I followed Doan through the winding back alleys of Everspring, taking in the sights and sounds of the village. Despite the recent war, there was a festive atmosphere in the air. Families embraced loved ones returning home, children played cheerfully in the streets, and shopkeepers called out their wares with enthusiasm.

"It's good to see life returning to normal," Doan remarked, his gruff voice tinged with rare warmth. "These people have been through a lot."

As we navigated the narrow streets, I noticed an inn nestled between a florist and a tailor's shop. The wooden sign above the door read "The Wayward Wanderer."

"That's a lively spot," I commented, drawn to the inviting atmosphere.

Doan grunted in acknowledgment. "Aye, it's seen better days, but the owners have kept it running through thick and thin. It's a good place to grab a pint and a hot meal. You'll be able to try the food, as well. It will give you a better idea of how to proceed once yours is up and running."

After our long journey, the thought of a warm bed and a filling supper suddenly appealed to me. I slowed my pace, considering the prospect of staying at the inn for the night.

"You know, I think I might stop there for the evening and get a room for a few nights," I said, turning to Doan. "Once we're done at the money lender, and I have some extra cash."

"Ah, here we are," Doan said and came to a stop. "Now listen. Quibble's honest, but I wouldn't recommend taking out a loan unless you absolutely have to, and even then you'd need several signers to speak to your character."

"Signers?"

"Aye. Friends and family that agree they will cover your debts if you cannot."

I had few of those, so it was a safe bet I wouldn’t be asking for a loan.

Swiftsilver Services was a cozy cubbyhole of an office. Most of the room was dominated by a heavy wooden counter with books stacked high on either side. The room smelled clean, if a little musty, and the scent of lavender and vanilla suffused the air. In a chair sat the money lender. He was a squat little man with long ears and curly gray hair. He wore a wire-rimmed monocle. He looked like…"Uh." My dumb mouth blurted out, "You're a gnome."

"Nothing gets past this one," the gnome laughed. "What brings you good fellows to my shop? Perhaps you have a home that needs repair. Are you getting married and needing a dowry? Doan, does Ragna know you're here?"

"Hello, Quibble. She does, and I don't need any coin."

"Well and good. If you're not here for a little influx of money, I assume this rather devilish fellow is."

"Devilish?" I asked.

"Just an expression, friend."

"This is Varix. He came in with us yesterday."

"Ah! A returning warrior from the front lines. I can't thank you enough for your actions, friend. I myself am too old to fight. I assure you, had I been a younger gnome, I would have gladly joined the effort in whatever capacity they'd had me."

"I'm sure you would have," Doan said and nodded encouragingly. "Varix here needs to change some coins. He's an enterprising one. We took these from some orcs and goblins on our way home."

"Oh. I'd like to see what you have. The darker races occasionally have interesting loot."

When I handed over my collection of coins, the gnome wasted no time looking over them. He made two separate stacks, but set aside the first coin I’d collected from Urzan—the piece that had made Caden’s eyes widen in surprise as I'd served the orcs the first meal I'd prepped.

“This one here. It’s special.”

The gnome broke out an abacus-looking device with little hanging tabs on multiple wires. Quibble placed it on the counter and slid the pieces around. He made a few notes, then turned and extracted a well-worn leather book from the shelf behind him.

“This one’s a head-scratcher,” Quibble said, pointing at the large coin. “Give me a minute.“

“No worries, Quibble. Thanks for taking the time to review the coins.”

Quibble didn’t seem to hear me. He cracked the book open, flipped it to the back, and ran his finger down one of the pages. Then he thumbed to another page and continued looking.

“Ah hah. Yes. Hmmm.“

“Is that good news?” I asked him.

Quibble looked up. “This one’s a keeper. It’s from the time of the Frostfire Rebellion. Old King Rowan. Worth a fair bit. Sure you want to part with it?”

I looked at Doan, and he shrugged.

“Yeah. All of them.”

Quibble flipped a few more tabs and said, “Right. I take a small fee—five percent. It's non-negotiable. Are you fine with that?”

“Sure. So what’s the damage?”

Quibble gestured at the piles of coins. “This here’s a good bit of gold. Twenty-two for the lot. This one.” He pointed at the strange coin. “I’ll give you fifty-five for it. That’s a total of seventy-seven. I've already built my fee in and rounded up in your favor.” He looked up, one eye larger than the other, thanks to his monocle. “I like to be upfront with my customers. That’s the price. That’s the total. Do you agree?”

Stolen novel; please report.

I looked at Doan. He nodded again. If Doan knew and trusted this guy, then I would.

“Done and done,” I said.

The gnome scooped the coins into a pouch that disappeared under his counter. He withdrew a weighty box and placed it on the countertop with a heavy clomp. It opened with an ornate key he kept up a sleeve.

Quibble counted out seven large platinum sovereigns and seven gold coins.

“Pleasure doing business with you,” Quibble said, and turned his attention back to his books.

“Take it easy, Quibble!” I waved.

As we left the money lender’s shop, Doan clapped me on the shoulder. “You’re rich. What do you intend to spend your windfall on?” Doan asked me.

As we walked back to the Hammer & Hearth, I wondered, “Actually, do you have a secure place to store money, like a safe?”

“Aye. We’ve a very sturdy safe. Quite heavy. I can’t lift it.”

“Perfect. Would it be okay to store most of my money there?”

