On that day, it began with meetings.<\/p>\n
The Wandering Inn was as of yet dark as the Worker crept up through the inn. He noted how messy it was as he edged through the common room. No blood, though. Which Bird took to be a good sign.<\/p>\n
He hadn\u2019t been here. He had, in fact, been away from the inn most of the day and night. He\u2019d even missed his precious salt-bird, and he hoped Erin hadn\u2019t forgotten.<\/p>\n
The Worker slowly walked up the stairs. First floor\u2014Erin, his room, and others. But he hadn\u2019t been there. He\u2019d been in the secret place with some other co-conspirators. Working on the secret thing. Then he\u2019d gone to the Hive.<\/p>\n
It was too dangerous to try to work in his room. Little Mrshas kept wandering in and all that hammering and so on would be noticed, even as thick as the walls were. Also\u2014the explosions.<\/p>\n
Anyways, Bird had learned something.<\/p>\n
Ballistae were hard to make.<\/p>\n
This was an observation he\u2019d solemnly shared with his other Worker-Antinium in the Painted Antinium\u2019s barracks. Officially, Bird had quit the Free Hive. But he came by now and then because no one had ever stopped him but Klbkch.<\/p>\n
\u201cShips are also hard to make float, according to Anand.\u201d<\/p>\n
Belgrade had relayed that to Bird. Since the [Hunter] had no interest in ships, he\u2019d listened as Pawn, Belgrade, Garry, and Bird all tried the newest recipe from Garry\u2019s kitchen. Worm In A Blanket. Only, the blanket wasn\u2019t a blanket, but bread.<\/p>\n
The worm was a worm.<\/p>\n
The point was that Bird needed to try again. Also, he needed more wood and better rope than the string they used in candles. He passed the second floor, with the Players of Celum and some of the guests. Onto the third\u2026<\/p>\n
Hm. A new room was occupied. Bird peered at the new nameplate, but it was too dark since the sun had yet to rise. He walked towards the final staircase leading to his yet-unfinished tower. The early hour didn\u2019t bother him. If he didn\u2019t get morning birds, he\u2019d get night birds, with their soft furry bodies and weird wings. There were always birds.<\/p>\n
The sun was rising beyond the High Passes as Bird opened the trapdoor to his tower. Someday, there would be a much bigger tower. Taller, with a ballista and other things. For now\u2014<\/p>\n
Someone was in Bird\u2019s tower. He stiffened. Was it the annoying Drake again? Who was in his tower?<\/em> Bird looked up\u2014<\/p>\n And there sat Badarrow. The Hobgoblin was stringing his bow, lounging in the hammock Bird had made and staring out across the lightening Floodplains. You could tell it was Badarrow.<\/p>\n They looked different, Numbtongue and Badarrow. One had longer features around the nose and different facial bones. One weighed more than the other, and Badarrow tended to be more Pisces-like in how he behaved. They wore their paint differently, dressed differently\u2014only someone who didn\u2019t know Goblins could ever mistake them.<\/p>\n Bird stopped. He peered at Badarrow. The Hobgoblin looked up.<\/p>\n \u201cHey.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood morning. Badarrow.\u201d<\/p>\n Slowly, Bird walked around the Hobgoblin. He looked around for birds, turned to peer at the Hobgoblin again. Badarrow strung his bow.<\/p>\n \u201cLots of bats. You hunting?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes? Yes.\u201d<\/p>\n They\u2019d done this before. Bird paused in stringing his bow. He looked Badarrow up and down. And up and down again. Then he reached out and poked him.<\/p>\n The Hob swatted away the finger. Bird hesitated, then spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have been gone for a while, Badarrow.\u201d<\/p>\n The Hob shrugged nonchalantly.<\/p>\n \u201cJust for a bit. Got any good birds?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Sniper] turned his head to hide the grin. He\u2019d asked Numbtongue for the words to say that properly. Bird tilted his head back and forth, antennae waving for a while. Then he replied.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026I shot a big flying bird the other day. A goose. But it was a pet. I still got to keep it. I will give you some later, if you want, Badarrow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood. Thank.\u201d<\/p>\n The Hob sat up, aimed, and loosed in one motion. Bird saw a large Dropbat fall out of the skies. Badarrow grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cSnack. I\u2019ll get.\u201d<\/p>\n He turned, to head down the stairs. As Badarrow opened the trapdoor, four arms encircled him. He paused.<\/p>\n \u201cHuggy. I am glad you are alive.\u201d<\/p>\n Bird squeezed<\/em>. And Badarrow grinned and laughed. The laughter\u2014woke the young woman who\u2019d been dozing with her windows open. She started for a second.<\/p>\n Had it been a dream?<\/em> But then she heard the laughter and the voices. She lay back, but the smile on her face drew her out of bed. And the inn awoke. To laughter, relief. Someone who hadn\u2019t actually been dead wasn\u2019t dead.<\/em> But it more felt like they\u2019d come back to life. They\u2019d returned, a lost friend, a guest.<\/p>\n Family. And all was well.<\/p>\n Meetings.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bird was still holding onto Badarrow when they came downstairs. He had two arms free, but he hadn\u2019t let go.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I let go, he might vanish. He is back. Look, Erin. I found him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou missed<\/em> him, Bird! You were gone all last night! I looked for you, but you were off!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was\u2026doing nothing eventful at all. Yes. I went for a walk.\u201d<\/p>\n On another day, Erin Solstice would have investigated that lie right away. But she just filed it for later. She beamed and decided to hug Badarrow too.<\/p>\n \u201cGet off. Too much hugs.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Sniper] added another word that Erin didn\u2019t recognize in the Goblin\u2019s tongue. She beamed and kissed him on the cheek.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll get more hugs!\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobgoblin growled and blushed. But he\u2019d been smothered nonstop all night and it didn\u2019t look like the rain of kisses was going to end soon. Forecast: affection.<\/p>\n Erin was pulling out food from the kitchen.<\/p>\n \u201cHere, Bird. And Badarrow, since you\u2019re up. Saltbird. I mean, one of those geese from the Djinni\u2019s Spoon\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOooh.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Bird let go of Badarrow to stare at the encrusted bird. Badarrow peered at it too, very interested. Erin winked.<\/p>\n \u201cImani\u2019s asleep. You have to meet her properly too, Badarrow! She runs the kitchen so you can\u2019t just walk in, but she\u2019s still sleeping. This is a \u2018saltbird\u2019. You don\u2019t eat the salt, unless you want to. Help yourselves!\u201d<\/p>\n She knew from experience that Hobgoblins tended to have second stomachs no matter how much they ate. And Bird had informed her that he\u2019d forgotten to eat an acutal meal for the last sixteen hours. Where had he gone?<\/p>\n Erin brought out drinks, blue juice, to find that the two had become three. She paused, just for a moment.<\/p>\n Snapjaw looked up. The Hob eyed Erin as the [Innkeeper] smiled. Snapjaw didn\u2019t exactly lean back, but she sidled over.<\/p>\n \u201cHuman kiss Badarrow?<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFriend.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Sniper] clarified. Snapjaw shrugged. She\u2019d been lured by the siren call of food.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Snapjaw\u2026right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cErin Solstice. I am Snapjaw.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin blinked. They\u2019d introduced themselves, but again, in that flurry of Mrsha clinging to Badarrow\u2019s head and Numbtongue shouting, demanding to know where Rabbiteater was, if the others\u2014now she looked Snapjaw up and down.<\/p>\n Big head.<\/em> Snapjaw did indeed resemble a certain [Sand Mage]\u2019s creations, although Erin just equated Snapjaw to other figurines from her world. And my, what big teeth she had!<\/p>\n \u201cSnapjaw speaks good words.\u201d<\/p>\n Badarrow informed Erin. His<\/em> words were better, but Snapjaw sounded fluent. She bared her teeth at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cBadarrow wanted to come here. Chieftain wanted to come here. You are Erin Solstice. The Human with the flag. I saw you, before.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBef\u2014oh. You were\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Not a Redfang.<\/em> Nor, Erin thought, on the side of the Goblins who\u2019d come with her. She would have remembered, and the way Snapjaw spoke?<\/p>\n The Goblin Lord. She looked at Badarrow, uncertainly. He shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cGoblin Lord dead. Garen dead. Snapjaw\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He shrugged as if to say \u2018it\u2019s how it is\u2019. Neither forgiveness nor condemnation. Too many Goblins had died. Erin nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Snapjaw. I\u2026hope you know you\u2019re welcome. You and Badarrow. Anything you want, tell me! Just be careful with the others\u2014it\u2019s safe here, usually.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know. I read sign.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Big Eater] pointed. Erin beamed.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can read? And\u2026here, Bird, don\u2019t do that.\u201d<\/p>\n The Antinium was angling his head, trying to bite off a huge piece of the goose. Erin went for her knife and Snapjaw and Badarrow produced theirs at once. Snapjaw eyed Erin\u2019s kitchen knife.<\/p>\n \u201cNice blade.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you! Here\u2014have a piece of goose, and for you, Badarrow\u2026let\u2019s eat. Quietly\u2014everyone\u2019s asleep.\u201d<\/p>\n Snapjaw chewed her bite slowly, rather than gulping it down like Erin had assumed. She smiled hugely<\/em> though.<\/p>\n \u201cVery tasty!