They were still dying. Geneva Scala\u2019s optimism was tempered by that, in the back of her head. That\u2014despite the cure arriving, it had to be cultivated. And it had yet to reach many places where Yellow Rivers was eating away at the populations.<\/p>\n
As well\u2014the cure was a finite resource. Geneva Scala, had, after some quick agonizing, employed its usage before testing proper dosages and coming up with a standard of application. She knew the other [Healers] had encountered success using it and it was that or let her patients die as the cure was literally in the same building as they were.<\/p>\n
Just the most serious cases. It meant, simply, that Seql would live. His vitals were already improving. Geneva had spent a night with the most seriously-ill to stop the progress of the bacteria and allow the Occillium<\/em> to do its work.<\/p>\n She imagined it was like the advent of blood transfusion, or\u2026well, penicillin itself. Something so close to magic in its effects. And no healing potion could<\/em> have saved Seve. Perhaps some relic-grade potion, but Octavia\u2019s mold would save countless lives where the most magical artifacts could save only a handful\u2014if you could afford it.<\/p>\n Still. The fight was not over. And Geneva had taken to Talenqual\u2019s streets to tell people to stay indoors<\/em> and prevent the spread of the disease. They listened to her, the people of Talenqual. She had earned that.<\/p>\n The funny thing was that as the morning dawned, Geneva was not<\/em> tending to a Yellow Rivers patient. They were actually fairly easy now\u2014the cure had arrived and it was what she had needed.<\/p>\n Rather, she was talking to a [Healer] about another patient. A man on his front who was trying not to whimper despite the topical anesthetic Geneva had applied. It was more what was happening<\/em> that was terrifying him out of his mind.<\/p>\n And the [Healer]. Geneva had a small audience; one of the Level 30 [Healers] who had come to learn how she was fighting the disease. Other, lower-level [Healers]. Some of the [Nurses]\u2014many of whom were Selphids. And just some onlookers.<\/p>\n Some. <\/em>They were allowed to watch, but most had left after Geneva had opened the fellow\u2019s\u2026well, Geneva termed it an abscess, a cyst that had been infected and left untreated. It was thirty-days old. But given the healing potions applied\u2014Geneva felt like she was looking at years<\/em> of deterioration.<\/p>\n It was not the kind of thing that was pleasant. Geneva had seen worse\u2014the [Healers] had too. Most of the others had not.<\/p>\n If you had to explain it\u2014the cyst was like an infected\u2026pimple? That drained pus and kept expanding. But unlike the cause being an ingrown hair, it was more of an open wound that refused to heal.<\/p>\n Yellow Rivers looked worse. But the [Healer] was still patently horrified<\/em> as Geneva explored the wound.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you doing?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n She had an improvised q-tip, which was a bamboo stick with a cotton swab. Geneva was inserting it into the whimpering man\u2019s back. Deep.<\/em> She stuck the entire stick in and everyone winced.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m exploring the abscess.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re making it worse!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have to see how deep it is. Look at this.\u201d<\/p>\n It was a mortified hole in his body. <\/em>She was poking the soft tool inside and withdrawing it to check the improvised q-tip\u2014it was bloody. Which was a good sign? Geneva sighed and explained patiently.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been working with this man for the last week. I kept it packed; it\u2019s still healing, Ceriche, but this is a marked improvement.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cT-thank you, Doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n The man muttered. He could feel the tool poking around. The [Healer] stared. The wound was deep.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cNow what are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva was inserting a thin fabric which actually had been enchanted to soak up liquids into the opening. She was briskly packing it in. The [Healer] was astounded.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t do that!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd what would you do? Sew him up? Healing potions caused<\/em> this. This will keep the abscess from growing worse. But it needs surgery. The entire area must be excised. And when the operation is performed\u2014it cannot<\/em> be with healing potions. Do you disagree, Healer Rediur?\u201d<\/p>\n That was Geneva\u2019s diagnosis. The Dullahan [Healer], who was from Seql\u2019s city, shifted uncomfortably.<\/p>\n \u201cAll of what you are saying makes sense, Doctor Geneva. But without potions\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPotions caused this!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva snapped back. It was her hugest problem with this world. She looked at her audience.<\/p>\n Exploring a wound, cutting into the body to remove something like this\u2014even ideas like amputation or sewing up a wound were seen as primitive when a potion worked. Some [Healers] had poultices that could fight infection, but they had no notion of medicine.<\/em> She pointed at the luckless [Guard].<\/p>\n \u201cThis abscess should have taken years<\/em> to get this bad. But the use of potions accelerates all parts of the body. So while a serious cut might heal\u2014it increases the likelihood of small, preventable ailments turning into medical emergencies. Potions. Are. Not. A. Cure-all.\u201d<\/p>\n She began closing her patient up. The others watched as she pointed at the back-injury, which was, again, not going to kill Ceriche. But he\u2019d been troubled by it for a month and if he hadn\u2019t come to her, he\u2019d have dealt with it the rest of his life. As a [Guard]\u2014it might have gotten far worse. She tried to emphasize that.<\/p>\n \u201cThis will not kill him immediately. But each time he uses a potion\u2014it grows. For a regular citizen, it might not affect them for a while depending on how much they might need a potion. For a [Guard], or [Soldier]? He might be dead in less than a year if I hadn\u2019t gotten to it.\u201d<\/p>\n The luckless Ceriche groaned and the others muttered. They\u2019d seen that too. Geneva appealed to their common sense.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is why we need to check<\/em> patients regularly, regardless of age. I realize some species value privacy. I\u2019m willing to respect that. But this can be life or death.\u201d<\/p>\n The Dullahan [Healer] looked uncomfortable.<\/p>\n \u201cPrivacy among our species, Doctor Geneva\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a physical.<\/em> If I cannot look a patient up and down, let alone test to make sure their body parts are working, how will I know if they\u2019re well?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTrust them to come to you?\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva stared at the Lizardman [Healer] who\u2019d raised a hand with such wroth that he lowered it and backed up.<\/p>\n It was an education. Earth\u2019s practices coming into contact with this world\u2019s. Geneva had vast admiration for the capabilities of magical medicine. You could save<\/em> someone who had not a chance of surviving a 5-minute trip to the emergency room in a moment. Blood loss, massive lacerations\u2014a single potion administered by a child would save their life.<\/p>\n By the same token\u2014this world couldn\u2019t fight disease or infection nearly as well as Earth. And some of the [Healer]\u2019s techniques bordered on malpractice at times, especially the ones who used healing potions without diagnosing the issue!<\/p>\n Geneva was talking more about her treatment with Ceriche. Occillium helped him too; it was indeed a widespread general anti-bacterial mold. Her audience listened. It wasn\u2019t just confidence that gave Geneva the ability to lecture a sixty year-old Dullahan [Healer] over Level 30, it was her knowledge. You couldn\u2019t so easily fake that, even if you were an excellent con-artist.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s not a [Healer].\u201d<\/p>\n Umina muttered to herself as she took notes near the back. She\u2019d nearly thrown up, especially as she saw Geneva poking around<\/em> in a wound. But she was fascinated at the same time. More and more, she thought the Professor was right. Geneva Scala was extraordinary.<\/p>\n And there was something else\u2026but Umina didn\u2019t have the picture yet. She heard an echo of her statement coming from someone who\u2019d been standing in the doorway.<\/p>\n \u201cWe could use her back home. My city would pay ten times her bodyweight for someone of her caliber.