It might have been all the old faces, because Lyonette had a dream of the past.<\/p>\n
Not the long-distant past, the chronologically undeniable history of Lyonette\u2019s childhood when she and her sisters\u2014a herd, a group, a flock\u2026?\u2014a snob<\/em> of Calanfer\u2019s [Princesses] had been growing up.<\/p>\n Some quirk of fate meant that Calanfer had so many princesses they had numbers. And the 6th<\/sup> [Princess] had grown up around her older sisters\u2014with a large age gap between some of them.<\/p>\n Yet\u2014that was ancient history. Somehow, the last year felt like a decade of time to Lyonette. Because more had happened to her in that period than the rest of her life. More levels, more drama, more growing up.<\/p>\n She remembered starving. Crying with hunger and the realization at last, that the only person who had been kind to her was suddenly gone. Having to rely on the kindness of Olesm, and then the Antinium.<\/p>\n And after putting a colony of bees to sleep with the last of the magical flowers\u2014finding a little, thin Gnoll child in the inn. Practically feral, terribly sad and lonely, waiting for Ryoka and Erin to come back. She had refused to leave the inn, refused to eat. Been so miserable that it made the [Princess] ashamed of herself.<\/p>\n That had been one of the reasons why Lyonette du Marquin had tried.<\/em> In those days, it had all been so small. So humble. No magical door to Celum, no new inn. No staff\u2014but there had been magic there.<\/p>\n A little Gnoll with a bit of paint had, quite by accident, helped create the Painted Antinium. Lyonette remembered the first Painted Antinium. A white paw print on the Soldier\u2019s chest.<\/em><\/p>\n He\u2014had died. Lyonette knew his symbol now rested on the Painted Antinium\u2019s memorial wall. Yet hundreds of Painted Antinium had come from that moment. Thousands, someday.<\/p>\n That was surely a legacy worth having. Few Humans, even royalty, could claim that distinction.<\/p>\n Yes, in those days the inn had been so small and humble. And their first guest of Lyonette\u2019s\u2014the first real<\/em> guest? It had been a huge Drake whose name was spoken even in Terandria. A legend.<\/p>\n General Zel Shivertail. Lyonette wished she had been the same [Princess] then as she was now. Perhaps then, with this inn, at this time\u2014Zel Shivertail would not have fallen.<\/p>\n But all she dreamed of was a silly little dream where she and Zel were coaxing Mrsha out of a table that was actually a mountain. Mrsha had fallen into the dungeon and Lyonette and Zel were offering her jars of honey on a long-handled serving tray. And the silly Gnoll kept staring at the grub that would become Apista and demanding to eat that\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The [Princess] awoke alone in her bed. And it was her bed, the shared room with the growing, far larger Gnoll child who could now walk on two feet. Who had given herself a language and could cast magic and walk to the outhouse without waking up Lyonette to hold her paw and bring her there.<\/p>\n How fast little Gnolls grew. But she wasn\u2019t there. Nor had Lyonette spent the night with Pawn, sitting together and reading books or listening to him dream about a better place for his people.<\/p>\n Mrsha was gone. She hadn\u2019t slept with Lyonette. She had, instead, spent the night glued to her favorite<\/em> Human. The [Princess]\u2019s face turned sour as she got up and began to comb her hair, a ritual from Calanfer.<\/p>\n She was, perhaps, the only person unhappy about Ryoka\u2019s return.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Erin Solstice woke up with a huge smile on her face. She rolled out of her bed\u2014also empty but for pillow, a blanket, and a book she\u2019d forgotten was there.<\/p>\n \u201cOw. No wonder<\/em> I thought my bed was so hard.\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman discovered it underneath her. Also, a rectangle on her back. She prodded at it.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I slept on you?\u201d<\/p>\n An [Explorer]\u2019s Guide to 64 Isles of Note, by Cemale Tenvind<\/em> stared back at her, completely unashamed. Erin scowled at it.<\/p>\n \u201cI paid good money for you. And this is how you treat me?\u201d<\/p>\n It was a good book. Erin checked her dog-eared page. She hadn\u2019t read it in the last two days; she\u2019d been too busy running around. In fact, she\u2019d been so tired she\u2019d fallen into bed\u2014on top of the book\u2014and drifted off.<\/p>\n Because, it had been an eventful few days. Raskghar. Players of Celum.<\/p>\n Ryoka. Erin smiled, forgetting about her sore back. Ryoka was back.<\/em> The Raskghar were contained in Pallass.<\/p>\n Everything was okay again.<\/p>\n As the [Innkeeper] got out of bed and found some clothing, she decided she had to capitalize on this kind of day. No being stingy with anything!<\/p>\n A Ryoka-back, post-disaster day was the kind of day you had<\/em> to celebrate. So Erin ran at a wall\u2014into the [Garden], did a quick loop, and ran back through into the kitchen\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cAaaaah!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Imani freaked out over breakfast. Erin had popped out of the wall and the [Cook] dropped the hot<\/em> pan of\u2014<\/p>\n It stopped<\/em> in midair and Erin saw Imani grab<\/em> for the pan and stop it from going over. Erin looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, Imani! I forgot you\u2019re always in here! Whoa, nice save, Palt! Palt\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n She peered about. But the [Mage] she\u2019d assumed<\/em> had used levitation to save the pan was absent. And unless he was invisible\u2014Erin felt at the air suspiciously.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just me, Erin. Please, don\u2019t do that!<\/em> Mrsha does it and I nearly hit her with a pot one time!\u201d<\/p>\n Imani put her hand over her chest. Erin was immediately contrite.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m so thoughtless, Imani. I should have checked. I just ran in here\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Using the [Garden of Sanctuary] was second-nature to Erin by now. Scanning for people in her inn was still a conscious effort though, and one Erin wasn\u2019t in the habit of doing. Imani calmed down a bit\u2014but she still looked frazzled.<\/p>\n Right up until she reached for a little flask at her side and took a sip<\/em> of something, that was. Then she immediately calmed down.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s fine, Erin. It\u2019s\u2026okay. Whew.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Innkeeper] eyed the flask. She knew Palt had been working with Imani, but that\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that there, Imani?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDreamleaf water. Lemon, Dreamleaf, and a bit of sugar. Tastes like lemonade.\u201d<\/p>\n Imani immediately replied. Erin opened her mouth. Then closed it.<\/p>\n \u201cPalt gave you that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes he did. It helps.\u201d<\/p>\n He\u2019d also given Imani sleeping draughts and other help with her trauma from the Creler attacks. Erin nodded slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cGood, good. That\u2019s good. Actually. Um\u2014nice trick with the pan. I hadn\u2019t seen it before.\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman from Nigeria smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you. It\u2019s [Minor Accident Prevention].\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOoh. Nice!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin wasn\u2019t the only person leveling up. In fact\u2014some of her guests and friends were outpacing her by far in terms of levels. As a [Cook], Imani had an interesting set of Skills far different from Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cSo does it stop like, you dropping eggs?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBits of eggshell in food, spilling drinks\u2014and the pan, like you saw. It won\u2019t save me if I dump oil all over myself\u2014well, maybe it would. I got it at Level 10.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWait, it\u2019s a good<\/em> Skill?\u201d<\/p>\n Imani raised an eyebrow.