Whose shoes are those I don't remember. They were moving into the room now. They have stopped in the middle.

“I know you're here.” They said.

I think that was Folis. Shit, I knew he was onto me. Let's be cool and see if I can play this off. I crawl out from under the bed. He sees me but doesn't make any moves. Stare down it is. Who will draw first?

“Mroew,” I say. The floor is yours tiefling.

“Not gonna hide are you? I see. Trying to get in my good graces. Smart move. Especially when I know you are more than you seem.” He said.

Shit. Just what I needed. Right as I find out about the journal he shows up. He was already suspicious. Was he watching me? I can’t see magic scrying eyes so he could have been. I sat down. I am not giving up my cover yet. I will let him continue to talk and direct the conversation. If I am lucky one of his friends will show up.

“Waiting for Zexis to come save you? Not gonna happen. She is 6 drinks in and trying to get Carmilla to sing sea shanties with her.” He said.

Shit ass fuck. He is reading my mind? Or am I just an open book? Or is he just guessing? He can't be that lucky can he? Wait. Lucky. He is lucky? That's his thing, isn't it? Good luck. This means if his group loses the journal that's bad luck. Which is why he showed up when I was nearly ready to take it. Then was this conversation fated to happen? He could probably beat me-handedly. Or maybe I can game the system. He can't be omnipotent. I got an idea. I crawl back under the bed and push the journal out from under it.

“Oh, someone has been a naughty kitten. And where did you find this I wonder.” He said.

Ugh, I hate him. But I bet I know how to beat him too. He mentioned leaving the casino before he got kicked out and that he has a history of doing this. Which means there is either a limit to his power or his ability choose the best course of action for his safety. Having money can buy safety. Having too much can actually make you a target. So that means I need to figure out which course of action is both the safest for him and myself.

“Well it's nice you came clean about this but that doesn’t mean I can forgive snooping spies. Here is the deal. I will leave the balcony door open. You escape that way and we can say this never happened.” He said.

He wants me gone. They mentioned the mage having portal magic so he probably is going to get them out of here tonight. I can't let that happen. Not without me knowing who they are taking this information to. AghH. I am too limited as a cat. Time to pull a bit of the mask off.

“Who is Alamads?” I said adding a few vocal chords. My voice is still cat-like and higher pitched but it should be understandable.

“Ahah the cat speaks at last. Neat trick. Most wildeshifters I have seen can’t maintain an animal form this long. So that means your ability is more powerful than most. Who are you exactly?” He asked.

“I asked a question first. We can exchange questions and answers but mine first.”

“Alright, fair. We are referring to the Marquis of Port Zoon. My question remains the same.” He said.

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So they are working for a Marquis. That explains things a bit. A Marquis could have been the one to hire adventurers to investigate someone selling information about the shore wardens. Alright my turn. “I am Zhelezo. What will Alamads do with the information in this journal? There is a lot of damning things in here and it will be destructive for Feolinn.” I asked.

“I am not fully sure. He will probably arrest Harris for sure. Who sent you?” He asked.

“I was sent by Martel, another Zhelezo. I was watching the festival for people that looked suspicious and I saw all of you. When I reported this I was sent to investigate. Now as for Harris. I don't know if another Marquis will have the authority or if they are going to be willing to risk doing that in another's town. Have you all discussed whether you will arrest him yourselves?” I asked.

“We had discussed it but we probably will leave after tomorrow morning. Especially since we have had a Zho spy with us all day. How did you see through our spell? We should have been very hard to find and track.” He said.

“I am not sure. I saw you guys clearly trying to lockpick the backdoor of the Golden Hand. Then I simply checked every open door I could find till I found your group In Harris’s office. Guess I got lucky.” I said smugly. His luck powers could have been busy with his gambling and maybe that's how I found the group again.

“Tch.” He replied.

“Guess I touched a sore spot. Will you tell them about me?” I said.

“It will probably hurt their feelings more if I tell them the cat they have grown fond of is actually a Zho spy. So I will tell them you simply ran away. Best you get far away too. Will you leave peacefully? I care about my friends and I would prefer they get a good night's sleep.” He said.

I think I get it. He doesn't know how powerful I am. I could be anything or anyone. That's the trouble with shapeshifters. You can’t really see them coming. The only reason he found me out was probably his luck bullshit. Shouldn't he be able to do that again? Wait. Is that really it? I am pretending to be a cat. Am I missing some kind of cat luck and he just noticed? I could try again with a different form and see if he notices then. Well at that point he might try and attack me.

“No. I think I will stick with you all.” I said. That made the room tense. He is anxious. Can his ability not work on powerful creatures and that's why he is scared I might be one? I need to defuse the tension. “I need to make sure this information reaches the Marquis of Port Zoon and the proper steps are taken. This journal is a blackmail bomb that can tear apart this city and if that happens the vultures of the coast will pick it at whatever is left. In the morning I will tell your friends about myself and we can work from there.” I said trying to negotiate from a position of false strength. He is thinking about it. I won't hurt his friends and I will even try to help them. I will bring nothing but good fortune.

“Fine. But keep your distance for tonight. It's already weird as it is.” He said.

“It's actually a really good feeling to be pet as a cat. I admit it is weird when people learn the truth but I try to be respectful. I especially stay away from kids as that is gross.” I said.

“Nice to see you have some lines. Why are you a guard?” He asked.

“I will tell you later. For now, you can rest easy in the fact that you and your friends are safe.” I said. Haha, eat that luck boy. Can’t beat them, then join them. I let him deal with the BoH and I find a nice spot on top of a chair and lay down. I got some napping to do.

………

Folis

Damn it. I hate when people figure out the dunamancy. Makes it hard to manipulate luck when other people manipulate it back. I don't trust who or whatever they are but I can’t change it. He is fully on the path to helping us so I am now powerless to stop him. Only thing I can do now is try and direct him away once he gets what he needs. Zenix is going to be real fucking mad tomorrow but that's his problem. It's going to be my problem when he leaves and she gets sad about losing a new friend. Devin and Carmilla are going to probably be fine with it when I tell them I can’t manipulate possibilities against him. They say that means whatever happens then is usually a good outcome but I still don't like it. And Lupine probably won't care either way. She might even like having someone who can fit in small spaces as well as her.

I look over and see the smug orange fucker. Just lying there like this is his house. Like he hasn't been manipulating us all day. Getting hours of attention and belly rubs. It should have been ME! I am the one that gets us the good jobs. I find the hidden doors and gold caches. So what if I snuck off to go gamble? I need some me time too. They said we wouldn't get the chance to go later. I just wanted to make some gold for myself. I mean… I don't mind giving Lupine and Cam a cut. They work hard too. And Devine is always looking out for us. Zenix reminds me of my sister. Nosey as can be, constantly hitting me, but always there to get me out of a fight. Hell, my luck usually just sends her my way when things look bad because she is the best way to get out of a tight spot. And Abaxis has taught me a lot about how to use my dunamis better. He gets us where we need to go and is always there to fight off magic.

I don't want this cat hurting them. So when someone figures out the luck and manipulates it so they can benefit from it as long as we do as well sucks. I don't like having this weakness. But the weakness is my friends. And I don’t want to lose them either. Aaagh I hate this. Let them deal with it in the morning and let whatever happens, happen. Stupid fucking shapeshifters.