The caravan set up camp at the edge of the swamp with a large watch at all times. Fortunately, other than the occasional will-o-wisp sighting, nothing dangerous was seen or approached the camp. All were eager to be on their way at first light, and they passed beyond the wet and humid areas back into flat plains after a few hours of hurried travel.

As they neared the Great Comise River, signs of civilization gradually appeared. Roads from the east joined up with the main route south into Brightwater Crossing, and everyone relaxed once they were back among other caravans and within sight of sparse settlements.

Uzca and Bezben marveled at the number of people traveling to the crossing, and Thad noted their amazement.

"The Comise is incredibly wide once you leave the foothills to the far east. As such, only two bridges span its breadth within a hundred leagues of the coast. The first is upriver, here in Brightwater Crossing, and the second is near the coast in Dreggs, where the river narrows and deepens. People greatly prefer crossing up here, as Dreggs is known to be a dangerous place."

Thad waved around at all the other caravans heading south. "All that's to say that this is a busy destination. Once we cross the river, traffic will fan out once again, but Telestria is a major destination, so I doubt we'll ever be alone the rest of the way to the city."

Uzca was alright with that. More people meant it was probably less likely they'd encounter any more terrifying monstrosities.

Brightwater came into view after only two hours on the road, but it was a great distance away, and it wasn't for another hour that Uzca could clearly see the city's shape.

Walls surrounded a sprawling city that focused on a grand keep. The buildings, walls, towers, and the keep were all built from pale stone blocks that practically shone in the morning sun.

"Guess we know why it's called Brightwater," Bezben said, mimicking Uzca's thoughts.

There was a line when they reached the main gates, and Cecily approached them.

"I know you three probably want to cross, but the caravan is going to stop in town for a few days. We have some wares, and I want to see about getting another wagon. You should see about a reward. We'll come and testify for you if needed. The line on the right is for crossing, and the gate farther up the wall is for entering the town. Just letting everyone know so people know where to go and aren't confused when the caravan breaks apart."

"Thanks, Cecily," Uzca said.

"Sure, if any of you ever need a ride between here and Nuris or Orzii, feel free to see if I'm around. You're always welcome back on my caravan. Anyway, I should get moving. We'll be in the trade square just inside the city if you need that testimony."

They thanked her and wished her farewell before walking to the north gate. There was a different line at this gate, but it was much smaller and had more foot traffic than carts and wagons.

"Let me handle talking to the guard when we enter," Thad said. The cousins just replied with silent nods. They were all still a little worn out from the previous day's intensity.

"Names, occupation, and reason for visit?" a burly man, not quite as big as Uzca, said when they reached the front of the line.

"Good day, sir. I'm Thaddeus Verinitos, a Mage of the first circle, and these are my apprentices, Uzca, son of Renza, and Bezben, son of Menza. We're here to get some supplies and collect a reward."

"For?"

"We encountered a swamp hag while traveling through the Meglemen swamp and slew the beast."

"Huh. Don't hear that every day. You said you're all mages? Those two look awfully big to be mages. Aren't you all reedy scholars?"

Bezben leaned forward, but Uzca put a hand on his shoulder. They didn't need to get into any trouble before even getting into the city.

"A common misconception. Mages come in all shapes and sizes. I once knew someone at the Academy who retired from being a Knight in the Emperor's retinue. It honestly wasn't fair how handsome that man was."

The guard grunted in amusement. "Alright, I have you three noted. You're allowed to stay for three days without a permit, so don't forget to check out, and don't stay without making proper arrangements. We'll come looking."

"No problem at all."

"On your way then. Next!"

Passing under the portcullis, they traversed the width of the thick walls and came out of the tunnel as though they had passed into another world. Uzca had never been in a city so large, and the sheer masses of humanity made him nervous.

The tunnel fed them into a large open-air market. Carts were pulled up wherever they could find room, and merchants called out to passersby, exclaiming about deals they wouldn't find anywhere else. The city itself looked different now that they were inside of it. High up on the buildings and walls, the stone was pale and glowing in the sun, but down at pedestrian level, the walls were almost uniformly covered with dark filth.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"I think I know the way to the Constabulary. Don't get lost in the crowd!" Thad said, already moving. He headed more or less straight toward the far end of the market square.

They fought through thick crowds, and Uzca thought Thad would lose them more than once. The man wasn't quite as large as they were and seemed to be having an easier time navigating.

Uzca felt something brush at his waist, and his hand snapped down, catching a thin wrist. A young boy scowled up at him. A flash of metal in the boy's hand caught his attention.

"Bez, keep an eye on your coinpouch. I found a bold cutpurse."

"Why? It's not like there's anything in it." Bezben said, catching up.

"I wasn't doing nothing!" the boy protested, trying to pull his hand away. Unfortunately for him, Uzca's grip was as good as tempered steel.

"Bold to try to steal from someone so much bigger than you. What's your name?"

The boy looked at him with suspicion. "The big ones are always the easiest marks."

"Always?"

"Usually. I'm Ricky. Can I have my hand back?"

"Well, Ricky. We were just heading to the Constabulary to turn in a bounty. I don't suppose there's a reward for catching pickpockets?"