“Of course, my friend. I promise none shall touch it but you.”

"I have no doubt, Doan. I trust you."

We entered his shop, and I took out my earnings. I counted out the platinum sovereigns, minus one, and handed them over. I kept the one large coin and the gold as I intended to make a few well-needed purchases in village. “Thanks for doing this.”

“T’is not a problem. We're practically business partners,” Doan said and took the coins. “Do you have plans for the evening?”

“I do. I'm going to check out that inn and get a room. I'm looking forward to having a warm dinner and sleeping in a soft bed with sheets. I plan to find a bath while I’m at it.”

"That's the life, friend. After our days on the road, I can't say as I blame ya. Farewell, for now, Varix.”

“You as well, my friend.”

We clasped hands, and I was off.

----------------------------------------

I wandered the streets of Everspring, my eyes peeled for the inn I'd spotted earlier. The day's events had left me exhausted, and I longed for a comfortable bed and a hot meal. Finally, I caught sight of the familiar sign swinging in the evening breeze.

Pushing open the heavy wooden door, I stepped into the inn's warm, inviting atmosphere. The flickering light from the hearth cast a cozy glow across the room, illuminating the faces of a few weary travelers.

The innkeeper, a portly man with a friendly smile, greeted me from behind the bar. "Welcome, traveler! What can I do for you this fine evening?"

"I'd like a room for the night," I replied, "and if possible, a bath and a hot meal."

"Of course, of course!" he beamed. "We've got a lovely room available upstairs. Clean sheets, a thick comforter, even its own fireplace. The bath'll cost you extra, but it's worth every copper, I promise you that."

I handed over the coins, grateful for the prospect of comfort after so many nights of rough living. The innkeeper passed me a key and my change, and I made my way up the creaking stairs.

Unlocking the door to my room, I stepped inside and felt an immediate sense of relief wash over me. The innkeeper hadn't exaggerated – it was indeed lovely. The bed looked inviting, piled high with pillows and a plush comforter. A small fireplace with a stack of wood and some kindling in a bucket. Well-worn but clean rugs covered the floor, and a sturdy wooden dresser stood against one wall.

I locked the door behind me and began to undress. It had been some time since I had been out of my clothes, and stretching felt wonderful.

Standing in front of a full-size copper-rimmed mirror, I stared at my form. For the first time since I had arrived in this strange world, I grasped the pendant’s chain and lifted it over my head. A strange tingling sensation coursed through my body as I placed it on the bedside table. It was fascinating to watch my own appearance shift. My skin darkened to an ashen hue, my ears elongated and became pointed, and my features sharpened, but were deeply lined. Within moments, I was staring at the face of Morthisal, the dark lord whose body I now inhabited.

“You are one ugly SOB,” I said in Morthisal’s deep and raspy voice.

I studied my arms. They were far too thin, as were my torso and legs. Why was this guy built like a starving fashion model?

I gasped when I noticed a fine mist emanating around my feet that made the floor glow. It was similar to the day a patch of mushrooms had been mysteriously illuminated, and I had thanked my luck Mira hadn’t noticed.

Shadows seemed to gather around me. My body pulled to them. Whispers reached my ears. Not screams, but not soft either. Somewhere in between.

“Hello?” I whispered.

“You,” a woman’s voice cut through the noise. “You live.”

“No, I fucking don’t,” I said, snatched the pendant off the dresser, and hastily slid the necklace back around my neck. I clutched the pendant and thought of my old self, well, with the few enhancements I’d added, like longer dark hair, a roguish scar across my forehead, and a smaller one near my nose.

Sadly, the voices still lingered in my head, and a cold mist tried to wrap itself around me. I shook it off, closed my eyes, and thought of the happier times, like hunting in the woods with Mira.

I had one other task I’d set for myself, and there was no point in putting it off any further. Since I had escaped Morthisal’s fortress, I had carried a small stash of treasure and barely had time to inspect the pieces.

They were at the bottom of my pack. I took out a few random items of clothing that either needed to be washed or burned in a pit, and found the bundle at the bottom.

Three voyager scrolls in tight little rolls sat rolled up together. I set them aside. Wearing the Heart of Shadows meant I was blocked from reading them, and probably from using them as well.

The handful of gems were remarkable. Each had its own shape and luster. A round, deep yellow gem in the shape of a fist was curious because it seemed to have an inner glow. I stared into it and thought I saw movement.

“Okay. Save that freaky thing for another day,” I muttered and set it aside.

A blue gem larger than the tip of my thumb appeared to be a sapphire. There was no weird stuff in that one, just an inert, glassy interior. Other gems looked like they would fetch a fair amount of coin. Tomorrow, I'd take a couple to a shop and find out how much they were worth. I couldn't imagine they would bring in a fortune, but maybe I'd get lucky.

The last object was a head-scratcher.

I'd barely had time to study the glowing piece of jewelry. I picked up the ring and placed it in the palm of my hand. I wondered what size the ring was and placed it over the tip of my pinky finger.

Nothing happened, except it dulled the light.

"Huh," I said and tried to remove the ring.

It was stuck.

Not like, "Ow, it's too tight."

It was stuck!

I twisted, turned, pulled, yanked, but the only way it would move was nestled next to my palm. I tried to shake my hand, use spit, and even a little soap from the wash basin. None of them worked.

"Son of a bitch," I muttered.