It surprised me, how much the Ingratus base reminded me of the Rosenin’s manor. It turns out that the underground portion of the base had a staircase located in a manor’s main hall on the backside of the main staircase.

Sitting just outside of the manor’s walls, I pulled out the folder on Jolis that I had put in my coat. Searching through it I eventually found a map of Willowdale. It seemed that Ingratus’ manor was just outside of the city's walls. However, the map didn’t mark where so I didn’t have a clue as to where I was.

Packing the folder back in my coat, I got up and started to head towards the walls of the city, I could always ask where I was when I got there.

While walking I kept thinking back to Rana, the bruises on her face, and how tired she looked. It hurt, seeing her like that. In all the months I had known her I had never seen her cry, she was always so strong.

My heart felt like it was being torn apart by the relief of seeing her, but the pain of seeing her so hurt. It made me want to turn back and try anything, but I knew I was already doing all I could.

It hurt, but I kept moving forward regardless. As I came up to the gate, I was seen by a city guard dressed in leather armor with insignias and holding a spear.

Waving his hand, the guard motioned me to continue into the city as he smiled at me. I nodded as I passed by him. Thinking back, there weren’t any guards at the other gate I entered with Quinn, at least not in the open.

Seeing as this gate wasn’t the one western gate I had entered with Quinn, I figured I was going through one of the two east-side gates. I just wasn’t sure if it was the southern or northern gate.

Deciding that it was better to just ask for directions, I turned around and asked the guard, “Excuse me, sir, where should I head to get to Skykey yard?”

Turning around and seeing me, the man chuckled for a second, “Lost? Well, kid, you’ll want to head down this main road until you come to the main square, got it?” Nodding he continued, “Then just head down the road leading to the Capital Pass, it will be on your left. Now go on, your parents are probably worried about you.” Chuckling he waved me off. “Good luck kid,”

I froze as he turned around, facing the manors outside the walls that surrounded the rest of the city. “You have no idea,” I whispered. Taking small steps, I started towards the square. I knew where I was at least.

I felt my stomach churn as I walked with some of the crowd heading in the same direction. I haven’t talked with them for years. Hells, I haven’t even thought of them for years. Hopefully, my message made it.

Looking around I tried to distract myself with how the city looked. It was a very different area compared to the one The Galleon was located at. The buildings were all built of stone, bricks, and wood support beams. The road was laid with cut stone, and the roofs were tiled. Glass windows adorned the houses, honestly it looked quite beautiful.

However, I wasn’t here to admire the city. Moving through the city I eventually made it to the square. From it, I could see a fortress peaking out from off to the left of the road I had come out of. In front of me was a giant stage, built from wood, with the support beams underneath left visible.

I made my way left from the street exit, following the guard’s directions toward Skykey yard. Passing through the square, I saw just how many market stalls populated it. With many different things being sold, from produce, to beast hide and souls, and even to weapons and armor. I suppose a shop in the main part of town would get a lot of passing glances.

Throughout the crowd’s bustling, I could also hear different preachers. Some proclaimed how Dai, Lord of the South, would save us from the approaching North, and others talked about Rarnul, the Wander, and the Grey Eagle, who would continue to shield us from evils. Looking around, I spotted a few cathedrals peaking out from above the buildings; some had bells atop them.

Following the guard’s directions, I went onto the street to Captial Pass until I saw a road that led to Skykey Yard. Moving onto it I pulled out the map Aliana gave me. I was looking for certain shops and buildings, each of them was a place that Jolis frequented during the afternoon, and as I didn’t know where she lived I could only find her here.

Moving throughout the area, I came across a point in the street where I could see two of the buildings she had been spotted at. Pulling the sketch from the folder I tried to memorize it, so if I saw her I would be able to act.

I walked towards an alley that still had a view of both buildings. After situating myself, I watched and waited. I was there for hours, watching those buildings.

Seeing the sunset and hearing the cathedral’s bells ringing made my heart sink, I was worried that she wouldn’t come here and that I had wasted a day scouting a place she wouldn’t come to, but then I saw her. A black-haired human female, with a slimmer body. The sketch was drawn well especially paired with the description. She wore a grey cloak, keeping the hood up, and her head mostly covered, I only spotted her due to heading in my direction. She had a few boxes in her arms from various shops.

I continued to watch her enter the bakery to my left, so I moved to it. She wouldn’t know who I was, and I could keep an eye on her up close from in the bakery.

