.<\/p>\n It was like that, she remembered. Surprise. A normal day, where you expected everything to go one way. And then\u2014in a moment\u2014everything changed.<\/p>\n And nothing was quite the same ever again.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It took a minute after Klbkch had left for the babble to start up again. But when it did, it was intent. The moment of Klbkch\u2019s rage had focused everyone.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t believe he did that.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin went to Bird. She fumbled for a healing potion.<\/p>\n \u201cHere. Erin, we must leave. Yellow Splatters, form up the Antinium.\u201d<\/p>\n Pawn spoke to Erin, handing out a bottle. She took it, realizing he was not surprised. Pawn opened his hands and nearly reached for Bird for some reason.<\/p>\n \u201c[Minor\u2014]. No. Use the potion, Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n He looked around. The Antinium were already marching out the door, silently. Erin saw the two strange Antinium leaving too. They weren\u2019t the only ones. Zevara started.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve never seen Klbkch\u2014is that his idea of discipline? Ancestors.\u201d<\/p>\n Then it hit her. Her eyes widened.<\/p>\n \u201cAncestors. Ancestors.<\/em> I have to get back to Liscor. The other cities must be in an uproar. I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She stared at the door. Then at the [Innkeeper] again. Erin checked Bird, kneeling to inspect his head.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you okay, Bird?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am all better.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked up at the Watch Captain.<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t my fault. I think. Well, maybe Bird was. But\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She tried lamely to explain. Zevara just shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cTell me later. Miss Solstice, keep the\u2014keep Bird out<\/em> of Pallass. I need to\u2014Sergeant Relc, on me!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n Relc murmured, staring out the door Klbkch had left from. He went over to the magic door and set it to Liscor, pulled it open. That made some of the others move as well. Lism hurried out of the crowd. Erin stared at him as he brushed past her. The Drake\u2019s head turned and he snapped.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Council needs to convene at once. The other cities will need our<\/em> input. Watch Captain, Olesm, we\u2019re meeting at once. Let\u2019s go!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cElirr.\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia appeared with the other Gnoll. Both nodded to Erin. Krshia half-smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cErin. We must talk later\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n They vanished through the door. More Gnolls and Drakes hurried after them, some to shout about what they\u2019d seen. The inn was depopulating fast<\/em>. Some people stayed, wanting to talk to Erin, but she focused\u2014<\/p>\n [Crowd Control].<\/em> And [Inn\u2019s Aura]. They stayed back, murmuring amongst themselves, even as familiar faces appeared. A Hobgoblin pushed towards Erin. The little Gnoll cub was still there. Mrsha had hidden behind Erin. Now, Lyonette swept her up.<\/p>\n A bee floated past Erin. She looked at them, and then at Bird. He was crouched, eating his Wyvern wing. Erin looked at her family in this other world. Lyonette was wide-eyed, holding Mrsha. It was Numbtongue who eyed the door by which Klbkch had left. Then he looked at Erin. The Hobgoblin was the least surprised out of anyone in the room by the previous moments. He shrugged and then grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cWyverns. Lots of Wyverns. Hard to beat, even for Redfangs. Cold ones are even harder. It was a nice fight.\u201d<\/p>\n He held out a hand. Erin took it. The Hobgoblin [Bard] effortlessly pulled her up. Now, Mrsha squirmed and waved her paws. Erin went over to her.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Mrsha.\u201d<\/p>\n She gave the little Gnoll a huge hug, squeezing her tight. Erin felt someone else hug her. Lyonette. Numbtongue was inspecting Bird\u2019s head. Erin\u2019s lips quirked.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s never quiet with me around, is it? Sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Princess] almost laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cFor what? I was so worried. We all were. What was that with Klbkch? He was\u2014Pawn said he\u2019s not like we know him in the Hive. But I never thought\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She caught herself. And so did Erin. The [Innkeeper] looked at the others. And she realized this was the moment. Erin let go. She stood in her inn, and inhaled. Her inn.<\/p>\n It was strange and unfamiliar. But home. And she saw faces she knew. Erin smiled as Bird stood up. She held that breath for a moment, then breathed out. There was a way to do it, after all.<\/p>\n \u201cHey Lyonette. Numbtongue. Mrsha. I\u2019m back.\u201d<\/p>\n They looked at her. And then Lyonette smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cHi. Did you have a good holiday, Erin?\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman hesitated. She looked around her inn and shrugged. It was a Goblin\u2019s shrug, which meant everything. Numbtongue grinned. Mrsha wagged her tail. Erin Solstice scratched the back of her head.<\/p>\n \u201cEh, it was okay. Sort of boring. Right up until the end.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n After all was said and done, Erin found herself eating a sandwich. Grilled cheese. With a bit of ham in the middle with the cheese. A nice, sharp cheese too. Erin hadn\u2019t realized she\u2019d needed food, but Lyonette had learned from her.<\/p>\n Food was a comfort thing. And Erin hadn\u2019t eaten since\u2026this morning. Between Pelt and prison and Wyvern attacks, she\u2019d missed out on food\u2014even in Tails and Scales! Erin\u2019s breakfast of grilled fish was a long way away, and Erin found herself scarfing down the food.<\/p>\n \u201cHere. A drink. Good job, Mrsha!\u201d<\/p>\n Mrsha brought over the glass of goat\u2019s milk, not spilling a drop. Erin drank gratefully. People were still in her inn\u2014she noticed a familiar trio of [Mages], a Human, a Centaur, and a Minotauress, as well as her staff, a number of guests, and a few unfamiliar new ones, but no one was coming over.<\/p>\n They all were willing to gossip or debate the incident in Pallass, and Erin was keeping them away, whether they knew it or not. It was Numbtongue, Mrsha, Drassi, Ishkr, and Bird and Apista who could get close. And Lyonette, of course. The [Princess] had brought out the sandwich after heating it up and she was directing the staff flawlessly.<\/p>\n \u201cLykr, before the tables are cleared up, check for coins. Anyone who hasn\u2019t paid\u2014make a list! You have [Server\u2019s Memory]\u2014you do the list, everyone else clear only the tables Lykr\u2019s done with! I need Ississi in the kitchen for dishes\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019s Ississi?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked around vaguely. She saw a Drake with cream-colored scales trotting into the kitchen. Erin blinked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cDo I know her?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s a [Dishwasher Cleaner]. Specific class, I know. But she\u2019s good at her job. I hired her and she can clear the inn\u2019s dirty dishes faster than anyone else. And clean the floors almost as well.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin blinked. She saw Lykr, the Gnoll with striped black and chestnut fur walking over to the tables.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd him? Do I know him? I do, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYup. Lykr gained a new Skill.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette nodded. Erin knew all of the staff\u2019s names, but no one as well as Drassi and Ishkr. And Drassi hurried back through the double doors leading to the trapped-out hallway at that very moment.<\/p>\n \u201cLyonette! Erin! Okay, word on the street is that Pallass sent an all-clear. Which is putting most of Liscor in a panic because they didn\u2019t have scrying orbs! Word\u2019s spreading\u2014it\u2019s chaos! I have to get out there and share what happened!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLater. Anything else from Pallass, Drassi? What about us? Bird?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Gossip] came over to the table as Lyonette shook her head. The [Gossip] shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Watch House is full of [Guards], but all they told me is that Zevara\u2019s sending [Messages] like crazy and the Council is too. They\u2019re trying to make sense of it all, but Zevara isn\u2019t sending [Guards] to arrest anyone. She said that\u2019s the last<\/em> thing they need, apparently.