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know, right? Badarrow, help yourself. It\u2019s so good to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Erin trailed off. She pinched herself surreptitiously. But after the sharp pain, he was still there. And Rags was alive. And Rabbiteater\u2026<\/p>\n Crunch, crunch.<\/em> Erin turned and saw Snapjaw eating a pile of salt off her plate. Erin opened her mouth. Snapjaw shoveled what might have been a fatal dose of salt into her mouth, and crunched happily. There was not enough saliva in the world for that bite, but she licked her lips and went for a second.<\/p>\n The new things and old things. Erin turned to Badarrow. She looked at Snapjaw, whom he was regarding so fondly.<\/p>\n \u201cOh!<\/em> No way!\u201d<\/p>\n For once, Erin got it without having to be told. Badarrow looked away shyly. But Erin was beaming.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n People who weren\u2019t beaming: Numbtongue, when he first awoke. When he thought it had all been a dream and he was lying on the battlefield, dreaming a happy dream before the stranger with no eyes found him and told him to live.<\/em> Of course, then he beamed as he ran downstairs.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd where is it? In the High Passes? Is it safe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSafer than anywhere else. Lots of dangerous things. Just not Humans. Adventurers. Chieftain is smart. Has many traps. Big rocks fall trap crushed thing that looks like Goblins. Very bad-bad. Got away.\u201d<\/p>\n Snapjaw\u2019s voice floated up to Numbtongue as he stared at the quartet. He relaxed. Badarrow turned and beamed. Erin looked up too. She had not their night vision, but she knew.<\/p>\n \u201cNumbtongue! Come down! Did we wake you? Sorry!\u201d<\/p>\n He was about to say they hadn\u2019t. Numbtongue hurried downstairs, staring at Snapjaw, who eyed him with half-wariness, Badarrow, whom Numbtongue had too much to say to\u2014<\/p>\n He sat next to Erin. They were brothers, Badarrow and he. But something had changed. Not their affection for each other. Just\u2014something. But both wanted to talk, so much.<\/p>\n Yet\u2014the second person who wasn\u2019t smiling? Numbtongue looked past Snapjaw and saw the ghostly figure, real and unreal.<\/p>\n Reiss.<\/em> The Goblin Lord sat there, looking at Snapjaw\u2019s back. Numbtongue shifted. He had not said to Badarrow half the things he had done or seen. And this? The Goblin Lord broke away from looking at Snapjaw and he said the same thing as yesterday.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t tell her that I am here. Please.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n She was smiling and grinning and chewing on salt. Reiss looked at her with sorrow and shame and regret. Numbtongue\u2019s smile slipped for just a moment.<\/p>\n Erin thoughtfully traced the line of his sight. As did everyone else, but they affected not to notice. Everyone had secrets.<\/p>\n \u201cSo\u2014is it within four hundred miles of the inn? That\u2019s all I\u2019m asking.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe?\u201d<\/p>\n Snapjaw and Badarrow replied after a long pause. They had not given details. Erin took a deep breath.<\/p>\n \u201cI could give you a magic stone. If<\/em> you thought it was okay\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Badarrow nodded instantly. Snapjaw was more coy.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe you give us the stone, sure. Or we ask Chieftain if she wants the stone. Chieftain likes Human. But Goblinhome is secret.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI get that. I do. And I completely agree. Just\u2014stay for a while, please? And when you go, take all the food you want! Promise?\u201d<\/p>\n Snapjaw nodded and smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cPromise.\u201d<\/p>\n It was hard to hate someone who indulged her love of food like Erin. Still\u2014she remembered. This was one of Reiss\u2019 deaths. And Numbtongue\u2014was eying her. She wondered if they\u2019d have to have a fight to the death. Probably not\u2014but a few such duels had occurred between the Goblin Lord\u2019s forces and Redfangs or other Goblins who couldn\u2019t accept it.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s go back to Rabbiteater. Where is he?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNorth. Lost track of him. With shiny [Knights].\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue stirred. Yes, they\u2019d gotten to this too. Badarrow grimaced and Snapjaw looked down.<\/p>\n \u201cBad spirits, Rabbiteater. Should have come here but too sad, thinking Numbtongue dead.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow far? We should find him.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Sniper]\u2019s ears twitched. We.<\/em> He looked at Numbtongue.<\/p>\n \u201cFar. Very far, very fast. On horses. But\u2014magic door?\u201d<\/p>\n He glanced at Erin. Numbtongue nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll bring him back. Promise.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin nodded slowly. Definitely. Rabbiteater and Badarrow had lived. She felt\u2014<\/p>\n She felt so much that she was going to start crying. Again. And she hadn\u2019t stopped for two hours last night. To stave that off, because she didn\u2019t want to distress anyone, Erin looked at Snapjaw. She\u2019d happy-cry later. Or sad-cry, as the case might be.<\/p>\n \u201cSo you\u2019re an\u2026[Eater]?\u201d<\/p>\n Snapjaw had, with a bit of help from Bird and the Hobs, eaten almost all of the salt-baked goose. Bird was gnawing on bones\u2014she paused in chewing hers to pieces with ease.<\/p>\n \u201cYes. I was a [Biter]. Now, [Eater]. I eat, I get strong.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat, that\u2019s it?\u201d<\/p>\n The female Goblin grinned at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cBest class. You have more food? Badarrow say\u2014says, all the time\u2014The Wandering Inn has pizzas, more food than anyone<\/em> can eat. Kindest Human, too. I laugh and laugh.\u201d<\/p>\n She peered at Erin innocently. The [Innkeeper] laughed and Badarrow blushed. Erin got up.<\/p>\n \u201cI have tons of food. More than\u2014well, you can certainly have a pizza! Hold on!\u201d<\/p>\n She brought out one in five minutes, after heating it up. Snapjaw took a bite, a small one, chewed, and smiled.<\/em> Then she began eating.<\/p>\n Not fast. She didn\u2019t eat fast, Erin noticed, unless she had to or it was something like the salt. But she never stopped<\/em>. Nor did her stomach seem to be the limiting factor of her intake.<\/p>\n She ate, she grew stronger. And she loved<\/em> to eat. She broke off from the pizza to look at Erin solemnly and tell her that she had excellent <\/em>food. Erin was delighted! She only hoped that Mrsha didn\u2019t decide to copy Snapjaw\u2019s class.<\/p>\n The five were talking as the sun rose. Snapjaw revealed one of her Skills\u2014[Body: Restore Stamina], as well as a Skill close<\/em> to Hawk\u2019s [Physical Overdrive]. However, both relied on her stores of energy from food.<\/p>\n Erin decided Snapjaw should have some of the lovely roasted corn Imani had made\u2014Ryoka had provided some amazing<\/em> corn she\u2019d gotten from a farm up north\u2014a lasagna, and some ice cream. Everyone else was already full.<\/p>\n And soon they had company. A Gnoll raced downstairs, saw Badarrow, and leapt into his arms. Only then did Snapjaw lose her big smile as she ate. She stared at Mrsha and Erin saw her<\/em> guilt as the Hobgoblin slowly edged away. Mrsha didn\u2019t even notice as she resumed the kiss-storm and hugs.<\/p>\n Time enough for that. And the Garden. And\u2026Erin saw other people filing downstairs. People peripheral to the Goblin event, who were not happy to see Badarrow and Snapjaw specifically, but happy that Erin was happy. She waved at Palt, Imani, who was eying the huge amount of food the Goblin was eating, and the others.<\/p>\n Yet there it was. There were<\/em> dark spots in the sunshine. Things you had to reckon with. But do it together.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The last person with no smile that day heading for The Wandering Inn was Maviola El. She walked slowly.<\/p>\n Not\u2026with physical exhaustion or limitations. Just over a month ago, she would have had to be pushed; walking was beyond her, then. And for years, her body had refused to let her dance or move with a spring in her step.<\/p>\n If it was tiredness, it was tiredness of the soul. And\u2026more than that, the fear of it still clung to her like a musk.<\/p>\n Terror. Again, not the kind you thought of. Immediate horror? No. This was a dread, like waking into<\/em> a nightmare.<\/p>\n Maviola El was old. Her body was still young\u2014but that was because she had reverted to the actual Potion of Youth. Not the\u2026<\/p>\n Names were important. The [Lady Firestarter] tried to come up with a proper name for the two. She was no [Alchemist]. But one she would call a \u2018Potion of Youth\u2019. It gave you\u2026temporary youth. Your body returned, and you could relive that glorious energy, that time in your life. It was not forever; it was a thing for the old.<\/p>\n One last hurrah. But the second potion that Saliss of Lights had made was different. Call it, then\u2014a Draught of Time\u2019s Return. Yes, something like that. Because it took you back. Not just body, but mind<\/em>.<\/p>\n Soul. And it terrified Maviola El, the older. She still remembered everything with perfect detail. She had blazed as she had as a young woman, more reckless, and perhaps more alive, more daring.<\/p>\n But more foolish as well. It had been like being possessed by her old self. And it frightened<\/em> her.<\/p>\n Saliss had promised to try to keep her alive longer. He had managed it with a new ingredient.<\/p>\n Erin\u2019s mysterious yellow flowers that were so magical. He had simplified his Potion of Youth. But the cost! The cost was her.<\/em> It frightened Maviola, because she feared he could make the potion, and many more doses. Enough to keep her alive longer? If he leveled and if the flowers could be grown in profusion\u2026<\/p>\n But no. That was a terrible path. The same path she had refused. And worse\u2014the choice was even clearer than when the Spider had come to her, the Temptress. Maviola had felt it.<\/p>\n For Maviola to live, this<\/em> Maviola would die. And in her place would spring forth the same young woman who had lived nearly a century ago. What was the most sinister part of all of this? Saliss offered it out of good intent.