Ramiro his party through the city gates a couple hours before sunset. The horses were winded because he had pushed them hard. Alexis got directions from the gate guards to an inn and they headed straight there and paid extra for the horses to get a bit of pampering.

After securing rooms for the night, they immediately started looking around for Eric. The inn they were staying at, called The Red Olive, said they hadn’t seen anyone matching Eric description so they got directions to other inns in Sarnthorn and started making their rounds. After checking in the other two inns in town with no success they split into pairs, Mira and Ramiro going one way while Alexis and Regina headed another with an agreement to meet up back at their inn come sunset.

Alexis and Regina started hitting every restaurant they saw, knowing that Eric had a love for food. At two restaurants they were told that Eric had been there previously but that they hadn’t seen him that day. They checked a number of stores but none recognized the description they gave. As they were leaving one such store, they heard someone call out for them. They turned to see Ramiro and Mira coming toward them.

“He at a restaurant yesterday with someone named Soi Joon,” said Mira.

“The Soi estate is east of here. Follow me,” added Ramiro.

Upon finding the Soi estate, they were stopped by the guards at the gate. Regina, stressed about the situation and blaming herself for Eric being alone let those feelings manifest as anger as she started to order the guards around. “We’re here to see Eric. Let us through.”

Neither guard moved from their position but the one on the left spoke up, “Master Eric is not here ma’am. You can leave a letter for him if you’d like. Otherwise, please mover along.”

“When do you expect him to return?”

“He did not deign to provide us a schedule of his day when he left this morning.”

Alexis stepped in front of Regina and asked, “Is Soi Joon available?”

Realizing that these people weren’t going to go away the guard cast a spell and then replied, “He is here, but is indisposed at this moment. It is quite late for a social call from strangers. Perhaps you could return tomorrow?”

“Yes,” chimed in Mira earning her a look from the other three.

Mira shook her head and addressed the guard again, “Could you pass a message to Joon for us? Tell him that we are friends of Eric’s, just arrived into town and we are unable to find him. We have reason to believe he may be in danger.”

The guard cast the spell again and while he was distracted Mira whispered to the others, “Didn’t Reyna mention something about guys in blue? Look at what they’re wearing.”

As the party was stilling processing what Mira pointed out the guards started to move. One opened the gate behind them while the other waved them forward, saying “Master Soi Joon has asked that you join him. Someone from the house will lead you to him, please stay on the path until you reach the door.”

Regina looked at her friends, knowing this could be dangerous. And while some had fear in their eyes they were all in agreement as they walked forward.

“Might be a good time to say a prayer,” Alexis whispered to the others.

“Why do they have a tower on one side of their house,” wondered Mira.

As they neared the house a man in servants attire stepped out and held the door open for them. They entered in and the man closed the door and motioned for them to follow, “Master Soi Joon is this way.”

As they walked, Ramiro put himself next to the servant. “Sir, do you know our friend Eric?”

“Yes, he arrived here a couple days back. Very polite but quite odd. I believe I may have been the last to speak with him before he left this morning. He was heading out to try a new restaurant for breakfast.”

“Sounds like Eric,” said Alexis in an attempt to get the others to smile. It didn’t work.

The group was lead down a couple halls and then down a flight of stairs, which ratcheted up their stress. By the time they reached the bottom of the stairs, Ramiro had already hidden and the others were all one their guard for a trap.

At the bottom of the stairs was another hall and they could hear some yelling coming from further down.

Nervous, Mira spoke up, “Seems someone is in trouble. We don’t want to interrupt anything.”

The servant tilted his head as he replied, “It’s too late for that, I’m afraid.” Seeing the unease on his guests he added, “You are here at the invitation of Master Soi Joon, you will be safe. Master Joon, maybe not so much as his father is quite upset.”

These words helped slightly calm the team as they continued toward the yelling. Soon they were standing in the doorway of what looked like a medical facility. A younger male elf was sitting on a table being administered to by an older elf who was continuing to berate the younger.

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Clearing his through the servant stepped into the room, “Master Eric’s friends, for Master Joon.”

As the servant stepped aside both of the Soi men looked up toward the doorway. The younger spoke first.

“Forgive my state of undress and lack of manners. I am Soi Joon.” Looking at the party he soon set his eyes on Regina, “You must be Regina, Eric told me about you.”

Regina looked around the room and seeing only the two Soi men and the servant she equipped her gear as she cast [Dome of Truth] and announced, “I am Regina, Paladin of Calore. I would have the truth from you three and I would have it now. Where is my husband.”

Taken aback by the sudden change of demeanor, father and son looked to one another before looking back to Regina and the party.

“Eric is not here. I sustained the wounds my father is tending while attempting to follow him. I believe I know where he is, though,” answered Joon.

“And I’ll not have you dragging this family into a fight with another noble house for some strange friend you just met,” boomed his father.

