A well-kept lawn interlaced by small gardens sheltered within a short cobble stone wall marked the village boundary. Stone cottages with tightly thatched roofs stood nearby. Outside the village wall, a narrow clearing of short grass dropped into a marshy field of wild reeds. With a ball of stuffed sharkskin, the older children played a game resembling soccer on the lawn outside the wall. A stately maple pushed the wall apart. The sturdy trunk knocked shallow stone aside. Dew spotted Delia resting on a large rock wrapped neatly by the tree’s roots. A strong breeze swayed her braided hair and furled the velvet green cloth around her knees. She bit into a half-finished apple, but calmly placed it down as he approached.

“News is spreading across town that a dangerous mercenary is camping here,” Dew smiled, “Where are the others?”

Delia reddened slightly, “Nefri, and Luthial went north while I followed the southern coast, it only stands to reason that I would be here first. Did you find your prize, or must we wait for word from my sisters?”

“I’ve found her, this was where we expected to find her after all. But we’ll still wait for the others. Nadia intends to procure a boat for the continuation of her journey, and I intend to expedite her efforts to the best of my ability.”

Delia stood, “The idiot is here as you already know. And your sister is skulking about like a spy. What would you have me do?”

“They can wait. Nadia was attacked by an evil spirit during her bath today, she was unharmed, but regrettably, it was not I who was there to save her.”

“I’m sure you regretted every minute.”

He pulled a rubbery coating from a broken bead out of his robes, balancing it on the tip of his finger.

“I found this by the marsh. A spirit container that partially dissolves in water.”

“How did it get in her water?”

“A healer known as Bradox gave her an herbal bath solution after removing a fever, which I believe may have been induced by a curse he inflicted. I thought I had checked the bath salts thoroughly, but if it was among them, it was well disguised. I missed it. He lives in the lord’s mansion to care for his stricken wife. Unfortunately, this capsule is not enough evidence to risk accusing him. I need more.”

“Should I keep an eye on this Bradox?”

“Do not let yourself be discovered.”

“I won’t fail you, Lord Nenkyo.”

She was gone in an instant, leaving only the unfinished apple behind.

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Darrell almost finished scrubbing the final corner of the restaurant when the grandfather clock behind the bar struck four. Nadia came from the hall to inspect his work; her affectation was that of a dignified young woman as she sipped warm tea from a small ceramic cup, although she remained pale and slightly perspired.

“Not as clean as I would like, but it’ll do. Better get ready, the fishermen are going to start trickling in fairly soon.”

"No way,” Darrell said, “I’ve done nothing but clean all day, even after I saved your life, which I think more than makes up for everything I saw.”

“Maybe it does, but don’t ever expect me to forgive you for following me here against my orders. Plus, you walked in on my while I was taking bath while drinking. I can’t salvage my pride from this.”

“How about this? If I had told you to stay put, and you followed me here, would you still be so upset?”

She paused to think but his logic made her head hurt, “Of course I would!”

“I give up. Where’s my apron?”

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Nadia stretched her back and cracked her knuckles before releasing a long yawn.

“In the back. Have fun tonight; I’m going to take a nap until the crowd gets heavy. Better get prepared. Swabert will work you like crazy once the customers start coming in.”

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The docks were almost empty as Nostrum’s fishing boat entered the harbor. Josh checked the back of his arm. The rash dwindled as they approached the shore. The wagon rolled down the pier with the help of some strong older men. Josh wasted no time helping to scoop large bucketfuls of fish out of the boat because the nets were too heavy. Together, Nostrum, Deagle, and Josh took almost an hour to transfer the load. At the trading station behind the pier the fish were weighed, gutted, cleaned, salted, and prepared for sale. Josh stood by the carts that would be pulled into town, waiting to help load the prepared fish. The foreman ordered him to unload the catch designated for the afternoon market when Nostrum, in obvious high spirits, approached him with three large flounder.

“Today’s total catch looks to be staggering, we certainly did well, and the boats returning appear heavy. Deagle and I are going to the inn to have a pint with a baked flounder. I already selected the three best examples of our catch. We wouldn’t have done it without you. Why don’t you join us?”

