"Yalch. Tell everything Narrita needs to know about using her Beacon and becoming a Purifier. But make sure you stay close to us. We'll all continue going through upper Farrowport, looking to help whoever we can." Gertrude left the room with Miwah right behind. As the witch commanded, Yalch and Narrita left the room last as the ghost started to explain the basics of her new powers.

"I'm ready to go, ma'am," Tamma said as she stood up from the wall. She held Solstice in her hand and brushed off what filth she could from her Ensemble.

"I see you’ve regained your composure," Gertrude said as she looked at Tamma from the top down. "Now. Do you have any idea where the Ghenkans would want to attack first?"

"The Governor's building," the hunter replied confidently. "She's got a lot of stuff there that any pillager would want to get their hands on."

"Can you lead us there?"

"Of course." Tamma headed down the long exit with Gertrude and Miwah trailing behind her. Narrita and Yalch continued their talking in the back of the procession as they exited the research building. Tamma gave them a confused look before facing Gertrude. "She's with us now?"

"Yes. She's on our side for now. And hopefully it will stay that way if we manage to survive this attack."

After a quick nod, Tamma turned around and resumed leading the group to the Governor's estate. Once out of the research building, the hunter pointed to the enormous tower that loomed at the top of the hill in the center of the district. "That's where the Ghenkans and Cutthroats would want to go if they're looking for loot. The Governor's got all sorts of exotic treasure scattered throughout her home."

"Then that's where we're headed. And we must be swift. No more detours. I know that your transformations have a limited time frame."

"Right," Miwah said. "Shall we devise a plan on the way there?"

Tamma lowered her walk to her crouch and stayed close to the long row of buildings that led to the Governor's building. "One thing I've learned from Alson is that the Governor has a special procedure for an emergency just like this," she said in a low voice. The others caught up with her and pressed themselves against the wall of the nearest vacant building. There was a short silence among all five as the streets erupted with the sound of battle.

"Explain it. In as few words as possible," Gertrude whispered, remaining hidden from view of the combatants in the middle of the main path.

"Bottom floor. There's a secure room. Lots of guards," Tamma said in a low voice.

"Then that's where we're going." Gertrude pointed in the direction of the giant stone tower. "Make haste!" she commanded with a boisterous whisper.

Tamma darted forward, keeping Solstice primed for another shot in the event of being spotted. Her swift movement allowed her to avoid detection from the roaming bandits and pillagers that were scattered throughout the main street as she moved between the gaps in cover. The others followed, with Miwah aiding Gertrude by keeping her upright as she moved as fast as her wearied legs could take her. All five grouped a short sprint away from the entrance of the Governor's building.

"How does it look?" Miwah asked as she helped Gertrude rest her back against the wooden shack that the group now hid behind. Tamma stuck her head out and faced the building's front entrance. A pair of Ghenkans stood over the fallen bodies of Farrowport Guards while Cutthroats dragged out boxes and chests.

"They're blocking the entrance," Tamma said with disdain as she hid her entire body again. She clenched her fist and shook her hand. "I think a couple of quick shots could put them down for good!"

"Don't be too rash, Tamma. We don't want a repeat of what you just did not too long ago when you left the group. A single mistake could cost everyone their lives," Gertrude said once she regained enough of her breath. "Narrita," her attention jumped to the bandit abruptly, startling her.

Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

"Yeah?"

"Did Yalch explain the basics of being a Purifier to you?"

Narrita nodded. "Yeah. For the most part."

"Good. I only want you to transform when it's absolutely necessary. Is that understood?"

The bandit held her necklace in her hand and looked at the stone. "I got it."

"Do you think the Ghenkans still trust you?" the witch asked.

"Probably. Eijnar wants me to be his co-captain. That's why he assigned those three men back at the other building to watch over me. He said it was to learn how his men fight, but it was really to make sure that I stayed safe and didn't try to run away."

Gertrude tapped her chin as she processed the information. "I see. In that case, we might have the element of surprise on our side."

"What did you have in mind?" Miwah asked quietly.

