It started with decorations.<\/p>\n
As with every city, the Watch had places where the [Guards] liked to be posted. Places where you got less trouble, free food, or just a breath of fresh air. In every city, there were the good streets and bad streets. Good positions awarded to a [Guard] in need of an unofficial vacation or a veteran of many years\u2014<\/p>\n
And the bad streets. Punishment duty. And again, it varied. Sometimes there were cities where \u2018bad\u2019 meant Gnoll residential districts. And there the Watch made it clear what they thought of the Gnoll minorities.<\/p>\n
In Pallass, it wasn\u2019t that dichotomy between species. Pallass was, after all, home to four species in abundance: Dullahans, Garuda, Gnolls, and Drakes. So the bad spots were 1st<\/sup> floor work, 9th<\/sup> floor shenanigans, 3rd<\/sup> and 4th<\/sup> floor troubles\u2026and recently, the 8th<\/sup>.<\/p>\n The others were completely understandable\u2014if you were a resident of Pallass. And a [Guard]. Who wanted to police the 1st<\/sup> floor\u2019s bazaar, with all the incoming profits and trade goods? You were on your feet constantly, checking goods, stopping petty theft\u2026no thank you.<\/p>\n 9th<\/sup> floor was just as bad. It wasn\u2019t as common to get trouble up there, but there was always<\/em> at least one [Alchemist] having a bad experiment, or some [Smiths] getting into it. And [Blacksmiths] were strong and always armed with hammers.<\/p>\n The 3rd<\/sup> and 4th<\/sup> floors were the poorer, most populated residential districts. You didn\u2019t want to deal with that. No, Dullahan strife where they just clammed up or noisy Garuda arguments where the perpetrators might just try to fly off? Those were all bad<\/em> areas.<\/p>\n Far better to be on the 6th<\/sup>, a wealthy district. Or\u2014or a baking area on the 7th<\/sup>, say. That was free food. Tails and Scales especially. If you were lucky and walked slow<\/em> when Lasica was baking, you might get a snack of one of her new dishes, or one of Rufelt\u2019s drinks on the house.<\/p>\n That was the way it had been, with bonus undesirability points for prison-duty, anti-Turnscale duty, or wherever Saliss of Lights was being nude. [Guards] would trade duties, negotiate to not have to take such stressful positions, or curry favor by biting the arrowhead and just suffering through it. However, now a new post had become synonymous with suffering.<\/p>\n The 8th<\/sup> Floor. Normally the place of the middle to upper-middle class, nice, in the sunlight\u2014it was a good spot with only a few smaller markets and shopping areas. More in-development since it was the second-newest floor with space to build.<\/p>\n However, if you were posted on the 8th<\/sup> these days by Captain Venim, Qissa, good old Desdal, or that snot-tailed new Igesti, you had better pray you were in the Watch Captain\u2019s good books. Or else you\u2019d be posted\u2026at the door.<\/p>\n The door.<\/em> And then you\u2019d be under Sergeant Kel\u2019s command. That poor Drake needed more breaks. He\u2019d give you a speech and you\u2019d laugh and ask if it was really that<\/em> serious? One Human? And he\u2019d look at you like you were being sent to Rhir\u2019s hell and say, \u2018yes\u2019.<\/p>\n The Crazy Human of Liscor would make your life a living hell.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Pallassian [Guards] on duty had to check new visitors into Liscor. They had to receive new lists of people entering Pallass, conduct spot checks, and worse\u2014they\u2019d been warned that monsters could, at any moment, attack the checkpoint. That made the portcullis and fortifications less fun for them.<\/p>\n But all that would have been made okay by the fact that they got to sit about and watch a door all day. You could love that, despite the danger. Bring some snacks and get a good crew and you\u2019d talk the entire day away.<\/p>\n What made it awful was the improvisation. She<\/em> came by. Not every day, but at least once a week something would happen. And if you didn\u2019t improvise\u2014a dreaded word among the Watch\u2014just right, and make the exact<\/em> right call, your tail, or ass, or feathers would be hung out to dry by the Watch Captains, Grand Strategist Chaldion, and the [Senators].<\/p>\n The door opened. It wasn\u2019t the morning commute, so the [Guards] groaned. <\/em>They reached for their weapons, ready for everything. Ready for her.<\/em><\/p>\n And there she was. A young woman peeked through the door. She eyed the many faces staring at her through the balistraria\u2014arrow slits. She heard the audible sigh<\/em>, but paid no mind.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2019Scuse me. Just gotta\u2026I\u2019ll just be a second!\u201d<\/p>\n That damn Human. That agent of chaos, the daughter of disarray, etc, etc. She edged into the narrow room meant to hold a potential enemy for entering Pallass. Like\u2026the Antinium. She was holding a bundle of\u2026scrolls?<\/p>\n No, rolled up posters. A voice came from the walls.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Human, no entry is authorized into Pallass at this moment! Please return to your inn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIssat you, Kel? Hey!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin Solstice turned around and waved. The surly voice paused.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have orders not <\/em>to let anyone into Pallass.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou say that, but Grimalkin and Chaldion get to come through whenever they want. Why can\u2019t I? I\u2019m not entering Pallass. Technically, this is neutral ground.\u201d<\/p>\n A pause. Watch-Sergeant Kel ground his teeth as the rest of the unlucky [Guards] on patrol looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201c…I have orders, Miss Solstice. What are you doing?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The others eyed Erin nervously. She was inspecting the wall.<\/p>\n \u201cUm\u2026putting up stuff. Won\u2019t be long. Darn, this is stone, isn\u2019t it? Can\u2019t hammer a nail into that. Or can you? Well, that\u2019s why I have this sticky stuff\u2026hey, is this head-height, or is it too low for Gnolls?\u201d<\/p>\n The Watch just stared. Erin began to plaster one poster-sized piece of parchment on the walls. Sergeant Kel\u2019s eyes bulged.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat. Are. You. Doing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaking this place homey.<\/em> What do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin gave him a mock-outraged look. She plastered the first poster on the walls. Then another. She stepped back, eyed her work, and then disappeared into the door. After a second, she dragged a potted plant into the checkpoint. The dark, stone room was illuminated by a lantern on a table. Erin Solstice put a few chairs along one side. Then a copy of the Liscorian Gazette on the table. She turned around.<\/p>\n \u201cWhatcha think? I like the posters, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She stepped back to survey the military-style checkpoint. Which, in a few seconds, she had converted into a waiting room.<\/p>\n The Watch heard a sound. It was the sound of their sinking hearts, knowing they were going to be chewed out<\/em> for this. Guardsman Kel spoke slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2026is this?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDecorations. See, I think the first poster is good. It has the rules up like this. That\u2019s the first thing you see. Then, you get into<\/em> the room and you see the chairs, the copy of the newspaper\u2014ooh, I\u2019d better get at least four copies\u2014and the other stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin Solstice pointed. All of the [Guards], Dullahans, Gnolls, a single Garuda, and Drakes, stared. They were equipped with crossbows, magical wands, and had access to four spells which would turn this room into a deathtrap. Even an army would be choked off if it tried to invade here. Like the Antinium, for example.<\/p>\n Now, they saw a big, smiling Goblin\u2019s head, drawn in a crude but cute cartoon style. Above it was written, in big font:<\/p>\n No Killing Goblins.<\/em><\/p>\n That was the first poster you\u2019d see. Another was of a smiling bunch of Gnolls\u2014well\u2014you assumed they were. The drawer had been very clumsy, but she\u2019d done her best drawing a mountain, a forest, some tents\u2014and what you assumed were either Gnolls, or blobby stick-people with fuzzy heads.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n Sergeant Kel\u2019s head hurt. He looked at Erin. She pointed.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Just putting up some decorations. Don\u2019t worry; I\u2019ll get someone to water the flowers.\u201d<\/p>\n She was placing a flower pot full of some lovely red flowers on the waiting table. Kel stared at her.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know what I mean. Miss Erin Solstice, kindly remove your\u2026your\u2026unauthorized objects from this room. This is a checkpoint.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, it can also be nice. I\u2019ve had complaints from people waiting. They have to stand around and the door only gets checked every ten minutes. So I decided let\u2019s spruce it up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2018Spruce it up?\u2019 Just\u2014just what is that?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked as the Drake pointed at the poster.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? The posters? It\u2019s just a little thing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe have rules.<\/em> Nothing is allowed in here without the Watch Captain\u2019s express consent!