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s everything, Erin. You know how you cut yourself once by trying to scale a fish wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes\u2026<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin winced and flexed her hand. Imani gestured to the counter as she put the pan back on the heat.<\/p>\n \u201cIt would stop that, I think. I haven\u2019t cut myself since getting the Skill. And it applies to all sorts of day-to-day activities.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhoa. Give me<\/em> that. I slept on a book this morning. You think it would stop that?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Cook] had to process Erin\u2019s particular brand of troubles. She shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Maybe? Anyways, can I help you? I\u2019m making breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cRight! Uh\u2014well, I just wanted a big breakfast for Ryoka, since she\u2019s here. Something special? I was thinking crepes<\/em> with some of the Ashfire Bee honey if we had it\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Imani\u2019s face made Erin hesitate.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cErin. Were you going to suggest we add the whipped cream I made and serve it with powdered sugar? Maybe even powdered nali<\/em>-sticks? And syrup and butter?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaaaaaybe. And if we had chocolate\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The [Cook] shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s such a disgusting breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey! It\u2019s a special occasion!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m making something light<\/em> and tasty. Here, take a look. Did you know there are avocados<\/em> and other vegetables from our world we can get from Oteslia?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin peered at the dark green avocado Imani was eagerly pointing to. It was definitely an avocado. Imani had ordered another shipment from Oteslia, or gotten it from the bazaar on Pallass\u2019 first floor, apparently.<\/p>\n \u201cSo that\u2019s what Lyonette keeps complaining about with the food budget. Are you sure, Imani? I mean, it looks good, but we could do crepes\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOut.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just saying! It\u2019s from home!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOut!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin found herself outside of the kitchen. She kicked at the floor.<\/p>\n \u201cTyrant.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll your food is unhealthy, Erin!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The [Innkeeper] glared after Imani. She sighed, and made a note not to scare Imani again, even if she had a Skill. Erin stretched\u2014<\/p>\n And saw a Worker with four daggers slowly lower them from his ambush-point where he\u2019d been ready to leap on her. Erin stared wide-eyed at Silveran. The Worker sheathed the daggers.<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Right. The scream. Sorry, just me, Silveran.\u201d<\/p>\n After Erin had retrieved her heart from her mouth, she waved at the Worker. He waved back. Erin edged away.<\/p>\n Definitely not the old days. You couldn\u2019t attack someone in the inn these days without people coming to your rescue. In fact\u2014Erin had to head off Palt as he nearly tripped<\/em> down the stairs.<\/p>\n \u201cIs it Imani? Another flashback? Oh, dead gods, I nearly broke my legs!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, just me, Palt!\u201d<\/p>\n The Centaur slowed his mad clatter down the stairs. Erin saw him give her a reproachful look.<\/p>\n \u201cErin. Was that the garden-scare again? Last time Mrsha did it\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry.<\/em> I forgot!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t just forget, Erin! Imani\u2019s not\u2026someone else! And popping out of the walls like you do would give even a Wistram [Mage] a fright! Dead gods, it\u2019s like the ghosts the Academy used to have. Obnoxious Archmages watching everyone as they sleep and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry. <\/em>Wait, ghosts? Wistram has ghosts?\u201d<\/p>\n The Centaur rubbed at his face.<\/p>\n \u201cHad.<\/em> And good riddance to them, I say. Sorry, I just woke up.\u201d<\/p>\n Palt liked to sleep in late; seeing him up this early was something. He flicked open his belt pouch, removed an edible and a little stamina pick-me-up and consumed both on the spot. Erin was so embarrassed at being rightly lectured she didn\u2019t even bring it up. Anyways\u2014it didn\u2019t harm anyone and it helped Imani. That was how Erin had decided to feel about drugs.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll just head in there. What\u2019s Imani cooking?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSomething healthy and light.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Innkeeper] muttered. Palt trotted into the kitchen. Erin saw Silveran, the Worker with the silver antennae on his carapace, return to sweeping up. She waved at him.<\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019re you doing, Silveran? I didn\u2019t scare you, did I?\u201d<\/p>\n No. I am good. Thank you.<\/em><\/p>\n The Worker signed back with two of his hands without even stopping sweeping. Erin was impressed. The other Workers had already picked up Mrsha\u2019s sign language? And it was as if it had been made for them since they could work and talk!<\/p>\n \u201cCool. Great! Um\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Erin turned\u2014and saw a figure crouching with a crossbow in hand, aiming it at the ground. Numbtongue stared about from the [Garden of Sanctuary].<\/p>\n \u201cHeard a shout. Imani?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNumbtongue.<\/em> It was just\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The Goblin and Erin both turned as a [Mage] sighed<\/em> loudly and reappeared on the steps.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, it was Imani? Thank goodness.\u201d<\/p>\n Montressa yawned<\/em> as she shed her [Invisibility] spell. Erin stared at her. Montressa waved and called up the stairs.<\/p>\n \u201cJust Imani!\u201d<\/p>\n Beza, Hexel, Temile, and two of the [Actors] all relaxed. Erin stared as they filed down the stairs, asking what had happened. She threw up her hands.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry, okay?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Her shout woke up Ryoka from her sleep.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Someone shouted loud enough to wake the snoozing young woman. Ryoka Griffin woke up to find something heavy on her stomach.<\/p>\n It was a Mrsha. The Gnoll had crept into her room, leaving the door ajar, hence the shout travelling. Well, the scream from earlier had also begun the process. Normally a scream would get the City Runner up, but Ryoka had been exhausted from running well into the night to get here.<\/p>\n \u201cMrsha?\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll child was awake. [Twofold Rest] being what it was, even Ryoka felt energized after less than nine hours of optimal sleep. But there was that lazy, dozing rest that you didn\u2019t want to get up from.<\/p>\n For Mrsha. In Ryoka\u2019s case, Mrsha was a bit heavy.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s hard to breathe. When did you get in here?\u201d<\/p>\n Mm.<\/em> Mrsha made a small sound in the back of her throat and hugged Ryoka. The young woman sat up and Mrsha wrapped her arms and legs around Ryoka.<\/p>\n It was tomorrow. And much hugging and reuniting had gone on between them already. Not enough\u2014Ryoka had arrived late and the frantic introductions of Fierre, Salamani\u2014she blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m here? I\u2019m back.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n So soon! And yet\u2014it was surreal to wake up in The Wandering Inn again. Ryoka looked about the comfy, well-kept room. She looked down at Mrsha as she sat cross-legged.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is this barnacle doing on me?