"What do we do now, Chaston?" Tamma asked outside the door to the Governor's Quarters. "That was our only chance at making sure Farrowport could be saved form this infestation!"

The researcher kept his head hung low, pressing his glasses against the bridge of his nose. "I-I'm not sure, Tamma. I didn't plan this far ahead. I was really banking on the Governor being persuaded by notes."

"So we are on our own now?" Miwah said with worry.

"Seems like that is the case, yes." Chaston replied.

"There has to be something that we can do!" Tamma walked up next to the researcher and pressed one arm against his shoulder. "We can't give up now. Maybe we could act as the exterminators! Do you know anything about what goes into an Extermination Meaasure?"

"It depends on the species that's being dealt with. It's different for each infestation."

"You know anything about Insectus?"

"I'm still researching it. The information is scarce in the few volumes I have. But there are still a few books that I haven't had the time to locate and look through."

"What do you think, Miwah?" Tamma turned towards the seamstress. "Would you be fine with helping Chaston and I look into how to deal with these maggots on a larger scale?"

"It could not hurt to try. It is not like I have anything else to do here."

"The more eyes we have on the pages, the better," Chaston replied. He then turned his eyes towards Alson. "Are you much of a researcher?"

"Me?" The guard pointed towards himself, his eyes widening. "If I'm going to be honest with you, academics were never my strength. Never went to school. Can barely read. I'm afraid I'd be doing nothing but slowing you three down."

"That is fair. You deserve a rest anyway. Consider it a thanks for all that you've done for us," Chaston replied. “Besides, I’m sure you have other duties to fulfil with the Farrowport Guard. Your captain probably won’t be too pleased to find out that I’ve taken you from your post for so long.”

"Wait a second now. I've gone along with you this far. I plan on going all the way. Just because I can't read doesn't mean I can't help. Sounds to me that you've got to get to the Governor's library to try and find the remaining books, am I right?"

The researcher nodded. "Yes. That is correct. But I spend much of my time down there anyway. Not like I wouldn't be able to find the texts on my own. What I really need help with is parsing through all the pages. And I'll need literate people in order to do that."

"Oh, that makes sense." Alson looked at a worried Tamma before shifting his gaze back to the researcher. "But I still want to help. I am a member of the Farrowport Guard, after all. It is my sworn duty to make sure to protect the people of this town no matter what."

"I appreciate your dedication. Perhaps we could find something for you to do."

"Maybe he could lift some of the heavy books and reach the top shelves," Miwah joked.

"Thanks. I'm sure I could muster that," an unenthused Alson replied.

"I'm sure you three must be exhausted. If you want to go home to get some rest, I am more than understanding."

"I hate to admit it, but I could use the break. I am exhausted." Alson propped his back against the trunk of a tree and slumped down.

"But our time is limited!" Miwah stated. "I am willing to forgo a bit of rest if it means allowing ourselves as much time as possible to gather any and all information that could put us at an advantage!"

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Chaston stepped forward, peering down at Miwah with his own wearied eyes. Both gazes remained locked before Chaston slowly lowered his gaze downwards. "I can tell that you're exhausted. You've been out all day. It's in your eyes. It's in your mannerisms. There's no way that you can continue on in your condition." The researcher looked at the other two as well. "Same goes for the both of you. We'll be at our best with a bit of sleep. I want all three of you to get some rest and a meal. We'll meet up again tomorrow at my office, first thing in the morning. Is that understood?"

"Yes sir," all three said in unison.

"Good. I am glad to see that we are in agreement here. My mind is weary as well. I wouldn't even be able to concentrate probably after the long day I've had. I'd end up reading the same line over and over again. That won't do anyone any good."

"You girls need me to accompany you home?" Alson asked.

"No. We should be fine. If we take the longer route back to my place, we shouldn't come across any Cutthroats," Tamma said. "Besides, you've already done enough walking. Looks like you're about to pass out right here, lad."

"So glad you said that you don't need my help. And you're right. I'd fall asleep right here if it weren't for the fact that I'd be reprimanded." The guard shut his eyes and looked up. "I don't even know if I can make it back to my own place. And it's a short walk from here!"

Miwah took Alson by the arm and hoisted him up. "You will be fine. I have faith in you," she chided. The woozy guard stood up straight and rubbed his forehead with the palm of his hand.

"Let's cut our discussion short. We can talk about the Governor's decision and what we can do in greater detail in the morning." Chaston looked at a wobbling Alson. He swayed back and forth, synchronized with the evening breezes that passed. "I can tell that Alson could topple over any minute. Perhaps it is you two that should be taking him home?"

Both Miwah and Tamma stared at the man between them. His eyes were shut tight as his mouth opened a bit, letting a soft yet steady groan escape. "That's fine with me," the hunter said.

----------------------------------------

Miwah and Tamma stood on either side of Alson, both placing one of his arms over their shoulder. Together, they drudged further away from the Governor's building and towards the outskirts of the district.

"Fortunately, Alson's home is on the way towards the district's exit," Tamma said softly, making sure that her steps didn't get in the way of those of her drowsy friend's. "We'll just drop him off and we'll be on our way."

"Good. A part of me is relieved that Chaston suggested that we take a rest." The trio stopped in front of a rising building. Tamma used her free hand open the front door, letting a bit of cool air escape. The sudden rush of wind made Alson stir as he lifted his head and opened his eyes a bit.

"Thanks," he muttered as best as he could. "I... think I can make it the rest of the way."

Both let him go, letting him stagger through the doorway and towards the staircase at the side of the interior. "Make sure you use the railing!" Tamma called out as she watched Alson limp closer to the stairs. He lazily put one hand on the guardrail that followed up the stairs and gave the hunter a groggy thumbs up before descending. Once he was gone from their view, Tamma closed the door.

"How do you think Lug is doing?" Miwah asked. Tamma opened her eyes wide.

"Oh no,” she said as she smacked her forehead with the palm of her hand. “He's problem torn the place up by now! I don't want to have to clean that floor again!"

"I do not want to sound rude, but would it be fine if I slept in the bed again?" Miwah asked. "I am not used to sleeping in the woods like you are. I think you would be more familiar with sleeping somewhere a brillick has been all day."

"You're acting like Lug doesn't get on the bed when he gets anxious. Don't assume that the bed is safe either, Lass."

The seamstress' shoulders slumped forward as she shut her eyes tight and frowned. "Fantastic. Seems like we will not be getting the rest we deserve."

“Aye, seems like the life of a Purifier isn’t all that it’s cracked to be.”

Yalch hovered in front of the two women, returning their longing looks with one of his own. “Hey now. Even though what you just said is completely true, you shouldn’t let that fact get you down! You two have been doing great for a couple of newcomers.”

“Thanks Yalch,” Miwah replied, slowly making her way away from Alson’s home and towards the path that led to the heart of Farrowport. “But sometimes I think that my Beacon might be better off in someone else’s hands.”

“But that means the Ghenkans would have dealt with you.”

“Right. But just think of how effective this power would be with someone who was a seasoned fighter! They could probably take on the entirety of the Ghenkans alone!”

“Well, that didn’t happen now, did it?” Yalch said. “All that matters is that you two are Purifiers now and you’re going to have to go through some serious tribulations to reach your true potential! But don’t let that stop you.”

“Yeah, yeah,” an exhausted Tamma said as she started heading towards the main part of town. “We’ve heard this before. I was just expecting a bit more respect with the job.”

“You’ll have to earn that,” Yalch said. “But you already got my appreciation! And Alson too.”

Miwah stretched one arm above her head and blocked out a yawn with her other hand. “I suppose that’s a start.”