<\/p>\n And it tempted<\/em> Maviola. Could she not\u2026live? Did she not deserve to try? To fight death, that unfair thing that snatched children away with the same careless malice as the old?<\/p>\n \u201cNever.\u201d<\/p>\n She had one last true Potion of Youth. The other\u2026Saliss had offered her another. Maviola looked down.<\/p>\n One shone like golden sunlight in her hand. It was unreal, a color of magic that dimmed even the viridian liquid in the second vial. But one would lead her down\u2026<\/p>\n One more year. If I had one year, I could teach Olesm everything. Maybe find a solution that didn\u2019t take me from me. I just need time. So many have managed it\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n She clenched her hand\u2014but lightly. Afraid to crush the two vials, as if she could have shattered the enchanted glass. Maviola was afraid.<\/p>\n So she came to the inn where her trial had begun. And found it revolving around someone other than her. Well, that was fine.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have so much to do!<\/em> Where\u2019s Ryoka? Fierre? Oh\u2014Maviola! Look! We\u2019ve got two more guests!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGoblins?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Lady] stopped in her tracks. Of all the things\u2014she looked at Snapjaw and Badarrow. Bright<\/em> Goblins too. Close to the level of Chieftains, or a Tribe\u2019s best warriors.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat madness are you bringing here, Erin?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Innkeeper] stopped and looked Maviola up and down. She was rushing around as her guests came downstairs.<\/p>\n \u201cMaviola? You\u2019re\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m back.\u201d<\/p>\n Maviola remembered visiting the inn as younger Maviola. Erin Solstice, even the little Mrsha-child had noticed the change. Erin looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cDid Saliss\u2019 potion wear off? Is he helping? He\u2019s been weird the last few days. I haven\u2019t seen him since two days ago, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt wore off. And yes\u2014he has been helping. I feel more like myself. Do you\u2014what\u2019s this about?\u201d<\/p>\n Maviola shuddered and reached\u2014forgetting she no longer wore the shawl that kept her warm all the time. Sitting in a chair, giving orders\u2026being wheeled about by Zedalien\u2026<\/p>\n But she had to remember the decades since she was young. Better to be old, surely? But looking at Erin\u2014Maviola wanted to blaze like that. To forget what a lifetime of regrets had made. She looked at the Goblins. She caught the [Innkeeper]\u2019s sleeve.<\/p>\n \u201cTheir kind was what the Goblin Lord was made of, Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman turned back.<\/p>\n \u201cI know. Snapjaw was Reiss\u2019 lieutenant.\u201d<\/p>\n Maviola\u2019s eyes widened.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you let her\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo what? Live?<\/em> She\u2019s not evil, Maviola. I don\u2019t think Reiss\u2026they\u2019re Goblins.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd they crave a King.<\/em> You\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The [Lady] cut herself off. Erin was looking at her defiantly.<\/p>\n \u201cIsn\u2019t this what you told me to do, Maviola? Take care of people? Make them better? I\u2019m doing just that! Even if it\u2019s just feeding Snapjaw. She ate like\u2014more than everyone else combined.\u201d<\/p>\n She pointed at the [Big Eater] who was indeed putting away hamburgers now. Imani seemed to be trying to clear Erin\u2019s fast-food stocks out using Snapjaw as the disposal method.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014there is danger, Erin. But I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Maviola hesitated. And she felt two Maviolas trying to speak through her. One\u2014her\u2014wanted to tell Erin that there was<\/em> a difference between Goblins and other species. Her generosity and aid was not<\/em> best used impartially!<\/p>\n The other wanted to give Goblins a chance. Perhaps she\u2019d been wrong? Yes! The younger her would have tried<\/em> if she\u2019d met Erin. She might be wrong about the Antinium. She had been wrong in some points about the Drakes, she realized, after meeting Olesm.<\/p>\n Perhaps the younger Maviola was the better. Not scarred by so many failures. And yet\u2014Maviola El, matriarch of the House of El, raged against her younger self. She had not lived<\/em> to be cast aside!<\/p>\n Erin looked at Maviola and saw the dilemma. She turned.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t you talk to Snapjaw and Badarrow before you make a decision, Maviola? Come on\u2014you look like you\u2019re exhausted.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am. A bit. I\u2019ve\u2026Saliss\u2019 potion has its drawbacks.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin brought Maviola over to a table. The [Innkeeper] sat Maviola down.<\/p>\n \u201cI can see that. Sorry for being snappy\u2014you look awful.<\/em> Where\u2019s Olesm? Drassi! Something hot and Imani-breakfast for Maviola!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAt work. I came because\u2026I apologize too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, it\u2019s good you came by. You haven\u2019t really stayed\u2014you were all \u2018I\u2019m young, let\u2019s go hike fifteen miles!<\/em>\u2019,<\/em> so I couldn\u2019t get ahold of you last week.\u201d<\/p>\n Maviola smiled a bit as Erin mimicked her. She had been all that. And Maviola distinctly<\/em> recalled challenging that Drake [Wing Commander] to a duel? She\u2019d had more bruises than she could count after that! Idiot.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry if I did anything\u2014the potion does change me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2026if it helps you, that\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin conceded. She glanced towards the stairs.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just good you\u2019re here, Maviola. Remember I wanted your help?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWith what, exactly?\u201d<\/p>\n There were any number of things Erin had asked Maviola for help with. Erin blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cThe party at the Summer Solstice, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI told you I wouldn\u2019t make it till then.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou said you were off by a few weeks.<\/em> Well?\u201d<\/p>\n Maviola bit her lip. Damn that second potion. Damn magical flowers. Damn choices.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014what about it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe person who needs your help, Ryoka, is here. You met her, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe City Runner from your\u2026home? Of course. She has no levels, does she?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe has no aura for me to read. At least\u2014not in the same way. They are like that, those who refuse. Harder to use Skills on, sometimes. Certainly, harder to appraise.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Innkeeper] put her hands on her hips.<\/p>\n \u201cWell how about that. Ryoka\u2019s upstairs. She really<\/em> needs to talk to you. And your help, Maviola.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Lady] grimaced. She didn\u2019t really understand what was going on; Erin had not explained well. Winter Sprites and a party with the [Emperor]? But she nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cSend her to me when you\u2019re done. I\u2019ll\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at Snapjaw.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll wait here for a bit. And listen.\u201d<\/p>\n And think. Oh, there was so much to think about. As The Wandering Inn filled up, Maviola thought of her mortality. Izril. And\u2026the rot amid the flowers.<\/p>\n She knew of Tyrion Veltras. She had seen his appeal. Erin Solstice had not. But as the inn filled, news of it came in. The larger world, whilst the [Innkeeper] generated her own significance. Neither less important than the other, Maviola knew. It was just that everyone talked about one, and it was broadcast. But the magic here was no less valuable. The potential\u2026<\/p>\n As guests came in from Celum, Invrisil, Liscor, Esthelm, and not Pallass, a child was left unattended. It crawled across the floor and Mrsha peered at the baby again.<\/em> The little red-haired infant was picked up by her mother.<\/p>\n Mrsha shook her head sadly. Some people never learned. She looked up to the stairs. Badarrow was back and he\u2019d brought a funny female Goblin who ate a lot! Now all that she needed was\u2026Ryoka Griffin.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you knew Ryoka Griffin, you might understand. Understand why, on this day, Fierre watched her friend carefully. Why she feared.<\/p>\n The City Runner sat there. Her head was spinning. Still spinning, a day after she had heard of Mihaela Godfrey\u2019s failed delivery.<\/p>\n Well\u2014she hadn\u2019t the time<\/em> to process it with Erin screaming and crying and shouting about Badarrow\u2019s return. That tended to take up the room, so Ryoka had asked Fierre to tell her the rest this morning.<\/p>\n Now\u2014she felt sick.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s alive, Ryoka. Alive.\u201d<\/p>\n Salamani sat on a chair as Ryoka and Fierre sat on the young woman\u2019s bed. The Courier also knew. He looked disturbed.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know how they got her. Fierre, do you know more? My friends didn\u2019t have specifics. Well\u2014they were worried. The Runner\u2019s Guild in First Landing is practically dead.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe news I have is that Mihaela took five Couriers including Lacel the Leaper, who accepted the request.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDidn\u2019t he get his legs broken by the Guild? He must have gotten them healed by a [Bonemender Healer] fast.\u201d<\/p>\n Salamani frowned. Fierre nodded, never looking away from Ryoka.<\/p>\n \u201cThey went down the main road in force.