\u201d<\/p>\n Mrsha giggled as Ryoka patted her head. Then the City Runner gave her a small, tentative hug.<\/p>\n \u201cHi, Mrsha. I\u2019m still here.\u201d<\/p>\n Good.<\/em> Mrsha didn\u2019t need to say it with text or sign language to be heard. Ryoka looked around.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Bird too? Look, it was an accident! There\u2019s no problem! It was just me\u2026<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n That sounded like Erin from downstairs. Ryoka eyed the ajar door.<\/p>\n \u201cUh oh. Erin might have set fire to the inn. We all might cook. Or maybe she just invented cold fusion.\u201d<\/p>\n Another giggle from below. Ryoka grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cYou want to get up, barnacle-girl? Get some breakfast?\u201d<\/p>\n Mrsha\u2019s ears perked up a bit at the word \u2018breakfast\u2019, but for once, she didn\u2019t leap downstairs. She just stayed there, in Ryoka\u2019s lap.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you want to do, Mrsha? Go to sleep? Are you that sleepy?\u201d<\/p>\n A quick shake of the head. Mrsha looked up with her brown eyes and did something with her paws. Ryoka frowned. It was fast\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? What was that?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Was that\u2026sign language? Mrsha\u2019s face fell as she realized Ryoka couldn\u2019t read her. She fumbled at a small pouch attached to her side. Ryoka saw her pull out a bit of parchment, a quill that needed no ink\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cAre you writing?\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll held up a small, furry finger, and Ryoka waited. Mrsha scribbled industriously and then handed Ryoka a note.<\/p>\n Stay here for a bit.<\/em><\/p>\n Ryoka read it with some shock. Mrsha\u2014writing? And signing? So much had changed. And what did that mean? She looked at the little Gnoll as she hugged onto Ryoka\u2019s belly again. And then she got it.<\/p>\n Slowly, Ryoka sat back and began to scratch Mrsha\u2019s head. She and the girl sat there as Ryoka hugged her. The sun began to rise as they just sat.<\/p>\n No running about. No food\u2014not yet\u2014and no need to talk. They just sat there. Ryoka was back and Mrsha could not be happier. The City Runner found herself smiling, and looked around to see if anyone had noticed the uncharacteristic behavior.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lyonette stomped downstairs shortly after the Imani-incident, as the inn was already abuzz. Erin was greeting people as they came down.<\/p>\n \u201cHi Hexel, sorry, that was me. Hi Temile, sorry that was me. Hi Lyonette\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The [Princess]\u2019 glower could have nailed Erin\u2019s tongue to the roof of her mouth. The [Innkeeper] eyed her.<\/p>\n \u201cBad sleep?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s Mrsha? She should be awake by now. She normally is.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s not with you? Wait a second\u2014this had better not be like last time!\u201d<\/p>\n She gave Hexel a long stare. The Lamia looked around as he collected a to-go breakfast to have with a certain Gnoll.<\/p>\n \u201cI wasn\u2019t accosted by a small white Gnoll this time. I did check.\u201d<\/p>\n Before Erin could ask Numbtongue before calling a Mrsha-search, Lyonette interrupted.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s with Ryoka.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, phew!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin wiped fake sweat from her brow, but the [Princess] just sat with arms folded. Erin saw Silveran come over with two plates of Imani\u2019s breakfast, which she was serving to the guests and ignoring the requests for their meals because this was her kitchen.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cNot just yet, Silveran! We want to eat with Ryoka, I think.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette folded her arms as the Worker handed a plate to Bird, who sighed over the distinct lack of obvious bird anatomy in his meal. He brightened up at the eggs, though.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s the matter, Lyonette?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothing. Ryoka\u2019s back and Mrsha is over the moon about it. I\u2019m fine.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The [Princess] glared. Erin sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cMrsha likes Ryoka. You know? Because she saved her from dying and stuff?\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette turned her head away.<\/p>\n \u201cI know that! It\u2019s fine. Mrsha has a favorite person.\u201d<\/p>\n She was jealous.<\/em> Which was fair. Lyonette had raised Mrsha when both Erin and Ryoka hadn\u2019t been there and become her mother. So it was a mother\u2019s jealousy? Erin scratched at her head.<\/p>\n She couldn\u2019t serve a healthy breakfast or double-check before scaring the daylights out of Imani and half of her guests, but this? She looked around as more people filed down the stairs. Kevin, Rose, Galina\u2026Troy and Leon and Joseph were all sleeping, it seemed. No survival instincts.<\/p>\n \u201cLyonette. You\u2019re being silly. Mrsha loves<\/em> you! You\u2019re her mom!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know that! Don\u2019t you think I know that?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Princess] snapped at Erin. The [Innkeeper] went on, rolling her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014and Mrsha loves Ryoka because she\u2019s the person who saved her. But that doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re not her mom, right? Ryoka\u2019s like\u2026a favorite, cool aunt. She comes over and of course Mrsha wants to be with her! You\u2019re here every day! It\u2019s not personal. Don\u2019t you have a favorite relative?\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette\u2019s glower abated slightly. Erin gave her an encouraging smile. The [Princess] hesitated and muttered.<\/p>\n \u201cI did have a favorite [Baron]. So Ryoka\u2019s the aunt?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right. Numbtongue\u2019s the big brother, Bird is\u2026either the little brother or another big brother\u2026you\u2019re the mom\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you\u2019re the father?\u201d<\/p>\n They\u2019d done this joke before. Erin flapped her hand dismissively.<\/p>\n \u201cNah, nah, I figured it out this time. I\u2019m the crazy-awesome grandma! Doesn\u2019t that make sense?\u201d<\/p>\n She gave Lyonette a huge thumbs-up and a grin. The [Princess]\u2019 lips quirked.<\/p>\n \u201cYou do fit the role. I remember my maternal grandmother was almost as intense as you were, before she passed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks!\u201d<\/p>\n The [Innkeeper] took a bit of pride in seeing Lyonette relax and some of her grudge against Ryoka for Mrsha\u2019s affection dissipate. It wasn\u2019t like Erin didn\u2019t notice that, and she could at least soothe Lyonette\u2019s temper. That was her job these days. Not cooking, not cleaning\u2014you had Silveran and Imani for that. People.<\/p>\n Like Ishkr and the sullen female Gnoll who followed him in for the morning\u2019s shift. Erin waved.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Ishkr! And Liska, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Erin. Good morning.\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll with red-brown fur and no distinct oddball traits nodded to her. The most-valuable worker and a definite contender for \u2018Employee of the Month\u2019 if Erin ever instituted that program. He nudged his sister and she growled something like \u2018hello\u2019.<\/p>\n Lyonette frowned as Ishkr dragged his sister over to a table. Erin pretended not to hear their growled argument.<\/p>\n \u201cYou say hello.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou said we get breakfast before we work! What\u2019s that smell?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe do. But say hello even if we\u2019re not on our shift! Come on\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSeems tough, having to work with a sister. How\u2019s she doing, Lyonette?