Walking into the shop, I saw a line of customers, all coming up and paying for the same thing. Thankfully I had entered quickly after she had, allowing me to be behind her by a single person. As I breathed a sigh of relief, I noticed how good the bakery smelt, the fresh breads and baked goods in the air. How lively the store felt with customers all talking to each other.

It was a good look at civilization after how my last couple of weeks were. The line quickly diminished as a batch of bread was just finished. All of us were able to purchase at nearly the same time, letting me leave almost directly after Jolis.

She started down the same road as she came down, stopping at stalls every now and then. While following her, I brought out the bread I had bought. It was cheap, and I was hungry. Jolis had already eaten most of the bread, and I could tell why. It was light and tasted amazing, even without anything covering it. Enjoying each bite, I followed Jolis, noticing she was cautious and constantly checking around her. I suppose she guessed she angered Ingratus.

She kept moving down the road she slipped into an alleyway, seeing this I speeded up, making sure I could see each turn she took. When we came out of the alleyways, I noticed that she led me back towards the main square.

Jolis wasn’t done though, weaving through the crowd, checking various stalls, and heading toward the western gate road. I tried my best to keep my eye on her, moving through the stalls and the crowds in the main square, but I lost her a few times. The only reason I managed to find her again was because I saw she was heading west..

I quickly passed the stage in the square, and soon the street started to open up with fewer people crowding it. With fewer people, I could clearly see Jolis moving down the street. However, I noticed that there weren’t any buildings on my left anymore. I realized that I could see what was called The Green. A lake near the middle of the city, and in the middle of it, a bridge leading towards the fortress I had seen earlier.

Stolen story; please report.

The fortress itself was also an impressive sight, even without the gorgeous blue lake I would have said so. With walls and towers surrounding it. Inside was an impressive building, easily at least twice the size of any of the manors I had seen.

Looking ahead I realized I had almost lost Jolis, I could barely see her grey cloak in the crowd. Speeding up, I started weaving through the crowd and approaching her.

While catching up Jolis took a turn, and not wanting to lose her, I sped up, running to make sure I didn’t lose her. Turning the corner I spotted her running down an alleyway, boxes in hand, “Shit!” I exclaimed as soon as I realized I messed up.

Running after her I sped myself up with ether. After turning the corner I saw her dashing towards another alley. Speeding myself up more I ran down the alleyway, I was going to catch her. Still sprinting, I turned around the corner to come face-to-face with a knife.

Bracing my knees with ether, I slid onto my knees and barely avoided the fast-approaching knife. Sliding behind the man who swung it, I glanced behind me to see three people running at me and one in front of me.

Continuing my chase, I decided to run after Jolis and ignore the people behind me. I was here to kill her, not whoever they were. However, before I got back into stride my shoulder was grabbed by one of the men behind me.

“Keep running, we’ll take care of him,” One of them shouted.

Infusing my entire body with ether I twisted my body, wrenching myself free from his grasp. Grabbing his arm I slammed it down onto my knee, I felt the bones snap. He swung his free arm widely, trying to stab me with the knife in his hand as he screamed. Blocking him with one arm, I pulled his broken arm down and brought my knee into his head. Letting go the man fell to the ground.

Glancing up the rest were all wary of me and not approaching. So, reaching down I grabbed the knife off the floor and flung it at the man behind me. My aim was shit, and the knife spun mid-air, I doubt it would’ve even hit him with the blade, but it made him flinch.

Moving towards him I swept his feet from underneath him. By the time he got up, I was already chasing after Jolis. I heard them shouting behind me as I turned the corner. I couldn’t see her, I had no clue where she went.

I tried looking for her, evening scaling a building for a better vantage point but it didn’t help me find her in the alleys. “Damn it!” I yelled, I lost her.

Did I fail? I still had tomorrow, but now she knew someone was looking. If I was trying to hide, I would lay low for the day, but where was she staying? Would she even do the same?

Looking around I tried to think of anything, to find any hint, when I heard more shouts. Smiling, I looked back toward the group of people Jolis hired. Perhaps they knew where she was staying.

I wasn’t sure if I could fight all three of them. Hells, I wasn’t sure if I only managed to take down the first one because he wasn’t imbuing himself, and caught him by surprise.

“Just how young was the psycho, I knew Ingratus had some screws loose, but I never thought they would be so young,” One of them exclaimed while running.

“Did you see how fast he took off, and why are we trying to catch him, we already got paid for this, and Jolis should’ve gotten far enough to escape him,” The Kythraxian female remarked.

“Really? We owe her,” A human with daggers responded, he was a little annoyed. At this point I had ended up almost directly above them on the rooftops, thankfully in this section of the city, most of them ended up as flat roofs, instead of slanted.