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin blew out her cheeks.<\/p>\n \u201cKel, we\u2019ve been friends for months.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe aren\u2019t friends.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n She ignored that. The young woman waved at Kel.<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t you make an exception?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n She scowled as the Drake glared back at her through the small speaking slit.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReasons of security.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor flowers?<\/em> You can get them yourself if you want to! And this is just a bit of art! See, Mrsha made this one!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd that poster?\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake pointed at the smiling Goblin. Erin\u2019s face lowered into a deep scowl.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026I drew that. See? It says \u2018No Killing Goblins\u2019. Important rule. No one really reads it.\u201d<\/p>\n The Watch stared at the smiling Goblin. They looked at Erin Solstice. Guardsman Kel had a headache.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Erin Solstice. We are not<\/em> allowed to make changes to this room\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine, fine. So get Watch Captain Venim to approve it. Or Chaldion. Or Grimalkin.\u201d<\/p>\n The wretched Human female rolled her eyes. As if the Grand Strategist of all of Pallass<\/em> had time to authorize this minutiae. Or as if they wouldn\u2019t be chewed to pieces and spat over the walls for bothering him! The Watch on duty shifted.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease take it down.\u201d<\/p>\n Sergeant Kel\u2019s tone was of a man hanging onto a crumbling cliff\u2019s edge, begging gravity not to work. Erin Solstice shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cHey. I don\u2019t make the rules.\u201d<\/p>\n They waited. One of the [Guards] coughed.<\/p>\n \u201cYes. Exactly. So\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo get someone to tell me to take it down. Until then\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin wandered off through the doorway. The Watch looked at each other. Someone would have to tell the Watch Captain on their floor. They would\u2026not be happy. Sergeant Kel rubbed at his face.<\/p>\n And then Erin Solstice came back through the door. She spread four more magazines onto the table, arranging them just so. And then she reached back into the door.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s great, Ishkr. Thanks. Okay\u2014here you go, Kel. Do I put this in front of the portcullis? I can shove it through your arrow-thingies.\u201d<\/p>\n She had a tray of something. One of the Gnolls sniffed<\/em> the air. The others stared at the hot, round\u2026thingies on her tray. They were practically steaming. Fresh out of the oven. They smelled<\/em> like sugar and baking.<\/p>\n The Watch knew what those were. Cookies.<\/em> Lasica was selling them, but only a few of Pallass\u2019 [Bakers] had mastered the recipe. But the inventor from Liscor had a hot, piping tray of fresh ones.<\/p>\n \u201cThese have white chocolate on them. I mean\u2014it\u2019s not really chocolate. But we\u2019re rationing the actual stuff, so Lasica and Rose helped me make them. Another third is oatmeal, and the last bunch is just raisin. I mean\u2014someone has to eat raisins. Stands to reason.\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman confessed as she waved the sprinkled cookies at the [Guards]. They stared at the cookies. Then they saw another tray being passed through.<\/p>\n \u201cOoh, thanks, Ishkr. Put them down there? Hey, Kel. Where do I\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n A second tray of salsa and chips was brought in by Ishkr. The Gnoll blinked around the room, put down the tray on a table, and Erin thanked him. The [Guards] hesitated. This was a new crew. They eyed Kel. The [Sergeant] paused.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026We\u2019ll collect the food.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGreat! You need drinks?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not allowed to drink on duty, Miss Solstice.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight. Blue fruit juice?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re\u2026fine. Thank you, Miss Solstice. About the posters\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t hear you, Kel! Gotta go, bye!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin Solstice shut the door. After a moment, the portcullis slowly rose a few feet. One of the [Guards] stared at the two trays of food. Fresh\u2026food.<\/p>\n \u201cIs this safe, Sergeant Kel?\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake sat back in his armchair. Which, the patrol of [Guards] who\u2019d been dreading their assignment to the 8th<\/sup> floor now realized\u2014looked mighty comfy. The Drake sighed. And looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cSend a Street Runner to Watch Captain Quissa. About the decorations. In\u2026ten minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot now?\u201d<\/p>\n One of the Dullahans was slow on the uptake. Sergeant Kel nodded to the two trays of cookies and chips and dip.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to take care of this first. Ten minutes gives us twenty for the Watch Captain to come over. What\u2019s that note say?\u201d<\/p>\n It was attached to the chips and salsa. It read\u2014\u2018Experimenting with my salsa recipe! Let me know if it\u2019s too spicy or not enough! The first bowl is mild, the second is spicy!\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n The [Guards] stared at Kel. He helped himself to a cookie. The Garuda looked at his companions. He coughed.<\/p>\n \u201cSergeant Kel. Do you\u2026often get these sort of interruptions?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHm? Well, she tends to put stuff through the door when she inconveniences us. Let\u2019s get rid of this. Can\u2019t allow contraband through the door.\u201d<\/p>\n The squad looked at each other. And then it clicked.<\/em> A Dullahan reached for a white-chocolate cookie. A Gnoll sniffed at the salsa. And they realized why so many \u2018unhappy [Guards]\u2019 talked up the 8th<\/sup> floor duty as being the worst. Then subsequently volunteered to take it for a few favors. Kel looked around as he reached for some chips.<\/p>\n \u201cI really hate her. Be sure to file your complaints.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That was their experience. But there was always trouble. Erin Solstice sighed as she closed the door.<\/p>\n \u201cGive it like, twenty minutes, Ishkr. Warn me when an angry Watch Captain wants me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Miss Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll ducked his head as he adjusted the dial and set the magical door to Esthelm. Erin smiled. And she looked at the Gnoll for a second. Ishkr was being extra-respectful today, calling her \u2018Miss Erin\u2019. He was one of two of her longest current employees and she\u2019d heard him call her \u2018Erin\u2019 more than once.<\/p>\n She encouraged it, really. Lyonette was the one who set boundaries. But perhaps\u2014it was because he felt awkward or embarrassed or grateful. After all, he\u2019d asked for his week\u2019s pay in advance.<\/p>\n Something to do with family. Which went to show you that even someone like Ishkr had secrets. He had one, Erin was sure. He never <\/em>talked about it, but he sometimes had to leave early. Or get money for\u2026something.<\/p>\n No one ever raised an eyebrow. Not even Lyonette; Ishkr was a model employee. He didn\u2019t cause trouble, he did his job and got paid.<\/em> In some ways, he was the dream of any establishment\u2014someone whose goal was to earn a living without seeking advancement, needing someone to hold his paw, or anything else.<\/p>\n Still. He had a secret. One. Thoughtfully, Erin walked down the hallway as Ishkr greeted some day-workers bound for Liscor.<\/p>\n \u201cGood morning, yes? Anyone bound for Liscor? Wait here, please\u2014anyone bound for Celum, please wait on the far wall for visitors to enter before exiting\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The new visitors eyed a happy slime on the wall surrounded by friendly Shield Spiders and beavers\u2014Mrsha\u2019s work. It was largely impressionistic to anyone who hadn\u2019t been explained what it was supposed to be. But Erin had introduced paw-painting into Mrsha\u2019s lessons. And it had been a wild hit.<\/p>\n Painting wasn\u2019t something children did<\/em> unless they wanted the class. So Ekirra, Visma, and Mrsha had produced some masterpieces\u2014in their parent\u2019s opinions\u2014and they had been hung around The Wandering Inn by Erin. She was just a bit proud of that.<\/p>\n But Ishkr. Erin paused at the doorway and looked at him. He had a secret.<\/p>\n Ishkr wasn\u2019t married; Erin would know. He was also fairly young. Nineteen? He was very adult, but Krshia had never mentioned it and she would. On the other hand, Erin knew he lived largely alone. He was from the Silverfang tribe, having been born around the time some came to Liscor. He had one sister he talked about\u2014grumbled, really\u2014and two parents he never talked about. She had the impression\u2026they had died.<\/p>\n So, that meant something was up. Erin peeked through one of the hallway\u2019s spy-holes as the Gnoll opened the door to Liscor and let more people out and let people in. She ignored the crossbow Belgrade had installed in a little holster to quickly fire at any intruders and studied Ishkr.