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStupid. They had to know the Guild would come after them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think Mihaela wanted to punch through them rather than have them attack the rear. That\u2019s just speculation. She must have thought they could use her Skill. But the [Assassins] laid a trap. I heard there were hundreds<\/em> attacking at once.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoes the Guild have that many?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka looked up slowly. She remembered the [Assassin] she\u2019d met on the rooftops. He hadn\u2019t been\u2026the best. But he hadn\u2019t been trying to kill her, either. Fierre bit her lip.<\/p>\n \u201cThe word is the Guild can toss [Assassins] at a problem if they need to. They have\u2026links. And they take on a lot of recruits. Lots of bases.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI see. But they\u2026got Mihaela? How? She can move as fast as a lightning bolt.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n But\u2014she had been coughing even beating up on Ryoka. All she had to do was stop at the wrong time. The City Runner closed her eyes. Fierre went on after a moment.<\/p>\n \u201cThey left her alive. Both legs broken though. That\u2019s a message.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNagas. Of course it is. It means they\u2019re not playing games. Two Couriers dead.<\/em> Lacel wasn\u2019t\u2014that poor idiot. He wasn\u2019t the best.<\/em> But he was a Courier. I\u2019d have placed odds on him if the Guild weren\u2019t involved. And the rest?\u201d<\/p>\n Fierre hesitated. She looked at Ryoka\u2019s face. She was\u2026but her friend looked up.<\/p>\n \u201cShow me, please, Fierre?\u201d<\/p>\n The Vampire girl wavered. But Ryoka would be able to find it anywhere she wanted. It was playing on the scrying orb in the rec room with Wistram News Network. She nodded.<\/p>\n Lord Tyrion Veltras stood in front of the \u2018camera\u2019. Ryoka Griffin stared at the man\u2019s face.<\/p>\n She hadn\u2019t actually known what Tyrion looked like. There were portraits\u2014she\u2019d gone off them in her list of the leaders of the Five Families.<\/p>\n Magnolia of House Reinhart.<\/p>\n Tyrion of House Veltras.<\/p>\n Ulva of House Terland, once Petra and Ulva, the Terland Twins.<\/p>\n Raymon of House Wellfar.<\/p>\n Deilan of House El\u2014or perhaps Maviola El, former matriarch and still living, sitting in the common room below with a cup of tea in her hands.<\/p>\n She had known only one of them personally and hadn\u2019t appreciated who Magnolia was for a while. Now, the man who was said to be her counterpart stood there.<\/p>\n He looked\u2026wan. But Ryoka saw his posture was perfectly straight. A refusal to bow? Yet\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cI am Lord Tyrion of House Veltras. I will be brief. Just over a week ago, my sons, heirs to House Veltras, fell ill. They were poisoned. Held ransom, as is House Veltras unless I agree to terms. I have attempted to cure them, but every [Healer] and [Alchemist] I sought fell victim to the Guild of Assassins. The Circle of Thorns.\u201d<\/p>\n It was a public appeal. Ryoka Griffin felt like she was watching a statue speaking. Save for the cracks. Tyrion paused.<\/p>\n \u201cI have ascertained the nature of the poison and the cure for Hethon and Sammial\u2014my sons. The recipe has been sent to every Mage\u2019s Guild across Izril and other cities in the world. There is little time, however. I ask for any courageous individuals to manufacture the cure and send it to me.\u201d<\/p>\n His eyes flickered.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Guild is targeting Couriers. They have sunk two ships at sea. I will offer House Veltras\u2019 fortune to those who deliver the cure within the next few days. Any longer\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He stopped. His eyes stared straight ahead. Past the viewer.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014I appeal for aid. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n That was all. Fierre closed the box on the orb and put it away. She had seen many things as well.<\/p>\n Lord Tyrion Veltras, the famously inflexible leader of the north\u2014practically begging for aid? She saw House Veltras\u2019 reputation crumbling. And more\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cNone of the Five Families can help? They have damned armies.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re afraid. Also\u2014if they move, they become targets. They poisoned<\/em> Tyrion\u2019s sons. What will they do? Tyrion Veltras could probably ride to First Landing himself and grab the cure, but his sons might be dead by the time they return. He could surround his manor. The Guild would just cover it in a poison cloud or something.\u201d<\/p>\n Fierre bit at her fingernails. Her stomach growled and she\u2019d just eaten. Insane. But\u2014but\u2014<\/p>\n She looked at Ryoka. Salamani, who had not known Ryoka long, glanced at the City Runner. The Courier, after a moment, shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cHe sent that right after Mihaela fell. But I don\u2019t think many Couriers would risk it. And the [Alchemists] and [Healers]? They have to be terrified for their lives. The Guild is bigger than I thought. It\u2019d be suicide to run that delivery, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka Griffin sat there. Salamani looked at her. She didn\u2019t meet his eyes. She was clasping and unclasping her hands. Fierre looked at the stumps where two of Ryoka\u2019s fingers were. She had gotten that trying to outrun the Goblin Lord.<\/p>\n She had not known Ryoka from the beginning. But she knew her friend. And\u2014Ryoka Griffin was locked onto the place where Tyrion\u2019s face had been. The Lord of House Veltras.<\/p>\n And\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cHow old are his sons?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka\u2026you\u2019d never make it ten miles. It\u2019s too far. The Guild isn\u2019t playing games.\u201d<\/p>\n Salamani opened his mouth. He was catching on. Fierre saw Ryoka look up.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not stupid, Fierre. I know\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Some things were terribly inevitable. But this time\u2014the Vampire girl began to speak. Trying to tell Ryoka. This time? Not this time.<\/em> It wasn\u2019t about being crazy. Every blade in Izril was waiting. And luck? Your luck would run out. Even if it didn\u2019t, could it turn aside the hundredth arrow?<\/p>\n But Ryoka\u2014was Ryoka Griffin.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lord Tyrion Veltras sat there, for a while. The appeal was on repeat. Had been, since yesterday. He\u2019d checked to make sure.<\/p>\n No one was coming. Two people had tried. One, a Courier, another a [Captain] from a Terandrian port. Neither had announced <\/em>it.<\/p>\n The Courier had found the [Healer] lying dead in her burning shop. The [Captain] had been murdered in the cabin in his boat.<\/p>\n His appeal. Tyrion watched himself. He looked odd. The man did not make a habit of staring himself in the mirror. So stiff. So\u2026<\/p>\n He\u2019d offered all the gold he could think of. Artifacts? He\u2019d give them away to whomever made the run. Could he have offered a land reward? A title from his estates? Tyrion tried to think of any incentives he might have made. Certainly\u2014Couriers from other continents might have dared it. Seve-Alrelious had offered\u2014but he would take too long against the typhoon. By sea would take too long.<\/em><\/p>\n His sons had days left at most. Tyrion was searching for any alternative. They were dying and he was looking for a way out. Playing games with their lives.<\/p>\n Could he have offered anything else?<\/em> But what struck Tyrion now\u2014was how he looked.<\/p>\n So still. So impartial, appealing for his son\u2019s lives. The man stared at himself. And he wondered why Tyrion Veltras wasn\u2019t weeping. Other men had broken down on campaign to hear their mothers had died, to lose a friend in battle, a horse.<\/p>\n Not a single tear from this stranger. And now\u2014Tyrion wondered about something else.<\/p>\n Tears. Tears\u2026had he ever shed any when Salva died? He remembered clutching her body to him. Screaming for them to find his sons<\/em> and kill whoever had done this! But\u2014had he wept, as he buried her? As he swore vengeance and begged Magnolia to know who it had been? To make sure it was the Drakes before he decided to make them bleed?<\/p>\n No. Not at the pyre. Not at the wake. Not afterwards, not telling his sons, who\u2019d been shocked and silent. Not in the times after when he mourned and missed her.<\/p>\n It blurred your vision when you had to aim at the target. Steady hand. Like you were tilting\u2014<\/p>\n Tyrion stared at his hands. He touched them, one with the other.<\/p>\n He couldn\u2019t stop shaking. As if he had the most terrible chills.<\/p>\n \u201cMilord?\u201d<\/p>\n Jericha was watching him. Tyrion jerked. He tried to stand, caught himself.<\/p>\n \u201cLord Veltras. You should eat. Rest.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLater, Jericha. Where\u2014where is the [Assassin]?\u201d<\/p>\n The woman hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cIn her rooms.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will see her. If Hethon and Sammial worsen\u2026they have days. Let them hold out. They must. We must<\/em> wait to see if the antidote may arrive. We must.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLord Veltras\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He turned to her. He had to explain.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is not for me, Jericha. The contract would bind House Veltras to the Circle like a blade. Not just me. But you, the forces\u2014we would be the blade of these people.\u201d<\/p>\n Wielded in defense of Izril,<\/em> or so the [Assassin] claimed. Jericha looked at Tyrion.<\/p>\n \u201cWe would not desert you, Lord Veltras.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat is not why. Jericha. I have no love for the Circle and they know it. We would be a blade. But what do you do with a sword when it breaks? A weapon you do not love?\u201d<\/p>\n You would use it and toss it aside. Duty compelled Tyrion to refuse, to try. But\u2014he would leave Hethon and Sammial naught but the ashes of his house.<\/p>\n But they would be alive. <\/em>Tyrion strode from his quarters. He entered into the [Assassin]\u2019s room after she bade him enter.