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo no one\u2019s in trouble?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked at Lyonette and the others anxiously. Numbtongue shrugged, watching Beza, Montressa, and Palt out of the corner of his eye. He strummed idly on his guitar. Drassi shrugged helplessly.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think so. No one\u2019s screaming for it, as far as I can tell, and I went to the Mage\u2019s Guild. I mean\u2014Bird did<\/em> help out during the battle. And threatened war. But the other cities might be blaming Liscor. Or the Hive.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette nodded slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cNo one\u2019s going to arrest anyone. I think. If I know the way the other cities are thinking\u2014they won\u2019t try to arrest you or Bird through Liscor, Erin. They were spooked by the thought of the Third Antinium War. They\u2019ll assess. If they do move, we have a few days.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd what if the Council or Zevara decides to arrest everyone in the inn?\u201d<\/p>\n That came from Ishkr. The Gnoll looked uncharacteristically worried. His fur was still standing up on end. Everyone at their table turned to stare at the Antinium sitting by himself at another table.<\/p>\n Bird was recovered from Klbkch\u2019s attack. In fact, he was still happily trying to eat the extraordinarily tough Wyvern wing. And winning. Lyonette exhaled slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cIf they\u2019re coming, it\u2019s not for a few hours, I bet. And what will they say? It was Bird who went through. Erin didn\u2019t order him to. I think it\u2019ll be a reprimand.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd if it\u2019s not?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin remembered Lism was on the Council. But she was also thinking about Klbkch. He had been\u2014she felt a nudge and looked over. Numbtongue grinned down at her. The Hobgoblin nodded at the doors leading to the entryway.<\/p>\n \u201cLet them. We can fight. Antinium built a nice hallway. Full of traps.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin blinked. She turned back to Lyonette.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, what is that<\/em> about? What are those\u2014slits in the wall? And the holes in the ceiling? And the hollow space under the floorboards?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou noticed those?\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette started. She looked at Erin and shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course you did. It\u2019s your<\/em> inn. That\u2019s a trapdoor Belgrade installed. I had him design parts of the inn. He went overboard with the entryway. Those are arrow slits, murder holes\u2014the walls are three times as thick, so I doubt even Moore could smash through, and the two sliding doors are equally tough. If we think there\u2019s an attack or any chance of one, we can close the side doors and someone will have to come down the hallway.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd the trap door?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI told Belgrade not to make one, but he seems to think you\u2019re the Queen and that there\u2019s no need for an escape route if there are enough traps. He wanted to engineer part of the inn to collapse if need be, and he wanted to fill the pit with blades. Or water. He also wanted a hallway eight times as long\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood idea. Also\u2014more potions. Octavia made them. Very nice.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue was nodding. Lyonette sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cNumbtongue\u2019s also hidden potions and other things Octavia\u2019s made all over the inn. And he wants crossbows.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVery <\/em>nice. For shooting. Everyone gets one. Point and click!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobgoblin grinned. Erin stared at him. She felt it. Her inn was a fortress<\/em> now.<\/p>\n \u201cThe walls are twice as thick as they used to be everywhere else!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd the foundations are made of stone. The inn\u2019s only partly finished; it took the Antinium a long time to do it, but it will have multiple floors\u2014and a postern door, I don\u2019t care what Belgrade says\u2014we can make it lock from the inside.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA what door?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSecret door.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue nodded. Mrsha nodded too. The Gnoll cub was happily waving her wand, sitting next to Erin. The [Innkeeper] eyed Lyonette.<\/p>\n \u201cHow did we pay\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLiscor paid us for the inn. We got money from the Creler attack, you have money saved up, even with taxes\u2014but I\u2019m counting on some good business to finish funding the inn. I\u2019ve even got plans for other wings, but we\u2019re finishing up the guest rooms first. I\u2019m hoping we can have more Gold-rank teams here.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin slowly gulped down her milk. Her mind was spinning. Lyonette looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, tell us about the battle.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? Oh\u2014that was\u2014I stayed out of the fighting. I didn\u2019t expect Bird <\/em>to be there. And it wasn\u2019t my fault! I think. But I stayed out of trouble. Completely.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe saw you.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette stared at the young woman. Erin faltered.<\/p>\n \u201cOh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSaw the fighting. Nice flaming things. And knife.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Bard] nodded at Erin. The [Innkeeper] slapped a hand to her forehead.<\/p>\n \u201cAw. I lost the knife Pelt gave me. I\u2019m gonna have to see if someone found it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cErin.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Princess] and the [Innkeeper] traded looks. Erin paused and sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I had to do something. And I was safe. Rufelt and Lasica were the insane ones, believe it or not. Did you know? I think Lasica\u2019s pregnant\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette stared at Erin. But then she shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cBut Erin. What do we do now? About\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She nodded covertly. Everyone turned their heads to look at Bird. Erin\u2019s stomach fell.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know. It wasn\u2019t that\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She couldn\u2019t even finish the lie. Mrsha looked up worriedly at Erin. The young woman hugged her with one arm.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019ll be alright. Olesm and the Council and Zevara\u2014we\u2019ll deal with whatever happens. We can explain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOr not. But that\u2019s not what I\u2019m talking about, Erin. It\u2019s not the consequences for us<\/em>. It\u2019s about him.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh. But\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Bird was happy. He sat in his chair, eating the wing of the big bird. He kept thinking that if it was the right<\/em> wing, maybe he\u2019d grow them too. He\u2019d seen the Flying Antinium. Pivr. So Bird knew it was possible.<\/p>\n He was happy. He had been hit! But healed. Klbkch was very angry, but Bird was not dead. So that was a win. The Worker was wondering about all the big birds in Pallass. He\u2019d wanted to pick them up somehow, but they\u2019d told him to go, and so had Erin. But maybe<\/em>, tonight, when no one was looking\u2026<\/p>\n The [Hunter] looked up as Lyonette and Erin walked over. They were looking grave, but Bird was happy. He waved three of his hands at them. It was nice to have hands again.<\/p>\n \u201cBird.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat is me. Hello. I am glad you are done with your break, Miss Erin. And I shot many big birds. Did you see me?\u201d<\/p>\n The shorter of the two young women hesitated. Lyonette was a bit taller than Erin, for all she was two years younger. Erin shot a quick look at Lyonette and then nodded slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, we did. Bird\u2014are you hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n She indicated Bird\u2019s head. The Worker felt at it.<\/p>\n \u201cMy head is not hurting much. And I stopped bleeding. See? It is not bad at all.