Lysandra woke up with her body completely sore and couldn't help but groan as she got up. She managed to sit up, between her sister and the massive body of Crab. They had been forced to spend the night in a dilapidated shack they found on their way to Verdemar, without blankets or luggage, and with damp clothes. They had to hastily abandon the boat in the river, which soon sank as the old rotten wood began to break. Clearly, Toothpick's escape plan had been prepared for too long, as having the boat hidden for so many months without anyone taking care of it had its consequences. It only lasted half the journey. They spent the rest of the day finding the way again and traveling the rest on foot. Unfortunately, by the time they reached the city, the gates were already closed, and they had to improvise. They had previously encountered the hut, so they retraced their steps and stayed there to rest.

This time, Lysandra fell asleep quickly, as she was exhausted, but a few hours later, Crab's snores woke her up. The splintered wooden walls and the worn-out thatched roof had too many holes and gaps, and the night cold seeped in from everywhere. The four of them huddled together on the hard dirt floor, trying to keep each other warm, but she had to nudge the giant a couple of times to get him to turn over and stop snoring for a while. Her sister's snores didn't help either. And the truth is, none of the four of them smelled like roses, to say the least. She needed a bed and a bath. And a good breakfast. The only consolation was that in the morning, they could enter the city and finally get home.

They headed back towards Verdemar with sluggish steps at the first light of dawn, through the morning mist and the occasional crowing of a rooster echoing in the distance. After a little more than half an hour of walking, they finally reached the gates, haggard and worn out, but at least they were happy to see that the horses were in the stables. Toothpick had succeeded. They passed under the arches of the walls, mingling with travelers entering and locals heading to nearby fields. They entered the awakening city. The temple bells rang in the distance, calling the faithful. Chimneys smoked from houses, and the air was filled with the aromas of kitchens and burning wood. People began to come out onto the streets, shopkeepers setting up tables and stalls in front of their establishments, displaying some of the goods they offered inside, and even Sunno seemed to start the day cheerfully, shining brightly in the cool, clear western sky.

They passed through some alleys, heading towards the tanners' quarter. Lysandra quickened her pace, eager to finally get there, though she noticed that Crab was unusually silent and serious. She caught the couple of signals he made to Wart with his good hand and how Wart nodded slightly.

"Is something wrong, Master Crab? We're quite close to my mother's house," Lysandra asked.

"Tell me, at the next street, do we turn right or left?" the big man asked in a low voice.

"Right, and then continue straight to the Lions' Square, and we'll almost be there," Lysa replied, somewhat intrigued. "Why do you ask?"

"Two men are following us, about fifty yards back. Don't turn around. We're going to take a detour."

"Count's soldiers? Have they found us after all?" Lysa whispered, worried.

"They don't look like soldiers. But they could be spies, assassins, or thieves wanting to claim a reward. I'm sure there's a price on our heads," Crab said in his rough, raspy voice. "I'd like to ask them personally; do you know any alley where we can ambush them?"

"Of course, I've spent half my life in these streets. At the next intersection, we'll take the left turn. Besides, I think Zari can help us."

"What's happening, Lysa? Did you say something?" Zarinia asked, turning to her sister upon hearing her name.

"Get ready, two men are following us, and we're going to ambush them. Don't look! We'll need your illusions."

"But who? If I don't see them, I can't create the images in their minds."

"Don't worry, you'll see them easily. We're heading to Owl Alley."

"Ah, I see. There are good hiding spots there. I'll be ready."

The men stalking them tried to keep their distance and moved quickly, trying not to expose themselves too much. They wore brown cloaks and hid their faces with wide-brimmed straw hats, like peasants. They watched the group turn left and, after carefully peeking, saw them turn again into another street. It didn't seem like the group had noticed that they were being followed. They crossed and took the same path. Suddenly, they found themselves in a narrow alley. At first glance, they thought they had lost them, but as soon as they ventured further, they saw the four of them again, crossing a door at the far end. As soon as it closed, they hurried silently to the end of the alley. And a moment later, just as they were about to open the door, it disappeared. In its place, only a stone wall. They turned around, not quite understanding what had just happened, and were surprised to see the four they had been chasing, blocking the exit to the street.