<\/p>\n She was lounging, her feet up. Tyrion stopped.<\/p>\n \u201cI have an appeal, [Assassin]. I would like to renegotiate the terms of the contract.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLord Tyrion Veltras. Renegotiate? Now?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n She clicked her tongue. Tyrion stared at the mask she always wore.<\/p>\n \u201cSurely your masters would prefer me to sign now, rather than risk the worst?\u201d<\/p>\n Her eyes flickered in the gaps of the mask.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I can certainly take your appeal to them. They aren\u2019t disposed to agree\u2014but if you were to be persuasive, I could ask.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo that. Please. <\/em>I would be willing to sign. Now. If\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHold on. Kneel.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Lord] stopped.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKneel. Or bow. If you want me to send your terms, kneel.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n She waited, smiling behind her mask. Lord Tyrion stared at her. Then, slowly, he knelt.<\/p>\n The [Toxin Expert] would remember this for the rest of her life. A worthless orphan from Chandrar, and one of the Five Family\u2019s <\/em>heads was kneeling and begging. She laughed, giggling to herself. Worth it! Especially for someone who had nothing to regret or look forwards to.<\/p>\n But this?<\/p>\n \u201cWell, go on.\u201d<\/p>\n The man spoke behind gritted teeth.<\/p>\n \u201cI would be willing\u2026to sign the contract. A more powerful clause. Renounce my\u2026position as head of House Veltras and serve this Circle as it needs.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Assassin] sat up. That\u2026was<\/em> something.<\/p>\n \u201cReally? And what do you want for such a generous offer?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy House will not follow me into oblivion. Not one of my retainers is to suborned. Nor my sons. I will serve your Circle in any<\/em> capacity they might wish militarily.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh my. You are desperate.\u201d<\/p>\n He said nothing more. The [Toxin Expert] thought.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, my masters just might accept that. With some provisos. They want Lord Veltras<\/em> after all. But perhaps they might accept.\u201d<\/p>\n Tyrion\u2019s head rose.<\/p>\n \u201cThen\u2014please appeal to them. I will sign within the hour. I\u2026humbly ask you to do this.\u201d<\/p>\n The woman looked at Tyrion. And perhaps she had gone a bit mad with power. Or the Circle had chosen the wrong person to negotiate. She was mad enough to poison Tyrion\u2019s sons. So she started laughing.<\/p>\n \u201cNot so fast, Lord Veltras. I\u2019ll appeal to my masters and they will weigh your offer carefully. They might accept. However,<\/em> you\u2019ll promise me something before I carry your words off. On your son\u2019s lives. Between us.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Lord] looked up. The [Assassin] winked one eye behind her mask.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you want, [Assassin]? Gold? An artifact?\u201d<\/p>\n She was almost tempted to ask for the Banner of House Veltras just to see his face. But\u2014she shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat I want, Lord Veltras\u2014is a child.\u201d<\/p>\n He looked at her blankly. The [Assassin] made a gesture.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be generous. Give it one try. Here and now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you mad?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMad?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Her voice was almost hysterical. She laughed and laughed. He looked at her as if she was insane. When she pulled herself upright, the [Assassin] shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m an [Assassin], you silly little [Lord]. I\u2019m going to die sooner rather than later. But I\u2019d rather change all of House Veltras. An heir.<\/em> It\u2019s a gamble. But I\u2019ll be content with that.\u201d<\/p>\n He just looked at her. Stared and stared. The [Assassin] was almost out of breath with laughing. The Guild wouldn\u2019t send her on a death-mission with an heir<\/em> to House Veltras in her.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026cannot agree to that.\u201d<\/p>\n He spoke slowly. The [Assassin] sat up.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, really? So you would let your sons die, Lord Veltras? Or am I too repellant for you? I assure you, you\u2019ve only seen my clothing. And there are potions for that. Besides\u2014you might want another heir. You\u2019re about to lose the two you have.\u201d<\/p>\n It was the wrong thing to say. The [Lord] rose. The [Toxin Expert] saw him stride to the door. She shouted after him, annoyed.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re running out of time!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The door slammed shut. The [Toxin Expert] sat there, breathing heavily, coming down from the high of audacity. She gritted her teeth; she\u2019d overplayed her hand by mentioning his sons. But she knew\u2014the Guild was all-in on this. First Landing\u2019s Guild was being watched. Every major Runner\u2019s Guild\u2014every person who could manufacture the cure. Every Courier. Yes, every single one.<\/em><\/p>\n Lord Tyrion Veltras would not receive a Courier\u2019s aid. If one even sneezed in his direction, they\u2019d be taken down by overwhelming force. She relaxed in that knowledge. He might just sign the contract. But she\u2019d made him an offer\u2026<\/p>\n What Lord Tyrion Veltras needed, the one flaw<\/em> in this perfect encirclement was the outside help the Circle and Guild couldn\u2019t account for. The cure had been leaked thanks to irregular specialists with a grudge.<\/p>\n [Witches]. If there was<\/em>\u2014any possible hope\u2014it was that someone made a cure. And that someone<\/em> who wasn\u2019t on the Circle\u2019s radar could deliver it.<\/p>\n Not a Courier, who was being watched. The next best thing. A City Runner then, on the verge of being a Courier but who hadn\u2019t been certified as one. One brave or foolish or\u2026something, enough to listen to his appeal and risk it all.<\/p>\n Like\u2026<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lady Ieka Imarris was not fanning herself. In fact, the fan was shut in a drawer and she was sitting in a chair. She stared down at the City Runner in front of her.<\/p>\n \u201cYour name is\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n Persua smiled and bowed, ostentatiously.<\/p>\n \u201cPersua, Lady Imarris. And I am honored<\/em> to make your acquaintance!\u201d<\/p>\n Ieka stared at Persua until the young woman\u2019s smile wavered. The [Lady] lifted a hand.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Runner Persua, my personal [Alchemist] is hard at work. The cure will be ready within the hour. I trust you have a route planned?\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman had a sulky expression on her face for a moment. But then she gave Ieka a sycophantic smile.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course<\/em>, Lady Imarris. And I have made ample preparations, as has my client. Would you like to hear it\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Another pouty look. The City Runner annoyed Ieka on several levels. Firstly\u2014she clearly knew that Ieka was persuadable<\/em> by members of her gender. She kept making flirtatious moves and she had dressed rather provocatively. However, Persua seemed to be under the impression that Ieka swooned for anyone.<\/p>\n Secondly\u2014she was simply overconfident and too full of herself. Ieka was itching to cast [Acid Orb]. As she always did with anyone who she didn\u2019t like.<\/p>\n Thirdly, she just wasn\u2019t Ieka\u2019s type. Far too petulant and arrogant. But Ieka wasn\u2019t going to kill her. In fact, she was at this very moment waiting on the [Alchemist] to finish his work on the cure for Lord Tyrion Veltras.<\/p>\n What a stroke of genius it was. Ieka Imarris had not<\/em> been happy about the poisoning the moment word and her orders had come down through the Circle\u2019s ladders of authority to do nothing. She\u2019d even considered\u2026but then she\u2019d received her second set of orders. And she\u2019d thought it was brilliant.<\/p>\n To turn a City Runner into a Courier and<\/em> \u2018rescue\u2019 Tyrion in his hour of need? And if Persua failed\u2026Ieka thought Tyrion would sign the contract. Ieka eyed Persua and the City Runner smiled prettily at her, caught out in looking around Ieka\u2019s personal room.<\/p>\n She might<\/em> be the Circle\u2019s agent. Or just some idiot who\u2019d been given several artifacts. And Ieka didn\u2019t want to expose herself by inquiring too much into which it was. Either way\u2014Persua was useful.<\/p>\n \u201cMilady.\u201d<\/p>\n One of the [Maids] approached with something on a little pillow. Ieka took it as Persua started forwards. She held the vial, regarding it. Still warm from the process. Her [Alchemist] had worked on it for two days straight. She hoped it was good, for the boys\u2019 sake. She showed it to Persua.<\/p>\n \u201cHere is the antidote for Lord Veltras. My personal [Alchemist] has synthesized eight doses with my help. Far more than is needed. Give no indication you are delivering to him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, milady. And don\u2019t worry about my safety! I\u2019m rather well protected. And a good Runner.\u201d<\/p>\n Persua smiled. Ieka eyed her again.<\/p>\n The young woman had a few<\/em> decent Skills according to Ieka\u2019s appraisal. But nothing to warrant that level of confidence when Mihaela Godfrey<\/em> had just been stopped. Artifacts? Ieka had been slowly appraising Persua from head to toe. At last, she found what she was looking for.<\/p>\n Aha. Wait. That can\u2019t be\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n The layers of obfuscating magic revealed themselves to the [Mage Lady] as she finally identified what ring was on Persua\u2019s index finger. Ieka\u2019s eyes widened as she handed the vial to the [Maid], but she covered it.<\/p>\n A Ring of Protection? <\/em>No\u2014a minor one. But that\u2014that was the highest grade of protection! It was all-encompassing, hence the name. Magnolia had to have been wearing a greater one when the [Assassins] went for her.