<\/p>\n He was responsible. You never had to ask him to account for spills or mistakes; he did it himself. Someone like that\u2026didn\u2019t strike Erin as wasting money. So why did he need<\/em> the money?<\/p>\n She didn\u2019t know. But she was fairly sure it had to do with his sister. That seemed to coincide with Ishkr having to leave early or asking for an advance. A person\u2014usually a Gnoll or Drake in their late teens or a young adult\u2014would find Ishkr and whisper to him. And he\u2019d sigh<\/em> or growl curses and\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s your secret?\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll scratched at the back of his neck. Erin studied him for a moment. She could, of course, just ask. Or find out. She had ways. They involved everything from getting Drassi to find out to shadowing Ishkr to manufacturing an incident with cheese and Mrsha.<\/p>\n But she didn\u2019t. Erin Solstice had decided all was going well. She had not<\/em> caused a massive incident in a while. Not\u2014not hugely<\/em> important, at any rate. The Wyvern attack was still fresh in Erin\u2019s memory, even if she hadn\u2019t been responsible for it. But Bird? The fallout from that? Grimalkin\u2019s weights?<\/p>\n Sometimes, Erin felt like she was walking around a room filled with balloons. She kept popping them. Just by accident sometimes. But\u2014other times, intentionally.<\/p>\n But Ryoka Griffin had come. The Horns, Griffon Hunt, had gone. Magnolia had\u2026done her thing. And things were peaceful for the moment. The [Innkeeper] wondered if it was alright to not want to rock the boat.<\/p>\n She was tempted. And when she looked at the way Ishkr\u2019s ears were flat even as he pretended to smile\u2014and the way he was tensed, weighed down by whatever had caused him to ask for an advance\u2014she wanted to help. The problem was, Erin Solstice felt like she made things worse. Not always, but sometimes. She had to be careful.<\/p>\n So she let him be. Anyways, even the small things Erin did caused a fuss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMiss Solstice. You cannot<\/em> alter the checkpoint without express permission. It is<\/em> sovereign Pallassian territory.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. But it\u2019s my<\/em> inn, right? What\u2019s the problem with flowers and magazines in the waiting room, anyways?\u201d<\/p>\n Watch Captain Venim was having a bad day. That tended to correlate with his meetings with Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cThe issue isn\u2019t decorations, Miss Solstice. It\u2019s in getting permission<\/em> first. We have systems for doing things. I\u2019d appreciate it if you\u2014obeyed the rules.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut it\u2019s flowers. Why do I have to wait to put flowers there? Have a cookie. White chocolate.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake was lost for a second in Erin\u2019s reasonable insanity. He eyed the cookie Erin proffered. He nearly<\/em> took it, and then sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Solstice. I can file the requisite paperwork. But I am here to ask you not<\/em> to make changes without permission.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut I\u2019m going to get permission because you\u2019re filing paperwork, right? So why do I have<\/em> to? It\u2019s all worked out well.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin was lightly pleased with herself. The Watch Captain gave her a narced expression. He rubbed at his forehead tiredly. But Erin knew she\u2019d won.<\/p>\n She hadn\u2019t fed Kel and the [Guards] on duty for nothing. She had curried goodwill\u2014sometimes with actual curry. Venim now\u2014he was more like Zevara. He didn\u2019t take the cookies she was waving towards him. But they\u2019d had interactions like this before.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on, Venim. What\u2019s the problem? What if Kel just told you about my decoration and you sorted it out without making it\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin waved her hands to indicate the hurdles of legality and the process of bureaucracy. It made sense to her. Erin liked the law\u2014but the law sometimes did stupid things.<\/p>\n Venim looked at Erin. And she, confident she was right, waited for his response. He put her slightly smug mood into a dumpster and set it on fire with one reply:<\/p>\n \u201cThe problem, Miss Erin Solstice, is that whenever you cause trouble, I\u2019m<\/em> the one who has to speak with you. I was on my vacation. With my daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n He sat there, arms folded. Erin\u2019s smile wavered.<\/p>\n \u201cUh. What?\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake rubbed at his tired face.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m your appointed liaison. As is Sergeant Kel. Have you not wondered why I\u2019m assigned to the 8th<\/sup> floor every day? And why Sergeant Kel hasn\u2019t changed duties, despite multiple requests?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014no\u2014did you say your daughter? Um. Time off?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI get two days per week. This would be my one day with my daughter; her mother has the other day. She\u2019s with my sister due to the emergency involving you.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake stared at Erin. His voice was very polite. But he was telling Erin\u2014her face fell.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I didn\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I will do the paperwork. But I would appreciate<\/em> notice in advance. All things being equal, Miss Solstice, I would have preferred to get the request tomorrow, through Sergeant Kel. I would have processed it and granted you the rights by the end of the day. Tomorrow. Is that entirely reasonable?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Yes.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin stared at Venim. She hadn\u2019t known he was married. Or\u2014previously married and divorced. Of course, it made sense. Lots of people were married. Erin just didn\u2019t ask.<\/p>\n She had been focused on Ishkr of late, puzzling him out. Getting Octavia situated\u2014reuniting with Ryoka. When Erin knew someone, she thought she knew<\/em> someone. But it disconcerted her to know how little she understood of people she was acquainted with.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry. Um. Do you want some cookies? For your daughter? On the house?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin offered the cookies weakly to Venim. He hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Do these have grapes? My daughter\u2019s allergic to grapes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet me find you some non-grape ones. But I baked them together\u2026er\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Erin ended up giving Venim a bag of little white chocolate squares instead of possibly tainted cookies. He left, and she sat there.<\/p>\n \u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n That was all she said for a while. Erin bowed her head, as she sometimes had cause to do. The inn, not bustling but lively, moved around her. The Players of Liscor were running through a new play with Galina. Kevin and Joseph were outside, teaching kids and adults to play soccer. Leon and Troy? She hoped they weren\u2019t causing trouble.<\/p>\n Mrsha was building a dam with the beavers. Lyonette was running the inn. Bird was overseeing the construction of his final tower on the newly-built third floor. Palt was flipping burgers for fun.<\/p>\n It was Numbtongue who wandered by Erin with a fresh hamburger. He saw Erin, head bowed. The [Bard] hesitated, put his hamburger down on a table, and began to chow while he waited.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026So that\u2019s why he didn\u2019t want a cookie when he heard they were raisin. Just in case.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Innkeeper] muttered to herself. Numbtongue eyed her. He looked at the cooling cookies and took one. After he noshed for a while, Erin looked up.<\/p>\n \u201cNumbtongue?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBad day?\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobgoblin offered a cookie. Erin smiled and declined. Numbtongue shrugged. It was a social, Human, or rather, non-Goblin question.<\/p>\n \u2018Bad day\u2019? As if days that didn\u2019t involve you dying or being shot with arrows weren\u2019t anything but good<\/em> days. And yet\u2014he had come to understand that there really were bad days. Of course, if you compared it to people trying to kill you, every day was a good day. But\u2026there was badness besides arrows and monsters. It was a novel thing.<\/p>\n Someday, he\u2019d wander into the new Stitchworks and find Octavia nearly in tears over a failed experiment she could not get right.<\/em> Or\u2014or\u2014Bird was curled into a ball in his room because he\u2019d been punished for doing things like offering Mrsha maggot-infested dead birds. Or Erin would be like this. And these were sad and important moments. Not like someone dying\u2014but important.<\/p>\n It scared Numbtongue how much he had begun to care<\/em> about whether Mrsha hurt her paw. Not that he had been uncaring when he was a Redfang warrior\u2014but it had been different. Then, if, say, Bugear had torn open his arm by accident while skinning an Eater Goat, Numbtongue would have just laughed and mocked him with the others.<\/p>\n If Bugear had dared to cry<\/em> or whinge about it, he\u2019d have been mocked. And even when a comrade died, like Grunter and the heroes at Esthelm\u2014Numbtongue moved for wars. He\u2014had been <\/em>a warrior. A soldier under Garen Redfang who would fight and die when the time came.