\u201d<\/p>\n The Lizardgirl turned\u2014and there was Seve-Alrelious. The Hundredfriends Courier was back on his feet. She gave him an impressed look.<\/p>\n \u201cCourier Seve.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHello. Are you assisting the Last Light?\u201d<\/p>\n He nodded to her, whispering. Umina nodded respectfully.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m\u2014a volunteer. She\u2019s nearly done if you need her\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The Courier nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cShe asked me to stop by. Fascinating.\u201d<\/p>\n Here was one of the world\u2019s best Couriers. Umina had learned from the Titan of Baleros, though, so she wasn\u2019t about to ask for him to shake her hand\u2026but he was properly famous.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re um\u2014from A\u2019ctelios Salash, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right.\u201d<\/p>\n The Hundredfriends Courier had shining tattoos all over his body. His skin was weathered by sun and surf\u2014but the lines of magical ink shone.<\/em><\/p>\n A monkey waved at Umina. She stared at it. Seve winked at her. She jumped and blushed.<\/p>\n \u201cTombhome. I\u2019ve heard of it. It\u2019s ah\u2026a Shield Kingdom. And\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Umina recalled a few more salient facts and hesitated. Seve put his hands on his pockets.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a good place. Peculiar. Dangerous, like some cities, but I call it home. A\u2019ctelios needs someone like Doctor Geneva.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Doctor] was letting the patient get up. He shook her hand and thanked her as the [Healers] clustered around. Seve eyed the man rubbing at his back and Geneva swatting his hands away.<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Disease, plague\u2026it runs through the Carven City all the time. Yellow Rivers is bad enough\u2014I\u2019m sure old Baosar\u2019s terrified of it reaching home. I don\u2019t know how much you know of A\u2019ctelios\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s never been taken by siege.\u201d<\/p>\n It was one of the fascinating cities the Professor sometimes lectured on. He\u2019d described how he\u2019d take the city and made his students run through simulations of attack and defense one time. Umina had the impression it was the most atrociously disgusting city to try to take by conventional warfare.<\/p>\n Seve nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cTrue. But it\u2019s fallen to disease and plague. We ah, eat lots of raw meat. And nobody\u2019s got any of the\u2014hygienic standards?\u201d<\/p>\n He\u2019d been reading some of the posters with those cute characters that were posted all over the \u2018hospital\u2019 telling people about the importance of washing your hands and such. It was so cute that Umina had read them all. One of the other members of the United Nations company apparently drew in the style and it was very fun to see.<\/p>\n \u201cJust um\u2014if I can ask one question, Courier Seve? I know you get it all<\/em> the time, but\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He grinned at her and she blushed again.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s about the tattoos?\u201d<\/p>\n She nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cIs it a Skill or magical ink or\u2026? Are they alive?\u201d<\/p>\n The animals were moving across his body. Slowly, but she was sure<\/em> they had a will of their own. Seve nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cSkill and ink. They\u2019re all living. They just stay with me because feeding so many is hard work. As for the practice\u2014it\u2019s Drathian. They know how to turn pictures into magic.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI see. And\u2014okay, so is there a limit? You couldn\u2019t do that with people right? What if\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Before Umina could ask some of the [Strategist] questions she had of Seve she heard a voice.<\/p>\n \u201cCourier Seve?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Doctor] was ready for him. Seve waved at Umina apologetically.<\/p>\n \u201cI have to sail.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2014of course. Thank you for\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Umina watched him meet with Geneva. She sighed. But then she listened to the other [Healers] talking.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s battlefield medicine. I can see it being useful there, with healing potions in short supply, however\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014makes sense. I\u2019ve seen those\u2014what did she call them? Abscesses.<\/em> Horrible. If this works\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho trained<\/em> her?\u201d<\/p>\n That came from one of the [Healers]. She was just shaking her head as she shuffled her hooves.<\/p>\n \u201cI know [Doctors]. There was\u2014I knew a [Saw Doctor] who treated Centaurs who\u2026with bad infections. She\u2019s nothing like them. Where does she come from, to know all this at her age?\u201d<\/p>\n It was the question worth a million gold pieces. Umina saw Geneva leading Seve to one of the smaller rooms ready for use. She frowned at Geneva\u2019s back.<\/p>\n The observation and drama around the Yellow Rivers was one thing. But Umina needed to learn more<\/em> before the summer ended and she needed to be back in class. This called for more drastic measures. She slipped away to go find Marian.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow do I look, Doctor Geneva?\u201d<\/p>\n Seve-Alrelious was a fascinating case-study of what made this world different to Geneva. A little bit later he was disrobed down to the waist. Which didn\u2019t mean much because the glowing tattoos covered his body.<\/p>\n Geneva poked experimentally at the Orangutan and it waved its arms. It was stylized\u2014like Aiko\u2019s drawings, but clearly represented.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s Erek. I\u2019d let him out, but he\u2019d destroy your\u2026hospital. He\u2019s too intelligent for his own good and too strong as well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s an Orangutan, right? Ah\u2014a monkey?\u201d<\/p>\n Seve was impressed. He raised his brows as Geneva checked his sides. She stared <\/em>at a faint line along his belly. The man was fit, but that didn\u2019t impress Geneva as much as\u2026she double-checked her notes. He should have a massive<\/em> cut there. She remembered it!<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right. I don\u2019t know about the first name you called him, but he\u2019s one of the curious fellows from the jungles. Apes and such. They\u2019re quite intelligent. I met him on my journeys and he hid on my boat. So that\u2019s how he came along.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally? Is he a magical variant or\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n She was no [Biologist], which Geneva regretted at times. They would surely have a field day here. The Hundredfriends Courier pondered that.<\/p>\n \u201cI think Erek\u2019s as intelligent as they get. He can\u2019t properly speak, but he can play chess, sail the boat, and even use magical artifacts. Not that it\u2019s wise to hand him a wand. And he\u2019s strong as a Gemlion. Can other Orangutans do that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cClose\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva didn\u2019t actually know, but it sounded like Erek might be a prime example of his species either way. Seve scratched at his head.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s see\u2026magical abilities\u2026he can jump about eleven feet if he really wants to.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat<\/em> would be magic.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh. I\u2019ll let him out if you want to meet him. He\u2019s quite gentle. Again\u2014he\u2019ll steal anything he likes. He\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Boom.<\/em> Everyone jumped as a bolt of lightning came down. The magical typhoon wasn\u2019t close to Talenqual\u2026at least, the epicenter wasn\u2019t. But it had been raining and raining<\/em>.<\/p>\n Geneva jumped slightly, and so did Seve, but she saw Erek race up Seve\u2019s arm and hide behind the Nelgaunt and a few other larger animals. She smiled at that.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s see. I could inspect your friends, but from what it sounds like, they\u2019re not in need of my help. Neither are you, Courier Seve. I thought you would be but\u2026you\u2019re as healthy as can be. Impossibly so.\u201d<\/p>\n She eyed him and the Hundredfriends Courier sat up.