<\/p>\n A Ring of Minor Protection was an insane gift. Ieka was almost tempted to kill Persua just for the ring. No wonder she was so confident. And that sealed it.<\/p>\n The orders had come from one of the Circle\u2019s highest members. Ieka only wondered if the rest of the Circle knew. If so\u2014it was a brilliant stratagem. Either that, or the Circle was divided.<\/p>\n \u201cBest of luck, Runner Persua. I\u2026hope\u2026you will survive. The odds are greatly against you, but Lord Tyrion is a personal friend.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI shall tell him you did your utmost to deliver this to him, Lady Ieka.\u201d<\/p>\n Ieka Imarris sighed. If Persua succeeded\u2014she would well and truly have Tyrion in her debt. If. Ieka had some wind of the Guild\u2019s orders and she knew more than Persua. The City Runner probably thought she\u2019d have an easy time of it, and that the [Assassins] wouldn\u2019t go after her.<\/p>\n The truth was that she\u2019d been marked as a lower-value target. No Faces were going to try to murder her, but a lot of the Ranks might give it a try. Well, good for them. Ieka wasn\u2019t sure who to root for, but she supposed Hethon and Sammial deserved the cure\u2026even if it meant this was their hero.<\/p>\n And away the cure went. Ieka sighed. Plans within plans. She personally hoped Lord Tyrion just signed the damn contract. But either way\u2014<\/p>\n She wondered what Ryoka Griffin would have done. If Ieka could have chosen\u2014she would have chosen Ryoka, or perhaps Delanay d\u2019Artien. But the less they had to do with the Circle, the better. Ieka was far kinder than the Circle. They\u2019d deployed to major cities in force. There were a lot of their best [Assassins] in Invrisil. Just as well, really.<\/p>\n \u2026She wondered if she could arrange for someone to steal the ring from Persua once the run was done.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Maviola El stood next to Ryoka Griffin. The two kept on eying each other. They had not met\u2014at least not in the way they really should have. Nor was this the moment.<\/p>\n Ryoka Griffin looked up, eyes wide. Badarrow was standing back, hand on his dagger. Snapjaw had retreated too. Maviola El was more appraising.<\/p>\n Thump. Thump. Thump.<\/em><\/p>\n It walked. The glowing eyes. The titanic body. A machine made of magic and metal. All it needed was a giant gun and Ryoka Griffin was all set to believe there was a battleship in orbit and this had all been science fiction rather than fantasy.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s one big Golem.\u201d<\/p>\n Fierre breathed. The huge head swung towards her. The Steel Golem\u2014Autonomous Class\u2014halted on the creaking floorboards.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, the inn\u2019s certainly strong enough to support the weight. Not all are, Miss Solstice, is it? But this beauty comes straight from the Illivere Federation. Not Magus-Crafter Femithain\u2019s personal work, but it comes from his workshop. It can fight, perform manual labor\u2014even clean itself! In tests, it\u2019s killed Wyverns by itself. Not that you\u2019d want to let it do that, but anything up to a Wyvern won\u2019t be much trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Artifact Merchant] was not Selys\u2019 friend from Liscor, Farri Slightly, but a prominent [Merchant] from Invrisil. He was here with his stock, in The Wandering Inn.<\/p>\n So was Hedault. The [Enchanter] had requested him to come here. Now, the Golem rotated its head.<\/p>\n \u201cLooks nice, but it\u2019d never keep up with me.\u201d<\/p>\n Salamani sighed, eying the Golem up and down. The [Merchant], whose name was apparently Xerimedial, one of those flashy names for someone who sold to adventurers and the very rich, turned to him.<\/p>\n \u201cI regret to say that Golem Horses are out of my immediate stock, Mage Salamani. Most go for heavy-duty Golems. The kind you don\u2019t need to repair often.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoes it have a self-repairing function? And um\u2014what\u2019s the alloy of the armor? Looks silvery.\u201d<\/p>\n Fierre waved her hand urgently. Xerimedial or \u2018Merchant X\u2019 as Ryoka refused to call him, beamed and turned to her.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Miss Lischelle, it isn\u2019t self-repairing\u2014that would put this Golem far out of range of even most of my clients. But a skilled [Smith] can repair most damage and Illivere has a four-year warranty. Parts and service at a discount! As for the armor\u2014I don\u2019t believe silver is a large component.\u201d<\/p>\n The Vampire girl nodded slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd\u2026I can afford it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWith credit, you would have about\u2026fifty eight gold pieces left over. But yes. At Merchant Xerimedial\u2019s prices, it is still certainly affordable. However, I would counsel you to negotiate.\u201d<\/p>\n Hedault\u2019s pronouncement made Xerimedial\u2019s face sour only slightly. He was, in truth, in the best<\/em> of moods. Because Hedault had brought him three clients with gold burning a hole out of their bags of holding. Fierre rubbed at her lips.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s far from Reizmelt\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA Golem could make the journey fast, Miss Fierre. If you care to step outside, I\u2019ll show you it\u2019s max speed. It can run<\/em>\u2014although that tends to tear up streets.\u201d<\/p>\n Fierre eyed the very sunny outdoors.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026I\u2019ll pass for now. Ryoka, what do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh? Oh, sorry\u2014I was thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka had never played some of the popular figurine-based tabletop games on Earth. She had labeled it as mostly a guy\u2019s game, and for collectors and assemblers at that.<\/p>\n \u2026Golems now, she understood the appeal. She\u2019d collect this sucker all day. She turned to Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cUh\u2014so\u2014want one?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin Solstice, [Innkeeper] and owner of the inn whose ceiling the Steel Golem\u2019s head was threatening to tickle, looked over at Ryoka. She worked her mouth a few times.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026How<\/em> rich are you?\u201d<\/p>\n Hedault sighed. Ryoka, Fierre, and Salamani had given him their artifacts to appraise and the [Enchanter] had had a field day. It hadn\u2019t been hard, really. Low chance of curses and the fact that it was all gear from individuals he could actually look up meant that it had been a smooth job.<\/p>\n The hardest part had been Ryoka. And others. He stared at a little Gnoll peering at him. Mrsha had been warned about trying to grab Hedault\u2019s special<\/em> wand. The [Enchanter] vaguely shooed her away. Mrsha refused to go.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s one Steel Golem. I\u2019d pay for artifacts, myself.\u201d<\/p>\n Maviola pronounced. Merchant X\u2019s face fell slightly. He wasn\u2019t used to people who referred to Steel Golems as a unit of measurement.<\/p>\n \u201cTrue. But for my job? I\u2019m\u2026do you have smaller models?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCertainly! Wood, Clay\u2026and we have other artifacts on sale! You are my clients of the day, Runner Ryoka, Miss Fierre, Courier Salamani!\u201d<\/p>\n The [Artifact Merchant] was selling his goods since Hedault had advised the three not to ask for only gold. Rather, he was willing to exchange their artifacts with Xerimedial\u2019s help. The three would take a loss, but they\u2019d get what was useful.<\/p>\n Ryoka still had a small plethora of potions and other running tools, but she was only too happy to give up the armor and weapons in exchange for things she needed.<\/p>\n And as it turned out\u2014what she needed was what Erin and her friends needed. The [Innkeeper] was flustered as Ryoka made the pitch.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2014you can\u2019t just give us all of your hard-earned money, Ryoka! You earned it!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cErin. I\u2019m offering<\/em> it to you. This is just like the Players thing\u2014no, it\u2019s different. This is useful. It could save lives.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t take it. I w\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin got no further because Numbtongue came up and put his claw over her mouth. Erin looked around. He and Badarrow were crouched over the pile of gear.<\/p>\n \u201cThis bow. Which is better?\u201d<\/p>\n Badarrow urgently held up two bows. Hedault brightened.<\/p>\n \u201cThe bow on your right amplifies the force of each draw. On the other hand, the bow on the left has a rather unique enchantment which spins<\/em> the arrow without lowering momentum as its fired.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOoh. Oooh.<\/em> I want that bow. Hedault, Hedault, what does this arrow do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cArrow of Frost. Radius\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The [Enchanter] liked Badarrow and Bird. They asked refreshingly straight questions without wasting his time. Merchant X on the other hand\u2026had a pained look in his eyes as he smiled at the Antinium and Goblin threatening to take the objects he<\/em> wanted to add to his inventory.<\/p>\n But he was smiling at them. He\u2019d probably smile at a Creler to sell that Golem. He turned to Erin, who had sidled over to the Golem and was trying to measure how many Erins would go into it. Mrsha the Mountaineer was trying to climb up a leg. Lyonette dragged her away.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Solstice, is it? This Golem could be a fine<\/em> addition to your inn. Imagine\u2014a worker that never needs to rest or sleep! That carries out orders like obtaining firewood, defends your inn\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u2026He didn\u2019t know his audience, though. Erin\u2019s smile turned waxy.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. No\u2026Golems. Thank you, but I\u2019m not interested in\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She hesitated. The Steel Golem just stood there. Erin peered up at it. Not like a skeleton\u2019s head, but\u2026Ryoka was turning Merchant X down too until the same thought occurred.