<\/p>\n But now, the Hobgoblin was a [Bard]. A member of The Wandering Inn. Now\u2014if Mrsha broke her paw, he might cry. That scared him. But it didn\u2019t mean he was soft. Rather\u2014he had something to fight for. And he wished Headscratcher, Shorthilt, Badarrow, Rabbiteater\u2014had all been able to experience this.<\/p>\n Worrying about Erin\u2019s grieved expression. After a moment, Numbtongue poked Erin. She jumped slightly.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2014there was just this thing with Venim. I was putting up posters and making the waiting room in Pallass livable, Numbtongue. But I think I made a mistake\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Erin gave Numbtongue an abbreviated version of the events. He didn\u2019t see the problem. So one Drake had an issue since he couldn\u2019t see his daughter all day.<\/em> So what?<\/p>\n And yet, he saw it the other way too. The [Bard] scowled as Erin sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel bad. I should do something nice for Venim.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t have<\/em> to.\u201d<\/p>\n There was a pause as Erin blinked and then looked over. The [Innkeeper] gave Numbtongue a blank look.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course not. But I should, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Mm.\u201d<\/p>\n He nodded. That was what Numbtongue loved about Erin. \u2018Should\u2019 and \u2018must\u2019 were sometimes the same for her. The Hobgoblin looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cGood cookies. Got any acid-fly ones?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor you, Numbtongue? I can\u2019t believe you eat them!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin smiled, looking amused. The Hobgoblin shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cFor Yellow Splatters.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh! No\u2014I\u2019m going to make a special batch. Don\u2019t worry, there\u2019ll be plenty of cookies.\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobgoblin nodded, content with that. He sat back, eating a third cookie as Erin looked ahead.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I guess that\u2019s that. Hey\u2014are you eating all my cookies?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t I?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo! They\u2019re for Lyonette! Argh! How many did you eat?\u201d<\/p>\n Eight.<\/em> Well, five were already in Numbtongue\u2019s belt pouch for later. Dismayed, Erin stared at her plundered cookie tray. She narrowed her eyes and poked the Goblin back.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re going to get fat, Numbtongue.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n That sufficiently stumped Erin enough for Numbtongue to liberate two more cookies. Mrsha-treats. She rescued her cookie tray and returned to the common room in time to see Numbtongue fetching something from behind the bar. He carried it out of the common room and down the hallway. Into one of the private rooms. Erin followed him. She peeked into the open doorway and saw what the Hobgoblin had retrieved.<\/p>\n A laptop.<\/em> The Hobgoblin opened the lid, saw the computer was in \u2018sleep\u2019 mode, and casually waited for it to boot up. He entered Kevin\u2019s password, and began to use the touchpad to click around the screen. Erin stared.<\/em><\/p>\n Numbtongue began playing an FPS game\u2014Halo CE.<\/em> The computer began emitting sounds of combat and battle and he did fairly well for someone playing on a touchpad and computer keys. Erin kept staring.<\/p>\n \u201cUm. Numbtongue.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHm?\u201d<\/p>\n The adaptability of Goblins knew no limits. In a few days, Numbtongue had mastered the computer enough to alt-tab out of the game and look at Erin. She pointed weakly at the computer.<\/p>\n \u201cUh\u2014uh\u2014Kevin showed you how to use the computer, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMhm. Fun. Want to watch a movie?\u201d<\/p>\n Kevin had only a few more movies left unwatched and movie night<\/em> was a huge thing. Everyone in the inner group of the inn would drop anything to watch a movie\u2014even if the Earthworlders had seen the movie a thousand times before. But the laptop had more value for those not from Earth.<\/p>\n For instance\u2014Numbtongue was now obsessed with the video game that even Galina and Imani had beaten three times. Each. The electronics Ryoka had brought back to the inn had been used for months by the seven Earthers\u2014to the point where Rose could lip-sync every rap song and Leon had beaten Solitaire<\/em> a hundred times. They had explored the limits of the laptop, tablets, and iPhones.<\/p>\n But the others? Erin had already initiated a one-hour limit for Mrsha to play with the electronics. Numbtongue had no such restrictions. And with Palt, Montressa, and Beza all able to cast [Repair], battery life was only an issue if Numbtongue wanted to recharge the laptop after a late-night gaming session.<\/p>\n \u201cYou really like this, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMhm.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue went back to playing. Erin saw a flash as something exploded. She wasn\u2019t a fan of video games. Well\u2014she played Minecraft and stuff. But she wasn\u2019t into the complex action game stuff.<\/p>\n \u201cSay\u2026mind scooting over?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin sat down and watched as Numbtongue played through a level\u2014mainly by killing a lot of very ugly potato-people. With tendrils and stuff. They looked\u2026well, dangerous, but sort of tame.<\/p>\n \u201cI bet you could kill that one.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe. Not with guns.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin eyed the ugly potato attacking Numbtongue as he threw a grenade.<\/p>\n \u201cYou like playing fighting games? Isn\u2019t it like\u2014too real? For a warrior like you?\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobgoblin glanced at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026No. It\u2019s fun. Games.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, right, right. Hey, watch out for the one on the left\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMhm.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Bard] went back to playing. Erin watched until he died. Then she poked him.<\/p>\n \u201cMy turn. I want to use the computer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026One more life?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou play it all night. Give.\u201d<\/p>\n She poked him again. That was a very Goblin\/Gnoll thing, so the Hobgoblin, grumbling, gave the laptop over. Erin knew Mrsha was trying to play too and she just worried about the effects of video games on Mrsha\u2019s psyche. Then again\u2014when she was playing outside she led crusades against Shield Spiders. So maybe this was okay.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. Let\u2019s see. Where\u2019re the comics?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHere.\u201d<\/p>\n Kevin\u2019s laptop was a goldmine of data. It didn\u2019t look like it, but Kevin\u2019s attitude towards data had been one of acquisition. His laptop was filled with movies, games he liked, pictures\u2014and most crucially\u2014pirated comics and other media. Erin eagerly clicked on a folder.<\/p>\n \u201cAha! This is the stuff!\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue stared with the kind of detached pain that arose from seeing someone misuse their computer-time as Erin double-clicked on a picture icon. A big\u2026picture\u2026popped up on the screen.<\/p>\n Well, it was really three pictures, each separated by black bar. Each one held a little character, with some kind of extreme deformity in their body shape emitting balloons with words. Erin stared at the first one, and then laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cHah!<\/em> Classic!\u201d<\/p>\n She began to giggle. Not really laugh, but smile as she stared at the little boxes and figures. Numbtongue peeked over her shoulder. He stared at a round-headed person and pointed.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin blinked at him and then grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2014sorry. You\u2019ve never seen a comic, right, Numbtongue? This\u2014this is Peanuts.<\/em> Kevin\u2019s got some of the classics! See? This is Charlie Brown.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin pointed at a person with anatomical problems. The Hobgoblin narrowed his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cHe has puff-head badness? Going to explode?\u201d<\/p>\n The Human girl looked at him. She opened and closed her mouth a few times.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026No.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Why does he look like that?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin tried to explain.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just\u2014how they\u2019re drawn. It\u2019s just\u2014it\u2019s like a mini-story. That\u2019s what a comic is. Words and pictures. See? He\u2019s going to kick this football and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue stared. He didn\u2019t get it. Well, the arbitrary act of cruelty on the part of the young girl made him smile.<\/p>\n \u201cSee, he tries to kick the football but he never does. Except that time he was invisible. It\u2019s like a metaphor, but it\u2019s also<\/em> funny.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin ruminated on the deep levels of Human cruelty and hopeless aspiration for a second. Numbtongue just snorted.