<\/p>\n \u201cI told you there was no need to use a potion on me, Doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n He\u2019d come to Talenqual bleeding, exhausted, after days of nonstop travel. He\u2019d been cut<\/em> badly from his encounters at sea, but, strangely, refused any potions. They didn\u2019t work as well on him due to the magical ink, apparently.<\/p>\n Even so\u2014he\u2019d healed practically overnight.<\/em> Geneva was positive she could see<\/em> the scar on his belly fading.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have to explain this, Courier Seve. I\u2019ve never seen a regenerative capability like this in any of my patients.\u201d<\/p>\n He scratched at his hair.<\/p>\n \u201cA\u2019ctelios Salash. That\u2019s all I can say. I\u2019m one of the [Fleshchosen], Doctor Scala. I grew up eating Tombhome\u2019s meat. So long as I have some\u2014I\u2019ll heal faster, be stronger, and live longer than most. If it weren\u2019t for the side-effects, I\u2019d tell you to look into it.\u201d<\/p>\n The back of Geneva\u2019s neck prickled as he brought up the Shield Kingdom of Chandrar again. He\u2019d told her once, but it sounded like\u2026<\/p>\n A horror story. Positively Lovecraftian in nature. But here was Seve, who had brought medicine through a storm for his friend, Seql.<\/p>\n \u201cTell me more about A\u2019ctelios, Courier Seve.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not a great place. Even Selphids think it\u2019s creepy.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Idis whispered in Geneva\u2019s head. She\u2019d been napping as Geneva worked on her patient and gave her lecture. She yawned, a second voice as Seve shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat can I say? I\u2019m sure you can hear all the rumors about the Carven City. How those who enter don\u2019t leave. There\u2019s some truth to it. It\u2019s just\u2014I was born there. Sometimes the rumors are true, but every city has light parts and dark parts.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd A\u2019ctelios Salash?\u201d<\/p>\n He smiled with genuine nostalgia.<\/p>\n \u201cTombhome welcomes you, Doctor Geneva. It welcomes anyone who is lost, who is alone, who seeks a place to be. It is a choice. Always<\/em> a choice. And there is danger. Eat too much or be drawn in\u2026but A\u2019ctelios is a place of great healing. Our [Flesh Shapers] do the same work as you. No one goes hungry, there. That is the home I know. And I keep its blessings with me.\u201d<\/p>\n He gestured at his skin. Geneva nodded. The bias was apparent, but she supposed there might be some truth in Seve\u2019s words. [Flesh Shaper] on the other hand\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cIs there a consequence for going without the\u2026meat from your home, Seve? I\u2019m asking out of curiosity, not as my role as a [Doctor].\u201d<\/p>\n The Courier hesitated. And his ready smile turned a bit melancholic.<\/p>\n \u201cI grow\u2014hungrier\u2014over time, Doctor Scala. That\u2019s all. The food I bring from home never rots. But I do need to return at least once every few years. And yes\u2014someday the Carven City will call me home. I\u2019ll say goodbye to my friends and return. We don\u2019t leave, then.\u201d<\/p>\n More skin-crawling. Idis made it stop. Geneva nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cIt seems like a grave choice.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was given a choice. My parents raised me until I was ten, on outsider\u2019s food. Not all do that, but they let me choose.<\/em> That\u2019s how it should be. I chose to stay. Strength comes from sacrifice and I regret nothing. Isn\u2019t that close to how you live, Doctor Scala?\u201d<\/p>\n She didn\u2019t think it was the same at all. But perhaps that was what Seve saw in her cutting a patient open or sewing them up.<\/p>\n \u201cPerhaps, Seve. Either way, I owe you a great debt. You won\u2019t take any money?\u201d<\/p>\n He shook his head as he put a loose shirt on.<\/p>\n \u201cSeql\u2019s family paid me. The Great Companies paid me for my delivery. More than that\u2014I would have done it for free, Doctor Scala.\u201d<\/p>\n The sentiment made Geneva smile.<\/p>\n \u201cI heard there was a great deal of trouble hiring a Courier, Seve. But you did it for free.\u201d<\/p>\n His eyes were steady as he nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are few like me. But I think your beliefs and mine are similar, Geneva. I am the Hundredfriends Courier. I charge no fee when the cause is enough.\u201d<\/p>\n She sat back. Oh yes. She believed in that.<\/p>\n \u201cYou saved countless lives, Seve. If I can repay you in any way, I will.\u201d<\/p>\n He rolled his shoulders and some of his animals climbed onto them to take a nap.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s enough. Friendship is worth more than any currency. More than gold. That\u2019s how I live.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFriendship alone?\u201d<\/p>\n Another grin.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I sail to dozens of ports around the world, Doctor, I won\u2019t be charged to put my boat in harbor. I\u2019ll eat for free and like a [King]. I have far more than a hundred friends. And I\u2019ve learned that\u2019s real value. When I was first starting out, I took a wound at sea. And it festered\u2014the one thing Tombhome won\u2019t save me from if it goes bad.\u201d<\/p>\n He gestured to one arm. Geneva grimaced.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA [Merchant] I\u2019d done a delivery for heard of it when I was lying at my deathbed. He paid for me to be treated and spent, dead gods, thousands of gold coins on me. All for free. Because I had saved his home from a termite-breed last month\u2014not even saved his life. That was when I knew how I wanted to do my business.\u201d<\/p>\n The Courier related all that with a faint smile of nostalgia. Geneva laughed. She felt\u2014better. Relieved, of late.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you for doing it. And to the other Couriers. If you ever need treatment\u2014come here and I\u2019ll do my best. That\u2019s all I can offer.\u201d<\/p>\n Seve nodded, pleased. Then he looked at her, up and down with a long, studying look.<\/p>\n \u201cI rather think some of us are in your debt, Doctor Geneva. The Yellow Rivers would have taken Seql in another few days, wouldn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Yes. Yes, he wouldn\u2019t have made it past the week. But that was\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou. And whomever made the Occillium. <\/em>I didn\u2019t have time to talk long, but the Moonlight Rider of Izril told me that it was a great effort to get it to the port alone. Some other people did their best, didn\u2019t they?\u201d<\/p>\n Seve looked at Geneva sharply. She nodded slowly.<\/p>\n Joseph.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThey did indeed, Seve. There are good people elsewhere in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n Another nod. Seve looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cWill you tell me their names? It seems that if I owe my own favor for those who\u2019d save lives, some of it belongs to whomever that was.\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva hesitated. Seve looked at her, calmly.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a secret?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014perhaps. It\u2019s\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Her mouth stopped moving. Idis whispered urgently in her ear.<\/p>\n \u201cGoing to have to stop you, Geneva. That\u2019s important information! I have to run it by Calectus, at least!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Geneva clenched her fists. She couldn\u2019t reply back, but Idis knew what she was doing.<\/p>\n \u201cGeneva\u2014it\u2019s my job\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Seve waited, his eyes intent on her. Geneva tapped the roof of her mouth furiously with her tongue. Let me talk!<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cGeneva\u2014I can\u2019t just\u2014okay, okay, fine! Just one name?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph. From Liscor.\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva\u2019s mouth closed. Seve smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll surely remember it.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Doctor] smiled and nodded. Idis muttered about \u2018breaking the rules\u2019 as Geneva and Seve talked. Geneva understood\u2014and didn\u2019t understand her objections. It was one thing for the Selphids to be paranoid. But this?<\/p>\n A great debt indeed. She owed it to Joseph and this Octavia as well. For giving her hope. The Hundredfriends Courier was the kind of person she wished existed more in any world.<\/p>\n He had to go\u2014but he was going to stay a few days. Geneva had her hands full checking on her patients, but she had a new wind at her back. She did ask Seve for a sample of his\u2026food supply. Just a sample. She wondered if it was possible it could do something miraculous.