“Where do you think he is?” asked Alexis

“Eric was last seen walking with Dao Mai heading toward the Dao estate.”

“Why were you following him?” ask Regina with steel in her tone.

“Eric mentioned to me that every time he went out into the city he felt like someone was watching him so I”

“Acted like a fool,” cut in Joon’s father. Looking to the party, “My son over estimated his abilities. Instead of coming to me to have the right people assigned he attempted to follow Eric intending to capture those who were watching. Instead he was nearly captured himself. And no one would have known because he didn’t tell us anything before setting off on this ill thought scheme.”

“As I’ve already stated, I expected a single person to be watching. What I found was a group spread out. And I’m sure they were Dao.”

“There,” said the father, “You have your answers. Now please leave while I tend to my son.”

Mira stepped forward and cast [Healing Prayer]. As Joon’s wounds closed she spoke, “Thank you for your assistance. I hope this helps you to feel better.”

Regina watched the expressions on both men change and asked, “Why did you not just take him to get healing if you could not do it?”

Joon laughed before answering, “I see you must also come from wherever Eric did. It is rare to have healing magic outside of those in service to the gods. And since very few will even worship a god, there are even fewer who would commit to serving one. As a result, we usually handle things the hard way.”

Seeing the confused looks, Joon’s father spoke up and this time in a much friendlier tone. “I see you don’t completely comprehend what Joon said, but I assure you it is true. Before you leave, I must caution you. The Dao family is not one to be underestimated. It’s been long known that they are a family of criminals but they are equally careful and ruthless. If you intend to go there, I wish you luck but I do not expect to see you return.”

The team is escorted out of the estate and headed to where the Dao family resided. As they followed the directions they had been given by one of the gate guards, Mira spoke up. “Our last meeting with Dao Mai went well. “I’m sure this one will too.”

“I’m sure it will. As you said earlier, Joon’s family are probably the ones in blue we were warned about. Eric probably told Mai that he was being watched so her guards started looking for who it was and found Joon and tried to catch him.” Regina explained.

Ramiro shook his head, “I think I’ll stay invisible again just in case.”

“Suit yourself. But I’m sure Eric just didn’t realize there was a reason Joon was being friendly toward him,” replied Regina.

As they approached the Dao estate they saw that it was far more guarded than the Soi had been. At least a dozen guards were stationed near the gates. Upon seeing the group approaching they all snapped to attention and one stepped forward and in a grave tone asked, “What business do you have with the Dao family?”

Regina replied nonchalantly, “I’ve heard that my husband was being followed earlier today and that Dao Mai and some of her guards protected him and brought him here. We’re here to thank Mai and to pick up my husband since he can’t seem to take care of himself.”

The guard motioned to another who withdrew what was probably a sending stone. A moment later he nodded to the guard in charge and they all parted and opened the gates. As the group walked past the guards Alexa leaned in and whispered to Regina and Mira, “Did you notice the guards wore no colors or heraldry?”

Mira glanced over to Regina, “I’m thinking you might have gotten this one wrong.”

Regina shrugged, “Eric’s here. If I’m write they’ll take us to him. If I’m wrong we’ll fight our way to him. At least they let us in without a fight.”

Servants waited at the door to let them into the manor house. They entered into a foyer that was large enough to fit a couple dozen folks and had three other doors. One directly across and one angled on each side. As they walked in, Dao Mai entered the foyer from the door on the left. “Friends it’s so good to see you all again. What can I do for you?”

“We’re looking for my husband. Rumor in town has it that you helped him earlier today,” replied Regina.

“That is true. We bumped into one another earlier and he was worried about being followed. Shortly after we arrived here I got word that the guards I sent out had indeed found someone trailing your husband. We were unable to capture the criminal but my men tell me that they wounded him severely. Hearing this, Eric was sure that he would be safe and took his leave. I’m not sure where he went.”

Mira and Alexis looked to Regina to see how she would respond to such an obvious lie. Regina never broke eye contact with Mai, simply asking, “Would you swear an oath that what you just said was true?”

Mai stepped back from them, hand to her chest with an aghast look on her face. “I can’t believe you would accuse me of lying to you. I’ve been nothing but helpful to you and to the kingdom.”

“You were warned back in Arimel not to interfere. You were very cooperative there, away from your family’s seat of power. It would be best if you were cooperative here as well.”

Mai studied Regina before looking to the other two and then back to Regina. Finally she nodded. “Okay. You want to see your husband, fine. Let’s go see him.” Mai turned and walked to the door directly across from the entrance. When she opened the double doors they saw eight guards lining the hall, four to a side. As they started to follow, they realized that more guards were coming from each of the side rooms as well as from outside. The guards before them turned and walked between them and Mai with the rest falling in behind them.

Once in the hallway they passed tapestries on the walls and noticed that they were blue with a snarling wolf on them. Seeing this Mira softly cursed. As she did so, an invisible hand gently squeezed her shoulder, Ramiro letting her know he was still there.