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin had even wiped away the blood. The [Innkeeper] nodded, relieved. She glanced at Lyonette. The [Princess] nudged her. They gave each other a look that Bird ignored\u2014he was trying to figure out how to bite off more of the Wyvern\u2019s wing. Erin sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cBird, we need to talk. Um. Let\u2019s go to your room, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n Bird stood up obediently. He began to trundle over to the stairs. The newly-built inn had two stairwells on opposite ends that would lead up to the second floor. Right now, only a third of the second floor was done, though, so one stairwell was blocked off. Erin stopped Bird.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have to leave the\u2026wing, Bird.\u201d<\/p>\n The Worker started. He looked down at the half-eaten Wyvern wing.<\/p>\n \u201cBut it is mine. I must imbibe nutrients.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust leave it, Bird. We need to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette\u2019s voice was more severe. Bird knew that tone. It was the tone she used when he climbed up on the roof without a railing, or brought in birds he\u2019d left outside to get squishy and full of worms. Bird hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cBut it is my wing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBird\u2014please put it down and come upstairs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow,<\/em> Bird.\u201d<\/p>\n The Antinium stopped. He looked at Lyonette. Slowly, gently, he put the wing on the table and patted it with his two other hands. He turned and went up the stairs. The two young women followed him.<\/p>\n Bird had a room. It was not the same room as his old one. But it was nice. Bigger. And Lyonette had helped him make his Fortress of Fluff again. It was a small cave of pillows and blankets Bird could sit in. The Antinium Workers could not sleep on their backs due to the rounded shell\u2014maybe Soldiers could, since they were built differently, but Bird was used to sit-sleeping. Only now, instead of packed dirt, he had softness.<\/p>\n His Fortress of Fluff was a thing of envy to all the others. Pawn had helped make some in the barracks, but the other Antinium had to share it. Bird\u2019s was his alone.<\/p>\n He also had other things in his room. Some of his feathers had been destroyed<\/em> when the inn fell down. Bird had been very sad, but he still had Bevussa\u2019s feather. And he had many more, in his Fortress of Fluff and around the room.<\/p>\n He also had a few dead birds. They weren\u2019t rotting any more since they were in the inn, but Bird hurried into the room and tossed them out the window before Lyonette could be angry. Angrier. Neither one was shouting, but Bird hurried around his room, checking for wriggling worms. His room was very clean. He had everything in piles.<\/p>\n \u201cWow. They are bigger. And you want the second floor to be as big as the first?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right. We\u2019ll have guest rooms. And regular<\/em> guests, not just your friends, Erin. That\u2019s how inns make money. And stables.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStables?<\/em> Like, with horses?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Erin. With horses. I\u2019ts customary for an inn. How do you not know this?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, the old inn didn\u2019t have one.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt probably rotted away. Or it was too dangerous with the Shield Spider nests in the hills and valleys. But we\u2019ll have a proper road<\/em> and we\u2019re close enough to Liscor. Stables\u2014and the new door to Liscor is going to go right next to the Adventurer\u2019s Guild and the Mage\u2019s Guild. Same street.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWait. They moved<\/em> the Adventurer\u2019s Guild? When?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you were on break. There\u2019s all kinds of changes. They\u2019re building new parts of the city\u2014I\u2019ll tell you more tomorrow. For now\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Bird\u2019s door opened. The two young women walked in. Lyonette glanced around the room and Bird hoped she did not see the wriggling worm in the corner he\u2019d just spotted. She frowned at Bird. Then she nudged Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cYou do it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cErin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, okay.\u201d<\/p>\n The two Humans whispered to each other. Bird looked from one to the other. Erin came over. She looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cSit down, Bird. Let\u2019s all sit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMay I sit in my Fortress of Fluff, please?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin smiled, and then lost it.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. There\u2019s a chair there\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll stand.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette watched as the two sat down. Erin dragged the chair over to Bird\u2019s fortress as he sat down in it. Bird looked from face to face.<\/p>\n \u201cMay I get my wing, please? I would like to eat it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLater, Bird. We need to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAbout what?\u201d<\/p>\n The Worker\u2019s eyes were innocent as he looked at Erin\u2019s face. She hesitated. Bit her lip. Lyonette nudged her. Erin sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cDid you know you\u2019re not supposed to go to Pallass, Bird? I remember Klbkch ordering Pawn and the others not to go through. You heard him, right? And you know how Pallass feels about Antinium.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut there were big birds in Pallass. I saw them. And I was helping.\u201d<\/p>\n Bird pointed towards his window. Erin nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI know. And you did<\/em> help, Bird.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI shot many big birds. Through the eyes. They have very thick skins. The biggest bird did not die. I think it might be a super bird.<\/em> Like the super man<\/em> you told us about.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin stifled a snort. Lyonette\u2019s face didn\u2019t change. Erin told Bird and Mrsha and Numbtongue and sometimes Lyonette many stories about her home. It was Bird\u2019s dream to meet the bat man. Or the hawk man. Or an airplane.<\/em> Well, one of his dreams.<\/p>\n The [Innkeeper] had schooled her face back to seriousness. She was biting one lip, and tried to meet his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cBird. You knew it would be trouble to go into Pallass. Didn\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n Bird\u2014paused. He didn\u2019t meet Erin\u2019s gaze. Bird shuffled his feet as he sat in the Fortress.<\/p>\n \u201cI only wanted to eat big birds. I was helping.\u201d<\/p>\n A pause. Erin looked at Bird. He was pretending to be very interested in the lining of his Fortress of Fluff. It was a familiar look. She\u2019d seen Mrsha do the exact same thing. Erin felt Lyonette nudge her again. Erin glared at Lyonette, but she went on.<\/p>\n \u201cBird, I know you wanted to help. And you did. But you caused a lot of trouble. A lot<\/em>. Klbkch shouldn\u2019t have hit you, but you are<\/em> in trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWill he kill me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo! But you can\u2019t go to Pallass. Understand, Bird? Never.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut what if\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNever<\/em>, Bird. Do you understand? Klbkch was being serious.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette leaned forwards. Bird looked up at her.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Miss Lyonette.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked at Lyonette. The [Princess] nodded back at her. Erin turned to Bird. He was looking at her.<\/p>\n \u201cI will never go to Pallass. May I go now?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Bird. There\u2019s one more thing. Hitting you was wrong. Klbkch was wrong to do that. You know that, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n Bird sounded like he was saying it just so Erin would be happy. She really didn\u2019t know if she was getting through to him. Erin took a breath.<\/p>\n \u201cBut <\/em>you also did something wrong that caused a lot of trouble. And you knew <\/em>you weren\u2019t supposed to. Didn\u2019t you, Bird?\u201d<\/p>\n No response. Erin wavered.<\/p>\n \u201cSo\u2014so you\u2019re going to be punished. Do you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n Bird\u2019s head snapped up and looked at her. And then he began to shake. No\u2014quiver. The Antinium rocked back and forth, disturbing his fortress. His voice shook as he shrank back from the two young women.<\/p>\n \u201cAm I going to be destroyed? Am I Aberration? Will the Free Queen kill me?\u201d<\/p>\n It was everything Erin had feared. She looked at Lyonette and waved her arms quickly.<\/p>\n \u201cNo! No, Bird. We\u2019d never do that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, never.