The small man hobbled around the brightly lit store in his fine satins as he collected fabric samples. Iliana stood on a podium in the middle of the store watching him. It took every inch of her self-restraint not to jump from the podium and storm out. Not just because she was following along with that monster's plans, but because of how ridiculous it all seemed.

Senseless slaughter gripped the lands and an endless line of refugees trickled into the city. Yet this man fussed over what color and texture of fabric to use. If it wasn't for the fact that she had learned Mont On’Mor was somewhat of a mix between a noble gathering, dance, and a festival, she would have long given into her compulsions.

Arriving in anything less than noble would be poor showing, and might end in her not being allowed to enter the Lards Valley at all. And so, she was stuck here whilst this pompous dressmaker fluttered about his store, all whilst thousands of refugees flooded into the city.

Why would now be any different? Nobles would act as they always did, it would remain that way until the day something sharp found itself against their necks. Iliana already knew all this, she had bore witness to their extravagance whilst serving The Mother. But that didn't make it any easier.

She was sick of watching the nobility flaunt their wealth all whilst chaos inched closer to their doors.

“What about this? The floral reds would go amazingly with your brown eyes. And I can mold the shape of it so it will perfectly trace your body. Perfect for somebody as in shape as yourself.”

Iliana forced a smile. “Anything a little less, ostentatious?”

The man’s brow rose with dissatisfaction, “one moment,” he added. The cheer from his voice had drained and the smile on his face was gone. A moment later, he appeared with a sheet of black fabric that sparkled as the light caught it. “How about this.”

Iliana wiggled her nose. It wasn’t exactly what she wanted, but she couldn’t be too picky. If she went for something too mundane, she might get turned away. “It’s fine.”

“Fine?” The perky man’s brows bounced. “It’s more than fine. This is a black, baby wyvern scale, woven into silk. It's worth a small fortune and holds traces of mana, and as such, can even be enchanted. I even know a few lords myself who’ve bought the fabric for their wives and then had it enchanted with invisibility and invulnerability spells. Nothing will keep your loved ones as safe as black wyvern scale.”

Iliana nodded. Overpriced fabrics were not something she had a lot of interest in, but if they had utility as well, she could be swayed. “It’s perfect,” she said, forcing a smile.

“I’m glad I could turn that pout into a smile.” The little man smirked and hastily hopped back behind the fabrics as Iliana’s eyes narrowed on him.

“If you like black wyvern scale, perhaps I could tempt you in shimmering silver silk. It comes from the magical narus worm, and will keep you dry beneath your garments and is as strong as giant spider’s threads.”

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“And how much will that cost?”

“It’s within your budget,” the little man said, appearing beside a rack with a wide grin.

Iliana grunted. Perhaps it had been a bad idea to tell the man how much she had to spend. “Fine, use it.” She shook her head. “Can I leave?”

“One moment,” he raised a finger and rushed over. “I’ve measurements to make, and then you can be off.”

“Just make it quick.”

Iliana couldn’t be happier to be stepping out of that store and into the crowded streets of Ome. That man’s grubby little hands had moved far too close to parts they weren’t ever meant to be anywhere near.

In the streets, soldiers marched by and beggars held out their hands, but Iliana cast her face down and marched by.

“Hey, you, pretty little chimera. You lookin’ for sum fun?” Grinned a crooked-jawed soldier as Iliana passed.

“With the likes of you? I’ll pass.”

Laughter erupted across the soldier's comrades as Iliana disappeared into the alley, with the offering soldier yelling at her back, “You’d be lucky to taste this!”

This city is going to shit. I don’t want to imagine what it’ll be like when the grain starts to run low.

But Iliana wasn’t going to stick around that long. She would wait for her dress and take the first wagon out of town, heading for Lards Valley.

Bursting into the inn she had taken residence at, Iliana landed at the bar. “Something strong,” she slapped on the bench.

“Coming right up, ma'am,” grunted the old man behind It, sliding a cup in front of Iliana with a tired expression.

Iliana downed it without a word. “Another.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

“Is my room ready?”

“It is.”

Iliana smiled, “Thank you,” and rose from the bar.

Lugging herself up the stairway, Iliana made her way to the room and dropped herself on the bed.

How had everything gone to shit? Her friends were gone and probably dead, and now she was wrapped up in whatever The Mother had planned.

“Just going to leave me waiting?”

Iliana turned, her face still resting against the sheets. Had her senses really dulled so much? Laurad, the weapons dealer was sitting at her table only meters away.

“Pardon,” Iliana pulled herself up.

“You’re going to love this,” Laurad said without pause and unfolded a leather case across the table; it was filled with dozens of colored arrows. “A master alchemist did these little beauties up for me. Acid, flame, ice, explosive. You name it, I’ve got it.”

Iliana’s attention perked and she bounced over to the table. “I’ll take them all,” she said, gliding a hand across the arrows.

“They don’t come cheap,” Laurad sneered.

Without taking her eyes from the arrows, Iliana emptied a pouch of silver coins across the table. “Enough?”

Laurad counted the coins, but it was clearly just for show. “Aye, that’ll do. If I’d known you were so endowed by coin, I would have brought a larger selection.”

“This is fine.” Iliana waved dismissively.

“If you say so, but I can get you amazing prices on all sorts of wares. We have a new shipment coming in from all the way across the Hollow Sea, things you’ve never even heard of.”

“I said, it’s fine,” Iliana turned to glare at the shady salesman.

“Fine, fine,” Laurad rose from the chair and scooped up the rest of his things. “You know where to find me if you change your mind.”

Iliana waved the man out, her eyes glued to the arrows. "I do."

Iliana picked up one of the magical arrows and notched it in her bow. The weight was a little off and it felt a little strange. But she knew what kind of damage these things could do.

That witch had underestimated her, and she would pay for it.

Iliana smiled and placed the arrow back down.

Her preparations were complete, and now she just needed to wait for the completion of her dress and leave this overcrowded city.

"Oh, Mother Retchis how I will enjoy this. You will never torment me, my sister, or anybody else ever again."