It was early evening; approximately 8 hours after they'd left Llantry. By the afternoon Pepi persuaded an irritable Renato to converse (by talking until the other man grew annoyed enough to reply). While the knight hadn't been enthusiastic at first, he did eventually talk. One could only stare at grass, trees, and dull skies for so long, after all.

"Renato, we're heading towards our first town!" Pepi pointed ahead of them. "We should stay at an inn there tonight."

At each side of the wagon, fences surrounding fields sprung up, people walked from the fields to town, houses appeared with children playing outside them.

"Where are we?"

"Wakefield, according to the map," Pepi said, putting the map back into his pocket. Finlay went in there as well, no longer flashing colours. "This is one of the places that I went through on the way to Llantry. I don't remember being here. Feels familiar though."

Renato peered over Pepi's shoulder. "They don't have defense walls."

"Is it that mind boggling to you? If so, you're going to be in for a hell of a journey."

They passed by a town hall which had the building's name in gold lettering. The path grew narrower the further into town they drew and had more people. Flies buzzed around and the stench of cattle manure was overwhelming. An inn had a sign above the door saying "The Ugly Snail". Some drunk people, a mixture of Dwarves, Halflings, and Gnomes, gathered outside the doorway as they were kicked out by a Halfling woman with lucious purple hair that complimented her tawny skin.

"C'mon you lot, your families is waiting for you at home. Come back after you've puked your guts out and slept off your hangover," she huffed, then glanced at the wagon.

"Pepi!" she called out, her face brightening. "Where've you been? You said you'd be back within a few days!"

Pulling on the reins, Pepi stopped the horse. "Have we met?" Finlay flew out Pepi's pocket, hovering towards the woman and began pulsing yellow light as he flew back to Pepi.

"Why's these people so small? They can't be taller than waist height." Renato whispered as he scanned the group. "Is everyone here short?" Pepi shushed him.

"When you arrived you did seem a little out of it, you kept talking to yourself. You must've been really drunk," she laughed. "I'm Kater, you stayed at me inn a couple of months ago. I never forgot that lovely face of yours, even if it's hidden under a bush now. Leave your wagon outside, come in!" She went inside.

A drunk dwarf stumbled up to the wagon, jumping back in surprise when they saw the horse. "That's not a horse! That's two people in a costume!"

Pepi leaped down from the jockey box, moving to stand beside the horse. "Be nice to our steed, she's very tired." Pepi fed the horse some leftover candy.

"Someone just stuck their hand out the mouth to grab that!"

Pepi rolled his eyes. "You're drunk. Go home."

The dwarf's equally drunk party dragged them away. Soon they returned to laughing with them, and stumbled home. Pepi explained the different races to Renato as he tied the horse to a nearby wooden post.

"Don't go about calling people short. To them, you're weirdly tall."

"I only ever read about different races," Renato said as he got out the wagon, holding their bags. "Never seen them in real life. There's only humans in Llantry. Give me a nudge when I say something wrong, I don't want to offend anyone."

Finlay flew close to Pepi's shoulder, returning to a neutral white. "Aye, we can't afford the time to make enemies. When in doubt, smile and say yes. Let's go talk to this Kater lady."

Renato handed Pepi his bag, threw his own over his shoulders, and they walked inside. Multiple tables littered with beer mugs were placed around the inn. People of all shapes and sizes sat on chairs that were in the shape of snails; with a round shell forming the seating area and a snail's face facing the back. A staircase led upstairs to the inn's rooms. The lighting was dim, creating a warm atmosphere. Pepi had to lift his feet to move as his shoes stuck to the floor.

Kater made drinks behind the order counter. "Last time you enjoyed me ale, said it was sweet. You haven't lost your sweet tooth along with your memory, have you?" She chuckled, handing the two men drinks as they sat by the counter. Finlay landed on the counter and rolled itself around, inspecting the drinks then turned yellow. "Who's your friend?"