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette shook her head. Bird stopped quivering. He relaxed at once.<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Then what is my punishment?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin wiped her brow. But here came the hard part. She looked at Bird. Lyonette had insisted and Erin had to admit, it was the only thing that would work. They had<\/em> to make Bird understand. The [Innkeeper] hesitated\u2014but Lyonette had insisted she deliver the news.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2014you\u2019re forbidden from hunting birds, Bird. For\u2014for an entire week. And you\u2026don\u2019t get to eat birds either? Not even eggs.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin glanced uncertainly at Lyonette. The [Princess] nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cFor an entire week. No birds. And if you lie or try to hunt them or eat them, it will be longer, Bird.\u201d<\/p>\n She folded her arms and looked severely down at Bird. The Worker\u2019s head swung from Erin to Lyonette. He stared at them. And Erin saw his mandibles open wide and droop. The Worker shook. Then he shouted.<\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBird, listen. We don\u2019t want to make you upset, but you know\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo! I do not want this!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Bird shouted for the first time, in actual distress. Erin tried to talk over him. Lyonette raised one finger.<\/p>\n \u201cBird, it\u2019s only for one week. And listen\u2014you caused an awful lot of\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBird, be quiet and listen to us\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The Worker ignored both of them. He flailed his four arms and began to kick the air. The Fortress of Fluff fell down around him.<\/p>\n \u201cWaaah! Waaah! Waaah! Waaah! Wah. Waaaaaaaaah! Waaah!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBird\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin stared at him. Was he\u2014crying? The Antinium could not cry. But Bird was imitating a wailing baby. Well, he was shouting the word \u2018wah\u2019. But it was similar. Erin looked helplessly at Lyonette. The [Princess] was staring at Bird.<\/p>\n \u201cWaaah! Waaah! Wah! Waaaaaaaah! <\/em>I am crying! Is it working?\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette was opening her mouth. Erin felt the [Princess]\u2019 aura gathering. But\u2014Erin looked at Bird. She thought of the blue flame she could conjure. She put out a hand and Lyonette looked at her. Erin took a deep breath as Bird kept shout-crying. She focused.<\/p>\n \u201cBird! Be quiet!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The air\u2014went still. It wasn\u2019t pressure so much as weight. Erin focused. And below, for an instant, her guests looked around, feeling a huge\u2014weight on their shoulders. Not pressure\u2014Erin remembered making her inn shake<\/em> with force. But this was different.<\/p>\n She concentrated. The area of effect narrowed, until it was only the room. She felt Lyonette pushing back. Erin focused on Bird. The Worker\u2019s flailing slowed. He wasn\u2019t being crushed. She was just\u2026weighing him down.<\/p>\n Focus<\/em>. Erin wanted him to be serious. She didn\u2019t lean<\/em>. It was an odd sensation in her mind. Unlike any other sense Erin had ever employed. She couldn\u2019t explain it, but she\u2019d done it before. Now, doing it intentionally, Erin felt fatigued. But that was enough. Erin released the weight.<\/p>\n Then she put both her hands on Bird\u2019s shoulders. And he stilled, looking at her. Erin spoke slowly, looking into Bird\u2019s multifaceted eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cListen to me, Bird. I know you\u2019re not happy. And you\u2019re young. And I know you like birds and you\u2019re\u2026Bird.\u201d<\/p>\n He opened his mandibles. Erin raised a finger and he went still. Not because of her aura. Just because of her look. Erin stared at him.<\/p>\n Like fire.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re Bird. And you can be silly and wonderful and\u2026young. But I remember when you first came to the inn. You can be serious. You\u2019re smart, Bird. Smarter than anyone thinks because you pretend. Or you\u2014you can be serious. You know<\/em> you did something bad. And this is punishment. It\u2019s fair. You do understand it, don\u2019t you, Bird?\u201d<\/p>\n He looked at her. Erin waited. He remembered it too. She saw the shaking Aberration in her inn. Heard the distant horns blaring from Liscor. The undead.<\/p>\n \u201cI am Knight.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n The Antinium looked at her. Naming himself. They all did. Her chess club, those brave Workers. Erin still remembered them. The ones who had never had a chance. Named after the legends of chess in her world. Knight, Milner-Barry, Calabrian\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n He had been there. Before he was Bird. And the little Worker, bigger than Erin, but little, slowly nodded. And his voice grew\u2026sharper.<\/p>\n \u201cI understand. I do not like it, but I understand.\u201d<\/p>\n No less Bird. His tantrum ceased. It wasn\u2019t a child who sat there, looking at Erin and Lyonette. Antinium were never children. This one had found his childhood, but he was still\u2014<\/p>\n Bird. The Worker paused. He bowed his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI am sorry for causing trouble, Erin, Miss Lyonette. I did not mean to. I just wanted to hunt the Wyverns. I will be punished and obey.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin Solstice sat back. She heard Lyonette sigh in relief as she watched Bird.<\/p>\n \u201cGood. You know you can\u2019t go to Pallass, Bird?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. I am very sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n Bird bowed his head lower. Lyonette nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cJust\u2014don\u2019t do it again, okay, Bird?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n The Worker kept nodding. Erin and Lyonette rose. Bird looked up.<\/p>\n \u201cAm I forgiven?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. And I\u2019m really sorry Klbkch hit you.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin hugged Bird. He smiled, relieved. Then he tilted his head.<\/p>\n \u201cMay I hunt birds tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin\u2019s smile vanished. She stared at Bird.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn three days?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Bird. No birds for a week.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026In six days?\u201d<\/p>\n There he was again, Bird and serious Bird. Erin stood up. What would her mother have said?<\/em> Erin should have thought of that from the beginning. She pointed sternly at Bird.<\/p>\n \u201cNo arguing, young miss\u2026ter! Or it\u2019ll be even longer!\u201d<\/p>\n Bird clapped all four hands over his mandibles in horror.<\/p>\n \u201cI will not argue! Do not make it longer, please!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2014well, just you think about what you\u2019ve done! You can help build your tower, or play chess\u2014but no hunting or eating Birds!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. And\u2014and we love you, but that\u2019s final!\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette and Erin looked at each other. They exited the room before they could make any more mistakes. They shut the door, leaned against it, and listened. For a second there was only silence. Erin was afraid Bird would start crying, but after a moment, she heard a sing-song voice, warbling from within.<\/p>\n \u201cNow I am sad. Because I have been bad. This is my bad bird song, which is all I can do because I cannot eat birds. Which is sad.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin and Lyonette nodded to each other. They hurried down the hallway, and then downstairs, and then they high-fived in relief. They\u2019d done it. Erin was no parent, but she did have a family. She wondered if she\u2019d ever been like that.<\/p>\n Probably n\u2014Erin caught herself. Definitely. And Bird was reasonable<\/em>. More than a child. She sighed in relief.<\/p>\n In his room, Bird kept singing. He was gloomy. He was being punished. No birds!<\/em> But he had done a bad thing. He was not dead, too, and Erin had not thrown him out of the inn so the Free Queen could tear Bird apart and make True Antinium maybe.<\/p>\n So\u2026victory?<\/p>\n \u201cYay.\u201d<\/p>\n Bird threw up his four arms. He stared around. If not birds, then what?<\/p>\n The maggot wriggled in the corner of the room. Bird stared at it. He could build his tower. But an entire week<\/em>. It was almost as bad as if Klbkch had broken open Bird\u2019s head. Almost.<\/p>\n \u201cSo sad. Because I was bad.