<\/p>\n \u201cSilly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIsn\u2019t it? But it\u2019s great. I respect Kevin for having this on his computer. Aside from the you-know-what.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin scowled deeply. She had found the porn that Kevin had faithfully reinstalled onto his computer. And deleted it. Numbtongue rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, yes. Bad sexy Humans.\u201d<\/p>\n He had rather enjoyed it. And Kevin had a backup, but Numbtongue decided this was the stuff that Erin didn\u2019t need to know. The young woman went on, pointing obliviously at the comic.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is great.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, really. It\u2019s a classic.<\/em> Art!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMhm. Heads look funny.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin puffed out her cheeks in exasperation.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a caricature, <\/em>Numbtongue. This is funny! To me! I watched it all the time when I was a kid. And it\u2019s\u2026oh. Look at that.\u201d<\/p>\n Her face fell as she flipped through the pages of the comic. Numbtongue saw Erin grow silent again. After a moment, the [Innkeeper] looked up. And her expression was\u2014thoughtful.<\/p>\n \u201cI just wonder, Numbtongue. If I\u2019m\u2026a jerk. You know? Or if I\u2019ve changed a bit. Here. She\u2019s probably in here. No\u2014no\u2014no\u2014that\u2019s Linus. He\u2019s cool. Um\u2014no\u2014here.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin pointed to a character on the screen. Numbtongue stared. All Humans looked fairly similar unless you got to know them, and this girl wasn\u2019t that<\/em> distinguished.<\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPeppermint Patty.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin sighed. She looked at Numbtongue.<\/p>\n \u201cI think I might be her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExplain?\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobgoblin saw Erin sitting there. After a moment, she smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cThe thing is\u2014this is a story, Numbtongue. None of the characters are real. But they were popular. <\/em>Millions of people loved them. There was even a television show.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLike the Ogre?\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue grew excited. He liked that one. Something about a green-skinned protagonist really spoke<\/em> to him. He had watched that with the secret Dragon, Ryoka, Mrsha, and Erin. And loved it. The music, the action\u2014<\/p>\n The only person who hadn\u2019t liked it upon a repeat viewing was Lyonette. Something about a [Princess] being turned into an Ogress spoke to her in negative ways. Eldavin had nearly incinerated the entire hill when the donkey married the Dragon.<\/p>\n But Erin shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, television<\/em>, Numbtongue. Not movies. That\u2019s like\u2014a mini-movie. It\u2019s still good. Peanuts had lots. It also had movies. Actually\u2014I think a new movie came out. I wish I\u2019d seen it before\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She trailed off. And Erin stared for a second at the comic on screen. Then she closed her eyes and remembered. <\/em>The words came more slowly, but with heavy nostalgia.<\/p>\n \u201cThe point is that I liked the movies. My parents did too. They still do\u2014they let me watch all the movies. Even the shows. Not many of my friends knew there was a TV show along with the movies. But I watched them all. Even the weird ones.\u201d<\/p>\n She had a point she was going towards. The Hobgoblin waited for it all to make sense. Erin pointed at the peppermint-girl.<\/p>\n \u201cMy favorite<\/em> characters in the shows and movies were Snoopy, Linus\u2014and Peppermint Patty and Marcie. Marceline. And those two? I liked them the most in a way. See\u2014the second episode of the Peanuts specials is actually really interesting. Patty\u2019s learning to skate, you see. And she\u2019s working really hard. And that\u2019s weird because she never really works hard; she sleeps in school and she\u2019s really passionate\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue decided he needed a drink. Erin followed him, explaining the show he had no reference for<\/em>. But which he understood because she was explaining it.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd she\u2019s trying hard. And it\u2019s a fun episode. Episode 2! The adults even have voices instead of going \u2018blah, blah, blah\u2019. But the thing is\u2014Patty asks Marcie for help. She wants Marcie to make a dress for her skating competition. And Marcie can\u2019t really sew. So\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue took a long drink of ale as Erin explained a basic plotline involving a dog teaching skating, the girl winning the skating competition, and failure with garments.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026The point is that Patty\u2019s always like that. She always makes Marcie do things that Marcie doesn\u2019t want <\/em>to do. But Marcie tried.<\/em> She couldn\u2019t sew, but she tried. She tried to help her friend. She cared about Patty. And I\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The [Innkeeper] sat there, nostalgic as Numbtongue drank at the bar. Her eyes were far away. But she focused on Numbtongue.<\/p>\n \u201cI always liked them so much. Marcie especially. I wanted to be her, you know. Since I played chess and she liked books and had glasses\u2026I wanted to be a good friend to someone like Patty. But I never met someone like that. It was just me. Which was alright. But I liked them the most. Do you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n The Goblin looked up and met Erin\u2019s eyes. That?<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman smiled at him. She looked back towards the place where she and Venim had been sitting and took a deep breath.<\/p>\n \u201cThe thing is\u2014I think sometimes I\u2019m Patty, Numbtongue. Thoughtless. I always get my way, because I can make it happen. But that\u2019s not who I used to be. I used to be\u2026different. But I had to be like this because I\u2019d have died. Still, I wonder\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She lapsed into silence. The Goblin looked at her. And he thought Erin had said something important. But he couldn\u2019t decode the layers of understanding\u2014perhaps only another Erin could have done that. Yet he knew what to do. He reached over and patted Erin on the shoulder. She looked at him and the [Bard] gave her another pat.<\/p>\n \u201cYou did good things. I know that.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at him, greatly surprised. Then she laughed and hugged him. The [Bard] smiled to himself. He had a way with words. After that, Erin just sighed. And Numbtongue offered to show her how to play Kevin\u2019s videogames.<\/p>\n Erin managed to kill herself in the first ten seconds. But the kind, silly [Innkeeper] and the Hobgoblin sat together. Laughing for a while.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It began with a reprimand.<\/p>\n The protests were still continuing outside the Watch Barracks. Not that the protestors and cityfolk had any real reason to be upset at the Watch. But those who had lost almost everything to The Golden Triangle had no one to blame; after the broadcast, the members of The Golden Triangle had fled, and the inner organization had disappeared.<\/p>\n But poverty remained. Desperation. Fury\u2014they were demonstrating outside of City Hall.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t her fault. Part of Watch Captain Zevara resented the idiots who\u2019d given all their money to this fraud. Still, if the perpetrators of this scheme had been in front of her, she would have arrested them at once.<\/p>\n \u2026There was no face of this fake scheme. No one to blame. Wistram had ended The Golden Triangle and in so doing, wrecked the lives of tens of thousands. Hundreds of thousands, perhaps. Poor people who now lacked gold<\/em> or silver they needed to live.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want our money back!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJustice for us!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe did nothing wrong!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The shouts from outside Zevara\u2019s window made the Drake\u2019s scales itch.<\/em> She saw the [Guards] blocking the protestors from entering the Watch House. The Watch Captain stared a moment. And then turned back to her desk. She sat down, heavily.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a disaster, Senior Guardsman Relc.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Watch Captain.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake stood in front of her desk. Zevara looked at the huge, still-healing Drake. She had given him off as much time as she could. But things in the city had reached a peak. She shuffled her papers.<\/p>\n \u201cSenior Guardsman Relc. The city is in uproar over this\u2014Golden Triangle business.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYep, Watch Captain. I\u2019ve noticed.\u201d<\/p>\n Relc\u2019s claws were folded behind his back. He stared over her shoulder, a familiar look. Zevara paused, then went on. She noted his uniform was smirched\u2014people had thrown things at him as he came into work this morning.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026I assume you\u2019re healed from your ambush, Guardsman Relc?