Ricky finally stopped resisting, frowning at the big man. "What do you want?"

Uzca smiled at the boy.

"A smart kid like you probably knows a good place to get some information, right?"

"What kind? You don't exactly look the type to need someone who deals in information, no offense."

"None taken. I'm looking for information on a merchant and his family. Alocain Rossenal from Telestria."

"Hmm. I might have heard of him, but I don't know anything about his family. There's a guy that some of the older street toughs go to when they need to know something. He hangs out Riverside in a tavern called Driftwood."

"Do you know his name?"

Ricky shook his head. "Never heard a name. They say to just tell the barkeep you're looking for some information. He'll point you to the guy."

"Thanks, Ricky. Stay out of trouble."

The boy laughed, and Uzca let go of his arm. Ricky rubbed at his wrist and disappeared into the crowd.

"What was that about?" Bezben asked.

"Now that we've reached a hub, it's time to start asking about my family. I bet just as much information passes through this city as goods."

"Oh, right. With everything that's happened, I almost forgot why we were even going to Telestria."

Uzca shook his head. He hadn't forgotten. He needed to find out where his family went and why Rethkam wanted him to find them.

"Come on, Bez. Let's catch up to Thad. He's almost out of the square."

Bezben nodded and pointed out the mage when Uzca started heading in the wrong direction. Being a full head taller than most of the people around them was a big help in getting through the crowd.

"You two alright?" Thad asked.

"Uzca caught a pickpocket."

"Really?" Thad patted his waist and sighed when he found his purse where he left it.

Bezben snorted. "Looks like Ricky was just a little too late."

The Constabulary was another focus of activity, though it was much quieter. Still, people lined up to submit grievances, visit people in holding, or pay fines. The three of them lined up and eventually found themselves before a bored-looking man in a dark blue uniform. His eyebrows rose a little when two giants approached his desk, and he rubbed his mustache in a habitual, maybe nervous manner.

"What can I do for you?"

"We're here to collect a swamp hag bounty," Thad said without preamble.

The man looked at them appraisingly and nodded. They apparently looked like they could handle one.

"When was this?"

They filled him in on the details about when, where, who they were traveling with, and where they had come from.

"Do you have proof?"

"Ahh, we do, but should we do this out here?"

The man just shrugged.

"Alright," Thad said, in a voice that Uzca heard as really saying, "You asked for it."

Thad pulled up the pack he had slung over one shoulder. He untied it and tipped it up, spilling the head of the swamp hag onto the officer's desk.

The man jumped back, and someone nearby screamed.

"What the hell is that!?"

"Swamp hag?"

"It's so big..."

"That's fake, right?"

The chattering spread through the station, and work stopped as people craned to look at the monster's head.

A man at a large desk near the end of the room stood and walked forward, breaking the relative stillness.

"Henry, everything alright over here? What's the commotion all ab....out..." he trailed off and stared at the head.

"It was an unusual specimen. We're happy to take the standard reward, though."

The new officer shook his head and waved at them. "Why don't you gather that up, and we can chat in private."

They did so, and the rest of the office returned to work, the speculative conversation keeping the building louder than it had been when they entered.

"I'm Capitan Jones, head of the constables here in Brightwater Crossing. Please come in and have a seat. You can put the head on the side table there."

They sat down after Thad unloaded the swamp hag's head, and the captain closed the door. The room was large, with a conference table and several side tables. Sunlight streamed in through a high window.

"I'm sorry about that. Henry didn't follow protocol there. Any monster turn-ins should be done out of the public eye. Especially something like a swamp hag. It's been years since anyone has seen one, let alone killed and brought in the head."

He examined the remains with sharp eyes. The captain was a stocky older man with hair greying at his temples. He seemed past his prime but no stranger to a hard day's work.

"But despite that, I have seen a few of the beasts, both living and dead. This head is enormous."

He looked over the report Henry had been writing.

"This doesn't mention the size."

"Officer Henry didn't ask about it."

"Of course, of course. Were there any other differences? If there are new, larger swamp hags in the Meglemen, I need to know about it."

Thad described, in general terms, what happened and assured the captain that it was an isolated incident. The captain shuddered a little when he looked back toward the remains.

"Well, thanks to the three of you for putting it in the ground. It sounds like it would have been hard to defeat without some mages."

"A few people with bows would have been helpful," Bezben grumbled, rubbing his head in remembered pain.

"We ordinarily would offer ten gold for dealing with a swamp hag, but given the significance, we can probably bump that up to fifteen."

Bezben rubbed his hands together, and Uzca just rolled his eyes.

"That would be very generous."

"Of course, we'll have to pay you out tomorrow after we can corroborate with the witnesses you mentioned. Obviously, the ten is guaranteed."

"Not a problem. I think a night in the city is just what we need anyway. Do you two agree?"

Bezben bobbed his head eagerly, and Uzca—thinking about the informant he wanted to speak with—nodded along.

"Great. Now, there is one more thing. I know this is out of the blue, but considering the three of you could handle the swamp hag, we're looking for people to help with an upcoming operation. We need strong fighters, and three mages—sorry, one mage and two burly apprentices—would be very helpful."