“I’m so hungry even fish sounds good right now. And the pint? Certainly!”

When they arrived at the inn, many of the customers were already situated. Boisterous conversation filtered through the restaurant. In the center, a specially reserved table kept spotlessly clean awaited. Josh took a seat with Lord Nostrum and Deagle. Darrell was immediately available to wait on them.

“Umm, what can I do for you. I mean. What would you like to eat?”

“Where is Nadia? I want to see my lovely hostess.”

“But she’s resting.”

“Well, if she’s feeling better, then tell her to get back to work because tonight is important. My men don’t want to see some bumpkin off the paths. They want Nadia. This is a celebration, so I must insist.”

Darrell bowed awkwardly. After few minutes, Nadia bowed low before them in a new kimono as clean and blue as the morning breeze over the ocean. Her hair formed into two puffs, each with a light tail attached that swished as she straightened while maintaining a composed slight bow.

“Where were you tonight?” Nostrum asked, “Did we miss anything?”

“Apparently not,” Deagle said, “The fold of her robe id turned up to catch the tipped already.”

“Apologies for not being here to greet you gentlemen. What would you like?”

Her polite smile felt a bit forced. Whenever the others weren’t watching, Josh sensed an angry glare and began to sweat. Nostrum slapped three of the biggest flounder he had ever caught on the table. The entire restaurant silenced itself and stared in awe at the perfect specimens. What would the lord of the village do with such fine fish?

“Have Swabert bake these to perfection, and bring them out with three pints of the finest ale! A special thanks to the newcomer, Josh. His hard work brought me luck in today’s catch. Cheers all around!”

Nadia took the fish on a tray to be prepared by Swabert as the entire house roared for Nostrum’s good fortune. Conversation among the fishermen rambled on louder than ever. Work began. Nadia balanced multiple orders on her head and arms, yet every time she came from the kitchen, she did so with a grace that hid exertion.

When the hour came for Lord Nostrum and his company to enjoy their flounder, Nadia seemingly skated across the hardwood floor while laying meals down one after the other. She was pale, sweaty, and slightly short of breath, but she laid each meal on the lord’s table with a curve of her arm that portrayed an air of elegance. Nostrum thanked her warmly. She bowed, took a few steps backward, and turned away to collect plates and bowls. She entered the kitchen with a tray of dirty dishes almost reaching the door top. A familiar brunette stood absentmindedly close. Nadia halted too quickly and almost lost her pile of dishes to the floor. She recognized Luthial as she struggled to balance the dishes.

“Luthial!? You’re here too?!” Nadia asked from behind her dishes.

“Nefri and I both,” Luthial pointed to Nefri, who dried the dishes that Darrell washed. “You’ve been working far too hard, so we’ve decided to help out.”

“That’s really nice you guys, but I don’t need-,”

“No buts about it, we’re helping and that’s all there is to it! Got that!?”

Nadia sighed as she carefully placed the dishes by the sink with trembling arms, “I suppose I could use a little more rest,” She removed the tethers from the folds of her kimono and stuffed them in a bag tied to her leg. “I already raked in more than enough tips tonight.”

Luthial began gathering clean dishes for the next delivery as Nadia stood to the side of the door, ready to leave her duties in their hands.

“Thanks guys, you’ll never know how much I appreciate this. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m glad you all followed me.”

“Three meals are ready,” Swabert yelled from the kitchen.

Luthial took two trays, gathered everything together, and then took one in each arm.

“Well, here goes fun!”

Luthial slid the door open with her toes on the way out, and then shut it with her heels.

“Where’s Nadia?!” hollered someone from the back; all other conversation immediately ceased.

“We want some more entertainment,” came from the other side of the restaurant; half the men hollered in agreement.

“Nadia’s done for the night, but I’m very pleased to be waiting on all of you. I may have some tricks up my sleeve as well.”

Luthial never stopped smiling, despite a reception of whistles and catcalls.