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLiska? She\u2019s got a bad attitude but she follows orders so she\u2019s not unmanageable. Not like Maran and Safry.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin winced.<\/p>\n \u201cOh wow. You remember them?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI had a dream about when it was just me and Mrsha in the inn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo kidding? Well, maybe we can get Liska some work where she doesn\u2019t have to smile at people. Like the loading jobs with the Antinium? Unless she has a problem with them or she\u2019s untrustworthy?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Princess] chewed that over as Silveran handed Hexel a packed-lunch\u2014two tidy boxes! Actual boxes<\/em> of wood, mind you. They slid open and kept the heat wonderfully. Imani had improvised them based on the bento<\/em> box from Japan, which Erin had seen. You could put all kinds of food in there and you could bring back the box to cut the price of them.<\/p>\n In Hexel\u2019s case, he made it disappear into a bag of holding and went for a breakfast with Elirr\u2014not that Erin knew about that last part. He slithered out of the inn as Lyonette nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cIt could work. Maybe writing receipts or some of the secretarial jobs. Liska doesn\u2019t seem untrustworthy\u2014just rebellious. Doesn\u2019t like having orders. Although\u2014she works better if I talk to her rather than Ishkr. Brother and sister.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSounds good. And hey\u2014aren\u2019t we sending a lot of um\u2026foods today? F-fish?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin tried to remember. People, that was her job. Only\u2014Lyonette handled the staff and<\/em> the deliveries. The [Princess] gave Erin a long look.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re sending some of the preserved fish and<\/em> a lot of tools from Esthelm to Lord Toldos of House Everight and Lord Alman of House Sanito.\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman stared blankly at Lyonette.<\/p>\n \u201cHow do you remember<\/em> those names?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow do you remember a Magnus-Belgrade Opening?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat doesn\u2019t exist. And that\u2019s different! That\u2019s fun!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin folded her arms defensively. The [Princess] sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cOnly to you, Erin. What\u2019s taking those two so long?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw, let them sleep. Ryoka got in late. She was really worried about Mrsha!\u201d<\/p>\n As the two talked and relaxed, the inn began waking up. Ishkr and his sister took their breakfast and soon the magical door would be letting people in. But Lyonette had decreed to Erin\u2019s agreement that there was a hiatus to the morning\u2019s rush. It was around seven-ish that you could enter via the magic door. Before that\u2014peace reigned.<\/p>\n As Erin was debating whether knowing fork etiquette was less useful than chess patterns, someone else came down the stairs. The arguing duo looked up as a short girl, seemingly only sixteen or something, shaded her face and peered around, keeping well away from the light streaming out of some of the windows.<\/p>\n Erin didn\u2019t recognize her at first. Pale skin, dark hair. And\u2014red eyes. Numbtongue stopped noshing on his food as he recognized one of the guests who had come to the inn. Erin blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cOh! Hello!\u201d<\/p>\n Fierre turned and looked at Erin. The [Innkeeper] felt a\u2026an odd\u2026?<\/p>\n \u201cHello. I heard a shout. Is everything alright?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot at all. That was just uh, an accident. You\u2019re Fierre, right? Come over! Sit down! I haven\u2019t seen Ryoka or that other Runner today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSalamani. Sorry, we did arrive late.\u201d<\/p>\n The Vampire eyed the table where Lyonette and Erin were sitting. It was just far away enough from one of the deadly sunbeams\u2014she edged over.<\/p>\n Erin gave Fierre much the same curious look. She was wearing lots of loose, heavy clothing. Ryoka had said\u2026Fierre was interesting in her last visit. And also that Fierre was her friend from Reizmelt.<\/p>\n The [Innkeeper] politely edged her seat left, blocking one of the aforementioned sunbeams. Lyonette glanced at her as Fierre sat down. The Vampire glanced at Erin, but the [Innkeeper] smiled. And she wondered how much garlic the inn stocked. Scarves\u2014scarves were nice.<\/p>\n Fierre was a Vampire. Erin\u2019s face was perfectly friendly as she asked if Fierre had slept well, and saw the Vampire smile without<\/em> exposing her teeth.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks. Your inn\u2019s quite nice. Far better than the one I stay in at Reizmelt.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m so glad. If you want to have breakfast\u2014we\u2019re waiting on Ryoka.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can wait. Um\u2014you\u2019re Miss Lyonette?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right. Hello again.\u201d<\/p>\n The two smiled at each other. Fierre sniffed at something. And Erin saw her glance at Lyonette\u2019s\u2026neck\u2026for just a second. Or maybe just at her dress?<\/p>\n Now a trio, the three chatted as Fierre stared at Silveran and around at the inn that Ryoka had told her so much about. At Erin Solstice, who Fierre<\/em> had heard about in her work as an Opener and information broker. And at Lyonette.<\/p>\n The [Princess] was the most oblivious one as the [Innkeeper] and Vampire took stock of each other. Erin didn\u2019t know what to think. Fierre was Ryoka\u2019s friend, already making her odd. But not bad. But she was also\u2026<\/p>\n She seemed nice. But it was taking every inch of Erin\u2019s self-control to not ask if Fierre wanted to borrow a coffin for tomorrow night. She really, really<\/em> hoped that whatever Imani was making didn\u2019t have garlic.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After about thirty minutes, Mrsha had enough of being cuddled and finally pushed away to point downstairs. Her stomach had begun rumbling and judging by the way she was sniffing the air, she had scented something nice.<\/p>\n Ryoka\u2019s own stomach began growling; it had been days of quick meals for her, Fierre and Salamani. Especially near the end. She followed Mrsha out of her room after quickly dressing.<\/p>\n She found the little Gnoll staring up at a tall fellow in robes. Especially at Salamani\u2019s lizard-like eyes. The Mage Runner turned as Ryoka came out of her room.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Ryoka. This young Gnoll just met me. I thought I scared her, but she hasn\u2019t said a word.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s Mrsha. You met her last night\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Or had he? Salamani had been bushed from casting [Haste] on all three. The Courier squatted down.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I did, I forget. Hello, Mrsha. Don\u2019t mind the eyes. They\u2019re a gift from Lizardfolk parents.\u201d<\/p>\n Oh.<\/em> Mrsha nodded. Salamani glanced at Ryoka as Mrsha fiddled with her belt.<\/p>\n \u201cShe can\u2019t speak. But she can\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Mrsha handed Salamani a card. This was one of her pre-written lines for those not on the up and up with hand-signs. Salamani blinked, and read it.<\/p>\n Hello, I am Mrsha. I cannot speak but I can write and speak with my paws. Do not pat my head without permission.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cAh, that\u2019s so intelligent! Hello! Do you do handshakes, then?\u201d<\/p>\n The Mage Runner laughed. Mrsha solemnly shook his hand, clearly pleased at being treated like a proper<\/em> adult. In fact\u2014she was so adult that while Ryoka had dressed, Mrsha had put on\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cIs that a kilt?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka stared at Mrsha\u2019s clothing.<\/em> The Gnoll rolled her eyes and nodded. Salamani and Ryoka watched as Mrsha pointed downstairs and made a \u2018come on, I\u2019m hungry<\/em>\u2019 gesture neither of them needed to be taught.