"Renato, a knight from Llantry," he introduced himself, hesitantly reaching out his hand.

Kater shook it with vigor. "Never heard of the place! Pleased to meet you, Sir Renato. Is you the one who's been keeping Pepi occupied these past few months?" She grinned and wiggled her eyebrows.

"Yes, he's been helping me keep Llantry safe. The people there is sick," Renato sighed, taking a sip of ale. "We're on our way to the Isle of Adhur to find someone who can help."

"That's terrible," Kater gasped. "What's they sick with?"

Pepi shrugged. "We don't know. But if anyone can help, I'm sure it's Danov. Heard of him?"

Kater shook her head. "Not that I know of. We're far from Adhur. You told me it took you two weeks to get here."

"That's right." Pepi took a sip of ale and hummed in pleasant surprise. "Though I honestly don't remember you. My mind draws a blank when I think of what happened after leaving Basinmount. It's like I sleepwalked from there to Llantry. You were right about this ale, it's excellent." Pepi licked his lips and chugged back the drink.

"Glad you like it. Still selling candy?"

"Nah, only got two bags left. Sold the rest, so we'll be able to afford a night's stay here, if you'll have us." Pepi paid for their drinks with copper coins.

"There's Tieflings here, Pepi!" Renato shook his shoulder. "I read there wasn't many of them left after the war."

"Keep your voice down. You're being rude," Pepi scolded. He gave an apologetic wave to the small table of Tieflings frowning in their direction. "Kater, will you make sure Renato doesn't cause any trouble while I freshen up?"

"Of course. Bathroom's upstairs, first door to the right."

Pepi thanked her, walking a few steps with Finlay following him, then looked back and mouthed to Renato "Stay. Put." He found the bathroom with ease, washing his hands and face of built up grime. Then he shaved off his unruly beard using the straight edge razor he'd packed. A while later, Pepi tidied up, and went back downstairs with Finlay floating by his side.

Pepi overheard Renato talking to Kater. A human woman with glasses, ochre skin, and brown hair now stood behind the order counter beside her.

"It's possible he's inside the manor, but I can't go in there. The Elders wasn't too happy when I tried to buy their beer mugs," Kater said. "They was shaped like boots, a fascinating design. Can't believe I got banned just for asking if they'd sell them! The Elders' dinner parties was great. But now Sabenn gives me dirty looks at the market."

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"You need to stop collecting those mugs, you have enough as it as," the woman with glasses said. "Or you could make them instead, and stop giving me so many bowls."

"Sweetheart, you said you loved my pottery!"

Pepi interuppted the conversation. "Who's inside the manor?"

The trio turned to face him as he sat down by the counter.

"We're talking about me cat, Rizze. He's gone missing. Helaine tried to find him but that rascal is hiding too well," Kater explained.

"Sorry to hear that. In my experience, cats go wherever they want to. Nice to meet you Helaine, I'm Pepi." He waved. "Do you work here?"

Helaine laughed. "I help around here often enough, I may as well get paid!" She nudged Kater. "But no. I'm Kater's girlfriend. Haven't we already met?"

Kater explained his memory loss to Helaine. Meanwhile, Pepi turned to face Renato, who stared holes into him. When he met Pepi's eyes, Renato took a sip of his ale and diverted his gaze.

"This is your first time seeing me without my beard, isn't it?" Pepi asked, rubbing his clean shaven chin.

"Yes," Renato realized. "You look ten years younger. I forgot that you're younger than me."

"Only by two years."

"Still," Renato muttered into his drink.

"Kater," Pepi spoke to her. "Renato and I will find your cat."

Renato spat out ale. "What?!"

"Hey, come on!" Pepi patted his shoulder. "You're a knight, you could pretend to be one of theirs. We're familiar with the manor's layout. Ooh, can I pretend to be a thief you've captured?"

"I don't think all manors have the same layout."

"They're bound to be similar!"

Kater agreed. "If you found Rizze that would be great!"