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The Worker wandered over to the maggot. Maybe\u2014his Level 8 [Tactician] class told Bird something. Maybe<\/em> he could feed<\/em> birds. For an entire week? Yes! And they would fly around him and he would not be eating or hunting them. Bird trundled over to the window and put the maggot just outside the window. Yes. He would earn the birds\u2019 trust.<\/p>\n This was a good plan. Bird heard the door open and jumped.<\/p>\n \u201cI was not hunting!\u201d<\/p>\n He shut the window quickly. But it was not Lyonette or Erin. Instead, Bird saw a green figure with glowing, crimson eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Numbtongue.\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobgoblin [Bard] nodded to Bird. He sidled into the room, carefully looking down the hallway for the two young Human women.<\/p>\n \u201cBird.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am in trouble and being punished. I cannot hunt or eat birds. I am sad. But I did a bad thing.\u201d<\/p>\n Bird announced. The [Bard] shrugged. He was carrying something behind him. Bird saw him wander over to the chair. The Hobgoblin smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cSaw the fighting. Good shooting.\u201d<\/p>\n He sounded approving. Bird tilted his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI shot many birds.\u201d<\/p>\n The Goblin nodded. He and Bird hadn\u2019t talked\u2014much. But they had lived in the same inn for a while, after Bird had recovered. Numbtongue had even apologized for the sword and Greydath, but it had not been his fault. Bird had said sorry that all Numbtongue\u2019s friends were dead.<\/p>\n Now, though, Numbtongue just stood in Bird\u2019s room. The Worker stared back. At last, the [Bard] nodded again.<\/p>\n \u201cStood in Pallass. Made lots of others upset.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. But it was not war.\u201d<\/p>\n Bird realized that might be why Erin and Lyonette were upset. But Ksmvr had assured<\/em> Bird it was a good bluff. It had worked. Therefore, statistically, it had a 100%<\/em> success rate. Among three cases. Even so, Bird was vaguely aware that it not<\/em> working might have been a bad thing.<\/p>\n But the Hobgoblin didn\u2019t seem to mind. He was smiling.<\/p>\n \u201cAntinium stood in Pallass. First time. Like a Goblin in Liscor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. It makes people very upset.\u201d<\/p>\n Bird looked at Numbtongue. The Goblin grinned. Two members of a species who were banned from civilization looked at each other. And then Numbtongue pulled his arms out from behind his back.<\/p>\n He showed Bird what he had in his claws. The Antinium stared and his mandibles opened. Numbtongue had a bottle of Firebreath Whiskey\u2014and Bird\u2019s Wyvern snack, both confiscated from downstairs when no one was watching.<\/p>\n \u201cBut that is forbidden.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSecret.\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobgoblin grinned. He pulled the chair over to the door and wedged it under the handle. Then he sat down. Bird sat too. Numbtongue gave him the wing. Bird stared at it, and then at Numbtongue.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are a good Goblin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRedfang.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue tapped his chest. Bird tapped it too, gently. Numbtongue laughed. He held out a fist to bump. Bird hesitated. Then bumped fists as the Hobgoblin grinned and produced two cups to drink from.<\/p>\n \u201cI like you very much, Numbtongue.\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobgoblin grinned and laughed. And the two of them found they were friends.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Below, Erin Solstice didn\u2019t notice the wing vanishing. Her head was spinning. Now that Bird was\u2026reprimanded, she found other people coming over to her. Her Skill had ended, and they wanted to talk to her.<\/p>\n She wanted to talk to them! Erin saw familiar faces. No Horns. No Ceria or Pisces or Yvlon or Ksmvr\u2014that hurt. But she had seen them off, two weeks ago. And there were so many people she did know.<\/p>\n And so much to say! Erin found herself telling people about her new Skill\u2014and Pelt\u2014the parts that wouldn\u2019t embarrass the Dwarf\u2014and the attack\u2014in between hearing what had happened in Liscor.<\/p>\n \u201cWait. The new city\u2019s being built? Humans? More Humans than just me? Where? You\u2019re living in Liscor! No way!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin\u2019s jaw dropped as a family from Esthelm introduced themselves. They were staring at her just like she was at them. Wide-eyed. And Selys was telling Erin she was buying land?<\/em><\/p>\n It was too much to take in, honestly. Erin felt like she was swimming through the faces and voices. She didn\u2019t even realize how late it was until Lyonette\u2019s voice cut through the chatter.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, everyone! But Erin\u2019s too tired for more! Thank you!<\/em> You can all come back tomorrow! We\u2019ll be open bright and early!\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone protested. But Erin saw Lyonette herd them towards the door. She was still<\/em> using her aura. When had she learned that? Erin found Mrsha pushing a cup of water into her hands. She drank. Lyonette appeared next to Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ll want a piece of you later. I bet the Council and Zevara and everyone else in Pallass is trying to figure out what to do, but they\u2019re probably still weighing their options. For now\u2014the second floor has a few rooms done. Yours was first. Here. Let\u2019s show you. Mrsha?\u201d<\/p>\n She helped Erin up. Mrsha tried to take Erin\u2019s other side, but she was too short. So instead, she raced up the steps and opened the first door. Erin blinked at the lovely room as Drassi took Erin\u2019s other arm. She didn\u2019t even realize she was lying in bed for a moment.<\/p>\n \u201cHey! I\u2019m totally awake!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin called out, but it was dark. Moonlight from two moons and the stars was the only illumination in the room. Erin looked around. Where had everyone gone?<\/p>\n She was so tired. The [Innkeeper] blinked. She looked around. Well, maybe they were all tired. The young woman yawned. That pillow was suctioning her head right back down. She stared up at the ceiling. A new ceiling. A new inn. New worries.<\/p>\n But even so, Erin smiled. At least she was back. She was back<\/em>. And that was alright. The rest could come tomorrow.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat a day. What\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin passed out before her head hit the pillow.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Pallass watched the Antinium leave. And the Human. The streets still rang with the shock. An Antinium! But they were expelled, the 1st Army herding the Liscorians through the door. For a moment, they were gone, out of sight. If not out of mind.<\/p>\n And then\u2014it was over. After the trials, the tribulations, and not least, the Antinium, it had ended. And while the world was left to speculate over the news, the people of Pallass who weren\u2019t the movers or shakers or leaders or anyone of importance<\/em> found themselves doing something else entirely besides worrying.<\/p>\n Evening bled into the night. Exhausted [Soldiers] slept. And indeed, even into the darkness people were scrambling to help [Healers], to repair the worst damage. And find the wounded. It was the work of necessity that pushed other concerns to the side. Searching through the rubble of a buried house. Listening for a baby\u2019s cries.<\/p>\n Heartbreaking work. And boring work. They could mix. Burning bodies. Searching for loved ones. Counting the dead. And it was familiar to Erin, but new to many of Pallass.<\/p>\n Yet it was the next day that brought surprises. And Pallass\u2019 citizens, some who had had very little sleep, others who had worked through the night, rose and found themselves at work a second day.<\/p>\n They were doing what all people who endured disaster inevitably did. After the mourning\u2014no, amidst it\u2014and between the emergencies and blaming, there was just\u2026cleanup.<\/p>\n Cleaning. It wasn\u2019t something people thought about. But there were large chunks of masonry on the streets. Blood on the walls. Scorch marks to be removed, oh, and yes.<\/p>\n Wyvern corpses. Hundreds of them. Some had been hauled into warehouses filled with runes of preservation, but moving the Wyverns had been a low priority yesterday. Now, it was rising on the list.<\/p>\n The Wyverns stank. They were rotting\u2014some of them\u2014and bugs were attracted to the decomposing flesh. Ironically, the Wyverns struck by lightning or killed in non-obvious ways were in the best of shape; their bodies hadn\u2019t begun to rot nearly as much as those cut apart.<\/p>\n Even so, Wyverns. Pallass saw every [Butcher], [Tanner], [Hideworker], [Armorer], [Hunter], [Trapper] and specialist in hides at work in the early morning. They were trying to remove Wyvern hides before they rotted, or salvage meat from the corpses. After all, Wyverns were money. And Pallass was the City of Invention.