<\/p>\n \u201cSo this is the little Gnoll you were so worried about? Does she not usually wear clothing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo! I mean\u2014that\u2019s not a problem! Despite how it sounds! She\u2019s just\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Getting older. Ryoka felt a pang in her chest. Mrsha was talking, wearing clothing, walking around on two legs\u2026was this how parents felt all the time?<\/em> It sort of sucked. At least, the part of Ryoka that told her she\u2019d missed all of this. So rather, it sucked to be an absent parent.<\/p>\n At least, the ones who cared about their children. Ryoka shook her head. She wasn\u2019t Mrsha\u2019s\u2026she could barely look after herself like a proper person, let alone Mrsha. Lyonette was far better.<\/p>\n Speaking of which, Lyonette, Erin, and Fierre were all waiting for them downstairs. Ryoka halted at the steps as she saw Mrsha race over, stop when she saw Fierre, and begin sniffing<\/em> rapidly. The Vampire girl stared down at the Gnoll with some apprehension as Mrsha gave her a long look.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cRyoka! There you are! And\u2014and\u2014Courier-guy!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSalamani! Hello Miss Solstice, thanks for putting me up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, anything for Ryoka\u2019s friends!<\/em> Come on over! We were just having breakfast with Fierre! Imani\u2019s whipping up something in the kitchen. I checked and we\u2019re all good!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin gave Ryoka a wink<\/em> as she turned her head away from the others. Ryoka instantly wanted to die. Erin was already checking for garlic and stuff. She regretted telling Erin about Fierre instantly.<\/p>\n But she hadn\u2019t thought they\u2019d ever meet<\/em>. At least, so soon! Not like this! Fierre gave Ryoka a careful smile as Mrsha handed her a card. The Vampire read it.<\/p>\n \u201cHi, Mrsha. I won\u2019t pat your head. It\u2019s um, very nice to meet you.\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll stuck her paw up importantly for a shake. Fierre gave it a quick grasp and Mrsha nodded. Fierre was approved. The Gnoll clambered up into a seat and patted the one next to her. Ryoka got to sit next to Mrsha, who was next to Lyonette.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just great you\u2019re all here. Hey Silveran! One Mrsha-sized breakfast and five adults!\u201d<\/p>\n Mrsha sighed as Silveran nodded and walked into the kitchen. Salamani stared at the Antinium. So did Fierre, out of the corner of her eyes. They both glanced at Ryoka and she felt a bit\u2014peculiar.<\/p>\n Here was a Courier [Mage] with Lizardfolk ancestry. And a bloody Vampire.<\/em> And they<\/em> thought an Antinium Worker was the weird one?<\/p>\n \u201cSo, uh. Erin. This is Salamani and Fierre. I introduced them last night, but not properly. Everyone, this is Erin, Lyonette, Mrsha\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The others murmured hellos as Salamani caught sight of Numbtongue playing a morning round of cards with two men in hats. Fierre nudged Ryoka and the City Runner\u2019s head went blank for a moment. No way. But hats<\/em> on a Drake and Gnoll? They couldn\u2019t be\u2026<\/p>\n Erin had a knowing look in her eye as she gazed at Wilovan and Ratici. She smiled at Fierre.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you\u2019re a\u2026information person from Reizmelt?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEr\u2026yeah. Sort of like a [Gossip].\u201d<\/p>\n Fierre mumbled, giving Ryoka a sharp look. Erin nodded at the [Mage].<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you\u2019re<\/em> a Courier?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Mage Runner, yes. In debt to Miss Ryoka and Miss Fierre.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhoa. I heard about that. Something about a delivery? It\u2019s great to meet you both! And like I said yesterday\u2014everything\u2019s on the house for Ryoka\u2019s friends.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWithin reason.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette coughed. Erin laughed and Salamani grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can certainly pay\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNah! Ryoka\u2019s friends are my friends! And a Courier? You guys do great work. You know that big delivery of the cure for Yellow Rivers to Baleros? That\u2019s<\/em> amazing. I wish I could give all those Couriers free food for like, a year.\u201d<\/p>\n Fierre and Salamani brightened up. They were a bit awkward with Erin and Lyonette, neither of which they knew, but the television was a universal icebreaker. Salamani leaned forwards with a bit of that shared pride of Runners.<\/p>\n \u201cYou heard about that too?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYup! We\u2019ve got a scrying mirror and saw the entire thing.\u201d<\/p>\n The two saw the blank mirror. Fierre whistled as she beheld the huge mirror, which was as long as Erin and half as tall.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s<\/em> your scrying mirror? That has to cost thousands of gold pieces! Tens of thousands!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin flapped a hand, grinning, but Salamani shot a knowing glance around the room.<\/p>\n \u201cActually, Fierre, it\u2019s temporarily enchanted. Not an artifact\u2014there must be someone who can cast [Scrying].\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Of course.\u201d<\/p>\n The Vampire blushed and Erin looked at Salamani with more respect.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, that\u2019s right! We\u2019ve got some [Mages] from Wistram here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?<\/em> I\u2019m from Wistram! I\u2019d love to meet them.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Innkeeper]\u2019s ready smile tensed just a bit and her eyes flickered to Ryoka. The City Runner shook her head quickly. Fierre stared at Ryoka<\/em> as Erin relaxed. You could write a book on the unspoken dialogue here. Erin nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I\u2019ll introduce you to Palt in a moment. It\u2019s great to meet you like I said, Salamani. You\u2019re like the\u2026one\u2026two\u2026third<\/em> Courier I\u2019ve ever met! No wait\u2026fourth. There was poor Valceif\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka\u2019s face fell and Salamani winced. Then he blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve met four Couriers, Miss Solstice? I know Hawk the Hare lives in Liscor\u2026but there\u2019s that door to Invrisil! Of course!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I met Valceif, and Hawk, and Tritel and Ci. Do you know them?\u201d<\/p>\n The Courier was nodding.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Moonlight Rider? I ran with him on this joint delivery\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat was you?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette and<\/em> Erin sat up and nearly knocked the food Ishkr and Silveran were bringing over. Mrsha sat bolt upright. Here was one of the Couriers from that run? She looked at Ryoka, jaw agape.<\/p>\n There was so much each side didn\u2019t know about the other! Fierre began to look a bit supercilious herself as Salamani began to demur about the newsworthy run.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was just posturing. Those weren\u2019t the best<\/em> [Assassins] the guild had. It was a warning\u2014and three Couriers are hard to stop. But it did get me a lot of free drinks!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo way. We need like\u2014autographs! Ryoka, this is your friend?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Salamani ducked his head.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Griffin\u2019s fairly famous herself, Miss Solstice. Or she will be.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right. She\u2019s the Wind Runner of Reizmelt!