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe. Do they think?\u201d<\/p>\n That would\u2026change things. Xerimedial hurried to assure Ryoka that they did not.<\/p>\n \u201cI have heard rumors Illivere managed to create a Sentient-class Golem. However<\/em>, that\u2019s just hearsay based on one of their Golem Fights. Newest thing. I think Wistram is running a segment on them later this week. These Golems? Not a chance of rebellion!\u201d<\/p>\n Again, the wrong thing to sell<\/em> the Golem. Ryoka relaxed a bit.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2018\u2026Break my chains\u2019, <\/em>huh.\u201d<\/p>\n She wondered what a certain [Driver] would have made of them. But the Golem would eat most of her funds. She shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cFierre and Salamani are the ones interested in a Golem.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI want to see the cheaper ones.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I\u2019ll look at spellbooks.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNaturally, naturally.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The [Merchant] hurried off. Meanwhile, Hedault was helping the three Goblins\u2014Snapjaw was poking at Badarrow and pointing at things she wanted\u2014select gear. Erin was dithering.<\/p>\n \u201cBut guys\u2014that\u2019s Ryoka\u2019s!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd when bad things come to inn, we\u2019ll kill them for her.\u201d<\/p>\n Snapjaw happily twanged<\/em> Badarrow\u2019s bowstring on his new bow. He waved a claw at her; he and Bird raced upstairs to try it out.<\/p>\n It looked like some of her gear was going to arm the Goblins. That was fine with Ryoka\u2014so long as she could afford a few things.<\/p>\n \u201cI have your orders, Miss Griffin. You requested along with my appraisal and crediting of funds, a, ah, \u2018defensive artifact\u2019 for some individuals including standard Runner\u2019s gear. Wonderfully vague.\u201d<\/p>\n Hedault gave Ryoka a long stare. The City Runner smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cI trusted an expert, Hedault. Mrsha, Mrsha! Don\u2019t walk near the Golem! It\u2019ll smash you! Come over here! I have something for you!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka? What did you get for Mrsha?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Princess]\u2019s irked voice made Ryoka remember they\u2019d never settled things. She met Lyonette\u2019s gaze.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing. But I did ask Hedault to find something Mrsha might need. Like\u2026an artifact to keep her safe.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked up. Lyonette\u2019s brows raised. That\u2026was hard to argue with. Mrsha the Wizard developed a huge smile.<\/p>\n \u201cOh man. Artifacts? Like what? How about a mithril shirt, Hedault?\u201d<\/p>\n Crunch, crunch.<\/em> Everyone turned to Kevin. He was eating from a bowl of popcorn with the Earthers. They weren\u2019t in the way\u2014Snapjaw edged over and grabbed a bowl for herself, sniffing at the yeast in a perplexed way\u2014but it was weird to have an actual peanut, or rather, popcorn gallery.<\/p>\n Hedault gave Kevin a more forgiving look of patience. Erin looked excited at the prospect too, but the [Enchanter] just shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cThat would not be the most effective protection. Nor do I believe a chain shirt would be at all pleasant combined with fur.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Mrsha winced. She glared at Kevin as if he was trying to rip out all her fur!<\/p>\n \u201cWhat then? I\u2019m all for an enchanted amulet or ring, Erin. If Ryoka\u2019s paying for it?\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette looked at Erin. The [Innkeeper] nodded after a moment. Hedault shook his head again, sighing. The non-[Enchanters] and the notions they got in their heads.<\/p>\n \u201cAmulets fall off. Children have a habit of losing rings as well. A bracelet is usually the most effective solution, especially if they are comfortable and designed to resist removal. As it so happens\u2014I have my suggestion here.\u201d<\/p>\n He produced a bracelet. The world of enchanting services was a vast one, and as he fastened the jade-metal bracelet around Mrsha\u2019s wiggling paw, Hedault explained.<\/p>\n \u201cFall protection, arrow protection\u2014this is known as an \u2018impact bulwark\u2019 enchantment. It activates if anything<\/em> strikes the wearer over a certain velocity. One calibrates what that velocity of motion is; for children in day-to-day accidents I calibrate it rather low. Even so, a bookshelf falling on her would trigger it. But a high-impact event like\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Mrsha swan-dived off the table. Ryoka grabbed for her, but too late! Mrsha went splat<\/em> and there was a flash\u2014<\/p>\n She bounced<\/em> off the floor and delighted, picked herself up! Lyonette lowered her arms.<\/p>\n \u201cOh no.\u201d<\/p>\n Oh yes! An impact shield? <\/em>Ryoka saw Mrsha\u2019s eyes light up. She looked around and everyone instantly got out of the way.<\/p>\n Mrsha could, in fact, activate it at top-speed by colliding with Ryoka\u2019s shins. Anything less and it was Mrsha who smacked her little head into a shinbone and ran off crying. The potential to turn the little white monster into a knee-high hazard aside, Erin and Lyonette loved the idea.<\/p>\n \u201cIt might actually save her. Especially from Rock Crabs and stuff. Is that your best one, Hedault?\u201d<\/p>\n He nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the highest-grade enchantment I can produce. In kinetic force, it would be about 82.4 Etherons.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOooh.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n That came from another bystander. Palt, Montressa, and Bezale had been watching, but now that thing started getting technical, they entered the conversation. Maviola was nodding too. Ryoka had to ask the layman\u2019s question.<\/p>\n \u201cEtheron? What does that measure? Can you convert that to pounds of force?\u201d<\/p>\n The others gave her arch looks that made Ryoka want to slap the backs of their superior heads. Montressa explained to the audience.<\/p>\n \u201cDoesn\u2019t work like that, Ryoka. Magical measurements recharge, so that\u2019s a value of resistance and<\/em> time it recharges. It\u2019s like\u2014you could hit Mrsha with a sledgehammer every\u2026Bezale?\u201d<\/p>\n The Minotauress was already doing sums on a piece of parchment. The [Spellscribe] looked up.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery forty two minutes. Or hit her three times in quick succession to drain it. The average Human male below Level 20, that is. I could probably manage it in two swings at full force. With a six hour full recharge time in an average mana environment? You went with 0.8 to 1.2 mana-density, yes, Master Hedault?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNaturally.\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone stared at Mrsha. The little Gnoll signed emphatically that she did not<\/em> appreciate their unit of measurement!<\/p>\n \u201cWell, why don\u2019t we try? Let\u2019s get her, guys!\u201d<\/p>\n Rose saw an opportunity to \u2018help\u2019. Kevin chortled and the Earthers went off. Mrsha\u2019s eyes widened and she ran as they threatened to test the enchantment\u2019s limits. Ryoka sighed\u2014but Hedault was producing her gear now.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s physical protection. The other standard accompaniment is magical. I have standard anti-hex charms for Miss Ryoka; her gear actually encompasses most of what I would prescribe, so I have selected the best objects.\u201d<\/p>\n He showed Ryoka the artifacts from the cells. She peered at them. Erin raised a hand, like the shy ignorant student in the lecture.<\/p>\n \u201cOnly hexes? What about fire and stuff?\u201d<\/p>\n The others chuckled. Erin raised her kicking foot and Palt shuffled away. Montressa explained again.<\/p>\n \u201cMagic is harder. You can either go elemental\u2014fire, heat, electricity, acid\u2014and normally only one of each. But then you have to worry about hexes, indirect spells like [Scrying], [Appraisal] if you don\u2019t want to share your class\u2026it\u2019s impossible to do everything. Too much magical interference. You know the rule about artifacts.\u201d<\/p>\n Hedault sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are exceptions. The Heartflame Breastplate is a splendid example of how to combine all the elements. I have been studying the masterful work for Drake [Enchanters]\u2026but creating a [Flameshield] spell of that caliber is quite beyond me. However, this is a fine all-encompassing Amulet of Resistance, Miss Griffin, if you\u2019d prefer to wear one artifact to reduce the number of objects and magical interference. My design.\u201d<\/p>\n He offered Ryoka an amulet. Not jade this time; she thought it was Truegold, which she\u2019d seen, mixed with a strange cerulean center. Gemstone or\u2026?<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s it do?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin peered at the amulet as Ryoka put it on. Then she raised a hand to strike Ryoka. The City Runner fended her off as Montressa explained.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s like a constant aura that messes with anything trying to interfere with your natural magical field. No hexes, scrying spells can\u2019t latch on\u2014standard, but pricey.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLike Valceif\u2019s dream catcher charm.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka studied the amulet. Everyone went somber for a moment there. Hedault cleared his throat.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2014was a more advanced version. String magic and shamanic charms versus a [Mage]\u2019s enchantments. If you wish me to, I can provide one for Miss Mrsha. However, you are rapidly exceeding your credit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoes Mrsha need<\/em> a super anti-magic bracelet?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin conferred with Lyonette. The [Princess] made a face.<\/p>\n \u201cProbably not. But the bracelet?