<\/p>\n Cleaning, corpse disposal\u2014and repairs. [Engineers] and [Builders] surveyed damaged streets and houses. And it had to be said, as the Wyverns were dissected, more people saw opportunity in the monster\u2019s corpses. Teeth could be used for arrowheads. Wyvern leather\u2014aside from protection\u2014might be a trendy accessory. A reminder, a mark of pride.<\/p>\n There was work for [Healers], tending to the wounded. Countless potential for [Laborers] who were sorely needed to help dispose of the bodies. Even for [Gravediggers]. A surplus of jobs in fact. If it weren\u2019t for the fact that people had died, this might have been a good day for Pallass.<\/p>\n People were<\/em> dead, though. And many who walked the city had elected to tie a bit of red to some part of their body. Around their head as a sweatband, or an arm, or some other body part. Garuda, Dullahan, Drake, or Gnoll. A bit of red to show that they had lost someone, or known someone who had died in the fighting. Or that they had simply been injured.<\/p>\n Red, for blood. Blood for Pallass.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Of course, it wasn\u2019t all grieving. And the changes to Pallass were more than just a sudden surge in the economy in certain sectors. Yesterday, Pallass\u2014no, the world\u2014no, Pallass, and thus<\/em>, the world, had witnessed the drama of the Wyvern attack. They had seen legends. And heroes.<\/p>\n And if that was an exaggeration, you could go to Rhir. People did not forget, at least not so soon.<\/p>\n So the next day, Grimalkin, the Fist Mage of Pallass, opened the door to his mansion. He was covered in poultices and bandages and he looked like\u2026if Erin had seen him, she\u2019d have called him a mummy. Grimalkin just felt like a wounded [Soldier]. He hurt<\/em> all over. The [Healers] had managed to save some of his body that had been frostbitten, but the outer layer of his scales had just peeled<\/em> off like dead skin.<\/p>\n It was just as well his vitals weren\u2019t affected. Nevertheless\u2014part of Grimalkin\u2019s body had sloughed off when he pulled at the frostbitten sections. Removing it had hurt, but Grimalkin had cut it away. No sense in delaying recovery, and now he was trying to regrow as much of his lost scales and tissue as possible.<\/p>\n Not just tissue either. The Sinew Magus even looked<\/em> thinner as he stopped in the doorway to his home. He\u2019d used up his muscle during the fight with the Wyvern Lord. Instead of looking like the most muscular body-builder from Erin\u2019s world, he now looked\u2026<\/p>\n Well, he was still huge. But a bit less wide. And he had a surprise waiting for him. Grimalkin blinked at the line of people outside of his door. It stretched out of sight, around a corner. He watched the group of Garuda at the front of the line, and the pair of Gnolls, all pushing to be first.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is this about?\u201d<\/p>\n The excited Garuda\u2014a Garuda Erin would have recognized\u2014waved his talons at Grimalkin.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re here to sign up!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSign up?\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin was a bit slow today. Not only did he hurt, he had to regain all of his lost muscle, so he\u2019d eaten a massive breakfast and he\u2019d been determined to work out for hours today with the finest potion supplements to aid in his recovery. He stared at the Garuda, and then past them. Gnolls, Drakes\u2014Dullahans\u2014young and old. Mostly young, though.<\/p>\n \u201cYes! You teach apprentices, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI do. But why\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe saw you fighting!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Weki pushed past Assaln excitedly. Everyone in line nodded. Grimalkin blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean, the Greater Wyvern? That was an embarrassing display\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot that! I mean, part of that! But we saw you! You were first<\/em> on the walls! You punched through a Wyvern and tore out its heart!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The people behind Weki were nodding. All of them looked hopefully Grimalkin. They knew him of course. The Muscle Mage of Pallass. Grimalkin the Fist. The [Sinew Magus]. How many times had he done his demonstration? Or tried to get new apprentices? It usually only got Grimalkin a handful of students at any time. But today\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cYou threw<\/em> a Wyvern! And you battled that huge one! Even General Duln couldn\u2019t keep up! Can all of your students do that!? Can you teach us to do that?\u201d<\/p>\n The two excited Garuda stared up at Grimalkin. He looked at them. And finally, the surprise faded. Grimalkin looked at the lines, the line<\/em> of students. Excited civilians, not military students. Just\u2026people who wanted to learn. He drew himself up slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, of course. My magical sinew theory will work on anyone! I\u2019m accepting new students. Do you\u2014all<\/em> want to join?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The exclamation came from hundreds of throats. And more were hurrying into the queue upon seeing Grimalkin\u2019s face. The [Sinew Magus] stared. They\u2019d surely wash out in days. Especially the two Garuda in front. But even if you had a 1%\u2026no, even 0.1% success rate\u2014and Grimalkin was sure he could manage at least 10%\u2014how many gems would he find?<\/p>\n The Drake\u2019s mind began to race. For the first time beheld people motivated<\/em> to seek him out. Who looked at him like\u2026for the first time, Grimalkin began to think about setting limits on the numbers of his pupils, weeding out the best. The [Sinew Magus] smiled.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Others found the new day to be a trial. Or rather, one Drake in particular. Saliss of Lights stood outside the Watch House on the 4th floor. It was one of many, but he was standing outside of this one.<\/p>\n Naked. Bare to his scales. Oh, and he was dancing. The [Alchemist] and Named Adventurer shook his rear, and his tail waved about on the cobblestones.<\/p>\n \u201cDance to the beat of a new day! Come on, people! Watch Captain, get loose and free!\u201d<\/p>\n He hopped up and did a sideways dance left. People stared at him. Saliss was standing in the street, or rather, dancing across it, and the Watch House was located at a busy intersection on the 4th. But even after Saliss started doing high-kicks, no one stopped him.<\/p>\n Ordinarily, someone would have shouted for the Drake to cover up, or thrown something, or demanded the Watch lock Saliss away. At the very least, the [Guards] would have herded Saliss somewhere less public with a long-handled pole. But today, the [Guards] on duty just observed Saliss with a kind of resigned sadness.<\/p>\n No one stopped the [Alchemist]. Even when he faced the Watch House and managed to invent twerking, or something close to it. None of the pedestrians shouted at the Named Adventurer either. Parents just covered their children\u2019s eyes and hurried them along.<\/p>\n The hero of Pallass looked around after a few more minutes of dancing. He could see<\/em> Watch Captain Qissa, who\u2019d survived the battle, working in one window of the Watch House. She even met his eyes once. But she didn\u2019t so much as react.<\/p>\n Saliss looked around. He struck a pose.<\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019re you doing today, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHello.\u201d<\/p>\n A Dullahan walked right past Saliss with the same expression on his face. He even nodded his head at Saliss. The Drake paused. He looked around. It wasn\u2019t exactly hero worship, but absolutely no one was giving him the stink-eye.<\/p>\n He threw up his claws.<\/p>\n \u201cThis sucks<\/em>. I\u2019m going back home. I\u2019ve got to make hundreds of potions\u2014can\u2019t even get arrested\u2014what\u2019s the world coming to? Prison\u2019s great for focusing, but no\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He stomped off, leaving the Watch House. He didn\u2019t even harass anyone on the way back to his home and workshop on the 9th floor. Watch Captain Qissa, staring after Saliss inside the Watch House, nearly dropped her mug of tea.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s <\/em>all it took?\u201d<\/p>\n She shouted. But the Named Adventurer was gone.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Changes in the city were one thing. But the true causality of yesterday\u2019s events coalesced in late morning. Not on Pallass\u2019 streets, but on the 5th floor.<\/p>\n The Assembly of Crafts was based in the 5th, or at least, the senate where laws and reform and debates took place. They had a large, circular chamber where they debated, each [Senator] elected by their district.