Sleeping in an inn rather than on the road was a blessing. Even if they did have to clear out in the morning with the rest of the town. The clay of the inn was rustic, but had nice natural climate control and there were real beds inside.

The next morning, the group went shopping to resupply.

This settlement had begun construction just recently as a trade depot on the road. Most people there had something to sell.

Sunny and Hemlock chatted with each other and with the other vendors between Hemlock hawking their own wares.

”Two reds, a blue, and an orange.” Hemlock said, handing another merchant their order.

Sunny’s arm rested on the counter of their stall as he patiently waited to continue what he was saying about the anatomy of the dragon they had just fought, hoping to receive more information on Lactarius andros in exchange.

Darnal was comparing produce. He held up two apples and realized once again that he had no idea how to pick ripe fruits. He didn’t want to bother Sunny though. Meanwhile Nyx and Astaria bought dry goods without their social buffers in a mutual silence they tried to pretend was comfortable. They didn’t want to bother Sunny though.

Uncertainly, Darnal turned to glance at Hemlocks stall and his shoulder knocked against that of a passing stranger.

“Ah, sorry.” he said, turning to face them.

It was a man, a well dressed rabbitkin, with auburn hair thrown over his shoulder in a ponytail. The top half of his face was covered in a white mask.

The word pretty came to mind.

“Seems we match.” he said, smiling.

“Huh? Oh the prosthetic.” Darnal said. Unconsciously, he inclined his face so the right side was less in view.

“Oh, don’t hide, dear, you have nothing to worry about.” said the stranger “So, what brings you into town?”

“Oh, just passing through.” he said. “It’s nice to spend the night in a real bed.”

“I heard you’re one of the benevolent shadow cultists that saved the town.”

Darnal scratched his neck “Oh, uh, yeah. We’ve been trying to help out Nyx with his shadow magic PR.”

“Named for his Spirit, how devout.” the man mused. “I’m curious, how you end up traveling with such a group.”

“We just met on the road.” said Darnal “It was pretty random actually.”

“Hey, Darnal. We’re heading out soon.” called Nyx

“Oh, is that so?” the man asked. “Well, in that case, safe bon voyage, I suppose.”

It was a shame they had to leave so soon, but the dragon wouldn’t sleep forever. They helped the townspeople pack, said their goodbyes to Emma, and were on their way, new addition in tow.

They knew it was foolish at this point, but they hoped for an uneventful ride.

The ride was painfully uneventful until it wasn’t

“Lungwort” said Hemlock

“Newt” Sunny

“Oleander” said Hemlock

“Python” sad Sunny

“Quamash.” said Hemlock

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“Rattlesna-“

“As fun as this game is, I think it may be time to move on to something else.” said Nyx.

Hemlock stared at him blankly “…Snapdra-“

“Darnal, cover your eyes!”

The cart swerved suddenly, nearly overturning as a blinging flash of light filled the carriage.

Nyx rose. “What the hell?!”

“There was a light rune on the road!” Astaria explained.

“You know, the sudden warning was only marginally less scary than the flash.” said Darnal.

“Do you think it’s an ambush?” asked Sunny.

Suddenly a laugh filled the air, the kind an evil princess might let out in a comic book from the Hinata Archipelago.

The group began to look around frantically.

“Above you!”

There, perched atop the carriage was the stranger from earlier.

“Hey dipshit!” yelled Hemlock “Who are you and why are you planting mines in the middle of the road!?”

“My sincerest apologies.” he said, dipping into a deep bow. “I simply wanted a chance to meet this mysterious new shadow cult.”

“We’re not a cult jackass.” said Nyx

“In any case,” the man said, brushing off the insult. “I have you exactly where I want you now.”

Quick as a flash, he had drawn a rapier and was lunging towards the Astaria.

Quickly, but not quite as fast, Darnal drew his saber and blocked him as Astaria darted back to her seat for her glaive.

The masked man leaned in and grinned at the scrape of the crossed blades.

Massive, cold hands gripped his waist and he looked down to see Nyx’s claws on him.

“Ah.” he said before being flung about five feet away. He caught imself before hitting the ground, landing gracefully on a bent knee that gouged a path through the turf as he slid back.

Again, he grinned.

Astaria swung her glaive on a wide arc, but he danced to the side and leaped into the air laughing as he narrowly escaped any knicks.

“What’s with this guy?” asked Nyx.

“I think he’s playing with us.” said Hemlock hurling bottle that was promptly kicked back towards them.

They yelped, leaping away from the explosion of glass and red fog “Must be a fan for yours.”

“‘Playing.‘” said Darnal, flatly

“’A fan.’” Nyx said in the same tone.

Sunny sliced through the air, hurling a sharp gust at him from the ground.

In the air without anything to leap off of, he was unable to dodge.

He fell onto his dirt-stained knee again, grin wider than ever.

Astaria charged at him and he dipped under the handle of her blade like a dancer, tucking and rolling away.

Darnal sprinted over, metal leg raised in a roundhouse kick that stopped short when the man caught him by the ankle. He didn’t release him, holding him in an uncomfortable split that he squirmed to get out of.

He caught his eye and winked and red bloomed on Darnal’s face.

Sunny slid across the dirt, kicking his leg out from under him. The man flipped through the air and onto his feet.

Astaria growled in frustration, startling her company.

She swung the handle of her glaive directly at his head.

They caught a glimpse of him ducking down to avoid it before he spiked something against the ground.

There was another bright flash.

And suddenly he was gone.

Darnal flinched and squeezed his eyes shut, shaking and Astaria placed a steadying hand on his shoulder blade.

“I think that’s the most animated I’ve seen you.” said Sunny.

Fear suddenly showed across Astaria’s eyes.

“I’m fine.” said Darnal. “I’m fine. You’re fine.” He took a deep breath. “Everyone is fine.

Everyone caught their breath as they glanced around to make sure the masked man was really gone.

“Fuck, that was obnoxious.” said Nyx.

“Hey uh, where’s Hazelnut?” asked Sunny

“Who?” asked Nyx.”

“The horse. Darnal’s horse.”

Darnal opened his eye and looked around.

“Shit.”