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Night turned to day. The sun rose again. Over Baleros, still lashed by the typhoon, delaying a certain Fraerling\u2019s plans because of the magical interference.<\/p>\n Over Tombhome as well, who did know there was power to be had in\u2026taking things away. Even if it was not quite as Seve remembered it from his last visit.<\/p>\n Another group was aware that\u2014sacrifice\u2014had its power. The light of two full moons invigorated them as they carefully bypassed the adventurer\u2019s shutters, resealing the exits. Especially against\u2014<\/p>\n Facestealer.<\/em> And they went about the plan by moonlight. And then daylight.<\/p>\n For the sun rose, but the moons were still in the same positions in the sky, roughly. That was astronomy for you.<\/p>\n The Raskghar gathered. How many? All of them.<\/em> At least\u2014the ones who\u2019d stayed in the dungeon. A smaller group had split away. Now, the rest waited. Waited for\u2026ropes.<\/p>\n Yet that wasn\u2019t what lingered on the minds of those who rose to greet the day. In The Wandering Inn, for instance, a little Gnoll rolled over, smacked a [Princess] in the face with a paw as she stretched, and then got up to run into the garden for a morning lap around a hill.<\/p>\n A Hobgoblin was already awake, practicing with his sword. He really<\/em> wanted to do more than the sword exercises. And so did a ghost inside of him. But he\u2019d gotten in trouble for cutting down one of the trees. It hadn\u2019t even been the cocoa one!<\/p>\n An [Innkeeper] snoozed over her magical chessboard\u2014which hadn\u2019t been working properly. It kept moving the pieces back<\/em> as if something was wrong with the\u2026connection. She and her opponent had been frustrated by it. Erin had subsequently fallen asleep writing out notes on another board game.<\/p>\n Other guests of the inn woke up differently. A Lamia slid out of his bed with a gasp.<\/em> For a moment, heart-pounding terror made him aim his wand at the ceiling. Then he awoke.<\/p>\n Three Lizardfolk woke up. The Players of Liscor and the Antinium all got up. And when they went downstairs\u2014another ordinarily miraculous day occurred.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Players of Liscor!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin woke up to the cheering from below a second time. She slouched downstairs, rubbing at the marks the chess-board had left on her chin and neck.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2019smatterwithallanoisedownhere?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Ishkr gave Erin a strange look as he tried to process the question. He eventually pointed to Temile, who was beaming and shaking hands and signing autographs with the breakfast-crowd.<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Temile.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin yawned. Another reason for her late night was because the excitement over the Player\u2019s appearance on television had dragged out for a long time. Even her opponent had asked if she\u2019d seen it.<\/p>\n \u201cTemile, Temile.<\/em> Are we going to perform in Pallass?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s not count our Goldhens before they lay anything, Rekhi. But we\u2019re in talks. Emme and the others should be coming over as soon as they have breakfast\u2014maybe even for breakfast. Has anyone checked the door?\u201d<\/p>\n Temile was beaming at the Gnolls and Drakes around the table. The Players of Liscor were excited. Five of them raced into the hallway.<\/p>\n \u201cGood for them.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin yawned again. A white blur came racing down the steps, followed by Lyonette.<\/p>\n \u201cMrsha! Put your skirt on! Get back here!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue walked out of the [Garden] smelling a bit sweaty and grassy. Erin waved at him.<\/p>\n \u201cNumbtongue! Wanna have breakfast?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n As he walked over, Erin saw Ishkr check in the kitchen for a breakfast for them. Imani was hard at work. Mrsha raced over to their table and hid under Numbtongue\u2019s chair.<\/p>\n \u201cMrsha\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n An ominous voice made Mrsha hide behind Numbtongue\u2019s legs. Meanwhile, Erin sniffed Numbtongue.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re sorta sweaty, pal.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMhm. So?\u201d<\/p>\n He sniffed at himself. It didn\u2019t smell bad to him. Erin sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to get you some deodorant! I think Octavia sells some.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Bard] gave Erin a dismayed look.<\/p>\n \u201cI smell fine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, you say<\/em> that, but you\u2019re not the one who has to smell you. Right, Mrsha?\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll gave Erin a reproachful look for ratting her out as Lyonette marched over with clothing. At the same time a second<\/em> cheer made everyone turn.<\/p>\n The Players of Celum were coming through for breakfast! They were like rock stars to Erin. Not as in\u2014they were her<\/em> rock stars, but that\u2019s how they were treated.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Jasi, can I get a signature? I am such a fan\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhoa, back up. Back up! The Players are here for breakfast.<\/em> You can\u2019t just bother them.\u201d<\/p>\n A Drake coming over to Jasi was blocked by Eltistiman and a trio of [Bodyguards]. But Jasi pushed past them.<\/p>\n \u201cEltistiman! She\u2019s one of us! <\/em>Of course I\u2019ll sign\u2014but we\u2019re fellow [Actors]!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, Jasi.\u201d<\/p>\n The security around the Players made Erin blink. But here they were. Jasi exclaimed as she saw Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cErin! Thank you so much for last night! And you too, Numbtongue! I knew The Wandering Inn\u2019s curs\u2014I mean, blessing would do the trick!\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobgoblin waved at Jasi, grinning. He\u2019d watched the recording of himself at least a dozen times and was very self-satisfied. Erin beckoned to the others.<\/p>\n \u201cWesle, Jasi, you all want to have a group breakfast?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d be delighted.\u201d<\/p>\n There came Wesle, and a flood<\/em> of people from Invrisil who wanted to eat breakfast in The Wandering Inn for no reason in particular today. The security earned their money as the Players sat around the table. Mrsha was high-fiving Grev.<\/p>\n Ironically, it was Lyonette<\/em> and Ishkr who both looked a bit star-struck by the Players. Erin just treated them like normal.<\/p>\n \u201cBreakfast! What do you all want?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSee, I can respect this. Other inns\u2014we\u2019ve had amazing food, but nothing comes out faster than food here. No wait, no fuss! All fresh as can be!\u201d<\/p>\n Kilkran chortled as Mrsha reached up to yank on his beard. Lyonette rescued the man from his fate as Imani herself came out of the kitchen with something in her hands.<\/p>\n \u201cI uh\u2014it was an amazing performance you all put on last night, Jasi.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette shyly remarked to the Drake. Jasi was still beaming.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you! And the Singer<\/em> herself actually sent us a [Message]. She says she\u2019s a huge fan and she actually asked for copies of all our plays, if you can believe that! We\u2019re going to [Message] her back\u2014Emme had the Mage\u2019s Guild send the entire play, which cost a bit, but we\u2019re getting a shipment of song-crystals in return. I\u2019ll give you some when it arrives, if you like.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally? <\/em>I\u2019d like that. And uh\u2014I hesitate to ask, but I\u2019ve been hearing about autographs. And when you were performing, I uh\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Jasi laughed as Mrsha rolled her eyes. But the Drake instantly produced an autograph card for the blushing Lyonette. One of the special ones.<\/p>\n This was background to Wesle and Numbtongue greeting each other and Wesle noticing Numbtongue\u2019s fine sword. Erin leaned back as the Hobgoblin put it on the table to Kilkran\u2019s amazement.<\/p>\n \u201cIs that Dragonblood crystal?<\/em> How did you\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n He was a former [Blacksmith] after all. Numbtongue looked pleased at himself. Meanwhile, Imani pulled at Erin\u2019s sleeve.