<\/p>\n It was a democratic system, the scorn of many other Drake cities and other nations. But it worked\u2014even if it was far slower than regular monarchies or tyrannies. Yet, it was also stronger in other ways. You could not behead Pallass\u2019 government in a single stroke.<\/p>\n Something up, something down. Grimalkin of Pallass strode down the 5th floor, towards the senate\u2019s building. It was soundproofed, but citizens of Pallass could walk in and observe the arguments if they wished. Grimalkin passed by the [Guards] on duty, entered the building\u2014<\/p>\n And turned left<\/em> instead of heading towards the spectator\u2019s seats or onto the senate floor. He was walking to another meeting room. He had been summoned, and he was certain he was not the only one.<\/p>\n Grimalkin passed through another layer of security. This time, a pair of [Soldiers] waved Grimalkin onwards. Into the private parts of the senate, reserved for the politicians and staff. And then\u2014a third checkpoint.<\/p>\n \u201cName? And intent?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGrimalkin of Pallass. Summoned to testify.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you harbor any intent to harm or otherwise subvert those within?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n The truth stone flashed and the Drake [Lieutenant] nodded. He lowered the stone, satisfied. Grimalkin saw the [Soldiers] relax, but only slightly. This group was the sharpest by far, and they were ready to take or stall even the [Sinew Magus]. Grimalkin saw the [Lieutenant] motion.<\/p>\n There were two doors in the security room, both of which had closed when Grimalkin had entered for the questioning. Now, the door in front of him opened. If he\u2019d answered incorrectly or if the [Lieutenant] had any suspicion, Grimalkin was sure the magical traps would have activated. They did not, and he walked through.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll escort you, Magus. Command is hearing from the other witnesses, so there may be a delay. Can we offer you refreshments in any way?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you have anything to eat, I\u2019ll take it.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin nodded as the [Lieutenant] marched smartly with him through the inner, secret halls of Pallass. He was familiar with this place. They headed left.<\/p>\n \u201cCertainly. I\u2019ll send someone. Just in here, Magus. I\u2019m sure you\u2019re familiar with the proceedings?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen I\u2019ll have refreshments sent shortly. And\u2014may I shake your claw, sir? It was an inspiring feat that I witnessed. I wish I could have been in the fighting, but our orders were to hold\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The [Lieutenant] held out a clawed hand. Grimalkin shook it firmly.<\/p>\n \u201cDuty is duty, [Lieutenant]. The walls stand.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe walls stand.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake saluted and made his way off. Grimalkin entered the waiting room and found he wasn\u2019t alone. A green-feathered Garuda sat in a comfortable chair. A door led into another room, but Grimalkin heard nothing from the soundproofed meeting area. He took a chair opposite Bevussa and nodded to her.<\/p>\n \u201cCaptain Slenderscale, isn\u2019t it? The Wings of Pallass?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBevussa. And it\u2019s only \u2018member\u2019 of the Wings of Pallass, not Captain. Outside of here, at any rate. Magus Grimalkin.\u201d<\/p>\n Bevussa bowed slightly to Grimalkin. He nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cGood morning to you. I heard the Wings were among the first to repel the Wyverns. Did you take casualties, Captain?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNone. We got torn up, but we healed most of it. I lost some feathers and one of my adventurers\u2014Kin\u2014has a torn wing. But it\u2019ll heal. We were lucky. I leveled from the fighting.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCongratulations. I did not, but I feel like I\u2019ve advanced at least halfway towards the next level.\u201d<\/p>\n The Garuda nodded. The two stared at each other for a moment and then both glanced at the sealed door. Bevussa shifted her talons.<\/p>\n \u201cMagus? Refreshments. And for you, Adventurer. It\u2019s an honor, sir\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n One of the [Soldiers] appeared with a tray of food. Grimalkin accepted it, and shook the other Drake\u2019s hand. So did Bevussa. She eyed Grimalkin as he inspected the tray. Fruits, Gnollish dumplings\u2014Grimalkin forgot the name\u2014he selected some hard-boiled eggs and chewed one down without even bothering to add salt or pepper from the bowl.<\/p>\n It looked like they\u2019d grabbed whatever they could. Grimalkin hoped he wasn\u2019t eating someone\u2019s lunch, but he had to keep eating to grow muscle. And bags of holding were not allowed in Pallass\u2019 inner sanctum. Bevussa indicated the tray.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t mind if I\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHelp yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n She selected some fruits and began peeling an orange. Fresh, probably from Oteslia.<\/p>\n \u201cSo you were called to testify, Magus? I shouldn\u2019t be surprised. Sorry. I\u2019m just a little nervous. I\u2019ve never been here.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n She indicated the rooms of stone. Grimalkin recalled that Garuda were naturally claustrophobic, which probably didn\u2019t help Bevussa at this moment.<\/p>\n \u201cWould you like a calming spell?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, no\u2014I\u2019m fine. Plus, it would probably set off half a dozen alarms, wouldn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe are being monitored. But I can cast magic if need be. You needn\u2019t worry, Captain Bevussa. This is just questioning. Not an arraignment.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA\u2014of course. It\u2019s just\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Bevussa nodded towards the door. Grimalkin nodded. He knew what lay beyond. Not specifically, but he could guess.<\/p>\n While the Assembly of Crafts debated, another body of leadership in Pallass was also thinking over what they\u2019d just witnessed. Of course, Pallass was a democracy. But it was also a Drake city. And that meant the military weighed in on decisions that were a threat to Pallass\u2019 safety.<\/p>\n The door opened suddenly. Bevussa started. Grimalkin heard a flurry of voices. Then someone marched out. Grimalkin acknowledged him.<\/p>\n \u201cKeldrass.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake paused, seeing Grimalkin. The [Sinew Magus] looked past him into the room. He saw a group of conferring people.<\/p>\n Some of the more influential [Senators], three of Pallass\u2019 [Generals], Chaldion and two other [Strategists], the [Lead Engineer] responsible for the elevator system in Pallass, three Watch Captains\u2014and a few more faces Grimalkin and Bevussa recognized.<\/p>\n Names.<\/em> This group made up a\u2026not higher command than the Assembly, but a group of people who would decide what needed to be done. Along with, or parallel to, whatever the Assembly of Crafts came up with.<\/p>\n \u201cMagus.\u201d<\/p>\n Keldrass saluted Grimalkin reflexively. Grimalkin stood up, but the door closed just as quickly as a Garuda walked out.<\/p>\n \u201cCaptain Keldrass, thank you for your time. Magus, Adventurer, I apologize, but you\u2019ll have to wait for the command to organize their thoughts.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBy all means.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin paused to shake Keldrass\u2019 clawed hand. Bevussa looked like she wanted to ask questions, but the Gold-rank Captain was escorted from the room before they could talk. That left Bevussa and Grimalkin.<\/p>\n \u201cWe may be here a while. As much as an hour for you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin nodded. He wished he\u2019d brought a book. But he might as well work out after eating. Squats. Now would be the perfect time for some weights, but he\u2019d never have gotten them through the checkpoint. Grimalkin sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cHow long have you been here, Captain?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2014since dawn.\u201d<\/p>\n That explained why she was so restless. Grimalkin shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cMy apologies.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI get the necessity. What\u2019s going on outside?\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cCleanup. The Assembly hasn\u2019t stopped debating since yesterday. They\u2019ve only taken a recess to help clean up the city, distribute aid\u2014take care of their districts.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course. Did they say how many\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re still counting. The estimates are at around five thousand six hundred, but they haven\u2019t climbed for a few hours.