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"May the Demons take me if my eyes deceive me! But if it isn't my old comrades, Curls and Rooftop!" Crab roared with a laugh, putting his hands on his hips.

"You know them?" Lysandra asked incredulously. The two men continued to stare at them, dumbfounded, with surprised expressions.

"Unfortunately, yes. They're old companions from when I worked for 'The Raven.' But tell me, what are you doing in Verdemar? As far as I remember, your territory was in Terranevada."

"Oh, wow. Sweetmouth, I didn't recognize you. What a surprise..." stammered the taller of the two, called "Curls." He took off the hat covering his head, revealing an almost bald head, trying to cover it with a couple of long, sad strands of straw-colored hair.

"You do look surprised. You're probably still wondering how we got out through the alley door that's no longer there. But I'll keep that secret. Now, tell me, old friends. Why were you following us? And what are you doing so far from the Raven's nest?" Crab continued, in a friendly tone, but with a hint of a veiled threat.

At that moment, the men's dumbfounded expressions turned into malicious smiles. They nodded their heads, signaling to look behind.

"Apologize to your old companions," a voice suddenly croaked behind them.

They turned and saw five men had silently positioned themselves at the entrance of the alley, behind them. They were aiming light crossbows at them. The one speaking was unarmed, the shortest of them all, and dressed in much finer clothes than the rest, like a wealthy bourgeois. He was a man with greasy, dark hair tied in a ponytail, a long, hooked nose, and childlike features, contrasted by the scars covering his face.

"My old friend, 'Crab,' for that's what you go by now, if I'm not mistaken," the short man continued, opening his arms as if to hug the giant but without approaching.

"The Raven..." Crab managed to say, almost in disbelief.

"That's right, in the flesh. And as I said, you must excuse them, for they didn't know they were facing two sorceresses. For whom a good price has been set. And whom we won't hesitate to shoot if they so much as open their mouths, even to wish us good morning."

"So, you've moved your nest, haven't you, Raven? Things must not have gone well for you in Terranevada, then."

"Oh, on the contrary, on the contrary. It went so well that now I'm expanding the business. But let's not talk about the past, let's talk about the present. For you, my old friend, unfortunately, they don't pay anything. Nor for your young... apprentice, son, lover, whatever. We're only interested in the girls."

Lysandra noticed Crab gritting his teeth, glaring at the little man with fury, and Wart slowly reaching for where he hid his daggers.

"But I'll let you live, for old times' sake, as long as you don't interfere. So be good and leave the city, you have until nightfall. Or tomorrow your bodies will be found in the river, floating to the sea. And advise the ladies not to do anything strange. They pay more for them alive, but the price if we deliver just the bodies isn't bad either."

It was clear that, at any moment, Crab would lunge at that despicable man. Lysandra put her hand on his shoulder and said, looking him in the eyes.

"Master Crab, accept the offer. We're at a disadvantage now. We'll go with the... gentlemen without resisting. You two must continue. Find Edel, and everything will be sorted out."

"But, you don't know what you're saying, these men..."

"They will treat us with respect, or they'll learn what it means to face an enraged sorceress, right?" Lysandra said, turning to look directly at the Raven. He nodded with a slight bow.

"Rest assured, you will be treated with due respect. Now come quietly with us. And you, my dear 'Crab,' I'll leave in the company of Curls and Rooftop to make sure you don't follow us. After that, you're free to go."

Zarinia stood by her side, silently, but not before looking anxiously at Wart, who took a step toward her, though he was stopped by Crab's metal claw, which he placed in his path. As Lysandra prepared to approach the bandits, Crab whispered in her ear:

"As soon as you walk away, these men will try to kill us. Don't worry, they don't stand a chance against us. Then we'll find your mother and Toothpick. And we'll rescue you, no doubt."

"I understand, Brisur. But remember what's most important. Don't endanger the mission for us. If things get tough, we'll fight. And we'll take down as many as we can."

"I hope so, if it comes to that. I trust we won't have to," Crab replied with a half-smile.

After this, they joined the group of thieves. Lysandra looked back one last time. She saw Crab and Wart standing still, watching them as they walked down the street. And the two thieves left with them, drawing their swords and approaching them from behind. It was the last thing she saw before they covered their heads with smelly sacks and put them in a closed wagon that was waiting at the end of the street.