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut it\u2019s Ryoka\u2019s\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cErin, so help me but I\u2019ll hit you with your own pan. You need one too! So does Joseph, Kevin\u2026Ryoka won\u2019t pay for all of it. We<\/em> have our own budget! Master Hedault, there\u2019s a\u2026very good artifact I have for anti-scrying and appraisal and so on. Or will have. Could you complement that? And Erin might need some rings. To prevent appraisal among other things.\u201d<\/p>\n Hedault turned to Lyonette as Erin dithered. The Wandering Inn was about to spend for artifacts. Erin refused his suggestions, though.<\/p>\n \u201cI have a cool ring Saliss gave me, see?\u201d<\/p>\n She showed Hedault. The [Enchanter] inspected it.<\/p>\n \u201cAnti-appraisal and scrying. Not hexes. Is\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n There was a second ring on Erin\u2019s hand, Ryoka realized, as she felt at the amulet. Hedault was looking at it. His eyes narrowed.<\/p>\n Ryoka saw Erin lower her hand quickly. She covered the copper band and Hedault blinked, shook his head. Ryoka frowned. Had she known Erin had another ring\u2026?<\/p>\n It slipped her mind and Hedault relaxed. He turned away from Erin to Ryoka.<\/p>\n \u201cAhem. Where were we? Miss Griffin, I have a few other objects you may be interested in. Such as\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He showed Ryoka some worn boots from Merchant X\u2019s stock. Erin started giggling.<\/p>\n \u201cBoots of Speed?<\/em> I don\u2019t think you know Ryoka, Hedault.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m aware of her\u2026predispositions. But the magical effects\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI like my feet. See?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka lifted one foot and waggled her toes. Hedault gave her toes a look of pure disgust. He produced an ankle-bracelet with a similar, weaker effect instead.<\/p>\n \u201cGive me a second to find Mrsha. We might downgrade her bracelet\u2019s strength just so she doesn\u2019t get a fat head, Hedault. Figuratively or literally. I\u2019ll tell Joseph to come over for the anti-scrying artifact, at least. People\u2026scry him?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka promised as the [Enchanter] conferred with the others. She was a bit distracted.<\/p>\n Tyrion Veltras\u2019 appeal still weighed on her. Fierre was similarly occupied haggling for a Golem for her work\u2014was she actually<\/em> going to buy one?\u2014but she kept watching Ryoka.<\/p>\n It was stupid. It was suicide. Ryoka knew Mihaela. And yet\u2014she couldn\u2019t shake one thought. Even as she\u2019d laughed at Mrsha, even as she thought about what that Golem might be able to do against a tank\u2014lose, unless that was some strong<\/em> armor\u2014she\u2019d been unable to shake the thought eating away at her.<\/p>\n Those poor kids.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me, Miss Ryoka. I think we should have a word. You wanted to see me?\u201d<\/p>\n Someone tapped her on the shoulder. Ryoka turned. She saw a woman, only a bit older than she was, with hair black and streaked with ember-orange. Ryoka stopped.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy name is Maviola El. I know who you are. And where you come from. Erin Solstice has told me about you. But I don\u2019t believe we\u2019ve properly met.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka\u2019s mouth went dry. Something about Maviola was as intense as\u2026Xrn. Like Magnolia Reinhart in her way. She was old and the wind stirred around Ryoka.<\/p>\n Something a tiny bit like Teriarch?<\/em> Ryoka nodded slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that\u2019s right.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fierre bought a Golem. Erin stared at it. It wasn\u2019t the twice-as-tall-as-a-person monster made of steel. Hers was iron, just a bit taller than Joseph, compact.<\/p>\n \u201cThe big one wouldn\u2019t fit in my office. This one\u2019s still strong enough to punch someone through a wall. And look! It\u2019s even armed!\u201d<\/p>\n The Golem had a shield and hammer. It swung and blocked with a decent amount of speed. Erin saw Snapjaw watching. The Hob clearly thought she could beat it in terms of Skill\u2014but good luck beating an Iron Golem to death.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s amazing. Are you buying anything else?\u201d<\/p>\n The Vampire flashed Erin a huge grin\u2014then turned her head. She was more at home with the smile, though. She might have thought it was out of place among Humans and it was by and large\u2014but Gnolls and Drakes had similar grins.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I\u2019m keeping one set of armor. Two\u2014actually. I\u2019m going to give one set to my brother. And a weapon and some gear\u2014the rest goes into the Golem and some work-related artifacts. I\u2019ll just accept gold and buy it er\u2026from the right dealers.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin nodded knowingly.<\/p>\n \u201cBlack market stuff, huh? Sneaky. Anything good there? We\u2019re buying a lot of artifacts.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette had just paid Hedault a worrying amount of gold from the inn\u2019s coffers, in fact, and Mrsha was sitting on the floorboards, arms folded. She was sulking. They\u2019d downgraded her bracelet from the highly-expensive one Hedault had given her.<\/p>\n And\u2014they\u2019d asked Hedault to add a tracking charm. That was very cheap, but Mrsha had already tied it to Bezale\u2019s horn without the Minotauress noticing.<\/p>\n \u201cSalamani\u2019s got a spellbook, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd some other artifacts. Looks great, in short. Where\u2019s Ryoka? Hedault wants to finalize her purchases.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cI haven\u2019t seen her. I think she went off with Maviola? Bird.<\/em> Bird! Stop hoarding Ryoka\u2019s artifacts! You get a bow, Badarrow gets a bow, Numbtongue gets his amulet. She needs her money!\u201d<\/p>\n The Goblins and Antinium stopped furtively trying on artifacts. Snapjaw waved and Erin clarified.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd Snapjaw can keep that shield. Ryoka\u2019s too generous.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe is all that. But she says how much she loves this inn. And\u2026how much all of you matter to her. She was afraid to come back.\u201d<\/p>\n Fierre murmured. Erin looked sideways at her.<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka says that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we have a drink. She gets sentimental.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Innkeeper] laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cReally?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The Vampire girl flashed her a grin. Then she looked around for Ryoka as well.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m\u2026listen. Um\u2014I don\u2019t know how to say this, but um\u2014there might be a problem with Ryoka.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cDoes she need you-know-what\u2019s?<\/em> I have some from Krshia. Or is she depressed? Wait\u2014wait\u2014did she punch someone?\u201d<\/p>\n Fierre looked blank until Erin clarified that she was asking about periods. The Vampire shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cNot that! I mean\u2026it\u2019s about Tyrion Veltras. I shouldn\u2019t have shown her. She\u2019s\u2014do you know what I\u2019m talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin shook her head slowly. Fierre bit her lip.<\/p>\n \u201cCome over here and let me show you. It\u2019s on the news. It\u2019s\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette looked up as Fierre pulled Erin away. She abandoned Mrsha whining and begging for one of the artifacts like Cade\u2019s Box of Wonders that Merchant X was tempting her with. She followed Erin and saw.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo you\u2019re actually Maviola El of\u2026the House of El?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka felt stupid saying it like that. Maviola nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you come from Earth.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka flinched and looked around almost reflexively. But they stood in the Earth-rooms anyways. Even so.<\/p>\n \u201cErin told you, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe. And Selys. I believe she thought it was time. And to be fair\u2014I won\u2019t carry the secret long.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cH\u2014if I can ask\u2014how long is it until\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAbout one or two weeks more. It depends.\u201d<\/p>\n On what?<\/em> But Ryoka was afraid to ask just that. She bit her lip.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s\u2026cutting it real close. Really close. One more week, or even two would be better.\u201d<\/p>\n Maviola El raised a brow. She studied Ryoka, looking her up and down.<\/p>\n \u201cI do apologize that my death cannot be delayed for your party, Miss Griffin. I have tried to make arrangements for my demise, and I have too much yet to do. But a party is not high on my list of priorities.\u201d<\/p>\n The Wind Runner flushed.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t mean\u2014did Erin explain everything? It\u2019s not just a party.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, she mentioned some grand ritual involving the Five Houses to revive\u2026a Winter Sprite? And the [Emperor], of course. Miss Ryoka. Who told you that something like that was possible? Moreover\u2014a Winter Sprite for a friend?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka realized they were talking at a disconnect and fumbled in her belt pouch.<\/p>\n \u201cNo! Erin didn\u2019t explain properly\u2014here. Winter Sprites aren\u2019t just\u2026floating elementals. They\u2019re actually\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n It was hard for Maviola to grasp. Especially because she didn\u2019t see<\/em> Winter Sprites. Also, she had to be shown Ivolethe\u2019s statue and grapple with the fact that Winter Sprites were actually<\/em> a race of the fae who came into her world to bring snow and were in fact a magical people from both her and Ryoka\u2019s worlds\u2026<\/p>\n At some point, Ryoka saw herself from afar. Holding a little statue of a faerie and pointing to it, trying to convince Maviola that she