"We lure the Ghenkans away. Narrita gets their attention. And that's when we deal with them." Gertrude then looked at the hunter. "It's not that I doubt your accuracy, Tamma. But I'd rather be sure we can take out those guarding the front without them alerting whoever else is inside."

"I see what you're saying ma'am," Tamma said.

Narrita stood up and placed her hand on her dagger's sheath. "That means I'm up then, right?" the bandit said as she squinted towards the entrance of the Governor's building. "I'm a slick talker. I think I can convince them to come over here." She looked down at Miwah. "I might your need help, though."

"What? Me?" Miwah asked as she pointed to herself. "What do you need me for?"

"They hate you even more than I do. I'll just say I caught you and they'll come running over."

"Then Tamma and I can deal with them once they get close enough," the witch said.

Narrita shrugged her shoulders. "Sounds like a plan to me. It's all on Miwah if she wants to go through with it."

"Fine." Miwah stood to her feet.

"Drop that weapon of yours," Narrita said while pointing at Liberator. "We're going to fight. Make it look like a struggle so those two Ghenkans will start running over here."

The seamstress rolled her eyes as she gently put her weapon on the ground. Narrita took the dagger out of her sheath and held it tight in one fist. She then hovered it a foot in front of Miwah's face. "Just grab onto it. Like you're trying to take it from me."

Miwah wrapped her hands around Narrita's. "Good," the bandit said. "Now, I want you two to get ready. Those buffoons should come running any second once we step into view."

Tamma stood upright and pulled back the long golden string on her bow. A brilliant beam of light emerged from her fingertips. Gertrude stood up as fast as she could, priming her hands for another blast of dark magic. Once the other two were ready to attack, Narrita looked into Miwah's eyes.

"On the count of three. We'll step out and start 'fighting.' Got it?" Narrita said bluntly.

"Yes. I get it."

"All right. No rehearsal. We're going to go right in. Try not to stab me in the process," Narrita said sly as she stepped towards the Ghenkans' view.

"Likewise," Miwah replied.

The two women left the cover of the shack, both still holding onto Narrita's dagger. Both struggled for possession, tugging each other back and forth. Narrita turned to the two Ghenkans blocking the entrance as she pretended to try to free her hands from Miwah's grasp.

"Help me out here!" she called out. "This is the girl..." She looked at Miwah as the seamstress pulled the dagger closer towards herself. "That killed your pal!"

Both men came running with their swords drawn. Narrita pulled Miwah to the ground as they continued to try to wrestle the weapon away from the other. "Let me keep the dagger, she whispered," the bandit whispered. The seamstress complied in silence, pretending to let Narrita win the struggle. Both got up to their feet, with Miwah rising first. She darted behind the shack as Narrita followed with dagger in hand.

"Where do you think you're going?" the bandit shouted before vanishing behind the shack's wall.

Tamma and Gertrude stood at the edge, both ready to attack. The two Ghenkans appeared with their weapons ready to stab, only to receive blasts straight into the exposed chest. Gertrude shot a small bolt of black lightning into the heart of one while Tamma's light arrow went straight through the throat of the other. Both men toppled backwards, their weapons falling from their lifeless hands.

"Excellent work, girls," Gertrude said with confidence as she looked at the bodies on the ground. "And you three said you didn't want to work together!"

"Who would have guessed that Narrita's knack for deceitfulness would actually be helpful for us?" Tamma said smugly.

"That's twice I came through for you two," the bandit said. "Third time, I expect some compensation." Narrita rubbed an imaginary pair of coins in between her fingers.

"Tell you what. You save our necks ten more times and I'll call it even for you and your gang stealing my cart and everything in it!"

"Oh yeah?" Narrita cut her eyes towards the hunter. "Let's throw what happened to Pierce into the equation. Where does that put us?"

Gertrude stepped between the two, small sparks of lighting still jumping from fingertip to fingertip. "Stop bickering!" the witch barked. "Let's just move on. Save that kind of energy for those that actually deserve it."