<\/p>\n \u201cUm, Erin\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She looked nervous in the crowd, but determined as she held something under an arm. Erin turned to her.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat, Imani? Do you want an autograph?\u201d<\/p>\n Half the [Actors] turned with a quill in hand. Imani shook her head. She offered Erin what she was holding.<\/p>\n \u201cErin, am I allowed to use this or what? I tried putting it in a cupboard, but it\u2019s sucking all the light out of the kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n The Shadow Loaf was in her hands, eating the light. Erin blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cOh!\u201d<\/p>\n She\u2019d forgotten all about<\/em> the bread she\u2019d baked. And it was apparently becoming a light distraction? Imani blew out her cheeks.<\/p>\n \u201cI had a bit. And it\u2019s not exactly tasty. But can I do something with it? It doesn\u2019t grow stale.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, obviously\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I mean, I put it outside on the windowsill when I realized it was making everything darker. By accident. But it wasn\u2019t even a bit stale when I pulled it out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin frowned at her loaf. It wasn\u2019t even the finished product. If you opened a window and put things right on the edge, the [Field of Preservation] didn\u2019t quite work.<\/p>\n \u201cDid anything try to eat it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. That\u2019s what worries me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Er\u2026maybe we\u2019ll put it somewhere else. I\u2019ll find a spot for it.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin picked up her loaf. She looked around for somewhere to put it and walked towards a wall. She came out of the [Garden of Sanctuary] a second later and innocently avoided Imani\u2019s stare.<\/p>\n \u201cAll done. I\u2019ll find a better home for it later. Maybe like\u2026a dark room? What\u2019s for breakfast, Imani?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n The entire table asked for a menu. An exasperated Imani pointed to the one hanging up.<\/p>\n \u201cYou<\/em> don\u2019t read signs, Erin?\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue chortled and nudged her. The [Innkeeper] blushed. Before she could retort, the door from Pallass blew open.<\/p>\n \u201cAre they here?<\/em> Excuse me! We\u2019re from Pallass and we\u2019d love to talk about the acting!\u201d<\/p>\n A flood of people came in from Pallass. And then Liscor. And then Celum. Erin saw Imani take cover in the kitchen. She stood up.<\/p>\n \u201cUh oh.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, Erin. This is our fault. Hey, you lot!\u201d<\/p>\n Emme stood on her chair. Lyonette rose as well and stopped the flood from reaching the Players. Erin leaned back as someone interposed himself in the way, creating an actual wall. She stared at Eltistiman Verdue.<\/p>\n \u201cHey\u2026haven\u2019t we met?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Solstice?\u201d<\/p>\n He turned, blinking. Erin exclaimed.<\/p>\n \u201cEltistiman! <\/em>Yeah, I remember you! Where did you go? You just vanished one time\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Montressa and Bezale came rushing down the stairs, still sleepy-eyed to capitalize\u2014er\u2014help, with the situation. They were followed by Palt, who nearly tripped down the stairs. He caught himself from smashing<\/em> into one of the people slowly slithering down.<\/p>\n Amid it all, Hexel Quithail slowly found a table. The Lamia sat down with his three Lizardfolk assistants and watched the chaos.<\/p>\n \u201cMornings here are almost as chaotic as back home.\u201d<\/p>\n He remarked to the Lizardfolk. They laughed nervously. The people were spreading out across the Grand Theatre, but the Lamia had secured a table closer to the door.<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me! Sorry, we\u2019re in a bit of a rush. Can I get you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n A Drake hurried over and all of the Lizardfolk flinched<\/em>. Hexel only a bit, but the Drake [Server] saw them and stopped.<\/p>\n \u201cI am so sorry, Architect. I didn\u2019t see you there. I\u2019ll just get\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She looked around for another server. Hexel straightened.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s no issue. Stop cowering, Zekky, Vile.\u201d<\/p>\n Two of the Lizardfolk stopped leaning back.<\/em> The Drake looked grateful.<\/p>\n \u201cCan I get you anything?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm\u2026the fish?\u201d<\/p>\n One of the Lizardfolk quavered. Hexel nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cMake mine that roasted rat, please. I need to be going in ten minutes, so if you could move it forwards over the\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He waved at the massive crowd, over a hundred people already. The Drake nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cAbsolutely, Architect. I\u2019ll just grab it. And your Sakelet Tea?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, please.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake hurried into the kitchen and came back with the pre-made food, heated up in less than a minute. Hexel sighed and thanked her. Only when she was gone did the three Lizardfolk assistants begin whispering.<\/p>\n \u201cMaster Hexel, did you see the play yesterday? It was on the scrying orb?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI missed it. And you<\/em> all didn\u2019t show up to help me fix that building those idiots decided to put up. The scaffolding would have collapsed in a day.\u201d<\/p>\n The Lamia grumbled. The Lizardfolk tried to look innocent. It didn\u2019t fool the Lamia.<\/p>\n He was one of the Naga\u2014a broad term for the higher forms the Lizardpeople of Baleros could become. He was used to herding the easily-distracted, often childish Lizardfolk around. And they were children compared to him. You could have perfectly mature Lizardfolk who were old\u2014but their natures were such that a Naga was always just\u2026wiser, stronger, more intelligent by nature.<\/p>\n Not that his assistants were stupid. They were some of the best [Builders] and [Planners] and so on of Baleros. And his\u2026team\u2026had been eighteen of the finest.<\/p>\n Now, they were three. Hexel still dreamed of it. So did his apprentices.<\/p>\n \u201cFine. Fine.<\/em> It\u2019s just doing some alterations. A non-busy day since the workers are laying down the foundations, mainly. Take the day off. But don\u2019t you dare cause trouble!\u201d<\/p>\n The Lamia came to a quick decision after thinking of that. His three Lizardfolk apprentices brightened up.<\/p>\n \u201cReally? No take-backs!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGo.\u201d<\/p>\n They ran off to join the hubbub around the Players. Hexel smiled\u2014and then bit into his rat. It was one of the fat ones, not a \u2018rat\u2019 rat, but closer to a regular beaver in size. He was glad the new [Cook] was working. She had the guts to prepare one; Erin had just given him a horrified look when he\u2019d asked.<\/p>\n The Lamia ate and drank, observing the chaos around him. It did indeed remind him of home. There was something very Lizardfolkish about Erin. It was a shame\u2014another time his entire team would have been part of this inn\u2019s drama. But they were withdrawn. He\u2019d given them time off because this was a chance for them to be their old selves.<\/p>\n As for Hexel? Part of him that was still the young Lizardboy wanted to stay. But\u2026he put his cup on his plate, uncoiled, and slithered towards the hallways.<\/p>\n \u201cAnyone for Celum? Anyone for Esthelm? Excuse me, no pushing! Wait for people to leave before entering! Thank you!\u201d<\/p>\n One of the staff was shuffling people in and out. Hexel waited. He knew he was getting looks. He was a Lamia alone. But he headed into Liscor, via the magic door and proceeded down the street in the morning light.<\/p>\n More<\/em> people stared at him there. And he felt distinctly less welcome. Lizard<\/em>. Among Drakes. He really had thought it was just some joke, or an exaggeration.<\/p>\n More fool, he. Hexel was alone. He felt it in Liscor. And the past\u2014it never left you completely, especially when it was so fresh.<\/p>\n It might have made him want to pack up and leave for Baleros, abandon his contract. Who would have blamed him? But there was always light even amid clouds. Hexel took a deep breath.<\/p>\n He really liked The Wandering Inn. But\u2014he didn\u2019t stay there. Because for all Erin Solstice was entertaining, amusing, and kind\u2014she was that for everyone.<\/p>\n He had his own Erin of a sort.<\/p>\n The Lamia left. He never noticed the white Gnoll slyly leaving the inn and padding after him. Mrsha had always wondered where Hexel went every day. Today, she was going to find out.