“I mean, do any of us know where she is headed? She didn’t tell me, and I’m almost certain she didn’t tell any of you. We have no idea where she is. Well, besides that, she is staying at an inn,” The final person in their trio said, carrying their unconscious friend on their shoulder, “I would love to get that boy back for breaking Col’s arm, but they are long gone.”

The man turned around and started walking off, the Kythrax following immediately, while the human looked indecisive. Eventually, he hung his head and followed. Well shit, that wasn’t that helpful.

Sitting down on the rooftop, I started to think; how could I find her?

Pulling out a folder I opened a map of Willowdale. I could assume that her inn was probably in the area. I doubt she would risk traveling across the city for no reason.

Trailing over the area a lot of names came up; The Mourner, The Merchant, Lucky Jailer. Eventually, I came across a name that struck up some memories. It wasn’t far, and hey, maybe I could get some information there.

Jumping down the building into the alley, I started to make my way towards an inn.

Moving throughout town I realized just how close I was, and how little I traveled while staying there. When I came up to the street I saw a very familiar name and a smile came onto my face.

Opening the doors, I made my way up to the bar. “Hey, Gurnag, can I get an Alta? I’ve had a rough few weeks.” The owner of the Galleon turned around with a smile that made the entire trek worth it.

“Is my mysterious savior back? I’ll certainly get you one but you owe me a story, most of us thought you were already dead.” He said, turning around and filling a mug with my favorite drink. “You know, I still never got the name of the man who kept that Ingratus assassin out of my inn.” He stated while handing the mug over.

Smiling I took a sip, “It’s Arthur, but I’m certain you mean two assassins, why else do you think I would leave?” I exclaimed, making it sound like a joke, my truths always did sound like lies.

The orange Kythraxian owner laughed, the sound bellowing out through the room. “Well, now I need to know the story.”

My smile faded as I stared into my drink, “Another time Gurnag, it’s been… trying to say the least.”

I felt a hand on my shoulder, and when I looked up, I saw Gurnag looking at me, “Whenever you are ready or want to share, I’ll be here. I owe you twice over for dealing with those assassins. So what can I do for you?”

A small smile came onto my face as I felt just a little weight get lifted off my shoulders. It felt good, to have someone in your corner. “Gurnag, I have a question for you, do you have any information on Jolis Marsone?”

“What do you want with this Marsone? I’ve heard a few different groups looking for her.” Gurnag asked, looking at me with interest.

Taking a sip I thought about how to ask him, “Remember how I was here for a friend when I stayed. Well, if I manage to catch Jolis, I can help her. So Gurnag, I’m asking for a favor here.”

“How would catching Jolis help her? I’m not saying no here, I already owe you and would like to pay you back, but I would like to know what I’m getting into.” He asked.

“The reason catching Jolis would help me is because of who has her. I’m pretty sure I told you about how she was sold into slavery right?” I questioned, I wasn’t actually sure. I mean, it had only been three weeks for him… hopefully, he remembered.

“Pretty sure? But yes, I remember you mentioning that.” Gurnag inquired, but he didn’t press, just a passing remark.

“It turned out that the one who purchased her was Ingratus, the same one who sent me out to kill Jolis in return for ownership of my friend. Hells, does that sound wrong out loud.”

Gurnag looked me up and down before returning to some dishes, “Are you a part of them now? I have no problems with that, I’m simply just curious,” Was that the truth, or was that just him saying it so I would feel like I could speak freely?

Looking at him, I realized how much he already knew about me, I figured a little more wouldn’t change his opinion. “Sadly, yes. It was my only option for freeing her besides suicide via trying to free forcefully. I’ve been undergoing their unique… trials, to join their ranks for the last three weeks. This is the last one until I’m a full member and the ownership of Rana.”

“Having an inn that Ingratus owes a favor to makes the patrons feel safer, even by rumors alone,” Turning around the grey Kythraxian leaned across the bar whispering, “So, how fast do you need this information, and what do you want to know?”

“Her location, and by tomorrow morning at the latest. I can deal with the rest.” I responded.

“Alright Arthur, I have a room upstairs open, room three on the right. Feel free to rest or stay at the bar, I’ll get that information to you,” He said, “Now go catch some sleep, I’ll wake you up as soon as I have it, you look like you haven’t slept in days.”

Downing my drink I looked up, “If you ever need anything, please just ask. Chances are I’ll be around more often, and hopefully, you can meet my friend next time.”

“I’d like that, and don’t worry too much.” He said, picking up my cup and cleaning it out before placing it with the others.