\u201d<\/p>\n Fierre grinned at Ryoka, hiding her fangs by turning her head. Erin leaned sideways to see and Ryoka kicked <\/em>her under the table. Lyonette eyed Erin and Ryoka. Salamani nodded at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019ve met Tritel and Ci, you know they\u2019re one of the other Couriers who did that run. And\u2014they\u2019re the ones responsible for the land-delivery of the Yellow Rivers cure you were talking about!\u201d<\/p>\n He waited for Erin to explode with awe at that. The [Innkeeper] blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, yeah. I know that. I hired Tritel to take the cure from the inn.\u201d<\/p>\n Salamani\u2019s jaw dropped. Fierre turned from staring at Numbtongue again as the Goblin cursed and forfeited an uncut emerald.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat was that? Sorry, I have to have misheard.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe cure? Octavia made it. She\u2019s probably still in her shop. She\u2019s an [Alchemist] who lives here. Made it herself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWh\u2014it came from this <\/em>inn? Ryoka, you never said!\u201d<\/p>\n Salamani turned to Ryoka as a plate was put in front of him. Fierre was staring as well. Ryoka shrugged, but she couldn\u2019t wipe the huge smirk off her face. The smug smile on Mrsha\u2019s face was like that of a little gremlin\u2019s. The Gnoll child was enjoying this a lot.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI told you. The Wandering Inn\u2019s big. What\u2019s this, Erin? Did you make it?\u201d<\/p>\n She blinked as Erin peered at the dish Imani had whipped up. Mrsha licked her lips.<\/p>\n In reaction to Erin\u2019s very American breakfasts, Imani had drawn from every recipe she knew\u2014and Palt was an expert on Balerosian cooking. Todays\u2019 breakfast was sumptuous. Imani had made a snack of mandazi<\/em> from her continent, having secured coconut milk by way of Oteslia.<\/p>\n As a nod to Erin\u2019s appeal for sweet, she did have a number of dips, including a bit of Ashfire Bee honey. But that was only one plate. She had a more proper course<\/em> of dishes, including a breakfast dish of packed rice, beans, boiled eggs, and rich avocado that you could spread on some Garry-bread toast.<\/p>\n And more! Ryoka\u2019s mouth was watering and Salamani looked deeply impressed.<\/p>\n \u201cIs this\u2026this is excellent cooking!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s Imani. She\u2019s the new cook, Ryoka.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cImani? <\/em>That frightened girl from\u2014wait\u2014are those annoying br\u2014your friends here, Ryoka?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Fierre started. Erin blinked at her, and so did Lyonette and Mrsha.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know Imani? Kevin, Joseph, Rose\u2014wait, you\u2019re the person who helped get them here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI did!\u201d<\/p>\n The Vampire stared in awe at Kevin and Rose who were eating with Montressa and Bezale. Galina sat Temile\u2019s table.<\/p>\n It was history. The time when the Earthers from Magnolia\u2019s mansion had been a short, if unpleasant, event in Reizmelt where Fierre and Alber had grown thoroughly sick of them. But now they were here. And the pieces\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cWait. Liscor. Is this the place where football<\/em> comes from? I\u2019d love to buy one of the balls! A round dozen\u2014they\u2019d make great souvenirs and some of the [Leatherworkers] would pay a pretty penny for them! And there\u2019s another game, isn\u2019t there?\u201d<\/p>\n Salamani snapped his fingers. Erin grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cBaseball? I can give you a set!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSell you.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette hissed. Salamani blinked at Erin. Then his eyes narrowed as he saw Mrsha\u2019s shit-eating grin stretch wider.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWait a moment. Do you, by any chance, know a Joseph\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n Fierre started as she made the connection. She looked at Ryoka and the City Runner groaned. Here they went again. She spread an avocado on her toast and bit into the rich bite.<\/p>\n Yum.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This was The Wandering Inn. Salamani and Fierre had their own tales of amazement that they thought<\/em> would blow anyone away. Waking the Archmage of Izril? Meeting Mihaela Godfrey? The Wind Runner of Reizmelt?<\/p>\n And certainly, Erin was a great audience to tell it to. She gasped and asked questions and was invested, just like Mrsha, who began slapping Ryoka on the back and looked around proudly as if to say \u2018this is my<\/em> Runner who did all that, you hear?\u2019<\/p>\n Lyonette was just as good; she understood what it meant. But at some point Fierre and Salamani lost the trade of stories and just had to sit back.<\/p>\n The magic door. The attacks on Liscor. Soccer, baseball, the King of Destruction\u2019s letter to Joseph and the famous player himself. A cure for Yellow Rivers? And more\u2014it had all come from here!<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI thought you were making it up! At least 80% of it, Ryoka, whenever you told me about this place!\u201d<\/p>\n Fierre sat back and exclaimed to laughter. Ryoka grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cI couldn\u2019t make it up if I tried. Mind you\u2014Joseph becoming a famous football player is new to me. And so are the other things. Like the broadcast with the Players of Celum.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n She eyed Erin meaningfully and the [Innkeeper] spread her hands out helplessly.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026It was cool?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Players of Celum? Wait\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Salamani and Fierre twisted in their seats and saw the same stage that the [Actors] had performed on. By now, everyone in earshot was enjoying watching the other two\u2019s reactions. It was entertaining to all the \u2018veterans\u2019 of the inn to watch someone being told half of the crazy stories that emerged from this place.<\/p>\n \u201cSay, Miss Solstice, mind telling your two friends how the Players of Celum happened to come about? And where they performed their first shows? In a certain inn?\u201d<\/p>\n Menolit drawled from his table. Fierre and Salamani looked at Erin as she shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cAw, Menolit! It\u2019s not that<\/em> special. They did all the work\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The Vampire and Courier were routed. Beaten into submission. At some point you could only stare. Ryoka was enjoying their looks of awe. Because\u2014Erin Solstice did deserve them.<\/p>\n Her only fear was that Fierre was smart and Salamani was from Wistram. This\u2026could complicate matters. But she was here and Ryoka supposed they would have found out eventually. Better allies than enemies, right?<\/p>\n They were here. And Erin\u2019s modesty over the events that had taken place in her inn was half out of necessity\u2014the Raskghar issue was still something Ryoka worried about.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re in Pallass. Don\u2019t worry, Ryoka. Chaldion has them and he promised they\u2019d get fair trials. No one\u2019s escaping from that jail. Even Saliss says it\u2019d be hard for him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs in\u2014Grand Strategist Chaldion of Pallass. And Saliss of Lights.\u201d<\/p>\n Fierre was in Stage Three of the Solstice Effect: repeating names and staring at Erin because she had to be lying at this point. Ryoka shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd they just\u2026surrendered? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey were sick. Typhenous got \u2018em all. We\u2019re still being careful of Nokha, but we lock everything, including the windows, and Bird\u2019s on night-watch. He keeps shooting bats. Poor guys.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka, does she mean Bird the Hunter?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s an employee.\u201d<\/p>\n The City Runner muttered. At this point, Fierre and Salamani had to tow her away from breakfast.