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Watch Captain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026We owe you a debt of gratitude for dispatching the likes of Bearclaw\u2019s gang. We had no proof\u2014but Soot is dead. And we will<\/em> find Bearclaw. I\u2019ve posted a thousand-gold bounty on her head. She will not be safe in any Drake city, I promise you.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Spearmaster]\u2019s eyes twitched towards her. He nodded slightly.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Watch Captain.\u201d<\/p>\n Zevara cleared her throat. She was dancing around the real subject, and both of them knew it. Relc waited, at parade-rest, like he was in the military. The Watch Captain cleared her throat a second time, and coughed. But nothing could stop her from doing her duty. Not even her own reluctance.<\/p>\n \u201cAbout the Golden Triangle\u2026I understand you were not aware of the fraud. That is not<\/em> in question. Senior Guardsman Relc. But you understand that people are rightly upset? You signed over eight hundred<\/em> people into The Golden Triangle.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Yes, Watch Captain.\u201d<\/p>\n Relc\u2019s eyes glittered as he stared over Zevara\u2019s shoulder. Eight hundred people, all of whom were out of gold\u2014or silver. Zevara went on.<\/p>\n \u201cI understand you gave back as much gold as you could. I take that into account. However\u2014the mood is against you. I have\u2026no less than fifty petitions for me to strip you of your Senior Guardsman rank. Some call for your imprisonment.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI understand that, Watch Captain.\u201d<\/p>\n For a moment, the two Drakes just waited. Zevara, sitting at her desk. How many times had she done this? Called in Relc to yell at him at being an idiot, causing trouble for the Watch?<\/p>\n This time was different. Both of them felt it. Even Relc was\u2014changed. Normally, he would be offering excuses, dodging the blame or pinning it on Klbkch.<\/p>\n \u2026Klbkch was gone. Zevara looked up.<\/p>\n \u201cSenior Guardsman Relc. Do you have anything to say in your defense? That you were unaware of The Golden Triangle\u2019s fraudulent nature I appreciate. But what do you\u2014do you have a defense?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Spearmaster] looked ahead. Zevara waited, ready to latch onto anything. Any excuse. From Relc, it was a surety. But the Drake just stared at her. Then he slowly shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cWatch Captain. I take full responsibility for my actions. I was a Senior Guardsman. I shouldn\u2019t have led people to invest their money. I\u2026made a terrible mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n The Watch Captain\u2019s mouth opened slightly. She blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2014do?\u201d<\/p>\n Relc nodded. Then he stared over her shoulder. Zevara had never heard anything like that from Relc. Even being hit over the head in Bearclaw\u2019s ambush\u2014repeatedly\u2014didn\u2019t explain it.<\/p>\n But it made her duties all the more clear. All the harder. The Watch Captain of Liscor stood up.<\/p>\n \u201cSenior Guardsman Relc, I appreciate your candor. Moreover\u2014I do not accept your apology. I am<\/em> aware you tried to warn as many people as possible and return their coin.\u201d<\/p>\n Relc looked up. Zevara met his gaze. She looked straight into Relc\u2019s surprised eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cA Senior Guardsman should do nothing less. Be that as it may, public trust in you has been eroded. So\u2014as is my duty as Watch Captain, I strip you of your Senior Guardsman rank.\u201d<\/p>\n He only flinched a bit at that. But the worst was yet to come. Zevara inhaled.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014Furthermore. I believe it is untenable for you to remain in Liscor for this moment. Too much ill will is set against you. So\u2014Guardsman Relc\u2014I have applied for your transfer to another Drake City in need of capable [Guards].\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake\u2019s head snapped up. He looked at Zevara.<\/p>\n \u201cMe? But\u2014Watch Captain\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The female Drake silenced Relc.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is my decision as Watch Captain, Guardsman Relc. If you disagree\u2014you have only but to object.\u201d<\/p>\n He didn\u2019t. The Drake hesitated, and then bowed his head.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026I get it. Where am I going?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCellidel. The city is in need of high-level [Guards]. I\u2026was negotiating with their Watch Captain for an exchange of [Guards] already in return for material aid. This incident expedites the process. You will serve there for a number of months to be decided. Until this incident is behind you.\u201d<\/p>\n Relc\u2019s head lowered further. Zevara went on, in a strained voice.<\/p>\n \u201cYou may object, Sen\u2014Guardsman Relc. It is your right.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026No objections, Watch Captain. Maybe it\u2019s for the best. It\u2019s that or resign, right?\u201d<\/p>\n The Watch Captain was surprised a second time. She looked at Relc. Something about him looked\u2014older. As he bowed to her and saluted, she was struck. He was<\/em> older than her. It was just the first time he\u2019d acted like it in their entire relationship.<\/p>\n \u201cWell then, Senior Guardsman Relc. I regret to inform you that your tenure here will be over by the week\u2019s end. You will have a few days to rest and further recuperate; I will put you on unpaid leave. You may\u2026tender your resignation if you decide a new posting is inappropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n That was hard <\/em>to say. And she\u2019d had to demote, reprimand, even fire friends. But Relc? His eyes flickered. He hesitated as he held his salute.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014It\u2019s just regular Guardsman Relc now, isn\u2019t it, Watch Captain?\u201d<\/p>\n Zevara smiled. Wearily. Sadly. She looked at Relc, whom she had relied on for so long without thinking about him. Her annoying, but invincible Senior Guardsman. Like Klbkch. Only\u2014now both were gone. She shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cSenior Guardsman Relc. You are no longer a member of Liscor\u2019s Watch. But as it happens\u2014your rank would make you a Senior Guardsman of Cellidel. If you choose to go. The choice is yours, but I\u2019d hate to lose a Senior Guardsman<\/em>. Especially since you\u2019d return as one.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake\u2019s jaw opened. Zevara saluted him as she stood. Then she held out a claw.<\/p>\n \u201cGood luck, Senior Guardsman. I hope you will take your new posting. It won\u2019t be forever. It was\u2014the best I could do.\u201d<\/p>\n He hesitated. And the Drake slowly extended his claw and shook Zevara\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry for the trouble, Watch Captain. I\u2019ll let you know tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t be. It wasn\u2019t your fault. For once.\u201d<\/p>\n He almost smiled at that. And then the Drake saluted. Zevara saw him turn. And the whisper ran through the Watch House. Through Liscor. The Gecko was leaving, one way or the other. She sat down and put her head in her claws.<\/p>\n Everything was changing.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It started with a conversation over breakfast. A lesson, really.<\/p>\n A blue-scaled Drake munched on some exceptionally crispy bacon. Also\u2014bread\u2014also toasted with a bit of cheese. Even the cheese seemed burnt.<\/p>\n But that was a motif. A calling card. And Maviola El wasn\u2019t actually that good at cooking. She\u2019d never really bothered to learn. That she was trying now was a sign of\u2026something.<\/p>\n Affection, probably. She was eating the same and the two were crowded around a little table.<\/p>\n \u201cDonkeys.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDonkeys?\u201d<\/p>\n She nodded. They were going over a complex logistical paper, breaking down expenses. Maviola tapped the paper and her notes.<\/p>\n \u201cIn your theory, you\u2019ve got an army you\u2019re marching. You need donkeys. All you\u2019ve accounted for is\u2014potions, salaries, ammunition, equipment upkeep\u2014not donkeys.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy do I need to account for that?\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm stared warily at the parchment. Maviola sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cDonkeys are better for labor. They\u2019re pack animals. Or do you want to grab a bunch of horses which might not be suited for pulling wagons? Mules are also good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026I\u2019m sure I\u2019d account for it in the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake defended himself. He was a [Strategist], Maviola, a [Lady]. But she was lecturing him.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, if you didn\u2019t<\/em> you\u2019d be scrambling. Which is why we\u2019re going over it now. This is the ideal ratio of wagons-to-soldiers. And these<\/em> are good numbers to hold by for how much you should be willing to spend to buy new supplies on the march.\u201d<\/p>\n She pulled up a second chart, listing everything from the prices of oil to healing potions. Olesm\u2019s eyes bulged.<\/p>\n \u201cWait. Our instruction at Manus never accounted for that\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause \u00adManus<\/em> expects you to defend a city. I\u2019m giving you a fuller education. These are the kind of numbers a [General] or [Strategist] leading an actual army needs to know. Pay attention.