<\/p>\n Also\u2014she didn\u2019t want to wear a skirt.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe Meeting of Tribes will begin soon. Are we cutting it close?\u201d<\/p>\n Elirr yawned over breakfast as Krshia consulted a map on the table in front of them. They were having breakfast in his apartment this morning.<\/p>\n It was a social thing. Gnolls\u2014especially Plains Gnolls\u2014were social creatures. They liked to start the day in company, such that even Gnolls without partners in cities might have a morning breakfast group rather than eat alone.<\/p>\n And they were Plains Gnolls, the both of them. Krshia more than Elirr. If you asked her she\u2019d be adamant. She might have become a City Gnoll in parts\u2014but she was still a member of her tribe.<\/p>\n The Silverfang Tribe. Of which they both belonged to. But Elirr and Krshia\u2014were different Gnolls.<\/p>\n For one thing, he had at least a decade and a half on her. Elirr\u2019s fur was grey while Krshia\u2019s had yet to really go anywhere there. Just patches. Elirr was old. Distinguished<\/em>, he liked to think of it.<\/p>\n But he had to admit, Krshia was still in a sort of prime. She was long past the years when they were in their twenties or teens, able to run all day and then do something else incredibly taxing and sleep for six hours and do it all again.<\/p>\n But Krshia was experiencing a second\u2026prime as it were. Gnolls tended towards two. The first was when you were young and you were that energetic leader. But the second was when you hit your mid-forties? Fifties? And then you were another sort of pillar in Gnoll tribes, the visionary, the leader with the plan.<\/p>\n That was Krshia Silverfang. She was not the leader of the Silverfang tribe\u2014her sister was, though. And she was the actual leader in Liscor, where a decade of work was about to pay off.<\/p>\n More than even they could have imagined. Krshia saw Elirr reach for breakfast. Rich silkap <\/em>with fluffy bread made from that Octavia\u2019s baking soda. Krshia had made a loaf or two and it was really quite nice. Elirr had provided some drinks. Krshia sipped from what Erin might call a mango lassi.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThis is nice. Where did you get the recipe?\u201d<\/p>\n It was not traditionally Gnollish\u2014while the silkap<\/em> was. Elirr shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom Hexel. The mangos too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMhm. I see. Very nice.\u201d<\/p>\n She gave him a look over the rim. Elirr sighed. There it was again. Rather than bring it up, he looked at the map.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s see. If we use the door from Pallass\u2026hrr\u2026well, we have already saved over a month, weeks of travel depending on how we avoided the Bloodfields.\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia nodded. Four hundred miles in a moment. That was\u2026a lot of space. It was one of the reasons why Krshia could leisurely plan their trip instead of being on the road, swearing at the sky if it rained on her group and making sure they had enough provisions.<\/p>\n After all\u2014they just had to be at the Meeting of Tribes by the summer solstice. Still, it was closing in. The only issue was, well, a few things.<\/p>\n \u201cMrsha\u2019s going to be trickiest. Come to that\u2014the Woven Bladegrass tribe didn\u2019t do us any favors, no. Did you hear about that?\u201d<\/p>\n Gnolls loved to gossip. Elirr had with his customers a few days ago.<\/p>\n \u201cI heard they sacked a city. For the Meeting of Tribes, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. Idiots. I hope we don\u2019t run into angry Drakes on the road. I need to promise to Lyonette and Erin she will be safe.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou really think they\u2019ll let her go with us?\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia gnawed on a lip.<\/p>\n \u201cNot for the entire time. She just has to show up at the right moment. They can come up with her, except for the actual meeting. Just a bit\u2014it might be better if she isn\u2019t there the entire time, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat does Vrrow have to say about her?\u201d<\/p>\n Elirr took another bite of his breakfast as he watched Krshia. Vrrow was the Silverfang [Longstrider Scout] who\u2019d come to make sure everything was in readiness for the Meeting of Tribes. Krshia grimaced.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026haven\u2019t brought it up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKrshia!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy sister knows. And that\u2019s all that matters. Mrsha will be safe. Better to have her secret from the other Tribes, yes? We are bringing magic<\/em> in two forms, after all!\u201d<\/p>\n She folded her arms defensively. Elirr relaxed a bit. He wasn\u2019t even planning to go, honestly. But Mrsha\u2014he was protective of her. She had saved his life and besides. She deserved better.<\/p>\n \u201cIf she is safe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will have the Silverfang\u2019s best guarding her. It will not be an incident, Elirr. I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHrr. Well\u2014the issue of Mrsha might be less than that of\u2026Erin. And Ryoka.\u201d<\/p>\n The other Gnoll\u2019s eyes sharpened.<\/p>\n \u201cTruth, Elirr. It will be a Meeting of Tribes to remember. Our gift, our knowledge\u2014our tribe may be one of Izril\u2019s most powerful after the gathering. One can hope, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMhm.\u201d<\/p>\n Elirr wasn\u2019t as passionate as Krshia. In truth\u2014he wasn\u2019t as much of a Plains Gnoll as she was. The Silverfang Clan had come to Liscor to make their fortune and buy magic ten years ago. But he, Elirr, had already been there. Technically as a \u2018scout\u2019, but in truth\u2014he\u2019d been retired. All the Gnolls coming here had made him feel more of a Plains Gnoll.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure you won\u2019t come? You would be a distinguished member to speak, both as your level and on the\u2026Raskghar issue.\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia saw the older Gnoll stop eating for a moment. She eyed him carefully. Elirr shook his head\u2014as the bread suddenly reminded him of the foul monster parts the Raskghar had made him eat. The cage<\/em>, the smell\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cMeow.\u201d<\/p>\n A cat spoke next to his ear. Elirr jumped<\/em> and the cat dipped its face into his glass of lassi. <\/em>It licked a few times and leapt away as he swatted at it.<\/p>\n \u201cAlamaran!\u201d<\/p>\n The cat, whom Elirr had never managed to sell, flipped its butt at Elirr as he glared. He was six years old, highly intelligent, and\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cMeow. Meoow. Purr.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2014He always gave the impression he was vocalizing what you thought<\/em> he should sound like since he didn\u2019t deign to actually speak to you. He was far too intelligent, too.<\/p>\n \u201cDamn pest. I should have sold you for catgut years ago. Stop eating that! It\u2019s not cat-food!\u201d<\/p>\n Elirr realized Alamaran had stolen some of the silkap<\/em> bread as well. For answer, a dozen other cats meowed<\/em> at him.<\/p>\n Krshia eyed Elirr\u2019s animals, which the [Beast Trainer] raised and sold. Cats were a big Drake-pet. Gnolls too, but Elirr always had a group of them, and some, like Alamaran, were permanent fixtures.<\/p>\n \u201cHas no one ever asked to buy Alamaran?\u201d<\/p>\n Elirr coughed. The cat smirked at him as it bit into the filched food and licked its whiskers.<\/p>\n \u201cEr\u2014a few times. But I do need a smart cat to teach the other idiots. They grow smarter because of my Skills, but they still need to learn. Besides, Alamaran helps with stray rats, slimes, and other things. I can\u2019t keep the cats in the shop all the time; they always get out. Alamaran keeps most of them from harm.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHmm. Interesting. About the Meeting of Tribes?\u201d<\/p>\n Elirr passed a paw over his face and realized his drink was missing. The cats were working together to drag it up a shelf. He and Krshia stared at them. The [Shopkeeper] slowly covered her glass with her hand.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Krshia. I don\u2019t care to go. Besides, I have enough to occupy me here. The Wyvern\u2026Jekle\u2026and other matters.\u201d<\/p>\n The female Gnoll gave him a knowing look as she sipped at her drink. Elirr groaned. Here it came,<\/p>\n The thing about Gnolls. The thing about Gnolls was\u2026<\/p>\n It was different, being Gnolls in a social relationship than most other species. Especially Gnoll-to-Gnoll relationships. Elirr was sure there was a wonderful breadth of emotional baggage and drama any species was capable of. Maybe Dullahans were a bit more stunted emotionally, but most species were alike in their ability to be petty, kind, caring, loving, and so on.