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you messing with me? Because if you are\u2014this is amazing. Ryoka, what is<\/em> this inn?\u201d<\/p>\n The two huddled together, almost fearfully looking around at the laughing guests who sat there as if an Antinium Prognugator gainfully employed at this inn was normal.<\/em> As if the [Innkeeper] being on a first-name basis with the Grand Strategist of Pallass and a Named Adventurer was nothing to be interested in, pass the butter, would you?<\/p>\n It messed with your head. Ryoka looked between them.<\/p>\n \u201cListen. I know it sounds like she\u2019s lying, but that\u2019s really Erin. And she\u2019s telling the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut that\u2019s insane!<\/em> Who is she? Who are\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Fierre bit her lip. Salamani\u2019s eyes were flickering around the room.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t believe it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka challenged them both. She poked at their chests.<\/p>\n \u201cWe<\/em> woke up the Archmage of Izril, like you two keep telling me! We\u2019re rich! Why\u2019s it so hard to imagine?\u201d<\/p>\n The two exchanged a look. And then their backs straightened. They began laughing. It was true. So they bypassed Stage Five of the Solstice-effect: being afraid of the inn and the [Innkeeper] and moved into Stage Six, hilarity and Stage Seven, acceptance.<\/p>\n This was The Wandering Inn. And it could be as grand as anything, or as silly as Mrsha smearing avocado on her cheeks to copy Numbtongue\u2019s war paint. The trick was to roll with it.<\/p>\n \u201cSo. Now you\u2019re here, what shall we do? And are you going to stay for a while? Because I think we all need that.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin beamed at Ryoka as the three came back to the table. Ryoka sat down slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know. We have to get an appointment with Hedault. He owes me a favor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can help! We\u2019ve got a line to Hedault with Montressa and Beza.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka eyed Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve\u2026met Hedault?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. I don\u2019t think he likes me.\u201d<\/p>\n No kidding?<\/em> Salamani raised his brows, at this point too numb by all the revelations to care that Erin knew the best [Enchanter] in Invrisil. Ryoka shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to visit Lady Ieka if she\u2019s still in residence. Salamani\u2019s contacts say she is. And\u2014Hedault, see what needs selling, and meet with\u2026other people.\u201d<\/p>\n Magnolia Reinhart. If she was still even in Izril after the attack.<\/em> But Salamani shouldn\u2019t know about that. Fierre gave Ryoka a significant look. Erin started.<\/p>\n \u201cOh yeah. And while you\u2019re at it, you should meet with someone else. Maviola. I wrote to you about her, Ryoka. She can help with your big event.\u201d<\/p>\n Fierre and Salamani\u2019s brows snapped together. It couldn\u2019t be. Ryoka sat up.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, that too.\u201d<\/p>\n The crazy plan that Teriarch had come up with was coming true.<\/em> Somehow\u2014it was the Erin-effect. The [Innkeeper] smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cOne step at a time. Come on. We\u2019ll go together. We have a lot to catch up on!\u201d<\/p>\n She held out a hand to Ryoka and the City Runner smiled. She took Erin\u2019s hand and the young woman began to chatter as Mrsha leapt onto Ryoka\u2019s shoulders and demanded to go along too. Fierre was shaking her head and taking notes. Salamani had just noticed Temile and Mons and Bezale were sizing the Courier up as a fellow Wistram [Mage].<\/p>\n And as Erin led them towards the door, it happened. The group of five\u2014Lyonette was seeing to the deliveries downstairs in the basement and delivery ramp\u2014heard a rumble of voices from outside suddenly. Erin stopped in her tracks.<\/p>\n \u201cWhoa, that\u2019s a lot of\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n And then the door blew open, divulging a bevy, a host, an army<\/em> of people. Almost all Drakes, but with some exceptions like Bevussa and her team, a few Gnolls, a Dullahan or two and Garuda\u2014<\/p>\n And voices. Arguing, demanding\u2014Ryoka backed up as Mrsha pulled on her head as if to guide Ryoka like a horse. Erin stared.<\/p>\n The magical door had opened and poor Ishkr was being flattened against a wall as people surged through. From Pallass.<\/em> The door actually drained itself of mana and began flickering as the ambient mana tried to resupply itself. But the first wave was already a babble.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014here from Pallass. Hello, I\u2019m a [Senator]<\/em>, make way, make way\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hear there\u2019s another party with Liscor and the Hectval situation! Where\u2019s the gemstone cake? And we\u2019re here about the Players of Celum coming to our city\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRaskghar. Yes, the Raskghar<\/em> situation. You there. Where\u2019s your Watch Captain? I have two<\/em> Watch Captains and we won\u2019t be kept waiting for\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The people in the inn stared at the volume of largely important and self-important people coming through the door. And as if by design or chance, they heard a similar uproar coming from outside<\/em> the inn.<\/p>\n \u201cJustice for Liscor! We want to see the Raskghar tried and executed! Where\u2019s the Grand Strategist?\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWhy did the magical door go out?\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI want to go to Pallass <\/em>now!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI just wanted that hamburger\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n A second crowd had, after discovering the magic door wasn\u2019t yet working, marched from the gates to the inn, having to walk<\/em> to get here.<\/p>\n Erin looked at Ryoka and Fierre and Salamani. They were confused\u2014Mrsha tensed again. Ryoka reached up to squeeze her paw.<\/p>\n Really, it was predictable. Erin should have known, but she\u2019d forgotten that \u2018the end\u2019 that she\u2019d presumed to yesterday wasn\u2019t an end at all. She had made the fire of mercy, found a solution to help Zevara.<\/p>\n But were the Raskghar dead? No. Was Liscor\u2019s time with Hectval up? No. Were the Players of Celum in Pallass? Not at all. The first wave of Pallass\u2019 dignitaries moved into the inn and Erin found another chaotic mess on her hands.<\/p>\n For once\u2014not hers. She could happily kick this lot to Liscor and send the objectors and justice-seekers to Pallass. She knew only Bevussa, Keldrass, and a few other Gold-rank Captains who\u2019d come through to be dignified and socialize and hobnob and blather on. It was Maviola\u2019s problem, and the Council\u2019s, and anyone who wanted to use the magic door today. The [Innkeeper] almost relaxed.<\/p>\n \u201cHey. So\u2026where\u2019s Pallass\u2019<\/em> list of people, huh? Didn\u2019t get that today.\u201d<\/p>\n She grinned around. Then her head snapped back up.<\/p>\n One last person had come through the door\u2014despite it being \u2018empty\u2019 of magical power. But then\u2014he\u2019d charged it up. And he came through the crowd like a killer whale among dolphins. At least\u2014in pure physical size.<\/p>\n Grimalkin of Pallass walked forwards, his head on a swivel. And it might have been nothing. But Erin had a premonition. She knew the Sinew Magus. And sure enough\u2014he stopped as his head found one person in the chaos of it all.<\/p>\n Ryoka Griffin. The huge Drake folded his arms and looked past her in less than a moment. But Erin had seen his eyes linger because she\u2019d been watching him. She did not see Lady Salkis take one look at Ryoka and practically dive<\/em> back through the door to Pallass. She did not see Troy and Leon on the other side, waiting for the next group of Pallass\u2019 dignitaries to come through.<\/p>\n The thing that Erin had forgotten was that her great friend, Ryoka Griffin, was back. And if Erin had a tendency towards great events, both bad and good\u2014Ryoka Griffin?