Tuesday, just before noon, Cook meets Trageser alone at the Thirsty Pilgrim. The rain has stopped, but dark clouds linger ominously. They promise a repeat of the weekend’s violent storms. Cook and Trageser pause before entering the bar, just long enough for Cook to give the young detective a very scornful glare.

Trageser, for his part, has the decency to look ashamed. He also looks hung over, with dark circles under his eyes and hair still damp from his shower. They push their way through the heavy wooden door into the bar.

A fight in progress meets the two detectives. The room is nigh empty, with only one of the many dark corners occupied by a hooded figure, which appears to be a ratkin. Right in the center of the room, Krag holds a wriggling serpente lowblood in something like a choke hold. Or rather, it would be a choke hold, but the serpente was far too wriggly for that. The only other people in the room were ignoring the fight.

Cook notices the serpente bearing tiny fangs and intervenes by whacking both fighters with his hold baton. Trageser helps him pull the two apart and deposit them on opposite sides of the room. Trageser sticks with the serpente while the spell wears off. Cook stays glued to his potential witness instead.

The more experienced Krag and Cook watch as Trageser tries to talk to the held serpente while the spell slowly ends. They share a chuckle at his expense.

“So, what did you manage to get for me?” Cook asks the orc.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

“Just what I said I’d get: names.” Krag flexes his fingers slowly, working out the tingle of magic.

Gus Hoyt mozies over to join Cook and Krag at their end of the bar. He says quiet, but clearly listens as he looms over the much shorter detective.

“Three names,” Krag says, “Ladislav Povondra, Piscia Victorinus, and Septimia Auila. Apparently them and your blond with the neck problem were thick as thieves.”

“Any idea where I might find this trio?” Cook taps his pencil impatiently on the bar, writing all three names in his tiny notebook. “It’s a big city, you know.”

“Big city, but small university,” Gus quips. “I’ve met Povondra. He’s a Sacred Dark student.”

Cook raises an eyebrow and gives Gus a quizzical look.

“I’ve taken some classes on zombie control. It makes running this place much easier.” Gus shrugs. Cook takes note again of the ork working as line cook in the back.

“Anything I should know about Povondra?” Cook asks.

“For one, he’s a kobold.” Gus rolls his eyes. “For two, he’s ambitious beyond his stature. Kid won’t shut up about becoming a lich someday.”

“Not who I’d expect to find our blond spending her time with, but I’ll take it.” Cook stands and heads to the door. “Are you coming Trageser?”

The younger detective hurries over to join him, and they leave the Thirsty Pilgrim together. Cook pats him on the back and congratulates him on his investigative skill at questioning the serpente.