<\/p>\n But Gnolls had an extra element. And that was their hearing<\/em> and smell.<\/em> Few species had their senses. Which made it\u2026awkward sometimes.<\/p>\n For instance, Krshia didn\u2019t want Elirr to smell her apartment. He knew what she was trying to hide, but it clearly embarrassed her. So he hadn\u2019t eaten there for a while. Or Mrsha. Lyonette was fine; she\u2019d come over for her regular magical lessons recently. But Elirr?<\/p>\n The second thing about Gnolls was\u2014and this was his personal opinion, not an actual truth\u2014female Gnolls were so inquisitive.<\/em> They just had<\/em> to have their noses in everyone\u2019s business.<\/p>\n \u201cPutting aside the Meeting of Tribes, Elirr. How are<\/em> things going?\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll grumbled. He\u2019d known this was coming. Krshia couldn\u2019t lay off.<\/p>\n \u201cFine. I\u2019m busy, but it\u2019s doing well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh. Jekle is learning?\u201d<\/p>\n That was the Frost Wyvern\u2019s name. Elirr nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, yes. He\u2019s quite a handful. Males often are. Territorial. Thinks he has to pee everywhere. And the cats are no help. They\u2019re too smart, but in that vindictive way. The Wyvern tried to mark his territory yesterday. Poor fellow\u2014the cats urinated on him from above. Bullies, the lot.\u201d<\/p>\n Alamaran and the others meowed<\/em> proudly. Elirr rolled his eyes. He glared at a cat who flipped up its behind at him. The first thing they learned was how annoying that was, so of course, they did it all the time.<\/em> Krshia chuckled.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can manage your Council duties, your shop, and<\/em> your personal life all at the same time. Very impressive, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n Elirr waved this off.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Council makes me feel young. All these new laws and progress.<\/em> I don\u2019t mind that. The shop? I\u2019m not doing any other animals besides the ones I have and the Wyvern, so it\u2019s not too hectic.\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia nodded agreeably. Then\u2014she pounced, rather like one of the cats.<\/p>\n \u201cHrm, hrm. And your liaison duties with Architect Hexel? How is that doing, Elirr?\u201d<\/p>\n He looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cI gave my report to the Council. Why, is there something you missed?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The female Gnoll grinned like a cat.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing. I\u2019m not judging you, Elirr. Not at all\u2014it\u2019s just good you\u2019re not in the tribe. You don\u2019t have a wife to be upset, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n Elirr didn\u2019t dignify that with a response. Female Gnolls. Thought they knew it all. Of course, that just might be Silverfang\u2019s<\/em> matriarchal tribe leaders, Krshia and her sister. What he did was his damned business. So he pushed back.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure it\u2019s harder on you to go to the Meeting of Tribes, Krshia. Speaking of which\u2014we haven\u2019t eaten in your apartment. What about there tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n Her smiled vanished. Her ears and tail, always good signs of feeling, twitched.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cPerhaps. It\u2019s quite messy\u2026we could eat elsewhere. With Vrrow. There is much to do, Elirr, for the Meeting of Tribes. Thank you for your input. Packing is nearly done\u2014it\u2019s just security for the book and Mrsha to worry about. I should get to the Council, actually. I wanted to go over some of the new proposals\u2014no need to come yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n She got up and fussed with her meal. Elirr, satisfied, watched her retreat. That\u2019s right. You want to play that game?<\/em> Krshia bade him farewell and he nodded to her.<\/p>\n Then Elirr went downstairs to the shop he slept above. The cats followed. One burped; Elirr realized they were dragging the mostly-empty glass of lassi <\/em>down the stairs.<\/p>\n He bent and picked it up, glaring.<\/p>\n \u201cSomeday I will eat things that are terribly bad for you. Deathly so.\u201d<\/p>\n They meowed<\/em> at him. The Gnoll sighed. He was a [Slave] to his pets. But downstairs he went to start his day.<\/p>\n Animals in Elirr\u2019s pet store greeted him. Friendly war dog breeds from as far away as Radivaek in the north, birds in their cages which he sprinkled seed into and which Alamaran knew <\/em>he wasn\u2019t allowed to eat.<\/p>\n A few irregulars too. Elirr\u2019s odd projects which he was sometimes hired to do, and sometimes did just because of the opportunity or challenge. Like Jekle, who hissed<\/em> at the cats. At least he didn\u2019t try to breathe frost; he was learning.<\/p>\n \u201cNo biting, Jekle.\u201d<\/p>\n Elirr was careful; the Frost Wyvern was highly intelligent\u2014more so than even the cats, or he would be when he was older, and he wasn\u2019t entirely civilized. But he\u2019d learned not to try to bite the old [Beast Trainer] and accepted his meal with good grace.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re going to let you go for another flying and running about later today.\u201d<\/p>\n It was bad to keep the young Frost Wyvern tied up. Elirr was working with a younger [Beast Trainer] in Pallass who exercised Jekle. Otherwise Elirr would be doing it all day\u2014sometimes he devoted most of his day to working with Jekle.<\/p>\n But today was an \u2018Elirr-day\u2019, so he let the Frost Wyvern chew on a leg of cow and hiss<\/em> at the cats who fearlessly tried to scavenge from his meal. They were horrible bullies indeed. The Frost Wyvern could have swallowed them whole, but they\u2019d terrified him so much that he only snapped at them when they stole bits of his meal.<\/p>\n \u201cStop being cruel to him or I will give you all away. I mean it.\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll warned the other cats. They glared, but stopped harassing the young Wyvern.<\/p>\n Elirr Fultpar was good at his job. He really was. Few could tame Wyverns, let alone train them to his quality. He was essentially a version of Tekshia Shivertail\u2014except devoted to animals\u2014in his levels and expertise.<\/p>\n And that was the key. Train.<\/em> Any fool could tame most animals. You could get a wolf to act as an attack-animal. Ride a Wyvern? Well, a lower-level [Beast Tamer] could manage it.<\/p>\n But training\u2014that was the key Elirr often had to explain. Cats were smart. But Alamaran was a house-cat. Not a magical cat. Yet, with Elirr\u2019s Skills he could open a door\u2019s handle, even convince other cats to form a pyramid to make that happen.<\/p>\n Training made Aldasian Warhounds intelligent and strong enough to take down far larger animals. An Elirr-trained warhound could take down a non-magical bear. <\/em>Not that he enjoyed training animals for war.<\/p>\n Anyways. Elirr was just feeding the animals and getting Jekle ready. Sure enough\u2014a Garuda fluttered into the shop minutes after Krshia had left.<\/p>\n \u201cMaster Elirr! Have you heard about the inn?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Players of Celum? Every Gnoll in Liscor\u2019s told me about it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI got an autograph! I think they\u2019re coming to Pallass! Here\u2014is Jekle ready?\u201d<\/p>\n The younger [Beast Tamer] waved at the Wyvern, who knew it was time for his walk\/flying and got excited. Elirr nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cJust remember. Anchor that leash.<\/em> He\u2019s smart enough to try making a break for it and he outweighs you.\u201d<\/p>\n The Garuda gave him a shamefaced look.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Master Elirr.\u201d<\/p>\n Jekle had tried that once already. Elirr saw the two off. And when a Garuda walked a Wyvern\u2014everyone<\/em> cleared the way for you. He rubbed at his back.<\/p>\n \u201cI shouldn\u2019t have agreed to it. The first Wyvern was bad enough. Gah. The size of the offal. I had to use a shovel and cut it into pieces to even\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He shuddered. He was lucky he had Jekle young. The Frost Wyvern would learn a lot faster. In two or three years he might be trained enough\u2014and he\u2019d hopefully go to some caring owner.<\/p>\n Fissival had Wyverns. But not Frost Wyverns.<\/em> Elirr chuckled.<\/p>\n \u201cThe only thing worse than a Wyvern is\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The shop\u2019s door opened. Elirr turned.