<\/p>\n She just tended to bring trouble.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lism woke up to the chanting from outside and stared blankly ahead. Time was, he\u2019d have been part of the crowd demanding justice from a Councilmember. Who had decided it was a good idea to bully political figures in person? Oh\u2014right. His campaign.<\/p>\n For a second, the Drake just stared blearily ahead. Then he felt the warm, furry shape next to him move<\/em> and had a sudden burst of adrenaline and panic.<\/p>\n \u201cScale splinters.<\/em> Krshia, wake up!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He shook the Gnoll and heard a growl.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe have protestors!\u201d<\/p>\n It took the other [Shopkeeper] a second to understand what the issue was. Then Krshia\u2019s head shot up.<\/p>\n Protestors. Complaining about the Raskghar. Wanting justice. Perfectly understandable. Lism was on their side. Krshia? She\u2019d go down there and shake claws and paws and tell them justice would be served.<\/em><\/p>\n The issue was if they both came out of Lism\u2019s apartment. Together. And there were Gnolls and Drakes down there.<\/p>\n \u201cUh\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Lism\u2019s mind went blank. But Krshia was already moving. She grabbed her clothing, looking around the room, and cursed.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s my bag of holding?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOver there? No, wait\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Lism fumbled about. He was slow in the mornings, but Krshia was too youthful for her age. She had her bag of holding and was tearing through it in a moment. She found a vial, poured a bit of the liquid around on her clothing, and then splashed Lism with it.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n He blinked at her stupidly as the liquid ran down his face and front.<\/p>\n \u201cScent-destroying potion, you idiot, Lism! Put some fresh clothes on, and take a rinse! Wear some old clothing, even, that hasn\u2019t been washed!\u201d<\/p>\n She hissed at him as she hunted around. Lism took a moment to rub at his face.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re dead.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo we\u2019re not. Stop panicking.\u201d<\/p>\n Lism wasn\u2019t panicking. He\u2019d looked at it from all angles. He tapped Krshia on the back.<\/p>\n \u201cKrshia\u2014there\u2019s no back way out of my apartments. Even if you were a [Thief]\u2014they\u2019d see you jump out the window.\u201d<\/p>\n She ignored that.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll meet at City Hall. I have to meet this Hectval delegation. Stop panicking, Lism. I have this contained, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no access to the sewers either, Krshia. Look\u2014I\u2019ll go out there and try<\/em> to talk to them. They\u2019ll disperse after a while\u2014you slip away when no one\u2019s watching. Maybe\u2014maybe I can get that Human to cause a distraction\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She growled.<\/p>\n \u201cLism. Don\u2019t be an idiot. Do you think I didn\u2019t think of this possibility? I am prepared. I\u2019ll see you at City Hall.\u201d<\/p>\n He stared at her. She had her clothes on, and now she pulled something out of her bag of holding. It was\u2026a scroll.<\/p>\n \u201cIs that\u2014?\u201d<\/p>\n She rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cI knew you<\/em> wouldn\u2019t think of a backup plan.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake\u2019s jaw dropped. He saw Krshia unfurl the scroll and the pre-programmed coordinates made her fur light up. It wasn\u2019t a high-quality one\u2014so the two stared at each other for nearly half a minute as light began to draw a circle around Krshia on the floor.<\/p>\n \u201cEr\u2026that\u2019s very well thought out, Krshia.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s basic thinking, Lism. Speaking of which\u2014do you have anything of Alonna\u2019s? Or another female Drake? A Gnoll would be even better. Rub it on your clothing\u2014just in case\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Pop.<\/em> She vanished. Lism stared at the spot Krshia had been, finally waking up and shaking off the dread that had engulfed him.<\/p>\n She had a plan. No wonder she\u2019d wanted to buy something from that Minotauress and been so happy about having a [Spellscribe] in the city! Lism breathed again. That was Krshia Silverfang for you. Had backup plans for when things went south.<\/p>\n That was why he liked her. Lism began to hum under his breath as he hunted for clothing and checked his reflection for dead scales. Then he went out and became Councilmember Lism.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When Liscor\u2019s Council met that day, they had a lot to do. So they had a working breakfast. Jeiss and Alonna gave Lism a long<\/em> look after he arrived last, Elirr having beaten him by a few seconds.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, protestors caught me. I assume all of you had the same issue?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey found me when I was taking my kids to the park. I had to call for backup.\u201d<\/p>\n Jeiss muttered. He looked at Krshia, who muttered something in the affirmative. Alonna stared at Lism for a long moment.<\/p>\n \u201cThey uh\u2014got to my apartment as well. Glad you and Krshia\u2026and Elirr and everyone else made it out.\u201d<\/p>\n Lism was still somewhat distracted, so he missed the note in her voice. Krshia\u2014did not. She gave Raekea a swift look\u2014the Gnoll had her face in her paws.<\/p>\n The secret was out. At least\u2014to everyone but Tismel and Zalaiss. The two Drakes looked rather pleased with themselves, which was unusual, but Lism conceded they\u2019d done actual work yesterday.<\/p>\n \u201cElirr? Raekea? How\u2019d you fare?\u201d<\/p>\n Raekea seemed fine, if a bit heated for some reason. But the [Beast Trainer] looked well and truly rattled.<\/p>\n \u201cI had er\u2014protestors at my shop. Scared myself and Hexel to death. We were going over plans for the city.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s working at all hours. I\u2019m sorry they bothered you.\u201d<\/p>\n Lism was impressed by Elirr\u2019s dedication. The Gnoll exhaled.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, work. Not at all startling to have two dozen people banging on your door demanding justice.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, it\u2019s a valid concern. The Raskghar situation and the delegation from Hectval\u2014we\u2019ve made splendid<\/em> progress on both sides. Should we recap and break? Who wants to go first?\u201d<\/p>\n The Council began to eat and talk and catch the other side up on what had happened. Lism rubbed his claws together as he heard about Pallass.<\/p>\n \u201cRaskghar contained in Pallass\u2019 prison by the Grand Strategist himself? That\u2019s fine work! That damn H\u2014Miss Erin Solstice really pulled through for us. We should commend her. Later. When this is all done.\u201d<\/p>\n Krshia eyed Lism, but he was in a munificent mood. It really was a neat solution. Raekea nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Pallass wants to talk on the issue. But we can combine that with our second problem. Or not a problem? I hear the delegation was far more\u2026amenable yesterday. It was a grand success of a reception, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n The four Councilmembers nodded proudly. Alonna, Lism, Tismel, and Zalaiss had nothing but good things to say about their interactions.<\/p>\n \u201cI think they had the wrong impression of us, I really do. The Scalespeaker\u2014Yisht\u2014was nothing but cordial to us. Beyond cordial. The drink might have had something to do with that, but we really impressed them\u2014and Pallass\u2014<\/em>with that reception. I\u2019m hoping Miss Maviola can help us repeat the stunt.\u201d<\/p>\n The others nodded. Lism felt a surge of excitement as he nodded around the table. Of course, he and Krshia had caught each other up yesterday at dinner so part of it was pretense. But it really felt like everything was coming up Lism, for once.<\/p>\n \u201cI suggest we put together a second