"Rizze hasn't been home for a week, I bet he's being fed there. He'll never leave on his own," Helaine said.

Renato bit his lip, fingers tightening on his mug. "What if we get caught?"

"Then we run like mad!" Pepi laughed. "I've escaped so many sticky situations before. Trust me."

Renato sighed, "Fine, I will."

An hour later, Pepi and Renato arrived in front of the manor. Renato wore his armour with a helmet hiding his face and pushed Pepi forward. Pepi's hands were tied together with rope and Finlay hid in his waistcoat pocket. When the gatehouse was in view, Pepi pretended to struggle.

"Let me go you fiend, you'll never take me alive!"

"I have already taken you alive." Renato said with a flat voice. "You was a bad man. You stole bread from the baker. They is very sad about what you did."

Pepi whispered to him, "Have you never been to a theatre in your life? Be more convincing!"

"You will be thrown into the dungeon, which is where bad men like you go!" Renato spoke louder.

The Dwarf knight guarding the gatehouse noticed them. "Who's that with you? Don't walk any further." He pointed a crossbow at them. The arrow sparkled with magic.

"Fellow knight," Renato called up to him and stopped walking. "I caught this scoundrel stealing bread. He is quick on his feet. Let me take him to the dungeon, before he escapes!" He held both of Pepi's shoulders, who continued to yell at Renato.

"Release me! If you don't untie me I'll- I'll headbutt you!"

"Which baker did he steal from?" the guard asked.

Renato paused, nearly looking to Pepi for help before catching himself, and cleared his throat. "The… uh, the cheerful one. Next to the town hall."

There was a pause. "That bastard… Who does he think he is, stealing from a little old lady!" the knight shouted. "Mrs Haltot's dog just died, and you're stealing from her?! Lock him up before his heart makes close friends with me arrows!"

"Right away, sir!" Renato stood up straight and saluted. His armour rattled.

"Shut up Larry." The guard opened the gate. "You're such a kiss-ass. Finn's not giving you that bloody promotion!"

Renato and Pepi walked into the courtyard. They scanned the grass for signs of Rizze. Kater said Rizze was ginger, he'd be easy to spot in the dark. They noticed the guard staring at them, and hurried into the manor.

"Time to split up," Pepi said as Renato untied his hands. From his pocket he took out two Speaking Stones, which they'd brought from Llantry so they could speak while a short distance away, and handed one to Renato.

"Remember, our code word is 'Rakefire' if we get caught."

"I liked 'Fopdoodle' though."

"Too late to change it now. You just want an excuse to insult me."

"I do."

"After my plan works, I'll be the one calling you Fopdoodle- Wait," Finlay rolled around in Pepi's pocket, alerting him of danger. "Someone's coming!"

Footsteps approached from around the corner. Pepi hid in a closet, leaving Renato out in the open. From inside he heard someone speak to Renato.

"Oh, Larry… We're going to play Bone Crowns in the recreation room. You wouldn't be interested in that, right?"

"…Yes! Bone Crowns sounds fun! Lead the way."

There was a pause, a sigh, then a shuffle of footsteps as they moved away. Pepi heard a voice from his Speaking Stone. "-for Rizze in the recreation room. Go look in the pantry."

Creaking the door open, Pepi peered out, then left the closet when he didn't see anyone. He knocked over a broomstick with a loud clatter. Darting down the hallway, Pepi called for Rizze and made tutting noises. He reached the pantry after four wrong turns, nearly bumping into servants, though they didn't pay him any mind.

Pepi looked under shelves and inside cupboards. The cat had clearly been here, judging by the half eaten fish on the ground. Finlay rolled around, more vigorously this time, nearly brusing Pepi's side. There was a flood of light and he jumped, knocking utensils off a nearby counter.

"Pepi? What the fuck are you doing here?"