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am, I am! Hold on. Does that say \u2018birth control\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n Maviola rolled her eyes as she speared a bit of burnt bacon. She\u2019d done her best with a skillet, but she had a tendency to overheat the cooking fire.<\/p>\n \u201cMixed-gender armies always run into the issue. Especially new [Soldiers]. They have sex\u2014they get pregnant. Have at least a few potions to deal with complications.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI never\u2014is this really a problem I\u2019m going to run into? Maviola, please. I\u2019m Liscor\u2019s [Strategist]. Having to deal with a pregnant [Soldier] isn\u2019t something I\u2019m going<\/em> to run into.\u201d<\/p>\n The Human [Lady] nodded agreeably.<\/p>\n \u201cTrue. As Liscor\u2019s [Strategist] you might not. But are you going to be a [Strategist] forever?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd if you have a pregnant [Soldier] barging into your tent at midnight, do you want to have a solution for the problem or be completely blindsided?\u201d<\/p>\n The blue Drake opened and closed his mouth.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Have a solution?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere you are, then. Eat your eggs. Here.\u201d<\/p>\n She put the eggs on a fork. Olesm sniffed.<\/p>\n \u201cI can eat them\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOpen your mouth.\u201d<\/p>\n He did, to object, and she poked the fork into his mouth. Maviola laughed at Olesm\u2019s outraged expression.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry; force of habit. I had to feed too many annoying little children when I was growing up. Products of people who don\u2019t<\/em> account for accidental babies.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake chewed and swallowed.<\/p>\n \u201cHow many children did you grow up with?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMore than you\u2019d be happy to know about. None myself, incidentally. I never had time<\/em> for it. I regret that.\u201d<\/p>\n Wistfully, Maviola glanced out the window. The city was waking up. The protests about The Golden Triangle had woken both of them up in bed. But\u2014however alien a Drake city might have been, she was surprised how much at home the little apartment felt.<\/p>\n Olesm looked at Maviola as he shoveled more burnt breakfast into his mouth. He thoughtfully eyed the young woman. And forbade asking why twenty-something was too late for children.<\/p>\n Maviola was\u2014different. And even an idiot would have picked up on the little clues she kept dropping. Olesm didn\u2019t know the entire thing, but he suspected something.<\/p>\n At last, the [Lady] looked at him. And when she smiled\u2014the Drake felt as though she were smiling just for him. Maviola was Lady Firestarter. Flame and passion. Her power\u2014her appeal was that when she looked<\/em> at you, you felt like you were the only thing in the world. She was brilliant; she was teaching him<\/em> any number of new tactics as well as logistics and things even his lessons in Manus had never covered.<\/p>\n And also, a mystery. Maviola sighed as she looked out the window.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Nearly two weeks now. It\u2019s passed so quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m glad to have you. I mean\u2014I\u2019m very grateful for your help. And the rest. I think this has been great. The best time in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake interjected quickly. Maviola smiled. Her eyes flicked to his face and she shook her head. Her black-and-orange hair moved in the dawn\u2019s light.<\/p>\n \u201cOlesm. I told you. I love you, as much as I\u2019ve loved anyone. But it won\u2019t last. I have to leave soon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t say that.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake reached out. Maviola hesitated, but she let him grasp her hand. The Drake held on tight.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re\u2014the best thing that\u2019s happened to me all year. In the last decade. Don\u2019t say you have to go.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe truth is the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n Her voice was calm. And when she looked at him again\u2014he felt like a child speaking to an adult. And he hadn\u2019t felt like that way in years. But Maviola was old. Her eyes flickered like fire. But old fire, raging one last time before the darkness closed in. Gently, she put her other hand on his, clasping his claw.<\/p>\n \u201cOlesm. I mean to give you fire. Me meeting you was fate. I want to believe I was sent here to help you learn to\u2026burn.<\/em> You were a faded ember when I found you. All I did was light your fire.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou did that. First the Council and the newspaper\u2014it\u2019s a huge success! Drassi actually got scouted to work for Pallass! And the money coming in from the newspaper is big. Why then\u2014do you have to go?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Her eyes were sad.<\/p>\n \u201cSometimes that is just the way it is. I wish I had met you long ago. I wish I hadn\u2019t waited.<\/em> I wish\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She trailed off. Olesm tightened his grip and Maviola looked at him. The Drake took a shuddering breath. He hadn\u2019t planned on it today. But she sounded like\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cListen. It doesn\u2019t have to be that way. I don\u2019t care how sick you are. I\u2019m\u2014I\u2019m resourceful. I know that doesn\u2019t sound like much, but Erin\u2019s my friend. If we need to get you to the Healer of Tenbault or\u2014Saliss of Lights visits Erin\u2019s inn. However ill you are, we can fight it.\u201d<\/p>\n Maviola\u2019s eyes widened. Then she put her head back and laughed. Olesm paused. He had been so sure he was right. But Maviola just laughed until she cried, and wiped the tears from her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re too beautiful, Olesm Swifttail.\u201d<\/p>\n That was all she said. And she kissed him on the cheek. Then Maviola shook her head and stood.<\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t go today. Or tomorrow. But soon. Let\u2019s just make the most of today, alright?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. But please don\u2019t go.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake stood up, feeling helpless. He saw the young woman turn her head to the open window. And for a moment, she hesitated. Then fire laughed and embraced him.<\/p>\n \u201cI have so much to do. So much I want to do, now. I\u2019ll try. But I make no promises.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n She whispered. Then the young [Lady] took Olesm\u2019s arm and spun him around. Her laughter filled the apartment.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on. You have so much left to learn!<\/em> Combat\u2014[Mages]\u2014let\u2019s study for a few hours. Then you have to go to work.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you? Are you going to work with Hexel\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n Olesm looked at Maviola, whom he had hired to help him with his duties. She had been helping manage the [Architect] Lamia, but Maviola shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cYour Councilman\u2014Elirr?\u2014is far better at it than I. He and Hexel get along better, always.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBelieve me. I know how people work. I can see <\/em>it. Today, I think it\u2019s time I met Erin Solstice. I have something to teach her as well.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Strategist] caught his breath.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that? <\/em>I mean\u2014Erin? Why her?\u201d<\/p>\n Maviola winked.<\/p>\n \u201cShe has a lot of potential. Just like you. I see that too.\u201d<\/p>\n And she looked at him like he was the sun. The Drake held onto Maviola. He didn\u2019t want to let her go.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It started with an upset [Lady]. And weak tea.<\/p>\n Magnolia Reinhart sipped from the weak cup of tea. It was bitter\u2014lacking sugar. She made a polite face. Anyone who knew Magnolia Reinhart knew that she drank tea with more sugar than water. But sugar was in short supply, and even the demands of etiquette hadn\u2019t conjured sugar out of the sky.<\/p>\n But then\u2014that was also the fault of the mousey-haired [Lady] who was sitting opposite Magnolia. The [Lady] Reinhart coughed.<\/p>\n \u201cRessa, perhaps a bit of sweetener from the coach\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n Her words were almost preempted by the sugar cubes dumped unceremoniously into her cup. Ressa, the [Maid] waiting attendance on the two was far more polite with Lady Edere Sanito\u2019s cup.<\/p>\n \u201cMilady?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, yes please.\u201d<\/p>\n The Lady Sanito was all too eager for Ressa to lace the sugar cube in her cup with a sugar tong\u2014Ressa even stirred the cup with a silver spoon. Magnolia did her cup herself. She briskly stirred and sipped the much sweeter liquid with a sigh.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s better.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m\u2014I\u2019m so dreadfully sorry, Lady\u2014um, Magnolia. But sugar has been so dreadfully dear<\/em> of late–\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHence the reason I\u2019m here. Not to worry, Edere. And let us use first names! We\u2019re both [Ladies]<\/em>, after all.