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAncestors.\u201d<\/p>\n Bevussa closed her eyes. Grimalkin nodded. It could have been worse. A thousand Wyverns? It could have been far worse, but it was bad enough. The largest chunk of that number had died in the first attack. Mostly civilians who\u2019d been hit by the freezing Frost Wyvern\u2019s breath.<\/p>\n \u201cThere will be a formal gathering later today. I believe Command will recess even if they\u2019re not finished.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n The Garuda nodded a few times. She fell silent. Grimalkin sensed she was about to ask something. He contented himself with two bananas. Oteslia must be growing more. They were native to Baleros, but he thought they were quite good fruits. Diet menu. With his new apprentices, he should rework\u2014he wondered if Erin Solstice knew anything that would help.<\/p>\n Then again, with the way she made her food, perhaps not. He\u2019d ask. Speaking of which\u2014Bevussa glanced at the door again.<\/p>\n \u201cCan I ask what I\u2019ll be expected to share, Magus?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course. You\u2019ll speak under truth spell, of course. It\u2019s just a formality. But you can be sure the questions will revolve around your observations of Liscor. The Antinium. And of course\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cErin Solstice.\u201d<\/p>\n The two fell silent. Grimalkin nodded. He swallowed, reaching for the dumplings.<\/p>\n \u201cCommand will appreciate detail, even if it\u2019s speculation. Your personal thoughts are welcomed. Perhaps not by all of the [Senators], or those within, but Chaldion will be present. Don\u2019t fear\u2014this isn\u2019t a military command structure.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI saw General Edellein in there. And General Duln.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNaturally. But they\u2019re two voices. Don\u2019t worry.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin understood Bevussa\u2019s apprehension. General Edellein of the 4th Army had to be spitting fire\u2014well, if he could. Already, people were asking why the walls had been taken, why the 1st Army had been so slow to react. General Duln had been blasted, but at least he\u2019d been there. The 4th Army, which had failed to lure the weyr, was being mercilessly shredded by the Assembly of Crafts.<\/p>\n \u201cJust speak your mind. Everything is to allow Command to make a more informed decision.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd they can\u2019t fire me.\u201d<\/p>\n Bevussa half-laughed. Grimalkin nodded. It would have been a concern if she were in the army. Gold-rank adventurers were more autonomous, but this was<\/em> a Drake city. Even the adventurers reported to their leadership.<\/p>\n \u201cThat captain\u2026I know Keldrass but I\u2019m blanking on his team\u2019s name, apologies. My mind\u2019s overly taxed from yesterday\u2019s battle.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKeldrass of the Flamewardens. He stayed at the inn too. You know him well?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m familiar with Keldrass. I believe I taught his unit when he was in the army.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin saw Bevussa shifting.<\/p>\n \u201cSomething wrong with his testimony?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? Oh, no. It\u2019s just\u2014Keldrass is a [Soldier] at heart. I was in the army for less time. Just to get my wings in. But Keldrass\u2014he says what he sees. And he hasn\u2019t been in the inn as long.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin nodded. He began to understand a bit of Bevussa\u2019s hesitation.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen Command finishes deliberating\u2014I\u2019ll request permission to speak first. And I will begin with that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWait? You\u2019ll<\/em> ask?\u201d<\/p>\n Bevussa stared at Grimalkin. Few people were aware of Grimalkin\u2019s exact rank. But he worked with the army more closely than many imagined. The [Sinew Magus] nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s pertinent. And I have no doubt that while many questions will be about the Antinium, just as many will be about her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cErin Solstice.\u201d<\/p>\n Again, the name lingered. If Grimalkin had said her name before, no one in Pallass would have cared. Today, it was one of a handful of names being repeated.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat will you tell them?\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin looked at Bevussa. The Garuda hesitated. She opened and closed her beak, and then collected her thoughts.<\/p>\n \u201cI know Bird. I\u2019ve met him. Actually, I\u2019ve chatted with him a lot. He\u2019s\u2026obsessed with birds. He gets me to tell him stories. And when he figured out he could pay for my drinks, he was completely willing to pay for my team\u2019s drinks forever just for a single story about flying monsters. He doesn\u2019t\u2026manage money. And Erin\u2019s had him in her watchtower forever.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI had the same impression, honestly. I hadn\u2019t met him more than a few times, but\u2026I am familiar with Miss Solstice\u2019s inn.\u201d<\/p>\n Bevussa nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s her inn. And Bird\u2019s\u2014I don\u2019t know how I\u2019m going to say it. But I have to, right?\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin remembered one conversation with Bird. He paused. Hummed thoughtfully.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s my intent too. Temper whatever radical thoughts are out there. Tell the truth. Whatever the other Walled Cities may think\u2014the world may think\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n The two looked at each other. How were they going to say it? It was hilarious, ridiculous. Bird wasn\u2019t<\/em> a new form of Prognugator, or a Centenium. He was just an employee at an inn and Erin Solstice\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cWhat a disaster. How can I tell<\/em> them?\u201d<\/p>\n Bevussa put her head in her talons. Grimalkin was nodding, but he caught himself. He remembered Bird\u2019s line.<\/p>\n \u201cI am as simple as I choose to be. I am a Bird and I am free to be me.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n And then he thought of Erin. It was ludicrous, how it had all played out. Even so\u2026his claws drummed on the armrest of his chair as he picked up another morsel.<\/p>\n \u201cHonestly, I cannot<\/em> say that it\u2019s entirely coincidence.\u201d<\/p>\n Bevussa looked up sharply. Grimalkin nodded his head at the door.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I think of her, I can\u2019t imagine she\u2019s duplicitous. But there are layers I do not know about Erin Solstice. And the Antinium\u2014when I testify, I will explain as much as I can. But I cannot swear that it is not all part of a larger viewpoint I\u2019m unaware of. No doubt that\u2019s why Chaldion is taking it so seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNeither can I. And I mean\u2014I didn\u2019t think it would come to this. But it\u2019s her<\/em>. How do I explain her, even if you can make sense of Bird and the Antinium?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cErin Solstice.\u201d<\/p>\n It was going to be hard. Both adventurer and [Mage] nodded. Bevussa sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like to say she\u2019s just\u2014Erin. But then\u2014she\u2019s Erin. I wish I knew more, honestly. I knew she was\u2014but I thought she was just weird. You know?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think after today, we\u2019ll all be regretting not looking into her sooner, Captain Bevussa. The only question is\u2014what each city does about it. Pallass is ideally placed. But now all<\/em> the cities know about her.\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin\u2019s exhausted mind was thinking of all that might transpire from today\u2019s events. He shook his head. He\u2019d ask Command. Weigh in as hard as he could, and Grimalkin could exert some weight. Even so, today he was a witness, and he was no [General].<\/p>\n What a mess. Bevussa\u2019s feathered head turned as she looked towards the door.<\/p>\n \u201cAbout Erin. Do you think\u2014I know she was here for the Wyvern attack, but that was an accident this time. Probably. She\u2019s done so much\u2014and I wasn\u2019t even around for a lot of it. But how much will the Assembly or\u2026anyone look into her?\u201d<\/p>\n Grimalkin considered it. Whatever would be done, he was going to caution prudence. No radical moves. But of a certainty, he was going to move Erin up on his priority list. He suspected he wouldn\u2019t be the only one. But carefully. Very carefully\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cErin Solstice is odd. An enigma in many ways. But you are correct, Captain. She