The voice belonged to his cousin, Rupert, who had moved out Adhur three years ago and never spoken to Pepi since. He held a light spell in his palm and wore an apron, seemingly a servant in the kitchen for this manor. His light taupe hair was similar to Pepi's, though more flat compared to Pepi's loose curls. Rupert was a head taller than Pepi and had a slight hunch to his posture, which Pepi knew was due to him leaning down when talking to those shorter than him.

"Rupert! Glad to find a familiar face. How've you been? I'm looking for a ginger cat, you seen it?"

Rupert glanced sideways then stared at him with intense hazel eyes. "How have I been? I- I can't believe you!" he hissed. "After all the shit you and your sister put me through, you act like we're friends?! I moved hundreds of miles from my hometown, left my family behind, just to get away from you two. Now you're haunting me." His fingers reached towards a butcher's knife on the countertop.

The colour drained from Pepi's face and he held up his hands. "I'm not here to cause problems. I really am looking for a cat, it belongs to the innkeeper of The Ugly Snail. I barely speak to Tammy these days. She… wasn't nice to me either."

"You were always a coward around her. Both of you would bully me. You'd run back to me with your tail between your legs, when that wench turned her back, begging forgiveness. Then she'd start bullying you."

Rupert opened his eyes wide, as though Pepi would try something the moment he blinked. "Understand that I am this close to punching you." He held up his index finger and thumb which nearly touched. Well, being punched was better than the sharp alternative. Finlay rolled about in his pocket again and Pepi patted the crystal ball.

"You're right." Tears welled up in Pepi's eyes. "I was a coward. I'm so sorry." He bit his bottom lip.

"I don't believe you. And even if I did, saying 'sorry' doesn't erase everything you've done from my memory," his cousin sneered. Rupert inhaled sharply. "Hey chef, we've got an intruder!"

"No!" Pepi gaped at Rupert then ran out the pantry. Shouts followed him. He held the Speaking Stone to his mouth. "Rakefire, Rakefire!"

"I was about to call you, I found Rizze when I went to the bathroom. Head towards the back door."

"I don't know where that is!"

"-probably behind the kitchen."

"That's where I got caught!"

"-can't go out the front, the guard's there. From the bathroom window, I saw a section in the back garden with a low wall. -leads up a hill where we can escape. Take your own bloody advice and run like mad."

Pepi whined in protest, but did as Renato said. Upon seeing Rupert talk to an elderly woman in the kitchen to his left, he hurried. They rushed out the kitchen and reached out to grab him, yelling when he slipped away from their grasp.

"Oi! Get back here!" The chef cried, shaking a rolling pin in the air like a weapon.

Finding a door, Pepi flung it open and sprinted through. Thankfully it led outside. Rupert and the chef were a few steps behind, with Rupert's light spell casting a spotlight on him. He reached for his Speaking Stone, cursing when he dropped it. Pepi hit a different stone with his knees: it was the wall Renato told him about.

Pepi heaved himself up. His leg was pulled down by his ankle, making him scrap his chest against the wall. He yelped and kicked, until finally he tumbled over the other side and continued running. The hill had no light. The inky sky hid Pepi yet also blinded him as he ran.

"Renato!" he whispered loudly and hid behind what felt like a tree. "Where are-"

His hand touched metal and he would've screamed if his mouth hadn't been covered. Pepi felt fur brush against his arm and sighed as he heard Renato shushing him. Rupert and the chef were still on the other side of the wall.

"He went onto the hill, we can catch him if we go out there!" Rupert insisted.

A voice called from further away, asking them to begin prepping for the Elders' supper. Rupert's furious voice and light grew more and more distant. The door slammed shut.

"By Lidion, we made it out alive," Renato wheezed. "You was an idiot for suggesting this. I'm never listening to you again, you absolute Fopdoodle."

Pepi giggled into Renato's palm, pressing it against his mouth when he laughed harder. They trudged back to the Inn and celebrated Rizze's return with plenty of Kater's sweet ale. Renato taught them all how to play Bone Crowns. That night, Pepi slept in a chair by Renato's bedchamber door, and dreamt of Tammy.