\u201d<\/p>\n Magnolia reached out and placed her hand on Sanito\u2019s leg. The woman jumped, but flushed with the compliment. It was a cozy setting and Magnolia was being uncharacteristically familiar and intimate. Welcoming, even.<\/p>\n The Sanito House was not rich. It wasn\u2019t as destitute as House Byres, say, at the mercy of [Merchants], but its funds were limited, unlike Magnolia Reinhart, who had a personal contract with Stormlord Seagrass to get her<\/em> sugar on time.<\/p>\n Of late, it had suffered. House Sanito had sent reinforcements to Lord Tyrion Veltras\u2014not without cost\u2014and it had been affected by another economic event.<\/p>\n A [Trade War]. Even now, Sanito\u2019s household was conspicuously devoid of certain number of goods. Iron for the forges wasn\u2019t coming down the trade roads. Good preservatives like salt, oranges from past Walcha\u00eds lands\u2014and sugar<\/em> were also out of stock.<\/p>\n Not that it meant the lands were starving. But the pinch was widely felt. So widely in fact\u2014that Magnolia Reinhart was here, sipping tea in a quiet little conference with Lady Edere without Lord Alman Sanito\u2019s knowledge.<\/p>\n She had received the black flower of shame from House Sanito a few months ago. An occasion that the nobles had had cause to regret.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014it\u2019s good to taste a bit of sweet, Magnolia. And this dreadful [Trade War] hurts both houses, doesn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n Lady Sanito was incapable of conjuring sugar out of the air at a wave of her hand. She had mousey hair. She was not ugly<\/em> by any means. Far from it; she had charmed Lord Sanito with her beauty and he had married her, a commoner, and made her a [Lady].<\/p>\n Of course, Edere hadn\u2019t been exactly a [Farmhand] but a [Merchant]\u2019s daughter. And the marriage had been good for House Sanito. But she was just a bit too low-level. Lacking in ambition, say. Magnolia tapped a finger against her teacup.<\/p>\n She was also less than subtle. All well and good. She smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cThe [Trade War] is a bit of a nuisance. But I haven\u2019t found myself unduly discomforted, Lady Edere. Ah, but Invrisil is fed from all roads. Ressa, more sugar.\u201d<\/p>\n She thrust her cup out. The [Maid] gave her a glare, but she dutifully put more cubes of sugar in the teacup. Lady Edere stared as the [Lady] happily drank the sugar-slurry. Magnolia was overdoing it, but then again\u2014it was working.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014I\u2014quite, Magnolia. But it\u2019s such a dreadful thing\u2014can\u2019t we put this unpleasantness behind us?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMm. Perhaps. But being called a coward<\/em>, even if it is in flower-language, does grate, doesn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n Magnolia\u2019s eyes sparkled as she drained her cup. Edere paled.<\/p>\n \u201cAlman was advised to do that, Magnolia. It wasn\u2019t his<\/em> idea\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She broke off as Magnolia raised one finger. The [Lady], in her shocking pink dress, smiled with an edge.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure he was. But that doesn\u2019t change the fact that he<\/em> knew what he was sending me. Edere, I\u2019m quite aware you wouldn\u2019t have countenanced such an insult. Much less that you hadn\u2019t been at the Sacrifice of Roses. But I was<\/em> there, you see. And Alman\u2014excuse me, Lord Alman\u2014<\/em>was not. Perfectly understandable; he was far from First Landing so it wasn\u2019t an act of cowardice. But it grates, you see?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI do, Magnolia. But\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n But House Sanito is tired of bleeding gold over a petty insult and a political argument we were never too invested in.<\/em><\/p>\n Magnolia read the unspoken language in the [Lady]\u2019s posture and nodded. She glanced out the window.<\/p>\n A tall half-Elf with inhuman\u2014indeed, quite inhuman\u2014features was grumpily feeding a dog scraps as Reynold stood at attention. Teriarch was bored, but he had come along with her. She had better hurry this up. Magnolia sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s not beat around the bush, Edere. An insult was made. And my [Trade War] affects dozens of noble houses. Sanito has been hard-hit. I am aware.<\/em> But I will not lift my [Trade War] for another month. The other noble houses may lose countless thousands of gold in profits, but that is the cost of war with me.\u201d<\/p>\n Edere paled. Already the [Blacksmiths], [Bakers]\u2014any number of professions were screaming for salt, sugar, ore, and all the other things Magnolia\u2019s Skill was making twice or three times as expensive. Another month of that?<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t we\u2014come to some arrangement, Magnolia?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2014that would be acceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n Magnolia cast a glance out the window. Teriarch was making the dog stand up on two legs to get a treat. He seemed to be trying to teach it to bow, next. Or genuflect. She rolled her eyes. Dragons.<\/em> Everyone had to bow to them. It was probably why they didn\u2019t get along with cats. She glanced up and put a big smile on her face.<\/p>\n \u201cEdere, I think we can come to an arrangement. However, I would have some\u2026requirements.\u201d<\/p>\n The other [Lady] licked her lips.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course. But\u2026what?\u201d<\/p>\n She needn\u2019t have been worried. Magnolia smiled and steepled her fingers as Ressa took her cup and refilled it with the dreadful tea.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, just a public renouncement of the insult, Edere. A few strong words made publically\u2014and of course, maybe a cordial gesture or two. Nothing strenuous.\u201d<\/p>\n Edere almost collapsed with relief. Magnolia could have pressed her hard. But all she wanted was a chink in the armor of offended nobles unwilling to renounce their insult. House Sanito was a good weak point. Lord Alman wasn\u2019t the most stubborn idiot about; the House didn\u2019t have deep coffers. And Edere was no high-level [Lady] with a backbone of steel. Most importantly though\u2014she and Lord Alman were genuinely affectionate towards each other. When one spoke, the other listened.<\/p>\n It was all just levers to Magnolia. She waited as she laid out her very minimal requirements. A public refutation, a gesture of overt good will towards House Reinhart that would pull the other noble houses into refuting their insult for a cessation of the [Trade War].<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026And I\u2019m sure that within a day, House Sanito will find more than a dozen [Merchants] lined up to sell reasonably-priced goods. They do have a nose for such things.\u201d<\/p>\n And I\u2019ll incentivize them to give you good deals. <\/em>Lady Edere nibbled at her lip as she thought. She was already half-nodding, but she wasn\u2019t a complete idiot. The [Lady] glanced up at Magnolia with a hint of suspicion.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014I can certainly get Alman to do that, Magnolia. But\u2014I can\u2019t help but notice you mentioned \u2018a few other cordial favors\u2019. Might I ask\u2026.what that is?\u201d<\/p>\n Magnolia sighed. She\u2019d forgotten that Edere was a [Coin Lady]. Not exactly a high-level class, but she had [Merchant] roots. She\u2019d notice a little thing like that in any deal, even verbal ones. She smiled though, with genuine good humor. Because the truth was easy.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing arduous, Edere. To you or Alman. I\u2019d just like you two to attend\u2026a little party<\/em> this summer. Around the solstice? I plan to attend myself and I\u2019d consider it a personal favor.\u201d<\/p>\n Ressa made a face behind Edere as the [Lady] blinked and then her face lit up.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, is that all?<\/em> Of course! If that\u2019s all\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust a little gathering. I\u2019m hesitant to say where since the location has yet to be fully decided. But it is a personal favor\u2014not my party, you understand? Favors for other friends\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Magnolia looked out the window. Teriarch, who was listening in, glanced up at her. She casually stuck out her tongue behind her teacup. The things she did for the old man. But he had asked and since he was out of his cave, she was minded to grant him his odd requests.<\/p>\n Damn that Ryoka Griffin. Magnolia felt jealous of her, even as she and Edere came to a [Lady]\u2019s gentle accord. She smiled, shook Edere\u2019s hand, and tried to leave as fast as possible so she could get Teriarch to some entertainment. The plays, perhaps. The longer he stayed awake and out in the sun\u2014even as a simulacra\u2014the better. But there were little ceremonies to do, the new baby of Edere\u2019s to coo over, getting Teriarch to stop teleporting cats into trees\u2014<\/p>\n Magnolia Reinhart was busy. But she was happy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Erin was giggling over Numbtongue playing Minesweeper<\/em> when Maviola El entered the inn. The Hobgoblin took the game like literal life-and-death when the concept of landmines had been explained to him. He was actually sweating as he eyed a \u20184\u2019 square. The inn was\u2026lively.<\/p>\n That was what the [Firestarter Lady] noticed. She had not lied to Olesm, before she had sent him off to do his job. She could<\/em> read people.<\/p>\n