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re cl\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He broke off as the person he\u2019d been waiting for came into the shop. Hexel grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s the only thing worse than a Wyvern?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, hello there.\u201d<\/p>\n Elirr straightened. He\u2019d combed his hair and had on clothing not covered in cat hair\u2014but he always felt scruffy. Hexel by comparison? Gleaming scales. Not showing an inch of his age. And they were actually around the same age!<\/p>\n But a Lamia would live longer than a Gnoll\u2014possibly twice as long. The two smiled at each other.<\/p>\n \u201cBears. Bears are troublesome. And you would not believe how smart Sand Octopi are. Worse\u2014they have little suction cups on their tentacles, so they can even open jars and hide in small places. Bats? Wyverns are big, but not the worst. How are you doing today?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cQuite<\/em> well. I had a rough wake up and it was a busy inn today\u2014but I feel better now. You\u2019re looking rather dressed-up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can tell?\u201d<\/p>\n Elirr straightened a bit. Hexel grinned. He slithered over, his lower, serpentine half undulating across the floor. The grey-haired Gnoll smiled. He\u2019d often debated dying his fur, but\u2014distinguished.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think we have time for some tea? I had a Yoren<\/em> with Krshia with those mangos, but my cats ate it all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, really?\u201d<\/p>\n Hexel laughed. Elirr gave him a straight-faced look. That only made the Lamia laugh harder. He leaned against Elirr. Almost instantly, his lower-half coiled around the Gnoll.<\/p>\n Gently. But Hexel was<\/em> closer to snake than Dragon. His upper half was humanoid, albeit still snake-like. But his lower half? Like the giant snakes of Baleros, strong, sinuous. It was possessive. Elirr looked at Hexel, already smiling.<\/p>\n And then the door chimed<\/em> softly. The two looked over.<\/p>\n Mrsha froze next to the door as a gang of cats stopped her from leaving. She had snuck in, undetected, and was sneaking out as Alamaran and his posse cornered her. One of them had actually triggered the chime.<\/p>\n \u201cMeow.<\/em> Got you. Meow.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The cat grinned at Mrsha. He hadn\u2019t actually spoken, but the self-satisfied look on his face was clearer than even Mrsha\u2019s sign-language. The Gnoll child looked up at Elirr as he and Hexel stared at her. She waved and held out a card. Hexel took it.<\/p>\n Hi.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n —–<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Second breakfast was an agreeable notion to Mrsha. The mean cats were not. They\u2019d foiled her daring escape! She\u2019d seen Hexel meet with Elirr and gotten nervous they were going to do disgusting things<\/em>. But the cats had gotten her caught!<\/p>\n Anyways, she was now having second-breakfast with the two. Elirr was fussing over a tea set and Hexel was staring at her.<\/p>\n \u201cI heard you were a little rapscallion. Didn\u2019t you try to steal my breakfast one time?\u201d<\/p>\n Mrsha waved a paw shyly. Now she was actually talking with Hexel, she was a bit nervous. She liked him, but she didn\u2019t know<\/em> him.<\/p>\n Elirr on the other hand seemed to know Hexel well. He called over his shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cYoung Gnolls steal food all the time. Mrsha though\u2014she\u2019s quite a pawful. I suppose she must have left the inn without a guardian. We should return her.\u201d<\/p>\n Aw. Mrsha\u2019s face fell. She signed with her paws, and then waved at Elirr for his attention.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want to get in trouble.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Elirr\u2019s mouth moved slowly, sounding out her message. He snorted.<\/p>\n \u201cYou should have thought of that beforehand. I won\u2019t throw myself in the face of Miss Lyonette\u2019s wrath for you, Mrsha.\u201d<\/p>\n Hexel looked fascinated <\/em>as he watched Mrsha sign quickly.<\/p>\n \u201cIs that your own language? It looks nothing like the other adventurer code-signs I\u2019ve seen.\u201d<\/p>\n Mrsha perked her ears up. She nodded rapidly. Then she stared at Hexel. She fumbled in her little bag of holding and held out a few cards.<\/p>\n Hi. How are you?<\/em><\/p>\n Hexel read the more static messages and got the meaning.<\/p>\n \u201cMm. Entertained. I\u2019m not angry at you if that\u2019s what you\u2019re asking. Although\u2026will this be a problem, Elirr?\u201d<\/p>\n He cast a questioning glance at Elirr. The Gnoll came over with a cup of tea for Hexel and Mrsha. The Gnoll sniffed and found it was a berry-tea. Balerosian. She smiled and sipped, then scalded her tongue. The Gnoll spoke as he went back for his cup.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think so. If we were both Drakes? Yes. And if Mrsha talks about it? Mm\u2014perhaps. Again, more from City Gnolls and Drakes. But I\u2019m a member of the Silverfang tribe and they\u2014oh, Creler eggs.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He cursed as he sat down and slopped some tea on his vest. It was red\u2014so the stain was unfortunate. Mrsha saw Hexel reach for his side and produce a wand.<\/p>\n \u201cNot a problem. Don\u2019t move\u2014[Remove Stain]. There.\u201d<\/p>\n He tapped the spot and the stain vanished.<\/em> Mrsha applauded as Hexel ejected a bit of the tea into an unused saucer. She reached for a cracker and the silkap<\/em> as Elirr sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cMagic. How useful! I envy your class, Hexel. I would have had to find the stain-removing charm while you and Mrsha can just wave your wand.\u201d<\/p>\n Hexel blinked as Mrsha produced a wand and waved it.<\/p>\n \u201cYou cast magic too, little one?\u201d<\/p>\n She nodded proudly. Hexel saw her conjure some grass on the table. One of the cats immediately buried itself in the thick grove.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s quite good for a child her age. Anyways, Elirr. I don\u2019t think you have anything to complain about.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do I get? The ability to raise cats who steal my drinks?\u201d<\/p>\n Elirr was guarding his teacup this time from the cats. Hexel opened his mouth and stared pointedly past Elirr. So did Mrsha.<\/p>\n They both saw one of the Aldasian Warhounds slowly dragging out bowls and a bag of feed. It was customized so the dog could open the bag\u2014it poured itself breakfast and the cats food too. Then it pushed the little food-bag on wheels back into a corner. The dog was burly<\/em>, so she could wedge the bag in a corner such that the cats couldn\u2019t get at it.<\/p>\n Elirr saw the two stare at him. He shrugged, abashed.<\/p>\n \u201cAh. I forget, sometimes. So they can feed themselves. I teach them that to save time. It\u2019s not er\u2014that\u2019s not that<\/em> extraordinary\u2014ahem\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The Lamia chuckled and Mrsha laughed silently as Elirr scratched at his neck. The Lamia was curled up on himself and Mrsha and Elirr were sitting on cushions. Still\u2014Mrsha couldn\u2019t help<\/em> but notice the two were sitting next to each other. And that they kept giving each other that look<\/em>.<\/p>\n New couples in the Stone Spears tribe looked like that. Ryoka and Relc had given each other a variant of that look for half a second. Maviola and Olesm\u2026Mrsha folded her arms. There was no need to even intuit however. This was one of the things she smelled.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWell? Is it an issue? It wouldn\u2019t be in Baleros.\u201d<\/p>\n Elirr sighed. He looked at Mrsha with a resigned look. She uncrossed her arms a bit. There was something\u2026else\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cNot too much. Gnoll tribes don\u2019t mind couples of the same sex. Isn\u2019t that right, Mrsha?\u201d<\/p>\n She gave him a blank look. That<\/em> wasn\u2019t what she objected to. She was equally upset by all<\/em> couples. Elirr nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cMrsha. It is important you don\u2019t say anything. To Visma and Ekirra, or anyone else, understand? It could mean tr\u2014danger for us. Do I have your word?\u201d<\/p>\n Mrsha scratched at one ear.<\/p>\n \u201cNot even Lyonette and Erin?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Not even them.\u201d<\/p>\n Elirr sighed. Mrsha hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cNumbtongue?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cY\u2014no one, Mrsha.<\/em> Understand? No, but you wouldn\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n